Cancel

Open app

Search

Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge

2.7 (65 reviews)
Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Order Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge Takeout or Delivery

Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge Photos

BLACK DIAMOND RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge

Recommended Reviews - Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Silk flowers

Skip it! I visited this restaurant on a Friday specifically hoping to enjoy happy hour. In hindsight, I should have confirmed ahead of time, because apparently they do not offer happy hour on Fridays -- which felt unusual and disappointing. Since happy hour wasn't available, we decided to order from the regular menu. However, we were informed that the regular menu was not being offered at all. Instead, there was an exclusive Valentine's Day menu, and those were the only options available. Unfortunately, the Valentine's menu was extremely limited -- it didn't even reflect 30% of what's typically on their standard menu. Notably, suya -- a staple in west African cuisine -- was not included, which was surprising and disappointing. I ordered a margarita and immediately knew something was off. It tasted like juice -- very weak and unbalanced. I later saw another bartender serve what was also described as a margarita, and it looked completely different from mine. The consistency, the size, even the presence of ice -- it was clearly not the same drink. That inconsistency alone was concerning. Overall, the drinks were weak and underwhelming. Service was another major issue. Our server seemed extremely distracted. It took a very long time to receive our food, and it genuinely felt like we had been forgotten. When dessert finally came -- after a long wait -- we were told that our two-hour table limit had expired and that we would need to finish dessert at the bar because another reservation needed the table. This was particularly frustrating because the delay was not due to us lingering -- it was due to service lapses. To add to that, an automatic $40 gratuity was included in the bill despite the service being far from attentive. That felt unjustified given the overall experience. The meal did include a complimentary glass of champagne, but it was served in a plastic flute, which felt out of place for what was positioned as a special Valentine's experience. Parking was also inconvenient. It is detached from the building and located behind the street in a public lot. If you're unfamiliar with the area, it's not intuitive. You either have to walk around the block or rely on Google Maps to navigate properly because the restaurant entrance is not clearly visible from where you park. In total, we spent over $200. The food was just okay -- the jollof rice was dry and hard. The drinks were weak. The service was inattentive. For that price point and for a holiday dining experience, it did not meet expectations. The only reason for the two-star rating is the decor. The space was beautifully decorated with silk floral arrangements (no fresh flowers), but visually it was appealing. Unfortunately, I will not be returning or recommending.

Diamond Deluxe
Guadalupe W.

I forgot to ask for military discount but they for sure was supposed to charge me happy hour prices and did not. Tempura shrimp it came with sweet and sour sauce. (On menu as crispy shrimp with garlic aloli) Crab cake egg-roll came with the sweet and sour sauce beef Pattie was delicious Oxtail taste a lot like just browning sauce but was tender, jiolof rice was good, plantain was good. Beef, peppered shrimp and rice suya deluxe, shrimp was good beef was dry , but if you eat it with the peppers amazing. We asked for mocktails and they were good. For this price I would expect linen napkins and glass cups and an actual menu. But it was a good experience all in all. I wouldn't give 18% auto gratuity but what ever.

Brunch menu
Shalita W.

Black Diamond....First let me start with....Stop, I repeat STOP requesting $20 deposits....immediately! For what!? Because we paid the $20 deposit last Sunday 7/14 and arrived on time for our 12:00PM reservation just to be seated in silence while waiting 15 minutes just for drink order and did not receive our food until 1:05PM. Sooo y'all pressing for $20 just to have your customers wait a hour for service not making sense to me. This establishment needs a bit of work because holding customers accountable to show up for their reservation when your staff need to be held accountable to make it to work on time to prepare the food for your paying customers. Their chef did not walk in UNTIL 12:45PM. Secondly, it's literally a shame this establishment is ran so poorly because food is, BOMB....minus them waffles. We did not walk out because we were personally aiming to ONLY support small Black Businesses that weekend but how can people support if you lacking on staff, service and manager even being present to run spot....But shout out to Renee for having to serve the only three tables of people solo, and shout out to the people at those other two tables also for having to sit around even longer than our hour wait for their food. Sooo, it's a pass for me right now for visiting again....that $55 Diamond Platter does not out weight the lack of customer service for me.

Rasta Pasta w/Shrimp
Christine B.

When entering the establishment, the aesthetic and ambiance was very inviting. There weren't too many people dining during that hour, however we had a little bit of a wait before a server came over to us. When she made it over to us, she was very attentive and hospitable. I reviewed the cocktail menu first and ordered the strawberry margarita, but I had them substitute the tequila with Don Julio reposado, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not too sweet or strong. The food menu is pretty compact but had diverse choices of food. I ordered the crab egg rolls, which were fried perfectly with a Thai chili sauce that complemented it well. I wasn't too hungry we split the Rasta Pasta with/Shrimp. While the dish was flavorful, it had a lot of oil/grease that settled on the bottom of the bowl-not allowing us to really savor the seasonings as much as we could have. Overall, I feel like this is a great place to visit likely for brunch or the activities they host upstairs in their lounge. I wouldn't be opposed to going back to sample their weekend brunch menu.

Chicken and waffles
Dwayne J.

All I can say is they trying, but there's certain things that are truly unprofessional as a restaurant. Today me and a couple of friends decided to surprise my friend celebrating his 30th birthday. Our waitress Renee was nice and friendly and matched the energy meant for a birthday party. We all ordered our drinks as we waited for our friend to come. Renee is a great bartender I heard no complaints from anyone concerning their drinks Things started to turn once we got our food. We were a party of ten so we ordered a lot of things. The issue I have is that this establishment hired TikTok influencers to promote and encourage people to come but the food you get compared to what you see doesn't add up. We ordered chicken and waffles and the chicken was not consistent some was cooked better than others. Also the restaurant said they misplaced their syrup so ate It with honey instead. Another issue was the seafood omelette. This is something that is promoted on their website as a brunch item. The manager came and said they don't know how to make It. But when we ask do you have crab meat they said yes. Then we were told that they went to the store to actually buy crab meat. By that time my friend didn't want It and It was scrambled. Our concerns definitely made Renee stressed and I felt bad for her because she truly tried her best to make sure we had a good time. Maybe brunch shouldn't be an option

Pineapple Jerk Wings
Shameeka B.

It's very nice inside with the paintings and furniture. Came for a birthday dinner, and I will say the food is good. But charging $15 for a margarita in a plastic water cup is wild. The french fries are really good, that I will say and the Pineapple Jerk wings definitely had authentic jerk seasoning/marinade. Our server was really nice, but it seemed she was most likely the bartender as well and she needed more help - but, she was very professional and friendly (younger woman, light-skin with glasses & 2 puffs).

Suya tacos
Kesha T.

I'm surprised that my experience here was so subpar. Due to the reviews on various social media platforms, I'm thinking that there must be more care and focus on the food and drinks during the club/party hours because a regular daytime visit did not meet my expectations. The bar area had boxes in the service window which made me think that they were preparing for the evening shift but even if so, it was unsightly. The music was inconsistent. The staff behind the bar were lackadaisical - although nice once they finally decide to greet. I had a long day and wanted to enjoy a cocktail and a bite to eat. I've seen videos of this place so I was excited to finally try this place out. I asked the bartender what their most requested drink was and I received a mango Long Island or margarita - it tasted like straight up alcohol. Since I can't tell you what kind of cocktail it was, that should tell you how bad it was lol. I had to ask for juice to help balance my drink because the ingredients weren't well blended at all. It just didn't taste right. As for food, I didn't want a heavy entree and asked what light item he recommended. He said the tacos were good and that they were his favorite. Well his favorite chef must have been out at that moment because the suya was TOUGH. The tortilla on two of the tacos was too hard - I'm not sure if they were overcooked or just stale. The salsa could've been made so that it tied in better with the meat... add some yaji or peppers or something, not just straight out the jar salsa. I didn't bother to see the club space because I don't see myself coming back. The dining area in the entryway was smaller than expected but the decor was ok. And then to top things off, the bathroom could use better upkeep. I can't even give another star for parking. Although the garage is somewhat convenient for me, I could see it being a hassle for some people with mobility issues and there is limited street parking. There are quite a few improvements needed including general customer service. If there are various business needs that to be handled during the day... construction, party planning with promoters, restocking, etc, maybe close the restaurant to customers during that time and open when everything is organized and staff is prepared and ready to work.

Upstairs decor!!
Nicardi C.

This restaurant is decorated very nicely and our server was good. However, for our party of 8, 3 people didn't receive their meals until after alerting the manager. In addition, one person who did receive her meal in a timely fashion, their food was cold. My salmon/meal was good. The worst part was that our server was also the bartender and food runner. She was spread too thin, which made the experience not worth returning. Lastly, when we received our checks, there was a service fee (12%) and gratuity (18%), which had to be reimbursed after the fact.

6 wings. Only thing that was fresh

I had the displeasure of dining at Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge on Friday, June 6, 2025, and I truly wish I had gone elsewhere. When I arrived, my friend was already seated. The restaurant was nearly empty just us and a couple at the bar, so only four customers total yet service was still shockingly bad. I was greeted by a server wearing headphones, which set the tone for what turned out to be a disorganized and unprofessional experience. We asked if happy hour was available, and the server said yes. We ordered jerk wings, mango habanero wings, suya, and two drinks. Here's how it went: ·       The jerk wings were clearly old and tasted stale. ·       The suya was dry and served with onions that were anything but fresh. ·       Only the mango habanero wings were decent, and they seemed to be the only thing made fresh while we waited. ·       The drinks took over 25 minutes to arrive, even though the server was also the bartender and had almost no one else to attend to. ·       Our food took 40 minutes, which is unacceptable with such a low customer volume. To make matters worse, when my friend wanted to order another drink and a chicken patty, we couldn't get anyone's attention she had to walk to the bar herself twice just to place the orders. There were only two other customers in the restaurant, so the lack of attention was baffling. To top it off, the bathroom had a leak every time the toilet was flushed, water would leak from the side hose. Definitely not what you'd expect from an establishment that charges over $100 for two people with mediocre food. When the bill came, we were hit with a mandatory 18% gratuity, which was insulting considering how bad the service was. I would have honestly left no tip if I had the choice. This place has potential, but it's horribly mismanaged. The ambiance is fine, but that's about where the positives end. How does a restaurant not have proper happy hour service on a Friday, yet still charge like it's a premium experience? Save your time, money, and patience. Go somewhere that actually values its customers. Black Diamond is not it.

Crab Egg Rolls
Lola A.

I enjoyed my food here and really liked my service from the bartender Kayla. She was the only person behind the bar but made everyone's drinks so quickly. It took a little bit of time to get our food but it tasted really good. It took some time because everything is made to order. The crab egg rolls are really like crab rangoons, but they still tasted great. Just know if you come here with a group, you will have to wait some time to get your food but you'll get your drinks quickly, especially if Kayla is making them. Kayla was also really nice to talk to and she had great energy. I'd definitely comeback, especially if she's working.

Yummy Lamb chops for Brunch

See all

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 26
Thanks 13
Love this 24
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Nessa R.
904
1128
5976

11 months ago

Helpful 49
Thanks 20
Love this 50
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 3
Love this 0
Oh no 4

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 4

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 3

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 16
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 9

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 3

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

The food is very good, i loved the ambiance it was a mix of everything, and they also have a lounge upstairs for more vibesss.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 4

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 3
Photo of Jade M.
15
47
203

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Rasta pasta was good. Ambience was better later and DJ was decent. Need more seating but overall I would go back.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ashley G.
17
28
13

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge

You might also consider

The Society Restaurant and Lounge

The Society Restaurant and Lounge

3.4
(737 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$

We made reservations here for 4 people for Mother's Day. We were able to come in a few minutes…read morebefore our time and were seated right away. The waiter was nice but the service was very hit/miss because sometimes we had to wait for him or try to find him but it usually didn't take long. He also had a difficult time figuring out how to split the 4-person tab into 2 couples. Hopefully he was new and this helped him learn. The music was very loud, more like closer to club level than restaurant level, which made it difficult for me to hear most of the time. I am not a true seafood lover as there are very few seafood items I eat but needless to say my husband couldn't say enough positive things about the catfish and grits and the other couple we were with absolutely loved that they got their calypso sauce on the side because then they got to enjoy the flavor and crispiness of the fish. The one crabcake on the Chesapeake Crabcake meal was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. Their food was very good. The prices weren't too bad but you also got a lot of food for the price. We had leftovers which was nice!

This is the first time I have been since the change to a seafood spot, and I was pleasantly…read moresurprised. The ambiance was comforting, but I will stay that they were understaffed. We had a large party, so I had the anticipation that the service might be delayed, however it wasn't too bad. The seafood and grits were DELICIOUS! We ordered all of the favorites, and high were flavorful however the lamb chops were a disappointment. I ordered it to be served medium but even with a reorder, it was still well done. Drinks were as expected, nothing to write home about however I would visit again. Maybe for a happy hour timeframe.

Photos
Inside
Inside
Jerk Branzino
Jerk Branzino
The Society Restaurant and Lounge

See all

Diversity Lounge

Diversity Lounge

4.0
(4 reviews)
0.6 mi

Overall, 10/10 This…read moreplace was great. I was in the area and needed a smoke break. Luckily, the area is saturated with options. My sister recommended Diversity Lounge and she hasn't let me down so I popped in. I got to the area before 9:30 pm on a Saturday. Parking was easy to find on the street so that was great. Not saying that's how it always is but this is my story. I walked in and went to the register and a wonderful woman asked if I needed assistance and showed me to a seat. Seats were super comfortable and the rest of the staff of very nice as well. (Good customer service takes every experience up several notches for me from the get go) So, since I'm a frequent hookah smoker at home, i like to add notes in my phone for places I might want to visit when I get out. I ordered my Hookah and tea and sat back to take in the vibes. Nice decor, TVs featuring sports and what not. I could get used to it. There was music playing quite low in the background. I open my notes app and get a few lines in and my hookah is already on the way out. . Very excited about that. I let the coals (quicklights) heat up the shisha to get a solid first hit so I sip my tea and lean back. After a few minutes, I take the first hit and it was what I was expecting to happen. Good smoke. Good flavor. Blueberry mint is my go-to tester flavor. I was not disappointed. I smoked for about an hour and then decided to head home. I caught the weekend price rate of $35 for the session and then the tea. Oh! Clean bathroom. Downside is that there was only one toilet in the place. So I could see that being a thing on a crowded night. I left around 10:30 and the music switched up so they were probably getting ready to shift into the young folk crowd. Anywho, I recommend it. I forget the weekday rate but if the service doesn't change, it's still rock solid.

Clean lounge with great decor. Owner was very generous and helpful. I have been smoking hookah for…read more15 years, all over the world and this lounge is the best in the area. Diversity runs a good mix of flavors.

The Republic Garden

The Republic Garden

3.2
(18 reviews)
0.1 mi

Was out with GF's on a late Friday evening (around 11pm) and we were just going to find a spot to…read morechill at in Silver Spring. Found garage parking at Silver Spring Metro Station Parking Garage (It's less than a block away from The Republic Garden or Society). 2 hour ParkMobile spots (Monday-Friday 7a-10p) and then Free any other time, including weekends. So we didn't have to pay for parking. Plenty of parking. As we ventured out of the Parking lot, we heard reggae music and saw this place on the corner and stopped in. It was a $20 cover charge to get in. Cash, ApplePay, Cashapp. etc. they take it all to enter Place was split in 3. You walk in and thru a narrow area where general dining was. The middle section contained the bar and plush seating (where we were) with some TV's. The Back room had the DJ and seating for Hookah. Lounge/Restaurant reminded me of a narrow townhouse but there was still plenty of space to sit/stand/walk around Pics of the current menu and prices are attached to this review. I had a Blue MF'er to drink and it was small but Strong - only need one. My friends also said their drinks were good and strong too I didn't get any food, but my friends got the Strew and Jollof Rice and said that was good, along with chicken wings. Food seemed to take a long time to come out There was a live DJ spinning class early 2000 music, dancehall, and reggae music of today and a bit old. I would absolutely come back for that DJ alone. Around midnight, the place started to fill out a bit more with folks. There were even laser lights and smoke/fog coming out of a machine in the middle room. Pretty chill Bar seemed a bit slow and possibly understaffed waitress, but everyone was very helpful and patient. Prepare to pay for food and drinks upfront. We also had to order food and drinks at the bar Not sure, if it's any relation to the old Republic Gardens in DC but this venue has been only maybe only a few years Left around 1 and the place started to really jump

Finally made it here! Came out with the crew yesterday on Rum Punch Sunday to celebrate a friend's…read morebirthday! It's free before 8 - no RSVP needed. The vibes were good. The decor is cute. Service wasn't bad. Music on point! The drinks are overpriced and just ok. Food is blah. Well I just had the suya and probably the worst I've had. I'm no suya expert but I've had good suya and this wasn't it. Wouldn't get it again. Hookah is available on the back patio. I would possibly come back again to enjoy the music but I won't come hungry!

Photos
The Republic Garden
The Republic Garden
Cute decor

See all

Cute decor
Citizens and Culture

Citizens and Culture

3.0
(137 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$$

C&C oozes so much potential but fails to deliver in the atmosphere and vibes here. The architecture…read moreand interior design are immaculate and awesome which means the establishment has the bones to truly complete and stand itself out as a premier spot, however the limited menu, pedestrian service, shared co-ed restroom (which is a dangerous concept, that I do not like and certainly pushes against social norms and boundaries) and the VERY loud music where you cannot have a fun lively dinner without it being too extreme. I think if the music was turned down, menu expanded, and separate restrooms for genders, then the place would be a more memorable experience. The server was a nice young man, but he would piece things like me having to verbally ask him for utensils, straws, napkins, and other items that we needed, instead of him providing the basic essentials up front, taking the initiative to ask us in advance or even suggest that since he brought napkins how about straws etc., having more hustle and a proactive approach goes a long ways. The door man and the server were nonchalant here, for a place blasting Nelly at 100 plus decibels, we do want the staff to have a little energy. The music upstairs and downstairs are also different, and you can hear the music thumping at the garage about to leave. I think this place is at the top of the noise ordinance downtown Silver Spring. We struggled to find menu items (There was some item online I think burger that was not on the current menu, so the updates need to be reflected online.) We enjoyed our grilled chicken sandwiches with avocado, lettuce, tomatoes etc. but there needs to be more of a hybrid approach here if the owner wants to maximize business potential. The club and lounge era is dying especially with Millennials and Gen Z globally. There should be the quieter restaurant vibe that might have live events like comedy shows (Hire local Huggy Lowdown to work down here) or music performances etc. (Hello Marcus Johnson another local) I think having live events here occasionally will provide the energy better than blasting music that will crack you and your dog's eardrums with your dog sitting outside of the establishment as I don't think Fido needs to be sitting at the table eating and drinking with me like some folks think. Del the Funky Homosapien "It's important to practice good hygiene, at least if you wanna run with my team!" All in all, let's not have it too clubby, let's scrap the shared restrooms, let's have more professional, welcoming, inviting service, and this is a rough gem in the making if major structural changes and updates are made and they step their game up, they have the foundation and bones but need to carve it out a bit more and polish the rock!

Been back once or twice since shortly after opening. Service and food are good. Drink selection is…read moregood for cocktails but the beer selection which was supposed to be stellar has been lacking and they barely have had anything in stock when I have last went.

Photos
$65 menu plus tax and gratuity! Worth it.
$65 menu plus tax and gratuity! Worth it.
Blackened salmon on Caesar salad.
Blackened salmon on Caesar salad.
Citizens and Culture

See all

Black Diamond Restaurant and Lounge - lounges - Updated July 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...