Bar Spero

Located between Union Station and Chinatown in the new Capitol Crossing development, Bar Spero is the eponymous concept from the Michelin-starred chef behind Reverie, Johnny Spero. Don’t be fooled by its billing as a bar, the restaurant serves a seafood-centric menu inspired by destinations near and far—from the Mid-Atlantic to Basque Country. Menu highlights include imported Spanish Turbot and very hammy Bar Spero Bikini—a dish with serrano ham, housemade morcilla, idiazabal and manchego cheese.

If you're the type of person who is intrigued by the idea of a pine mousse and huckleberry granita, Bar Spero is right up your alley. Chef Johnny Spero's new D.C. spot features his own cerebral take on cooking, this time guided by his experience with Basque cuisine, ingredients from the Mid-Atlantic, and the kitchen's hearth fire.

Bon Appetit named Bar Spero one of the country’s best new restaurants of 2023 and you won’t get any pushback from me (although BA lost me when it described Bar Spero as an “ode to Basque nightlife”). What I am sure of is that there are a lot of good things coming out of the kitchen, often seafood- and veggie-forward and cooked over an open fire. I’ve only been once but everything was a hit — the hearth-grilled bread from Manifest Bakery (with the chicken liver mousse), grilled oysters, beef tartare, the burger (which Spero originally made famous at Reverie), baked potato with smoked egg, Jonah Crab Rice, Beef Rib, and Burnt Cheesecake ice cream.

Those who spend their weekend brunching at the neighboring eateries of Capital Crossing might not know about the metaphorical gold mine sitting around the corner. Bar Spero is relatively unassuming from the outside, but the inside space is massively modern, serving up expertly-crafted cocktails and equally as delicious bites. Oyster fans will absolutely want to snag a half dozen, which come dressed in a blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it butter sauce that sits right on top of the shell.

250 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 155, Washington, DC 20001, USA. Taking inspiration from the fast-paced energy of Basque nightlife, Bar Spero is a lively seafood bar and grill. The menu features open-fire grilling and freshly shucked seafood, with a particular recommendation for their amazing turbot and razor clams.

Johnny Spero’s cool, Basque-inspired dining room in the Capital Crossing development is putting out a $65 dinner menu. Starters are a choice between shaved ham with potato chips or a tortilla espanola. Entrées—arroz con pollo, a porcini-and-onion-rubbed rib eye, or mushroom rice—are meant to be shared.

Named after its award-winning chef and owner, Johnny Spero, this Capital Crossing spot has its roots in Spain’s Basque country, making it one of the best D.C. restaurants for Spanish-style seafood.