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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
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.
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!
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
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.
We had our wedding anniversary here and were given a celebratory non alcohol champagne. The location is very dark and moody. It's located in the hotel. Valet is available for the hotel. It was a little hard to read the menu. The empanadas were delicious! The meat was so soft. The steak was alright. A little over priced for a basic steak.
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!
Dōgon, Kwame Onwuachi's restaurant located in the Salamander Hotel, has been hailed as one of the best new dining destinations in the Washington, D.C. area. For me, the restaurant was a perfect introduction to Afro-Caribbean cuisine. As someone with little prior experience with the cuisine, I went into the meal open-minded and excited to see what was to come. The restaurant is located off to the side of the Salamander's main lobby, and from the very first peek inside, the space screams elegance. The interior design is sleek, clean, and intentionally dark, featuring a fully black color palette with dim, moody lighting. Despite the sophisticated appearance, our first interactions with the hosts were warm and inviting, giving off a much more laid-back vibe than I expected. After taking our first steps into the restaurant, it was much bigger than it seemed from the entrance. Despite this, it was exceptionally well-staffed. Our table was ready when we got there, and we were seated immediately. Throughout the night, the staff was fast and efficient. It was never hard to get someone's attention, and our server constantly did rounds to ensure everything was running smoothly. However, as the evening progressed, I noticed the service being a little formulaic. Every interaction felt scripted, as I heard the same verbiage being used with the tables next to us. I ultimately didn't have a problem with this, as it ensures consistency and smooth execution across all tables and visits. As for the menu, it was very concise. Only being one page, I thought it was the perfect size. It offered enough variety to be interesting without being so vast that it felt overwhelming. Every option felt unique, showcasing flavors and ingredients I wasn't entirely familiar with, yet everything felt enticing and highly orderable. Our server ran down the menu and enthusiastically suggested much more food than we could realistically handle. We ended up selecting a snack, a small share, a large share, and a bread option. This felt like the right amount of food to get a proper, well-rounded survey of what the kitchen has to offer. Although the kitchen courses the meal out, the dishes seemed to have arrived at our table as soon as they were ready. We ordered the piri piri salad, the charbroiled oysters, Mom Duke's shrimp, and the chicken and rice. The first thing to hit our table was the piri piri salad, which featured a beautiful presentation. The bright colors of the fresh ingredients popped vividly against the dark plate. While the salad itself only took up a fraction of the plate, it was matched by just the right amount of dressing to fully coat the salad. After mixing everything together, it harmonized perfectly. The piri piri flavor came through beautifully, delivering its signature spice alongside a fruity, tangy taste. This heat was nicely balanced by the surprising addition of fresh grapes for sweetness, the rich creaminess of avocado, and crisp seasonal ingredients that highlighted a delicious combination of textures. This was followed by the charbroiled oysters, which arrived as a pair alongside a lemon wedge. Of all the dishes we ordered, I found the oysters to be the least interesting, essentially just being a somewhat standard one-bite flavor bomb. I was also a bit disappointed to see that the two oysters weren't even close to the same size. Because of this, we had trouble splitting them equally between two people. While they were definitely flavorful, they are on the more expensive side at fourteen dollars, and they aren't necessarily something I would order again. The next two dishes were amazing. When the shrimp was brought out, the presentation looked a little messy, but the aroma made it clear that the dish would be packed with flavor. The shrimp itself was cooked to perfection. The head and shell were still intact, which forced us to interact directly with the food and peel it apart at the table. The shrimp sat soaking in an incredibly well-balanced sauce that was savory, had plenty of acidity, and carried a subtle hint of spice. There was enough sauce to coat every bite, with some left over to be soaked up by the fluffy coco bread served on the side. This was a great dish that was equally fun to eat as it was delicious. Rounding out the meal was the chicken and rice. The meat was extremely tender while still featuring crispy skin and seasoning that penetrated through the whole chicken, while the rice beneath absorbed all the rich, savory juices of the dish. But what really made the dish click was the perfect balance of temperatures and textures. The sauce that coated the chicken was very spicy, but combined with the herbs, lime, rice, and chicken altogether, the spice wasn't too overwhelming and was actually quite fresh. It made for a soulful, deeply satisfying conclusion to the meal.
Solid Afro-Carribbean restaurant that's owned by Kwame Onwuachi who placed on top chef and was a guest judge on next gen chef. We ordered the charbroiled oysters, coco bread, hoe crab, chicken and rice, and curry branzino - most of the dishes were pretty good, and a unique take on elevating west African/carribean food. The charbroiled oysters had a parmesan cheese crust which made for an interesting combination, but was quite pricey at $14 for 2 oysters that were consumed in less than a minute. I also liked our hoe crab with juicy lumps of crab and soft, pillowy plantain pancakes. However, our waiter spoke as if we could get free refills of the plantain pancake, only for us to get charged $8 at the end of the bill for an additional 5 mini pancakes. The coco bread à la carte was super buttery and plush with whipped butter on the side, but definitely needs to be shared. For the entrees, I liked the curry branzino fish which had a nice crispy crust on the outside and tender juicy fish on the inside. The rice & peas were well seasoned, but I didn't love that they were room temperature and wished they came out hot. The chicken and rice was juicy and not overcooked, but there was a spice in it that did not settle well in my stomach. Also the jollof rice was off - it was too sour and mushy, as if the tomatoes used weren't ripe enough. Price-wise, it is quite expensive and I don't think I've ever paid $72 for a chicken and rice dish. The ambiance was clean and they had a cool open kitchen, but the tables were too small and close together so you could hear your neighbor's conversations clearly. Overall, It's a good restaurant to try one time and convenient if you're nearby the wharf.
This was a really nice find! I really appreciated the lounge-like ambiance. The food was delicious and the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I will say that given the prices I would've liked larger portions of food, but it was a great experience nonetheless. Definitely perfect for a date night or intimate dinner.
1 month ago
Went to DC for my wife's bday and since NY she said that is where she wants to have dinner for her bday. We are big fans of Chef kwame because we have been to Tatiana's in NYC. Service was top notch. Place look beautiful and very elegant. The food was emaculate. Well seasoned steak and big bold flavors on every plate. Can't wait to try his spot in Vegas read more
Omg this place is definitely a great dining experienxe. From the moment we entered in, we were well-treated from the hosting stand to our water. The waiter gave some wonderful suggestions, which we ended up taking. He suggested we get the collared greens and branzjno, which were great. My friend and I also agree the carrots and lamb. The food came as it was being made and paired with the appropriate dishes. Everything was so wonderful. I would definitely come back, perhaps getting the bread also. Note because this is a dining experience, it does take a minute for all the food to come. They are preparing it as fresh as possible. We stayed for the full 2-3 hours for our experience. Just enjoy your dining company and enjoying the ambiance. The music in the background is also great! read more
Chef Kwame does it again! I was a fan of Kith/Kin at the Wharf, and Dogon brings a cool vibe here with the same flavorful food. Our server, Lumi (not sure of spelling), was awesome! Very attentive and gave great food recs. Loved the Coco bread, bbq greens, curry fish, and rum cake. Valet parking was a little steep at $30, but wouldn't deter me from visiting again. read more
10 months ago
First, I have to say (get your wallet prepared) --when I stepped into the restaurant, the atmosphere was completely different from the hotel (Salamander). It felt like walking into a chic, seductive space (def the perf date night spot). The lighting was dim, everyone was speaking at a respectful tone and even though we arrived 30 minutes past our reservation time (thank you, DC traffic), they still accommodated us! We were seated in the bar area (which we LOVED) since our original table was given away. However, that ended up working out because we were greeted by the lovely Ms. Ivory, She made one of the best drinks I've had in a while--my taste buds were dancing. I ordered the Flower Pot Punch and my friend had a mango-based NA drink (name slipped my mind), and both were well-balanced, flavorful, and the liquor DID NOT get lost in the mix lol. Her service was outstanding; she checked on us consistently and clearly knew the menu and dishes very well. Now on to the food. The cocoa bread was a 10/10. The oysters, unfortunately, were disappointing--they tasted reheated & was not fresh, so 2/10. The wagyu was incredibly tender and moist, practically melting in my mouth--9/10. The hoe crab dish? I could eat that every day. It had the perfect kick (I love spice), and they were generous with the crab--10/10. As for the chicken and Jollof rice--the chicken was moist but could've benefited from a longer marinade to deepen the flavor (ironically, it tasted better the next day). The Jollof rice was cooked in a shrimp broth, which I wasn't expecting, and the flavor threw me off. I disliked it, and the guest seated next to me agreed. I was anticipating a more traditional Naija-style Jollof--so that's a 6/10. And the rum cake? Make sure you order two--one to enjoy there and one to take home. It absolutely broke the scale. PS: whoever was in charge of the playlist, tell them I need it expeditiously! read more
LOVE LOVE LOVE! The food, service, and ambience was all 5 stars. I wish I lived closer to DC so I can eat here everyday. We ordered a variety of dishes after discussion with our waitress. Such a kind soul (sorry I don't recall their name). We had fired fish, corn bread, jollof rice (least favorite), greens ( favorite, favorite). I wish I can each meal in detail. The culinary experience of all items except the jollof rice was magical. A bit of a heads up: nothing is like what you think it will be. The corn bread was nothing I've ever tasted. The jollof rice will not taste like how your mom would cook it. So don't walk in with tastebud expectations. Though we didn't try everything on the menu, I don't think you will be disappointed with any of their options. Note: I am writing this review months after so skimpy on the details. Go try this place for yourself. Please! read more
Made a resy since I would be in town for a race that weekend. First off, the Salamander Hotel is beautiful. As I approached I was taken aback by how grand the building was from the outside. Once inside it's easy to see that Dogon and Tatiana are sister restaurants. They share similar vibes, color schemes, etc. As for the food, the dishes are made to share so if you're dining alone (like me) you're going to have a bit of an issue ordering. I decided to get two Small Share plates and a side of cornbread. The cornbread had this spiced butter which added the perfect kick to the cornbread. For my small shares I ordered the BBQ Greens and the Hoe Crab. Both were flavorful and because I ate them by myself, they were VERY filling. read more
I've been meaning to visit Dōgon for a while and finally got the chance to in April. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. We went for a birthday dinner, but honestly the vibe felt more intimate like a date spot, at least in the section we were in. The service is great. The food is good, but not mind blowing. As someone with two Jamaican parents and tons of West African friends, I've been surrounded by both types of cuisine my entire life. So I'll admit, I may be a bit biased compared to the average person who may frequent the restaurant. The shrimp, the jollof, and rice and peas all needed more love, and I say that as someone who doesn't even like spicy food. It just needed a bit more depth in the flavors. The snapper was really good along with the chicken. They were both the best things we all ordered. The coco bread rolls didn't stand out from what you'd find at any other fine dining spot. Not sure what makes them "coco bread" here but they were good! Lastly when it comes to food, by the time it was brought to us, it wasn't as hot as it could be. It was just warm. But our party did check in late so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. Overall a 7/10. The ambiance carries it far, but the kitchen has a tiny tiny bit of catching up to do. And I say that having come back almost a week later on a whim. Still good, just not great. And last thing, which may sound nit-picky, but for a place that starts at $100 minimum per person for a full meal, don't ask me if I want tap water lol. "Still, sparkling or tap" was not something I expected to hear. I'll probably visit ONE more time to see if my experience changes (when it comes to the food) but that's it. read more
2 months ago
As someone who's been to Dogon a couple of times I can definitely say that I've experienced a few hits and misses. Let's start off with the interior which is dimmed slightly beyond perfection and is sure to have a more seasoned crowd reaching for their phone light. The spacing of the tables also needs a bit work as they're far too close for comfort and forces one to whisper during intimate conversations or fear that all will know that your cousin Sara ran off with the milk man lol. Despite the interior I can definitely say that the service is solid. All of my servers have been great, however something was missing 4/5. Now the piece de resistance: the food. I can appreciate it when restaurants revamp not only their food but their drink menu as well. However, their new cocktail menu dulls in comparison to their summer option which was filled with several martini options. I asked for the server to see if they could recreate the P Star martini (sans vanilla as they apparently didn't have any in house). They gave it their best shot, but it was mediocre and they apparently topped it off in the back with sparkling wine as well. Yikes! Don't they realize one of the best parts is when you can top it off yourself. Some of my favorite bites were the bbq greens, Ben's bowl, the curry branzino (per a friend) and the rum cake. Some misses were the coco bread ( I know don't shoot me), sweet and sour cabbage, bone marrow with shredded lamb (no longer on the menu). Long story short, I may stop by if they have an early resy. However, I don't think that I'll be back for a celebratory occasion 3.8/5. read more
Us 4 were seated within 10 min of arriving. Your evening is accompanied by smooth jams at a volume that doesn't requiring hollering across the table at your dining partners. It's a dark, moody space. You can dress all the way up or wear something fancy casual. Two of us had mocktails, and lemme tell you something... they cost just as much as the cocktails eg ~$20. It costs just as much to be sober as it does to get boozy, boo. Also, our waiter mixed up the drinks and gave the alcoholic one to a pregnant person. He quickly corrected when we told him. We were told to get 4-6 smalls and at least 2 large plates for the 4 of us. It turned out fitting and became somewhat like a tasting since we shared everything. They ask that you order everything all at once. Yes, you can add more dishes later. We enjoyed every single thing that came out. I couldn't wrap my head around the concept of bbq greens but it was very good and tasted like traditional black American holiday greens, yanno the kind where you wanna drink the soup/base lol. My top faves were that, the pork belly, and tuna. We did feel that at least 2 of the dishes had very similar flavor profiles and weren't as distinct as we'd hope for but it didn't take away from a well done meal. We look forward to returning! read more
Finally made it to Dogon! The vibe of this place was great. They had a great playlist playing but it wasn't loud or disruptive in anyway. It was a nice addition to the atmosphere. Jesse was our waiter and he was so great! Always checked up on us and had great recommendations and answers to our questions. Nothing in the cocktails list was speaking to me. So I got a glass of bubbly which I loved. I think it was the Cremante. My brother got the mango basil smash and my sister in law got the coco con leche. They said they were okay. Nothing special. We decided to get 4 small plates and 2 large plates. Might have been too much but there were too many things we wanted to try. We started off with the Ben's bowl. The lamb was soft and the sauce was so flavorful. This was a great start but at the end this ended up being low on the list compared to the other dishes. Then we got the hoe crab. This is such a unique dish. The pancakes were perfect. The sauce packed a punch. The crab was soft tasty. This was my favorite dish. Then the steak tartar which was good but nothing special. Then we had the tuna. The sauce on this was so good but the tuna and avocado was just okay. Then we had the curry branzino. The skin was so crispy and the fish was so soft. Amazing how they did that. The braised oxtail was probably the most disappointing. We got a lot of fatty pieces and thought the meat would be softer. Flavor also wasn't on par with the other dishes. For the price we expected more. Overall very happy with our experience. Will definitely be back. read more
When I mean I wanted to kiss Chef Kwame Onwuachi in real time I wish I could've !! The food was too die for! I loved and enjoyed every single piece of food on my Plate ! I scrapped the plate. The reservations are super serious ! You miss your time frame that's $100 but trust me food so good you don't want to miss it. The Decor was nice and dark . Music was a vibe !! Everything was a vibe . Chef please invite me to a one on one dinner ! I would love to try all of your food read more
4 months ago
I ate here as part of a one-night solo staycation I planned at The Salamander. I was there to use my FHR $300 amex plat credit and my $100 resy credit. You can charge meals here to your room. If you pay with your credit card, it shows up as Salamander instead of Dogon, but you still get the resy credit since the charge category comes up as Restaurant and not Lodging. I had a 5:45 pm reservation. Nice to have dinner without leaving the hotel. The ambiance is low light and r&b music. The tables are kind of close together. There's nothing really to look at but your food and other people. The food was Excellent. The Hoe Crab is worth every bit of the hype. The little pancakes look and taste just like the pancakes I make with Aunt Jemima just add water pancake mix. I know this might sound like an insult, but it's a huge compliment. The crab meat is plump and the seasoning is delicious. I also had the Ben's Bowl crispy lamb. I love stewed lamb. It's like stewed lamb in crispy squares. It was really good but kinda dry. It needed something, but I can't say what. For desert, I got the rum cake. I enjoyed it. It's the kind that doesn't have a heavy rum flavor. I wouldn't have been mad if it did. The drink menu oddly had no tequila drinks. I ordered one of the rum cocktails and switched the rum out for mezcal. Very tasty. Ok, now let's talk about the service... My waiter annoyed me. He comes out very friendly and helpful, explaining the sharing-style of the menu and making recommendations. He takes your drink order, several minutes later, your food order, then you basically never see him again. The water glasses are small. Mine wasn't filled as often as I would have liked. I finished my cocktail with my first course. I wanted a second but he never came back until I after I had finished my second course and called him over to order desert. What I disliked most of all is that he had this odd way of seeming irritated when I didn't order a lot of dishes. It wasn't just me because he did the same with the table next to me. He wanted me to order one of the big plates, which is for sharing. I'm one person--121 lbs. That's too much food on top of the Hoe Crab. I actually took half my desert and half my Ben's Bowl to go. To me and the couple next to me he essentially said, with an irritated tone, "Is that all? No big plates? Ok, let me know if you need to see the menu again later..." and walked away. What turned me off was, why does it bother you how much food people order unless it's about wanting a bigger tip? There was another guy who seemed like a maitre d who came to check on me whose pleasantness and helpfulness with setting me up to take my food back to the room felt very genuine. I liked him. Overall, the food is great. The music is a vibe. I would go back. read more
11 months ago
We went to Dogon for a friend's birthday, and it was amazing--my new favorite upscale restaurant in the area! The food, service, music, and overall ambience were all perfect. We tried lots of different dishes, and I especially loved the branzino and the mussels. I really appreciated how thoughtfully the West African and Caribbean flavors were curated. It's hard to find good Caribbean fusion spots in this area, and they absolutely hit the mark. I'll definitely be coming back! read more
We had a 7:15 reservation on a Saturday and were disappointed to find they were already out of the Ben's Bowl. Started with the Mama Dukes shrimp, which was flavorful. The cornbread was just okay. The curry branzino was well cooked but had barely any vegetables (just topped with a lot of garnish). The chicken was less flavorful than in the past but still good. The jollof rice lacked some flavor. Overall, you can tell the spices are high quality, though the execution felt a bit off. Still love the vibe here as this is visit #4 and the cherries and cream dessert was a refreshing and tasty finish. read more
Hands down my favorite meal during my work trip to DC. The vibe is elevated trendy, yet intimate. The place was packed so it felt like THE place to be at night. Make sure to book your reservation far in advance though. THE FOOD: For 5 people, my table ordered: coco bread, corn bread, hoe crab, pork belly, piri piri salad, bbq greens, mom dukes shrimp, chicken and rice, & rum cake. We also got multiple cocktails. Our server told us that everyone was going to want their own corn bread and she did not lie. We had to get double order since it was so good. My table liked the shrimp but I found it too fishy, though the sauce was awesome. The chicken and rice was ok but everything else was wow. I loved the mix of bold flavors & nothing felt too heavy. We could have ordered 1 less small plate since we were very full, but we still had to get something sweet. The rum cake was a perfect way to end. THE SERVICE: Our server was top-notch with all the dish descriptions and attentiveness. We felt very well taken care of. One bummer was that the pork belly came out wayyyy after all the other food. The service staff did a great job constantly taking away dishes & switching out clean plates. I love that this was family style. Go here if you want everyone in your group to feel special! It's spendy, but unique and is sure to impress all out-of-towners!- says this out-of-towner ;) read more
Dogon, nestled in the DC Salamander is the perfect spot for a date night, celebration or dinner out with your girls. During my recent visit my friend was able to book a table for 4 about a month out from the reservation. Not sure what the parking situation is because I Ubered to the hotel however upon arrival I was delighted to hear that our table was almost ready and we'd only have to wait a couple of minutes. The restaurant itself is kind of small and features a chain design with mood lighting once you arrive in. Here's everything I loved and didn't love so much while I was here. LOVED + portion sizes were shareable so despite the prices being a bit high it was nice to enjoy a decent portion from each dish + because everything is served family style I highly recommend going with 3-4 people. + CURRY BRANZINO *snapps* sooo soo good. The sauce and the delicate fish are a star + Coco bread -- I could eat these everyday all day. Although it's more of a roll than the sweet coco bread I'm used to it was still a hit! + oysters-- delicious + greens --- delicious, wish the portion was a little bigger + rum cake-- it's like a warm hug on a cold night. Mhmm mmhm mmm it hit my soul that's how good it was + plates were cleared from the table quickly + they were really good with making sure that our friend with a shellfish allergy was taken care of DIDN'T LOVE AS MUCH + Our server started out providing the best service. Then midway through she disappeared and didn't seem to be in the best mood. So much that another server ended up jumping in to provide us with some prosecco while we waited for our dessert. Very much appreciated this! + dessert took like 30 minutes to come out. Felt like forever + their shrimp tasted over cooked and fishy + For a fine dining restaurant I wouldn't have expected to be packing up my own food into cardboard boxes. After spending so much I would at least love if the team asked if you'd like them to box it or if you're ok boxing it yourself. It was odd to have to lift the heavy plates and risk getting sauces all over your clothes. Overall I'll be back. I didn't try any cocktails because I wasn't in the drinking mood but my friends who dined in with me this day loved them. Thank you to the Dogon team! You will absolutely be seeing me again for that curry branzino :) read more
1 year ago
Had such a wonderful time at Dogon! The whole experience felt personal and special from the moment we walked into the Salamander Hotel and were guided right to the restaurant. Huge shoutout to our waiter, Travis. He was amazing. He remembered our names, gave great recommendations, and made the night feel extra memorable. We tried the hoe crab, charbroiled oysters, the chicken and rice and the rum cake. Everything was delicious and perfectly seasoned. The ambiance is stunning, modern yet cozy, with beautiful lighting and great energy. It's the perfect spot for a nice dinner in D.C. with amazing service and great food. read more
I was so excited to try Dogon as someone who has dined at Tatiana three times to date and loved every meal I had there. I truly had hoped Dogon would be even better, and the reviews were pushing that narrative. Then I went to Dogon and disappointment reigned supreme. The space in the Salamander hotel is pretty, but doesn't feel right for Dogon - it just feels like a fancy hotel restaurant rather than it's trying to make a statement. You might think Tatiana has this problem, but Tatiana is about New York, and so putting Tatiana in Lincoln Center in the NY Phil's home as an homage to what was there before is actually touching. Maybe there is a historical piece here that I'm missing, but if not, it looks like a nice hotel restaurant. The menu is simple and understandable, we started with cocktails that were good, but not $25 good. Then the cornbread at $15 for two pieces of cornbread solidified the concern I had after having a drink that everything was going to be very overpriced for the value. Truly too bad because that cornbread was great, but maybe worth $9 at most - honestly had it come free for the table, it would have set a very different tone for the rest of the meal. Dishes came after we ordered and there were good dishes and bad. Hoe crab for example couldn't actually be better. The crab was just so perfectly tasty and the flavors stunning in every way. There could have been more pancakes for it though. The other truly standout dish was the bone marrow - so rich, so beautiful, exactly what I wanted. This was maybe the best dish of the meal. On the other side of the spectrum was a $90+ wagyu short rib that was so bad. Nobody wanted to eat any of it - it was truly terrible. The oysters were good and they tasted like cheese, however, there were only 3 when we ordered 4. We pointed this out, they said they'd bring another, and 15 minutes later hadn't. The oysters were cold, so they brought us a new set of four comped on the house. It was silly though, why not just get it right, or fix it right away. The chicken was good, but not that much better than street cart Chicken and Rice at a portion of that price. That became the theme of the night. We ended up spending over $800 for 4 people without trying to spend too much money. We won't be going back. read more
As a hugeeeee fan of Tatiana, I was super excited to hear that Chef Kwame Onwuachi had a restaurant in DC. Ambiance was beautiful-- the mood is very dark, vibey, and classy, just like its sister restaurant Tatiana. Overall, food and drinks were amazingggg! It was as good as Tatiana!! Service was a bit... questionable. One of my biggest icks is when the staff keeps coming back to take the plates away (when it's clear that we have a lot of food left and we are still working on it). Once or twice is fine, but when different staff come back in the span of 10 minutes 5X times? That's when it gets... a bit annoying. - Hoe crab: 100/10 (the crab was sooo yummy! It was slightly spicy and it went really well with the buttery potato pancakes and the creamy green sauce) - Branzino: 100000/10 (honestly probably the best branzino I've eaten ever) - Cocktails: 100/10 (we went a bit crazy on the cocktails and ordered one of each and wowww they were all amazing! We especially loved the GT&T-- it was like a really refreshing gin and tonic) Overall, I def want to be back but I'm hoping I won't be rushed the next time I'm here!! read more
8 months ago
Took my boyfriend here for his birthday Ambiance: very minimal with black and white interior. Seating is a bit too close for me, we literally could hear both tables next us conversations. I was not expecting the type of music to be playing, mostly hip hop and r&b. Felt like it was those brunches that get turnt up but people were chill and dressed up. It's located in a beautiful hotel. Service: Raphael was really nice and attentive. He explained the menu and how it was restaurant week even gave some recommendations. Food: we started off with cocoa bread which was very soft and warm. The tuna was good but not enough for me. I wish they did it in like some of kind of mini stack. Next was the Ben's bowl and that reminded me of a crunchy crab cake but with lamb. It wasn't my favorite but the sauces were really good and flavorful. For the entree, we ordered the oxtails and curry branzino. I lovedddddddddd the branzino literally chefs kiss. Perfect serving size for me and the rice was such a good paring. The oxtails were a bit of a sweet taste for me but my boyfriend enjoyed it. We ended dinner with rum cake, I'm not a dessert person but it was good. For drinks we had white wine, I forgot the name but it was a semi dry with a fruity taste at the end. They gave a complimentary drink I think it was a sparkling wine. Definitely go for the experience of trying different foods. read more
It took a long time to secure a reservation at Dōgon, but we finally got one for our anniversary. The hostess staff were friendly and very helpful, and we were seated near the bar. I was eager to try several dishes on the menu, but unfortunately, the short rib was removed shortly before our visit. The hoe crab appetizer was unique and tasty, which I enjoyed as a seafood lover. The mom dukes shrimp was good, though I would have preferred it with less sauce. My wife, who is a vegetarian, found limited options on the menu. She ordered the cabbage, which was just okay but incredibly overpriced for what it was. She did love the cornbread. We didn't like the rum cake at all. The cocktails were flavorful and offered a nice variety. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I wouldn't mind returning, but it would probably be if someone invited me. Accessibility: We sat close to the door and didn't see the entire restaurant, but it was easy to get to our seat with a mobility scooter, and the staff kindly provided a place to store it. read more
1 year ago
We had a lovely evening celebrating a birthday at Dōgon at the Salamnder on a Tuesday evening. We set reservations for 5 PM a few weeks before and had no problem grabbing a spot. We did valet but had some trouble locating (drive to the entrance of the Salamander Hotel). We ordered everything lol. The drinks were too sweet but everything else was amazing. We ordered the cabbage, branzino (amazing), chicken (very good), hoe crab (definitely a highlight), piri piri salad (light and lovely), rum cake (huge but good), shrimp, and lamb. The restaurant is beautiful and the service is amazing. I've been to Tatiana and they're very similar (Tatiana has better food). This is quite the dining experience. Love Chef Kwame; I'll be back! read more
1 year ago
I had very high hopes for Dogon, so much so that I chose this place for our anniversary dinner. The ambiance is really beautiful with the dim lighting and everything. However, what really fell short for me was the food and wait time between dishes. The ben's bowl was extremely disappointing for me. It was almost inedibly salty to me. My husband who has a very high tolerance for salt even said the dish was way too salty. If it wasn't for the sauce that it came with (which felt cut down the saltiness a bit) I would have had to send it back, which I very very rarely do. This is what we started the meal with so I was disappointed from the get-go. The hoe crab came next, and truly was the best thing we tried there. It was phenomenal and an extremely well balanced dish. So good that I wish it came with a couple more blinis. The last dish we tried was the Curry Branzino and this was also pretty good in terms of flavor. The rice and peas it came with perfectly complimented the dish. However, they filleted it not so great. There was tons of bones in this fish, almost in every bite. I was surprised a restaurant like this would serve fish this way. I was able to dig out the bones from my mouth but can't say this for everyone--it can definitely get stuck in someone's throat. We got a few cocktails which were quite enjoyable, although on the pricy side. Got the rum cake for dessert which was pretty good, you could definitely taste the rum, however little too big for two people to share. The service itself was pretty good, however we sat for 25+ minutes simply waiting for our Branzino to come out. We were done with our other dishes but that dish took so long to come out that we were running late to our next plans. We told our waiter we were in a rush to he thankfully sped up the dessert and check. Also I've been to hundreds of nice dinners in DC and have rarely felt that the food was overpriced, but that's exactly how I felt at Dogon. Paying $72 dollars for essentially a chicken and rice dish felt pretty insane (so we didn't get that dish). But truly many items on the menu were so costly it deterred me from trying and ordering a bunch of dishes. Unfortunately I don't think I would go back. I'm glad I got to try it though and very happy to see a successful high-end African restaurant in DC! read more
Celebrity-chef (is that correct? I don't know but he is famous) Kwame Onwuachi had a previous restaurant called Kith & Kin in DC but it closed right around the pandemic and I was DYING to try it! Now Chef Kwame has an extremely popular restaurant in NYC and catered the Met Gala and brought some sort of branch of his empire back to DC. Hmmm... that was definitely a run-on sentence, #grammarfailure ... Anyway, I was super excited to be able to finally go to his restaurant, even with my misgivings about hotel restaurants (notoriously over-priced, often over-hyped) and don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the meal, the food is not necessarily over-hyped, but man is it over-priced!!!! Like probably 30% more than it should be. And look, I will pay a pretty penny for something truly exciting and unique (something like $40 for three of the same dessert at Perry's and $60 for king crab legs, also as dessert), but there is a Ghanaian restaurant called Elmina also in DC that is doing some great things with African curries, skewers and some truly delightful crudos - and at like 2/3 the price! Maybe if I hadn't just been to Elmina and had a superior time there, dining on some exquisite dishes, this experience would have been a little more titillating, but alas - we left before dessert Honestly, it was the price. I am truly over the $25+ cocktails and paying for bread - something that used to be free! I get paying for specialty bread, but those coco breads are $15.00 for 5 and they are small and hardly anything more than a white dinner roll. PLUS you get three of them with the bone marrow dish, so just order that. Also the cornbread, though delightful, was $15 for two small slices?!? Highway robbery! It's comparable at Founding Farmers or Wildfire and there you get a small skillet and it's like 5 bucks! I don't know, I was just super excited for this experience and I just can't say it's worth it. The food was very good, but I can't justify recommending the place due to the price... read more
1 month ago
9 months ago
Dogon is giving 5-star luxury flavor all in one. From the moment I stepped out of the Uber Black, and onto the pavement the vibe was elevate. Upon entry I was greeted with R&B classics sleek design, attentive staff, & ambiance. The music made me feel like I was at a friend's home jamming' and vibing. It's definitely more than your average night out; this was an experience. The Food: * Coco Bread: Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet. Perfect warm-up to the meal. * Charbroiled Oysters: Smoky, rich, and balanced with just the right seasoning. Not authentic Nawlins deliciousness but they'll do. * Chicken & Rice: T'was not your grandmas chicken & rice it was Berbere Chicken with Jollof Rice: Bold, fragrant, and absolutely unforgettable. The chicken was so tender with that perfect berbere spice kick layered, complex, and not overpowering. The jollof rice paired beautifully with the chicken. The chicken alone is reason to come back. * Cherries & Cream: Light, refreshing, and the perfect sweet ending without being heavy. * Flower Pot Punch: Gorgeous presentation almost too pretty to drink. Fruity, vibrant, and had the kind of smooth kick that sneaks up on you. The service was impeccable. Warm, attentive without hovering, and the timing of each course felt effortless. Every dish came out looking like a piece of art but also delivered on taste not one weak link. Final word: Dogon didn't just meet the hype; it set the standard! If you're in DC and want a true dining experience that feeds both your appetite and your soul, Dogon is it. read more
Had the opportunity to check out Dogon. This place is great for a date night! The decor and the lighting definitely give grown and intimate vibes. They do offer valet parking which is a great option. Reservations are hard to snag. Our waitress was very friendly and personable and explained the menu well. The portions are made for sharing. However the items that we ordered all came out at different times. The meal felt a little disjointed. Coco Bread 10/10 Corn Bread 9/10 Sweet and Sour Cabbage 8/10 Bbq Greens 8/10 a little kick at the end Curry Branzino 9/10 I'm not sure if I would return. The service was great and loved the experience, but I'm not sure there are enough options that I would want to go back and try. read more
3 months ago
DOGON by Chef Kwame: I had dinner at this exclusive black-owned restaurant. It is difficult to get Saturday night reservations so we were lucky. REVIEW: DECOR: 8/10 It's very minimalistic, but classy. Very dark inside, so perfect for date night. The music playing in the background was R&B. SERVICE: From the doorman to the waiters, it was great 10/10. At one point we had at least 2-3 serving us. FOOD: 7/10 Breakdown: Bone Marrow=9, Coco Bread=10, Shrimp=6, We opted for the whole fish=9 with the Jollof rice=2. Rum cake=10. Very delicious. Overall, I'm would recommend the place for a luxurious dining experience for special occasions. Want more authentic opinions? Check out my video reviews and more on my various platforms: CocoaAlmondJoy/CocoasJoy read more
1 year ago
I was happy to finally have the opportunity to visit this restaurant. It's been the talk of the town for a while. The restaurant is an intimate setting with dim lighting. Great spot for a date night or girls night out. Reservation: Highly Recommended. We were seated at the bar after being added to the waitlist. Our bartender Ivy, was very knowledgeable of the menu. She offered great suggestions when we couldn't decide what to order. We visiting for after dinner drinks and dessert. The menu is divided into a small share and large share. Cocktail : Espresso Martini delicious Ordering two is a must!! 5 Coco bread: Not sweet. Tastes like a regular yeast roll. 3 Mom Dukes Shrimp: way too spicy for my taste buds. I wasn't able to finish them due to the spice level. It simply wasn't for me. Highly recommend if you prefer spicy seafood. 3 Rum Cakes: The rum cake was AMAZING! I didn't care for the fruit or the whipped cream. I was pleasantly surprised my the delicious flavors. I've been thinking about this cake for days Highly recommend 10 Overall, I really enjoyed my visit. The service was excellent, the drinks were well-crafted, and the rum cake alone is reason enough to come back. I'm already looking forward to returning to try the Branzino. read more
6 months ago
Dogon gave my wife and me one of the best dining experiences we've ever had in our lives, and we've been 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. read more
Dogon has been on my bucket list for a while now. I decided to go for restaurant week. The decor is minimalist and the lighting was dark. The music was way too loud. I had a seat at the bar. I believe Ivory was the bartender's name. She was very nice and service was ok. I went with the hoe cakes and the branzino with the rum cake for dessert. As the kids say nowadays it was "mid." The crab hoe cakes were good but I would not say spectacular. The branzino was cooked well but I was not a fan of the sauce which was too sweet. The rice and peas side was good but nothing to write home about. The rum cake was just ok and to me lacked the usual rum soaked sweetness that I was expecting. Nothing stood out for me. I also with option to add wine but they were out of one the red wines I wanted . I'm glad I came to try Dogon, but it's not worth returning to with so many other options in the area - especially for the price point. read more
Thoughtful menu, with well prepared food. Flavors hit every part of tongue. Confident spices. Service was the best I've had (ever?). Excellent storytelling. Every staff member owns the place. There is a deep pride here. The ambiance was perfect--elevated, but accessible. The playlist is a vibe. GREAT lighting. I cannot wait to return. TIP: If you book an early dinner and arrive before restaurant opens.....the lobby of Salamander is a great place to enjoy a drink beforehand. They have excellent bar snacks-- popcorn. I personally love early reservations for popular spots....best time to get prime service. Experience feels curated. read more
Dogon has been on my list for awhile so I'm glad I finally made it out there. I will say driving up to the hotel/restaurant was really breathtaking. I love to layout and architecture. And I could immediately tell a perfect place for a date night. They currently have valet for about $50 for the first 2 hours and I'm unsure of how much it is after that. I took an Uber in because I wasn't too sure about the parking based off the reviews. When you first walk in there's this beautiful instagramable fringe decor in front. The interior of the restaurant is very dimly lit and the music added to the whole vibe. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant. A lot of the items on the menu have some spicy ingredients so I definitely relied on him to tell me the best options. A few standouts: FLOWER POT PUNCH |24| I wanted a sweet drink and this was one of the 2 cocktails available. It came in a glass that was much smaller than expected. While good, I don't think I'd order this again. COCO BREAD |15| This was one of my favorite items. The bread was warm, fluffy and paired very well with the butter. I'm used to cook a bread being a tad bit sweeter than what this was, it tasted more like a roll. Which I'm completely fine with. PIRI PIRI SALAD |26| I heard a lot about this dish as in it was definitely unique salad. I was more so intrigued by the reviews. But all in all I was very disappointed by this dish. I know that there was a lot of technique that probably went into it but in the end it's still felt like a salad to me. When I think I went in with my expectations a little too high. BEN'S BOWL |25| This was also another favorite that I had. I love the crispy exterior with how the lamb breaks apart. I loved the texture and how flavorful it was. RUM CAKE |17| I really enjoyed how moist the cake was. Definitely a highlight however me and my friend agreed that it would be amazing with some ice cream. OVERALL: I would definitely return as it looks like they change some items on their menu from time to time. You can definitely tell a lot of technique and thought went into the dishes read more
The food, the service, the ambiance is top tier!! From the moment you walk into this restaurant, it's a modern, chic, artsy, lounge vibe with 90s/2000s r&b playing in the background. The decor is stunning!! The mix of different fabrics, metals, navy blue, gold accents, wood...chef's kiss The unisex single stall bathrooms are a wonderful concept, and the open kitchen is intriguing. The cocktails (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) are available, which I truly appreciate, and everything on the menu is described in detail. The food....spectacular!! We enjoyed everythannnggg we ordered! I can't wait to return. Our server was the star of the show (well...besides the food), and unfortunately, I did not catch their name. They recommended dishes with such enthusiasm and descriptive details. And they were spot on! Also, everyone (from the front desk to the different servers and bussers) was so cordial and attentive. And Even though we were celebrating very belated birthdays, we received a few complimentary glasses of prosecco. so thoughtful! I can't wait to return, but know this place is pricey! yelp tip: Parking....valet $50, but street parking, which is down the street, and around the corner is $2.75...pick your battle! read more
Let me start by saying this restaurant is absolutely beautiful. I loved the decor and moody vibe inside. My friends and I had a reservation but arrived early so we did have to wait since our table wasn't ready. We sat in the hotel lobby and waited. The table was ready exactly on time which is great. The service throughout was amazing. Our waiter was thorough and checked on us frequently. He also made drink and food recommendations. We ordered the coco bread, charbroiled oysters, Mom Dukes Shrimp, and chicken and rice. The food was flavorful but the coco bread was my favorite item. The shrimp was saucy and could've used bread, rice, or grits to balance it out more. I also ordered the flower pot drink which was really good--fruity and sweet. I will say, If you're not looking to spend a lot of money, this might not be the spot to try just yet. It's on the pricier side but that's honestly what I expected. Parking can be a hassle but they do offer valet parking for $30 if you're visiting the restaurant. Overall, the experience was amazing and worth a try. 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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36 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Dōgon - caribbean - Updated October 2026
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