African Restaurants in Washington, DC

“This place was probably one of my favorite dining experiences in DC. One of the reviews I read mentioned you’ll probably end up ordering 40-50% of the menu, and they were definitely right. For two people, we ordered 1 snack, 2 appetizers, 1 item from the “with bread” section, and 1 large share. We also got the rum cake (which was so good!) for dessert and we each had a drink. We left very full and with some leftovers from the large share.

All that aside, this place absolutely lived up to the hype! Each food item was packed with flavor and had beautiful presentation. The servers were kind and quick to help. Food comes out quickly which was nice! The music was on the louder side, but the playlist was great. We could still hear each other.

One thing to note is the menu changes slightly, so what you see in other reviews will more or less be what is available (with slight changes). For instance, we saw reviews about the chargrilled oysters but when we saw the menu it was (raw) oysters escovitch.

This place is definitely on my list to go back to!“

“Delicious food! Shared the Beef Tips and the Veggie Platter between 2 people. It came on one platter and was the perfect amount of food. Had the Ethiopian hot tea, spicy and delicious! Atmosphere is casual, lots of locals, TVs on the walls, but they're muted!“

“Candace is Superstar! I’m visiting in town with friends from all over, and my Ugandan friend after one taste, “this reminds me of home”. If you looking for quick bite, and/or dine in. This is the spot to go to for authentic African food and genuine connection. We definitely will be back while in town!“

“Elmina is such a fun dining experience. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, lively, and beautifully curated, and the food delivers just as much personality. They bring the vibrant flavors of Ghana to life with a playful, modern twist while still allowing the unique ingredients and flavors to shine.

Everything we tried was delicious and wonderfully distinctive. The waakye paired with flavorful shito and oxtail was an absolute standout. The combination of rich, savory flavors was beyond delicious. The grilled prawns were beautifully cooked and packed with flavor, especially with the bright green sauce and fresh herbs. We also enjoyed the crispy, deeply seasoned plantains and the other flavorful bites we sampled.

What really impressed me was how layered and unique the flavors were. There was something familiar yet completely new in every bite, and the beautiful presentation made the experience even more enjoyable.

If you are looking for exceptional Ghanaian food, creative flavors, and a vibrant atmosphere, Elmina is absolutely worth a visit. We had a fantastic experience and cannot wait to come back and try more of the menu!“

“The food was really good and the waiter was very attentive. I forgot the name of the appetizer but it was a shrimp, avocado combo that was served with bread. DELICIOUS. We also had yam chips served with a mayonnaise based sauce. They were seasoned differently than what I am used to (which is just salt) but it tasted amazing! The main meal was snapper with jollof rice and fried plantain. 10s across the board would highly recommend.“

“I went during the late afternoon. Parking was ok. I was able to find street parking. I walked in as a first time customer and was greeting with a warm welcome. The staff talked to me about the different areas of the restaurant and upcoming events. I was waited on almost immediately. My drink came first; which was really good and priced well. I ordered wings and salad. Everything came out hot and tasted really good. The vibes during this time I day was chill with good music. I was told they have DJs later on in the evening. Overall I had a great experience. I would definitely go again.“

“Great Late-Night Find with Excellent Service!
I ordered from Beyond Suya at their kiosk, and I was genuinely impressed. The staff was so nice, patient, and super communicative throughout the entire process. Even though it wasn’t a dine-in experience, they made sure everything went smoothly and made me feel like a valued customer.

The food was absolutely delicious – full of flavor and clearly made with care. What really stood out, aside from the amazing service, is that they’re open late! If you’re looking for something tasty and satisfying to eat late at night, Beyond Suya is a perfect go-to. I’ll definitely be back again soon. Highly recommend!“

“So authentic and tasty. yummy and feels like herby spicy. thank you“

“How in heavens name do you rate delicious? I recommend Disbe for all grilled meat loving fans.“

“Love this place. Walk in the door and immediately to the right is Lawd Shawarma! A wonderfully warm meal of fish & eggs with vegan bread and Christmas-spiced Sorrel / Hibiscus drink. No matter what they call the next respiratory illness, no matter if you need to starve a flu or feed a cold. Problem solved for me. Lawd! I thank you.“

“Saw an amazing story about the food and owners of this restaurant- what a great story - thank you for being such a great role model and giving back to the community“

“friendly staff, great location and good parking“

“Good food, music, ambiance, and customer service. I will definitely be returning.“

“We tried 4 different dishes and EVERYTHING was AMAZING! The decor is beautiful. I enjoyed the music and the entire vibe of this restaurant. We got a chance to meet the chef and he was so nice and down to earth.“

“Fantastic food and atmosphere, highly recommended“