I really wanted to like this place. The the portions are a problem, especially when the execution of the food is not good. Paying $26 for 2 overcooked shrimp with heads is not a good feeling. Having had Ghanese food before it's delicious and flavors here were good. The rice jollof was dry. Just really overpriced. Eggplant dish delicious, fish collar delicious. One dish said it would come with pasta which i have had before at other places but it did not. The wait staff seemed disjointed and not enough room to operate, it effects service. Ordering a drink and being told one the key ingredients was out. I would not recommend this place to a friend as It currently operates.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
TLX Media
Loved it here. Great staff, lovely atmosphere/vibe, great music, and the food was soooo tasty. We did the tasting menu, and it’s what I recommend for you if you’re visiting for the first time. Once you’ve tried everything you’ll come back knowing exactly what you want. 10/10 Will be back. Duck Jollof was 🔥🔥. Appetizer with roti was 🔥🔥, ginger beer 🔥🔥🔥, scallops were 🔥🔥(not sure if these were on the menu), desserts were all 🔥, and the portions were not skimpy like some other restaurants of a similar caliber.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B C
Food was generally ok, but some degree of hit or miss across the menu. Staff was pleasant, but service was unacceptable given the price point (food was brought out before plates/silverware, constantly had to ask for water to be refilled, etc). Overall, a very underwhelming experience given the steep price point. Plenty of options in dc…..I strongly suggest spending your money elsewhere…
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
marjorie krakue
Elmina is a luxurious, diasporic, and modern take on Ghanaian dishes (such as stews, soups, fish, rice, and meats) using traditional west african recipes with a blend of global and local ingredients. The atmosphere is chic with warm reds and oranges and perfectly selected music. I felt like I was dining in Accra. I highly recommend this place because there is something for everyone on the menu. I’ve never had west african food at this level of fine dining and perfection.
I dined with a friend and we opted for the tasting menu. Here’s my review of the dishes:
Starter - Hamacho Crudo - You’ll notice the hamacho crudo is in most of the pictures because I didn’t want to let it go. Every time the waiter asked to remove the plate, I said “nope, not yet!”. It was a refreshing and light starter to savor.
1st Curried Corn Bisque - the pork lardons were crisped to perfect and the broth was ultra savory
Ghana Salad - this salad was very crisp and the tuna was just right
2nd Fufu - This is the best light soup I’ve EVER had, the broth was balanced and not overly acidic or oily. It gave grandmother/mother/auntie status (well done!)
Lamb Shoulder - it fell right off the bone, need I say more?!?
3rd Fish with fried yam - the fisher fryer has a PHD in hot grease and crispy skin, I mean look at the pictures. The green and red pepper condiments were also plentiful. The dish and execution was very mindful
The palate cleanser was a Sobolo Sherbert - I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled into the back of my head while I swayed to the music while enjoying this refreshing and delicious treat. I don’t think I’ve ever had this reaction to a frozen treat.
4th Malva Pudding Cake - it lived up to its name with a gooey inside and nice outside. The vanilla gelato was the perfect accoutrement for the dense cake.
Bofrot is my favorite Ghanaian dessert and I didn’t know that I needed the nutmeg chantilly, sticky toffee sauce, heath bar crunch and milo gelato to go with it (oh my!). Again another clever dish blending in the popular milo ingredient to make a gelato (I mean who does that? Only Chef Eric!).
Cocktail - I had the Gold Coast Margarita - shout out to the bartender because the tequila was subtle and well blended with the hibiscus lime. The Bee pollen salt was a subtle addition and not overpowering like a typical rim salt.
In summary, Elmina is a must if you’re in DC or planning a trip, bring all your friends.
Quick Tips:
To fully enjoy the experience, it’s best to have a light meal earlier in the day so that you can fully enjoy the tasting menu
Order the tasting menu
Pair the cocktails and wine with your dish
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nae'Emah Johnson
Decided to visit this restaurant on my last trip to D.C. BEST DECISION! 😁 Me and my sis decided on the tasting menu and we DID NOT regret it. Our server was efficient and friendly, and the ambiance was TOP TIER! I mean, a little R&B...a little Afro-beats. VERY GOOD!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Edward
Choose between à la carte or a 4 course menu to taste and experience flavorful African cuisine while you enjoy Afro-beats/high life music. The spice level wasn’t daunting at all. Try the Jollof if you haven’t had that dish anywhere. I was impressed by the presentation and quantity. The server was accommodating and offered suggestions to folks with dietary restrictions.
Parking was hard to find in the area. Typical DC headache.
Pretty good. Can only comment on tasting menu as ala cart was different. The starter course (off menu) and the Fufu were stand out and not to be missed. Would go back just for the fufu if it was ala cart. The rest was only ok. Duck jollof was a bit dry. Service was ok. Cocktails were interesting. Loved the corn pudding dessert, very unique.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Creamy Peanut Soup with Fufu
Valerie Thompson
Food was spoiled. You can’t miss the smell of the spoiled rice and fish, yet they still served it. I was trying to convince myself that I was all in my head. My stomach has been making weird noses since and I’ve been throwing up. Not to mention how terrible the service is. Staff are very rude all of them. Don’t bother speaking with a manager, unless you want to get insulted and the receiving end of a nasty attitude. Be careful with the food. I saw another review about them serving spoiled food some time back and I ignored now I’m here not feeling well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Turtle Jr.
Heard great things about this place going in, was expecting something new, almost exciting when you hear you're trying Ghanaian food. We were welcomed in very elegantly, staff was phenomenal. My only complaint would be the pricing, for how much we were spending on some of these meals, for the quantity + quality, you'd expect more. I'd like to point out one dish in particular, the Jollaf pot. It was $95. Sounds delicious, was delicious, but the amount of seafood that was actually in the dish was very questionable for how much $$$ that could get you in seafood. Overall, i think it was a good experience but i think the pricing needs to be fixed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Slex
Absolutely superb. Try the tasting menu, you won’t regret it! Love that we could each pick our own 1st and 2nd courses as well as dessert, so we could try a bunch of different things. Portion sizes were perfect. Cocktails were excellent. And the venue was stunning!
Amazing food, great ambiance and service. They made it very special for my friend’s bday celebration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Crystal Mcfarlane
I love how Elmina kept the same concept from the previous restaurant that was at this location. The only difference that I truly loved was the portions. They give you so much delicious food. The staff are knowledgeable and kind. I already recommended this place to a couple of my friends 🫶
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Mayowa Adeyemi
I’ve been to Elmina many times and the service and food has always been amazing. I went last night for a chef spotlight and was met with bad customer service and not the best food.
The 1st course was a beautiful crudo and made me excited for what was to come. The 2nd course was a egusi, ricotta and smoke turkey dish with no smoked turkey. The 3rd course made it worse, it was a marked as a sirloin duo I believe, but only one minuscule piece of sirloin was there. It was so inconsistent, my friend had a tinier piece than me. My neighbors to my right had a small piece, then my neighbors to my left had two pieces of sirloin.
That’s when we called the manager, he was rude and was not receptive to our feedback and stated that the sirloin was pre-cut, but there were obvious quality control issues.
He comped the bill for the table to my right, while giving us nothing off but a glass of wine comped.
Nothing about my experience last night is what I’m used to from Elmina. If last night was my 1st time at Elmina, I would never go back.
Seth Harris
Delicious Ghanaian food served by a charming, upbeat, and very helpful wait staff delivered a great birthday celebration. The inexpensive wine options and the complimentary celebratory prosecco certainly helped as well. We loved every dish, including the seafood jolloff, oxtail, crab rice, pork belly skewer and eggplant dip. We recommend them all. Elmina is a top-notch, fun, and interesting restaurant. Give it a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enrique Marquez
I wanted to love this place. The chef is just amazing and I had followed his career some time. I don’t want to discourage people from going but I did want to share my experience. I went with three people. We all woke up the next morning a bit sick. I am not the type that eats out. I live a very healthy lifestyle and eat very strictly. So I know it had to be this. We did the tasting menu and I can say we all agreed the duck was off. My two friends stopped eating it almost immediately. It took me a few bites to conclude that it was off. I’m writing on a Sunday, a few days after the dinner, and I still feel a bit ill. I usually plan on eating out in advance and was totally looking forward to this. I’m disappointed, especially after dropping hundreds each for dinner.
I really wanted to like this place. The the portions are a problem, especially when the execution of the food is not good. Paying $26 for 2 overcooked shrimp with heads is not a good feeling. Having had Ghanese food before it's delicious and flavors here were good. The rice jollof was dry. Just really overpriced. Eggplant dish delicious, fish collar delicious. One dish said it would come with pasta which i have had before at other places but it did not. The wait staff seemed disjointed and not enough room to operate, it effects service. Ordering a drink and being told one the key ingredients was out. I would not recommend this place to a friend as It currently operates.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Loved it here. Great staff, lovely atmosphere/vibe, great music, and the food was soooo tasty. We did the tasting menu, and it’s what I recommend for you if you’re visiting for the first time. Once you’ve tried everything you’ll come back knowing exactly what you want. 10/10 Will be back. Duck Jollof was 🔥🔥. Appetizer with roti was 🔥🔥, ginger beer 🔥🔥🔥, scallops were 🔥🔥(not sure if these were on the menu), desserts were all 🔥, and the portions were not skimpy like some other restaurants of a similar caliber.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was generally ok, but some degree of hit or miss across the menu. Staff was pleasant, but service was unacceptable given the price point (food was brought out before plates/silverware, constantly had to ask for water to be refilled, etc). Overall, a very underwhelming experience given the steep price point. Plenty of options in dc…..I strongly suggest spending your money elsewhere…
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Elmina is a luxurious, diasporic, and modern take on Ghanaian dishes (such as stews, soups, fish, rice, and meats) using traditional west african recipes with a blend of global and local ingredients. The atmosphere is chic with warm reds and oranges and perfectly selected music. I felt like I was dining in Accra. I highly recommend this place because there is something for everyone on the menu. I’ve never had west african food at this level of fine dining and perfection.
I dined with a friend and we opted for the tasting menu. Here’s my review of the dishes:
Starter - Hamacho Crudo - You’ll notice the hamacho crudo is in most of the pictures because I didn’t want to let it go. Every time the waiter asked to remove the plate, I said “nope, not yet!”. It was a refreshing and light starter to savor.
1st
Curried Corn Bisque - the pork lardons were crisped to perfect and the broth was ultra savory
Ghana Salad - this salad was very crisp and the tuna was just right
2nd
Fufu - This is the best light soup I’ve EVER had, the broth was balanced and not overly acidic or oily. It gave grandmother/mother/auntie status (well done!)
Lamb Shoulder - it fell right off the bone, need I say more?!?
3rd
Fish with fried yam - the fisher fryer has a PHD in hot grease and crispy skin, I mean look at the pictures. The green and red pepper condiments were also plentiful. The dish and execution was very mindful
The palate cleanser was a Sobolo Sherbert - I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled into the back of my head while I swayed to the music while enjoying this refreshing and delicious treat. I don’t think I’ve ever had this reaction to a frozen treat.
4th
Malva Pudding Cake - it lived up to its name with a gooey inside and nice outside. The vanilla gelato was the perfect accoutrement for the dense cake.
Bofrot is my favorite Ghanaian dessert and I didn’t know that I needed the nutmeg chantilly, sticky toffee sauce, heath bar crunch and milo gelato to go with it (oh my!). Again another clever dish blending in the popular milo ingredient to make a gelato (I mean who does that? Only Chef Eric!).
Cocktail - I had the Gold Coast Margarita - shout out to the bartender because the tequila was subtle and well blended with the hibiscus lime. The Bee pollen salt was a subtle addition and not overpowering like a typical rim salt.
In summary, Elmina is a must if you’re in DC or planning a trip, bring all your friends.
Quick Tips:
To fully enjoy the experience, it’s best to have a light meal earlier in the day so that you can fully enjoy the tasting menu
Order the tasting menu
Pair the cocktails and wine with your dish
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Decided to visit this restaurant on my last trip to D.C. BEST DECISION! 😁 Me and my sis decided on the tasting menu and we DID NOT regret it. Our server was efficient and friendly, and the ambiance was TOP TIER! I mean, a little R&B...a little Afro-beats. VERY GOOD!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Choose between à la carte or a 4 course menu to taste and experience flavorful African cuisine while you enjoy Afro-beats/high life music. The spice level wasn’t daunting at all. Try the Jollof if you haven’t had that dish anywhere. I was impressed by the presentation and quantity. The server was accommodating and offered suggestions to folks with dietary restrictions.
Parking was hard to find in the area. Typical DC headache.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Malva Pudding Cake, Ghana Salad, Duck Confit, Ghanaian Salad
Pretty good. Can only comment on tasting menu as ala cart was different. The starter course (off menu) and the Fufu were stand out and not to be missed. Would go back just for the fufu if it was ala cart. The rest was only ok. Duck jollof was a bit dry. Service was ok. Cocktails were interesting. Loved the corn pudding dessert, very unique.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Creamy Peanut Soup with Fufu
Food was spoiled. You can’t miss the smell of the spoiled rice and fish, yet they still served it. I was trying to convince myself that I was all in my head. My stomach has been making weird noses since and I’ve been throwing up. Not to mention how terrible the service is. Staff are very rude all of them. Don’t bother speaking with a manager, unless you want to get insulted and the receiving end of a nasty attitude. Be careful with the food. I saw another review about them serving spoiled food some time back and I ignored now I’m here not feeling well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Heard great things about this place going in, was expecting something new, almost exciting when you hear you're trying Ghanaian food. We were welcomed in very elegantly, staff was phenomenal. My only complaint would be the pricing, for how much we were spending on some of these meals, for the quantity + quality, you'd expect more. I'd like to point out one dish in particular, the Jollaf pot. It was $95. Sounds delicious, was delicious, but the amount of seafood that was actually in the dish was very questionable for how much $$$ that could get you in seafood. Overall, i think it was a good experience but i think the pricing needs to be fixed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Absolutely superb. Try the tasting menu, you won’t regret it! Love that we could each pick our own 1st and 2nd courses as well as dessert, so we could try a bunch of different things. Portion sizes were perfect. Cocktails were excellent. And the venue was stunning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing food, great ambiance and service. They made it very special for my friend’s bday celebration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love how Elmina kept the same concept from the previous restaurant that was at this location. The only difference that I truly loved was the portions. They give you so much delicious food. The staff are knowledgeable and kind. I already recommended this place to a couple of my friends 🫶
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I’ve been to Elmina many times and the service and food has always been amazing. I went last night for a chef spotlight and was met with bad customer service and not the best food.
The 1st course was a beautiful crudo and made me excited for what was to come. The 2nd course was a egusi, ricotta and smoke turkey dish with no smoked turkey. The 3rd course made it worse, it was a marked as a sirloin duo I believe, but only one minuscule piece of sirloin was there. It was so inconsistent, my friend had a tinier piece than me. My neighbors to my right had a small piece, then my neighbors to my left had two pieces of sirloin.
That’s when we called the manager, he was rude and was not receptive to our feedback and stated that the sirloin was pre-cut, but there were obvious quality control issues.
He comped the bill for the table to my right, while giving us nothing off but a glass of wine comped.
Nothing about my experience last night is what I’m used to from Elmina. If last night was my 1st time at Elmina, I would never go back.
Delicious Ghanaian food served by a charming, upbeat, and very helpful wait staff delivered a great birthday celebration. The inexpensive wine options and the complimentary celebratory prosecco certainly helped as well. We loved every dish, including the seafood jolloff, oxtail, crab rice, pork belly skewer and eggplant dip. We recommend them all. Elmina is a top-notch, fun, and interesting restaurant. Give it a try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wanted to love this place. The chef is just amazing and I had followed his career some time. I don’t want to discourage people from going but I did want to share my experience. I went with three people. We all woke up the next morning a bit sick. I am not the type that eats out. I live a very healthy lifestyle and eat very strictly. So I know it had to be this. We did the tasting menu and I can say we all agreed the duck was off. My two friends stopped eating it almost immediately. It took me a few bites to conclude that it was off. I’m writing on a Sunday, a few days after the dinner, and I still feel a bit ill. I usually plan on eating out in advance and was totally looking forward to this. I’m disappointed, especially after dropping hundreds each for dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
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