African Restaurants near Arlington, VA

“Thanks to Tracye McQuirter of By Any Greens Necessary for recommending this Ethiopian Cafe to me. The sign on the store says Bethel Cafe. I ordered the Vegetarian Platter. THEE VERY BEST! Friendly staff and accommodating. I will be venturing out to Arlington, VA on occasion just to come here.“

“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!“

“I visited Dōgon on June 24th, located within the Salamander Hotel in Washington, DC. The ambiance was exactly what I expected—warm, sophisticated, and distinctly urban chic.

While the pricing is on the higher end, the Afro-Caribbean cuisine more than justified the investment. From the moment we arrived until the conclusion of our meal, both the food and service were exceptional. Despite a full house of guests, the staff remained attentive, professional, and engaged throughout the dining experience.

If you’re looking for a distinctive and elevated dining experience in the DC area that showcases Afro-Caribbean flavors, Dōgon delivers. The combination of outstanding cuisine, impeccable service, and refined atmosphere makes it a destination well worth visiting.“

“It’s my pleasure to ordering food from Kulan restaurant for my kids and I. I had requested a rice dish with lamb, but to my delight, the portion was more than generous. The lamb itself from Kulan was incredibly delicious, with a tender and succulent texture that melted in my mouth. The flavors were well-balanced, and the combination of the rice and salad complemented the dish perfectly. It was evident that Kulan put great care and attention into preparing the meal. I highly recommend Kulan for anyone looking for exceptional food and service. My kids love Somali food no more burger or fries.“

“Amazing chef's tasting menu at ElminaDC salute to Chef Eric Adjepong & team! What a gem, such a creative & upscale Ghanaian cuisine. I just loved your delicious Ghana to the world diaspora food that it blew myself, a first gen away. And my fellow W. African friend felt the same. From the gorgeous decor, art, ambiance, yummy cocktails with dope Ghanaian themes, to starters of soup dumplings. And the yummy twist on our traditional salad with tuna slices was so creative. Then the main course an outstanding pot of our best Ghana jollof with duck beyond delicious, then egg to top it off, wow! All the flavors & presentation was out of this world. We also added my favorite street food kelewele which was so authentic. And the desserts too the puff puff bofrot was so elevated. Hands down the best chef's tasting I've ever experienced. And just saw there's a new chefs menu on the horizon, next trip back to DMV & Elmina loading. Don't know how I missed posting last summer here after my usual IG post but held off as at first was a bit antsy with name & history. But so glad & hope can still get a table after Micheli- has listed but even stars much deserved!“

“Today was my first time visiting. I came from WV. I follow the page and have been wanting to try this amazing looking food!!! April helped me pick my order and she did an awesome job!! The food was 10/10!!! My taste buds are happy ❤️“

“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!“

“This place was such a delightful discovery! The attentive care by the owner and staff made us feel welcomed and at home. And the food was so good! Truly fantastic. We had the grilled tilapia with bantu and okra soup with fufu. We were super grateful for water and bowl at our table to wash our hands before and after the meal, too. We'll definitely be back.“

“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’ve been to SOST twice now and I’ll be making it my third this Friday without a doubt. I’ll tell you this was a top tier experience from beginning to end each time I’ve come, but this time particularly takes the cake. The ambiance is so unbelievably warm and vibey, the real standout has to be the music mix and the way it really transcends your dining experience truly. I was sitting in Michelle section and she was such a doll! I felt taken care of and catered to the whole time
I’ll be going back for brunch because I feel like that’s when the food really stands out but as far as I’m concerned, this dinner was 1 of 1.“

“The steak was the highlight of the meal—perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It's easy to see why it's one of their best-selling dishes.
Their grilled Suya is a must-try and deserves its reputation as one of the restaurant's most popular menu items“

“Great Saturday party lit!!!!!“

“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!“

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

“Amazing food, great customer service. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. Definitely coming back again! I love their pepper soup and fufu, jollof rice and the banku with tilapia and hot sauce. The best restaurant in the whole DMV. One thing that I love about the place is they’re very neat, and clean. Y’all need to try this place and thank me later. And they do catering as well, for weddings, graduations, birthdays and all kinds of events. Just talk to them, the owner is very friendly and would give a good recommendation for your event.“

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

“Food was so good I ordered curry goat and chicken rice and FuFu 👍“

“Roger happened to the Chef working tonight 😍😍😍😍😍 Worth the wait, always glad to have great food when I’m in town ❤️“

“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“

“Most unique gelato I ever had. But it wasn’t bad! 👍🏻“

“friendly staff, great location and good parking“

“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.“

“KNY Lounge Review: A Cultural Hub for Food, Music, and DMV Nightlife

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

KNY Lounge is one of those rare spots in Prince George’s County that blends authentic cultural dining with a real nightlife experience. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels alive. The energy is warm, social, and deeply connected to African culture, making it more than just a restaurant. It feels like a community space where food, music, and people come together naturally.

The food is a strong highlight. Guests consistently enjoy authentic African dishes that are well seasoned, flavorful, and served in generous portions. Whether you are going for a full dinner or sharing plates with friends, the kitchen delivers a comforting and traditional taste that keeps people coming back.

As the night develops, KNY Lounge transitions into a vibrant nightlife setting. DJs set the tone with Afrobeats, hip hop, and other crowd favorites, creating a lively environment that encourages dancing and social connection. It is a place where the energy builds as the evening progresses, attracting a diverse crowd from across the DMV.

The staff and service contribute to the overall experience, maintaining a welcoming vibe even during busy nights. While it can get crowded, that is part of its appeal, especially for those who enjoy high energy social environments.

Overall, KNY Lounge stands out as a cultural hotspot in Hyattsville, offering a strong mix of food, music, and nightlife. It is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy authentic cuisine while also experiencing one of the more dynamic nightlife scenes in the area.

#KNYLounge #KitchenNearYou“

“This place is absolutely amazing! The food is incredibly delicious. I visited for the first time today and was welcomed with warm, friendly service. Everyone was in great spirits, and the atmosphere felt really positive.

When I mentioned it was my first time, they kindly offered me a sample of curry chicken, brown stew, and oxtail over rice. Each one was full of flavor — so good that I had a hard time choosing!

I ended up ordering the brown stew chicken with rice, cabbage, and a side of plantains. Everything was cooked to perfection. The chicken was juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The plantains were fresh off the stove — perfectly sweet and soft.

I absolutely loved my experience here and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend giving them a try!“

“I thoroughly enjoyed the all-day Sunday brunch. The servers and manager were super attentive and welcoming. The food and drinks were delicious and the chef was very personable. Additionally, they allowed an older unhoused gentleman to sit in from the frigid temperatures and have a complimentary hot tea. Would totally recommend.“

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

“Fantastic food and atmosphere, highly recommended“

“Good food, I love the Awaakye and fried yellow plantains
Very delicious
Wide TV , always playing music from the TV and the wonderful speakers and easy to talk.
Beautiful table and Chairs, clean environment
I will definitely go there all the time“