I was in town for the weekend Looking for live…read moreentertainment and stumbled upon Lydia's. Its a small cozy environment. 2nd Saturday is live music. FutureBandDC played and killed it. We sat directly in front of the band and speakers. Id suggest pushing tables back a bit. We ordered from the late night menu. Pls note after 10pm the menu is limited. We ordered the honey hot wing and fries as well as the jerk wings. I assumed the jerk was grilled and it wasn't. They were very spicy if you like spice. We didn't order cocktails. The jerk chicken sandwich was kinda small and Chicken thighs are used. The overall vibe was decent and the price wasn't bad at all. I would visit again

Lydia on H is a cozy Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Washington, D.C., offering a unique fusion of…read moreMalawian and Caribbean flavors. It's a small but quaint spot with a mix of booth and table seating, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner with friends. As a picky eater visiting for the first time, I kept my order simple with wings and rice. The wings were the highlight of the meal--crispy, flavorful, and well-seasoned. The rice, however, was disappointing. It was dry and lacked seasoning, and I found myself wishing it had at least a little butter and salt to enhance the flavor. The mocktails were delicious and complemented the meal well. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The music was at the perfect volume--easy to enjoy while still being able to carry on a conversation without shouting, which made for a pleasant evening with friends. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome throughout the meal. One small note: the ladies' restroom was clean but very small and narrow. It had a hook-and-latch style door but no place to hang a purse, which would be a nice addition. Parking on H Street is always a hit or miss, so plan accordingly if you're driving. Ratings: * Food: (3/5) * Atmosphere: (3/5) * Service: (4/5) * Dinner with Friends: (5/5) Overall, Lydia on H is a pleasant neighborhood spot with friendly service, tasty wings, and excellent mocktails. While the rice missed the mark for me, I enjoyed the company, the conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere. I would consider returning to try other menu items.

Was a great experience all around! Our waiter, Chris, was really kind and was a good spirit…read more We ended up getting the jerk wings and cod fish croquettes to start. The cod fish balls were the bomb! It was the right texture. Not mushy at all or overpowering in terms of the cod fish. The wings were very good as well. Fall off the bone! I ended up getting the goat curry. The roti was flaky and the curry was so savory. My dad got the red snapper and it was huge! It was pricey though. Market rate was $75, but he and my mom were able to split it and felt satisfied. We came for lunch, which seemed to be the move. There was live music and a lot of the items you would see for dinner, assuming there is a brunch menu. I saw some egg and burger options as well. Worth going back multiple times. SUPPORT LOCAL!

My girlfriend and I stopped in for a late lunch/early dinner, and from start to finish it was a…read moregreat experience. First, I have to give a shout-out to the waiter working upstairs. He was amazing! His service, attitude, attentiveness, and overall professionalism were all on point and really helped make our visit enjoyable. To start, we ordered the jerk charbroiled oysters, which were incredibly flavorful and delicious. We also had the mango habanero wings, cooked extra crispy just as requested. They were packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. For our entrées, my girlfriend ordered the chicken and shrimp Rasta pasta. It was well-portioned, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I had the jerk salmon and shrimp with cabbage and rice and peas, and it was equally impressive. We also added a side of mac and cheese, which was a great complement to the meal. Overall, this was an excellent dining experience. The food was flavorful, the portions were satisfying, the service was outstanding, and the ambiance was welcoming and enjoyable. I definitely plan on coming back during the week to check out Happy Hour and returning on a Sunday to experience brunch. Highly recommended!

Why does Cane continue to do this??…read more Consistently deliver delicious food with great service that makes you feel like family! The crispy kale was fantastic and the mango chutney balances a hint of spice. I got the omnivore paratha tiffin box with tomato Choka and I got roti instead of paratha. Fantastic decision! Great moments! That roti was spectacular! My friend also loved her oxtail. The Charon Beni was my favorite sauce and I enjoyed the heat of the house pepper sauce. They did a nice interior upgrade since the last time I went, but it's still small and intimate. I love recommending this place!!

Flavorful, casual Caribbean food on H street!…read more Let's get right into it... Food: Snapper escoveitch : 5/5 perfectly seasoned and cooked. Flaky. The pickled peppers and onions on top were the perfect addition. Coconut rice paired perfectly as well. Crispy kale: 5/5 great flavor with a little chutney on top. Slight spice but not too much. Large portion as a side, definitely shareable. Friend enjoyed the curried chicken bowl though I did not try it! Bread pudding: 2/5. Not the worst I've ever had. But lacked flavor. Dense. Would not order again. Passion fruit spicy margarita was good. I requested light passion fruit. Just enough spice. Service was friendly! Small restaurant so would make reservations, even though it was not packed for my Friday evening dinner. There is a 20% fair wage fee included on all bills. Which states it is "not" the tip. That's pretty significant

Right back like I never left, and as amazing as the first time…read more Everything and everyone was awesome, my go to Caribbean spot. Ambience is sexy, vibe is amazing, staff is great, food is a party in my mouth...pause lol, and experience is amazing. Thanks

So glad St. James is now open for lunch -- this is seriously the best thing that could've happened…read moreby my job! My brother/friend and I went yesterday for lunch and got the oxtail bowl and the pepper shrimp bowl. We were full for the rest of the day, and mind you, this was around 2:30 The service was amazing. The bar manager gave us great conversation while also letting us know about their happy hour and dinner hours. We even talked about possibly hosting a teacher happy hour there, and he pointed us in the right direction on who to contact. Now let's get into the food... 1000/10! The flavors from the coconut rice down to the pepper shrimp sauce -- OMG! As I'm typing this, I can taste the flavors all over again Lunch is Wednesday-Friday from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM. Definitely check them out!

All the things. 1) food: flavor/texture/portions/authenticity all spot on regularly 2) service:…read morepolite/poise/friendly/collaborative you love to see it 3) atmosphere: live/open/plenty of seating/smell the food from the street! everything you would dream of in a regular joint, MY regular joint.

Jerks of thr Carribean is a 3 min walk from the Bible museum. After walking around the museum I was…read morefamished and decided to stop by for some food. The staff there were extremely friendly answering all questions about the menu. The place was well lit and clean. All of the food is on display on a steam table so you're able to see what your food looks like beforehand. I was shocked that a restaurant selling Caribbean food didn't sell plaintains and sweet potatoe was offered as an alternative. Not even the same thing but okay. I ended up ordering oxtail. I wanted rice and peas but he said it came with white rice. I also had cabbage and sweet potatoes as my side. I had less than a quarter cup of rice and it was swimming in gravy. The food was subpar at best, unfortunately. I gave three stars cause the customer service was amazing but I can't co-sign the food.

Bammy's is an old faithful in my book! I've been here several times over the years, and I've always…read morehad a consistently good experience. The staff are always friendly and make good conversation, and the drinks are always a good strength. Most recently, I tried one of the flavored margaritas and left very pleased! When I come here, I typically get the curry goat, which comes with rice, chickpeas, and potatoes. The most recent time I visited, the potatos were going to take a little longer to cook, so they offered me a choice between cabbage or greens instead. I went with the collard greens, and they were really good! They seemed to be cooked with a lot of butter, which was new for me when it comes to collard greens, but I still loved them overall. Bammy's is located in Navy Yard, so parking isn't always the easiest. But if you're able to snag a spot or you're already walking around the area, I definitely recommend stopping by!

I really wanted to like Bammy's because I'd heard so many good things, but unfortunately, my…read moreexperience was disappointing from start to finish. The service felt inattentive, and it seemed like our table was forgotten for much of the evening. We spent far too much time waiting--for drinks, for our food, and even to get someone's attention. When the food finally arrived, it didn't live up to the hype. The flavors were underwhelming, and the portions didn't justify the price. What was most disappointing was that no one seemed interested in making the experience better. A sincere apology or even an effort to address the issues would have gone a long way, but instead, we left feeling like our concerns didn't matter. There are too many great dining options in Navy Yard to spend your time and money on an experience like this. Sadly, I won't be returning.

Randomly stopped in for lunch today and I'm so glad I did! This spot was perfect for my Jamaican…read morefood craving. I actually enjoyed the outdoor order counter with the option of indoor seating. I went with the Di Yaddie and it was delicious!! The jerk chicken was very flavorful but not overpowering while the rice and peas were great with the curry sauce. Their plantains are SO good -- sweet and fried perfectly. The gentleman and woman working the counter were very helpful and friendly. Not sure if the guy was a manager or owner but he ensured we were satisfied with everything. The interior is eclectic and true to the Jamaican culture. Music is great as well! I'll be sure to stop by every time I'm back home in the city.

Expect a bit of a wait but that's because they're preparing the food fresh. The presentation is…read moremouth watering. The sides were delicious. Mac & cheese, 8/10. Cabbage, 9/10. However, I found the proteins to be incredibly over seasoned. The jerk seasoning over powered the salmon completely and I was unable to actually taste the fish.

Another DC restaurant that's been on my must-visit list has been Jerk at Nite. Being that its roots…read morestarted at Howard University, I had to come and bring an incoming freshman and her family. I was greeted by the owner Denny, who explained that once we order we're able to dine inside. The Jamaican vibe is heavily prevalent, with colors, paintings, foliage, and wooden sculptures throughout. I had my mind set on the Jerk Box N' Mac once I saw it on Instagram, and boy did it not disappoint. If you're a fan of spicy food, the heat is not lacking here. The jerk was jerking! I didn't find it overpowering to where I couldn't enjoy the meal. Even the mac and cheese had a little kick to it, even in its cheesy and creamy goodness. The slices of Rasta bread were a nice complement to the meal. You'll be hard pressed to find Jamaican food that checks all the boxes like Jerk at Nite.

Yes they are open BUT beware the food is TERRIBLE. The food taste like it's cooked in water. I was…read morethere tonight 7/6/26. We ordered brown stew chicken, jerk pork and ox tails and threw it all away. No taste no flavor.NOTHING like Jamaican food not even close. Good thing the staff is nice and friendly because the food is very disappointing. Please do better.

What can I say that hasn't been said? We are big fans of Tatiana so when visiting DC we figured we…read morehad to give Dogon a try. The menu, while different, gives similar vibes to Tatiana. The dining room is much bigger for sure. The service is truly a standout but they do try to upsell you. The pricing is high- $8 per cocktail oxtail patty?- you get 2 for $16. The Octail dish is $95- but they say it's Australian Wagyu oxtail. Who am I to judge? Welp- I gave them my money and they filled my belly with some tasty delights. And guess what? I'd do it again

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.

One my favorite places for sandwiches in dc the crunchy boy is very classic sandwich with potato…read morechips in it adding some texture. Service is friendly and nice. It's quick depending on how many orders there are. The inside is pretty nice but it's small.

I've ordered sandwiches from here a few times from now and I can't say that I love them…read more When it comes to subs and sandwiches everyone has different preferences. For me it comes down to fresh breads, quality ingredients, thoughtful assembly and one of the most important for me ... balanced ratio of ingredients. Each time I've ordered, the ratio of ingredients has been what has thrown me off. The subs are large and the bread is fresh, but between the massive amounts of shredded lettuce and the thickness of the bread, the meat on my turkey sandwich gets swallowed alive to where I'm constantly opening it up to look for and re-adjust. The ingredients though do seem fresh, so it's not a matter of never trying other sandwiches in the future. I just haven't found one yet that would be worth a repeat...so it's not that there is not potential.