African Restaurants near Arlington, VA

“Thanks to Tracye McQuirter of By Any Greens Necessary for recommending this Ethiopian Cafe to me. The sign on the store says Bethel Cafe. I ordered the Vegetarian Platter. THEE VERY BEST! Friendly staff and accommodating. I will be venturing out to Arlington, VA on occasion just to come here.“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Swahili Village Restaurant and I must say that the food and my experience was amazing. The food tasted so good and was accompanied by African music. The service was exceptional, with friendly staff who were happy to share their knowledge of the dishes and made sure my dining experience was just perfect. I loved the decor and the drinks were fantastic. I really am lost for words, apart from the fact that you absolutely have to eat there or you will miss out on something exceptional.“

“We got the plate for two and boy oh boy were we in for a surprise. The portions were generous and the plate was just a dream come true. The lamb was tender and fell off the bone, the flavors spoke of the culture and the heart the food carried within it. One of the best experiences i’ve had in a very long time. Will be back inshallah.“

“This was my first time visiting this restaurant and I hope it's here to stay. The staff were very friendly and the food was so good! Everything was seasoned well and hot. I wish that service was a little faster and that the look of the restaurant was a little more inviting. The focus is the food anyways, which was top tier!“

“Food was so good, I was dancing the wholeTime while I was eating ?The beef suya was really tender, and it was the extra hot but I could tolerate it. The jollof was great and smoky flavor (party rice). The plantains were extra ripe and the way I like it. I am of Nicaraguan decent and enjoy maduros so if you like ripe ripe plantains then you will love them. The Zobo-lemonade was so good. I wonder if they make it in house. Nicaraguans drink it too but we call it “Jamaica”. The efo riro was great, small portion but great flavor. The suya wings were crispy and flavorful, I prefer flats so that’s the only thing that could have been better. Yeah, I’m doing the hour drive for spice kitchen very soon!!“

“Great food with amazing service. Prices are cheaper then average on food and drinks. I highly recommend the Gaba-Wata for meat lovers.Vegetarian options: All the vegetarian dishes are cooked fresh daily. Quite amazing I recommend the vegetable combo for a traditional mix of different types of vegetarian food.“

“Vegetarian options: I had the option to choose what I wanted on my meal.Kid-friendliness: Space for the kids to stand , run aroundParking: The parking is just so accessible, just infront of the store.Wheelchair accessibility: Their customer service towards me on my wheelchair was so welcoming and encouraging.“

“Things I love about Mansa Kunda:A- Covid safe! A large beautiful patio, and the inside is big, airy, and almost never crowded!B- The service. These guys treat you like family and it’s super kid friendly. Also the decorations are BEAUTIFUL.C- THE FOOD! I will crave their jollof couscous for the rest of my life. The afra chicken — how do they do that?? Crispy and salty with a little char and a liiiiittle spice (my toddler ests it). My husband loves the peanut butter chu. Also there is an insane selection of DELICIOUS house made desserts.Truly love this place!Kid-friendliness: The staff are so sweet and there is lots of room to run around. Plus: the bird phone!“

“I visited this restaurant while here from out of town, and I happen to go on a night they were closed. I luckily saw the owner and he said he was expecting guest so he would accommodate us as an exception. The food was absolutely delicious! Service was exceptional. You can tell the owner is really into what he serves to the customers. He knows his stuff and you can tell by the end result; great food. I would highly recommend this place. Go open minded and you’ll come out happily experienced!“

“If you’re looking to enjoy authentic Ghanaian foods and be entertained by some cool Afrobeats, save yourself the hassle of flying to Accra and drive to Calabash West African Cuisine nearby in Alexandria Virginia. The only Ghanaian restaurant in the DMV area where the food tastes as good as it looks. Chale, go chop there o and enjoy, please abeg!“

“I have been to many Ethiopian restaurants in the DMV. Rohobot is the most recommended by my Ethiopian friends. The food is sooo flavorful and the owner is nice too! I order the veggie platter (which is vegan). Enjoy a meal here, your tastebuds will thank you.“

“My wife and I came here after seeing Lion King at Kennedy Center as we were hungry and we knew a place with this name. We came late around 11pm on a Friday night and only the bar was open and restaurant was closed. We tried a Margarita and an African Sunrise which were great especially the African Sunrise. The ambiance was nice and the service as friendly and fast. Need to come earlier another time to try the food and will have an updated review.“

“I come here almost every weekend. The food is delicious, music is banging and on point, the owner is super friendly and accommodating, and the staff and ladies are warm and gentle. Definitely a great spot to check out and have a great time in the downtown Silver Spring area.“

“Order through UberEATS and was not disappointed! I ordered a bowl of oxtails and they were so good! Also got the grilled tilapia with banku, grilled perfectly and the sauce on the side was tasty but very spicy. The hibiscus drink is really good too, reminds of sorrel. Plan on ordering again!“

“Excellent Eritrean breakfast of Egyptian Fava beans with yogurt, chopped onions, toasted buns, tomatoes, and herbs. The taste hit the spot. The café also has cakes and other fresh bakery items for purchase. Service was quick and attentive. Prices are okay. The location is off Duke Street in an office mall. Plenty of parking. I had a blood test at the LabCorp nearby and was famished for breakfast after a long fast. The food hit the spot. Nice pictures of their country on the wall, regular tables and clean restaurant.“

“Found this place via google search. What a find!! Very authentic and delicious Ghanaian dishes. I had the red-red with chicken. It's my favorite Ghana dish and it was great. Huge portion ended up being dinner and leftovers for lunch. I'll definitely be back. Need to try the oxtails and egusi and waatye (sp?).“

“Customer service is nonexistent, I don’t know if the male that waited on me is neurodivergent, but I kept saying thank you while ordering and when he gave me my food. He just looked at me. I was the ONLY one in the establishment so a greeting, “hi, how are you” or a wave from the kitchen staff would go a long way. However, they just look mean with no emotions. But hey, at least the food is good.. ??‍♀️?“

“Sometimes the best meals can be found in an industrial park in Beltsville. I also learned that this restaurant offers a Nigerian twist on shawarma. This meal consisted of the mouthwatering supreme shawarma with a side of fried sweet potatoes“

“The place has some of the best food in the area, no doubt about it. Some of my favorite at the cassava leafs and the brown stew chicken. It is a Caribbean inspired business so. The snappy attitude at Caribbean restaurants infuses a delightful sass into the dining experience, adding a burst of vibrant flavors. While they may occasionally forget your drink, it only adds to the charm, turning every visit into a memorable adventure.“