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    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8 (514 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Nando's Peri-Peri Takeout or Delivery

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    NANDO'S PERI-PERI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Tiny chicken
    Nima B.

    These are photos from two different visits. I thought maybe it was a mistake but they barely put any chicken on your sandwich. A sandwich, drink and fries is almost $20. I should bring a scale and weigh the chicken. Better to walk over to chikfila if you want to be full.

    LEMONADE: honey lavender + blood orange mango
    Toya D.

    When life gives you lemons...drink NANDO'S lemonade! honey lavender + blood orange mango Stopped in recently after shopping (and dropping) at the nearby TJMaxx. It was a beautiful day and a perfect time to enjoy some refreshing flavored lemonade. Ahh! __ I thrift. @DCthriftish I eat. @f.hux

    Scott H.

    The food was excellent. My friend and I had the 24 piece wings with fries. I always like the nando's pea mash. The dining room was clean and well kept. But the service was abysmal. The guy taking the orders, curly hair, was either stoned or heavily medicated. He had absolutely no personality, and he stumbled over the simplest parts of taking an order. When he spoke it was as if he were on thorazine. The guy roaming the restaurant handing out food, young guy, dark hair, was worse. He wandered expressionless around the restaurant. He refused to make eye contact with any customer and he never said a single word that wasn't dragged out of him. When he dropped off the food he essentially literally dropped the plates on the table and walked away. It looked like he hated his job. The kitchen staff were turning and burning impressively. The manager was working hard. But the two most customer facing employees should have been kept hidden in a back room somewhere.

    Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl
    Jacky C.

    Came here for lunch. There is table service, but the server will tell you to scan a QR code and place your order and pay all on the site. They would then bring the food out to you. I ordered the Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl ($15). I was very surprised how balanced this meal is with the right amount of protein, carbs, and veggies. And yes, this tasted fantastic. I would order this again.

    Pero PERi Mac Stack w Brussel Brussels Sprouts
    David S.

    Food: the food is always excellent, this peri mac stack sandwich is bomb. It's a mix of mac and cheese, slaw and shredded chicken in a Portuguese roll. The sprouts are mad good and the kids grilled chz and fries are nop notch. Service. And this is why I only gave 3 stars. The employees of nando's are young I get it but you guys gotta become more friendly and want to actually serve and help the customers. I asked for silverware and a To-go box today and I could just tell how annoyed the runner and employee behind the counter were. Your job is to serve the customer, so do it and be happy to do it and do so with a smile on your face. Same with the host/hostess, when you greet the customer have a smile on your face. Ambiance: the ambiance is great, very cool chill relaxing atmosphere, love the stories written on the walls. My daughter loves nando's because of the music and just pure charm. Nando's is a great chain, I just wish the attitude of the staff could improve a bit.

    inside
    Joanna Z.

    Great choice for a place to grab lunch or dinner. I stopped by to place an order for takeout and it took about 10-15 minutes since they cook the chicken on the grill to order. Inside was spacious and had plenty of seating. I had the 1/2 chicken along with fries and brussel sprouts. They had this special mayo based sauce on the brussel sprouts that was so delicious. You can also get the other peri sauces to go in little plastic containers and they had plenty of choices from lemon garlic to hot sauce. It's located in a nice plaza area with other restaurants/cafes and is a nice place to hang out. Would recommend!

    Tank G.

    I came here for lunch. You will find this place in a trendy outdoor food court. There is metered street parking, a metered parking lot and a commercial garage within a reasonable walking distance. They have a decent sized dining area, an out door seating area on the sidewalk out front and a large patio area on the other side of the sidewalk to sit and eat. The inside is very hip and trendy. They do not offer table service. You are seated and place an order using a QR code. After you place your order, they will bring your food to your table though. If you do not have a phone or is not tech savvy, they do have paper menus available and will assist you in ordering. The staff there was friendly enough. I only had limited interaction with them though. The restaurant is part of a small chain and they serve delicious Peruvian food. I ordered the mango & lime chicken wings, with Peri chips (aka Fries), Peri honey sweet potatoes and a naughty natas for desert. The restaurant is none for its sauces, which you will find in a self serve station by the drink area. The sauces include: lemon herb, garlic, medium, hot, XX hot, and orginal. It took about 12 minutes for them to bring me out my food. It was fresh and hot. It was something different for me, but was delicious. The wings were good. I got some of the medium sauce to dip it in. The sweet potatoes were awesome. They were very unique and flavorful. I highly recommend them. The fries were very good, well seasoned. I topped my meal off with the naughty natas. It was a savory pastry and put an exclamation point on my meal. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here. It is a hip place with a cool vibe. The food was very tasty and I highly recommend checking this place out.

    PERi PERi Chicken Bowl
    Emi M.

    I loved Nando's when I tried them in Chicago a few years ago- and I found it near where we were staying in crystal city so we went there. I cannot remember what I tried before, but I was sure I would enjoy anything with rice and chicken. We chose to just seat ourselves and order online from our table (which I think is great and convenient). We ordered and entered our table number accurately, but it seemed servers were confused between ours and people sitting next to us. They delivered their food to us, and my bf got a drink cup when he had ordered sangria. They were not friendly either. The other location was so much better. I liked the peach rooibos tea. I wish it was unsweetened, because it's always easy to add sugar. But there's no removing sugar from sweetened tea. I had a bowl which had many toppings like hummus, and corn. It was delicious. My bf ordered one chicken breast with a small side of rice, and it was $14 - I think that particular one is overpriced. Not a good value. I would not recommend it. However, Portion of my bowl was reasonable. Nando's is still my favorite but this location in particular was sub par, unfortunately.

    Two 1/4 Lemon & Herb Chicken Legs with 2 Sides, Corn on the Cob and Mixed Leaf Salad, Pineapple Lemonade 16oz
    Emil C.

    This location is located fairly close to the Pentagon City Station which makes it very convenient. From the station, I just walked through the Fashion Centre shopping mall to reach the restaurant. My friend turned me onto this delicious South African chicken when I was over in London last year. They're known for their PERi-PERi pepper aka African Bird's Eye Chili. After I was seated, I used my phone to scan their QR code and ordered two 1/4 lemon & herb chicken legs with 2 sides. For my sides, I got the corn on the cob and mixed leaf salad. For my drink I got a 16oz pineapple lemonade. They have an open kitchen, so you can actually tell when your food is about ready. Once you're done, you can leave your plates and cutlery at your table as someone will come and bus the table.

    Half chicken with peas and garlic bread
    Jennifer D.

    My dinner here was fantastic. I ordered the half chicken with two sides which was about $18. For my sides I choose the garlic bread and the spiced peas. I was really impressed on the amount of food and how delicious everything was. The peas had a wonderful mint spice blend on them and the chicken was perfectly juicy. They have a sauce station where you can get cups of their different flavors of their peri peri sauce. I had plenty to take home for leftovers. I noticed that they do family meals here as well so it would be a great place to grab to go dinner for a family. The medium spice on the chicken was perfect for me but if you are not a fan on heat they have plain or other sauces that are not spicy for you.

    Malcolm H.

    Came in for dinner with a group of co-workers. the restaurant was decently busy during their dinner rush. We were not greeted by and hostess, but they do have a pretty unique self seating model, where you can go to any open table sit down and order from a QR code sitting on the table. I really enjoyed that because sometimes you really aren't in the mood to interact with staff and you would rather just order food and keep it pushing with your group. One thing I didn't t appreciate is we had a somewhat larger group and hand to split between two different booths that they had to offer. Which isn't a problem, but what was is the fact the booths were a large wrap around style booth chair, but the table itself was pretty tiny. Small to the point where two people will be able to use the table comfortably, anything past two people using the table with multiple food plates and drinks it can get crowded pretty easily. I was pretty excited for the food as the menu was filled with all types of colorful and unique items, but i was quickly let down when everything came out. There was nothing wrong with the preparation of the food, everything was cooked properly and came out hot, but there was just nothing that really left a lasting impression to me as far as taste. Pretty boring in my opinion. And the Mac and cheese that they were pushing so hard in a lot of their menu items really reminded me of getting Mac in cheese from your grocery store food bar and heating it up. And it was more a macaroni salad kind of Mac not a classic Mac and cheese. I did really enjoy my Brussels sprouts and rice that i had ordered as a side dish. They was a bad experience, but this is for not the place for everyone. if say you have kids or are just young adult this might be a hit for you. Every one else leave a compliment and tell me what you think.

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    Hi Ron E., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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    Hi Chantel P., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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    We're loving this energy! We can't wait to see you again soon.

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    Thanks for the rating! See you again soon : )

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    Lowk fire ngl would go again if I was not leaving in a day. That one Hispanic employee is very apologetic

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    Hi Mary, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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    Hi Heather, Thanks for the review! See you again soon! :)

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    Page 1 of 13

    Nando's Peri-Peri Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nando's Peri-Peri

    Is the chicken halal?

    Hi Bismah, Thanks for reaching out to our team! At this time we do not serve Halal meat in the US,… 

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    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC

    Swahili Village - The Consulate DC

    4.3
    (404 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    Finally got an opportunity to dine here. Ive had the food catered before and this time I was able…read moreto try in house. The establishment itself is quite dated. The awning outside needs refurbishment and inside furniture is not updated. It's dark inside, almost like a night club. Perhaps it is sometimes. I did not like the decor, it was a little run down and honestly did not match up to the prices. The service was also disappointing. I felt that staff lacked a bit of professionalism and they rarely checked on us. The plates are huge. That is a plus. My partner ordered the goat and I tried the red snapper. I think one plate is big enough to share. I like the spinach, but everything needed a bit of salt. While the red snapper was coated in a lovely tomato and red pepper gravy, I felt it made the crispyness of the fried fish disappear and it was kind of soggy. Maybe you can ask for the gravy on the side. The food is not bad, but given the physical establishment and the service I wouldn't return.

    The sheer ambiance and service of this restaurant pushed this from a 3 to a 4 star. This is…read moredefinitely, more on the fine-dining end- which I was not aware of. Our waiter was so charismatic, helpful, and kind. He even turned up the music in our corner of the restaurant upon request! The food was generally good, just a bit on the drier end. Even the stew wasn't really soupy. So if you were trying to mix some rice with some stew, you basically got cake on your plate. Regardless, everything was seasoned to absolute perfection. Also, don't know if this matters but it may matter to some- though this is an East African Restaurant, the menu is slightly more Kenyan than Ugandan. Something to keep in your expectations when visiting!

    Photos
    Decor in dining room
    Decor in dining room
    Grilled Goat -Mbuzi Kaanga // Spinach + Jollof Rice
    Grilled Goat -Mbuzi Kaanga // Spinach + Jollof Rice
    Lamb Chops w Jollof Rice and Spinach

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    Nando's Peri-Peri

    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8
    (973 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Their story is full of the love they have for the food and the service they being to this…read morecustomers. We had the two quarter leg combo with rice and mashed potatoes. The chicken was amazing! Full of flavor already and you can select from additional dipping sauces like garlic, lemon, spicy, etc. Every employee as very friendly and their customer service was second to none. The menu was extensive and everything looked so good.

    We've loved Nando's since our first visit in London, so when we stopped in last night after a long…read moretravel day, walking over from our hotel for dinner felt like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, this location didn't hold up. The ordering process was a mess from the start. They were out of boneless chicken, so we pivoted to a half chicken... only to be told they were out of that too. Then it turned out they did have it. We ordered the hummus appetizer and got the side portion instead, which meant another trip to the counter to sort it out. We ordered medium peri peri sauce and got something noticeably spicier. Too tired and hungry to send it back, we just ate it... and the meal just didn't hit the way Nando's usually does. The mushy peas we'd been looking forward to aren't even on the menu anymore, which was its own small disappointment. On the bright side, I ordered a 5 oz glass of wine and got what looked like a double pour. Not complaining... but it does sum up the vibe. The staff seemed indifferent, whether it was end-of-night fatigue or just an off-night, hard to say. We'll probably give Nando's another shot elsewhere, but this DC visit was disappointing enough that I can't really recommend this location.

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    Nando's Peri-Peri
    Nando's Peri-Peri
    Nando's Peri-Peri

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    Nando's Peri-Peri

    Nando's Peri-Peri

    3.8
    (1.3k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    This was my first visit to Nando's in downtown DC. I ordered the half chicken with no sides, and…read moremedium spicy sauce. The chicken came out with blackened edges because of their preparation method. I don't prefer that taste, but others may. I did not find the sauce to be particularly spicy so I added the 'extra hot' sauce on the side, which helped to add more flavor. Surprisingly, the chicken breast was very moist, along with the thigh. The ambience is casual and relaxed. There are plenty circular or modular seats along with smaller tables along the back end of the restaurant. My biggest complaint was their restrooms. They have gender neutral restrooms; two stalls total. Both restrooms were in great need of cleaning with a LOT of bodily fluids all along the toilets and floors. Also, there was no option for hand towels, only an air blower to dry your hands, which is one of the most disgusting ways to dry freshly washed hands. I recommend either creating one male and one female stall instead of unisex because men and women have very different habits in the restroom. On the positive side, Carolina and Barian were quite helpful and kind. They made the overall experience better.

    I visited Nando's PERi-PERi for dinner on July 8, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. with a group of eight. A…read morefew of us were first-time visitors, so after being seated, we waited for someone to take our order. Unfortunately, the hostess never mentioned that we needed to order at the counter. There was a sign, but it wasn't very noticeable when we walked in, so we completely missed it. A quick explanation when we were seated would have made a much better first impression. Once we realized how ordering worked, everyone went to the counter. I ordered last, but my meal was fairly simple: The Wingman (6 wings with PERi Chips and PERi-PERi ranch) plus a side of rice from the kids' menu. Everyone else received their food, ate, and finished before my order ever came out. To the staff's credit, one employee noticed I still hadn't been served and appeared to rush my order. When my food finally arrived, I was disappointed to find one of my six wings was so small and burnt that it wasn't edible (see photo). Some of the other chicken served to our table was also a little over-charred. On the positive side, I really enjoyed the lavender lemonade, and I liked the variety of PERi-PERi sauces available to customize the flavor and heat level. Overall, the experience had some service and food quality issues, but there were enough positives that I'd be willing to give Nando's another try. Hopefully, the next visit will be smoother.

    Photos
    Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter
    Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter
    Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice
    Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice
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    The Continent DC

    The Continent DC

    4.2
    (227 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Discounts available

    Beautiful decor & fun layout for events or people watching. I tried Nigerian staples and was my…read morefirst for these. The suya here might've looked tough but it was so juicy, tender, and not salty. The red stew with oxtail and jollof were nice but salty. I've had better jollof. The Nigerian fruit mocktail was great it has a unique flavor. The bathroom was so pretty as well I enjoyed snapping pictures in the mirror. The service was great. We were served quicker than they expected given I requested a seat in a different area. Go check it out!

    3/5 stars My…read moreboyfriend is Cameroonian and we love trying different African restaurants around the DC area. I'd heard great things about The Continent, so it felt like a must-try especially since Swahili Village is one of our go-to favorites for comparison. The space itself was great, nice interior, well-decorated, and service was solid throughout. They also had two distinct vibes going: one side had a bit of a DJ/lounge energy, while the other was more elegant and laid-back, better for actual dinner conversation. We sat on the calmer side. Drinks were good. We had a sangria and a tequila-based cocktail, both solid. For appetizers, we got the shrimp and the beef samosas. Unfortunately, the beef samosas just didn't hold up compared to Swahili Village's. I've had Swahili Village's beef samosas multiple times and they always come out hot, crispy, and consistent. These didn't quite match up, and that was strike one for me. The shrimp appetizer was nice, good sauce, though it could've used a bit more depth of flavor. I also ordered the pepper soup, which was excellent and genuinely spicy (more than I could really handle, but I still finished it). For entrées, my boyfriend got the Suya with jollof rice, and I got the red snapper with jollof rice as well. He really enjoyed his. The beef was cooked well and flavorful, and the jollof rice was good. My fish was also cooked nicely, though the sauce needed a bit more flavor. The bigger issue: they were out of plantains. That was strike two, and it stung more because it was my boyfriend's birthday dinner and plantains are his favorite. It's rare for an African or Caribbean restaurant to run out of them entirely. Overall, a decent experience, but with the high expectations going in, a couple of misses kept it from fully living up to the hype for us. I'd go back for the pepper soup and give it another shot, but I'm hoping for hotter, fresher samosas and actual plantains next time.

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    The Oasis of Africa. Specially made this for you!
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    Just a simple Beef tomato stew and white rice.
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    Maydan

    Maydan

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$$$

    Holy Toledo! You can't get much better than this. Maydan offers delicious middle eastern food set…read morein two different dining rooms, both unique, cozy, and beautiful. We dined on the Medina side. The room was wonderfully decorated, styled like a royal palace in a desert oasis. Only complaint -- the room was too cold (coming from someone who loves frigid temperatures). The other indoor seating option, which appears to be their main room, surrounds the central pit. The restaurant host (or manager) was incredibly kind and gave us a tour. I think the other seating option was better. Regardless, the food was top notch! We got their Tawle (tasting menu) with wine pairings. We also opted for their lamb shoulder. It was well worth the upgrade! Juicy, charred, and well seasoned. There were so many leftovers, too. I can't wait to return!

    Maydan is amazing. FYI, it's the green door that has their name on it. It's obvious, but for some…read morereason, none of us in our group clocked that and we accidentally ended up confused and in thier event space. XD. Anyway, misadventure aside, our group of 6 was in the upstairs room. For groups of 5 or more they have you do the tasting menu but we asked to do a la carte and they allowed us. We got a lot of food, all of which I can't remember, that included the shakshukah, one of the salads, 3 of the spreads, the veggies and a few others. The cocktails drew rave reviews as did my wife and i's mocktails and we loved how substantive the list was. The fresh, constantly coming bread was amazing. Everything was delightful and incredibly tasty and well seasoned. One note: the bathroom music is REALLY loud (it's the same music as in the restaurant) so if you've got loop earplugs or ones you can easily pop in that don't block out your company, that'll help. Oh and also, the currently on offer bitter orange sorbet isn't actually bitter. It's just the name.

    Photos
    Wood oven front and center
    Wood oven front and center
    Shrimp
    Shrimp
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    Elmina

    Elmina

    4.2
    (171 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    A date night promise and a bucket list reservation finally came together at Elmina. I visited when…read morethey first opened and was eager to return. An 8:45pm reservation turned 9pm and the restaurant was gracious enough to accommodate. The door was a short distance from the inviting bar so I found my date rather quickly. Social and engaging by nature he had already made himself at home with the host and bartenders. The Elmina staff are exactly the kind that make even the most outgoing person feel right at home. Only a quick negotiation of his return needed, especially since I was tardy, and we were whisked upstairs to our table. Upstairs we found a dining room with dark walls and dark blue velvet that set a completely different mood from the bar and open kitchen below. A larger party was seated nearby but far enough away for our own conversation. Later a two person party was seated in between. Word of advice, you will want to remember to keep your Netflix password to yourself. We were not trying to listen but when the tables are that intimate the conversation finds you. Z was our waiter and he set the tone immediately. Attentive, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations that came in right on time even for two foodies who already knew what they wanted. Drinks first. My Gold Coast Margarita and his Tree of Life arrived and both were excellent. Both drinks landing exactly where they needed to. The Tree of Life arriving in a clear ribbed glass with a gold dusted rim, deep red and stunning, was almost too beautiful to drink....Almost is the operative word! Then the starters:Fried okra and Beef Suya. The okra arrived first, batter fried to a golden crisp with a tender bite. The burnt leek and onion ranch dip took it somewhere magical. The Suya beef skewers were smoky, spiced, and finished with mojo onions that balanced every bite without competing with it. One thing every foodie needs to know. If you have a shellfish allergy Elmina will accommodate. Even the dishes that mention shellfish can be adjusted and you will not miss a thing. At a Michelin recognized restaurant that is music to a shellfish allergy sufferer's ears. For the main we ordered the Elmina Spicy Chicken and Jollof rice. A short wine debate while we waited landed us on the Rabble Red Blend. Then the plates arrived and everything made sense. The chicken and pepper sauce had spice that had layers and the Jollof rice served alongside made it unforgettable. My date did not finish it but made sure I knew how great it was. A few notes worth sharing. The bathroom is on the bottom floor so if you are seated upstairs make the trip before the drinks start flowing. The red wine will elevate the spiciness of the chicken so if you are sensitive to heat proceed with caution. We skipped dessert intentionally so Z brought our plates back in a to go bag filled with all the goodness before we left. Tap to pay from the bar tab to the final bill kept the night flowing. I will note our waiter brought it directly to my sharply dressed date but since I was treating I immediately took it back. Loved that energy. Elmina is Black owned excellence at its finest, an intimate setting filled with beautifully dressed patrons and food that will have you recommending this place for sure. Even the small things are handled, with ample street parking and a welcoming entrance, and a staff that turns a typical reservation into something you will talk about after. Whether it is a date night or a group, the tables here are ready for both. A table worth gathering at for any occasion that deserves something exceptional. We closed the night at Kuro Listening Bar, another black owned gem, a short distance away. The pairing of the two made for a night worth remembering.

    This was my second visit, and this time I brought my family. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't…read morenearly as good as my first. The restaurant was extremely hot and muggy, and it seemed like they were trying to seat everyone downstairs despite the uncomfortable temperature. The food also felt rushed and wasn't prepared with the same level of care I remembered. The okra fries were overdone on the outside, and the okra immediately slipped out of the batter when you picked them up. The Elmina chicken was flavorful, but the presentation was sloppy. The drinks were just okay. I ordered a spicy margarita, and both rounds came only about half full, which was disappointing. Overall, this visit didn't live up to my first experience. I know the restaurant is capable of much better, which made this visit especially disappointing.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Oysters
    Oysters
    Amuse-bouche: chopped scallop ceviche

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    Amuse-bouche: chopped scallop ceviche
    Dōgon

    Dōgon

    4.3
    (344 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    Dōgon was an incredible experience from start to finish. Chef Kwame has created something truly…read morespecial in DC. The food was amazing, full of flavor, creative, and unlike anything we've had before. You can really appreciate the African and Caribbean influences throughout the menu and the thought that went into every dish. The atmosphere is beautiful, the music and energy were great, and the service was excellent. My wife and I had an amazing time and enjoyed the entire experience. Dōgon is definitely one of those restaurants that feels like more than just dinner. It was an experience. We cannot wait to come back and try more of the menu. 5 stars!

    Dogon remains one of the hardest tables to snag in the city. The luxurious, handsome blue dining…read moreroom within the recently renamed Potomac Hotel feels like a place to see and be seen, with eye poppingly high food and drink prices to match. While the food itself at Dogon is excellent, I found the egregious pricing coupled with rough service made for a very overhyped dining experience. To begin, our party of four was running a hair past the 15 minute grace period for our reservation, and when we called to inform the restaurant of our slight delay the hostess curtly responded with "we will see what we can do." I understand the possibly of not being accommodated, but the wording and tone could have been a bit more professional. Once we were seated, our waiter explained the menu and offered suggestions. There appeared to be a pressure to upsell specific dishes, as the waiter constantly mentioned that we should order the branzino dish, even when we informed him that someone at our table possessed an allergy to a key ingredient in the dish. The cocktails here are mostly priced above $20, and possessed gob standard flavor profiles which did not merit the price nor impress the palate. In contrast, we genuinely enjoyed the majority of the food sampled. The flavor profiles here are spice forward and the restaurant does not shy away from bold seasoning or heat. The dishes are, mostly, technically well executed. The Ben's chili bowl which brought crispy shingles of lamb atop a spicy chickpea curry, ranked among our favorites of the evening. The hoe crab paired fluffy, buttery corn pancakes with a well spiced crock of tender, lump crab meat, making for a light yet flavorful bite. Our pork belly dish had tender meat paired well with a sweet-sour tamarind glaze. The fish fry tasted comforting with a juicy yet crisp fish fillet alongside house-made spicy sauces. The beef tartare possessed a discernible curry flavor, though the bite was marred with a few pieces of gristle. The oxtails brought the requisite meltingly tender texture, though the sauce served alongside ate salty and rich. We ended with the turmeric cheesecake which, while creamy, lacked turmeric flavor and had either some sort of inedible garnish or, worse, a piece of paper on the plate. Note should be mentioned that some of the portions here are appallingly tiny for the price. For example, the hoe crab dish brings four silver dollar pancakes and 3-4 small spoons of crab for $38. The oxtail patties are priced at $16 for two thumb sized pastries. While I am not opposed to paying top dollar for quality cuisine, the lack of polish on the service end creates a disconnect. In addition to the brusque phone interaction and upsell pressure, we also had incorrect plates constantly dropped off at the table. Worst of all, we were abruptly and unapologetically asked to leave our table while finishing our last round of cocktails. Two stars may seem harsh, but restaurants are a hospitality based business and the lack of service warmth was palpable. The food was generally great here, but sky high prices, minute portions, and rough service prevent a return visit.

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    Entry
    Entry
    Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread
    Wagyu, smoked collard greens, cornbread
    Tiki Drink

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    Tiki Drink
    Roaming Rooster

    Roaming Rooster

    4.3
    (173 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    Quick service and the food is really top notch. Love how…read moretheir slaw is not mayo based- lighter, crunchier. They have some seating inside, but have signs up limiting you to 30 minutes so it's definitely meant to scarf down your goodies and bop outta there. Liked the coleslaw and chicken, hot was good and actually fairly hot! Honey mustard drizzle to add a little oomph definitely the move.

    One of my favorite chicken spots in the DMV has to be Roaming Rooster on U Street. While this…read morelocation is my personal favorite, you really can't go wrong with any of their locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. This Black-owned restaurant has built a reputation for serving some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the area, and after one visit, it's easy to understand the hype. The Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich deserves every bit of praise it gets -- perfectly crispy chicken, soft bread, and that sweet/spicy balance that keeps you coming back. The OG Nashville sandwich is another standout if you like heat with real flavor behind it. Their tenders are always juicy, the fries are seasoned well, and the Rooster Sauce should honestly be bottled and sold separately. Breakfast is also severely underrated here. The honey butter biscuit and chicken biscuit are easily some of the best breakfast sandwiches in DC. What I appreciate most is the consistency. The chicken is always fresh, crispy, and cooked to order. Portion sizes are generous, and even online reviewers constantly mention how flavorful the sandwiches are and how the fries alone can feed multiple people. The DMV definitely supports this place for a reason. Reddit threads regularly call it one of the best chicken sandwich spots in DC, with people saying the Honey Butter sandwich is "life changing" and even comparing it favorably against national chains. If you're visiting U Street and craving comfort food done right, Roaming Rooster absolutely deserves a stop.

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    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster
    Roaming Rooster

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    Nando's Peri-Peri - portuguese - Updated August 2026

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