Tavira Restaurant

Have been coming here off and on for years. Quality has remained consistently high. Truly a Portuguese restaurant, heavy on seafood obviously but has meat options as well. All choices well prepared and delicious. The grilled calamari (pictured) was perfectly cooked and prepared. Had whole grilled branzino but the picture shows the ravaged carcass of the fish so clearly it also was delicious. The decor is charming. The 3rd pic was more impressive in person with wall mural reflected in the framed mirror. Wine list leans heavily toward underappreciated Portuguese wines which are wonderful. We've never personally been disappointed and the staff are consistently friendly, professional and attentive. We should be coming here more often.

This is excellent, authentic Portuguese food with ingredients and dishes that taste like they were fed to you in Madeira itself. Every single thing we ordered was fantastic and I am recommending this to all of my family when they visit the area. For anyone coming for a first visit, park in the parking garage with a Tavira sign over the entrance. Then, along one of the walls of the parking garage there will be black doors with large windowpanes that have a faded “Tavira” sign on it. That is your entrance so you don’t get stuck at the wrong one!

Absolutely delicious! We came here for a lovely dinner. The restaurant is cozy and beautiful, and the food brings back memories of our trip to Portugal. I love the fried cod fritters. We had the calf liver, which was cooked so well and tasted like a steak. The braised pork was so tender and delicious with bread. Topped it off with a warm pasteis de nata The staff was friendly and welcoming

Have been dining at Tavira for years and love it. Spectacular Portuguese food, excellent service and a comfortable location. High points here include the tempting array of specials — a wide variety of thoughtful seafood and meat dishes and, if you’re not in the mood for the specials, the 3-course prix fixe dinner ($38 as of late 2023 and an excellent value.) The standard a la carte menu can be rewarding, too. Recent winners have included the grilled squid appetizer and swordfish steak specials. The pork shank (available on the prix fixe and a la carte menus) is one of my favorites, as is the iconic clams and chorizo appetizer. Desserts are light and delicious — save room. The servers at Tavira are experts at presenting the list of specials with drama and delivering each course with impeccable timing. Service is thoughtful and attentive. The location is quirky: in the basement of an office building on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase Lake. But tables are well-spaced, the dining area is comfortable and the atmosphere is relaxing. Highly recommended.

I didn’t know how we could have missed this cute restaurant for all these years. Maybe it’s in the basement of a huge building. There’s a sign on the building but that’s all. You park inside the building and a green restaurant door points the way. The food is delicious and the service attentive. Try it out you will love it.