The positives: First thing is that the ambiance is very elegant and inviting! The waiter, Travis, offered great service and was attentive! The cornbread had the perfect amount sweetness and came out warm and fluffy. Had to order 2 servings to get my fix. The improvements: I ordered the BBQ greens and was sorely disappointed. The bacon was not crispy the lack of BBQ flavor was missed in the greens. I would of loved if it had that b flavor and if the sauce was a little thicker to coat the greens since the BBQ caught my eye and was the reason I ordered the meal. The chicken and rice left me wanting something else. The jollof rice was not memorable and the flavors tasted as if seafood was came into contact with the product, which didn't blend well with the chicken. The chicken was a great portion but the flavors also were underwhelming for me as well. read more

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This was an amazing dining experience! Every dish was excellent! Although you do have to stalk for a reservation, it is absolutely worth it. As a tip, check 24 hours in advance of the next day to catch a reservation. We sat near the kitchen and it was so cool watching the chefs. They were so professional! The service was great! All the staff was kind. I had an amazing interaction with the hostess. I was celebrating my mom's heavenly birthday and she was extremely kind to me :) Parking is valet or there are two garages within walking distance. Overall, an amazing dining experience worth every penny spent! I will return! read more

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Finally made it to Dogon to see what all the hype was about--and it definitely lived up to it! Nestled in the Salamander hotel, this beautiful restaurant is a must-visit. With really good food, amazing ambiance and great service, it's a place you'll definitely want to return to. Here are some of my thoughts: Environment Dogon is tucked away in the Salamander hotel and has a beautiful modern aesthetic. The dim lighting throughout the space creates an intimate vibe and ambiance that is perfect for date nights, birthday celebrations or drinks with friends. Just make sure that you make reservations well in advance - Dogon books up fast and reservations are hard to get! Service The service was great! Our server was attentive and super helpful with both drink and food recommendations. The food came out quickly and they made sure we had everything we needed throughout the night. Food We really loved the food. We tried a few items on the menu and the highlights were the coco bread, the branzino and the rice. Honestly, I would come back just for drinks and coco bread. It was warm, fluffy and just everything! The branzino was surprisingly delicious with the rice and sauce that complimented it nicely. I'd come back for all these items. The BBQ greens weren't far behind in terms of yummy food. The chicken and rice entree was solid but i'm not sure I'd order it again. The drinks were creative, delightful and perfect for the meal. The menu was appealing and I'd love to explore more items on my next visit. Overall Dogon is a great place with good food with a wonderful atmosphere. While it didn't quite hit 5 stars for me (It's tough for any place to get that from me) It's absolutely worth visiting, and I'm looking forward to returning. Just keep in mind that it is a bit pricey, so it's perfect for special occasions or when you're looking to treat yourself. read more

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Listen. Run. Do not walk. Run, especially if you can catch a reservation. Dōgon is amazing. Chef Kwame opens nothing but hits! The food, service, decor -- he never misses. He was there during our visit and stopped by a few times to ensure we were satisfied. Situated inside the Salamander Hotel, you should already have a certain level of expectation: classy, sexy, sleek. The decor is beautiful. The lighting is a tad bit darker than what my aging eyes would prefer, but still nice. I didn't have to pull out the flashlight on my phone -- some may. The chandelier is modern and very sleek. It reminded me of icicles in a way...piercing. On the food - we ordered the lobster, chargrilled oysters and the rum cake. I kid you not, the sauce on that lobster made me say out loud, "this reminds me of my grandmother." For context, Dōgon's cuisine is Afro-Caribbean inspired, and I have Caribbean heritage. So, the sauce on the lobster reminded me of a tomato-based sauce that my grandmother makes...top notch / authentic. And, I wanted more. You will have to order rice or veggies a la carte. The oysters were a hit too. The accoutrement seemed like a tomato based sauce as well. I could be wrong. I'm sure I'm wrong, but it was good nonetheless. And lastly the rum cake--while it was tasty, it wasn't the best, but I would order again. And finally - service. Philippe was great. He's from Mexico and I told him I wanted to brush up on my Spanish, so we interacted speaking Spanish for the evening. I thought that was nice of him to help me use words that I don't use daily. All-in-all, 10/10! Cheers read more

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I made a reservation for a Thursday at 7:15p. I highly recommend making a reservation. The ease and professional demeanor of the staff was exceptional. I decided to have a drink in the Lounge prior to dinner. I ordered the cornbread and it was a 10/10. For food we ordered Ben's Bowl, BBQ Greens, Curry Branzino, and the Chicken and Rice. I have tried the Branzino before so I knew it would be good. This was my first time trying the chicken and jollof rice. I was expecting a more authentic Jollof. Ida was amazing helping me pick a drink in the Lounge. Our server in the dining area was very attentive and was able to anticipate our every need. He even sliced the chicken dish when it arrived at the table. The ambiance is beautiful. Sexy. Great for date night, celebrating a special night out, or just catching up with friends. If you have had the pleasure of dining at Tatiana then you already know. read more

Consistent food quality every time I come to Dogón. Service is also quick and friendly. The bone marrow is one of my favorite items on the menu, I never skip it when I'm at Dogón! read more

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We enjoyed our dinner tonight the hoe cake and crab. 10 out of 10, the Branzino 10 out of 10. The rum cake outstanding, the rum is super subtle but the cake is moist, rich and delicious. Everything was flavorful. Oh and the cornbread ‍ delicious. The jerk mushrooms were like a 3 out of 10 not our fave. The overall experience food, ambience, and service 10 out of 10. Our waiter Lumile (sp) was amazing , he was helpful and knowledgeable. One of my best waiters to date. read more

The ambiance at Dogon is perfect for a date night, birthday dinner, etc. It is definitely an upscale vibe, which is reflected in the prices. I was asked to put away my ring light, which was interesting as this has never happened to me before at a restaurant and I've seen several content creators make reels and TikToks here that definitely used external lighting. Just something to keep in mind. My drink was called "the spirit of the dunes" and was definitely an acquired taste. My waiter warned us it was "savory" which made me want to try it more. It almost tasted like pickle juice. Interesting to say the least. As for the food: The curry branzino was delicious with perfectly crispy skin and a flaky interior. However, I think it could be perceived as salty to some. The coco bread was also delicious . I enjoyed the salty balance with the sweet butter. My friend got the chicken and rice. She said the chicken was juicy and tender and was pleasantly surprised by the portion. We both were not impressed by the jollof. It had a different taste than what I'm used to. Perhaps it was made with seafood stock?? We both agree the star of the show was the rum cake. I would go back just for this alone. I have never a rum cake be so faintly infused with rum, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a crust on the outside but the inside was moist and buttery. It was like biting a warm hug. read more

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In all honesty, I would give this place a 3. This is coming from someone with West African roots and an affinity for Caribbean culture, who has many African/Caribbean family & friends and has fine dined before. Location: I respect where it is located, especially once you consider the price point. It allows for others unfamiliar with these cultures to get a taste of it. Do I think it could be somewhere that's a better fit? Absolutely. 4/5 Ambience: It's beautiful. The interior is well done. Gives a chill vibe with the dim lighting. The music is straight from my playlists. I enjoyed it. 90s/00s R&B and classic hits. We went on a Friday night so it also gave prelude to a night out. Would love if it included some African/Caribbean music. Seating was too close for comfort but not a deal breaker. Clean bathrooms. 4/5 Service: From the door to when we exited, it was perfect. We had the first reservation of the night. The hostess was professional and pleasant. We were seated within 1-2 mins of checking in. Everyone greeted us as we approached our table. Our server Blake was very knowledgeable, has great direction and gave good descriptions of cocktails and meals. We even had her order a small plate for us and we really liked it. Other servers and staff were nice upon interaction. Our glasses were never without water. Even as it started to get busy, Blake made sure to check in on us. To me, the service was fitting for a fine dining experience. 5/5 Cocktails: They were good. Not sure if they were $20 range good. But I liked my drinks. I ordered the Mango Smash and the Sorel Rickey. The Mango Smash was tropical and tasty. I think the Sorel Rickey was a good alcoholic adaptation on sorrel. It was my favorite drink. My mate had the Dolce de Ju, which was good. I personally could've done without the rim. They also had an espresso martini with cream liqueur. Blake tried to give us the restaurant's version of the espresso martini but the bar was either out of the materials or no longer doing that version. The espresso martini received had a floral taste to it. From what? I couldn't tell you. I just didn't like it. 4/5 Now, to the main course... Food: - Coco bread was good to me; my dining partner thought otherwise. Thought it tasted like dinner rolls which I could see why. But they were nice and fluffy. - The cornbread was also good. It's soft and the butter served with it had a unique taste. I could taste the cumin or curry spice used in it. - The oysters could have been better. Our serving had barely any oyster filling. There was more soup than oyster. It was overpowering. The soup placed in the oyster shell tasted more like Thai yellow coconut curry to me. I didn't get much of a Caribbean vibe from this but it tasted good. I think this is new compared to the charbroiled menu version online. There were also hard bits and shells in a couple. - I struggled with the tuna shito. It's raw tuna served with a unique sauce. I tried to tell myself that it's like eating sashimi, which I do like, but I just couldn't get into it. Again, I questioned the cultural significance of the dish as Africans/Caribbeans don't eat raw foods. I get if it's an adaptation but I don't understand its reasoning on the menu. - Ben's bowl. The bowl has potential but I wasn't a fan of the deep fried lamb. The chickpea curry helped with the taste but I personally think the lamb should've been braised or grilled. - The Hoe Crab was a favorite. I loved the adaption of plantains into mini pancakes. Very creative. Adding the crab and aji verde sauce drizzled over all of it... mmmm I see why it is a popular order. It was delicious. - The Wagyu Braised Oxtails (new item) fell short. It had some tenderism. But the flavor felt like something was missing. For the price point, this should have been THE BEST oxtails I've had and... it just wasn't. The rice needed to brown more and fell short in flavor as well. The dish was quite mediocre. This item replaced the short ribs on the menu. 3/5 Price Point: I don't mind spending my coins. But after having the food, I left unimpressed especially with the oxtails. It was the most expensive food item on the menu. This doesn't compare to the other fine dining establishments I've visited. I felt like I was just paying for the ambience, service and drinks. For this, I feel like I would've been better off just ordering drinks. I attached the receipt for reference. Kwame, we have to do better... 2/5 Overall, I love supporting black businesses and those that push boundaries. I just think Kwame needs to go back to the drawing board. Figure out a way to truly intertwine the cultures he is pulling inspiration from. I don't know if I'd purposely come back but I might for a drink or two, if I'm in the area and I can find a time slot. read more

Dōgon - Receipt - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I used to be obsessed with Top Chef so I've been following Chef Kwame since his season, so when I heard he was coming back to DC to open Dogon I was so excited. Unfortunately, I left unimpressed and disappointed in the food. First note, if you're going to say it's African fusion, make sure the African flavors are there..it's not. I went with mainly Africans from different parts of the continent and we all agreed African flavors where?? The good: Hoe Crab and the Curry Branzino. Those are the best dishes on the menu you won't be disappointed. For the hoe crab, just the crab is good. Idk what happened, but the after taste of our plantain hoe cake was burnt. We were puzzled because they didn't look burnt but after the second chew you had this displeasing taste in your mouth, so we just ate the crab by itself. Idk if it's because they're so small and maybe the stovetop wasn't cleaned properly, but it was bad... a major letdown. The wagyu beef would get honorable mention. The beef was cooked well, but the seasoning on the meat was a bit too much, you definitely need to eat it with the greens to cut the flavor. The flavor was also giving more kbqq/Asian inspired than African. If it came with rice or a more substantial side, I could maybee justify the price but just the meat and greens for 110 is overdoing it. The Braised cabbage is alright. After a couple bites it did start to grow on me, but not a dish I would order on my own. However, my vegan friend really liked it, so that's a good vegan or vegetarian option. You can't go wrong with oyster and they were charbroiled, so those were good. It's a safe option but overpriced imo for 3 oysters. The bad and the ugly: Chicken and Rice. Honestly, this dish was shameeefull. The jollof rice is horrendous... utterly bad. He's Nigerian but we don't claim this jollof. I don't know which countries jollof he was trying to imitate but it failed on every level. The chicken was also bland. He needs to go back to the drawing board with this one. I didn't care for the cocobread, I could've done without it. It just tasted like a regular ball of bread. I've never had authentic cocobread, but my friend who has said it doesn't taste like this. We wish we would've ordered the cornbread instead. Overall, unless the taste profile of several dishes are revamped or modified, I don't ever need to come back here. read more

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The food and service here were 10/10, this was one of the best restaurants I've dined at in DC! Make your reservations early because they book up. I dined at 6pm on Tuesday and the dining room was packed! The music is awesome and service just as good. Lumi was so attentive and communicative as a server (ask for him!), he knew all the dishes and drinks and provided excellent recommendations. The entrees are enormous and I especially recommend the wagyu short rib, it is so tender and juicy. Restaurant is huge and restrooms are clean. Will definitely be back soon! read more

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I had an amazing time at Dogon! Kwame is bringing back true dinning to DC. Where it's more than just vibes/aesthetic and the food is spectacular. We loved every dish! - MomDukes Shrimp 10/10 - Jollof Rice 10/10 - Coco Bread 10/10 - Hoe Cakes 10/10 - Escovitch 8/10 - Pri Pri Salad 10/10 - Chicken and Rice 8/10 - Rum Cake 10/10 Next time we'll try the greens. We left full and didn't have enough room for it. Service is great and our sever was attentive. I highly suggest making a 5pm reservation instead going later in the afternoon. Cannot forget about the atmosphere and setting. The R&B music sets the vibe and the dark setting brings on the sexy and romantic setting. read more

Dōgon - Jollof rice - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Do not take anyone here on a first date unless you want them to fall deeply in love with you. The ambiance and experience were phenomenal. The server was so knowledgeable about the menu and patient with all of our questions. I don't really know how to put the way every dish tasted into words. Immaculate is the only thing that comes to mind. The portions were huge and enough for the three of us to enjoy family style. We usually don't order dessert but because we were enjoying our experience so much we decided to try the rum cake, which is one of the best desserts we've ever had. I would give them ten stars if I could. read more

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This is the best find dining restaurant in DC and I'm not sure how anyone can feel differently. Every bite of food I had was amazing, from top to bottom. We were promptly greeted, the restaurant itself is beautiful, and upon being seated the manager noticed we had our coats that were taking up space and he asked if he could take them so he could hang them up for us. I haven't stopped raving about this place since we visited. The kitchen was towards the back, open and clean and reminded me of The Menu haha. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Hands down, my FAVORITE restaurant. This is the type of restaurant where you spend your money and have no remorse or regrets afterwards. Actually, as I'm typing this review I've decided to make a reservation for a return visit! The service was great- our server clearly knew the menu and provided honest suggestions based on our preferences. I will say the drinks could have a larger drink to ice ratio, but I get it. For food we had the coco bread (delicious and comforting) , charbroiled oysters (give me a dozen next time), bbq greens (such a different and unique spin), curry branzino (taste of heaven!) and rice and peas (tasted traditional). That was shared between my friend and I, we had more than enough! For beverages I had the flower pot punch and she had the sorel rickey- both were delicious, strong and had us feeling as if we were on vacation! read more

Every year food writers publish their "lists" taking stock of the best eats DC has to offer. Occasionally I don't understand the hype (or the price tag), but chalk it up to a matter of different palettes and opinion. Dogon is easily the best meal I've had this year, and that's not an exaggeration. Try anything on the menu and I'm convinced it won't miss. And I can forget the playlist! A vibe all around and I'm counting the days until our next visit. read more

Dōgon - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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4.75 stars but we're rounding for yelps sake. First, Dōgon was the best food I've had in 2025. The coco bread was like eating a cloud. Absolutely fantastic. The oysters were chef's kiss, it comes with a stew they really should allow you to purchase to go. The collard greens were so smoky... truly phenomenal. Now for the .25 points deducted. The jollof was... shockingly a skip. Considering the stew served with the oysters, I maybe had unrealistic expectations. The wagyu was definitely not wagyu. I get annoyed when words are not utilized appropriately on a menu. The dessert!! The rum cake!! "Wow" doesn't begin to cover it. Truly life changing. Whatever you do, do not miss it nor the coco br read more

Dōgon - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

*chefs kiss* from start to finish. I was looking forward to dining here and finally made way last night. When you arrive to Dōgon there is a lounge area where you can sit and wait before your table. The front entrance staff was friendly, and I love the ambiance inside, perfect for intimate settings. Dim lighting, not loud. We were seated and Travis was our server. He is very personable and made great recommendations. I ordered the coco bread, Piri Piri salad, and branzino. The piri piri salad was sooo delicious! The flavors were so uniquely paired. The branzino was cooked to perfection and the coco bread! This bread melts in your hands before it melts in your mouth. A very delicious dinner and 10/10 would recommend these items. read more

Dōgon - Piri Piri salad - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've had Chef Kwame's Dōgon bookmarked for some time and was excited to snag a Resy for Thursday night. Inside is dimly lit, intimate and makes for a good dinner date, as the music isn't too loud. We were served by Jesse, who was great and offered his opinion when it came time to order. We tried the following: Coco Bread 7.5/10 - warm and fluffy, similar taste to agege bread. Ben's Bowl 7.8/10 - different elements complimented each other very well. Hoe Crab 9/10 - sooo flavorful, a must try! Chicken & Rice 7.3/10 - seasoned well but lacked flavor if that makes sense. Chicken was big and juicy, jollof rice was bland. Mom Dukes Shrimp 7/10- creole flavor, shrimp was overcooked. Pepper Sauce 9/10 - nice heat and made everything taste so much better. I appreciate the efforts of Jesse, but overall the experience was just okay for me. I over anticipated this dining experience and left underwhelmed. I did really enjoy the hoe crab and think this dish should be served at a larger portion as a large plate. It was really tasty. I understand the shared plate concept, and the idea that the chefs push out dishes once they're ready, but small plates, or "appetizers" should be brought out 1st, and entrees should be brought out together. We were getting large plates before small plates and waited extended periods of time before getting certain dishes. Then dishes would get cold because we're waiting for each other to receive their own entree. It was a little annoying and caused us to become impatient. The music was good and a mix of r&b and hip hop but there was extended periods of time where there wasn't any music playing. Then randomly one song would come on, and then silence afterwards. It was almost as if the person who was on the aux cord kept forgetting to play the next song. I did want to try the rum cake but was over the dining experience at that point. But maybe I'll go back for that, as well as the hoe crab if it's developed into a large plate. read more

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What a fantastic experience! I came here to celebrate my friends birthday, and we had a very early reservation at 5:30 PM, but the ambience inside truly makes you forget the time. Our waiter Tony brought great energy to the table and made sure we were attended to all night. We started off with the mango basil smash can cocktail, and a special margarita cocktail they had for the day. Both of the drinks were good, but nothing extraordinary. We wanted to taste a number of items on the menu so we ordered the cornbread, the crab hoe cake, and the Wagyu beef platter. Tony being extremely kind also surprised us with the collard greens and the rum cake for free for my friends birthday! Everything we tasted was absolutely delicious. The cornbread is an absolute MUST HAVE, the hoe cakes were great though a smaller portion, and the Wagyu beef while expensive had great flavor and texture. Im not a huge fan of collard greens, but I loved that they were not overly salty or rich, and the rum cake was a perfect end to the meal, not too sweet or rich and left me wanting more. Overall, I would love to come back and try a couple of their other items. read more

Dōgon - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Kwame doesn't miss! This restaurant is a must try. The hype is justified! The flavors in the food were so Rich in every dish! The portions are on the smaller side just an fyi. The service was good my party had to wait an extra 15 minutes to be seated but was provided with complimentary champagne. The ambiance is beautiful in there it's very cozy and chic. I will definitely return read more

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Update: went back again and some things were better than my last time! Not sure what changed about the oysters it was better! The cheese on top and the sizzle was better than the oysters I ordered opening night. I will say serving three oysters as a small share is wild! Like why not 4? I didn't know an additional oyster was $6 so know that if you do say four it costs/ so if they fail to mention it be warned. Cornbread still amazing, hoe crab still super flavorful. Then got the branzino again and still do not fail! I think they added rice to this dish and yep I love Cocktails are crafted but know they special so 4 drinks can run you 100ish probably more! Our server, TONY, was great! Took fabulous photos of us to start the night off. But was super attentive. Always checked on us, knew the menu and had great mannerisms. Much smoother experience than the first time ! Love when the staff adds to the experience ! Last time opening night probably overwhelmed our server but Tony was relax, calm, entertaining and charismatic! Even sang to homegirl for her birthday! Brought out a little cake and all! Ty the chef is also great! Always speaks so highly of the place and also walked out to see us and he be whipping! Not sure what he was cooking when I went this night but a very talented chef that the city loves! Lovely experience! Romantic grown vibes. Always full! People there just cooling! read more

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We arrived at 7:45 pm and the desert was finally served at 9:55. After being seated waited 10 minutes before any server arrived. I know fresh cooked food takes time but it seemed like we waited 15-25 minutes between them bringing out food It is family style shareable portions. The coco bread was delicious, The greens had to much meat in them and greasy. Bens bowl was horrible, Piri Piri salad dressing was lacking. The 68.00 chicken and rice was minimal the chicken had good flavor and the rice was tasteless. The only good thing was Mom Dukes shrimp and Coco bread. 224.00 for two people for a mediocre meal was robbery. Oh and the music was loud and inappropriate songs with cursing, and vulgarity shouldn't be played. read more

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Second time here and the food and service combined were amazing! This time my group visited the private room and all of the entrees were delicious! We started with the coco bread and corn bread which were both warm and flavorful. Each accompanied by two different butter options. The team also brought us the Ma Dukes shrimp and the oxtail empanadas. Both were incredible. For the entree we had the chicken and the short rib. Both were so tender and flavorful. I love the use of the fresh herb garnish, it took each dish to another level. To end, the rum cake was so rich and flavorful with a crispy bottom. I loved everything we tried. Can't wait to be back! read more

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This has to be the most overpriced restaurant I've ever been to and I choose stellar restaurants to try all over the country. The rolls were $15. They were soft a white rolls with nothing special to them at all. The rum cake was $19 and bitter. Interestingly enough, it was better the next day. The branzino was amazing. I won't argue that. The skin was crispy and the fish tender. The flavor of the curry was perfection. That said, it is not worth $82. I had a tasting menu with more food that tasted way better and has super interesting flavors for the same price as the fish not far from this spot the next night. The space was dark and the music was loud. That may be your vibe but it's not mine. The cocktail was tasty but not spectacular enough to be worth $24. I sat at the bar and the service was great. I won't be coming back here again and won't be recommending it to my friends unless the price decreases significantly. read more

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*A moment of silence* as I take a pause to write this review because that's how taken back I was when I took my first bite of EVERY plate. If you have any complaints, you don't know cuisine. This was by far the best meal Ive had all year. I can now understand why Ive see so many reviews with the same response. I almost couldn't believe it. The FLAVOR of each dish just sang its own beautiful tune. The pork belly, the pork bellyyy!!! The burst of flavor from the tomatoes, the sauce the grilled or seared flavor. Idk what they did back there lol but not one complaint. The BUTTERY hoe cake, chefs kiss. The crab..to live for. The coco bread, melts in your mouth. The butter wasn't necessary but blew it out of the park. This ain't Golden Crust, growing up in BK (iykyk) I can truly go on forever. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

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We went to celebrate my friends birthday. It was a group of 6 of us. The decor was super nice and service was great. We tried the cornbread, Ben's bowl, oysters, hoe crab and the curry branzino. All of the dishes had a different unique flavor nothing like anything I've had before. Everything was very good but my favorite was the hoe crab. The flavors in Ben's bowl married well but the texture of the lamb wasn't my favorite. For a group of 6 I would definitely recommend getting 2 large shares with 4 small. It was definitely a positive experience that I enjoyed. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Hi Dogon Team, I just wanted to share how incredible my experience has been. It was such a pleasure meeting your owner, Kwame Onwuachi--truly an honor. From the moment I walked in, everything has been exceptional. Your staff, the food, the service--honestly, the best I've ever experienced. And that's not said lightly. I've traveled all over the world--Bali, Jamaica, the Bahamas--and across the U.S. including New York (where I'm from), Miami, LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Laguna Beach, and even Toronto. And still--nothing compares. As someone from New York, where we pride ourselves on having some of the best food and service in the world, I don't say this casually. Dogon has truly set a new standard. For context, Shoto has been my go-to--I've been there almost every weekend. But over the past month, I've found myself choosing Dogon consistently instead. The level of professionalism, attention to detail, and overall experience simply doesn't compare. I also want to take a moment to recognize your exceptional team: Lumi is, without question, the best staff member I've encountered--professional, sharp, incredibly hardworking, and consistently delivering service with such a genuine, good heart. Truly standout. Jesse and Carlos are also favorites of mine--both warm, attentive, and always going above and beyond. Jesse, especially, left a lasting impression on me--despite being in an accident, he still showed up with kindness, care, and excellence. That level of dedication is rare. J at the front always sets the tone the right way--welcoming, attentive, and above and beyond from the moment you walk in. And your manager (I believe her name is Cassandra--apologies if I have that slightly wrong), who shared about her son at a private school, was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and clearly leads with heart. It shows throughout the entire team. You all are doing something very special--this is what true hospitality feels like. Please keep it going. I will absolutely continue to support and bring others with me. Warmly, Brya read more

I had two completely different experiences at Dogōn, both on a Thursday night and both without a reservation--one flawless, the other frustrating. My first experience was incredible from start to finish. I started in the lounge area with a round of drinks and bites, and the wagyu skewers and cocktails were amazing. The music, lighting, decor, and service were all on point. Later, my friend and I moved to the bar, where we enjoyed the Hoe Crab, chargrilled oysters, and branzino--all delicious (though I wasn't a fan of the jollof rice). We ended with the Rum Cake, which was phenomenal. What really made the experience special was the bartender taking time to explain the restaurant's concept, the meaning behind its name, and what inspired it. I left feeling like I had discovered a hidden gem. Unfortunately, my second visit was the complete opposite. I arrived around 7:30 PM and was told the earliest I could be seated was 8:30-9 PM. No problem--I was happy to wait as long as I was seated by 9, considering the restaurant closes at 10 PM. The host walked me to a lounge seat, but it took quite a while for a server to greet me, and I eventually had to flag someone down to order a drink. Once I got my Astronomer cocktail, it was perfect, and I started to relax. Around 8:50 PM, I asked my server if she could check on my bar seat. She returned saying the host told her the bar seat wasn't quite ready. I then went to check in with the same host I originally spoke with, and suddenly, the story changed--now she claimed she never told me the seat would be ready by 9 PM, and instead, the guests at the bar were just getting sat at 9. She even went as far as to say I arrived at 8 PM, which was completely inaccurate. Final Thoughts: If you're going to Dogōn, it seems like reservations are a must. While my first visit was truly exceptional, my second visit was frustrating due to poor communication, long wait times, and disorganization. Instead of waiting any longer, I ended up having dinner at Moonraker instead. I'd love to have the first experience again, but the inconsistency makes me hesitant to return without a reservation. read more

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I went to culinary school. Ordered the cornbread, carrot tigua, bbq greens, cabbage and rum cake. Cornbread was good, a slight crunch on the outside and a soft interior. I was surprised that $15 only gets you two slices, given that $15 gets you an entire basket of coco bread. The cabbage was very good, on the sweeter side, and the charred portion wasnt overpowering at all. I loved the fresh mint in it. I just wish there had been a way for us to eat the rest of the sauce. The carrots description is lacking the spices used on them, it was spicy and a little smoky. It is described on the menu as a stew, however nothing about it was stew-like, it was much more akin to a thick, creamy peanut sauce. I didn't pick up on any "crustacean" flavor. The bbq greens were a let down. It's a very oily, onion/garlic forward and intensely earthy dish, and we didn't find any beef bacon. I wonder if they forgot to add it. Rum cake was fantastic. The whipped cream would be amazing if it were more custardy. The cake is already so light, a heavier cream would give an amazing contrast. The golden berries are very sour. read more

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Big big fan of Tatiana and Chef Kwame overall. So excited to have you back in DC. Atmosphere: swank, velvet, sexy. Perfect for date night, special occasion or friends. Staff: 5/5 excellent - Everyone from host to servers. Daniel had BOMB recommendations. We ordered more b/c of him and we were not disappointed. Service: it's week 3 so there were hiccups (2nd drinks coming at the end of the meal, one small share missing) but didn't ruin the vibe. Drinks: Mango basil smash was beautiful, but the amount of crushed ice muted the flavor a lot. Didn't enjoy. Maybe a block ice instead? RG&T & astronomer: highly recommend Food for our group of 3: Our server helped us match up small shared that complimented entrees. Rather than treating them like "appetizers". Could be a good option for the menu to add "suggested pairings" Oysters: skip, the sauce makes it. Otherwise not great. Cheese too strong. Coco bread: GREAT, shareable -- salted, hint of sweet, diff texture than traditional coco bread tho. Lamb dish: loved, shareable for 2, not 3 -- Hint of sour and creaminess and meat cooked to perfection. Jollof (side): good, but liked better paired with a main rather than alone. Braised greens: great, shareable --- Not too salty or limp. Fully taste the goodness of the greens. (Pairs well w/ branzino) Branzino: loved! Shareable -- perfectly cooked. Flaky. Heads up: if u don't like curry sauce (creamy. Savory w/ Hint of coconut.) , the salt on the fish skin will overwhelm at first. Lobster: great, not shareable --- Tangy, tart slightly sweet. Small portion of meat. Rum cake: loved! Shareable --- Dense like pound cake, w/ firm edges. So much flavor. read more

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20/10 Everything was divine! The Service - Amazing, Food - Out of this world! Flavor Bombs all over the place! Ambiance doesn't disappoint either! I am a foodie and I am impressed! read more

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Chef Kwame does it again! The newest restaurant from Top Chef alum and celebrity chef, Kwame Onwuachi, is pure perfection. Starting with the decor, the restaurant is gorgeous. I loved the tableware and that it had the glamorous chain curtains that were / are a staple in his other restaurants. For drinks, I had the flower power and it was small but mighty. I only needed one and that's surprising because it's in a tiny glass. For food, I had the Charbroiled Oysters, Lobster Escovitch, BBQ Greens, and the Rum Cake. The Lobster Escovitch was a little too small for the price but still well cooked and seasoned. The BBQ Greens and Rum Cake were also great but there was a standout star dish that had me trying to scrap the plate (really the shell). The Charbroiled Oysters were one of my favorite dishes of this year. I loved everything about the taste from the temperature of them to the sauce that I added on top. I MUST have these whenever I go back. Dōgon is one of the most delicious restaurants I've been to this year and I'm grateful I had the chance to visit. Looking forward to my next trip to DC because this will certainly be my first stop when I'm there. read more

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A delightful experience from this concept by Chef Kwame. My friend made a reservation, and we came on time -- but our table wasn't quite ready, and they asked us to wait about 15 minutes longer. We grabbed some water at the hotel bar and before we knew it our table was indeed ready! The staff kindly took my friend's coat and we got led to our table. What a layout! It feels upscale and glorious, and hearing the afrobeats and R&B just made it all the better throughout! We decided to split several small plates and coco bread (which was FANTASTIC)... Carrot tigua - ended up being the last thing we got. While it was delicious overall, the peanut crustacean stew is definitely an acquired taste -- I didn't love the fishy notes it added. Hoe crab - the first thing and definitely one of the best. a plantain hoe cake?! Come on. Was devastated when both the cakes and crab were gone. Ben's bowl - flavorful, fantastic lamb... and tamarind and chickpea together and among my favorite Caribbean things! Charbroiled oysters - delicious!!! Felt like I was back down in NOLA. The server talked me into getting the rum cake, which I had zero regrets doing. I have never thought top a rum cake with golden berries before, but it really worked! Now, it wasn't extra boozy like black cake, but even so... the flavor, the texture... WOW. Great way to finish a meal. Now mind you, coming here is definitely an investment. But it is totally worth it and they occasionally have events where you can meet the chef. And sometimes, he's just out and about from what I hear. Do yourself a favor and check them out at least once! read more

Everything was a 10000/10 : food, drinks, ambiance, and service! The food literally has me moaning: colossal shrimp, tender lamb, perfectly charbroiled oysters, moist cornbread and cake, flavorful and spicy jollof rice. Topped off with great drinks! Thee best birthday meal! read more

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Visited for an anniversary dinner late reservation at 9:30 pm. Reservations are highly recommended (through Resy). We checked in for reservation at 9:30 pm and the only reason I cannot give a five star review is that we had to wait an additional thirty minutes to be seated for our reservation. We weren't contacted by text that the table was ready and we had to check on our own for seating. The staff was courteous and prompt in service during dining. We were greeted by the team who apologized for the wait, acknowledged our anniversary, and provided us with a starter and a glass of champagne/non alcoholic champagne. Our server Cheyenne was great at explaining the menu, recommendations to order as well as drinks. The food comes out family style to share and best when ordering different plates to share. Every dish we had was amazing. The food was hearty, soulful, and full of flavor. The portion sizes even for the small plates were filling and the staff is great about removing empty plates, glasses, and refilling water glasses, etc. The playlist creates an amazing atmosphere - the restaurant is a top tier location and just feels like Black excellence and the familiarity of home. I definitely would visit again for the food and atmosphere. There is valet parking at the hotel and nearby paid street parking $$$ read more

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Good food came out fast and they honored our reservation at the last minute! Food was really tasty I had fried snapper and my wife had the branzino both dishes where very feeling. My only drawback was the music was loud and overwhelming. Also the tables are kinda close which did not give the intimacy that the restaurant vibes give read more

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4.5 really.. only docked b/c of portion- everything is marketed as shareable but seeing the size of most of the dishes - i don't see how. Even my order of oysters was of 3- how do u split that? Lol But this is literally the only "negative". I lined up at 4:35p and was 3rd in line for walk-in. 8 seats available at the bar. The service was warm and knowledgable of the menu.. the space was inviting and chic. Like Tatiana, Chef Kwame shows off his expertise in flavor pairings.. the oysters were excellent with the red stew sauce. And the lobster escovitch was really nice- the onions and peppers were in the classic escovitch style and lobster cooked perfectly.. served split. Finished with the rum cake which was PERFECTION. Gregory the bartender mentioned he doesnt even like rum cake and this one changed his mind. My cocktail the RG&T was refreshing and spritzy. Cant wait to come back and try more of the menu! Welcome back to DC, Chef!! read more

Dōgon - Caribbean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If I was rating the food and ambience only, I would have given 5 stars. The food at Dogon is something I will think about long after this trip. I am already sad that this restaurant is nowhere near my hometown, because I know I will crave it. The music was exactly my vibe, a mix of R&B and hip hop that stayed chill and soothing throughout the night. The dining rooms were cozy and there were lots of staff bringing food out in record time. I ordered the coco bread, which was fine, but it did not wow me. What did wow me were the hoe cakes, the softest plantain hoe cakes topped with crab. The crab was seasoned deliciously and came with an additional aji verde sauce that took every bite up a level. The brown stew snapper was another standout. It was crispy, glazed in a well seasoned brown sauce, and topped with cilantro. It came with rice and peas that were tender and well seasoned. The portions are generous, especially the fish, so I was already full when I almost skipped dessert. I am very glad I did not. The Cherries and Cream was the surprise of the night. It arrived as shaved cherry granita laced with frozen spiced cherries and bites of frozen pastry cream. It was refreshing, sweet, lightly spiced, and creamy, a dessert that hit every tastebud and lingered in the best way. The only drawback to the meal was that while my server was nice, she was not polished in her appearance or her attentiveness. She even told the table next to me, when they ordered a second iced tea, are you sure, no free refills and I have to go to the hotel to get it. The support staff was great, and the food came out incredibly quickly, which almost made up for her service, but her service certainly did not match or support the food. I loved seeing so many brown faces among the staff and the crowd itself was mixed. This place is a destination. It is a place to embrace African and Caribbean cuisine and a place where all cultures realize just how goddamn good this food is. read more

Dogon has to be the best restaurant that we have visited in recent memory! First, the service was fantastic! The staff worked as a cohesive team, made you feel comfortable and welcome, and provided great recommendations on dishes. We really appreciated them adjusting the pacing of our order and dishes to accommodate our schedule. Dogon has a great ambiance nestled in the Salamander Hotel. It offers both a more casual lounge for drinks and small plates and a larger restaurant with a full menu of delicious shared plate options. The restaurant is very trendy and modern with dimly lit decor, light music, and many of DC's local power players dining in. The food was full of flavor, creative, and offers unique dishes that I have not experienced at other restaurants in the area. The Afro-Caribbean fusion is a win with a range of flavors. For a table of 4, we ordered 6 small plates and 2 large dishes, which provided a great sampling and plenty to share. The Branzino is a must and should be getting recognition for best dish in DC. The cocktails were delicious. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu and we look forward to our return! read more