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    Moi Moi

    3.9 (91 reviews)

    Moi Moi Photos

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    MOI MOI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Jennifer W.

    Moi Moi is a great restaurant. If you love West African, Caribbean, and American food, this place is for you. I went this summer and made it in again. I hosted a large group brunch a week ago. I coordinated it with the manager a week prior to the event. The manager wasn't there, but When we arrived, our table was plated and the reception was very warm. For my drink I had a Mandingo ! It was strong. For brunch, I ordered the coconut French toast which was delicious!!!! I highly recommend. The servers and the Sunday manager were excellent and as our group grew, they made amazing accommodations. I met one of the beautiful bartenders who is from Boston (which I am ) so it made the experience even more homey ! I also tried the suyA which was delicious and the jerk chicken. During the dining experience, the chef came out and I was able to introduce myself and tell him how good his food is !! Everything was seasoned perfectly. This family run restaurant is a different place for date night, mixers, corporate meetings or girl nights.

    Braised Oxtail
    Elizabeth M.

    We were the only patrons on a Sunday evening around 6pm. The restaurant didn't have much decorations and the bathroom had an unfinished/broken cabinet under the sink. We both got the braised oxtail entree which was $45. Although it was delicious and filling, we didn't feel like the dining experience justified the price. They had an extensive mocktail menu but we were not offered a wine/cocktails menu.

    Berbere lamb chops, mac & cheese, brussels
    Dania J.

    I came to Moi Moi last night for dinner. They also featured the Futureband for a 2 hour set. They were amazing btw! It was great for a date night! This wasn't my first time at Moi Moi, but my first review. I have appreciation for this restaurant as not only is it black owned, but also family run. I had the Berbere Spiced Lamb Chops that comes with brussel sprouts and mac & cheese. This was one of my previous favorites. The lamb was cooked just right and quite flavorful. The sides hit the right spot as well! I will say, the service was lacking for me this time around. We had gone a long period of time without our server checking in on us and we weren't offered dessert either, but I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt and say it was probably due to the live music event.

    Crispy Fried Whole Alabama Porgy (Fish)
    Kiara N.

    Nice, but I wasn't impressed. First of all, I made a reservation through OpenTable and some hours before we were due to arrive, I received an email stating my reservation for outside seating was cancelled by the restaurant. Now, that very well could've been a system glitch, but regardless of what the deal was, it was red flag #1 for me. I called just to make sure the restaurant wasn't closed or anything and I was ensured they still had me down. Second, as we walked up to the restaurant, I personally didn't even see how it would've been possible to comfortably enjoy a meal outside. The outside area was more so setup for lounge vibes, which could be used for restaurant vibes as well, but I wasn't sitting out there. We were seated inside and then told that the only drinks being served were fountain drinks and mocktails...they were "supposed" to receive their liquor license "that day" according to the hostess, but that clearly wasn't the case. That was SUPER confusing to me. I mean I know stuff happens, but why don't y'all have y'all's liquor license? What happened? Further more, the fountain drinks were severely overpriced... $7 for a coke??? As for the food, it was sort of suspect how quickly it came out. Food wasn't hot to my liking, but I proceeded to eat it. After a few bites, I discovered some of the lamb pieces to be a little cold. Additionally, my sister, who ordered the chicken dish, didn't believe her chicken was cooked all the way since there was a little blood. The service and the music were the best parts! Our server was great and I really enjoyed the music. Glad I can say I tried it, but I definitely won't be back.

    Ashley E.

    Moi Moi is a well decorated restaurant with a chill and welcoming vibe. A friend and I went on a Thursday evening with a 6:30pm reservation. Parking sucks, so prepare to walk. I walked from my hotel, so I didn't have to deal with that. I ordered the catfish fingers, the fried artichoke, and the fish with jollof. My favorite was the catfish fingers and the invigorating arugula salad it was served with. The fish and salad went so well together. The artichoke was also really good and perfectly fried. I thoroughly enjoyed (and finished) them both. The fish with jollof was good but not great. Overall, the dish was packed with flavor and was perfect in complexity of flavors. I only had a few issues with this dish, but none of those issues stopped me from enjoying it. First, I wish it had a non-starchy carb component, like maybe some sautéed greens or something. Although it had root vegetables, the dish was very heavy on the starches. Second, the fish was soaked in sauce, so you couldn't see that it had bones in it. I think I may have eaten a small bone or two when I first started eating it. This is a possible choking hazard--so they should tell folks. Third, the jollof rice wasn't my favorite. It was definitely not bad--just a little dry and wasn't near some of the top quality jollof rice I've had. My friend had the pasta dish and she said it was really good. Her only complaint was that there weren't enough noodles in the dish. So once she ate all of the noodles, there was a lot of sauce left. All in all, I would certainly return. I have to get the catfish and artichoke again. I think I would try the whole fried fish next time. Plus, the waitress, Kayla, was super accommodating and respectful of my dietary restrictions. I appreciate that!

    Wine List
    TaNeisha J.

    Brand new West African cuisine restaurant on the coveted K Street. Ambiance - sophisticated sleek with a live DJ rocking Afrobeats as you enjoy great conversation and food. Downside: they desperately need a hostess stand. When you enter, you're sort of waiting for someone to notice that you need to be greeted and seated. Not sure whose job it was to think about that very big detail, but the mark was missed. Food - yes, yes and yes! Chef did his thang! I tried a few things, but wasn't able to snap a pic of everything. Spice permeated through everything, and it was done so well. I would recommend their crab cakes (one of the best hands down), and their Porgy with Ghanaian yam...the yams though!? And the spice!? Epic. Please support this newly opened black-owned restaurant. You'll definitely have a great time. Visit on a Friday to enjoy Afro-Caribbean vibes while you indulge in the delicious food.

    Thieboudienne (Jollof Rice) with no meat (vegetarian)
    Stedmond P.

    Moi Moi was amazing! The service was top tier and the food was undeniably good. I will be back.

    Berbere Spiced Grilled Lamb Chops
    Maya B.

    Really enjoyed this place. Went for black restaurant week so I got a 3 course meal. Jerk chicken for the appetizer, lamb chops with Brussel sprouts and macaroni and cheese and bread pudding for dessert. I ordered the lamb chops medium but they came back well done. They were still delicious nonetheless. I will definitely return in the future

    Jollof Rice
    John M.

    The ambiance and the decor are very inviting. The staff is very inviting and supportive. They welcome you in and they treat you like family. The menu is extensive with traditional African flair with a American mix. I recommend the lamb and the Jollof rice, both are outstay and the lamb is cooked to order and is very moist and well seasoned. The max and cheese is another very delicious item on the menu, it is very creamy and good. They sometimes have live bands. They also are great for large gatherings. They have a full bar that offers some great selections and Moi Moi special drinks and then after hours they offer hookah and music, it is a spot I recommend and will be visiting again soon.

    Desiree F.

    While in DC the girls and I got together and went to this restaurant. When we arrived they said there was no indoor seating available in this very nice restaurant. Which by the way didn't seem to be the truth at all but we sat outside anyway. We were served by a very nice young man. I was starving so I ordered the chicken yassa. When it came out it looked delicious. I dug in and didn't particularly care for the taste. It tasted like a lot of mustard in the seasoning. I was hungry so I ate it anyway. I tried a couple of the girls dishes and the fish was good. The bill included a 20% gratuity. All in all I had an ok experience.

    Latia J.

    This restaurant has traditional African cuisine that meets Southern Soul food. I highly recommend this restaurant it's a total experience and "Chef" is amazing along with his staff. Beautiful ambience!

    Mac N Cheese
    Brooklyn C.

    Moi Moi was definitely a vibe! I was there from 5-9:30pm. I didn't know that they had a live band come in the evening so that made the night even better. The menu is limited on Sundays to brunch and a few items from the dinner menu. I had the lamb chops, Mac n cheese with Brussel sprouts and a side of jollof rice. The dish was good but It wasn't amazing. However, the service, the atmosphere and the hookah made up for that. I will return on another night to try the actual dinner menu but as for Sunday evenings, as long as Top 5(the band) performs, I will be there!

    Arugula Salad
    Mark O.

    I got a chance to go to Moi Moi with my old roommate from college. We good time. I was very critical about their cuisine because I am West African myself. The jerk chicken was the best part of the meal. I was pretty upset of the quality of Jellof fries they served. Although it was good it was nothing like what I am accustomed to and grew up eating. The arugula salad was pretty refreshing. I was a big fan of the drink they had on the menu. The drinks were pretty strong which set off a good tone for the rest of the evening. I personally believe some of the food is overpriced but I enjoyed the meal.

    Moi Moi. Salad perfectly dressed. Fish cakes delightful.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Moi Moi

    Where shall we park?

    Street parking

    Do they serve halal meat?

    Yes, few of the dishes are halal

    Do you have a patio or outdoor seating?

    They do not!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    First time trying this spot and the food was really good. The suya was tender and you could tell it…read morewas grilled, though I wish it had a bit more seasoning. I ordered the "Mother Land" cocktail--it was very strong but still sweet and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the service was a big letdown. Our server wasn't attentive, barely checked on us, and put our order in incorrectly. I ended up waiting a long time for my partner's food, and by the time it arrived, mine was cold. The space itself is super cute, I loved the afrobeats music and the overall vibe is great. While the food was good, I just wish the service had matched it for a better overall experience.

    Elmina - Shrimp & Grits

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    I've heard of Elmina prior to my visit several times and this nigjt was as good as any to visit…read more Never having Ghanaian food before, I knew I was in for a treat based off of those reviews. We were warmly greeted upon entry and were initially going to be shown to a table upstairs, but considering I am having severe knee issues, the staff was very flexible and coordinating a table for us, without hesitation. There are quite a few items to choose from, but considering this was our first time we decided to go with the tasting menu, which did not disappoint! We started with the hamachi first which was super fresh and the zaalouk dip - could've licked the plate it was so good! Without question, the second course was my standout. The nkatenkwan served with goat and fufu. Ive always know that would be a dish I would enjoy and boy, was I right! Fufu was so good, we ordered another one! Thinking about it now makes my mouth water! Now, even though the goat was my favorite, the braised lamb shoulder is nothing to shake a stick at. The lamb fell apart on the fork, it was so tender, and the crispy cassava with the pickled onions cave. It's such a beautiful flavor mashup. By the time we got to the third course, we were definitely feeling pretty full up, but we got the Bronzino, which was so incredibly delicious. It is served with three side sauces and the fried jam so very good. I'm also really enjoyed the pallet cleanser, which was a sorrow sorbet and the Malva pudding cake - just the right amount of sweet to him the night. Lastly, the service was absolutely phenomenal! I am a sucker for good service. An hour attendant was super attentive, gave us great suggestions and even offered us wine tasting before we settled on the bottle of our choice. TOP TIER SERVICE. Now, truth be told, with us ordering a bottle of wine and gratuity, our bill was just under $500 so I don't know if I can make this place a regular spot to visit, but I do plan on returning once (or twice) before the year ends.

    Elimina is a Ghanian restaurant that either has a Michelin star or is on the Michelin guide…read more We decided to try it out at first because it was one of the handful of restaurants we could use our chase open door credit for! I'm glad we came and tried it. Although I don't think it blew us away unfortunately. Overall the food was good and the flavor profile was different - a good different - it just missed that extra - subjective - umph in a Michelin recommended place. We tried their multi-course menu and also ordered a few things a la carte and our favorite dishes octopus skewers and the lamb. The courses that let us down were mainly two: the plantain in our opinion needed to be softer, it was between sweet and savory and maybe that is the point, but we didn't enjoy it that much. The crudo was bland and lacked flavor. I think for $500 (we ordered a lot and had leftovers!) we didn't leave feeling as WOW as we expected. Still happy to have tried it!

    Dōgon - Smoked collard greens and cornbread

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    Dogon gave my wife and me one of the best dining experiences we've ever had in our lives, and we've…read morebeen to a lot of restaurants. We came yesterday for our anniversary, and from start to finish, everything was exceptional. First, our waiter Rafael was superb. He truly made the entire experience feel top tier. Every recommendation he gave us -- from the dishes to the drinks -- was absolutely on point. His service, attention, and energy took an already amazing meal to another level. We've been to their sister restaurant, Tatiana, and really enjoyed it, but I have to say Dogon completely blew us away. The flavors, the spices, and the textures were all perfect. We had the charbroiled oysters, Benne's Bowl, Mom Dukes Shrimp, the coconut curry branzino, and finished with the rum cake. Every single dish was outstanding. The food tasted so rich, soulful, and layered -- it honestly felt like I was eating in a friend's Caribbean grandmother's home. A huge thank you to Kwame, Michael, and Rafael for making our anniversary dinner so special. We are not DMV locals, but we will absolutely be back this summer.

    Celebrated my birthday here earlier this year. The food, service, and music were all fantastic…read more Additionally there was a delay with our oxtail dish in the kitchen, after our greens dish had already been brought out and got cold because we wanted to enjoy the dishes together. I say this to say our server was very attentive and made sure to have the kitchen bring us out another hot greens dish at the same time as our oxtail dish, WITHOUT us asking. Top notch customer service and attention to detail. Definitely a great experience with the ambiance to match.

    Appioo African Bar & Grill - Egusi Pounded Yam and Malta

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    (This review is for a delivery order so does not include any detail on service / ambiance)…read more Delicious Ghanaian food in the heart of U Street! I've been wanting to try Ghanian food for the longest time, so when I saw Appioo on UberEats, I just knew I had to put in an order. I got their grilled red snapper with a side of fufu and banku (two traditional paste-like Ghanian dishes; fufu is a starchy dough made with cassava and plantains, while banku is a slightly sour fermented version made with cornmeal and cassava). The red snapper was perfectly grilled, with a delightful char on the outside and super crispy skin, but flaky, tender flesh. It was served with a light, refreshing tomato sauce, and shito / black pepper sauce. The shito was incredibly rich, with a great spicy, smoky, and umami flavor. The tender fish and flavorful sauces went wonderfully with the two sides, with the fufu serving as more of a blank canvas (and therefore a great way to let the natural flavors of the fish -- or the deep, smoky, spicy flavors of the shito -- shine). The banku was perfectly tangy and just the right amount of funky, and it was great with the fish on its own. Everything from Appioo was incredible! I can't wait to sample a few more of their dishes, hopefully from inside the actual restaurant.

    With classic Ghanian dishes included and the vibe friendly enough for a good conversation, this…read moreestablishment had many options for every dish on the menu such as vegan, beef, chicken, fish, goat, and oxtail, ranging from $22 to $25 as standard price points. The food here is very authentic and has been approved by many of my West African friends living in the DMV area. My friends and I decided to order one kind of each dish along with one kind of each side so we can try a bit of each. The okra soup was a bit too spicy for my taste, but it contained a lot of flavor, which could be neutralized a bit by the fufu that I ordered. The peanut butter soup was very creamy and flavorful. The jollof was a bit plain, but since the spinach stew was flavorful, it was all good. The wings seemed like an outlier amongst everything else we had ordered, and they were a bit dry, but with two types of dipping sauces, they worked out just fine. Even though there are so many West African restaurants within the DMV area, I find this establishment to be one of the most authentic ones. Since Ghanian food itself is already fire in general, one can't go wrong with coming here.

    Spice Kitchen West African Grill - Spice Wing Plate

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    UberEats review…read more Service: given the distance of the restaurant, the order took a bit long but it was packaged well so nothing spilled and the food was still still fresh and warm. Dish: I ordered the spice wings with a side of jollof rice and spinach Efo-Riro. OMG! So let's start with the wings, the flavor on these wings were the right balance between rich spices and touch of sweetness. There was a hint of honey lingering on my tongue after it was greeted by a strong spicy flavor. Adding to this, the wings were fried to perfection with crispy skin resting on the top and smooth white meat down to the bone. AMAZING! The jollof rice was stellar! And while I do not know much about the perfect preparation for this dish to review if this is the best, I've had a few from various West African countries and can say that this one had that grainy texture with just the right spices mixed in. The spinach efo-riro was SO good. I honestly could have had a plate of this by itself and my taste buds would still be pleased. Overall, this place is very generous with their serving sizes. Well portioned, beautifully prepared, seasoned to perfection, and a sure trip down culture lane! I enjoyed it so much.

    I tried the salmon with jollof rice and spinach. I'd always wanted to try it, but I'm not sure I…read moreliked it. The spinach tasted frozen, and the seasoning was way too overpowering. I probably wouldn't go back. Customer service was good. when I called the woman that answered was very nice and attentive to my questions .

    Keren Restaurant

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    I recently went back to Keren for the first time for a weeknight dinner since the fire there a…read morecouple years ago and was pleased to find that the experience, the affordable prices, and food were as good as I remembered. I got the chicken tibs and ended up also getting the veggie combo, both of which were perfectly prepared, extremely flavorful, and a fantastic portion size. I look forward to my next visit! From October 2022: I have been to Keren several times for dine-in and takeout and the food is always outstanding. I ordered ful with a side-order of injera to-go, and the ful was creamy and appropriately salted. Keren's use of tomatoes, jalapenos, and herbs complemented the dish and the accompanying baguettes well and provided freshness. I have ordered the veggie combo and meat dishes on several previous visits and always enjoyed them. Because Keren's food is so good and the physical space is small, Keren is always crowded and you should prepare to wait 15-20 minutes for a table and 20-30 minute waits for your food once you order. Nonetheless, the wait is worth it. I order from Keren regularly and look forward to my next visit!

    A friend and I made Keren Restaurant our first stop when we arrived in DC this weekend. I was…read morereally hungry and thrilled to finally be checking out this Eritrean restaurant that has been open in DC since 1987. 1987, y'all. That's almost 40 years, and that says a lot. The restaurant is casual and comfortable, with big front windows that keep the small but long restaurant light and bright. And the service was friendly throughout. But the food is why we were there. We each started with a cappuccino, which was great after our drive and with our brunch meal. And then - shockingly - we both ordered the same thing: Ful with eggs. Ful is a dish popular across parts of the Middle East and North Africa made from stewed fava beans. It's often eaten for breakfast. When I had Ful for the first time many years ago, I fell in love. And whenever I see it on a menu, I'm done with research and options - that's it, that's where I'm going, that's what I'm ordering. Keren's Ful is topped with fresh tomatoes, raw onion, raw jalapeno, creamy yogurt, and olive oil, and then you can choose to top the dish with eggs, tuna, or sardines, or served alongside a salad. The beans (made with Berbere spice) are the obvious star of the dish, and Keren's version of one of my favorite breakfasts was delicious, warm, comforting, filling... I loved it. It's a big bowl (and served with some great French rolls), so we weren't able to finish every last bite, which made me a little sad, because it was delicious. They have a full menu for breakfast (which they serve all day, every day) and then a full menu of other items (including combo platters). I loved my Ful, and I'd go back for that alone. But I'd also love to return to try more of their menu. Maybe with more than one friend next time so we can share and enjoy more of their Eritrean food and hospitality.

    Lydia On H - "Mbuzi" goat stew, jollof rice, sauteed kale

    Lydia On H

    (144 reviews)

    $$

    THIRD TIMES THE CHARM!…read more This is my second time dining at Lydia's on H (third visit). My first time was Valentine's Day, and the restaurant, while calm, was chaotic, AKA the full menu was not available. The second attempt to dine there, the staff member (whose name I forgot, please charge it to my head and not my heart!) informed us before we sat down that the evening service was a limited menu. To entice us to return and ensure consistent customer-centric service, the bar manager invited us to return on the first night and asked the staff to inform us when we arrived. Sure enough, the next day, when we arrived, there was a note for the staff informing them that they should be expecting us. The vibe in Lydia's is always chill! The music is always good and at a volume where you and others can still enjoy each other's company with conversation if desired. Overall, the food, service, and ambiance at this establishment should be the standard for many others. Well done, Lydia's. We are excited to come back and try the steak-and-cheese egg rolls next time.

    Food looks better than it tastes...just hear me out!…read more We decided to close out Black History Month by supporting a Black-owned establishment, very intentional, very on brand for us. It was also my first time trying Malawian cuisine, so I was genuinely excited to experience something different. I went with a group of friends after an event, which worked out perfectly because we were able to taste a little bit of everything. I ordered the Brussels sprouts as my starter; they were good, nicely seasoned. My only issue? Timing. They didn't come out first. Everyone else had their food, and my "starter" came right before my entrée, which kind of defeated the purpose. For my main, I had the shrimp and salmon rasta pasta. It was good...creamy, flavorful, but definitely spicy. Not unbearable, just be prepared if heat isn't your thing. My mocktail was refreshing and good too... just small. A couple real sips and it was gone. Overall, the service was good. They were accommodating and made sure our group was seated comfortably, even moving tables around so we had a better setup. I appreciated that. The ambiance was very Black eclectic: cool R&B vibes, nice energy, a solid spot to gather and vibe. Checl out my pics! I'll be rating each dish I tried on a 10 point scale. Would I return? Probably not. It wasn't bad; it just didn't wow me. And in the DMV, there are way too many other spots on my list to try.

    Moi Moi - african - Updated May 2026

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