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    Bukom Cafe

    3.8 (387 reviews)
    ModerateBars, African
    Closed 11:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Bukom Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    BUKOM CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bukom Cafe

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    Ememabasi I.

    For homesick Africans, this place is your you! Bukom is a homey restaurant/cafe in DC, with food, drinks, and music that will make you feel like you're back in the village. At least, that's my experience. Food: 5/5 They don't have pepper soup the night I went, which was disappointing, but they always have soups, stews, and other customary west African dishes. I ended up getting a tomato based spicy soup and plantain, as I'm sitting. Usually however, I will order the egusi soup with Iyan(pounded yam). All of their soups and stews are top notch, but I suggest the egusi for first timers. Service: 5/5 I think the servers have changed. Sometimes it can take time for the food to get to you or for the servers to come to your table, but because of this, I knew the food was going to be amazing. All the restaurant staff are extremely nice as well. Ambiance: 5/5 Bukom is a simple cafe with the basics with great music selections. You'll be thoroughly entertained if you go in person. All in all, I give this establishment a 5/5 would recommend

    Shawn G.

    We were not sure what to expect when we walked into Bukom. It's a bit dark inside and more of a bar with a few tables. We came for dinner and enjoyed ourselves. The service was a bit spotty. Not bad, they just seemed a little understaffed but everyone was nice. Our first round of drinks were not made correctly but the owner noticed they did not look right and had them remade. The food was great, with lots of spice. Then there was live music. We enjoyed this little place and I would definitely go back.

    Bar (for live music) and bar
    Kiara H.

    There's nothing better than consistently delicious food. Bukom is a laid-back West African spot in Adams Morgan with fun cocktails and classics like suya, pepper soup and egusi. Enjoy reggae and afrobeats as you eat, too. They also host live performances with popular local artists (check their Instagram @bukomdc). The wait is always worth it -- you'll look forward to the next time you come.

    MOIN MOIN
    Stedmond P.

    I'm vegetarian so I was pretty limited but the moin moin saved the day! It was sooooo good and full of flavor. It had a nice little spice kick at the end too! Kojo was was the server and he was super personable and nice. I'll come back.

    Jollof Rice
    Justine B.

    Soooo good. I've driven or walked past this place so many times, and only just stopped in this past weekend. To prevent the spread or COVID, all foods and beverages are currently being served in and on plasticware. I ordered the suya, Nigerian pepper soup, and jollof rice. The soup is traditional in that it features tendon/fat and tripe, along with a few pieces of meat. The jollof was excellent-- I ate every grain lol. Lastly, the suya was flavorful, though I wish it had been served with slices of onion, rather than diced onion. Will be returning!

    Monet H.

    I was craving Egusi so my friends, and I went to this restaurant for the first time, and we were extremely pleased! There were three waiters working, and they were all very attentive and kind. To start off, my friends purchased the mule drink, and I purchased the Bokum Bomb (I think that's the name of the drink). They were good and strong! As an appetizer, we ordered the Suya, beef and chicken which were extremely spicy and delicious. I ordered Egusi (w/ goat), Fufu & jollof rice. The meal definitely satisfied my craving though I wouldn't have minded a pinch of more salt in my Egusi. This restaurant had good music and a diverse crowd. We went on a Thursday evening and they had a live band playing. The crowd is very diverse and you can tell that there are quite a few regulars. I will definitely be back because the food in the service was great. My pics aren't that great so pardon the quality lol.... I just wanted to eat my food.

    Noel J.

    So I've never ate this kind of food before so I'm not going to leave a bad review. I gave it a 4 star cause the food really wasn't for me but the service and everything else was good. I got egusi with goat and fufu, I did not like yhe taste at all. I tried this place cause my daughter wanted to try it so we did and I won't be eating this type of food again. So don't take this review to heart if YOU like this type of food. I tried it and now I know I don't like it! No harm no foul. I'm sure this is a great restaurant

    Egusi
    Alexsa P.

    I've been here a few times prior to covid. Recently ordered Uber eats 12/06/2024 & can say without a doubt this place is not 5 stars at all. Barely 3. For the price they charged I would expect the food to be spectacular but it was not. Egusi 2 stars jollof 2 stars light soup 3 stars, the fufu 1 star given its boxed and sticky. The plantain were also burnt and dry. $25 for 12 oz soup is crazy to me. I got the goat light soup for $10 so it makes no sense that the egusi was that price. If you're looking for authentic west African food do not go here!!!!

    Bukom Mama Wings (6)
    Sabrina P.

    It was my first time ever eating Nigerian food and I honestly didn't know what to expect but was it delicious! We got the Egusi & Beef stew with fufu & pounded yam. I couldn't quite distinguish between fufu & pounded yam, they both tasted pretty much the same dipped in our stew. We also got Bukom wings which is a MUST!! The only reason why I took a star off is because the braised beef was a bit on the tough/dry side so it was hard to chew through. Both stews had amazing flavor though. Warning: parking and driving there on the weekend is a nightmare!

    Stewed Beef Jollof Rice
    Chell H.

    Maaan this place has so much potential! BUT....they need HELP with staffing. There was 1 cook & 1 waiter that acted as bartender, host, cleaning tables, taking phone orders, & DJ. With that being said it took close to an hour to get my food and even longer to get my tab. It was painful. My food: I ordered the stewed beef and jollof rice. The flavoring was good but my beef was hard as rocks whew! literally. It was almost like it was cooked the day before then put in the microwave. They may need to go under new management or close & re-evaluate this for a minute.

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    4 years ago

    Food hit the spot !!! Casual environment with some afrobeats in the background loved the food! Tasty will recommend and come back !!

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    Great food. You are getting quality and quantity. The atmosphere was lovely and they had live music.

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    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC - Beef Stew Nyama Mchuzi

    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC

    4.3(403 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
    $$$

    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.

    Photos
    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC - Decor in dining room

    Decor in dining room

    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC - Grilled Goat -Mbuzi Kaanga // Spinach + Jollof Rice

    Grilled Goat -Mbuzi Kaanga // Spinach + Jollof Rice

    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC - Lamb Chops w Jollof Rice and Spinach

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    Lamb Chops w Jollof Rice and Spinach

    Dōgon - Smoked collard greens and cornbread

    Dōgon

    4.3(323 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$$

    Dogon gave my wife and me one of the best dining experiences we've ever had in our lives, and we've…read morebeen to a lot of restaurants. We came yesterday for our anniversary, and from start to finish, everything was exceptional. First, our waiter Rafael was superb. He truly made the entire experience feel top tier. Every recommendation he gave us -- from the dishes to the drinks -- was absolutely on point. His service, attention, and energy took an already amazing meal to another level. We've been to their sister restaurant, Tatiana, and really enjoyed it, but I have to say Dogon completely blew us away. The flavors, the spices, and the textures were all perfect. We had the charbroiled oysters, Benne's Bowl, Mom Dukes Shrimp, the coconut curry branzino, and finished with the rum cake. Every single dish was outstanding. The food tasted so rich, soulful, and layered -- it honestly felt like I was eating in a friend's Caribbean grandmother's home. A huge thank you to Kwame, Michael, and Rafael for making our anniversary dinner so special. We are not DMV locals, but we will absolutely be back this summer.

    Celebrated my birthday here earlier this year. The food, service, and music were all fantastic…read more Additionally there was a delay with our oxtail dish in the kitchen, after our greens dish had already been brought out and got cold because we wanted to enjoy the dishes together. I say this to say our server was very attentive and made sure to have the kitchen bring us out another hot greens dish at the same time as our oxtail dish, WITHOUT us asking. Top notch customer service and attention to detail. Definitely a great experience with the ambiance to match.

    Photos
    Dōgon - Entry

    Entry

    Dōgon - Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread

    Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread

    Dōgon - Chargrilled oysters

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    Chargrilled oysters

    Appioo African Bar & Grill - Egusi Pounded Yam and Malta

    Appioo African Bar & Grill

    3.8(220 reviews)
    1.1 miU Street Corridor
    $$

    (This review is for a delivery order so does not include any detail on service / ambiance)…read more Delicious Ghanaian food in the heart of U Street! I've been wanting to try Ghanian food for the longest time, so when I saw Appioo on UberEats, I just knew I had to put in an order. I got their grilled red snapper with a side of fufu and banku (two traditional paste-like Ghanian dishes; fufu is a starchy dough made with cassava and plantains, while banku is a slightly sour fermented version made with cornmeal and cassava). The red snapper was perfectly grilled, with a delightful char on the outside and super crispy skin, but flaky, tender flesh. It was served with a light, refreshing tomato sauce, and shito / black pepper sauce. The shito was incredibly rich, with a great spicy, smoky, and umami flavor. The tender fish and flavorful sauces went wonderfully with the two sides, with the fufu serving as more of a blank canvas (and therefore a great way to let the natural flavors of the fish -- or the deep, smoky, spicy flavors of the shito -- shine). The banku was perfectly tangy and just the right amount of funky, and it was great with the fish on its own. Everything from Appioo was incredible! I can't wait to sample a few more of their dishes, hopefully from inside the actual restaurant.

    With classic Ghanian dishes included and the vibe friendly enough for a good conversation, this…read moreestablishment had many options for every dish on the menu such as vegan, beef, chicken, fish, goat, and oxtail, ranging from $22 to $25 as standard price points. The food here is very authentic and has been approved by many of my West African friends living in the DMV area. My friends and I decided to order one kind of each dish along with one kind of each side so we can try a bit of each. The okra soup was a bit too spicy for my taste, but it contained a lot of flavor, which could be neutralized a bit by the fufu that I ordered. The peanut butter soup was very creamy and flavorful. The jollof was a bit plain, but since the spinach stew was flavorful, it was all good. The wings seemed like an outlier amongst everything else we had ordered, and they were a bit dry, but with two types of dipping sauces, they worked out just fine. Even though there are so many West African restaurants within the DMV area, I find this establishment to be one of the most authentic ones. Since Ghanian food itself is already fire in general, one can't go wrong with coming here.

    Photos
    Appioo African Bar & Grill - Inside

    Inside

    Appioo African Bar & Grill - KELEWELE - Plantains WAAKYE - Rice & Beans

    KELEWELE - Plantains WAAKYE - Rice & Beans

    Appioo African Bar & Grill - NKONTOMBRE & JOLLOF - Spinach Stew w Croaker

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    NKONTOMBRE & JOLLOF - Spinach Stew w Croaker

    Spice Kitchen West African Grill - Spice Wing Plate

    Spice Kitchen West African Grill

    4.5(239 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    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 .

    Photos
    Spice Kitchen West African Grill
    Spice Kitchen West African Grill - Salmon Suya Plate

    Salmon Suya Plate

    Spice Kitchen West African Grill - Salmon Suya Plate

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    Salmon Suya Plate

    Lydia On H - "Mbuzi" goat stew, jollof rice, sauteed kale

    Lydia On H

    3.7(146 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    THIRD TIMES THE CHARM!…read more This is my second time dining at Lydia's on H (third visit). My first time was Valentine's Day, and the restaurant, while calm, was chaotic, AKA the full menu was not available. The second attempt to dine there, the staff member (whose name I forgot, please charge it to my head and not my heart!) informed us before we sat down that the evening service was a limited menu. To entice us to return and ensure consistent customer-centric service, the bar manager invited us to return on the first night and asked the staff to inform us when we arrived. Sure enough, the next day, when we arrived, there was a note for the staff informing them that they should be expecting us. The vibe in Lydia's is always chill! The music is always good and at a volume where you and others can still enjoy each other's company with conversation if desired. Overall, the food, service, and ambiance at this establishment should be the standard for many others. Well done, Lydia's. We are excited to come back and try the steak-and-cheese egg rolls next time.

    Food looks better than it tastes...just hear me out!…read more We decided to close out Black History Month by supporting a Black-owned establishment, very intentional, very on brand for us. It was also my first time trying Malawian cuisine, so I was genuinely excited to experience something different. I went with a group of friends after an event, which worked out perfectly because we were able to taste a little bit of everything. I ordered the Brussels sprouts as my starter; they were good, nicely seasoned. My only issue? Timing. They didn't come out first. Everyone else had their food, and my "starter" came right before my entrée, which kind of defeated the purpose. For my main, I had the shrimp and salmon rasta pasta. It was good...creamy, flavorful, but definitely spicy. Not unbearable, just be prepared if heat isn't your thing. My mocktail was refreshing and good too... just small. A couple real sips and it was gone. Overall, the service was good. They were accommodating and made sure our group was seated comfortably, even moving tables around so we had a better setup. I appreciated that. The ambiance was very Black eclectic: cool R&B vibes, nice energy, a solid spot to gather and vibe. Checl out my pics! I'll be rating each dish I tried on a 10 point scale. Would I return? Probably not. It wasn't bad; it just didn't wow me. And in the DMV, there are way too many other spots on my list to try.

    Photos
    Lydia On H - Salmon Bites

    Salmon Bites

    Lydia On H - Fried oreos, paired with a chocolate martini

    Fried oreos, paired with a chocolate martini

    Lydia On H - Nsima with curry chicken

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    Nsima with curry chicken

    Bukom Cafe - bars - Updated May 2026

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