Swahili Village Bar & Restaurant

Nice place. Great food

Delicious!!!!!

Everything was great! I had the Samosas as an appetizer and the lentil entree with jollof rice and fried sweet plantains.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I visited Swahili a few weekends ago and I enjoyed my time. I normally order the basket (i loveeeeee samosas lol) Princess is an amazing server. She always makes sure my food comes out right and her drink recommendations are always delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Definitely coming back !!! Go see Princess at the bar she made me one of her signature drinks and it was sooooooooo good! If you’re looking for a bartender that knows how to make drinks check her out. I also had the chicken wings grilled with the spicy sauce as she suggested and it was A1. I will be coming back for drinks while Princess is there and the food !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food and service were good, however we found multiple pieces of hair in our food/drink

Visiting Swahili Village Restaurant for the first time, I was incredibly disappointed by how I was treated. The hostess at the front tried to seat me in the lounge, but the man working the bar stopped her. He explicitly stated that she couldn’t sit me there because the owner, Kevin, was sitting there with his friends. To be singled out and denied service in a public area just because of the owner's personal preference is unacceptable. It is deeply disheartening and disgusting to experience this kind of exclusionary behavior from a fellow African. Terrible experience, and I will not be back.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Nyama Bites

Good one

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had an amazing customer service experience on my visit to Swahili village. I had arrived at the restaurant by uber but didn’t realize it wasn’t going to be open for an hour . While I was waiting outside, Clifton, the manager saw me standing outside and offered me a seat in the waiting area. He didn’t have to but he did and I was grateful.
Effie took my order and she was impressionable as well. . She was very respectful and knowledgeable of the cuisine!
Will definitely be back !!!!
Thank you Clifton and Effie.

Swahili Village!! What can I say. If you go. Go see Princess behind the bar. Nae the server and Malakia. This trio will give you the Swahili Experience!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

I thought the location in Washington DC was terrible but this spot was even worse. We got told to seat ourselves and then watched as people after us got taken to a seat. We waited 25 minutes for a greeting and another 15 for her to come back and ask what drink we wanted. They were sold out of the only food we came for as soon as they opened. This has happened at both locations so why even offer the food if you never have it. Food was terrible and not authentic Kenyan style. For something that tastes like garbage, you would think that the bill wouldn’t be over $100. After paying, we didn’t even get a thank you or anything. She just laid the card reader down and walked away. I can confidently say that this place is the worst I’ve ever had and won’t give any location another chance. Stay away unless you enjoy expensive burnt food.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Have the beef suya. You won't regret it. The joloff is not joloff, it's just orange rice. As a west African, I'm qualified to say that and the Nigerian server agreed with me 😄

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing restaurant; both the food and service are incredible. Our server (Chi Chi) went out of her way to make sure we were well taken care of and her service was top notch. She also made sure our small child was happy and taken care of. Food was also really really good, and every time we have been there the food has been great. We always take friends and family who are visiting from out of town here because it is probably the best restaurant in Beltsville. Highly recommend!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We are here four years ago when driving through the area. The food was SO good we made a reservation to eat here again. We were very happy we did. Janae helped us. She was personable and attentive. We had the Bhaija and the samosas and the for appetizer. It was served super hot and both appetizers were delicious. My husband had the grilled red snapper and I had the oxtail. Both were delicious! Jordan was the bar tender. She was very knowledgeable with regard to the cocktail menu which had some interesting and diverse choices. We love this restaurant and we are in the area for three nights. We will return again for one of the two nights. I would highly recommend that you try Swahili village. You will not be disappointed.

Food: 5

Service: 5

I visited Swahili Village on a Thursday two weeks ago for my birthday dinner and left feeling disappointed. The restaurant appeared understaffed, with very few employees available to assist guests. One young server was doing her best to manage multiple tables, including mine, and I appreciated her effort. However, I observed her ask another staff member, Princess, for assistance, and the response she received was unprofessional and dismissive. One thing I would say I enjoyed was the dj! he did an amazing job.
I had been looking forward to returning to this restaurant, but this experience has made me hesitant to come back anytime soon. Improvements in staffing and customer service would make a big difference.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2