Stopped by Swahili Village with a group of five after taking a pottery class at Moonlight Studios…read morenearby and it turned out to be the perfect way to end the evening. It's only about a five minute drive away, so the location worked out great. This was everyone's first time trying Kenyan food and we were all blown away. The flavors were rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. We ordered several appetizers to share and then entrees including the salmon, oxtail, goat, and snapper. Everything at the table was delicious. Our server Diamond was wonderful. She was warm, helpful, and really guided us through the menu since we were new to the cuisine. Her service made the experience even better. Such a great introduction to Kenyan food and a really fun group dinner. We will absolutely be coming back.

Several reviews were mixed for Swahili Village so we decided to give it a try. Stopped in the Rhode…read moreIsland location. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Started with a Margarita cocktail which was $16.00 and terrible. Low grade tequila and store bought margarita sour mix. Service was very slow and one of the mangers was drinking and having a long conversation with the bartender. We decided to try the Jollof Rice and Suya bites. The rice was very bland. The Suya had some flavor but seemed to be missing something. I decided to take the leftovers home but unfortunately the Suya bites got very hard overnight so were not enjoyable the next day. Since eating out is pricey you may want to choose a different restaurant to try.

Flavorful food Nice portion amount…read more Always delivered on time with care Very reasonable price

I love the aesthetic of this place with the paintings that are all around, and I believe that they…read moreare for sale! This place has a lot of potential, especially if you are bringing a large group of people. I ordered the Red Snapper with jollof rice to go. The presentation was good but the taste of the food wasn't good and didn't match the price. The fish had absolutely no flavor and the rice wasn't doing it for me... I'd only recommend this place to experience the art.

UberEats review…read more Service: given the distance of the restaurant, the order took a bit long but it was packaged well so nothing spilled and the food was still still fresh and warm. Dish: I ordered the spice wings with a side of jollof rice and spinach Efo-Riro. OMG! So let's start with the wings, the flavor on these wings were the right balance between rich spices and touch of sweetness. There was a hint of honey lingering on my tongue after it was greeted by a strong spicy flavor. Adding to this, the wings were fried to perfection with crispy skin resting on the top and smooth white meat down to the bone. AMAZING! The jollof rice was stellar! And while I do not know much about the perfect preparation for this dish to review if this is the best, I've had a few from various West African countries and can say that this one had that grainy texture with just the right spices mixed in. The spinach efo-riro was SO good. I honestly could have had a plate of this by itself and my taste buds would still be pleased. Overall, this place is very generous with their serving sizes. Well portioned, beautifully prepared, seasoned to perfection, and a sure trip down culture lane! I enjoyed it so much.

I tried the salmon with jollof rice and spinach. I'd always wanted to try it, but I'm not sure I…read moreliked it. The spinach tasted frozen, and the seasoning was way too overpowering. I probably wouldn't go back. Customer service was good. when I called the woman that answered was very nice and attentive to my questions .

There's something nostalgic for me about being at Rahama that takes me back to Ghana…read more Perhaps it's the service that feels like a welcome home from that one aunt or uncle that you just know us going to have something to say or maybe it's the smell of ginger and spices that greet you the moment you approach the door. What is undeniable is this: you wont find Ghanaian food at this quality and taste anywhere else in the DMV. Theres so much range in the food offerings that it would be a disservice to come here and just order jollof. Try something served with soup, try the juices, go for the waakye and i promise you wont be disappointed.

The food is good but the service is terrible. Even if you order hours ahead you'll still end up…read morewaiting 30mins to an hour for your food and the item probably won't even be available when you get there. They need to do better.

I've been coming to Koite Grill for years - especially back when I lived down the street and it…read morenever misses. I've tried just about everything on their menu, and it sparked such a love for Senegalese food that I ended up taking a trip to Senegal last year...yes, it's that good. The family who runs this place is incredibly sweet, welcoming, and somehow never forgets a face. I bring friends and family any chance I get...partly to share, partly because I need everyone to understand the hype! And I can absolutely confirm Senegal indeed makes THEE best Jollof (I mean they did create it!)

Bintou was absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, she was so warm, welcoming, and…read moregenuinely friendly. She made us feel right at home and went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. The food was just as incredible!!! We ordered their chicken and lamb dibi combo, fish fataya and their jollof! Everything came out perfectly and tasted amazing. You can really tell there's care put into both the service and the kitchen. If you're dining here, definitely ask for Bintou. She made our experience unforgettable. We'll definitely be back more often!

The food was great. All the dishes were super flavorful, the beef was a bit tough but everything…read moreelse was great. The service is abit slow however, they only had one wait staff when we went. There's plenty of seating and pretty casual. I'd comeback again for some west African foods again.

My review is for takeout (delivery) as I haven't yet dined in. So I can't speak to ambiance,…read moreseating, etc. I've had it twice this year and both experiences have been good. A favorite is the Peanut Butter Chu and Chicken Afra. And for my dinner crew, there werent any major complaints. Flavor was there and quality. The one thing was around the desserts. Because we ordered via third-party app, I think the cake was subbed for whatever was available and not specifically we ordered. But not a major miss. Overall, delicious food and good portions. If you're in the Takoma Park area and having a taste for some warming West African cuisine, definitely check them out!

The food was outstanding and the service excellent. 5 stars!!! We had the jollof, chicken and…read morespinach. I have no complaints!

100% their food has STEPPED UP!!! I've been here more than a handful of times. My 1st encounter was…read moremany years ago when they first opened. HATED IT then, but I gave it another shot (well, many now), and I'm so glad I did. Recently went there for lunch and did takeout of what I enjoy the most: white rice and stew with chicken and spinach (nothing spicy, please). The portions are LARGE; the food is well seasoned and very tasty. The location is within a mall, decor is takeout style, nothing spectacular. It's a small place with a huge sign. I usually take my food to go. They have small eating tables inside and outside (inside the mall) if that makes sense. Their service is decent. They always allow me to test some items to ensure it's not too spicy. They are nice, not welcoming, but not mean. Their faces always have a perplexed look like they are trying to figure you out and not judge you (scrunched up face). As you're ordering, you can also take a quick peek behind the staff serving you to see what and how they cook the food. I like that. You pay behind a glass wall, but they bring your food out directly through a side door. Overall, this place deserves 5 stars!

Extremely disappointing experience at Jollof Etcetera…read more My coworkers and I visited today at 11:30a during our lunch break. Despite the restaurant advertising that it opens at 10a, the lone employee on duty appeared completely unprepared and disorganized. She could not clearly explain the menu or pricing, and it took an excessive amount of time just to place basic food and drink orders. The situation only got worse. Drinks were handed to us still in the can, and one contained a visible piece of hair. The same employee repeatedly touched her hair while handling food, which was unsettling enough. But, the final straw was when she delivered the pepper sauce and stuck her THUMB directly into it, then still charged us for that same sauce. As for the food: the jollof rice was undercooked, the beef was dry and overcooked, and overall the meal was not worth the nearly $30 per person we paid. When we asked for to-go boxes so we wouldn't completely waste our money, we were given absurdly tiny containers that couldn't even hold half the food. What should have been a 30-60 minute lunch break turned into a 2-hour ordeal. We work in the area and make a point to support local businesses, but this experience was unsanitary, inefficient, and frustrating from start to finish. We will absolutely not be returning, and cannot recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick, clean, or professionally run lunch spot.

Jollof Etc. This is the 1st time at this location. I am…read moremore familiar with the Lanham one. The ambiance appear to ask for a more upscale vibe, and there were hints of it, but it fell flat. The hostess stand looks different than the actual restaurant when you enter. It's not cohesive. Hostess stand looks rundown while the actual dining area is nice. Despite everything I listed above, the food here is not bad at all. Both locations offer taste into Nigerian cuisine that comes off as authentic but still palatable to the masses. I had the pounded yam and beef with ogbonna soup (my fav) and it didn't disappoint. I've been going to this restaurant for YEARS (Lanham) and each time I have enjoyed their food. Items I have had: okra soup, white rice and stew, Jollof rice, fish, moi-moi, puff puff...all the Nigerian popular dishes. Each one 100% SLAPS (very good). I simply deducted the rating because of decor, location (both) are in sketchy areas with interesting characters hanging outside.

Finally got an opportunity to dine here. Ive had the food catered before and this time I was able…read moreto try in house. The establishment itself is quite dated. The awning outside needs refurbishment and inside furniture is not updated. It's dark inside, almost like a night club. Perhaps it is sometimes. I did not like the decor, it was a little run down and honestly did not match up to the prices. The service was also disappointing. I felt that staff lacked a bit of professionalism and they rarely checked on us. The plates are huge. That is a plus. My partner ordered the goat and I tried the red snapper. I think one plate is big enough to share. I like the spinach, but everything needed a bit of salt. While the red snapper was coated in a lovely tomato and red pepper gravy, I felt it made the crispyness of the fried fish disappear and it was kind of soggy. Maybe you can ask for the gravy on the side. The food is not bad, but given the physical establishment and the service I wouldn't return.

First time trying this spot and the food was really good. The suya was tender and you could tell it…read morewas grilled, though I wish it had a bit more seasoning. I ordered the "Mother Land" cocktail--it was very strong but still sweet and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the service was a big letdown. Our server wasn't attentive, barely checked on us, and put our order in incorrectly. I ended up waiting a long time for my partner's food, and by the time it arrived, mine was cold. The space itself is super cute, I loved the afrobeats music and the overall vibe is great. While the food was good, I just wish the service had matched it for a better overall experience.

I LOVE getting the fufu and egusi soup from here when I visit stafford. The fufu is very fresh and…read morethe soup is always hot and has a nice spicy flavor to it. Portions are a decent size to where me and my friend can share one portion of food.

No one even came out to take our order. Then the worker came outside to offer to take our order…read moreafter we stood at the front for almost 10 minutes. We left and found food somewhere else. Was really hoping it would be a good experience. It looks like the restaurant is still being put together as parts and equipment were spread all over the place.