This place is a must if you're willing to splurge. This was my first foray into Sengalese food and the elevated version the chef created left me wanting more. Dish after dish, the presentation and flavors were on point. My favorite was his version of jollof rice. The restaurant was inside a converted home. They did a great job created a beautiful atmosphere. Service was great. read more

Sadly was never able to dine at this restaurant. My husband bought this for my birthday and on the day of our daughter got very sick. We called the hostess and asked if we could push back our date. She said management would not allow that. So we went to the reservation with our sick daughter who had just gotten out the hospital in hand and the waitress told us to email management so we could push back our day and enjoy our food. We emailed management and she said we have a strict no refund policy and that she would not honor a new date or give us a refund. For some reason management was unable to understand that we were not asking for a refund. We were asking to honor our original $300 dinner. We did attend the reservation and attempted to dine, her staff asked us to focus on our family and center the health of our child - we never abandoned the reservation. I know people love this restaurant and so sadly, we were not able to enjoy this food and I will never be returning to this restaurant. We would like to spend money at restaurants that center humanity and move with empathy for their customers. Not just focus on policies and money. And as one of the 4 Black patrons in the entire restaurant it was clear who the restaurant prioritized. We will be taking our time, money and Black family elsewhere. read more

Our visit to Dakar was spectacular. The food and presentation were five star in my opinion. We love this menu variety, which provided a very different experience than the usual New Orleans restaurants, which we love so much as well. Service was on point, including explanation and background on the Senegalese-based dishes. Don't be late as there is a very structured service. Chef Mbaye was so personable and even came out to chat and thank us for coming. Price was on the high-end and you are required to pre-pay before your visit, but it was all very worth it. We are recommending to our friends and would definitely go again. read more

First of all, I have a question - are the waiters hired with a casting call because I have never had such a handsome team work with me at a restaurant. That said, I'd come back a million times for the staff alone. Ok back to business. This dining experience was phenomenal. The team was able to accommodate our various dining needs without hesitation. The food was amazing. Like amazing is an understatement. Each bite was intentional and a beautiful dance between Senegalese and Louisiana cultures. I was so full and tapped out about halfway through the courses, and the team carefully boxed each of my remaining courses following my taking a bite of them. Another cool thing was their attentiveness. I got a little cold and borrowed my bestie's jacket; one of the gentlemen brought over a pashmina from the restaurant to keep me warm. It was such a simple touch, but it was beyond appreciated. Additionally I loved the tea, but have a strong aversion to mint, so they made me a special batch without it. I can't name a favorite course as I genuinely loved them all. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience Dakar. read more

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We done out frequently & this is an experience not to be missed. Small intimate venue with unique food. Knowledgeable staff we can't wait to go again when back in NOLA read more

Wow! This was a dinning experience like I have never had in NOLA! Be prepared to pay for that experience but in my opinion it's worth it! The hand washing portion in the beginning is an excellent touch! The food was delicious and unlike anything I have ever tried. The service was excellent! The ambiance was great. The real star of the show here is the food! Put it on your list and get it done!!!! read more

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Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! My brother in law is from Senegal so I've been a fan of Senegalese cooking for over 20 years. The service is top tier. This is an experience you will not forget. Worth the time and the wait list to get a reservation. The atmosphere is friendly and yet regal. 10 out of 10! read more

Amazing food, chef, service, and experience! I did not know much about Senegalese food or culture prior to dining here. Keep in mind that this is communal style dining with each table seating six guests. My boyfriend and I were seated with two other lovely couples, and it was a blast getting to meet and converse with people from different regions. At the start of the meal, the server came to the table with a bowl, pitcher of water, and soap for you to wash your hands- a common Senegalese tradition before each meal. The chef then came out to give us a detailed description of each course, and tied each dish to a memory from growing up in Senegal. I thought it was very sentimental, and gave us some insight into the culture. You can really taste the love he puts into each dish. There was impeccable technique utilized in each dish, which the chef was happy to share with our table when we inquired. Even though all courses were delicious standouts, my favorite course was the Senegalese version of gumbo. The soup was thickened with okra and the rice was crispy in texture. It was so good! The menu changes depending on what is in season, what is available at the farmers market that day, the chef's mood, etc! I can't wait to return when I am back in New Orleans. read more

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This was a perfect experience. The service was amazing and everything was delectable and well balanced. Worth the money! read more

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This has to be one of the most amazing food experiences I've ever had, hands down! Dakar has a small, intimate setting that helps to set the tone for the evening. The entire team is so attentive to each person, and you feel right at home. The night starts with a personal cleansing of your hands. The food and drinks are absolutely amazing from beginning to end! The chef comes to each table and explains every course and the story behind it to bring you along on the journey. Every bite was so full of flavor. I could have eaten about 5 bowls of the okra and crab soup. It's 7 courses and you don't leave hungry. Portion sizes are perfect! This is how all dining experiences should be. This is a MUST TRY if you are in New Orleans or better yet...plan a trip to New Orleans just for this. It's worth every penny! read more

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Hands down one of the best restaurants in New Orleans. The through line of African cuisine to the food we love here in the Crescent City can be felt with each dish. Amazing! read more

Service was exceptional. Love that every dish had a story and a lot of passion and pride put into it.

Incredible meal and warm host and staff. From the initial check in to dessert, I felt that I was an honored guest in Chef's home. I was shocked to see the young staff members speaking French with my family as I returned from the washrooms, noticing the motif was inspired by some of the same market we visited in Dakar. In fact, the young polyglot was Darkar's famed chef who took time to visit every table. He was as meticulous in making you feel comfortable as did his epicurean offerings. Highly recommend. AND THIS JUST IN.... James Beard Best Emerging Chief 2023! We'll Deserved. read more

Dakar - Meal of a lifetime - Senegalese Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Great location, ambiance, warm and attentive service, and phenomenal food. Sure it is a bit expensive, but the experience is worth it. One of our best meals for 2024/2025. We'll be back. read more

Just book it, you'll be pleased you did! The service was great, everyone was very kind and attentive. You felt like you were being welcomed into their home, but I won't spoil the unique touches for you. The food was so so flavorful, really incredible and the wine pairing was approachable and fantastic, highly recommend! The chef was not in when we went, he was already in Chicago for their James Beard nomination and no surprise - they won! It actually felt extra special to be dining there on the eve of their big win, we will definitely be back! read more

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We enjoyed new year eve dinner here. Overall a great experience. Very homey set up. Delicious & unique food. Portion is just right My favorite dish is jambalaya. The chef made the effort to come to each table to say hi. The only thing to note is that Dakar is BYOB at this moment. Make sure to bring your wine! read more

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We just ate at Eater's number one new restaurant in New Orleans, Dakar. It's Senegalese. Yeah I really did say Senegalese. The chef here has cooked in some of the best kitchens here in NOLA and elsewhere. He masterfully crafts incredible food through several courses that are delicious and mind-blowing. I could talk about each dish one by one, but this night was about something else. Funny thing about food, it is about so much more than calories and taste. Don't get me wrong, I eat because I am food obsessed, and the flavors are super important to me. Food is about people, history, culture, tradition, location, and even climate. People bring not only their food staples with them when they move (OR are moved) to far flung regions, their culture comes too, as does their history. Take okra for example. It most likely originated in West Africa and was called gombo. It was brought over to America by slaves, as was the other vital part of the dish, rice. Many of the slaves were brought to America through the ports of New Orleans. Here it became the centerpiece of the food we know as gumbo. Serigne Mbaye, you just fed this white guy with the very same (or similar) food that Africans ate as they last laid eyes on their home continent and land, and were to be sold? You humbled me......you made me understand through food how no other human being ever has. You have a gift! I commented to you tonight to never stop giving a talk during the meal like you delivered at tonight's. Wow! I who have lived in this country of my birth have never understood the plight of those misplaced, taken, or forced from their homelands. I who don't really belong here (in the new world), understood through food this idea, this emotion, this feeling of being misplaced. Being where you should not be. Native Americans belong here in America not Europeans. What the hell.........food? It transcends everything and brings understanding to those still without it, and sight to those like me who are blind. Gut punch. I happen to think that Dakar is an essential dining location for everyone. The food is unbelievable but there is a story to be told here too. Maybe one person in a hundred people will get out of it what I did this very night. I hope for far more though, I truly do. Go with an empty stomach, and an open mind. See what happens! If for no other reason, go for a good meal. I am putting away the soapbox. Dine well. read more

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Everything was wonderful, you must go good food and chef an staff atmosphere the ambience the education of the food just go make a reservation. Don't miss out. I highly recommend. read more

Service excellent. Ambiance excellent. Food was okay. Rice was really salty. And shrimp broth was really salty. Everything else was good. read more

This place is absolutely amazing! The food was incredibly fresh and the service was impeccable. I believe they only have one dinner service and that's it so they basically prep all day for it. We sat family style with people we just met and it was such a fun experience getting to know all of them. I really appreciated all the descriptions for each dish. Will be back and I hope they continue to do well! read more

Wish I could give less. Just found out that despite the fact that that charge 300+ per person to dine there the bartenders are only paid 12 bucks an hour. This honestly changed how I felt about my meal there, there's absolutely no excuse. And don't even get me started on the "service charge"... read more

The food was very good but very small portions especially considering the price. The first item was a small glass of a green tea with ginger and mint that was incredibly good! The second dish was a bread roll that was slightly bigger than a ping pong ball. It was served with a spiced butter that was delicious - the bread was good but hollow. The third item was a small slab of fried cassava with smothered onions, oyster mushrooms and a spiced aioli which was nice. Item four was probably my least favorite- it was a small salad of thinly sliced cucumber, some carrots and peaches in a peach vinaigrette a sprinkle of millet gave it a nice crunch. The 3 shrimp with a small spoon of grits were really good with the coconut tamarind sauce and millet. The next dish was a medallion of fish (snapper) topped with millet and over a mustard sauce- it was served with a rice dish. It was good but not that special. The final dish was a dessert that was beautifully made and incredibly delicious blueberry sorbet! I don't know how they got that much blueberry flavor into the sorbet. The service was excellent. When a dish was served it was simultaneous for everyone. My wife had the wine pairings and although they were a bit late on one of the dishes they described each wine and its source. Atmosphere was a little noisy and I often had difficulty hearing the description of the dish's. We were seated at a communal table and met an interesting lady. Overall it was a very pleasant experience, my biggest complaint is the size of the dishes and the overall price. The flavors are more for those who like a mild and delicate taste but I prefer the more robust flavors typical of the classic Cajun cuisine. read more

It was a cool and unique experience being paired with strangers at a community table. I got lucky as a party of one and had a table full of great conversationalists who elevated the experience. The other thing that elevated the experience was the care that Chef Mbaye took in explaining all of his dishes and what inspired him to craft them. He came out after the bread 'n' butter and before the courses to speak at length. This is something I wish all restaurants did (although yes, I realize that's totally impractical, but even if it were text-based it would be neat!) His explanation of the first course, 'The Last Meal' completely changed the way I experienced it. It would have probably been my favorite course anyway, but picturing it within its historical context, awful as it was, added several layers to the crabmeat, palm oil, and black-eyed peas that would end up being my favorite course. A close second was the penultimate course, the tamarind fish, a beautiful cut of red snapper festooned with squashes, herbs, greens, and dabs of sauce. Everyone at my table loved the 'Parce Que', a circle of huge gulf shrimp in a brick red sauce. I wasn't as wild about it. Gulf shrimp tastes chloriney to me unless it's impossibly fresh, and this was just a hair under impossibly fresh. The chlorine can be handled if it's just a little bit of shrimp, but not a whole dish of it, that relies on it. Despite its abundance of tomatoes, which I rarely eat (but did here), I loved the dressing and little grainy bits of the fonio salad. I'm not sure that the meal was quite up to the price they charge, but I'm happy I went. read more

This was an amazing experience. The food was awesome, the ambiance spectacular, and the service impeccable. The attention to detail was unmatched. The fact that all diners had to have a reservation and there was only one seating for the evening meant they were not shuttling people in and out and rushing you to get your table freed up. The chef came out and talked to us and also personally visited each table. Can't wait to be back in NOLA to dine here again. read more

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This was an amazing dining experience. The food is unique but somehow also familiar. The menu was fish forward and delicious. Personal favorites were the Jollof rice and the gulf shrimp but honestly every single dish was tasty. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to have a unique and delicious dining experience. The service was also stellar. We had amazing servers who were both knowledgeable and personable. Would come back again! read more

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My new favorite place in New Orleans! The food was absolutely delicious and the service was amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

Dinner Thursday was Outstanding The Crew truly enjoyed the journey Will return next time Im in NOLA Chef Thank you read more

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!! This is THE best dining experience I have ever had. We booked a reservation to celebrate our anniversary! We stopped at second vine to get a bottle of wine (they are so helpful!) and we're on our way. We came in and were promptly seated at our table. We were greeted by a lovely card!!! We loved it -- it made us feel so special. We also sat right by the kitchen which is by far the best seat in the house! They took our wine to chill in a bucket and brought us water--the corkage fee is 15 btw. Everyone was so nice and helpful. They are really good at pacing out the wine as well. We were served the first to courses an AMAZING tea and the perfect rolls and butter. They were both delicious. We had other items such as black eyed peas with crab, a salad, huge shrimp with red pepper coulis, Jollof rice with snapper and two Amazing sauces. Everything. Was. So. Freaking. AMAZING. The last course is dessert which was a lovely jasmine and cinnamon ice cream. With a blueberry lemon mousse with lemon tart shell. We were so satisfyingly full. The best part was he came and conversed which each table! He is great and so easy to talk to, it's so cool to share a couple laughs with the chef! I didn't take many pictures because the experienced felt so sacred, like I was at someone's home. I don't want to share too many details because you must experience it!! We are already planning to go back! read more

​Wow, what an amazing dining experience we had! Exceptional! This restaurant made our anniversary trip to New Orleans more enjoyable. The best food experience, hands-down...the rhythm and sequence of the course are effortless and harmonious. It was a perfect evening of delicious African cuisine with an intimate, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. A special big Thank​ You to Effie @kihdeffie, Chef @serignembaye_, and your entire team @dakarnola. Y'all made our anniversary extra special, and I can't wait to return. Dakar is no ordinary restaurant, and it deserves a Michelin Star already! If you have to eat in one restaurant while in New Orleans, it needs to be @dakarnola read more

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Wow, Just Wow. I totally understand why this is one of the hardest reservations to get in New Orleans. Being from this Great City there are so many choices you can make with food and all of these choices are top notch, but Dakar set a standard that is both unique and Different from the typical choices that you get here. First the Communal style sharing a table with complete strangers is one the coolest things ive ever experienced. Chatting and drinking on the chefs choices were just something that stood out. The starter French champagne with simple syrup was delicious. All of the wait staff was very attentive and offered so many different options for what was expected the different dishes to come. I order the wine pairing which fit perfectly with all of the dishes that were served. We started with a dish that the chef admitted that he just invented the day of and it was delicious and I wish I could remember the name of it. The spin on shrimp and grits were good and so was his spin on red beans and rice. The fish was fresh and the pecan pie was different but good. I totally loved the owners speech welcoming us into this home and explaining his background and the personal touch of spending time at each table was a treat. I will definitely come back and visit. read more

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flavors were okay but everything was just that - no dish really stood out, and if it did it was bc one part of it was hella strong (like the gulf shrimp, i really enjoy fishy/briny flavor so it was okay, but the others at the table were not about it lmao. tasted wayy fishier than the other gulf shrimp we had that wknd). biggest thing was the timing of the meal was really struggling - we were sometimes waiting 20 mins in between courses and then they do this thing where they flicker the lights to indicate something to the staff which felt v contrived other thing to note - they now have a private vs communal res, but before they sometimes just sat u at a communal table. no biggie, but they place u such that youre looking randomly at a stranger at a rectangular table, like you and your dinner partner are seated next to each other rather than across. i lowkey had a great time with how awkward it was but if you're trying to have a nice intimate date, that ones on u (especially if you're paying the ~$200/pp after tax/tip/corkage fee if you do BYOB) great staff, loved the window into the kitchen dont feel pressed to return, especially with the price and how much good food there is in NOLA elsewhere read more

We had such expectations but it was some of the most disappointing food I have ever had. The atmosphere was good; service was great. The restaurant was too perfumed but I could deal with that. The food, however, was so very mediocre. First the Senegalese fusion was less Senegalese and more fusion and the first courses were bland. For example the crab on a cracker-- cracker was so soggy. The cabbage salad while refreshing had nothing Senegalese about it. The worst however were the two fish entrees. Lovely fresh fish and shrimp but we could barely eat it because it was so very salty. Thus the dishes that were more Senegalese and which we may have enjoyed we could not because all we could taste was the salt. The wines were also quite mediocre. I would not recommend it because the pre-fixe was 150 and not worth it. read more

Every bite in this 7-course dinner was so impeccably delicious I wanted to cry. How Chef creatively fused west African spices, methods, and meals into Nola culture (distant relatives) defies reason in the best way possible. I've enjoyed suya all my life, but not like this (on shrimp!!!), this was next level and yet so comfortingly familiar. My favorite course was the fish. I would come back JUST for the fish. The skin crisped perfectly while the rest of the filet remained tender. The dishes were made only better by their stories narrated during service by the chefs themselves. When our experience concluded, I felt like I just had dinner in the home of a close friend. Unreasonably high level of hospitality. The servers were so kind. Though it was a small-ish dining room with our 2-person table kind of close to the larger party next to us, noise was never a problem. Everything about this experience was excellent, and I can't wait to go back! read more

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My husband and I went for our 28th Anniversary. The restaurant is nicely decorated and very cozy. I heard wonderful reviews about this place. I can't say enough about the food and service. Every single course was so amazing. The food is so flavorful. I will be craving the Soupa Kanja (gumbo). The service was impeccable . we got to meet all of the servers during the service. They are so friendly and knowledgeable. FYI- get the wine pairing. I never had any of the wines they served and loved the pairings. I AM READY TO EAT THERE AGAIN! read more

We were so glad we did not allow the few negative reviews we saw prior to the visit change our decision to enjoy this tasting experience for our anniversary. From the ambiance, to the service and food, everthing was top tier. Some of the dishes even took me back to fond memories from my childhood. If you are planning to go to New Orleans, do yourself a favor and include Dakar to your reservations list. Your time with Chef Serigne Mbaye, Effie and the rest of the staff will definitely be one of the highlights to your visit. read more

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Not only delicious and unique, but really educational and meaningful. The Staff makes it special with their warmth and expertise and the chef comes out to introduce a dish and he is pure light. Highly recommend. read more

Phenomenal experience. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting. The Chef and his creations were incredible. Highly recommend this restaurant. We're in New Orleans 3-4x per year. We will be here for each visit. Thank you Chef Serigne Mbaye. read more

Dakar - Chef's take on shrimp and grits. AMAZING! - Senegalese Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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What can I say. The chef deserves the Beard nomination. Food was phenomenal, service was great, and it was unpretentious . Chef came and addressed the entire restaurant as though we were visiting family members. Wonderful experience. read more

Dakar was good, and the owners and service were wonderful, but nothing we ate was über memorable. And definitely not worth the price point. Also felt at that price point, that they shouldn't charge a $25 a bottle corkage when they don't serve alcohol. Dinner for four with the corkage fee was $910. read more

I was disappointed with Dakar for several reasons. First, having to prepay with the reservation with an automatic Service Charge of I think 20 or 30%. I always believe that the Service Charge is determined by Good Service and should not be automatic! And then not being able to redo the charge at time time of dinner to spit the charge with the other couple having dinner with us was strange. The bread - called the first course - was a piece the size of a marsh mellow for each guest. The soup course was very good. But the third course - the fish - was so small, a little undercooked, and had nothing substantial to accompany it. Then the dessert, which sounded delicious on the menu - was again miniscule. I mean, how much more would be cost Dakar to serve a decent amount of rice pudding and ice cream?? Overall, at more than $100.00 per person - we went home disappointed and hungry! read more