I liked the vibe of this place, but overall it was just too expensive for the quality/quantity of…read morefood. The wild mushroom gnocchi was tasty, but the presentation was not up to par. The premium ribeye was cooked well, but it cooled very quickly since it was served pre-sliced. I really liked the cauliflower rice side though! The creme brûlée was much too dense, and I felt like the whipped cream on top defeated the purpose of the crust.

3rd year in a row,we have come for my birthday on Christmas Eve. we were 8 people. Took awhile for…read morea server to take our orders as they were very busy. My entree(boneless ribeye with crushed garlic spread) was luke warm,so I sent back for another one. It was cooked the way I like it. Two orders of Onion Strings came and they were luke cool and had to be returned and new ones were sent out. Overall was a pleasant experience and the food was good,everyone in the our party were pretty happy,although we did ask for separate checks,but everything was put on one check.

I've always enjoyed the Nando's at One Loudoun, and my recent lunch visit did not disappoint. The…read morehost seated us and recommended using the QR code to order online, with food brought directly to the table. Personally, I think ordering at the counter is easier and quicker, so I'll likely do that next time. I ordered the Nandoca's Choice, which is usually my go-to. The food came out quickly and was delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, never dry, and the fries were nicely seasoned. I also like that the Nandoca's Choice is served on garlic bread, which adds a nice touch. Overall, I'd recommend this spot for a quick and easy lunch. The space is large and mostly self-serve, with sauces, utensils, and drink machines set up on the side.

Solid lunch spot. Ordered the thigh and mighty and a side of fries; decent for lunch. Their sauces…read moreare pretty good, but they all have a similar taste profile (heat level is the main differences). Would be good to have a sweeter sauce that can pair with the spicy ones.

Amazing family friendly with awesome food and customer service. Father's Day 2026 dinner with wife,…read moredaughter and grandson. The food was second to none, the welcome by the owner and his team equally special. Thank you for a great experience.

Terrific meal and will be back again. Kitfo was a star and the greens were stellar. Braised lamb…read morewas another excellent protein. Red lentils were super. Service was efficient, very helpful, and friendly.

I got the half chicken with two sides ($18) with corn and Brussels sprout(+$2). Food came out in…read moreabout 15 minutes. The chicken tasted good and you could taste some of the charcoal smoke it got. The corn was pretty solid, Brussels sprouts were just meh. I liked the variety of hot sauces they had. Service was fair. Overall a solid lunch meal in a very casual atmosphere. I would come back. Food(50%): 7.3 Staff/service(25%): 6.0 Value(25%): 7.0 Overall: 6.9/10

Great place and the food is tasty. Pub style ordering, common in most parts of the world, so be…read moreprepared for that. The last few times we have been there, the food was spot-on. And I say this as someone who has lived in multiple countries, where Nando's is extremely popular.

Stopped by Swahili Village with a group of five after taking a pottery class at Moonlight Studios…read morenearby and it turned out to be the perfect way to end the evening. It's only about a five minute drive away, so the location worked out great. This was everyone's first time trying Kenyan food and we were all blown away. The flavors were rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. We ordered several appetizers to share and then entrees including the salmon, oxtail, goat, and snapper. Everything at the table was delicious. Our server Diamond was wonderful. She was warm, helpful, and really guided us through the menu since we were new to the cuisine. Her service made the experience even better. Such a great introduction to Kenyan food and a really fun group dinner. We will absolutely be coming back.

Several reviews were mixed for Swahili Village so we decided to give it a try. Stopped in the Rhode…read moreIsland location. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Started with a Margarita cocktail which was $16.00 and terrible. Low grade tequila and store bought margarita sour mix. Service was very slow and one of the mangers was drinking and having a long conversation with the bartender. We decided to try the Jollof Rice and Suya bites. The rice was very bland. The Suya had some flavor but seemed to be missing something. I decided to take the leftovers home but unfortunately the Suya bites got very hard overnight so were not enjoyable the next day. Since eating out is pricey you may want to choose a different restaurant to try.

It's basically self service.. you order your food and wait like 30+ min. Where was the meat on my…read morechicken?!? They substituted with more fries.. not going back

I ordered through Uber Eats and the grilled chicken sandwich was very good. Not too dry, but could…read morehave been cooked a little less. I ordered the lemon herb and it was tasty. It came with shredded lettuce and a large tomato slice on it. Very good and I would order from here again.

A date night promise and a bucket list reservation finally came together at Elmina. I visited when…read morethey 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.

A redemption arc well earned. I tried Elmina when it first opened for brunch and walked away…read moreunderwhelmed. 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.

Beautiful decor & fun layout for events or people watching. I tried Nigerian staples and was my…read morefirst for these. The suya here might've looked tough but it was so juicy, tender, and not salty. The red stew with oxtail and jollof were nice but salty. I've had better jollof. The Nigerian fruit mocktail was great it has a unique flavor. The bathroom was so pretty as well I enjoyed snapping pictures in the mirror. The service was great. We were served quicker than they expected given I requested a seat in a different area. Go check it out!

3/5 stars My…read moreboyfriend is Cameroonian and we love trying different African restaurants around the DC area. I'd heard great things about The Continent, so it felt like a must-try especially since Swahili Village is one of our go-to favorites for comparison. The space itself was great, nice interior, well-decorated, and service was solid throughout. They also had two distinct vibes going: one side had a bit of a DJ/lounge energy, while the other was more elegant and laid-back, better for actual dinner conversation. We sat on the calmer side. Drinks were good. We had a sangria and a tequila-based cocktail, both solid. For appetizers, we got the shrimp and the beef samosas. Unfortunately, the beef samosas just didn't hold up compared to Swahili Village's. I've had Swahili Village's beef samosas multiple times and they always come out hot, crispy, and consistent. These didn't quite match up, and that was strike one for me. The shrimp appetizer was nice, good sauce, though it could've used a bit more depth of flavor. I also ordered the pepper soup, which was excellent and genuinely spicy (more than I could really handle, but I still finished it). For entrées, my boyfriend got the Suya with jollof rice, and I got the red snapper with jollof rice as well. He really enjoyed his. The beef was cooked well and flavorful, and the jollof rice was good. My fish was also cooked nicely, though the sauce needed a bit more flavor. The bigger issue: they were out of plantains. That was strike two, and it stung more because it was my boyfriend's birthday dinner and plantains are his favorite. It's rare for an African or Caribbean restaurant to run out of them entirely. Overall, a decent experience, but with the high expectations going in, a couple of misses kept it from fully living up to the hype for us. I'd go back for the pepper soup and give it another shot, but I'm hoping for hotter, fresher samosas and actual plantains next time.