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I recently went with my wife to Dōgon for a dinner and we had a good experience overall. We were seated right at our reservation time, and our dishes were brought out in a well-spaced manner. Our server took the time to explain dishes and confirmed our dietary preferences that we had listed and asked some follow-up questions. However, there were a few things that could have been better. We initially received the shrimp with the coco bread even though we had said a couple of times that we just wanted the bread. The crispy baby corn was brought out after the small and large shares, which was a bit bizarre as it is listed as a snack on the menu. Additionally, we had indicated on the menu that this event was a celebration; when we ordered the turmeric cheesecake, our server said that Dōgon had already gotten the order, which was odd as we had never indicated a specific dessert we wanted. We were charged for the cheesecake, which was fine as we intended to order it regardless, but it was strange as usually when I hear things like the statement above I would assume that a restaurant is providing it complimentary. The ambiance is upscale hotel vibe (where it's located); very nice ambiance with low lighting but nothing distinctive given the menu, heritage, and vision. My wife and I shared the following dishes: Crispy Baby Corn: Great crunch, heat, and flavor-an excellent way to start a meal. Tuna Guisado: The tuna was extremely fresh and tasty and the sauce had great flavor and heat. However, the olives were very briny and added too much salt to the dish and not bringing anything else, at times overwhelming the tuna flavor. Carrot Tigua: A delicious dish with many excellent components, if a bit on the salty side. The carrots were perfectly cooked, the peanut stew provided great creaminess and heat, the peanuts added good crunch, the onions and peppers added great acidity, and the mint on top gave the dish some freshness to tie everything together and balancing the richness of the peanut stew. BBQ Greens (vegan) with Cornbread: We ordered the BBQ greens vegan, which Dōgon can easily accommodate. The greens were cooked well and the garlic added nice flavor; if you are not vegetarian or vegan, I would order the greens with the beef bacon to add the fat and even more flavor. The cornbread was moist, albeit extremely sweet. Coco Bread: The coco bread was solid with a great butter to go with it, and nice and warm, pairs nicely with other dishes and sauces. King Trumpets: Delicious meaty and hearty mushrooms with tofu, cooked to perfection. The coconut dashi had fantastic umami and the right amount of salt, complementing the mushrooms and tofu very well. The black garlic added a rich and unique flavor, and the snap peas were also good. We shared the Turmeric Cheesecake for dessert, which was OK but nothing notable. I would recommend Dōgon for your next special occasion!
I waited over a year to get a reservation here with some friends and it was worth the wait! The food was incredible, the vibes were maintained with dim lighting and trending music, and the staff was incredibly knowledgeable and made great suggestions. I am already looking forward to my next visit, and trust me it'll be soon!
Parking is scarce in this area and valet parking with the hotel is a pricier option 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).
My friend came to town, and I wanted her to experience Dōgon before she left. We both ordered the Mango Basil Smash. Every time I come here, I'm blown away by the quality of their drinks. The mango was a great complement to the Dusse Cognac. The oysters escovitch came out first: 3 oysters with jalapeño slices to give it an added kick. The shrimp creole was out of this world with its flavor profile and spice. The rum cake never disappoints either.
A beautiful restaurant with a menu that was well done. Dōgon was a restaurant that was on our list for a while, and I'm excited that we were finally able to get the full experience. To start, the space is beautiful and the service was impeccable. Our server was so attentive and the rest of the serving staff were just as attentive. The food was beautifully prepared, but I can't say that we enjoyed every dish. Our favorite items were the pork belly, the rum cake, and the tuna guisado. Each of those items were delectable. The branzino, the shrimp, and oysters were a bit underwhelming in terms of flavor. I was especially underwhelmed by the patty appetizer. The food is very clearly high quality and it is clear Chef Kwame constructed an amazing menu! We've also heard lovely things about his sister restaurant in NY, Tatianna. I think because of the price, we had higher expectations, but I can't say that they were met completely .
What can I say that hasn't been said? We are big fans of Tatiana so when visiting DC we figured we had to give Dogon a try. The menu, while different, gives similar vibes to Tatiana. The dining room is much bigger for sure. The service is truly a standout but they do try to upsell you. The pricing is high- $8 per cocktail oxtail patty?- you get 2 for $16. The Octail dish is $95- but they say it's Australian Wagyu oxtail. Who am I to judge? Welp- I gave them my money and they filled my belly with some tasty delights. And guess what? I'd do it again
Chef, I did it! Last night's (10/1/2026) dinner was my fourth and final dining experience with Chef 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.
The seasonings in the food was amazing. We had the oxtail patties and crispy lamb for starters. Duck and Oxtails for main course. The duck was very good but the breast could have been cooked a little longer. I didn't know it could be served medium rare. I highly recommend getting rid of the ratchet rap music they were playing. For it to be a fine dinning the music choice should be better. Other than that its a good place to dine.
This place is 10 outta 10! I don't know what took me so long to visit! Recently celebrated a good friend's birthday! She lives out of town but knows about Chef Kwame's reputation and chose here to celebrate. I'm glad she did! We had a great time. Located in the Salamander hotel, this restaurant is a vibe. They're currently a finalist for this year's Rammy's in the category of "Formal Fine Dining." I'm rooting for them and hoping they win this award. Congrats on the nomination! Since visiting I've told so many about Dogon and already planning my return. I'm not a huge gin person but I had a great gin based cocktail, RG&T, that I plan to get next time. The food! Impeccable!! Get the braised cocktail! I'll warn you, it's not cheap but it's worth every penny! I'm so serious. Their food is designed to share but honestly I could have eaten that dish by myself. Ok I'm not that greedy! It was that good! Yum! The greens and rice and peas were really good. Service was top- notch! This is a place to celebrate a special occasion. Get dressed up and come on out! There's a bar but it's not big! Patking is tight but there's an option for valet. I did ride share! Add Dogon to your next place to visit!
I gave my overall experience a 8/10. Very flavorful and robust flavors. Service was great, very attentive. Ambiance is nice and lights are dim. Inside a hotel so not busy or a lot of traffic.
Let's start by staying it was a movie, I left later than expected, the uber ride to dc took longer than expected as well, but I had to follow through to DC. I for sure thought on July 4th weekend my birthday reservation would be canceled. To my surprise they welcomed me with warm arms and accounted for the hectic weekend to have delays; that alone made my day the food could have been mediocre. When you walk in you feel the black excellence, multiculturalism and multigenerational; everyone had a role to played for this experience. The decor was low light and elegant, phenomenal music choice(I'd prefer there playlists than the clubs I've been to recently). I was seated next two interesting tables, one a best friend night as they discuss The Bear and its authenticity and the other a Columbia grad from Gabon on a date night; we reminisced on Africa and the food brings us memories. Let's get to the fooooooood & drink omgggggg Everything was bussssssin!!!!! I enjoyed everything and lick the bowls dry. The oxtail patties stole low key, so few but I wasn't expecting so much flavor, the braised to perfection oxtail melts in your mouth likes a purée; I wanted to buy more after the 1st bite It went from a week birthday week to exceptional, I will be back to try the rest* of the menu Check out my Beli account: @plznoporkahk for a deep dive into the dishes
Great location. Very nice atmosphere. The wait staff was excellent. The food came to table quickly and tasted great. Great place for a date.
Swanky cool modern restaurant in the Salamander Hotel. This place was so good I went there twice in 2 weeks. First time- no reservations but dined early and sat at the intimate bar. Loved our server Ivory. Second time- reservations and sat at a beautiful marble table. Both times we had cornbread à la carte because I always love cornbread. And this place makes a DECADENT cornbread with lots of butter. Also had the gooseberry rum cake both times - it's just absolutely amazing when served warm with a crusty outside and soft cake inside and the light cream! The mains and bites varied but all are tasty. I liked the branzino a lot. Highly recommend! It was a great dining experience and wonderful flavors! Can't wait to come back!
The food is delicious but BEWARE if you order a la carte instead of the tasting menu it takes about 15 mins between each dish. I would have given 5 stars if the service wasn't so slow and the drinks weren't so expensive. Cornbread: 10/10. The butter it comes with is phenomenal Greens: 8/10. Flavorful but a little soggy Chicken & Rice: 6/10. very spicy. Not worth $63. Could have done without. Charbroiled Oysters: 10/10! Cocktails: 7/10. Tasted good but $27 for a margarita? Get tf out of here!!! read more
I attended the special event "An Evening with Alexander Smalls, Nina Oduro, & Chef Kwame Honoring The Contemporary African Kitchen" at Dōgon. The evening featured a signed copy of The Contemporary African Kitchen cookbook and a 5-course meal inspired by it, priced at $130. Overall Rating: 8.75 /10 No surprise here--Dōgon delivers on flavor! When Chef Kwame opens a restaurant near you, run, don't walk. The food is vibrant and bold, but sadly, the décor didn't keep pace. For a space meant to complement such a rich culinary experience, it felt dark, cold, and uninspired. Food: 5/5 1st Course: * IDK: A surprise opener of salmon atop bread. Tasty and promising--an excellent start! 2nd Course: * Pumpkin Velouté: Absolutely divine. If seconds were offered, I'd have taken thirds. GIVE ME MORE! 3rd Course: * Green Tomato Salad: Not a tomato fan, but this one converted me. The king crab and fresh flavors made it a perfect palate cleanser. 4th Course: * Duck Braai: QUACK! This South African-style duck was phenomenal. My new favorite dish! 5th Course: * Puff Puff: Sweet, simple, and the perfect finish to such a rich meal. Event Experience: 2.5/2.5Meeting culinary legends like Alexander Smalls, Nina Oduro, and Chef Kwame? A dream come true. Their insights, stories, and signed cookbook made the night unforgettable. Service + Décor: 1.25/2.5 Bar seating = top-notch service. However, the décor was disappointing. The space felt dark and one-note, which clashed with the vibrant, soulful food. For a restaurant of this caliber, I expected more warmth and energy in the design. Full Review on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFaeuYMRAh8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more
2 years ago
Dogon was a dream. Impeccable service and food. The rum cake was the highlight. I'm not a sweets person, and to have me eating it WITH MY HANDS...that's the sign of an excellent dessert right there, ok? read more
2 years ago
Both breads: 10/10 Hoe Crab: 9/10 Braised Oxtail: 7.5/10 Jollof rice: 8/10 Shrimp: 7/10 Sweet and sour cabbage: 8/10 Drink: Astronomer - taste like a cinnamon stick - 8/10 Mocktail drink with pomegranate that I can't remember name: 9/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: Perfect for a date night. Very intimate with low lighting. read more
The atmosphere is wonderful and the service is great. I had oxtails, greens and oysters. The meal was absolutely delicious. One of the best tasting of 2024. The only hit I have on Dogon is the prices. Especially for chicken and oxtails--over $60 for what should be the more affordable selections. However the seemingly high prices seem to be a common theme between here and his NYC spot, Tatiana. I eat at James Beard and Michelin restaurants frequently, so I understand food cost and low margins. Just hard to make it make sense at all times here. Nonetheless, Dogon is delicious and fun. I appreciate Chef Kwame and definitely recommend trying! read more
6 months ago
Food was AMAZING!!! Especially enjoyed the BBQ greens...outstanding and unique flavors in a large portion size!!! Blackberry Smash was STELLAR!!!! read more
I was able to book Dōgon for my solo birthday celebration and it didn't disappoint. Located in the beautiful Salamander Washington DC, you are welcomed by beautiful art and an amazing chandelier. Checking in was easy and fast (with reservation). Pro tip: if you have an AMEX, your Global Dining Access benefit will assist you in securing a resy here quicker. The ambiance was warm and inviting and the music selection was perfect! Because I was a solo diner, I was seated near other patrons which worked perfectly bc we were seated close enough to have great convo but far enough to not invade each other's personal space. The girls next to me even purchased my first cocktail after hearing I was there solo for my birthday! So, do not be afraid to go solo!!! They even have a bar area! And I loved the open concept of the restaurant. The food was great! The only thing that I did not care for too much were the oysters. I felt it lacked flavor. However, once I put the garnish on top that they were served with, they were good! The oxtails were plentiful, meaty and super tender. I'm a rice girl so to be able to taste the coconut flavor in the rice was perfection. However, if you're not a coconut lover, I'd suggest another side dish. But, I loved it. Lastly, they ended my night with the rum cake for my birthday. That was by far my favorite dish. It came out warm and had like a candied crust on the bottom and it was garnished with a whipped cream that was so good! I ended the evening with a tasty espresso martini to top my dinner off. Overall, I had a great experience. I'd love to go back and try the coco bread, hoe crab and branzino. The plates are shareable so if you go with someone else, it will be perfect for ordering different dishes. Probably one of my favorite dining experiences since moving to the area. read more
I'm definitely writing this from the bed because I had the itis so bad after this meal! I can't exclaim enough how good this food was. I will say that I had a few personal critiques just based on my own palette --I like my greens more vinegar based. We literally ate almost half the menu. Cornbread Hoe crab Oysters Greens Oxtails Curry branzino Rice n peas and jollof rice Rum cake. On top of all the food, the service was impeccable! Our server was so sweet and gave us the best recommendations. Best of all, their drink menu includes black-owned spirits and the music is fire! Book your reservation today! read more
1 year ago
Well. What can I say about this restaurant...? I'll start by stating, the ambiance, premier. Appointments, throughout the restaurant was beautiful. Seductive, low lighting makes it perfect for date night. It also accommodates small and large groups; I was there for an eight party Birthday. The service, exceptional. Our waiter "Demetrius," was exceptional. Attentive, hospitable, wonderful with everyone, all around fantastic. Now on to the food... we ordered pretty much all the appetizers, and quite a few of the entrees. Everything was delicious. Everyone had their favorites; mine were the "Bone Marrow," "Mom Duke's Shrimp," and "Ben's Bowl." Our bill, including tax and tip, was close to 1K; we also gave our server an additional tip. He was just that good. It's a perfect restaurant for any special day, or celebration. I feel that the price point is equitable for the food, service, ambiance, and the over ALL experience. I highly recommend. read more
2 years ago
4.5 Stars!! Service, ambiance and flavors are all what you'd expect from a celebrity Chef. Who ever figured out the lighting in this place deserves an Oscar. As a middle-aged person, hyper-dim lighting is not conducive to reading menus and taking food pics,; but there is magic being done here! Michelin style service from the moment you are greeted at the front all the way to the bill was impeccable. The open kitchen beams of energy and Chef Kwame walks around greeting guests. I'm not the biggest fan of shared small plates, but we were directed to picking 3 starters and 2 large plates if we wanted room for dessert. The Coco bread is pillowy and delicious with the house whipped butter and hot sauce. The Ben's bowl was not memorable at all. The crab was beautifully presented and straightforward and delicious. For the larger delicious. I was a skeptic about the BBQ Greens, but they did what they had to do to honor my Southern ancestors and they were amazing (especially with that hot sauce). The Oxtails were finger liking good. Bold, heavy but we left no meat on the bone! A stand-out dish for sure. Where Dogon really shows it's elevated angle is the Curry Branzino. Something that could have gone too close to the Asian continent is layered with flavors. You almost get a different dish depending on what bites end up on your fork. Caribbean in one bite, Cape Malay in another! Masterful work and beautifully presented! It was a friend's birthday so they came out with a candle lit piece of the Rum Cake and it took me back to the cruises I did when I was younger and picking up that tin of rum cake from Grand Bahamas!! Perfect way to end the meal. Elegant and full of flavor. Dogon is a win! read more
What a good time, Daniel was our server and was knowledgeable of the menu and able to answer all the questions that we had. I had the oxtail. The flavor was fantastic. The spice level was just right not overbearing. The dessert was perfectly balanced the texture the way the flavors melted together and it wasn't overly sweet. I would definitely recommend here. read more
1 year ago
1 month ago
Had the pleasure of finally dining at Dogon recently after months of stalking their reservations! First off the vibes are immaculate.. loved the 90s r&b playing all night as we dined. For a late Tuesday night the place was packed out! For starters we started with the Coco bread, Hoe Crab, and Charbroiled Oysters. The oysters were 100% the standout of the three followed by the Hoe Crab. While the coco bread was good, the butter it came with was advertised as "malted sorghum butter" but it just tasted like regular butter. For main entrees we ordered the Mom Dukes Shrimp, Branzino, and the Oxtail. All were delicious but I think the branzino was my favorite!! It was seasoned well and the sauce was tasty but I will say it did not include callaloo or okra as mentioned on the menu. Lastly, dessert.. I am not a dessert girl by any means and I usually skip but my friends forced the rum cake on me and I'm SO GLAD THEY DID. It was amazing, warm, fresh.. the perfect balance of sweetness with the fresh cream *licks lips*. Personal opinion: the gooseberries aren't needed. All in all we had a solid first experience and our server Pascha was lovely (I hope that's how you spell it!). As for pricing, you'll definitely spend a pretty penny here so make sure to check out the menus posted from other users for reference since prices aren't on the official site. read more
First let's start with making the reservation the options are dining and lounge. I made a lounge reservation and didn't realize it was only snacks and small plates and drinks, so keep this in mind when making reservations. This was fine. What was not fine was the nearly 1 hour wait in the lobby of the hotel for the table to be ready. Which we later found out the tables were being used for the dining room guest to sit at and wait for their table. We checked in were told we would receive a call when the table was ready, it didn't happen. We checked back about 45 or so minutes later and were told we could be seated. The area is small and the tables are low cocktail tables but it made for an intimate drinks and light bites type of night. The service was awesome once seated and will definitely be back to try a real meal in the dining room. The food was however small plates and snacks but for the most part really delicious. The only exception was the mama duke's shrimp which was pretty unbearable on the salt. The hoe cakes from the crab and Joe cakes dish stole the show. They were soft and delicious! The Piri Piri salad was actually stunning in color and delicious in taste. The drinks were pretty tasty too! The sliders were so good we ordered it twice. The rum cake was a perfect dessert to finish off the meal with it was warm, fluffy and not too sweet. The gooseberries also helped to balance off the sweetness with a bite of tartness. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
Quite simply put, this is my favorite restaurant! There isn't a dish I've tried that was not exceptionally delicious! Pictures speak for themselves - go try for yourself! read more
There was a reason why I was anticipating to go to Dōgon... It was too good! I was excited to finally snag a reservation for myself and my significant other. Reservations are highly recommended if you want to avoid a long wait. When we arrived for our reservation, we received a warm welcome and we were escorted to a lounge area as our table wasn't ready. The lounge was intimate, plus there was a cocktail menu. We were able to start off with drinks first. We were here for about 15-20 minutes before being seated. Once we arrived to our table, our server was pleasant and knowledgeable of the entire menu in detail. We shared the cornbread, hoe crab and fried whitting sliders to start---chef's kiss. I then enjoyed the oxtail dish that came with a side of rice peas. This dish was so flavorful! Lastly, we finished off with the rum cake which had a perfect balance of sweet and savory. I loved my experience and can't wait to go back! read more
1 year ago
5 stars! Service was impeccable. Food was amazing. The ambiance was sexy, beautiful, and intimate even in a sizable space. read more
DC is lucky to have Dogon. All the dishes we tried were packed with flavor and executed flawlessly. Must orders are the coco bread and rum cake. My friend hit the nail on the head when she said the coco bread tasted like auntie Anne's. And yes she meant auntie Anne's the pretzel chain common at airports and shopping malls. They tasted like the freshest and most buttery version of those scrumptious smelling dough balls. I saw chef Kwame in the kitchen and had a little fan girl moment! While prices are high, considering the quality, artistry and notoriety behind this restaurant and the executive chef, I think it's a great place for a special occasion or when you're feeling like treating yourself. We split 5 dishes between 3 people and all left full and satisfied. Would recommend the piri piri salad for a fresh and unique bite (almond butter inside the avocado!). The dressing was also amazing. The hoe crab was pretty tasty, I liked the chili crisp on the crab, but I kind of wish the pancakes were warm and maybe the crab was cold for a temperature contrast. Everything was room temp in the dish. The waygu was a solid entree that was flavorful and cooked very well but not what we were expecting / envisioned. GET THE RUM CAKE! I usually am a rum cake hater but this changed my perspective. Best rum cake I've had, only wish there was more whipped cream on it. Service was attentive and the food came out fast. Ambiance is dark and moody, but sleek and sophisticated nonetheless. read more
1 year ago
By far one of the best restaurants I've gone to in awhile. The ambience is very sexy and the mood is goes well with the food menu it was feeling like culture was in the room. The server was absolutely amazing, friendly, knowledgeable and even helped me celebrate my birthday. The food was the real star of the show it was very pricey but it was worth every penny. The ribs were falling off the bone and the branzino was fried to perfection. I had no complaints. read more
7 months ago
There was a mouse running around the dining area. It was probably 4 inches or so and the staff could not catch it. This is supposedly one of the best restaurants in DC and the food was amazing however I was shocked when me and one of the other people at the table noticed the mouse running across the floor. They didn't seat anyone in the area where they thought the mouse had went. The manager told us that they had been trying to catch it and it had been running around for a little while. Service was wonderful and the food was great however that definitely affected the experience. read more
4 months ago
Everything about Dogon is perfection. Ambiance is sexy and cozy. The service was also excellent, waitress made great suggestions and helped curate an excellent meal and experience. The food was so delicious they have figured out how to make you feel like nothing could be better then what your currently tasting but each item was different and so delicious ! Highly recommended and can't wait to go back next time I'm in town read more
2 years ago
The positives: First thing is that the ambiance is very elegant and inviting! The waiter, Travis, offered great service and was attentive! The cornbread had the perfect amount sweetness and came out warm and fluffy. Had to order 2 servings to get my fix. The improvements: I ordered the BBQ greens and was sorely disappointed. The bacon was not crispy the lack of BBQ flavor was missed in the greens. I would of loved if it had that b flavor and if the sauce was a little thicker to coat the greens since the BBQ caught my eye and was the reason I ordered the meal. The chicken and rice left me wanting something else. The jollof rice was not memorable and the flavors tasted as if seafood was came into contact with the product, which didn't blend well with the chicken. The chicken was a great portion but the flavors also were underwhelming for me as well. read more
7 months ago
This was an amazing dining experience! Every dish was excellent! Although you do have to stalk for a reservation, it is absolutely worth it. As a tip, check 24 hours in advance of the next day to catch a reservation. We sat near the kitchen and it was so cool watching the chefs. They were so professional! The service was great! All the staff was kind. I had an amazing interaction with the hostess. I was celebrating my mom's heavenly birthday and she was extremely kind to me :) Parking is valet or there are two garages within walking distance. Overall, an amazing dining experience worth every penny spent! I will return! read more
2 years ago
Finally made it to Dogon to see what all the hype was about--and it definitely lived up to it! Nestled in the Salamander hotel, this beautiful restaurant is a must-visit. With really good food, amazing ambiance and great service, it's a place you'll definitely want to return to. Here are some of my thoughts: Environment Dogon is tucked away in the Salamander hotel and has a beautiful modern aesthetic. The dim lighting throughout the space creates an intimate vibe and ambiance that is perfect for date nights, birthday celebrations or drinks with friends. Just make sure that you make reservations well in advance - Dogon books up fast and reservations are hard to get! Service The service was great! Our server was attentive and super helpful with both drink and food recommendations. The food came out quickly and they made sure we had everything we needed throughout the night. Food We really loved the food. We tried a few items on the menu and the highlights were the coco bread, the branzino and the rice. Honestly, I would come back just for drinks and coco bread. It was warm, fluffy and just everything! The branzino was surprisingly delicious with the rice and sauce that complimented it nicely. I'd come back for all these items. The BBQ greens weren't far behind in terms of yummy food. The chicken and rice entree was solid but i'm not sure I'd order it again. The drinks were creative, delightful and perfect for the meal. The menu was appealing and I'd love to explore more items on my next visit. Overall Dogon is a great place with good food with a wonderful atmosphere. While it didn't quite hit 5 stars for me (It's tough for any place to get that from me) It's absolutely worth visiting, and I'm looking forward to returning. Just keep in mind that it is a bit pricey, so it's perfect for special occasions or when you're looking to treat yourself. read more
2 years ago
Listen. Run. Do not walk. Run, especially if you can catch a reservation. Dōgon is amazing. Chef Kwame opens nothing but hits! The food, service, decor -- he never misses. He was there during our visit and stopped by a few times to ensure we were satisfied. Situated inside the Salamander Hotel, you should already have a certain level of expectation: classy, sexy, sleek. The decor is beautiful. The lighting is a tad bit darker than what my aging eyes would prefer, but still nice. I didn't have to pull out the flashlight on my phone -- some may. The chandelier is modern and very sleek. It reminded me of icicles in a way...piercing. On the food - we ordered the lobster, chargrilled oysters and the rum cake. I kid you not, the sauce on that lobster made me say out loud, "this reminds me of my grandmother." For context, Dōgon's cuisine is Afro-Caribbean inspired, and I have Caribbean heritage. So, the sauce on the lobster reminded me of a tomato-based sauce that my grandmother makes...top notch / authentic. And, I wanted more. You will have to order rice or veggies a la carte. The oysters were a hit too. The accoutrement seemed like a tomato based sauce as well. I could be wrong. I'm sure I'm wrong, but it was good nonetheless. And lastly the rum cake--while it was tasty, it wasn't the best, but I would order again. And finally - service. Philippe was great. He's from Mexico and I told him I wanted to brush up on my Spanish, so we interacted speaking Spanish for the evening. I thought that was nice of him to help me use words that I don't use daily. All-in-all, 10/10! Cheers read more
4 months ago
Food was incredible but dare I say, overpriced. I visited Maroon in Vegas and to me the two restaurants were similar in flavor and quality. Service was great but the server who packed up my leftovers didn't get the curry sauce from the fish nor did they pack the butter with the coco bread which is necessary because they complement each other. I'm not sure what was in those rice and peas but it was phenomenal!! I wish they gave bigger portions. Not sure who the manager that was there on duty, I think he was probably the GM but he was so kind, lively and you could tell he loved his job!! I'll be visiting again in the future! read more
2 years ago
The ambiance at Dogon is perfect for a date night, birthday dinner, etc. It is definitely an upscale vibe, which is reflected in the prices. I was asked to put away my ring light, which was interesting as this has never happened to me before at a restaurant and I've seen several content creators make reels and TikToks here that definitely used external lighting. Just something to keep in mind. My drink was called "the spirit of the dunes" and was definitely an acquired taste. My waiter warned us it was "savory" which made me want to try it more. It almost tasted like pickle juice. Interesting to say the least. As for the food: The curry branzino was delicious with perfectly crispy skin and a flaky interior. However, I think it could be perceived as salty to some. The coco bread was also delicious . I enjoyed the salty balance with the sweet butter. My friend got the chicken and rice. She said the chicken was juicy and tender and was pleasantly surprised by the portion. We both were not impressed by the jollof. It had a different taste than what I'm used to. Perhaps it was made with seafood stock?? We both agree the star of the show was the rum cake. I would go back just for this alone. I have never a rum cake be so faintly infused with rum, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a crust on the outside but the inside was moist and buttery. It was like biting a warm hug. read more
2 years ago
I had an amazing time at Dogon! Kwame is bringing back true dinning to DC. Where it's more than just vibes/aesthetic and the food is spectacular. We loved every dish! - MomDukes Shrimp 10/10 - Jollof Rice 10/10 - Coco Bread 10/10 - Hoe Cakes 10/10 - Escovitch 8/10 - Pri Pri Salad 10/10 - Chicken and Rice 8/10 - Rum Cake 10/10 Next time we'll try the greens. We left full and didn't have enough room for it. Service is great and our sever was attentive. I highly suggest making a 5pm reservation instead going later in the afternoon. Cannot forget about the atmosphere and setting. The R&B music sets the vibe and the dark setting brings on the sexy and romantic setting. read more
I used to be obsessed with Top Chef so I've been following Chef Kwame since his season, so when I heard he was coming back to DC to open Dogon I was so excited. Unfortunately, I left unimpressed and disappointed in the food. First note, if you're going to say it's African fusion, make sure the African flavors are there..it's not. I went with mainly Africans from different parts of the continent and we all agreed African flavors where?? The good: Hoe Crab and the Curry Branzino. Those are the best dishes on the menu you won't be disappointed. For the hoe crab, just the crab is good. Idk what happened, but the after taste of our plantain hoe cake was burnt. We were puzzled because they didn't look burnt but after the second chew you had this displeasing taste in your mouth, so we just ate the crab by itself. Idk if it's because they're so small and maybe the stovetop wasn't cleaned properly, but it was bad... a major letdown. The wagyu beef would get honorable mention. The beef was cooked well, but the seasoning on the meat was a bit too much, you definitely need to eat it with the greens to cut the flavor. The flavor was also giving more kbqq/Asian inspired than African. If it came with rice or a more substantial side, I could maybee justify the price but just the meat and greens for 110 is overdoing it. The Braised cabbage is alright. After a couple bites it did start to grow on me, but not a dish I would order on my own. However, my vegan friend really liked it, so that's a good vegan or vegetarian option. You can't go wrong with oyster and they were charbroiled, so those were good. It's a safe option but overpriced imo for 3 oysters. The bad and the ugly: Chicken and Rice. Honestly, this dish was shameeefull. The jollof rice is horrendous... utterly bad. He's Nigerian but we don't claim this jollof. I don't know which countries jollof he was trying to imitate but it failed on every level. The chicken was also bland. He needs to go back to the drawing board with this one. I didn't care for the cocobread, I could've done without it. It just tasted like a regular ball of bread. I've never had authentic cocobread, but my friend who has said it doesn't taste like this. We wish we would've ordered the cornbread instead. Overall, unless the taste profile of several dishes are revamped or modified, I don't ever need to come back here. read more
The food and service here were 10/10, this was one of the best restaurants I've dined at in DC! Make your reservations early because they book up. I dined at 6pm on Tuesday and the dining room was packed! The music is awesome and service just as good. Lumi was so attentive and communicative as a server (ask for him!), he knew all the dishes and drinks and provided excellent recommendations. The entrees are enormous and I especially recommend the wagyu short rib, it is so tender and juicy. Restaurant is huge and restrooms are clean. Will definitely be back soon! read more
Do not take anyone here on a first date unless you want them to fall deeply in love with you. The ambiance and experience were phenomenal. The server was so knowledgeable about the menu and patient with all of our questions. I don't really know how to put the way every dish tasted into words. Immaculate is the only thing that comes to mind. The portions were huge and enough for the three of us to enjoy family style. We usually don't order dessert but because we were enjoying our experience so much we decided to try the rum cake, which is one of the best desserts we've ever had. I would give them ten stars if I could. read more
This is the best find dining restaurant in DC and I'm not sure how anyone can feel differently. Every bite of food I had was amazing, from top to bottom. We were promptly greeted, the restaurant itself is beautiful, and upon being seated the manager noticed we had our coats that were taking up space and he asked if he could take them so he could hang them up for us. I haven't stopped raving about this place since we visited. The kitchen was towards the back, open and clean and reminded me of The Menu haha. I'll definitely be back. read more
2 years ago
*chefs kiss* from start to finish. I was looking forward to dining here and finally made way last night. When you arrive to Dōgon there is a lounge area where you can sit and wait before your table. The front entrance staff was friendly, and I love the ambiance inside, perfect for intimate settings. Dim lighting, not loud. We were seated and Travis was our server. He is very personable and made great recommendations. I ordered the coco bread, Piri Piri salad, and branzino. The piri piri salad was sooo delicious! The flavors were so uniquely paired. The branzino was cooked to perfection and the coco bread! This bread melts in your hands before it melts in your mouth. A very delicious dinner and 10/10 would recommend these items. read more
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Ask the Community - Dōgon
What is the parking situation for the restaurant?
Scarce. There's metered street parking and valet. A few garages near by too.
What are the menu prices? I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find any prices.
Prices vary but the lowest options which are appetizers start around $15 and the mains run from about $30-110. I posted a copy of the menu with prices in my recent review.
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37 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Dōgon - caribbean - Updated October 2026
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