KenScale: 8.0/10 Visits: May 2025 Throughout my culinary journey with my wife Jun, visiting a restaurant helmed by a celebrity chef has always been a tricky affair, the biggest variable being how much the chef spends their time at the kitchen instead of promoting their brand in TV and other media. Chef Eric Adjepong, who was a finalist in the Top Chef show and a cookbook author, joined the DC dining scene earlier this year with a new project showcasing modern Ghana cuisines from his roots from the Western African country. Another celebrity chef, Kwame Onwuachi, already staked his territory in the city with the much-hyped Dōgon restaurant, and I was intrigued to see what chef Adjepong can bring to the table. Overall, it was a solid dinner, especially with some really delicious dishes on the front end of the four-course tasting menu (currently priced at $135 per person). The tasting menu at Elmina allows each diner to choose one dish each from the first two savory courses and the dessert course (while the main dish menu allows a choice of one dish per two diners). There were some pretty special dishes at the beginning of our meal, starting with the amuse bouche of scallop crudo in coconut gazpacho that Jun enjoyed very much. My favorite dish from our dinner was the curried corn bisque; the flavor of the bisque was quite aromatic and delicious, made even better by the textural combination of cockle clams and pork lardons. Another starter not to miss at Elmina is the zaalouk dip of roasted eggplant spread; dip a piece of spiced buttered flatbread to the spread with surprisingly spicy kick and you have West Africa's confident answer to hummus from Middle East. Fufu, a staple food from the region made with pounded cassava and plantains, also shines brightly at the restaurant, and I was quite fond of Elmina's version with braised goat, as well as the wagyu short rib with sauce made from prekese (a type of fruit from Africa). Unfortunately, compared to all the standout dishes from the early part of our meal, the main dish and dessert we ordered were a slight let-down. While Jun acknowledged she has perhaps an overly unrealistic expectation when it comes to duck dishes, I had to agree with her that the jollof duck pot didn't quite land the impact from the earlier dishes. The rustic flavor from the smoked jollof was there; it was more the texture of the duck that could be perfected (Jun preferred the confit leg to the breast). Same goes for the dessert; while traveling in Namibia for our anniversary earlier this year, Jun and I had a life-changing malva pudding cake, which we missed even more after the version from Elmina didn't quite live up to our expectations (it didn't quite have the same moistness to texture from what we had encountered in Namibia). Getting a reservation isn't too challenging but I would still plan ahead for prime time booking during the weekend. If you are interested in exploring how African ingredients are incorporated into cocktails, Elmina has a solid line-up to complement your meal; there is also a concise wine list with a decent number of South African wines. The sleek dining room in the former Seven Reasons space over two stories makes the restaurant a good spot for date night as well as casual dinners with friends and family. Toward the end of our meal, chef Adjepong did come over to our table to check on us. From our brief chat, I saw a chef who seems genuinely nice and eager to show the beauty and richness of the Western African cuisine. While not everything was perfect, there was plenty to like about the dining experience at Elmina. I would certainly be curious to see how the menu evolves over time and check out a few new dishes. read more

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Just an awesome experience. From the elegant but approachable decor, to the flavor packed food and very shareable dishes our trip to Elmina was excellent. Menu highlights for our group: spicy chicken, hamachi crisp, duck jollof. Everything was so unique with incredible depth of flavor. We even had the pleasure of a visit from Chef Eric to round out the night. read more

First time trying Elmina and would definitely go back! Food - we tried the tuna tartare as our appetizer and this was so delicious! I wouldn't recommend the octopus kabob - the flavor was there but they were overcooked and rubbery. We split the oxtail entree and it was HUGE, filling, and flavorful, 10/10 would get that again. Drinks - both drinks were boozy and tasty! Vibes - Cute restaurant with 3 different floors/sections. Dark and cozy vibes. Service - I've read some reviews about slow service and I can see that, it wasn't overly crowded but service was a bit slow, nothing crazy though. We did get our app before drinks. read more

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Hands down, this was one of the most flavorful and incredible dining experiences I've ever had. From the very first bite to the last, everything we tasted was a celebration of bold, authentic, and deeply satisfying flavors. We ordered a variety of dishes: fried okra, spicy plantain, fish of the day (which, I must say, was the best fish I have ever tasted), suya, jollof rice, a vibrant tomato and peach salad, tomahawk steak, and finished with the most decadent malva pudding. Every single dish was executed to perfection--beautifully presented, thoughtfully spiced, and absolutely delicious. Chef Eric showed up and truly showed out. His passion and creativity are clearly reflected in the menu, which is a rich and dynamic fusion of tradition, innovation, and soul. It's rare to find such attention to detail--not just in the food, but in the entire experience. The ambience was flawless. Every element of the space felt intentional and immersive. It transported me straight back to my time in Ghana--warm, lively, and full of joy. This place is a must for anyone who appreciates great food, culture, and atmosphere. I'll absolutely be returning--again and again. Also, Chef Eric is from the BoogieDown Bronx, so . read more

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Great space in the middle of DC. Close to everything. The decor inside was amazing and the food tasted great. Would highly recommend if you're in the City read more

Elmina - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My friend suggested me try this new place and I was immediately sold--conveniently located Ghanian tasting menu? Sign me up! The vibes are great, with an intimate dining room (although the tables are perhaps a bit too close together) with a view of the open kitchen. Service was generally excellent, although we occasionally went a bit too long without water or a utensil here or there. But nothing so egregious to truly detract from a wonderful experience with a kind and informed waitstaff who provided helpful suggestions and descriptions of the dishes. The four-course tasting menu allows for each person to pick one dish from three of the four categories, with the entree being shared among two people. There was a vegetarian option in each category, though it's the same price regardless of which dishes you order (and extra if you want to add on an additional entree). Everything I had was delicious and plentiful, with hearty portions. The scallop amuse bouche was amazing, and I love a little surprise extra (there was a also amazing sorbet pallet cleanser later). The hamachi crudo I ordered was great, as was my friend's zaalouk dip. For the second course, I ordered the waygu short rib, but my friend's fufu was actually better and what I would pick next time. We shared the duck entree, which was delicious and large. I think I would try the fish, next time, however, as it just looked so good. Both desserts we had, the bofrot and Malva pudding cake, were equally amazing. For drinks, I cannot recommend enough the two I ordered--the Elmina Clarified Punch and their take on espresso martini. Both were twists on classics and I was glad to have ordered both. The Clarified Punch was especially unique (in a good way) but my friend maintained it was the best espresso martini she had ever had, so that goes a long way! I could see myself coming back here for dinner, which I don't say a lot about tasting menu establishments, but because the menu had enough delicious-sounding options, I could order different things. I also see online they have brunch, which has me intrigued. Overall, a great experience. read more

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The ambiance of this place is top notch with low lighting and nice decor. We were seated right away and offered refreshments right away. Staff was very attentive to our group, ensuring that our questions were answered about the food and drinks. The palette cleanser was actually really good; my favorite dish was the Hamachi Crudo and the oxtail. We also ordered the fish and duck jollof. Both dishes were okay, not enough spice in my opinion. Overall, nice place for dinner with friends or date night. read more

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When was the last time a restaurant took you through a journey of discovery? This is Elmina. Every dish was a new twist, new taste, an exciting journey of delicious food. I can't wait to go back! Pro tip: you can do a tasting menu or order a la carte. Uber there, no parking. Best things we tried: dip, fufu, jollof rice (omg!) with duck, the snapper (wow!) and the malva. read more

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WOW!! this meal was absolutely incredible. We did the tasting menu which was plenty of food for two people. Started with the corn bisque and the zaalouk dip. Both are great-you can't go wrong with either of these. I had the fufu next which was absolutely delicious-I'm seriously still thinking about it. Split the jollof duck pot which was super filling for us two. My favorite of the desserts was definitely the pudding cake. Super sweet and tasty. Service here is amazing and everything I tried was so so good. Definitely check this place out read more

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I was able to go opening week and wanted to let my experience digest before putting it down. The one drawback was service. I had high or maybe different expectations for this restaurant and particularly the chef, so I expected service to be on point from the start. It was just a bit clunky, unsure and the tasting menu dish timing was off. I did the tasting menu and the timing was way off. However, I forgive the service because the food was delicious. The duck and rice dish was great! I would go back just for that or order it to-go if able. I wish them success. Worth a try! read more

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10 out of 10! We knew we were about to embark on a delicious journey when a Ghanaian colleague recommended Elmina. My only disappointment is that we didn't try it sooner. We opted for the tasting menu for a curated culinary experience and it's hard to articulate just how much we enjoyed every single course - including the palate cleansers! I HATE eggplant and yet the zaalouk dip, which includes roasted eggplant, was one of my favorite dishes. Shout out to the staff for being so welcoming and making it feel like we were dining among old friends. read more

I've heard of this place finally got to visit for brunch. Food was delicious, ambiance on point as well as music and decor. Our server was attentive without doing to much. Had the Breakfast duck jollof good flavor fresh veggies. Johnny cakes were delicious by themselves paired with the syrup or apple butter even better. Grabbed the oysters as well some of the best I had around mainly due to the hot sauce and hibiscus they add to it. Drinks were all good and the loved the names they had for them. Will definitely go back to check out dinner. read more

Elmina - Breakfast duck Jollof and Johnny cakes. - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had the pleasure of dining at chef Eric Adjepong's restaurant ELMINA in D.C. recently and let me tell you 10/10. From the decor, service, of course the food ALL phenomenal. I definitely recommend, we went with the tasting menu and were blown away by the flavors and dishes. Will definitely be back! read more

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My colleagues and I (4 of us) grabbed a reservation for dinner here and it was SUPERB! We ordered the entire Chef's Tasting Experience. Everything that came out was absolutely delicious! Every single thing. Our waiter was the sweetest and he walked us through each dish! The music was great and added a fun touch to the ambiance. Can't wait to return! read more

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Was so excited to try this restaurant and it delivered on all fronts. The traditional flavors with a modern take were tasty. I liked the turkey tails, eggplant, and Crudo were some faves but the kabob was great and the jollof rice hit with a kick of spice. Great service and creative dishes and Chef Eric is the nicest person who deserves all the success he has earned read more

The first time I went it was absolutely amazing, although service was incredibly slow. I went last night, however, and the food just wasn't great. We ordered the tomahawk steak (my second time having this) and it was SO dry! Just absolutely ridiculous. We ordered medium doneness and it was so overcooked. The okra fries had very little taste. The plantain wasn't sweet at all (and was also dry), which seemed different from what I remembered last time. The oxtail was really good but the rice and peas it came with had zero flavor. I also thought the crab fried rice was really good albeit super spicy. Service was better this time, but drinks were not consistent. I got a G&T and it was good but when I ordered a second one, it tasted entirely different than the first. This was all kind of embarrassing because I hyped the place up to my friends given my first experience, but we were all left very disappointed. read more

This was our second visit to Elmina, and we were seriously impressed. The food, which was already great the first time, was somehow even better. Standouts for us were the corn chowder (so flavorful!), the fufu with eggplant, and the short rib -- everything was rich, balanced, and beautifully plated. We also really appreciated the improvements since our first visit. Last time, we had some issues with service and food timing, and as someone with a crustacean allergy, navigating the menu was a little stressful -- there was even a close call with a shrimp dish. This time, though, all major allergens were clearly marked, and our server was super informed and careful. It made a huge difference. And of course, Chef Eric stopped by again -- he's a total gem and makes the whole experience feel extra personal. Can't wait to come back. read more

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As a long time Top Chef fan, I was visiting the area and had to check out chef Eric's spot - he made me crave his West African dishes - and wow it did not disappoint! I sat in the bar area and Dae the bartender was so nice and accommodating! I even met chef Eric and he was so welcoming and sweet. The vibe is spectacular, the drinks are delicious and the food was divine!! I've never had fufu and it was epic. The hamachi crudo? Best I've ever had. If you are in DC you must go!!! 15/10 recommend!!!! read more

Elmina - Fufu on top of braised goat in a peanut butter type curry - amazing!! - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Worth a visit! Is it pricey? Yes! Is it delicious and vibey? Also yes! There of my friends and I went for a late dinner. As part of the tasting menu, we each had three individual courses (including dessert) and one shared course of two family-style entrees. We also shared Black Elephant, MCC Brut, which paired nicely with our meal. Everything was so fresh and delicious and the service was great! The vibe and music were also lively and beautiful, highlighting the modern African cultures that inspire the cuisine. I definitely recommend a visit, especially for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. read more

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I give Elmina a strong 4 stars! Bear in mind, we ordered a la carte (vs the tasting menu) My favorite items on the menu were the beef and prawn skewers, choofi and side of jollof, and surprisingly the okra fries (these are not slimy)!!. All of these were bursting with intense (in an extremely good way) flavor! There were only three concerns with my visit to Elmina: - the food took forever to come out. I'd say we waited for about an hour to get our apps so don't come extremely hungry - I was surprised the food came out lukewarm considering how long we waited as well - the crab fried rice was EXTREMELY salty (pretty much inedible) Apart from that, I loved the ambiance, the music was good - they played some old school Ghanaian music if you're into that Chef Eric was also sooo nice and came to our table to check in on us! 4/5 overall!! read more

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Welcome to DC, Elmina! If you're a TC fan, you would have been eagerly waiting for Chef Eric Adjepong's contemporary Ghanaian restaurant to open! We made advance reservations and came here as a group for dinner; we all had the 4-course tasting menu - For the first course, we tried: +the Curried Corn Bisque - prepared with cockle clams, pork lardons, and palm oil +Hamachi Crudo - prepared with passion fruit, peri-peri oil, herbs, serrano, radish, and corn nuts +Ghana Salad - with baby gem, ahi tuna, house salad cream, crispy red onions, tomatoes, and a quail egg +Zaalouk Dip - prepared with roasted eggplant, coriander oil, roasted vine tomatoes, crumbled goat cheese, and crispy red onions, served with a spiced buttered flatbread For the second course, we had: +Fufu - pounded plantain and cassava with braised goat and nkati nkwan +Red Red - stewed black peas with crispy plantains, avocado, gari, and parsley +Wagyu Short Rib - with prekese and onion steak sauce, crispy cassava, and pickled fresno +Palm Nut Shrimp & Octopus Stew For the third course, our party had: +Jollof Duck Pot - smoked jollof, tamarind-glazed confit duck leg, duck breast, duck egg, shito, and a roasted tomato salad +Bambara Bean Coconut Curry - with charred cabbage, sweet plantains, and lime +Fante Fante Lobster - a whole grilled lobster, Fisherman's stew, puna yam chips, green shito, and pikliz salad +Waakye - oxtail, gari, shito, and egg For dessert, there was a Malva Pudding Cake (with sweet pickled apricots, vanilla, and gelato), Bofrot (with nutmeg chantilly, sticky toffee sauce, Heath bar crunch, and Milo gelato), and Mango Pudding (pomegranate granita, mango caviar, pavlova, and hazelnut crumble). Staff were friendly and attentive, and the vibe was laid-back and casual. Metered parking can be found in the area. +friendly service +reservations accepted +metered street parking in the area read more

Met Chef Eric Adjepong last night at his wonderful new Ghanaian restaurant, Elmina. Absolute gentleman, very good food, and excellent service. Red red, fufu, curried corn bisque with cockle clams, hamachi crudo (unexpected but very well executed), jollof duck pot (phenomenal). Highly recommend. Cozy ambiance upstairs. Downstairs it looked a shade too bright and open, but I didn't sit there. Really looking forward to this place becoming a mainstay in DC. read more

So elevated dinning experiences are typically not my cup of tea, especially when it even comes to Ghanaian food, but I digress. I was pleasantly surprised, met friends and did the tasting menu. Kelewele- solid job on that not on tasting menu Choofi- meh they should take that off, I have had better. Ghana salad- they nailed it and the taste was there I enjoyed that. Red red-,they nailed that too Jollof and duck- Smokey, hint of sweetness and the duck was phenomenal Bofrot dessert- was ok , I won't call that Bofrot tho. Tasted some fish from a friends dish that was good. All in all solid spot, do I quite think it's worth the price point no. Since I can get all that minus the duck in the jolllof in a billion places around the dmv. Would I go back maybe if someone i know wants to try it, but glad I did. read more

The food was good. What prevented us from giving the place 5 stars was the service was not what we expected from a place with this price point and a tasting menu. The restaurant had a sexy vibe upstairs and downstairs is more an open kitchen concept. 4 for food but 3 for service. While the staff was nice - they seem short staffed or untrained properly for a restaurant that is supposed to be upscale. 1. We did a la carte but the gentleman made us decide at the front check in. Usually they bring both menus and explain and then table decides. We ordered drinks, some apps and the spicy chicken and seafood rice which they indicated would take 40 minutes so we placed order first. 2. Appetizers were good but very small portions for the price. We ordered the hamachi and octopus skewers and both had good flavor but very small. (3 pieces of hamachi.) the eggplant dip we ordered was tasty and reasonably sized. 3. No one came to clean the table or take dishes or gives us new plates. Entrees came and then they started cleaning the table because it didn't fit and awkwardly trying to give us new plates or silverware. At that point we just said we were fine with our old plates since it was awkward. 4. Entrees were great tasting. For $95 three scallops, three prawns and two small clams seems excessive. The rice was not hot but lukewarm. Spicy chicken was tasty: 5. We had to ask and chase down server to order more drinks- no one came to ask us. 6. After our dessert- the pudding case was great, we got the bill and the oddest thing happened. We were given the bill along with the credit card machine just being placed at the table and waiter left. No explaination nothing. We had to figure out how to use the machine and split it between two couples. I have never had that happen at any restaurant let alone one that ones to be fine dining. To me that type of service was not worth coming back: We frequent many fine dining and Michelin star restaurants along with casual places around dc. The food is excellent here and has potential but if their service does not improve, this place will not last as no one will pay those prices for that type of service. read more

Super amazing experience and probably top 1 or 2 of the last 12 months. The food was different and delicious. The space was beautiful, I remember going there when it was Seven Reasons and the new look is even better. Sat upstairs in the patio area early and my only complaint is that the sun was beaming in through the windows between the roof and the walls on one side of the table making it uncomfortable for like 15-20 mins. Other than that everything was excellent from the cocktails to the food! Definitely going back and need that Duck Paella Dish! read more

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My wife and I got the chance to stop by this new Ghanaian restaurant located in NW DC. I'll be honest, it's been on my list since they opened so I was extremely excited that we got a reservation. Loved the lighting tone in the restaurant. We were warmly greeted by the head chef himself which was a treat. We started off with drinks and went right to their tasting experience. I started with the Ghanaian salad and my wife got the Zaalouk Dip. Both fantastic. It would not be Ghanaian salad without an egg. For our next course she got the red red and I got the Wagyu short rib. The fried Casava crisp on top was the perfect balance with the soft short rib. We then shared the jollof fried which reminded me of home. As a Nigerian American there are very few dishes that reminded me of home. This dish did just that. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. read more

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My overall experience at this restaurant was good. The main thing that bothered me is I couldn't get in contact with the restaurant. There was no reply to email and there was no contact number to get help or ask questions. A lot of the dishes were very mild in flavors and had a good spice level. The duck jollof rice was our favorite. I loved the dessert so much. I wanted to come here because of social media but I probably wouldn't return. They didn't do anything wrong I just had higher expectations. They were really nice and professional. The establishment decor was gorgeous and it was clean. read more

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Elminan is a new Ghanian restaurant in NW D.C. very small so it could be hard to miss on the outside but once you enter, you'll be transported to Ghana , even if you've never been. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and the decor was very beautiful. Elmina offers two levels and a nice section with sky views, would be an awesome atmosphere in the summer. Our waiter was prompt, knowledgeable and polite. Elmina currently offers brunch, Chop Bar and a tasting menu for dinner. Looks to be about a 4 course meal. I was not sure if I was going to indulge in 4 courses so we opted for brunch first. Our experience although not bad, could have been better. The food looked appealing but was quite bland and everything came out cold for some reason. I ordered the wagyu steak and eggs. My wagyu was very fresh, offering no seasoning at all, I had to ask for salt. The table next to us really struggled with the same because they ordered multiple dishes due to dissatisfaction. Elmina is pretty new and I am sure they're still working out the kinks. I would return to support and give them another go. Look forward to supporting! read more

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I've been here twice now, and it's easily a personal favorite. The ambiance is beautiful and the food is amazing. I've been fortunate to try both the tasting menu and a la carte dinner. Loved every bite, especially the hamachi crudo and pork belly kabobs. I could come back for the cocktails alone, which were thoughtfully crafted with intentional ingredients. The service was fantastic and I got to say "hi" Chef Eric both times! I am really impressed how Elmina merges community, culinary excellence, and upscale dining into one package. I cannot wait to return! read more

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YES, Chef Eric! Elmina is a winner. Beautiful well-lit space. A four-course tasting menu where the challenge is deciding between 3-4 options per course, so go with your SO or BFF and share. Best dishes were the fufu and goat (spicy!), jollof duck pot (rice was perfectly cooked and the duck had a great spicy-sour glaze), and the bofrot for dessert (a sugary donut with gelato and toffee crunchies). Tasty cocktails as well, though took awhile to get to us; I'll chalk it up to the place still being new. Extra bonus was when Chef Eric came to shake hands and ask everyone how they were doing. Very well, Chef, thanks to you! read more

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My experience at Elmina in DC, was a 10/10 drama, flavor, a small portioned Ghanaian-Afro Fusion experience. First off, it's $135 per person; so yes, my wallet flinched, but my taste buds threw a party. It's a four-course situation. Course one? "Zaalouk Dip" a pita bread and stew duo that had me questioning if I was secretly vegan, it slapped. Course two "FuFu" rolled in with vibes, visuals, and flavor... just wish it came with a heater because baby, it was lukewarm. But hey, they prepped it ahead, so I get it. Now for the shared portion the Jollof Rice and Duck. And let me say this loud for the people in the back: Nigeria still has the best jollof rice, but I digress. Dessert was giving elegance, decadence, main character energy. And the drink? The Elixir of Life. Yes, Three Spirits; finally a restaurant that gets it. IYKYK. Final rating? 4.5 stars. read more

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Food was excellent. The half chicken is great if you like a little spice. They had vegan selections as well. Oysters on the half shell-fabulous. Drinks were good but they were out of certain offerings on the menu. Service was OK. Ambiance was typical DC. I wouldn't call it exceptional. Execution and flow is off. Our main course came out with our appetizers. This may be an issue with all their notoriety. Final evaluation - Front of the house needs a lot of work if they want to maintain there ranking. Back of the house, keep doing what you are doing and maybe the front staff will catch up. read more

Fun and tasty but overpriced and overhyped. I love west african food, and my friends and I were really excited to try Elmina. But right from the start we were disappointed. We arrived early, and were instructed to wait while our table was prepared, but it wasn't clear if we could order a drink at the bar while we waited. Then our table was too bright and soooo close to the nearby tables and the acoustics weren't muffled, so we had to really focus in order to tune out the conversations from the tables next to us. Our server was nice and clearly working overtime, but she seemed really rushed the whole night. Our food pacing was too fast and out of order, and we ran out of cocktails and had to wait a long time for our wine. From an ambiance and service perspective, Elmina did not live up to the price or reviews. We kept wondering who was running the front of the house. And then the food was good and tasty but not as elevated or perfected as we expected. The hamachi was delicious especially the sublime sauce, the fried okra was super bland - the dip needed some more acid, the okra needed less breading, and maybe a bit of spice. The kebabs were pretty good, but not standouts. The bone marrow was disappointing because there was nothing to soak up the marrow, and the meat on top was super dry. The wine and cocktails were yummy for sure. The steak main was fine. We had a couple of desserts, and really loved the beignets. We had fun. We had great libations. We had tasty food. We just expected a lot more for the price and reviews. read more

gave Elmina 2 stars. I really wanted to like it, but it just did not live up to the hype or the price. The crab rice had good flavor, but it was way too spicy. It was overpowering to the point where you could not really enjoy it. People around us were saying the same thing, so it was not just us. For $50, the amount of crab you get feels very minimal and not worth it. The octopus was another disappointment. It was extremely tough and basically inedible. The service was also not great. It felt inattentive and did not match the upscale pricing. The drinks were honestly the highlight. They were really well made and tasted great. That said, everything here feels overpriced for what you actually get. If you are deciding between Elmina and Dogon, I would choose Dogon every time. Dogon is much better overall and actually feels worth the price. read more

Great music, fabulous decor, and wonderful service! My beets were fantastic and everything else I saw looked delicious! read more

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This space is really aesthetically pleasing, albeit downstairs is kind of cramped, my hair was getting hit all night. They just opened so I'm extending grace on the service, but a lot of missteps during my visit. They had 2 mocktails on the menu but when I asked for one the waiter came back and said they ran out, it was only 6pm. I asked for the other one and then the waiter came back and said that one was also out. He then came back to the table with a random drink the bar made on the fly which I did not ask for but he was going to add it to the final bill. Weird. The timing of bringing out the food also missed the mark, we just got our second course and they brought out the third, we asked them to take it back but they should have been aware of the timing. Now for the food. Ok, so the food is really good. We enjoyed everything we got and we both tried different things. I'm only highlighting what I ate. They provided an amuse bouche of oyster. Tasty. 5/5 1st course- eggplant dip, the eggplant was roasted so well and I loved the bread that came with it. 5/5 2nd course- I got the red red, since I grew up on this type of food, I enjoyed it, especially the sprinkle of gari. 5/5 3rd course- lobster tail with yam fries. The yam fries were sooooo good. In the future might have to get my own lobster tail instead of splitting it, there wasn't enough meat for me to only have 1. 5/5 4th course- I got the pudding cake, really delicate and sweet dessert. 5/5 read more

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I went to Elmina for a solo birthday dinner and treated myself to the tasting menu -- and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in DC. The service was impeccable (from the host, to the excellent server, to the kitchen), the team made me feel celebrated and completely at ease dining solo. The food was extraordinary, each course thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavor. The Jollof duck pot was my absolute favorite dish -- rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The ambiance was relaxing and elegant, making it the perfect spot to unwind and savor every bite. Five stars all around, and I will definitely go back. read more

Elmina - Jollof Duck Pot - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazimg! Food, service, and ambiance were 10/10! I sat at the bar and the bartender Nic was amazing, personable, and attentive. I had the hamachi collar and I essentially licked the bones clean, so good. I'll definitely be back. read more

Elmina - Hamachi collar - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When I knew I would be in DC, I immediately made a reservation to experience their 4-course menu. I'd heard so many amazing things about their food and ambiance. I was not disappointed. I was able to add my cousin to my reservation and was excited to see her and share the experience with her. I didn't take pictures because I wanted to take it all in. We were seated as soon as we arrived. Our server was attentive. We were presented with an unexpected amuse-bouche, which was a gazpacho with scallops on top. This paved the way for our first course. I had the Curried Corn Bisque minus the Pork Lardons. The curry was well balanced. My second course was FuFu. Plantain and cassava fufu with braised goat on top of Nkati Nkwan (peanut butter soup) DE-FREAKIN-LISH. I love almost anything with peanuts. It had a kick. We were surprised again with a palate cleanser of hibiscus sorbet. When I say palate pleasing. However, it helped extinguish the fire I felt in my stomach from the first two courses. PERFECT! We shared our 3rd course because it was huge. We were becoming full at this point. They do not skimp on portions. I LOVED this because I've done tasting menus before when they were just that...a taste with a hefty price tag. We selected the Jollof Duck Pot. I was able to eat a little of the duck and Jollof before I called it quits. The duck was tender and seasoned well. The Jollof was flavorful. I even enjoyed the roasted tomato salad that accompanied it. My cousin and I decided to take our dessert to go. We both selected the Mango Pudding. Once I made it back to my hotel, I had a little space for dessert. I wish I'd known exactly what it was. It would've been better enjoyed at the restaurant. It didn't travel well. However, I did enjoy the mango flavor. I've been telling everyone about my experience. YOU MUST GO. Oh...when were were leaving, there was a guy at the bar who spoke to us and stopped his conversation to open the door for us. It was then that I realized who he was, the owner Eric Adjepong. You may see him when you visit. Tell him Dana said hi! LOL read more

I have mixed feelings about Elmina. My friend wanted to try the tasting for her birthday. Here's the good... It's a nice restaurant esthetically beautiful and the staff are warm, friendly and welcoming. We had two servers and they were both great and accommodating because we had some issues with our food and drinks and I can say they had no problems correcting the issues promptly. Now here's the bad... All four courses had beautiful presentations and were pretty good. Some of my friends who have eaten Ghanaian food and traveled to Ghana said that the tastes were a bit off and not the best flavors in a few of the dishes. Well we later figured it out, our meal was prepared by a Hispanic chef. I get it, chef's from other ethnicities cooking food from other cultures happens all the time. Our party had 4 people and we paid over $1,000 plus tip for our tasting and drinks and for the experience of food being prepared by an authentic African chef (that is the experience that they're selling). I later went back to the website and saw that they have chef's from other cultures working there and I love that, but again we expected the experience of a chef sharing their rich culture and knowledge of their homeland through food. In my opinion, food is about more than technique and theory, it's about the love, soul and your cultural connection to it as well. Let me be clear, I have ZERO problems paying for a wonderful dining experience but in my opinion we did not receive it. I wouldn't say don't try them out because it wasn't all bad, but I am saying that you may want to make sure that Chef Eric is there if you're looking for the experience we were hopeful to get. read more

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