Andrean S.

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

Angela W.

A redemption arc well earned. I tried Elmina when it first opened for brunch and walked away underwhelmed. Dinner, however, is an entirely different experience and I'm glad I gave it another chance. The space alone sets the tone, beautiful decor across two floors of dining. We were seated on the second floor near the open kitchen and watching the chefs work while dishes were carried out around us added a whole layer to the evening. Dinner and a show, essentially. The wine menu is extensive and worth taking your time with. For starters we tried the crispy okra fries which were a great introduction to what was coming. The main event featured jollof duck pot, broiled branzino, tomahawk steak and crab fried rice -- everything arrived bursting with flavor. Even when one dish didn't fully land for someone at the table, something else more than compensated. That's the sign of a well rounded menu. Contemporary Ghanaian cuisine done at this level deserves its flowers and Elmina is delivering. I'm already looking forward to returning.

Jasmine B.

This was my first time trying Ghanaian food and Elmina was such a great introduction! I started with a Fresh Strawberry Martini which I really enjoyed. For an appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Okra Fries and it came with a burnt leek and onion ranch dipping sauce. I don't eat okra very often, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked them! The ranch was especially delicious and paired perfectly with the fries. For my entree, I had the Hamachi collar. It was absolutely delicious and the portion was much more generous than I expected. It also came with what I believe were plantain chips. They were fun to snack on alongside the fish! I also got to try my friend's Crab Fried Rice and it was excellent. It reminded me of a flavorful Thai fried rice and I kept going back for another bite because it was so good!

Una D.

Came here for a birthday dinner. My friend is from Ghana and wanted to try this new fusion Ghana restaurant. It certainly didn't disappoint. The drinks were spot on. We especially enjoyed the plantain chips Because it was our birthdays the waitress did honor that by giving each of us a free glass of champagne on the house. I did like the outdoor patio vibe that they had set up with warmers it was quite comfy and had nice spacing around it. I think it would be a pretty good place to chill in the summer Parking is on the street and might be hard to find but if you try hard enough it's possible. Service was excellent no issues I would be inclined to come back

Joy O.

I finally made it back to Elmina for dinner! I first visited over a year ago for brunch and vowed to return to try the dinner menu. Mission accomplished...and they absolutely delivered. The restaurant was slightly busy on a weekend evening, but I am not surprised. It's clearly become a go-to spot if you're looking for a modern, upscale African dining experience in DC. The décor is still one of my favorite parts of the restaurant: clean, contemporary Ghanaian elegance with an open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs at work. My friends and I always order family-style so everyone gets to try a little of everything, which means we rarely leave with food envy. The appetizer: the fried okra. Whew! Light, crispy, perfectly seasoned...dangerously addictive. I could've easily eaten a whole basket by myself, lol. The branzino was my favorite entrée of the night. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and also very addictive. We also ordered the crab fried rice, and honestly, I enjoyed that more than the jollof duck pot. The duck pot was good, but I'd definitely order the crab fried rice again first. The tomahawk steak was okay. Good, but it wasn't living up to its price point, tbh.. My mocktail was refreshing and exactly what I needed with the meal. One of the highlights of the evening was getting the chance to meet Chef Eric Adjepong from Top Chef. Such a cool surprise and a nice way to end the evening. I'm so happy I came back. Sometimes you revisit a restaurant and it doesn't live up to your first experience. That wasn't the case here. Elmina is still doing its thing!!!!

Elba Adriana C.

Elimina is a Ghanian restaurant that either has a Michelin star or is on the Michelin guide. We decided to try it out at first because it was one of the handful of restaurants we could use our chase open door credit for! I'm glad we came and tried it. Although I don't think it blew us away unfortunately. Overall the food was good and the flavor profile was different - a good different - it just missed that extra - subjective - umph in a Michelin recommended place. We tried their multi-course menu and also ordered a few things a la carte and our favorite dishes octopus skewers and the lamb. The courses that let us down were mainly two: the plantain in our opinion needed to be softer, it was between sweet and savory and maybe that is the point, but we didn't enjoy it that much. The crudo was bland and lacked flavor. I think for $500 (we ordered a lot and had leftovers!) we didn't leave feeling as WOW as we expected. Still happy to have tried it!

Nnam D.

We originally had a reservation for eight, but only six people were able to make it. The restaurant was still accommodating and seated us once half of the party had arrived. The service was amazing, especially our waiter, Z. We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and the staff allowed us to bring in cupcakes from Baked & Wired. We stayed a little past closing to finish celebrating, but no one made us feel rushed or tried to push us out. We even had the opportunity to meet the chef, which was a nice touch. For appetizers, we ordered the hamachi crudo, scallop crudo, plantains, roti, eggplant, and suya. The eggplant was easily the standout and honestly some of the best eggplant I've ever had--10/10. The roti paired really well with it. The plantains were also very good, and it seemed like the dishes featured two different preparations of plantain. The suya and scallop crudo were okay, but not the most memorable items of the night. For our mains, we had the jollof rice with duck and the medium-rare ribeye. The jollof had a distinctly Ghanaian flavor, possibly with a touch of crayfish, and the egg was a nice addition. The duck was flavorful, although the texture was a little tougher than I expected. The ribeye was amazing and cooked well, though the chimichurri was applied a little heavily for my taste. Overall, we had a great experience. The excellent service, welcoming atmosphere, eggplant, plantains, jollof/duck, and ribeye were the highlights of the evening.

Sabrina G.

My wife and I came here for our anniversary, and the space is beautifully decorated--from the outside to the inside. The mix of colors and the different rooms all flow together perfectly without feeling overwhelming. The service was amazing. We were greeted warmly and even wished a Happy Anniversary. We sat upstairs and were treated to a glass of champagne, along with a mocktail for me, which was a nice touch. We ended up ordering just appetizers, and surprisingly, that was more than enough to fill us up. The grilled octopus was so good I had to order it twice! My wife had the grilled oyster mushrooms and really enjoyed them. The jollof was okay, but that smashed avocado dip with the homemade plantain chips--OMG, absolutely amazing. Overall, it was a great experience. I'll definitely be back because I still need to try the fish!

JANELLE W.

What a perfect way to spend a Friday night. The space had a smooth neo-soul and R&B vibe--warm, intentional, and effortlessly welcoming. It struck that rare balance of being both stylish and comfortable. I started with the smoked bone marrow, which was outstanding. The crispy goat added a satisfying texture, while the dish itself still felt surprisingly light. I found myself alternating bites with and without the pickle, and honestly, it worked beautifully both ways. The octopus skewers had a perfect char, and the caramelized onions truly elevated the dish. The onion reminded me of the rich, tangy flavors of Yassa from Senegal and The Gambia--something I absolutely love--so this was a clear standout for me. The Waakye was absolutely delicious. Rice and egg is an underrated combination, and the soft-boiled eggs added that perfect creamy richness from the yolk. I especially appreciated that the shito sauce was served on top, allowing me to control the heat level. The balance of spice and flavor was spot on. And the oxtail... incredibly tender and deeply flavorful. A true comfort dish, but still right at home within the restaurant's chic atmosphere. The portion was generous--I had plenty of leftovers, which I was more than happy about. The service was great. This place has definitely earned a spot in my regular rotation whenever I'm in DC, and it's one I'll be recommending without hesitation.

JL H.

A MUST when in The District! Space is quaint so Reservations are required. They do have an upstairs with a bar. Service is swift and personable, with well-informed staff to suggest items that surprise and delight you. We started with the Daddy Bofa drink. Strong and not for the faint of heart. Definitely worth it. Had a Mocktail Sobolo (Zobo). If you're of Caribbean descent, think Sorrel. The Kelewele is good for now and later. The spiced coating on the Plantains and lightly spiced peanuts do not overtake the sweet kiss of the fried Plantains, although, some will be more Tostones-flavored and textured. They are also good with the sauces that come with the Chofi. Chofi's fried turkey tails. Similar to Chicharron de Pollo but smaller and a tad fattier. Comes with three (3) sauces with different spice levels. Come with sweatpants or other LOOSE fits, make 'em fancy though because it's a sexy place. The Waakye gives three (3) large succulent Oxtail smothered in Gari. The Rice & Peas (Red Red) (Red Black Eyed Peas) and a Jollof-styled Rice (without the spice), which was good. The Red Red are DELISH. We're a legume family. The Elmina Spicy Chicken is really for two (2), A LOT! Stewed in a savory but spicy red pepper sauce. DIVINE. We added a side of Jollof, which honestly, it should automatically come with, considering the price. FANTASTIC dishes together! After all of that, no room for dessert, although we were gonna get the Malva cake. It does come with ice cream and we simply had no room. We took everything for leftovers because it's that much food. Amapiano usually plays overhead, giving a Motherland vibe. Once in a while, you'll hear GoGo beats to remind you that you're Stateside in The District. Overall, an immediate return!

Lucia B.

Had a reservation to celebrate my birthday and unfortunately we had to wait 30-40 min to be seated. The place wasn't super busy so that was disappointing, they weren't apologetic either. Our server was very nice but service was not good, very slow and we had to ask for water refills a couple of times. We sat upstairs, the space is small. Food was very good, my husband and I like spicy food and were surprised as to how spicy some of the items were. We ordered the smoked sweet plantain which was absolutely amazing, beef kebab, delicious too and the Elmira spicy chicken, this was good but borderline too spicy. For dessert we had the Choux Au Solei which was good but not memorable. Overall it was a good experience but not great given the service and wait time.

Mila F.

This was an amazing five stars experience. We did the tasting menu and despite the cold having an effect on the wait time, once we got seated everything went so smoothly. We put all our orders in at once and they timed perfectly and brought out each dish one after the other. Depending on your tastes preference, you'll have different favorites, but I could not get over the Hamachi Crudo, how fluffy the fufu was and the Malva pudding cake! And if I'm being honest, nothing fell short of amazing. I really enjoyed getting little surprises that were not specified on the menu like the amuse bouche and the palette cleanser. These bites were delicious in and of themselves. It's an upscale design, with casual energy. They seem to have enough space to accommodate large parties is with reservation or small parties at short notice. Theres also limited seating at the bars.

Jessica A.

I'm so glad I finally got to visit Elmina! Once I found out that Chef Eric was making an upscale Ghanaian restaurant in DC, I knew I had to make my way there. I've heard great things from others who've visited, so I came expecting great things. It's a three story restaurant with plenty of seating and beautiful art work all around. My friend and I sat at the bar and started with some drinks. I got the sobolo fizz, which is a hibiscus and ginger beer drink, and had a hint of pineapple and clove. It's a sweeter drink and of course very tasty. We also ordered to chicken and prawn chichinga, which is what us Ghanaians call kebabs. Both were very good, but I definitely have to go with the prawns since I'm a seafood girlie. We also ordered kelewele, which is seasoned plantains, and sides of jollof rice. Everything was delicious, and the food met my expectations. I will most definitely be back to do the full dinner tasting experience!