Dogon is located at the Salamander Hotel, located in a more quieter part of Southwest and away from the Wharf. My girlfriend was able to score an early dinner reservation at 5:30 for two. We were in awe of the lux atmosphere and enjoyed everything on the menu. We ordered charboiled oysters (just okay compared to Cordelia Fishbar), Piri Piri salad (refreshing but slightly underwhelming), Curry Brazino (star of the night), and Chicken and rice (nothing special but executed well). The waiter had a cool and relaxed demeanor throughout the night, but recommended way too many dishes for two people. We were stuffed. Wished we had ordered less and focused more on the appetizers and one main. Definitely would love to come back to try other mains! read more

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This place was amazing! I can see why it's on the Michelin list as well as why it doesn't have a Michelin star. The service was great, but those putting down the food and explaining them could've been a little bit better. The hostesses had a little bit of an attitude, but the food was AMAZING. Our favorite things on the menu were the cornbread and rum cake. The cabbage was ok. My partner really liked the pork belly as well as the Wagyu. read more

I decided to take my hubs on a date for an elevated experience of fan favorites (think branzino and greens). From the first step into the space, we were welcomed with warmth and professionalism. The decor and feel of the space immediately served romatic, home, and cozy vibes. After being walked to our table, water service was prompt. I appreciated the staff helping each other with things like drinks, service, and follow-ups. There was a lot of movement as it appeared there was to be no table left unseen/unheard. I tried to order everything that initially caught our eye. Food delivery was quick and very good. My favs included the Coco Bread (could eat a million of those), BBQ Greens, Branzino, and Rum Cake.There was only item that I would change, and that would be the Jollof Rice. I am not a heavy seafood eater, and my rice had a strong(er) seafood taste. I later found out they did offer a version without the seafood flavor, so if I tried it again, this would be my preference. Even with the rice rating, I would still give this experience 5 stars! As a note, they do offer menu changes, so my options may or may not be available during your visit. I would love to know what you loved off the menu and I look forward to visiting again soon!! Parking Note: we did utilize their valet services for ease, but you may be able to find alternative parking should you decide. read more

Cons: I docked a point because first and foremost, you guys need to have a phone system. I tried calling multiple times the day of my reservation for some questions I had and no one answered and one of the hostess's had the nerve to lie and say they do answer their phones. Why can't anyone reach you guys? Secondly, Chef Kwame was outside of the restaurant when I walked out and I walked up to big him up on the restaurant and how great the food was. He was on the phone and told me to hold on, fair right? When he got off the phone, I saw him walk away as fast as he could and went into the restaurant. He could've at least said something before walking off so as an owner, that's not a good luck from a customer who just paid for an expensive dining experience. Have likkle class sir. Yuh nuh "too big" fi talk to people. Anyways, on to the food, despite the cons, the food was DELICIOUS. I'll give them that. The servers were great. Great attitudes as well. As a real Jamaican, please do not expect the food to mirror ours lol. He tried but he has his spin on it. The oxtail is by no means Jamaican Oxtail so don't come expecting that. But the Branzino and rum cake are a MUST ORDER. The rice? Probably some of the best I've ever had. That's the kind of rice you can eat by itself. So flavorful. For the small plates, I highly recommend the Hoe Cake. 10/10. The flavors were well balanced and nothing tasted bad or flavorless. I'd come back for the food alone. It did NOT disappoint. read more

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We were really looking forward to a relaxing and deliciously elegant meal at Dogon to cap off a special day.  Because we were working with other plans, our dinner was scheduled for the earliest time, as the restaurant opened.  I mention this because it was very quiet with not a lot of diners when we were there.  We enjoyed the food, though several of the flavors were more subtle than we expected and the service in general was very attentive and gracious. However, the pacing of the meal and especially the delivery of the check - unrequested - and stood up on our table before we had even started our dessert was upsetting enough to crash the whole meal.  We have no idea why our check was left to loom over our table so early.  The restaurant was in no way even a fifth full and we had barely been there one hour from sitting down to being given the bum's rush out the door.  How did they even know if we would want coffee, tea or other after meal drink?  It was so unceremoniously almost confrontational that we were stunned.  What had been a day of community and volunteering ended as one of being made to feel completely unwelcome.   It was very off putting and for that reason, we will not be going back.  The other issue with the meal pacing was that, although they mention that food will come out of the kitchen as it is prepared, we in no way thought this would mean that the entrée would arrive before all the appetizers - including a cold salad.  We have no idea why they would fire an entrée in the kitchen before the appetizers were delivered.  This is what began that feeling of being rushed.  The décor of the restaurant is simple and elegant although very dark.  You will definitely need the flashlight from your phone to read the menu.  We followed the recommendations of our server and ordered the coco bread which came with a tasty butter.  For apps, we had the piri piri salad (which oddly enough was the last non dessert item to arrive).  The suya pork belly was very tasty with a great amount of heat. The curry branzino didn't seem to have as much curry flavor as we would have wished but the fish was so well cooked we really enjoyed it.  For dessert, which I will again mention arrived virtually at the same time as the check, we had the rum cake which was also a great texture and a generous portion. We had told the server we were going to share and two forks were provided but only one plate which made one of us feel a little piggy eating out of the serving platter while the other ate off a regular plate.  I want to mention that we really appreciated the fact that serving spoons were always provided.  This is very helpful.  Additionally the young man who was responsible for filling the water glasses was great - always aware and with such a wonderful table side manner.  When these things are so well done - they are notable.  And, when things are not as well done - like that hostile check delivery - they leave a deep impression as well.  Can you tell how much that affected us by the number of times I have mentioned it?  Hopefully, future diners will not have their meal end so abruptly and unpleasantly as our did. read more

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I hate writing this because Dogon has been my favorite restaurant in DC, but tonight was a major disappointment. I had just returned from London and was genuinely looking forward to one of my favorite meals in the city. Unfortunately, the chicken was tough, dry, and lacked the flavor and care I've come to expect from Dogon. The dish felt uninspired and rushed rather than thoughtful and memorable. What made it more disappointing is that Dogon has set such a high standard in the past. I've had some outstanding meals here, which is why this experience stood out so much. Every restaurant can have an off night, but this meal simply wasn't at the level that made me fall in love with the place in the first place. I spoke directly with a manager about my concerns during the visit, but unfortunately the experience left me with no desire to return. After years of recommending Dogon to friends and visitors, this meal was so disappointing that I can no longer do so in good conscience. What was once my favorite restaurant in DC has lost me as a customer. read more

Came here for an anniversary dinner, and wow! Food, drinks, service, and ambience were all incredible! Staff were extremely attentive and gave great recommendations, even received a congratulatory sparkling wine for our anniversary. For starters, got the Jerk Mushroom, Hoe Crab, Pork Belly, and Mom Duke's Shrimp. The Hoe Crab and Shrimp were by far my favorite of the night - the hoe crab was EXCEPTIONAL, and came with these delightfully fluffy plantain cakes. I don't normally enjoy crab, but the crab was delicious, served with this chili oil type sauce and creamy sauce that paired so well with the subtly sweet and fluffy plantain cake. Also, the Mom Duke's Shrimp was AMAZING!! The shrimp head in particular was so flavorful, and we made sure to use the bread to soak up all of the delicious sauce. The jerk mushroom and pork belly I honestly could have done without though, the charring was uneven on the mushrooms and the pork belly, while still good, didn't seem particularly special and was a little dry. For our main, we ordered the Curry Branzino which was also exceptional. It was served in a curry sauce which was reminiscent of massaman or red Thai curry, but the jollof rice that it came with was also one of my favorites! Seasoned very well and paired well. I loved all the drinks I got as well, all of which well balanced. (astronomer, flower pot punch, and mango basil) For dessert, got an absolutely scrumptious rum cake that had gooseberries on top, which was SO unique and did such a great job cutting the richness of the cake! Would love to come back to try more items, was sad the oxtail patties were out. read more

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Nice. It was a really nice experience. Family style so prepare to share and taste everything. We all ranked top three and here they are: Awaze Short Ribs (not my fave but got multiple votes for #1)... piri piri salad ... mom dukes shrimp... rum cake. Branzino was also cool. I didn't even taste the greens cause the callaloo under the branzino was great. Yes you pay for bread. I'd suggest don't. Bread elements come in meals- hocakes or garlic toast. Dark ambiance was cute and made it a personalized experience. Everyone wasn't minding everyone's business. Staff was great. Attentive, professional and friendly. Also... did i say get the rum cake?? So great. Not at all disappointed read more

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Celebrated our 5 year anniversary here. Great vibes, love the story behind the chef. Wanted to give a 5 but not every dish hit unfortunately. We ubered over so I can't speak to parking. Service was 5/5, very professional and knowledgeable. Since it was our 5 year anniversary, we were greater with champagne! 2.5/5 coco bread - nothing outstanding. Didn't even eat a full one to save room in my stomach. 3/5 oysters - really wanted to love them but I'm afraid we didn't eat them the second they came out and the broiled part on top was like one big piece. 3/5 Ben's Bowl - not our fav. Maybe it was over cooked because it was fried? Just didn't stand out. Almost forgot to review it. 5/5 Hoe crab - unique, spicy, delish on the mini pancakes. 5/5 branzino - massive serving after a few small plates. Unique flavors, tender fish, great sauce. 5/5 wagyu - almost didnt order based on unfavorable reviews but we thought it was good! Large portion with the toast so maybe don't go "all out" if you're also getting this. Meat was tender, bread was crispy and topped with yummy salad 5/5 cocktails - we got the P martini and the bourbon special drink (for the month of May) and both were delish! Overall, I enjoyed the vibe and service but don't feel like I need to go back. If we did however the branzino and hoe crab would be reorderable. read more

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From the second we walked through the doors, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. From beginning to end, service was fantastic and thoughtful (especially our server, Oliver like Oliver Twist), explaining each dish and moving at a perfect pace, with just the right balance between attentiveness while being left to enjoy the moment. Standout dishes were the coco bread and the chicken and rice. The hoe cakes were a more popular small plate but we actually preferred Ben's Bowl, which packed more punch without being too filling. The chicken and rice was both delicious and spicy, making me feel like I was invited to someone's home to experience their food rather than being built to suit my untrained palette. The rum cake closed off the night perfectly, elevating the dessert from my childhood in a way I could never replicate at home. My companion and I are both from the Caribbean (Haiti & Cuba) and I am a DC Native with strong ties to NYC and Dogon expertly took us through a narrative story of Chef Kwame's experience and culture, making a stop at each city or region of influence. Visited Nov 2025 read more

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This review is a few months overdue as I visited Dogon at the beginning of June. Since Tatiana has been tough to try over the years, I was looking fwd to the Dogon experience, particularly because it was also my bday. The Good: The food was pretty good. I got the Hoe Cake and Oysters as started and the Curry Branzino for my entree. I thought the Branzino could have been seasoned a bit better but the Curry helped to add the flavor. The Bad: As someone who has worked in the service industry in college and law school, I understand when a server maybe ready to wind down at the end of the night and a host assigns a guest to your section. But I had a 830 reservation which is not terribly late, particularly when the established closes at 10 pm. Well the Brother Loomy, Lumee, Loomee, was not feeling it this night. When I asked him to give some additional information on some of the apps and entree, he was not too thrilled and gave rather short and uninspired descriptions. The highlight of my night was when there was a shift change and my new server gave me great dessert descriptions and a complementary glass of Champagne, which was nice. I look fwd to checking out Chef Kwame's Vegas restaurant. I hope the service is better read more

Service: 10/10 because of Gregory. He was warm, engaging, genuinely helpful, and made one of the best cocktails I've had in a long time. He's the kind of staff member who makes you want to come back. The overall vibe of the restaurant is beautiful, calm, and welcoming even the hosts at the door set the right tone. Food: not worth the price. The Wagyu itself was great, but pairing it with some basic cheese toast made it feel like two completely different meals. For $100+, it should come with a more thoughtful side or presentation. I added cocoa bread, which actually worked better than what came with it. I also ordered the hoe cakes appetizer, which was served on actual rocks and one accidentally ended up in my mouth. And small shells throughout the dish with a sauce that lacked flavor. Presentation was unique, but not in a good way. Between the appetizers, entrée, and drink, I spent over $250, and the food just didn't rise to the level of the service or the beautiful setting. Bottom line: Gorgeous space. Exceptional service from Gregory. Great drink. But the food felt lackluster and overpriced for what you get. read more

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Truly a wonderful dining experience. The menu is like a story that just keeps unfolding with each dish! We had the Hoe Crab, Charbroiled Oysters, Shrimp, Crispy Lamb and Chicken and Jollof. First off, honorable mention to the coco bread which was a greater starter and paired well with our small plates. The Hoe Crab was simply delicious-- it was paired with red stew which I wasn't expected but it went well with the pancakes which were like pillows of heaven. The crispy lamb had a great texture and the typical gaminess of lamb. The charbroiled oyster were near perfection and I wanted more immediately, but ironically, the chicken and jollof was the least appealing plate. I knew better than to spend $70 on chicken and jollof LOL but the chicken was bland and the jollof kind of just tasted like tomato rice. That being said, I still a wonderful dining experience and the waiters made really excellent recs (apart from the rice and chicken). read more

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Stunning establishment! Modern, sleek contemporary design. The restaurant is gorgeous! Upon arriving the hosts were charming, first impression, I'm immediately reminded that this is a "fine dining" establishment. The playlist was everything! From Lauryn Hill, to Ro James, and even Jay Z, "Excuse me, Miss, what's your name". The place is live! Once seated, our waitress came over and immediately welcomed us to Dōgon. She gave her recommendation on dishes and how to order. For fine dining experiences, I'm always on the lookout for manager presence which I saw. There may have been two people who looked the part but I never confirmed who they were as neither came to our table to check in or greet us. For me, if we are spending 200$-500$ for dinner, yes I need to know everyone! Especially if you want me to come back! There is nothing better than good genuine hospitality. Our food was well executed and came quickly! The food was exquisite and presentation was great. They could have cleaned the plates for precise presentation but overall good! We will get into it in just a moment. We fine dine all the time. The DMV area is saturated with great restaurants so for me I need a reason to come back or not. Even with all the good, I'm not sure if I'd come back, the food was great, the ambiance was great but the "It" factor wasn't there for me. Our waitress was good but fine dine details with her service were amiss. The small portions with big price tags were to be expected but an up charge for extra plantain cakes for the Hoe crab was offensive. $8 for an additional 6, silver dollar plantain cakes. My mouth dropped. I'll spend money, no issue but some things should be complimentary when you're already paying a premium for a dish. Egregious! Let's Get Into It! Charbroiled Oysters - Good but not the best in the DMV. Hoe Crab - Full of flavor! Excellent. The side plantain hoe cakes were delicious. Curry Branzino- Delicious! Mama Dukes Shrimp- Delicious! Rum Cake - Good! With the limited menu, this place is less desirable than expected. I was looking forward to coming here, just won't be running back anytime soon. read more

Dogon's popularity may be its own worse enemy. Just like standing in line for an hour and spending $100 to get "in the club"..not that I've ever done that.. Lol, but I digress. Expectations are heightened when these things happen, so here we go. Located inside the stunning Salamander Hotel (formally the Mandarin Oriental), Dogon is as sexy a restaurant you'll ever see. Reservations are extremely hard to come by and you have to make them weeks in advance, so my mistake could have been critical. Probably distracted, I booked for the 20th instead of the 13th. The lovely hosts somehow squeezed us in and this place was JUMPING even at our 930 time slot. Kudos to the hosts!! This interaction was part of the good so lets continue with the good. Our food was GOOOD! The charbroiled oysters, jumbo shrimp, HOE Crab, and especially the Branzino all were loaded with flavor and delicious. The quality of our food was top notch! The rum cake made you close your eyes it was so good.. Damn! 5 star dining experiences are more than just about food, especially at this price point. Our server was sweet but unrefined. She needs a bit more training for such a Cosmopolitan restaurant. For instance, she was fast to remove our used plates and silverware, however, she left our table completely dirty with crumbs and put our dessert plates right on top of them. Me and my girl looked at each other like.. WTH? When I asked for a beer, she came with a can and a glass and handed both to me.. Never offering to pour the beer.. Again, you're competing with a plethora of high end restaurants in the area...pay attention to details. The last gaff I didn't notice until the bill came. My girl informed me the extra bread that we needed to finish our HOE Crab cost us an additional $8!!! Did our server inform us that we would be charged, hellllllz no. We would have finished the crab without it. Many restaurants start off popular and guess what, many fall off. Please get a hold on everything in your establishment. Parking alone may turn folks off. $30 + tip, when the Conrad charges $14 to eat at their on site restaurant. The way this Hotel is situated, valet is really your only option... So you gotta pay $40 to spend at least $300 for two?? .. Jus sayin!! I guess I would return although the menu is EXTREMELY limited, but my girl said she wouldn't. There lies the dilemma! read more

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I was blown away by the food, service, and ambience at Dōgon. Had dinner here on a Friday evening to celebrate a friend's birthday. This restaurant is located in the Salamander hotel in DC. As for the hotel, I would suggest valet parking as the area is a bit congested with construction and other parking options are not close enough. Reservations must be made way ahead of time because this place fills up. I'm talking months. Especially with a party as big as ours. Most of us at the table ordered the Branzino and a few ordered the fried snapper. I was not disappointed! The flavor was unreal! It was served in a spicy sauce over a bit of greens and squash with a side of rice and peas. It was delicious! I ordered the rum cake as a dessert. It's a decent size and is served with a crème fraîche and gooseberry topping. Presentation of everything was on point. The food, the drinks, the dessert, and the service were all A plus. I also love the decor and playlist of this restaurant. This restaurant is a little pricey, but worth it in my opinion. This was an overall great time. read more

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Getting reservations at Dōgon was challenging. I'd hope being a guest at the hotel would help me secure dinner reservations, but I was only able to get a 9:30pm seating in the lounge. Upon arrival, we were seated in the main dining room instead of the lounge, giving us access to the full menu. We opted to order a variety of small plates to accompany our drinks since we ate dinner elsewhere beforehand. The lighting is very dim inside. It may be the right ambiance for date night, but I needed to turn on my phone's flashlight to see. We ordered a dozen Charbroiled Oysters, two orders of Hoe Crab, Coco Bread, and Peppa Sauce to share. The oysters were good-meaty and soft, but had too much cheese on top. The hoe crab was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and paired. I'd asked about the plantain hoe cake and was told five came with the crab. All four of us were shocked to discover they were dollar sized hoe cakes. Each hoe cake was about one bite. The coco bread was buttery soft. The star of this dining experience were the craft cocktails. Everyone raved about their drinks. I ordered the Flower Pot Punch, my sister ordered the Astronomer, and a friend ordered the Sorel Ricky. The punch came in the smallest glass, but packed a punch (potent). I can't wait to return to further explore the menu. I like the way they do food here. High marks for presentation and taste. read more

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Really thrilled to be able to check out Dogon after being an avid fan of Top Chef and various spin off shows featuring food by Kwame Onwuachi. Have to say the ambiance is lit. In the very dim way possible, its so sexy and surreal in here. You definitely feel like you're in your own space. Originally I had concerned that they booked us in the lounge area as opposed to the dining room, but dare I say the lounge is even better than the dining room because it's more secluded with more comfortable seating and still a regular seated table dinner experience. We elected to order a variety of things for our own tasting menu and everything was an absolute hit. In fact we got a gift from the kitchen of the whole fried fish which was mindblowingly delicious. Great drinks, great cocktails, and great food. Definitely a return! read more

Yes! Food was Very good no complaints at all. I looked at some reviews prior to going for the most raved about dishes and they didn't disappoint. For staters we had the hoe crab, charbroiled oysters, and cornbread. For entrees we ordered 2 of the lamb bone marrow which was perfect for 4 guest we had one marrow each. We also ordered the shrimp with Jollof which was tasty both had a little spice to it. For dessert we shared a rum cake with ice cream which was delicious. The playlist is very lively and hip hop almost lounge like. Only experience that wasn't 5 stars was the service. The energy was a little off in compared to the ambiance by the front desk/hostess'. our waiter also forgot to put in two of our orders so we had to take off the Ben's bowl because it never came and the cornbread was served at the end of our meal. read more

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I came here with a friend for my birthday. We had a 9pm reservation and had to wait 15-20 minutes to be seated. I was most attentive to the service at the restaurant. It wasn't bad service but I felt as though our waiter missed on several accounts. Our waiter didn't introduce the menu to us, he could not answer questions about the cocktail menu or offer suggestions, he forgot to mention that one dish (the lamb) was unavailable, and he also completely forgot to put in the peanut stew we ordered. For the price tag at Dogon these are the misses I pay attention because of the attention the restaurant has received. Now on to the food, the curry branzino was amazing I'd eat it again! The sauce had a slight heat to it and it paired nicely with the jollof rice. We also had the crab dish, the flavors were unique and nicely paired. I was a little disappointed with the presentation because the crab comes in a small bowl that's in a bigger bowl with some assortment of seems to be peppercorns and salt rocks that are not edible. I initially thought it might be a rice in the dimly lit restaurant but when I went to touch the "rice" with my fork I realized it was inedible. I wish they were more explicit about this because it feels like a dental disaster waiting to happen. The last dish that came out for us were the short ribs. I personally wouldn't recommend the short ribs, they didn't have any flavor and they were fatty. I was expecting to be blown away for $94. If you go I would recommend the crab and branzino without question. read more

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The elegance, the haute class in this place transports you to the heart of one of the most revered tribes on the land of the braves. Its subtle decor has a perfect Feng shui. The service is top level, the drinks are crafted with special attention and served with pride. The cultural metissage in the dishes is just a work of art , each bite forcing you to express gratitude for the privilege to have been able to obtain a reservation and all other circumstances that lead you to what the DOGON ancestors have dreamed of. read more

Dōgon - Outstanding Mixologist - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were happy with our decision to come here for our 8th wedding anniversary. We booked reservations the same day Resy released bookings for the date for our anniversary (which was a few weeks prior). They gave us complimentary champagne, which was appreciated. The interior feels spacious, with high ceilings. The restaurant does not have a separate entrance from the hotel, so to get to the restaurant, you have to go through the hotel. The restaurant is on the expensive side, but the menu is a la carte, so you choose your own adventure (dishes), instead of being limited to a prix fixe chef's menu. HEADS UP- they offered us still/sparkling water when we were first seated, without mentioning that they offered tap water as well. Our bottled still water cost us $12. I noticed several bottles filled with tap water at a distant serving table, so after finishing our bottle, we asked for our cups to be refilled with tap water instead of buying another bottle. Service was attentive. It was a long meal, at least two hours long, close to two and half. We ordered Coco bread, Piri Piri salad, Hoe Crab, BBQ greens, and Chicken and Rice. Bbq greens and chicken and rice were served about 30 minutes after the first few dishes. The coco bread came as 5 rolls (odd numbers for even number of diners is annoying, same went for hoe crab, 5 pieces). Cocktails run in the $20s- husband's simple order of rum and coke was $20. Both dessert options cost $17 each (rum cake or cherry sorbet). The food was all delicious and beautifully presented- I see why the Hoe Crab is such a hit with everybody and I swooned with both desserts. The bill does not include tip or a service charge. Our final bill came out to over $300. Parking- we parked on D street (metered parking until 6:30 pm on weeknights, and free after 6:30), rather than at a parking garage or using valet. The metered parking cost us approx $2.50 total. read more

The food was just okay, but the presentation was lovely. The atmosphere was very sophisticated and intimate, good for a date night. The service could've been better. The food took quite a while to come out, and they even forgot to bring out one of the dishes despite my friend asking for it 3 times. They offered to remove it from the bill and have us complimentary champagne for the inconvenience. read more

Dōgon - Mom Dukes Shrimp & Jollof Rice - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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If you are looking for a dinner date in the dc area then this is a restaurant for your list. I visited here to celebrate my birthday and it was a nice experience. The food was tasteful and the service is well too. The staff is helpful with suggestions. We had the greens, shrimp, and the fish. The drinks are a hit too. read more

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It was nice to find a west African restaurant in DC. The flavors are of Louisiana, Caribbean and African influences. We liked our crispy Lamb and Snapper. The corn bread is a bit skimpy for 2 slices for $15. The greens are tasty but bit too salty. The dessert seemed to be an afterthought as there is only Rum Cake and the cake was dry, not rum soaked like the ones we had in the Caribbean islands. The service was attentive and friendly. Overall it's a good experience. I would come more often if I had an expense account to impress my clients. Otherwise it would be a a special occasion deal. read more

Food was delicious!! We went for restaurant week and it was understandably crowded, so the kitchen was a bit backed up. Management stopped by and gave us some complimentary appetizers which went a long way. We'll definitely be back for the oxtail patties, coco bread rolls, and shrimp creole!!!! read more

Wow !!! What an incredible experience. We went for my birthday dinner and get the start the restaurant is such a beautiful space and the service was lovely. They made me feel so special with added touches. The food was so flavorful and delicious we were licking the plates! For dessert they were kind enough to give us an extra small rum cake to split with our party and made it a night I won't forget. We will absolutely be back! read more

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Wow! A great cultural experience! The vibe is everything! The ambiance was upscale and fluid! Perfectly stated and welcoming! I did not have a reservation and even the bar was full! With a little charm and hospitality, I was able to be seated in 15 minutes! The hostess was outstanding! The food was excellent! The charboiled oysters are very good. Lots of cheese but good all the same. The collards were on point and the crab hoe cakes...cute gastronomic effort! A wonderful experience and a must go if you're in DC! Bravo! For the culture!! read more

Dōgon - Collards - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been wanting to go to this place since it opened and was able to snag a reservation for my birthday. I had some friends coming to visit so it was an excellent way to celebrate. We ordered a lot of food so I will just do a rank order of my favorites to least and with a ratings as well. The service was really good and our server was on top of everything. It did take awhile for cocktails to come out but that's not our server's fault at all as he was the one who put in the order but also was bringing the drinks from the bar to the table. They should probably have bar runners instead of servers doing it in the future. The inside is extremely beautiful and I had no idea the restaurant is inside the salamander (one of the nicest hotels in the area). Now for food (ranked favorite to least): -Hoe crab with plantain hot cakes 10/10 -charbroiled oysters 10/10 -curry branzino 10/10 -Rum cake 10/10- a must try!!! -coco bread 10/10 -Ben's bowl 9/10 -carrot tingua 8/10 -cornbread 5/10 As you can see everything was delicious and I would recommend everything on the food menu. You can skip the cornbread....it tastes just the same as my mom's.Not bad by any means but not worth $15 for 2 small pieces of cornbread. I didn't even bother taking a picture of it. My highest recommendations are the oysters, coco bread, curry branzino, and rum cake! Since we were celebrating my birthday and I indicated that in my reservation, I was hoping for some type of acknowledgement from the staff. A menu saying happy birthday, complimentary dessert, complimentary glass of champagne....something. Besides the hostess mentioning it, there was nothing. I thought that was extremely lame and a bit unprofessional for a restaurant of this caliber. We spent a substantial amount of money on food and cocktails here, which we fully expected too, so acknowledgement of a celebration would have been nice. read more

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Consistent food quality every time I come to Dogón. Service is also quick and friendly. The bone marrow is one of my favorite items on the menu, I never skip it when I'm at Dogón! read more

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Dōgon, Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Afro-Caribbean restaurant is located inside of The Salamander. Every dish is bold, creative, and packed with flavor. The ambiance is sexy and vibrant, and the cocktails are just as impressive. The service is attentive and makes you feel so welcomed. read more

Dōgon - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had two prior reservations to Dōgon (one in October and one in January) that I had to cancel because I ended up traveling, so I'm glad the third time was the charm. As far as hotel restaurants, this is probably the best one I've been to. When you enter the restaurant you are met with a beautiful metal curtain and chandelier that really emphasizes a luxury vibe. The hostesses were very nice and properly greeted us. Walking to our seats, we noticed the lounge seating as well as the bar that has 8 seats. Table seating in the main part of the restaurant has tables pretty close together, which I am not a big fan of because of your proximity to other guests as well making it hard to get up from your seat if you need to go to the restroom, or when a server comes to take order for another table, they have to be pretty close (with the other convos and music going). It's very dimly lit in there, so definitely bring your glasses. Speaking of music, they have an excellent playlist of Black artists, like Alicia Keys. Okay now to the food and drinks: My favorite wine is a Petit Manseng. It's a Virginia wine that I've never found anywhere outside Virginia (including stores). When I saw it on the menu I had to order it. Our server gave me a taste of it first and it was delicious. Looking back, I should have bought a bottle. Sometimes it's made sweeter and sometimes it's not as sweet but I of course prefer the sweeter version and this one was. I loved it. My friend got a cocktail, it was the Flower Pot Punch, which is their play on a rum punch. She thought it was good. We got the coco bread and Ben's bowl (which is a crispy lamb dish). The bread was tasty and crispy lamb was just okay to us. Didn't taste bad but was just there. When I go back, I'd like to try to charbroiled oysters or hoe crab instead. Our mains were the Mom Dukes Shrimp and the Curry Branzino. The sauce was good on the shrimp but I think overall the actual shrimp lacked flavor. I think if the actual shrimp was seasoned and the sauce was added, it would have been exceptional. The curry branzino was a show stopper. If you don't get anything else here, I think you have to get the curry branzino. Amazing flavor, cooked perfectly, it was just wow. Also the rice and peas that came with it was a main character. Rice is just usually there but this rice was the best rice I've had at a restaurant that didn't have protein in it. It had a light hint of curry to it. Delicious! The only true con of my experience was that the sauce from the curry seeped through my to-go container, because of the material of the box. I think whether I'm paying $20 for a meal or $120, I of course don't want to see this happen. Our server, Blake, was excellent, great to talk to, and was knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, I'd come back and look forward to on someone else's dime . read more

Dōgon - Curry branzino, mom dukes shrimp, and rice - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ordered the corn bread with spiced shiro butter. Since our dish was taking too long to come out, they gave complimentary coco bread with malted sorghum butter. Boy was I glad they did because the coco bread was far better than the corn bread. I'll be sure to order that next time I go. For dessert, I had the rum cake which was heavenly. In all honesty, I could just go there and load up on the Mom Dukes shrimp and coco bread, rum cake and be just fine as those were my faves. Mom Dukes Shrimp: Holy Trinity, Frenchman butter, malt Bens Bowl: Crispy Lamb, Tamarind Glaze, Chickpea Curry Curry Branzino: coconut mussel curry, crispy okra and callaloo Bens Bowl: crispy lamb, tamarind glaze and chick pea curry Mango Basil Smash: Uncle Nearest 1884 small batch whiskey, lemon, mango syrup and basil read more

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An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Dogōn - Salamander Hotel, Washington, DC Dining at Dogōn, nestled inside the stunning Salamander Hotel, was nothing short of extraordinary. I dined with my 7-year-old nephew while staying at the hotel, and from start to finish, the experience was pure perfection. Upon arrival, I enjoyed an impeccable glass of McPherson Grenache--smooth, balanced, and the perfect way to begin the evening--while my nephew happily sipped his Coke. We started with the cocoa bread, which was moist, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible, especially paired with the rich malted sorghum butter. Truly comforting and elevated all at once. For small shares, we chose the Hoe Crab (Plantain Hoe Cake, Shitto Crisp, Aji Verde), and wow--what an incredible pairing. The sweetness of the plantain cake with the delicate crab and bold accompaniments was beautifully executed. Ben's Bowl (Crispy Lamb, Tamarind Glaze, Chickpea Curry) completely surprised me. I had never experienced crispy lamb before, and paired with that deeply flavorful curry, it was nothing short of top-tier excellence. For our large share, we had the Brown Stew Snapper (Jerk-Marinated, Caramelized Onion, Rice & Peas). Snapper is my favorite fish, and this dish was a spectacular showstopper. The jerk marinade infused the fish with bold, soulful flavor while still allowing its freshness to shine. Every bite was a true palate pleaser. And then came dessert--the Rum Cake. Hands down, the best rum cake I've ever had in my life. Moist, rich, perfectly balanced, and unforgettable. To make an already magical evening even more special, Kwame himself stopped by our table, chatted with us, and took photos. He is incredibly talented, warm, and genuinely down-to-earth. This is the second of his restaurants I've had the pleasure of visiting--I've dined at Tatiana in NYC twice--and while each offers a different vibe, both deliver nothing but divine dining experiences. Dogōn is not just a meal; it's a moment, a memory, and a masterpiece. Thank you sooooo much for an exceptional evening. I cannot wait to return! read more

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Great atmosphere and food! Great for a date night, but a bit pricey for the offerings

The only thing holding back this spot from a Michelin Star is the service. I'll start with what needs improvement and end with the true accolades of this deserving spot. From the start the hostess leading people to their seats seemed uninterested. it's an attitude we see all too often in the D.C area, but you should haven't this kind of attitude working in one fo the best restaurants in the city. The waitress was helpful but not enthusiastic. Very ho-hum attitude. The food pacing was far too quick...like lightning. As soon as we finished a small plate it was replaced by another. We were just finishing our last bite of the 2nd shared plate and the main was delivered. No time to relax, discuss, savor. The large shared portion curry branzino was delivered before the greens instead of accompanying. We had to hunt down our waitress to order another cocktail, 5 minutes after our entree was delivered. Now the positives, and there are many. The hotel is obviously beautiful, as it was when it was opened as the Mandarin Oriental. The former space of Cityzen, although massively renovated, is beautiful as well. The cocktails are inventive, very well crafted, and extremely well balanced. The tamarind pork belly was absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked and rendered with some char flavor and a sweet tamarind glaze. The hoe crab is a star in the restaurant. Just stunning flavors with a back end heat to bring everything to life. I would absolutely order this every time we visit. This dish alone deserves accolades. The curry branzino is expertly cooked. Super moist flaky fish with a perfectly crispy seared crust. Combine that with the greens and one of the best cornbread's I've ever tasted. Seriously...I want to know their secret. We didn't have any room left for dessert, b/c everything was so rich and filling, but that's par for the course for us unless it's a tasting menu. Absolutely try this place, just don't expect top tier service, which is sad. If they fix this, and it's a lot of staff replacement/training that needs to occur, they should absolutely be considered for James Beard and Michelin awards. read more

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

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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

Dōgon - Full review on my Instagram (@_edaj_) and TikTok (@_edaj_jade_) - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was AMAZING!!! Especially enjoyed the BBQ greens...outstanding and unique flavors in a large portion size!!! Blackberry Smash was STELLAR!!!! read more

Dōgon - Blackberry Smash - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

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