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    Dakar

    4.5 (87 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSenegalese, Cajun/Creole
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    Dakar Photos

    Business Info

    DAKAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Dakar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dessert with spiced Senegalese coffee, coconut dulce de leche and Valrhona chocolate.
    Erin A.

    We enjoyed learning more about Senegalese culture and food, as well as the convivial atmosphere of the communal seating. The service was OK but if wine pairings are offered, it's good to have someone with more knowledge of the wine doing the pouring. Favorite dishes were the shrimp, oyster, and the lobster add-on.

    Jack M.

    Went to last Tuesday and left kind of annoyed, honestly. I went in excited because of all the hype and the James Beard buzz and the price. I figured it would be one of those meals where you walk out blown away and stuffed and already planning your next visit. Instead I walked out still hungry and mostly wondering what I just paid for. It's a tasting menu, which sounds great on paper, but everything came out so small that it never really felt like I was eating a full course of anything. Just a few bites, then it's gone, then on to the next. Over and over. At some point it stops feeling refined and starts feeling skimpy. A couple moments were genuinely good and showed real skill, but then there were long stretches where I was just like... that's it? It felt padded, like they were trying to make it feel longer and fancier instead of making every part actually hit. For $165 a person before tax and tip, closer to $200 all in, I expected to be impressed the whole way through or at least full by the end. I got neither. Nice service and a pleasant room, sure, but vibes don't make up for leaving dinner still thinking about grabbing food after. There were a few highlights, but not enough to justify the cost. If only a couple parts are memorable and the rest are just fine, that's not a $200 experience. Not terrible, just not worth it. Feels like you're paying for the reputation more than the food. I'd rather spend that money somewhere that actually makes me feel taken care of and satisfied.

    10/10 bread
    Victoria P.

    Amazing experience! I felt like a kid at Christmas every time a new course came out! Everything was flavorful and unique. The chef was so sweet when he came around to talk to each table. 10/10 recommend

    Keyva C.

    Phenomenal restaurant! What the chef is doing is absolutely amazing! The food tasted incredible. My favorite dishes were the oyster, the black eye peas, the fish with jollof, and the dessert. Our service was incredible and the ambiance was even more beautiful! This is a must try and I understand why it's on the M Guide.

    Ellie M.

    Exquisite dining experience! You can feel the love and story behind each innovative dish. The menu is constantly rotating but I've attached photos of some of the dishes we had (mid-November). Reserve early! The community table is also a lovely way to chat with fellow foodies.

    Melon and peach salad
    Adiaha M.

    Visited again to celebrate my mom's birthday and again I was not disappointed. There was a birthday card waiting for her on the table and they sent her home with a gift of chocolate. We opted for the earlier seating which was atypically light with lots of empty tables but service did not suffer. 4:30 is quite early for dinner on a weeknight but 8 is bit too late some nights. The food again remained consistent in quality in flavors. The butter served with the bread is so good, just the right amount of sweet and spicy. I really enjoyed the jollof rice and the snapper with the pepper sauce. Is it pricey? YES! Is it worth it? YES! Will I be back yet again? Yes! Cheaper than a flight to Dakar

    Javier J.

    When I was vetting this place for dinner, I saw a few bad reviews and took them as "they must not be used to a pre-fixed menu," or I'd disregard them because they gave Burger King a 5. But I would like to apologize to those people because this place is extremely mediocre and overpriced. I've been doing pre-fixed menus at potential Michelin or Michelin-attained spots for a few years now. I do not mind paying whatever the cost may be if the art and flavors are there, but here they are not. Restaurant manager/owner, if you are reading this and think that I am biased or have some overthought about me mentioning "Michelin" to negate my opinion, that is fine. However, this is the one example that can be somewhat universally used to let you know that I have some experience with respected restaurants. Let's get it going. The bread they bring as a starter could be mistaken for boxed-mix bread. The presentation says otherwise, but really, the Dollar General clearance section likely has better options. Additionally, I informed them that I could not have shrimp due to allergies, and they really had the audacity to replace it with a vegetable dish that my mother would force me to eat as a kid. The only standouts were the cassava-based plate and their main entree, a snapper. The former was great in presentation, flavor profile, and uniqueness. The snapper was good, but not worthy of a grand finale at a place that lets you trust them with a pre-fixed menu. The drinks scream, "We want them to be good, but our beverage director can only take us this far." They are very underwhelming. The dessert was a small scoop of sorbet over a day-old tasting "cookie." What? Their service is robotically good, and their atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. If you have dining experience in major cities like LA, SF, Chicago, or NY, do not invest time or money here. I'd even put people watching over some fried chicken at Brother's Food Mart over this.

    Whitney A.

    So it kind of pains me not to give this place 5 stars but it just wasn't it for me, maybe I'll try another time. So the service was nice, staff was friendly and I enjoyed the story that went along with the food. Food was just ok. They could also definitely improve the bar but at least there was one, the bartender just needs a little work. The ambiance is nice, it's a little dark inside though. It's worth trying at least once but it's not one of my favs in the city.

    Ashley S.

    Stunning experience. Highlights of the meal were the lobster and caviar (which was an optional add on), and the shrimp and grits, which were delicious and completely free of butter or dairy! This restaurant is the only one of its kind in New Orleans, featuring an ode to Senegalese cuisine. Chef Seringue made his rounds and was super charismatic and fun while imparting knowledge about each of the dishes. If you can get a rez at this very hot spot, it's definitely worth a visit!

    Hillary P.

    Such an amazing experience. Located in the garden district, an area I would refer to as restaurant row on Magazine Street, this little restaurant makes a big splash. A modern vibe with an African decor makes for a really cozy spot. This restaurant is a reservation required stop. We had reservations and even with them there was a little bit of a hiccup, but the team welcomed us and provided a prime spot to watch all the action. I just love the fact that a community seating option is available if you are on your own or just feel like you want to get to know some new people. The welcome experience includes a traditional handwashing over a basin and an explanation of African / Senegalese practices. The only option is the chef's tasting menu which provides for seven courses (changes, seasonally) of the most different and wonderful food experience I've enjoyed in a long time. Starters include a warm tea with mint foam and breadsticks all for a Taste Of what yet to come. The fusion dishes were amazing. Loved the heat in some of the dishes and the jellies offered to add more if you were up for it! Dakar NOLA's tasting menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye's mother. Chef Serigne earned his stripes with a great deal of experience , including the famed Commanders Palace (think Emeril Lagasse,Paul Prudhomme, and a number of other great chefs) Recognized as one of the best new restaurants of 2024 by the James Beard organization, this restaurant did not disappoint. We chose the non-alcohol route and were pleased to find a number of wonderful drinks that were offered by their mixologist. The chef's tasting menu might be a little bit more than you typically spend on dinner, but it's definitely worth the once in a lifetime treat!

    Tara R.

    One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The staff was wonderful and made my birthday celebration special. Each dish was flavorful and unique. The communal setting was better than expected. I enjoyed sharing a meal with everyone I was seated with.

    Red snapper
    Janice T.

    What a fabulous Culinary experience! Dakar is an award winning Senegalese/Creole/Cajun restaurant in New Orleans. All the food was beautifully presented and delicious. The service staff were on point and entertaining to watch as food was delivered and each dish was explained in a story.

    cocktail
    Joseph S.

    After receiving the 2024 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, Best New Restaurant in Esquire, and much national press, we had to try them out. We were fortunate to get a reservation in the slow tourist time in January. So reserve early. Two seatings - 4 PM and 8 PM. So it is a seasonal seven-course pescatarian tasting menu that features rich, bold and aromatic flavors of Senegal and NOLA. The only additions are cocktails and the "wine" pairing. First, a great space. EXCELLENT service. We will not describe the dishes - see the attached pics of some - and as the menu changes regularly. But many dishes will be "different" but tasty and extremely well presented. It was fabulous and memorable. One of us did the pairing ($100) and amazingly it was worth it (many such pairings are small pours, inexpensive wines or spirits, and sometimes they don't "pair." One of the dishes used a Madeira! So go. Enjoy. Dress is dressy casual. Damages with tip, cocktails, 2 tastings, and a wine pairing was $600.

    Menu for the night

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Dakar

    How long is the dinner? Starting at 4:30, when will it be over?

    Hi there. From what I recall it’s about an hour and a half to two hours.

    Is there parking?

    Street parking only but haven't had trouble finding close spots

    Is it $197 per person with cocktails?

    No drinks included. That's for the meal and service charge. You purchase drinks at the restaurant and tip after the dinner service

    How much are the 7 courses?

    Was it the cost of the food or the portion sizes? The price was approximately $197 with tax. The portion sizes were full-size, not samples.

    How was parking at Dakar in New Orleans?

    There isn't a designated lot so you will need to find street parking.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Dakar - senegalese - Updated May 2026

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