I am still eating. This food is amazing. The grilled salmon, lamb shoulder, sautéed vegetables, seasoned rice and mango/pineapple juice is exceptional! I am dancing in my seat! What is in these red onions!!!!!!! YUMMY! read more

The food at Nailah's is delightfully simple and straightforward -- perfectly grilled meats served with soft rice or sweet plantains. I loved the grilled chicken and lamb -- juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. The tilapia was a bit underwhelming, mainly because the fish itself has a bit of a muddy aftertaste. Pair it with a sweet and tangy Bissap -- a vibrant sorrel and pineapple juice -- and the whole meal easily scores an 8.5/10. I also really liked the cozy wooden hut vibe of Nailah's Kitchen. The restaurant is spacious, with plenty of tables and chairs, and the red, green, and yellow lights make the whole place feel just as colorful as the dishes they serve. Service was okay, but it's definitely a spot worth visiting for the food. read more

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This is the best dibi lamb I've had! My first introduction to dibi lamb was at a Malian restaurant in West Philadelphia in the early 2000s. Since that time, I rotate between poisson and dibi whenever I get Senegalese food. West African restaurants are a dime a dozen in Philadelphia, but a lot of the food is just ok, with many of my favorite restaurants changing hands over the years and after COVID most of the food is meh at best. I recently had dibi at the gold standard for Senegalese food in Philadelphia and was disappointed. Fortunately, I have been able to order poisson and dibi from a Malian woman near me and I can make a passable version in a pinch. Two weeks ago, a friend posted on FB that this was the best meal she had ever had. As this was someone I know to have a breadth of experience with food, I was intrigued by the recommendation. So, while attending a conference in the area, I decided to give it a try. Unlike the Senegalese restaurant I recently visited in Chicago, this place was nice - the furnishings, decorations, and even the restroom was modern but authentic. The customer service was also refreshing. As soon as he set the plate down I knew it was going to be spectacular. There was a glorious aroma wafting from the lamb (which I'd ordered spicy), the plantains weren't glistening with oil, and the yassa condiment was a unexpected treat. The lamb was tender, seasoned to perfection and honestly I was so enamored with the food that I texted my friend to concur with her assessment. I was stuffed but didn't want the meal to end and I didn't want to leave. When I finished, I went to wash my hands and when I returned to the table I was disappointed that I had eaten it all. It was truly an outstanding meal with remarkable service. I wish them longevity and success because I intend to return with my family so they too can experience the deliciousness. read more

Nailah's kitchen - DIBI LAMB (Grilled Lamb Shoulder) - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We went there last night for my birthday dinner! The food was oh so delicious! Senegalese food is flavorful! I couldn't decide between two dishes and the chef made me a surprise entree with both shrimp and poulet. It tasted amazing! My friends were all stuffed and everyone had leftovers to take home. The decor is simple but stylish. One thing to note - alcohol is not allowed on the premises as it's against their religion. We weren't planning to drink but people brought me bottles of wine as gift which I didn't take from the bags out of respect. read more

My gf was really craving African food on our way home from NYC so we stopped here for dinner. It was good eating on my part! I ordered the Dibi lamb with the red jollof and plantains. They served two sauces with it and they were both delicious. The lamb was grilled well and tasted great. The jollof was good but I was expecting broken rice since it's a Senegalese restaurant. I'm a fan of Liberian jollof so it didn't have as much of a jollof flavor as I typically have at home. The plantains were delicious and not too oily or over fried. The service was good. I believe the man working there was the owner and he was kind and helpful with the menu and what was available that night as they had sold out of a couple of things. The food didn't take too long to come out which was nice. The ambiance is open and casual. There's Senegalese art on the walls and it's very much painted like Senegal inside. It was a nice touch compared to other African restaurants we've been to. If you like African food or haven't tried it yet, I recommend coming here. It was good and had a lot of food on the plate. read more

Nailah's kitchen - DIBI LAMB (Grilled Lamb Shoulder) - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Honestly not bad, definitely authentic. I'm West African and I've eaten tons of Senegalese food throughout NYC. I'll say although authentic not my favorite spot in Maryland. It might be what I ordered though. It seems the lamb is the better option here. The fish I ordered wasn't juicy and packed with flavor as I like it to have. I ordered the whole snapper. The plantains were pretty good, but same not my favorite. Food: Fried whole red snapper fish (Yassa fish) 6/10 Dibi lamb 9/10 Plantains 7/10 Ginger beer 10/10 Service I will say the service and ambiance was great!!! There aren't a ton of quality West African spots in regard to ambiance so this place passed the vibe check. Parking There's a very very small parking lot behind the building. It fits like 4-5 cars. There's tons of street parking, but you might have to walk a bit. It wasn't super busy on a Sunday night. I'll go back and try the food again. Next time I'll order the lamb. read more

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I was blown away by how amazing Nailah's was when I went last week. Let's first start with walking in and the atmosphere. Nailah's was extremely clean and the staff is amazing. This has to be one of the cleanest restaurants that I have ever been to. The staff were beyond friendly and helpful with the menu. The atmosphere was very calm/chill. It did start to get busy around 9pm on a weeknight which I believe meant they stayed open later than most restaurants in the area. The gentleman who sat us whom I believe was the owner was extremely friendly and helpful with us navigating the menu. We ended up ordering the Dibi Chicken with the seasoned rice and the Dibi lamb and plantain. We were advised to have the spice on the side because it was very very spicy haha. The food though was so flavorful and great portions. We also ordered the Bissap drink which was yummy. I don't believe they serve alcohol or allow it just an FYI. We did take half of our meal homes and honestly it was even better than it was the first day. I can't wait to go back and am craving jt again already. I would love to have them cater an event for sometime in the future! Don't sleep on this gem ! read more

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Came here after a conference (searching for African food for about an hour). I got the roasted lamb, brown jollof and plantain w/ a pineapple x ginger juice to wash it down. The food was amazing and the drink was sooo refreshing. Didn't sit in the restaurant but the atmosphere was nice. The decor was giving minimalist w/ West African highlights... would 100% come back here read more

Nailah's has never been a miss for me. Authentic SeneGambian food, that is seasoned to perfection, hot pepper(optional), and onion sauce that you can put on everything! We had to call a few times, and leave a message on Yelp to make sure the dining room was open. Once we confirmed that both the dining room and carry-out were open, we headed straight there. The owners and staff are very welcoming and friendly. The restaurant is very clean, and pleasantly decorated. The food is excellent! I would only increase the meat portion on one or two of their chicken dishes for the cost. I almost always get the mechoui (lamb shank), seasoned rice, plantain, and a bottle of bissap. The food is delicious, beautifully presented, and always worth the trip! read more

Nailah's kitchen - Mechoui wt pepper, seasoned rice and onion sauce. Delicious!!! - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Finally got a chance to check out this restaurant. The ambiance is nice and comfortable. The food was seasoned well and very tasty but the chicken was sooo dry. I will not order it again. I will be back for the salmon. The prices are too high and you only get a meat and one side dish. For the high price, they should be able to provide some vegetables or other side dish. I will be back to explore the menu. read more

Incredible and unique fancy restaurant with food done well, currently masquerading as a takeout place. Senegalese food is well spiced. I asked for mild which worked out well. I'd also suggest going in expecting to eat with your hands. Sure there are forks and knives, but they were not made for food like this. The lamb was incredible. Fatty, flavorful and filling. One order could have fed two people. Plantains had crispy edges. Two sauces came with the meal and I'm not sure what they are, they did provide flavor explosions with a bit of heat. Best when the dining room is open. Schwarma sandwiches might be a good to go option. Don't forget the Senegalese juices. I got the ginger pineapple in a bottle which had lots of fresh ginger. read more

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We got the Salmon platter and Chicken Shawarma's and it was absolutely delicious! The side salad we ordered with the platter had a little spice to it my husband couldn't handle but it wasn't that spicy to me. Just a little kick. Everything was perfectly seasoned. We ordered carry out and my husband said the person who helped him was friendly and patient and answered all his questions about the menu. The restaurant is really nice and the packaging was excellent. Can't wait to go back! read more

This is me, my daughter and my husband's favourite spot to eat African food. This is the best food (West African) in Maryland. They have treated us so kindly I don't understand why they don't have more people when we eat but their restaurant looks beautiful. I love this place and I always tell people about it. I hope that they are able to Stay open and open a place closer to us. Oh, and this place is so clean. read more

Nailah's kitchen - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Nailah's Kitchen is a hidden gem! The food is absolutely delicious, full of bold flavors, and always fresh. The cozy vibe and friendly staff make it feel like a home away from home. I can't wait to go back! Follow my IG account for Curated Google Maps list for brunch, happy hours, rooftops, parks, wineries & more in the DMV area: @yourdmvbestie read more

The dibi lamb is soooo good. Always fresh and hot with the veggies. This spot is has great ambiance and great customer service. read more

food is great. But every time I come here they are never open. Open sign is lit up and there's people inside, but the doors are locked and they don't answer the phone. read more

The fish was yummy and I wished I had tried their drinks with ginger in it. That's right up my alley. I missed that. This place had glowing reviews but when I went there, they were short staffed and one guy was doing it all. He was clearly working hard. For me, it looked like it was still trying to recover from covid, short staffed, plastic small water bottles, plastic cups, empty bar, etc. The food was presented beautifully. I ordered the lamb and it was seasoned nicely, good portions, but a little dry for me. The plantains were not super ripe nor green. The fish ordered by my friend was delicious. I wish I had ordered that. Added in response to the owner: I'm sorry I DID NOT say anything to do with race. This is quite untrue. Perhaps you misheard. I love African food, culture and people. I love diversity actually as I am Mixed myself. I was specifically looking for an African owned place or as close to authentic African, I could find. I told you my guest was from Africa and I wanted to take her some place special. I am not from Baltimore, so I did not know the area. I do have an obligation to myself and readers to be honest. If I rated this higher, it would discredit my own reviews of very nice places I have rated 4 or 5 stars to because of my own personal experiences and standards. I did say I was bougie to try and be kind as I saw you were working very hard and place blame on myself. By some standards I am, because my health depends on it. For example, I can not drink hot water out of plastic. No one should. The chemicals from the plastic leaches into the water and it becomes micro plastic which our bodies can not digest or expel easily. It becomes an endocrine system blockers and can be problematic for some people. I described myself that way to be kind and take onus that I do have my own set of particularities. The bill for two people was around $65 and for that price, I expected my meal to not be dry but I understood, it was a rough day and lamb is an expensive cut of meat. I still left a tip. Also, for someone else, it's perfectly cooked. I like lamb medium not well done. I have no idea why you brought race into this. I was literally coming from a black owned large event with a friend who is black. I would have still gone back to this place for the fish and to try again but your response makes it very hard to do that. I do love African food. I think many people would enjoy this. I simply like lamb not well done (on the rare occasions I eat it). (I did remove the section about the food next door because I thought that should be a separate review from this post.) read more

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OMGGGGG!! I have had some pretty amazing food from all cultures, but Senegalese cuisine very well may be one of my favorites! I am so upset with myself for passing this restaurant on multiple occasions without stepping in to give them a taste. Silly me! The food at Nailah's Kitchen was very, very good! The portions were unbelievable for the price of their dishes! I couldn't even wait to get home to dig in, I basically devoured my grilled salmon in the car! The flavors and spices were perfect! Wonderful combinations of sweet, spicy and savory married together skillfully! My husband's lamb was equally tasty and this is coming from a woman who isn't the biggest fan of lamb dishes. Their bottled juices were also quite tasty. The sorrel was different than what I normally order from Caribbean restaurants, but it was a welcomed difference. I will be retuning very soon to try other items on their menu! read more

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My family had a good time here. Very neat seating areas and yummy food. Yassa chicken 8/10 for me!! The staff are sweet and helpful read more

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Delicious. Having lived abroad with extensive travel across the African continent, I have a love for African cuisine. I had been wanting to try this place for a while when we stopped on Saturday after 2pm. The restaurant only had 2 other patrons but the take out section was busy. We ordered the Mechoui (Lamb flank) and the Poisson Braise (Whole Talipia) with Jollof rice and broccoli. Each meal came with a small bottled water. Both dishes were amazing. The combination of bold flavors and spices were perfect. Our waitress was Nailah and she was great offering descriptions entrees and giving feedback on various dishes. We also enjoyed the ginger and pineapple drink. I would definitely go back. For two meals and drink a drink the total was $77.43 including a 15% kitchen service charge thats apparently isnt a tip. Thats the only con I have.....these mandatory service fees are a bit ridiculous. Nevertheless, we left a tip and had food leftover. read more

I've not yet had the pleasure of actually eating at this establishment. There's the nicely decorated sit down restaurant portion and a basic, yet very clean, carryout order space to the back of the building, seemingly accessible to patrons only from the outside (meaning I don't think there's a service door for customers between these two spaces). I've ordered a lamb shawarma wrap two times now from the carryout area of Nailah's, the latest visit 2/12. I was happily greeted by a man at the register, as with my last visit. Placing and paying for my order was a quick, painless process, after which I sat in one of the available waiting chairs. The food was ready to go within 10 minutes and I took it with me. As far as my shawarma wrap...well, I'm glad I don't live close to Nailah's because that wrap is addictive! The lamb is always tender and well seasoned, the vegetables used are fresh, and the French fries in there add a special something I have yet to put my finger on, but know I love. I inhaled that wrap in no time, already thinking about the next one I'll have when I'm in the area. There will MOST DEFINITELY be a next time! read more

Nailah's kitchen - Lamb shawarma wrap - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Be prepared for an unusual meal. This is not just an average night out. This is transportation to another land. I had the lamb she had the guinea fowl. read more

Nailah's kitchen - Dibi Lamb - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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The advertise wild caught salmon ( I even called to verify) but got farm raised. Just saying.....don't bait and switch. Otherwise food was delicious. read more

Oh. my goodness. How have I gone so long not knowing we had a Senegalese spot as delicious as Nailahs?!?! Seriously yelpers, you need to check this spot out. They currently offer takeout and delivery as part of their COVID precautions, but they have a large indoor eating space as well. Their website is currently down but you can look at their menu through Yelp or Postmates. Parking for the restaurant is available on the side of the building in the alley as well as on the street. They have two doors so make sure you go to the far left one when facing the restaurant. Their menu is pretty vast with plenty of lunch and dinner options as well as your classic Senegalese drinks and desserts. I ordered ahead (highly recommend) and got the Bissap drink, thiakry dessert, lamb wrap, Poisson with casava and nems which are like egg rolls. Because it's a whole fish it was ready in 25-30 min, which is why I highly recommend you order ahead. Pickup was a breeze as there was only one person waiting for their food and they have a nice open space to pickup your food. There's a case right by the register where you can choose your drinks and desserts along with descriptions of each. The food itself smelled amazing and if I hadn't been sharing with a friend, would have ate in my car. The spices are perfection and the heat levels were just enough to get your nose running but not burn your mouth (y'all know what I mean). Everything and I mean EVERYTHING was amazing. My friend and I ate this food so fast we were left wishing we had ordered more. All of the dishes came with sauces and best believe we saved those sauces for later use. I honestly can't rave about this spot enough. Yelpers should run, not walk to get some of Nailahs cuisine. You won't regret it. read more

Nailah's kitchen - Poisson Braise - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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My friend had been raving about this place so I was very excited to try it and now that I have a understand why! The fish fatayas we got were delicious and well seasoned. My friend got the Dibi Lamb and I got the Poulet Braise and they were both seasoned thoroughly. The lamb was much better in my opinion it was very tender but the chicken was not bad, it could have been juicier but the flavor was good. It is a very casual spot good for a quick dinner. The service wasnt the best but it looked like they may have been understaffed that day. Regardless I would 100% recommend. Excited to go back to try more! read more

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The food is excellent, traditional Senegalese cuisine. My favorites are the thieboudienne, grilled salmon, and brown rice. The staff is always kind, and the wait time is never long. The ambiance is always great. read more

I love this place The food was great and good ambiance I recommend this place The service was excellent . read more

A flavor explosion is probably the best way to describe Nailah's. This quiet gem is elegantly appointed and staffed by some of the friendliest waiters you'll encounter. The knowledge staff will patiently guide newbies through the myriad of tasty options. Heat profiles can be modified to suit any taste though their spicy fare is more spicy flavorful than claw out your taste buds spicy. This spot is definitely one of my favorite in the city. read more

This is one of my favorite places to eat. The food is very tasty with large portions. I usually get the Dibi Lamb but have also had the Poulet Braise and Lamb Peanut Butter Stew which are equally as good. Don't get the stew if you're not into curry type of textures for your food :-) I can't really describe the flavors if you've never had West African Food, but I guess you could say it's more like dry rub seasoning? (My whole family is from the West Indies y'all and my man is Ghanaian. So I've been eating this type of food all my life and it's hard to put into words :-/ ) They also have Sorrel (Bissap) which is hibiscus and ginger juice...a huge plus because that is a personal favorite of mine from back home Overall though, I highly recommend giving this place a try if you haven't already read more

Nailah's kitchen - Dibi Lamb - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Amazing ambience, large portions, and most importantly - immaculate quality and flavor. The lamb maffe was our group's favorite, however we also tried the chicken with jolof rice and lamb shank dishes which were also great. We also had their ginger pineapple drinks which were so fresh and felt like a complete detox. 10/10, a must try if you're in the area! read more

Nailah's kitchen - Lamb Maffe - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

SO GOOD. Fish was so crispy and fresh on the inside. Lamb was so rich and creamy. Portions are large read more

Nailah's kitchen - Lamb Maffe - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I love love love this place. I always go down there and always get the dibi lamb. Portion size is amazing. Th service is wonderful! Never a wait time the aesthetic is calm. Just a wonderful experience. read more

Nailah's kitchen - The menu - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Love the food and the service. It was my first time in a Senegalese restaurant and I was not disappointed! I don't have anything to compare it to but would definitely return. read more

Amazingly tasty food. Found this gem while traveling through the area for a sporting event. Super tasty, big portions.

I have been coming to this restaurant for year even when they were located at their previous location . Over the year the quality and taste of their have been A one . I highly recommend them some of the best Senegalese food I have ever had . My top 2 are the salmon & lamb platter . You really can't go wrong with either of them . Amazing rice and vegetable medley accompanied with platter . I want to try the rest of the menu but I never get to it . You will not be disappointed. Pack with flavor . Due to covid Indoor dinning is cl read more

Nailah's kitchen - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I had the pleasure of dining at Nailah's Kitchen for the first time recently. We were the first one's there, which is why the inside looks empty...but it wasn't empty for long. The food was fantastic and the service was just as good. Mohamed took great care to make sure we understood and ultimately appreciated the nuances of the menu. We tried 3 different dishes and from the first bites, couldn't wait to come back for a second time. read more

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First time trying to food, it's very tasty! They were really sweet and opened up the restaurant for us on a slow night. Will definitely be back but might choose takeout. Have recommended it to other folks! read more

Had lots of expectations after this place was recommended by a colleague. However the pintade braise (fowl) was over fried and super dry; the mechoui (lamb shank) was also dry and looked like someone had nibbled on it. The fatayas (kind of like an empanada) was nice but they overcharged me from the menu price. And finally, when the guy brings the credit card machine to charge my card, there's no check or itemization. Just a number and an option to add a tip. Figuring the amount was high, I check the machine for details of the order. That's when I realized that they had over charged me for the fatayas and already included a 15% service charge for two people. For a $$$ place there's zero ambience and the food just sucks. Go check out Chaps grilled chicken instead - that's just awesome and while you are there also get the famous pit beef sandwich. read more

Went to Baltimore for an overnight trip and came across this place. Was super pleased with the service and food. The Poisson Braise was crispy and flavorful, and the Dibi lamb was juicy and perfectly seasoned. We ordered a Mangue juice which was very sweet but great paired with the savory dishes. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone that's in the Baltimore area!! read more

Nailah's kitchen - Poisson Braise with plantains and Dibi Lamb with fries, delicious!! - Senegalese Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Food was wonderfully tasty and nicely seasoned (a little spicy for some on our group) and the staff were pleasant and helpful