I have been here a few times mostly for work related events. This is an African owned and inspired…read morevenue. The owner was motivated by his mother and grandmother. The menu has a mix of African and soul foos options. All the dishes I have had have been flavorful and cooked so good. Drinks have been hit or miss and are on the pricey side. The venue has 2 floors. The first floor has an outdoor patio in the back. The second floor is smaller and has a Speakeasy.

Lydia on H is a cozy Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Washington, D.C., offering a unique fusion of…read moreMalawian and Caribbean flavors. It's a small but quaint spot with a mix of booth and table seating, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner with friends. As a picky eater visiting for the first time, I kept my order simple with wings and rice. The wings were the highlight of the meal--crispy, flavorful, and well-seasoned. The rice, however, was disappointing. It was dry and lacked seasoning, and I found myself wishing it had at least a little butter and salt to enhance the flavor. The mocktails were delicious and complemented the meal well. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The music was at the perfect volume--easy to enjoy while still being able to carry on a conversation without shouting, which made for a pleasant evening with friends. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome throughout the meal. One small note: the ladies' restroom was clean but very small and narrow. It had a hook-and-latch style door but no place to hang a purse, which would be a nice addition. Parking on H Street is always a hit or miss, so plan accordingly if you're driving. Ratings: * Food: (3/5) * Atmosphere: (3/5) * Service: (4/5) * Dinner with Friends: (5/5) Overall, Lydia on H is a pleasant neighborhood spot with friendly service, tasty wings, and excellent mocktails. While the rice missed the mark for me, I enjoyed the company, the conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere. I would consider returning to try other menu items.

Amazing Sunday early dinner. Was celebrating my man retirement and he freaking LOVED IT…read more The catfish and grits was crazy good. Sunday DJ bumping soca R&B dancehall etc. Loud but we loved it.

I ate here last night with my husband for dinner. It's been on my bucket lists of restaurants to…read moretry for a while now. Their food looks so good every time I see a content creator of food vlogger post about it. I couldn't wait to try! We had 815 reservations and were seated right away on the first floor. It's very posh inside, stylish, and spacious. There was also a second floor where the DJ was, and the music was great. It was a lot of pop songs, 80s, and a few contemporary hits. We already knew what we wanted to order as we had already checked the menu online before we ordered. I will say the prices online differed from the menu prices in person, so that was a bit disappointing. I ordered the jerk lamb chops with broccolini and Guyanese fried rice while my husband ordered the Jerk salmon and shrimp with cabbage and rice and peas. It did take awhile before our food came out, but it was worth the wait as it was very delicious. I loved my meal and nearly cleaned the plate. SMH. The lamb chops were perfectly seasoned, marinaded, and succulent while the broccolini had a great char. The fried rice was the perfect portion with the right amount of spice and just the right ingredients to round out the dish. My husband doesn't eat rice so his rice and peas went untouched. I tried it, and it was not very flavorful. Almost dry. I was also surprised at how small his salmon was. In my opinion, it looked like a kid sized salmon and for the price, it should have been a full fillet and not half a filet. He did enjoy his meal, overall, but was still hungry. He also asked to sub out the rice for another side, and was told they don't sub for out. He'd just have to order another side. I thought that was a bit strict. I think I'd come back here, but a lot of their menu items have the jerk sauce on it, so I can assume the jerk salmon, jerk chicken, and jerk lamb would all have the same flavor profile.

OMG so flavorful and delicious! It was such a great experience for my first time the waiter…read morerecommended a couple of things to try and they did not disappoint and neither did the portion sizes. Everything 10/10

Quiant little spot. Service was good and very attentive…read more The hops (rolls) were hot and tasty. The pelau was also very tasty. Did not really taste any 'coconut' in the coconut rice. Sorrel needed more ginger and less cinnamon? Oxtail was tender. Pork belly had a nice taste - perhaps a bit more sauce needed. Jerk wings had a kick to them. Snapper was good for one of our guest and not so good for another, even when it was sent back. It tasted cook but had a a slight red interior that seemed odd. The other snapper had a white flaky interior. Not a fan of the bread pudding. They did not have any doubles!! Which is why we came.

St. James is a very special place. We had heard of the great reviews and entered this place with…read morehopes and dreams of leaving with full tummies and satiated souls. This place did not disappoint. First, make a reservation. I cannot stress this enough. It gets packed. Second, come hungry and with a group if you want more options to try. This is definitely a place where sharing makes sense. The oxtail was extremely tender and flavorful, with that rich, slow-cooked depth you want from oxtail without it feeling heavy. The jerk wings are a must-have. Perfectly seasoned with that unmistakable jerk flavor and just the right amount of spiciness. The dipping sauce helps temper the heat without completely taking away the flavor. The fried snapper with rice was exceptional. The whole fish was beautifully crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside, and the coconut-based sauce/chutney brought a bright, tangy contrast to the fried fish. The roti comes with options for proteins. We picked the goat and beef, along with chickpeas and pumpkin. The tender, savory meat paired really well with the creamy, curried chickpeas and slightly sweet pumpkin. It also came with three dipping sauces and roti, giving us plenty of different flavor combinations to try! As for sides, absolutely get the plantains and macaroni pie. The plantains were cooked perfectly and beautifully caramelized, with a ginger glaze that was not overwhelmingly gingery. Even Michelin specifically calls out St. James' sweet plantains finished with candied ginger. The macaroni pie is basically macaroni and cheese's Caribbean cousin ! It is creamy, cheesy, baked/grilled until you get those delicious browned edges, with seasoning that gives it a distinctly Caribbean character. St. James was added to the MICHELIN Guide Washington, D.C. selection, so apparently our hopes and dreams were not misplaced. It isn't Michelin-starred or a Bib Gourmand; it's a Michelin Guide Selected restaurant. Reasonable prices for sure! Absolutely amazing meal! 10/10! 5/5! Whatever the metrics are!!!

This was a pleasant surprise. Walking in I was really excited that this restaurant was on the…read moresmaller side. Music was playing but it wasn't super loud, I could actually hear my conversation. We came for happy hour and had the jerk wings, pork buns, and the crab accras. Everything came out piping hot. You can tell the food was made with love and passion, delicious. Our waiter, Tim was so knowledgeable. He spoke about the food like he was invested. The excitement in his voice when we spoke about how much we loved the food was cool! He even recommended that we try one of their sister restaurants. We will be back for sure.

All the things. 1) food: flavor/texture/portions/authenticity all spot on regularly 2) service:…read morepolite/poise/friendly/collaborative you love to see it 3) atmosphere: live/open/plenty of seating/smell the food from the street! everything you would dream of in a regular joint, MY regular joint.

No, this is not jerk chicken at all…read more I really wanted to enjoy Jerks of the Caribbean, but unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing jerk chicken meals I've ever had. The chicken itself was moist and juicy, but it had virtually no flavor or depth. Jerk chicken should have layers of seasoning and that unmistakable jerk flavor. This tasted bland and, honestly, nothing like the jerk chicken I know and enjoy. I have nothing positive to save about the shrimp tacos on cold tortillas. Sauce tasted like Italian dressing lol The best thing on my plate was the potato salad. Unfortunately, even the mac and cheese had a problem: the noodles were severely overcooked.

Bammy's is an old faithful in my book! I've been here several times over the years, and I've always…read morehad a consistently good experience. The staff are always friendly and make good conversation, and the drinks are always a good strength. Most recently, I tried one of the flavored margaritas and left very pleased! When I come here, I typically get the curry goat, which comes with rice, chickpeas, and potatoes. The most recent time I visited, the potatos were going to take a little longer to cook, so they offered me a choice between cabbage or greens instead. I went with the collard greens, and they were really good! They seemed to be cooked with a lot of butter, which was new for me when it comes to collard greens, but I still loved them overall. Bammy's is located in Navy Yard, so parking isn't always the easiest. But if you're able to snag a spot or you're already walking around the area, I definitely recommend stopping by!

**** First off - this is a review for Union Market location. ****…read more Expect straight island time and beyond when ordering from this location. It took almost 20 minutes for the food on a Thursday afternoon. I appreciated the self order kiosk but you'd with all hands on meals it wouldn't take as long. As for the food, it was a big miss unfortunately. The cabbage was mushy. Decent taste though. The peas in the rice were hard and undercooked. The jerk chicken was cooked nice and moist. However, they put a mango sauce on top which maybe its me, but that was not the play. The beef patty was the best part of the meal but was one of the flattesr patties I've ever had. I may try to go back and try something else since its super close but I'm not going to rush to do so.

Randomly stopped in for lunch today and I'm so glad I did! This spot was perfect for my Jamaican…read morefood craving. I actually enjoyed the outdoor order counter with the option of indoor seating. I went with the Di Yaddie and it was delicious!! The jerk chicken was very flavorful but not overpowering while the rice and peas were great with the curry sauce. Their plantains are SO good -- sweet and fried perfectly. The gentleman and woman working the counter were very helpful and friendly. Not sure if the guy was a manager or owner but he ensured we were satisfied with everything. The interior is eclectic and true to the Jamaican culture. Music is great as well! I'll be sure to stop by every time I'm back home in the city.

Expect a bit of a wait but that's because they're preparing the food fresh. The presentation is…read moremouth watering. The sides were delicious. Mac & cheese, 8/10. Cabbage, 9/10. However, I found the proteins to be incredibly over seasoned. The jerk seasoning over powered the salmon completely and I was unable to actually taste the fish.

Another DC restaurant that's been on my must-visit list has been Jerk at Nite. Being that its roots…read morestarted at Howard University, I had to come and bring an incoming freshman and her family. I was greeted by the owner Denny, who explained that once we order we're able to dine inside. The Jamaican vibe is heavily prevalent, with colors, paintings, foliage, and wooden sculptures throughout. I had my mind set on the Jerk Box N' Mac once I saw it on Instagram, and boy did it not disappoint. If you're a fan of spicy food, the heat is not lacking here. The jerk was jerking! I didn't find it overpowering to where I couldn't enjoy the meal. Even the mac and cheese had a little kick to it, even in its cheesy and creamy goodness. The slices of Rasta bread were a nice complement to the meal. You'll be hard pressed to find Jamaican food that checks all the boxes like Jerk at Nite.

This experience was actually from the food truck. I ordered the "Yaddie", which was their jerk…read morechicken with cabbage and rice and peas. I really appreciated that it wasn't too spicy. I often can't enjoy Caribbean food because spice doesn't agree with me. This wasnt the case. There was some spice, but it wasnt overwhelming. The meal was fresh with some flavor. It wasn't the best jerk chicken I've had, but far from the worst. I also tasted the rasta pasta which was ok. If I happen upon them again, I will likely try something else that they offer. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit them.

Parking is scarce in this area and valet parking with the hotel is a pricier option…read more Reservations are strongly encouraged. If you are running behind, a 10 minute grace period is given. If a card was left on file, you may be charged if you're a no show. Dimly lit inside with multiple seating areas. There are alcoholic options available with the bar on site. Food may arrive to the table out of order, so allow some patience and consider ordering all items upfront. Located within "The Potomac" formerly known as The Salamander, Dōgon is one of three fine dining restaurants curated by Chef Kwame Onwuachi. Our visit coincided with restaurant week and had a pre-fixe menu for $65/pp. Our server was gracious enough to tell us about the other specials available but I decided that I would be fine with the restaurant week menu. For my starter, I enjoyed the oxtail patties and a mango basil smash. The entree was shrimp creole with focaccia bread that I graciously used for sopping up the delicious sauce that hugged the shrimp. Rounding out the meal, I chose the rum cake. None of my items disappointed. I found each to be an appropriate serving and shareable. The coco bread was complimentary and the flecks of salt were satisfying. I enjoyed a second cocktail and chose the Sorel Rickey. It was a hibiscus flavored, rum enhanced, and kissed by lime kinda drink. The manager made her rounds and was very personable. The other guests were watching the dishes being presented to the various tables and you could tell that it made one, a bit eager for their own food or a return visit. Our server was top notch and we enjoyed talking with him and his energy. This restaurant supports solo dining, group events, and date night dining. The bathrooms were well maintained and there is an open kitchen concept where you can see what's going on if you're seated nearby. An overall positive dining experience. I would recommend & dine here again. Check out Chef's other ventures, Maroon (Las Vegas), and Tatiana (New York).

Chef, I did it! Last night's (10/1/2026) dinner was my fourth and final dining experience with…read moreChef Kwame. NYC, Miami and Vegas were in the books. Having eaten at Maroon this past summer, my expectations were extremely high. Perhaps that's the problem. Maroon was a 10/10 from the moment I entered; last night, not so much. I'm kinda kicking myself this morning that I tipped our server well over 20%, because reflecting in this morning's light, she wasn't great! Her service wasn't the main issue. I arrived before my party and sat at the bar. The cocktail list, although there is a full-bar, is very limited. I ordered the Sorrel cocktail and it is juicy and spicy, simply yummy. I was surprised that there isn't a specialty drink featuring each base liquor. I often gravitate to vodka, and feel the rum I had last night. The food . . . As always, I order a lot. I want to try all the recommendations and then some. Starting with the tuna was lovely. I was surprised by how well the fish stood-up to the sauce. Avocado and tuna is a classic pairing, and I did enjoy the ideal touch of ever so thinly sliced onion. Next arrived the famous Hoe Crab. It was nice enough, but there was an imbalance with the size of the cakes and the portion of the crab served. The sauce didn't add or diminish the dish. That's not a good thing. Ben's Bowl came next, and I think this is an ode to Ben's Chili Bowl, but after having the dish, I think I'm completely off-base. There was so much going on with these covered "fritter-like" bites, my brain was confused, and that was confirmed by my mouth. The curry did waken my olfactory nerves. It's a convenient bite, but in my mouth it all turned to mush with very little standing out. I mean was it beef? lamb? A heads-on shrimp dish came out, but I didn't try it. I mention it's heads-on because one person in my party was distraught by the presentation; I thought it looked beautiful. I was very excited to try the Curry Branzino. I did listen carefully to the server's description of the dish, but I was still surprised by the bones in the dish. The same traumatized diner in my party refused to try it. The fish was cooked perfectly, the skin had an exciting crunch. It was worthy, although the pond of sauce overwhelmed the dish a bit. I also don't remember the Callaloo in the dish. I think it came with a highly-seasoned rice and peas side. I specifically use highly-seasoned because I believe there's seasoning, and then there's salty. The BBQ Greens were a complete miss for me. Maroon's coconut greens set the bar. Maroon is also the reason I didn't order steak at Dōgon, IYKYK. I am ruined for life, and will probably never enjoy another steak like the absolute transcendece that is steak at Maroon. I am probably not like most people, but I don't like mushy greens. This dish stepped across the line between done and overcooked. I also think something's missing from the "BBQ" Greens -- perhaps an element of smoke? more acid? I also think the portion is way off with this dish. Thank goodness the Chicken and Rice came next, although I'm confused about Jollof Rice. This chicken was the star of the night. Charred and grilled to perfection, tender but still chewy. The chicken is the way to go! I've heard so much about Jollof Rice, but I don't get it. What I had last night was a seasoned, salty version of dirty rice. I guess I'm comparing this rice to the various versions of peas and rice, and rice and peas I've had from throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Perhaps my expectation was too high. We finished the night with Rum Cake. Thank goodness I asked if this was like a traditional Jamaican Rum Cake. It's also nothing like the famous Tortuga Rum Cake I've eaten often in the Bahamas. This dessert does hold its own. It's a light, delicious cake with a stunning and delightful crust. I'm thrilled I've supported Chef Kwame Onwuachi across his journey. Last night wasn't a 10/10, but I thoroughly enjoyed this moody spot full of attractive, diverse people, and would do it again.

One my favorite places for sandwiches in dc the crunchy boy is very classic sandwich with potato…read morechips in it adding some texture. Service is friendly and nice. It's quick depending on how many orders there are. The inside is pretty nice but it's small.

I've ordered sandwiches from here a few times from now and I can't say that I love them…read more When it comes to subs and sandwiches everyone has different preferences. For me it comes down to fresh breads, quality ingredients, thoughtful assembly and one of the most important for me ... balanced ratio of ingredients. Each time I've ordered, the ratio of ingredients has been what has thrown me off. The subs are large and the bread is fresh, but between the massive amounts of shredded lettuce and the thickness of the bread, the meat on my turkey sandwich gets swallowed alive to where I'm constantly opening it up to look for and re-adjust. The ingredients though do seem fresh, so it's not a matter of never trying other sandwiches in the future. I just haven't found one yet that would be worth a repeat...so it's not that there is not potential.