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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!
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!
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.
I'm a fan of this Ghanian restaurant. I ordered the tasting menu which came with 5 courses, 1 being a surprise. I started off with the zaalouk dip which came with roti and that was pretty good. The Hamachi crudo was also really god. For the second, the Palm nut shrimp and Octopus stew was spicy and delicious while the braised lamb shoulder was pretty good. I really enjoyed the Jollof duck pot for the third and the duck breast was cooked perfectly and came with duck egg and roasted tomato salad. For the Fourth, the bofrot dessert was delicious and came with milo gelato, sticky toffee sauce. Service was excellent and I would come back here again to try their a la cart menu next time.
Got a reservation for a Friday evening & it did not disappoint. Upon arrival, I immediately noticed the warmth orangey and red tones that I absolutely loved. It somehow felt warm, cozy, but elevated & romantic at the same time. It is also a much larger space than I imagined. Came in a party of 3 who have never eaten here and our waitress was excellent in explaining the menu and giving her recommendations. Our food came quick & all at the same time which I appreciate since we were sharing! *One downside for me is that some items on the tasting menu you cannot order à la carte and vice versa * I ordered the Pineapples are Berries Mocktail which I loved! I always appreciate when restaurants put effort into the aesthetic of a mocktail. As a group we ordered the Spicy Chicken with a side of Jollof Rice, Fried Plantains, and Waakye (Oxtail). Hands down the oxtail was my absolute favorite dish, I am still dreaming about it. So flavorful, such a nice portion, & extremely tender. I also love the addition of the jammy egg! The spicy chicken was also good, with the best part being the sauce it sits in, in my opinion. We ended off with the Malva Pudding dessert which was gorgeous and the perfect thing to wrap up our dinner Overall, I had a really good time & food experience. I reallyyyy want to try the Duck Jollof Pot, so I will need to come back for the tasting menu!!
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.
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.
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!
I went to Elmina for my birthday with a reservation and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. We waited over an hour past our reservation time to be seated, and no one acknowledged or apologized for the delay. As much as I love West African food, I also expect to be acknowledged and respected as a paying customer. I reached out to the restaurant's GM, Cameron, afterward and never received a response. The customer service alone would prevent me from returning. The food also did not impress. We ordered the tasting menu, which felt more like a hodgepodge of different cuisines rather than a cohesive representation of African cuisine. PS: Don't let the pictures I'm posting fool you!!! I'm just a really good photographer. The only bright spot was an Asian waitress who was not even our assigned server--she went out of her way to try to make things right, and I appreciate her effort. Unfortunately, one person's kindness could not make up for the overall experience. I would not return.
I've decided to celebrate Black History Month by supporting Black-owned businesses! Join me! Up first, Elmina. The soulful restaurant which brings the flavors of Ghana straight to DC. Owned by Chef Eric Adjepong, my Food Network fav! This restaurant gave me insight to his cultural background but also his unique cooking style. Ambiance: this place exemplifies Black excellence through its food, services, and eye catching decor. A very modern-sleek layout, adorned with some unique art pieces, a beautiful open kitchen concept, a sexy bar, and intimate top and lower level seating. This place is perfect for date night, conversation with friends, coworkers, and family members. I would say keep the kids at home because it's an adult experience which welcomes conversation through each bite. Service: the hostess was warm and friendly and that showed through her immediate smile and cheerful greetings. Our waitress, Jen, was a superstar! Not the average waitress who simply reads off the menu, no, she sold the dishes by spotlighting key ingredients-I'm a foodie so I appreciated that. Drinks: Put aside the love for wine for a night and embark on a rum journey through the unique rums offered here. Their cocktails were fabulous! To my non-drinkers, you aren't excluded, there were unique nonalcoholic cocktails specifically prepared for you. For my drink, I ordered the Benjamin's G&T. A sexy twist on gin and tonic, as this drink featured cardamom. Why'd I love it? Well, cardamom adds a bit of sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavors which complimented the gin. The right amount of tonic was added, making this drink a fabulous option for anyone desiring a non-sweet, refreshing drink. I can see myself drinking these during the summer on a rooftop somewhere lol-my FAV! 'A La Carte Review: Snacks: we started the night with Kelewele. Now, this isn't your traditional fried plantain and I loved it. The plantains were perfectly fried on the outside with a soft and sweet surprise on the inside. Great to snack on while you wait for your meal, or, perfect to add alongside your meal. Appetizers: next, we ordered the Zaalouk Dip. Honey, this is the one! This is the dip that opens up your palate and stirs up conversation after each bite. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved it because it took us down memory lane of our Caribbean home and a similar dish. The chef took regular eggplants and added the right spices and love to create this masterpiece. Although mashed, I tasted the charred flavor on the roasted eggplants and its bold flavors. Scooped up by pieces of hot, flavorful roti...SCRUMPTIOUS! Mains: now on to the mains! I ordered the Fante Fante Fish and my boyfriend ordered the Bambara bean Coconut Curry. Fante Fante Fish was an experienceeeeeee (see the video) have you ever had buttery soft fish? And yes, it was cooked to the bones but the meat was so buttery soft and the Fisherman's stew sent my taste buds crazy. And if that wasn't enough, it came with a side of Pikliz salad, a moment of silent for this. It's a perfect spicy break which amplified the savoriness of the fish. I also had Yam chips which I couldn't stop dipping in the delicious Green shito. This dish represented rich African culture and if you're not opened to various spices and flavors, I recommend trying something else. My boyfriend ate all of his dish and raved at how delicious the curry, charred cabbage, and added shrimps were. To conclude the best night, we ordered the Malva Pudding Cake...lean in....the description does not fully capture how AMAZING this cake is! Seriously, it's not too sweet, but it's something in there that makes you keep going even after saying "I'm stuffed" lol you won't want to leave a crumb of this behind. Although the cake and sauces drizzled throughout, made a bold statement, the vanilla gelato was amazing! At the end of the night we met Chef Adjepong. I appreciated how warm and friendly he was but also the insight that he provided on next steps for this amazing restaurant. If you haven't tried this place, give it a try! And before you do, remember that culture plays a huge role on the way dishes are presented, be opened minded to asking about the flavors and exploring something you may not have tried before. It's worth it!
4.5/5 stars TLDR: I would recommend this spot for a fun date night, if you've never had West African cuisine, if you like big flavors. Get the Tasting Menu to ensure you don't miss the sleeper favorites! The four of us arrived with big appetites and opted for the tasting menu. For each of the courses, we worked together to order one of nearly everything offered. My absolute favorites: Zaalouk Dip - I love goat cheese. DAMN each bite was delicious. This is even more impressive when you consider that I've never been a fan of eggplant. Fufu with braised goat - deep rich flavor, served in the coolest dishware of the night. Bofrot - all the desserts were tasty but this had an edge over the others for me overall due to texture and flavor. I also enjoyed two mocktails (Sundays with Lennox; Pineapples are Berries), as they offered a sweet balance to the bold - and often spicy - dishes. If I had to do it all again, I would've asked for them to omit the seafood from the Jollof Duck Pot. One of the desserts was unavailable (Choux de Soleil), which was disappointing because it was the most intriguing for me but I truly didn't even have room for more food anyhow. Service was on point: very attentive while not hovering. Our water glasses were kept full, and the pacing of the meal felt spot on. The atmosphere was cozy and a bit loud, and aesthetically pleasing. The music was fun. I enjoy the fact that we could see/hear some bustle from the kitchen. Accessibility note: there is a ramp to enter but the restrooms were downstairs and the tables were quite close together.
The Zaalouk Dip is the star item on the Elmina menu, and one of the best appetizers I've ever had. It's like an eggplant dip with tomato, goat cheese, red onion and coriander oil. Paired with the roti, it almost feels like a global fusion in a taco and one of the best bites you can find in D.C I also ate the chofi (turkey tails) and the tuna tartare, which were also amazing appetizers. The Fante Fante fish was our entree, which was good, although I probably wouldn't pay the market price ($105) for it. If you're looking for a nice dinner and a modern take on Ghanaian food, Elmina is a great choice on 14th St.
Gosh I wanted to love Elmina so badly! It's within walking distance of my apartment and I've been hearing such good things but unfortunately my visit was just ok. Our server was very sweet but it felt like he was very overwhelmed. He was definitely doing his best but we had to ask for water refills 4-5 times and there were times when he fully just disappeared. He also incorrectly identified what drinks we ordered so we all ended up drinking the wrong drink until we looked up photos and saw that he'd mixed them up. We were originally going to do the tasting menu but then decided to do Ala carte because we thought there was more variety in options for our table of 4. It's disappointing that their flagship dish, the duck jollof is only available on the tasting menu and not Ala carte. We tried the fried Okra (note that its batter fried which I thought was an interesting choice) Smoked sweet plantain (my absolute favorite dish of the night and one of the only things that I thought was worth the price tag) Spicy roast chicken (this was good but ultimately felt like a chicken you could find at any restaurant) Beef kabob (my 2nd favorite of the night) Jollof rice ( was too spicy for me to eat but that's probably just a me problem) Pork Belly skewer (this was fine. If you like pork belly you'll like this. Nothing special) Overall for an almost $300 dinner I thought that it wasn't quite up to par with my expectations. One cool thing worth mentioning, they heard it was the birthday of one of our friends at the table and brought up a complimentary glass of champagne for the whole table. It was very nice and unexpected!
5 months ago
Had the pleasure of dining at chef Eric Adjepong's restaurant ELMINA in D.C. recently and let me tell you 10/10. From the decor, service, of course the food ALL phenomenal. I definitely recommend, we went with the tasting menu and were blown away by the flavors and dishes. Will definitely be back! read more
Hands down, this was one of the most flavorful and incredible dining experiences I've ever had. From the very first bite to the last, everything we tasted was a celebration of bold, authentic, and deeply satisfying flavors. We ordered a variety of dishes: fried okra, spicy plantain, fish of the day (which, I must say, was the best fish I have ever tasted), suya, jollof rice, a vibrant tomato and peach salad, tomahawk steak, and finished with the most decadent malva pudding. Every single dish was executed to perfection--beautifully presented, thoughtfully spiced, and absolutely delicious. Chef Eric showed up and truly showed out. His passion and creativity are clearly reflected in the menu, which is a rich and dynamic fusion of tradition, innovation, and soul. It's rare to find such attention to detail--not just in the food, but in the entire experience. The ambience was flawless. Every element of the space felt intentional and immersive. It transported me straight back to my time in Ghana--warm, lively, and full of joy. This place is a must for anyone who appreciates great food, culture, and atmosphere. I'll absolutely be returning--again and again. Also, Chef Eric is from the BoogieDown Bronx, so . read more
7 months ago
Great space in the middle of DC. Close to everything. The decor inside was amazing and the food tasted great. Would highly recommend if you're in the City read more
1 year ago
When was the last time a restaurant took you through a journey of discovery? This is Elmina. Every dish was a new twist, new taste, an exciting journey of delicious food. I can't wait to go back! Pro tip: you can do a tasting menu or order a la carte. Uber there, no parking. Best things we tried: dip, fufu, jollof rice (omg!) with duck, the snapper (wow!) and the malva. read more
My colleagues and I (4 of us) grabbed a reservation for dinner here and it was SUPERB! We ordered the entire Chef's Tasting Experience. Everything that came out was absolutely delicious! Every single thing. Our waiter was the sweetest and he walked us through each dish! The music was great and added a fun touch to the ambiance. Can't wait to return! read more
1 year ago
My friend suggested me try this new place and I was immediately sold--conveniently located Ghanian tasting menu? Sign me up! The vibes are great, with an intimate dining room (although the tables are perhaps a bit too close together) with a view of the open kitchen. Service was generally excellent, although we occasionally went a bit too long without water or a utensil here or there. But nothing so egregious to truly detract from a wonderful experience with a kind and informed waitstaff who provided helpful suggestions and descriptions of the dishes. The four-course tasting menu allows for each person to pick one dish from three of the four categories, with the entree being shared among two people. There was a vegetarian option in each category, though it's the same price regardless of which dishes you order (and extra if you want to add on an additional entree). Everything I had was delicious and plentiful, with hearty portions. The scallop amuse bouche was amazing, and I love a little surprise extra (there was a also amazing sorbet pallet cleanser later). The hamachi crudo I ordered was great, as was my friend's zaalouk dip. For the second course, I ordered the waygu short rib, but my friend's fufu was actually better and what I would pick next time. We shared the duck entree, which was delicious and large. I think I would try the fish, next time, however, as it just looked so good. Both desserts we had, the bofrot and Malva pudding cake, were equally amazing. For drinks, I cannot recommend enough the two I ordered--the Elmina Clarified Punch and their take on espresso martini. Both were twists on classics and I was glad to have ordered both. The Clarified Punch was especially unique (in a good way) but my friend maintained it was the best espresso martini she had ever had, so that goes a long way! I could see myself coming back here for dinner, which I don't say a lot about tasting menu establishments, but because the menu had enough delicious-sounding options, I could order different things. I also see online they have brunch, which has me intrigued. Overall, a great experience. read more
The ambiance of this place is top notch with low lighting and nice decor. We were seated right away and offered refreshments right away. Staff was very attentive to our group, ensuring that our questions were answered about the food and drinks. The palette cleanser was actually really good; my favorite dish was the Hamachi Crudo and the oxtail. We also ordered the fish and duck jollof. Both dishes were okay, not enough spice in my opinion. Overall, nice place for dinner with friends or date night. read more
WOW!! this meal was absolutely incredible. We did the tasting menu which was plenty of food for two people. Started with the corn bisque and the zaalouk dip. Both are great-you can't go wrong with either of these. I had the fufu next which was absolutely delicious-I'm seriously still thinking about it. Split the jollof duck pot which was super filling for us two. My favorite of the desserts was definitely the pudding cake. Super sweet and tasty. Service here is amazing and everything I tried was so so good. Definitely check this place out read more
I was able to go opening week and wanted to let my experience digest before putting it down. The one drawback was service. I had high or maybe different expectations for this restaurant and particularly the chef, so I expected service to be on point from the start. It was just a bit clunky, unsure and the tasting menu dish timing was off. I did the tasting menu and the timing was way off. However, I forgive the service because the food was delicious. The duck and rice dish was great! I would go back just for that or order it to-go if able. I wish them success. Worth a try! read more
1 year ago
I've heard of this place finally got to visit for brunch. Food was delicious, ambiance on point as well as music and decor. Our server was attentive without doing to much. Had the Breakfast duck jollof good flavor fresh veggies. Johnny cakes were delicious by themselves paired with the syrup or apple butter even better. Grabbed the oysters as well some of the best I had around mainly due to the hot sauce and hibiscus they add to it. Drinks were all good and the loved the names they had for them. Will definitely go back to check out dinner. read more
This was our second visit to Elmina, and we were seriously impressed. The food, which was already great the first time, was somehow even better. Standouts for us were the corn chowder (so flavorful!), the fufu with eggplant, and the short rib -- everything was rich, balanced, and beautifully plated. We also really appreciated the improvements since our first visit. Last time, we had some issues with service and food timing, and as someone with a crustacean allergy, navigating the menu was a little stressful -- there was even a close call with a shrimp dish. This time, though, all major allergens were clearly marked, and our server was super informed and careful. It made a huge difference. And of course, Chef Eric stopped by again -- he's a total gem and makes the whole experience feel extra personal. Can't wait to come back. read more
1 year ago
As a long time Top Chef fan, I was visiting the area and had to check out chef Eric's spot - he made me crave his West African dishes - and wow it did not disappoint! I sat in the bar area and Dae the bartender was so nice and accommodating! I even met chef Eric and he was so welcoming and sweet. The vibe is spectacular, the drinks are delicious and the food was divine!! I've never had fufu and it was epic. The hamachi crudo? Best I've ever had. If you are in DC you must go!!! 15/10 recommend!!!! read more
1 year ago
Worth a visit! Is it pricey? Yes! Is it delicious and vibey? Also yes! There of my friends and I went for a late dinner. As part of the tasting menu, we each had three individual courses (including dessert) and one shared course of two family-style entrees. We also shared Black Elephant, MCC Brut, which paired nicely with our meal. Everything was so fresh and delicious and the service was great! The vibe and music were also lively and beautiful, highlighting the modern African cultures that inspire the cuisine. I definitely recommend a visit, especially for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. read more
11 months ago
I give Elmina a strong 4 stars! Bear in mind, we ordered a la carte (vs the tasting menu) My favorite items on the menu were the beef and prawn skewers, choofi and side of jollof, and surprisingly the okra fries (these are not slimy)!!. All of these were bursting with intense (in an extremely good way) flavor! There were only three concerns with my visit to Elmina: - the food took forever to come out. I'd say we waited for about an hour to get our apps so don't come extremely hungry - I was surprised the food came out lukewarm considering how long we waited as well - the crab fried rice was EXTREMELY salty (pretty much inedible) Apart from that, I loved the ambiance, the music was good - they played some old school Ghanaian music if you're into that Chef Eric was also sooo nice and came to our table to check in on us! 4/5 overall!! read more
1 year ago
Super amazing experience and probably top 1 or 2 of the last 12 months. The food was different and delicious. The space was beautiful, I remember going there when it was Seven Reasons and the new look is even better. Sat upstairs in the patio area early and my only complaint is that the sun was beaming in through the windows between the roof and the walls on one side of the table making it uncomfortable for like 15-20 mins. Other than that everything was excellent from the cocktails to the food! Definitely going back and need that Duck Paella Dish! read more
My wife and I got the chance to stop by this new Ghanaian restaurant located in NW DC. I'll be honest, it's been on my list since they opened so I was extremely excited that we got a reservation. Loved the lighting tone in the restaurant. We were warmly greeted by the head chef himself which was a treat. We started off with drinks and went right to their tasting experience. I started with the Ghanaian salad and my wife got the Zaalouk Dip. Both fantastic. It would not be Ghanaian salad without an egg. For our next course she got the red red and I got the Wagyu short rib. The fried Casava crisp on top was the perfect balance with the soft short rib. We then shared the jollof fried which reminded me of home. As a Nigerian American there are very few dishes that reminded me of home. This dish did just that. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. read more
My overall experience at this restaurant was good. The main thing that bothered me is I couldn't get in contact with the restaurant. There was no reply to email and there was no contact number to get help or ask questions. A lot of the dishes were very mild in flavors and had a good spice level. The duck jollof rice was our favorite. I loved the dessert so much. I wanted to come here because of social media but I probably wouldn't return. They didn't do anything wrong I just had higher expectations. They were really nice and professional. The establishment decor was gorgeous and it was clean. read more
Elminan is a new Ghanian restaurant in NW D.C. very small so it could be hard to miss on the outside but once you enter, you'll be transported to Ghana , even if you've never been. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and the decor was very beautiful. Elmina offers two levels and a nice section with sky views, would be an awesome atmosphere in the summer. Our waiter was prompt, knowledgeable and polite. Elmina currently offers brunch, Chop Bar and a tasting menu for dinner. Looks to be about a 4 course meal. I was not sure if I was going to indulge in 4 courses so we opted for brunch first. Our experience although not bad, could have been better. The food looked appealing but was quite bland and everything came out cold for some reason. I ordered the wagyu steak and eggs. My wagyu was very fresh, offering no seasoning at all, I had to ask for salt. The table next to us really struggled with the same because they ordered multiple dishes due to dissatisfaction. Elmina is pretty new and I am sure they're still working out the kinks. I would return to support and give them another go. Look forward to supporting! read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Elmina R.
Hello Gregory ,…
4 months ago
Business owner information
Elmina R.
Hello Uconn,…
7 months ago
I've been here twice now, and it's easily a personal favorite. The ambiance is beautiful and the food is amazing. I've been fortunate to try both the tasting menu and a la carte dinner. Loved every bite, especially the hamachi crudo and pork belly kabobs. I could come back for the cocktails alone, which were thoughtfully crafted with intentional ingredients. The service was fantastic and I got to say "hi" Chef Eric both times! I am really impressed how Elmina merges community, culinary excellence, and upscale dining into one package. I cannot wait to return! read more
4 months ago
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Elmina R.
Hello Lila, We appreciate you sharing such a detailed experience and…
YES, Chef Eric! Elmina is a winner. Beautiful well-lit space. A four-course tasting menu where the challenge is deciding between 3-4 options per course, so go with your SO or BFF and share. Best dishes were the fufu and goat (spicy!), jollof duck pot (rice was perfectly cooked and the duck had a great spicy-sour glaze), and the bofrot for dessert (a sugary donut with gelato and toffee crunchies). Tasty cocktails as well, though took awhile to get to us; I'll chalk it up to the place still being new. Extra bonus was when Chef Eric came to shake hands and ask everyone how they were doing. Very well, Chef, thanks to you! read more
1 year ago
My experience at Elmina in DC, was a 10/10 drama, flavor, a small portioned Ghanaian-Afro Fusion experience. First off, it's $135 per person; so yes, my wallet flinched, but my taste buds threw a party. It's a four-course situation. Course one? "Zaalouk Dip" a pita bread and stew duo that had me questioning if I was secretly vegan, it slapped. Course two "FuFu" rolled in with vibes, visuals, and flavor... just wish it came with a heater because baby, it was lukewarm. But hey, they prepped it ahead, so I get it. Now for the shared portion the Jollof Rice and Duck. And let me say this loud for the people in the back: Nigeria still has the best jollof rice, but I digress. Dessert was giving elegance, decadence, main character energy. And the drink? The Elixir of Life. Yes, Three Spirits; finally a restaurant that gets it. IYKYK. Final rating? 4.5 stars. read more
8 months ago
Great music, fabulous decor, and wonderful service! My beets were fantastic and everything else I saw looked delicious! read more
This space is really aesthetically pleasing, albeit downstairs is kind of cramped, my hair was getting hit all night. They just opened so I'm extending grace on the service, but a lot of missteps during my visit. They had 2 mocktails on the menu but when I asked for one the waiter came back and said they ran out, it was only 6pm. I asked for the other one and then the waiter came back and said that one was also out. He then came back to the table with a random drink the bar made on the fly which I did not ask for but he was going to add it to the final bill. Weird. The timing of bringing out the food also missed the mark, we just got our second course and they brought out the third, we asked them to take it back but they should have been aware of the timing. Now for the food. Ok, so the food is really good. We enjoyed everything we got and we both tried different things. I'm only highlighting what I ate. They provided an amuse bouche of oyster. Tasty. 5/5 1st course- eggplant dip, the eggplant was roasted so well and I loved the bread that came with it. 5/5 2nd course- I got the red red, since I grew up on this type of food, I enjoyed it, especially the sprinkle of gari. 5/5 3rd course- lobster tail with yam fries. The yam fries were sooooo good. In the future might have to get my own lobster tail instead of splitting it, there wasn't enough meat for me to only have 1. 5/5 4th course- I got the pudding cake, really delicate and sweet dessert. 5/5 read more
8 months ago
I went to Elmina for a solo birthday dinner and treated myself to the tasting menu -- and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in DC. The service was impeccable (from the host, to the excellent server, to the kitchen), the team made me feel celebrated and completely at ease dining solo. The food was extraordinary, each course thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavor. The Jollof duck pot was my absolute favorite dish -- rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The ambiance was relaxing and elegant, making it the perfect spot to unwind and savor every bite. Five stars all around, and I will definitely go back. read more
21 days ago
Business owner information
Elmina R.
Hi, manager here that came to the table that evening. I completely…
5 months ago
9 months ago
Amazimg! Food, service, and ambiance were 10/10! I sat at the bar and the bartender Nic was amazing, personable, and attentive. I had the hamachi collar and I essentially licked the bones clean, so good. I'll definitely be back. read more
11 months ago
I have mixed feelings about Elmina. My friend wanted to try the tasting for her birthday. Here's the good... It's a nice restaurant esthetically beautiful and the staff are warm, friendly and welcoming. We had two servers and they were both great and accommodating because we had some issues with our food and drinks and I can say they had no problems correcting the issues promptly. Now here's the bad... All four courses had beautiful presentations and were pretty good. Some of my friends who have eaten Ghanaian food and traveled to Ghana said that the tastes were a bit off and not the best flavors in a few of the dishes. Well we later figured it out, our meal was prepared by a Hispanic chef. I get it, chef's from other ethnicities cooking food from other cultures happens all the time. Our party had 4 people and we paid over $1,000 plus tip for our tasting and drinks and for the experience of food being prepared by an authentic African chef (that is the experience that they're selling). I later went back to the website and saw that they have chef's from other cultures working there and I love that, but again we expected the experience of a chef sharing their rich culture and knowledge of their homeland through food. In my opinion, food is about more than technique and theory, it's about the love, soul and your cultural connection to it as well. Let me be clear, I have ZERO problems paying for a wonderful dining experience but in my opinion we did not receive it. I wouldn't say don't try them out because it wasn't all bad, but I am saying that you may want to make sure that Chef Eric is there if you're looking for the experience we were hopeful to get. read more
Elmina is an elegant restaurant with small touches of African design and big Ghanaian flavors. The interior is fairly sleek with marble tables and subdued fabrics. The service is friendly and very happy to explain anything on the menu with a genuine enthusiasm. The prix fixe dinner offers a range of dishes which is great if you like to share. You can still enjoy all the courses without everyone having to order the same thing. The only exception can be the main entrée which usually serves two. We had three people so we were able to choose two different dishes (yah!) We really appreciated that every plate had a lot of flavor as did the cocktails. We tried the Black Stars and the Malted Passion Smash. And the non alcoholic squirt. For our first course, we shared the himachi and the corn bisque. Both were beautifully prepared and delicious. The Hamachi was very fresh and the curried corn bisque really satisfied a curry craving. For second, we had the wagyu short ribs and the palm nut shrimp and octopus stew. Both were deep and rich. The meal also comes with several surprise amuse bouche/ intermezzo offerings which were light and palate cleansing. For our third, we opted for the whole fish of the day which was dramatically served. It was very tasty but a little hard to get to all the fish as it was curved around itself and harder to fillet. The duck in the jollop rice pot was also a very generous serving of a hearty and flavorful dish. For dessert, we had the malva pudding cake and the bofrot plus a special cookie gift from the kitchen. We definitely enjoyed our meal at Elmina. It was exciting in its range of flavors while being a relaxing dining experience thanks to the excellent care of the staff read more
You can truly taste the love and thoughtfulness that goes into Chef Eric's food. Service was attentive and they do the little things that good restaurants do. The curried corn bisque was a star, and I could've eaten an entire bowl of it. The shrimp and octopus stew had the most tender octopus I've ever had. My friend enjoyed the zaalouk dip - only wish the bread was a bit pillowier. Fufu was different than I expected but still tasty. The oyster at the start was 10/10 - so smooth and full of flavor, and I don't even like oysters that much. The jollof duck pot is not to be missed. Sweet, fall of the bone duck over perfectly cooked and seasoned rice. Perfection. The Bofrot was a decent dessert but I wish the donut was a fluffier and not as dense. My donut wasn't hot so I didn't get the temperature contrast. I preferred the mango pudding dessert. I'm sure they will only continue to refine and improve. I'm glad Elmina is in DC! read more
10 months ago
WOW! Absolutely fantastic! We enjoyed the superb Tasting Experience! Worth every dime. It was an extravagant and tasty experience! Also amazing service from Alex. So many highlights, can't pick just one, I will however say the Jollof Duck Pot is the best Jollof that I've ever had!! Can't wait to return. read more
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Elmina - african - Updated May 2026
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