Everything was great. Love the red stew , it was great! Great portions. Came out in a reasonable time just like any other restaurant. Good service read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Love the red stew , it was great! Great portions - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Needs improvement on customer service. They don't make new comers feel welcome at all.

This was my first visit. The service was good. The ordering process was easy. The food arrived to the table within about 15 to 20 minutes. I ordered the red snapper and jollof rice. It also came with a side salad, a few plantains and some extra vegetables atop the fish. The sauce on the side was spicy, but very good. The red snapper was served whole and was flaky and was minimally seasoned, but perfect with the accompanying red sauce. The jollof rice was good. The plantains were tasty and the side salad was fresh. The amount of food was plentiful, so much so that I had to take some home. The ambiance had an atmosphere that was welcoming and comfortable. I would like to try the fufu next time because it looked like a perfect comfort food choice. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Red snapper, rice and a side salad - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

This was our first visit to this restaurant; however, they have been around for 20 years. We didn't know what to order, so the gentleman was very helpful. In our usual first-time visit style, we over ordered to get a good variety. We ordered several starters: Bofrot (donut) - too heavy for me. Beef patty - definitely one of the best beef patties. Plenty of beef. Chicken patty - very tasty Beef Suya khebab - a definite yes! I can't describe the spices, but it's good. Fufu Chicken Stew - I liked the Chicken Stew but not so much the fufu. It's the texture thing. Lol. Jerk Chicken with Jollof rice - a definite yes. Waakye (rice and beans)- delicious Plantain - solid Overall, a great experience. Friendly staff. Great food. read more

See all

Great food, lots of different things to choose from. My order consisted of Bofrot/Puff Puff (2 per order) Degue/Burkina, Ginger Drink(Emudro), Sobolo, OxTail Light Soup with side of FuFu. It was all super tasty. The puff puffs were a bit greasy but tasty and made a great pair with Degue/Burkina (pudding like). The oxtail had great taste, a bit spicy but super delicious also great portions. The Sobolo drink (Hibiscus) and Ginger drink were very refreshing and not super sweet. Highly recommend this establishment. read more

The food is authentically african (mostly Ghanaian) and delicious. They deliver via Uber. Their meat pies are exquisite. Give this restaurant a try, you won't regret it. read more

They have me addicted to Ghanaian food. So good and always on time with their online orders. Never have to wait a long time to get my food.

Came here for dinner, tried all of the popular dishes, and loved it! My favorite was the spinach/tomato/beef stew with fufu. The employees were super nice and helpful, and the ambiance was cool. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Spinach stew with fufu / jerk chicken and jollof rice - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Horrible customer service. Went in and asked if I could eat certain items on the menu since I have a couple allergies. No greeting. Just, "what do you want." Without even looking up and at me. They don't know what's in their food so I didn't end up getting anything. Wife got oxtail with fufu. Said fufu was not good. Oxtail was nothing to write home about. Rude. read more

Came in on a Sunday and ordered baked snapper, jollof rice and plantain. Sauce for the fish was on side as requested. Food was extremely fresh with great flavor. The portion was huge, a good size for what i was charged. Gentleman taking order was very nice, definitely will return. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Red Snapper (Baked) with Jollof Rice (Side Order) - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I've never ate cassava leaves from a restaurant before but I must admit that I wasn't disappointed. It was well cooked. The leaves were a little bit too purreed for me because I like it a bit leafy so I can chew but overall not bad. They have a big menu so a lot of options to choose from. Update 1: The okra stew is good...the spinach/egusi tasted burnt. I asked for goat and chicken for the okra and they only gave me chicken. Don't take my order down and pretend like i am about to have it my way just for you to make the final decision in the kitchen. Confused read more

See all

First time coming here! Got recommended to try it out. Great food, chicken patty was delicious and got the best jerk chicken I've had in a while! Definitely will be coming back read more

I've been coming to this restaurant since it first opened in the early 2000s. Before my parents went back home to Ghana, we would come here when my mother didn't feel like cooking. I almost always stuck to the chichinga and bofrot or puff puff. Both the chichinga and bofrot are like a warm hug of familiarity. The staff is so friendly. I recently dropped in for some of the popular Ghanaian street food mentioned above, but I also was able to get a couple of bracelets with my horoscope sign and my name for the day that I was born (Abena). Give them a try, you won't regret it! read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Came to pick up chichinga! - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

See all

The absolute worst food for an African restaurant. If I could please give this place zero stars I definitely would. Ordered the snapper seemed like it was two or three weeks old and it was very hard. The ox tail had no meat on it and it seemed like it was extremely old and too much fat/oil. The jaloff rice did not seem fresh it seem like it was a week old and was hard and was doused with nasty oil and was overcooked. This restaurant should not be allowed to operate as they will cause their customers to get sick. The chicken patties seemed extremely old as the chicken had no taste in it seems spoiled, disgusting. Never again!!!!! read more

DO NOT GO HERE my wife and I both got food poisoning a few days ago most likely from their chicken (ordered jerk chicken). This was our first time trying it and the food tasted good and we had high hopes but we will never eat here again. We also looked up other reviews after the fact and apparently they are not up to health code and there have been sightings of bugs (roaches) and rodents. I wish we had read up more in detail about that before we ate here. I'm just so glad we didn't give any food to our one year old I would have been livid. Not sure how this place is still operating. Eat here at your own risk. read more

Got delivery from this place. The ox tail was delicious but I didn't realize it would be spicy. The flavor was amazing. The peanut soup want spicy so it balanelced it out. It came with fufu but I'm not a fan of it. The soup was awesome. It had more flavor than just creamy peanuts. The meat was soft and almost fall off the bone. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Ox tail jamaican style - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

See all

The food was great, tasted fresh, good service, and good timing. Meat portions could be larger as there was entirely more soup/broth than their was meat. Lately I've been seeing smaller portions at other restaurants (other ethnicity foods as well) in similar dishes. Unfortunately food costs are high. Would most likely return to try another dish and have ready recommended this location for others to try as well. read more

The food is great and the customer service is great .. me and my best friend love the peanut butter soup

I was very excited to try Fufu for the first time. It was a horrible experience. There was a bug in the fufu. read more

See all

Great Ghanaian/ West African food. Great menu foods. Banking and okra soup, omotuo and peanut soup, Jollof with an assortment of meats. You can't go wrong at Rainbow. One of the last few great African restaurants standing read more

Big portion size and tasted great! Friendly service too. I wish there was more pepper in the cassava leaf, I couldn't taste any. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Casssava leaf with white rice - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I only have a sizable meal once in awhile, almost always fufu with goat soup. That's because my Congo Kinshasa lady friend introduced it to me near the turn of the century and so I've liked it ever since. Only problem is, gee whiz, like someone else said, there is not enough meat because the goat meat is really good. I see a few people mentioned getting sick, thank goodness I've never gotten even a small stomach ache from their food which in my case is usually suya (meat on a stick). However, I must say that once in awhile the available suyas are rather dry. As for service, my only complaint is that even though I'm a regular customer I get a "What do you want?" I know nobody else would be greeted that way. I must admit that I come across as different and I'm too sensitive. Now, I understand and I'm okay with the idea of them having favorite customers who become friends, and most of them are from Ghana or other nations in West Africa such as Senegal, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Cameroon. Still, I don't think "What do you want?" is a good way to greet a customer. And every time I'm there almost everybody gets a huge order, eat in or take out, and that speaks very well of the restaurant. One thing that doesn't happen anymore is that while everyone is getting a big order and I'm only getting suya and beer I felt that I was being hurried along. As for the ambiance, it's always good and even better with either Ghana music or Soukus (Congo Kinshasa) or reggae. Eventually I'll try at least five other entrees. So even though I haven't had too many entrees I give it a Good Rating. read more

I have been here many times over many years(at least 3-4)... and I have always liked it. Now I have to caveat that I only come on weekends or the holidays since that's when they make the dish I like! I have tried many things off their menu, and while different still good!! So my dish of choice is the Omotuo. Spicy palmnut soup with a huge rice ball. It comes with a mix of meats- goat, oxtail, fish... delicious!! I love the soup. The flavors! There is a layer of oil, but this is to be expected. Get a drink if you think it might be too spicy... also you probably will get you hands dirty. Traditionally you would eat this with your hands. But they do provide you a spoon :) So you walk in, and as my friend said today-- you are transported to another world! This isn't Gaithersburg anymore!! Get some menus at the counter and seat yourself. If you need speedier service just go to the counter and they'll make sure you have everything you need. Super friendly. Always so much going on... simple decor but it works. Once you order, they will bring out drinks and a washing bowl and soap. This is so you can use your hands to eat. I wasn't sure at first but watched others... but as I don't really want to get my hands dirty-- I just enjoy my food with a spoon :) Try this place out! Don't be shy! It is an experience. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Only available weekends and holidays! Ohmotuo (not sure the spelling...) - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

See all

Laid back environment, family owned, friendly staff, excellent food. Prices are reasonable, food came out quick and cooked to perfection. 10/10. read more

I bought dinner for 8 here, carry-out--jollof with chicken stew, kelewele, some shito sauce for the braver among us--and the food was delicious. The portions are huge, the level of spiciness was perfect for those of us not accustomed to very hot Ghanain food, and the folks there were very nice. I will be back! read more

Perhaps I am a little too critical of Rainbow because there is another Ghanaian restaurant less than 10 mins away (Pinks afrikoko). Look this is 2012. Even if the owners recently initiated this venture I don't see how you wouldn't do your homework and realize that in this area ambiance does matter. I can't believe there is a large tacky glass chandelier in the form of a large ship right in the center of the store. The seating area is poorly lit and the little cloudy portholes into the kitchen area are unsettling. It's not so much that one has to spend tons of money on renovations. But c'mon someone actually bought that chandelier. Ok rant over. The menu is pretty extensive. If you are a lover of west african cuisine you will find what you are looking for here. I delighted in the light, flaky crust of the beef patties. The fufu with goat soup is something that will bring tears to your eyes. Literally. It is spicy, rich in flavor and each mouthful is to be savored. The prices are average considering you will make a second meal out of each entree. I would really urge the management to take some interest in the ambience. You take a lot of pride in your food and I wish you would do the same for the appearance of the restaurant. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - fufu and goat soup - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I went too the restaurant and ordered $60 worth of food the lady at the cash register was handling my food. After I ordered the food she went to the back where they prepared the food and in 5 minutes came back out with the food instead off me checking the food I didn't. When I got home I notice the she got my order wrong and I was very angry because your is expensive not close to my house and you get my order messed up that means the people in the kitchen are no good. If you want to spend some real money I will advise you go somewhere else ! read more

Ordered snapper, jollof rice, and greens! Loved every single drop! Looking forward to my next order!!

My husband and I been trying to get the to Gaithersburg to try Rainbow... customer service was ok I ordered the snapper and jolof rice and he got the light soup with fufu.... let me start by saying my fish was definitely microwaved because it was extremely dry and tasteless it was falling apart and the jolof rice was cold, dry and bland... My husband said his soup tasted old and only has 3 little pieces of fish in it. Oh and we got a ginger drink with no taste all it does is burn your stomach. Needless to the fresh thing was the fried plantains. NEVER AGAIN!!!! read more

Place is in a busy road, so it can get busy in here. Nonetheless the food was spot on great. We got the whole tilapia fish, which was immensely enjoyed. Jamaican oxtail, with African twist, and chicken stew. All three food were spot on great. This place can have lots of potential because of the great food. Now for the ugly: Place needs a little sprucing up... Maybe update furniture...Etc. floor and walls needs alot of attention. Uncomfortable to dine in...Rather take out the food, which is not a complement. Service: can be slow at times. But they will take care of you and accommodate your needs. TV - very loud even when customers are dining, please be considerate that part of dining is speaking with the people we are dining with. The loud TV is unpleasant. I will still give it 5 stars because we enjoyed our food and hopefully some things can be improved. read more

See all

Nice gem right there in Old Town. Personal favs: Cassava leaves or eugsi w/ebba. Can't go wrong with either one of those. Suya and the beef is a hit or miss, sometimes it's a little chewy. The goat meat is usually pretty tender and the fish is cooked well also. All In all give it a shot! read more

My family and I order carryout from this restaurant on a regular basis. We all LOVE it. The food always tastes very fresh and has a lot of flavor. The staff is also super friendly. We will keep coming back without question! read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Rainbow Special - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

The food is okay and the customer service is horrible. Been there 3 times and had horrible customer service those 3 times and that was it for me. And that was it for me. What a lot of businesses forget is that no matter how good your product is, if the customer service doesn't top that there's basically no reason for it to be alive. read more

I haven't had jollof rice this good since I've moved to America! The tilapia was well seasoned! The plaintains and stew tasted to perfection! I will never go to another Ghanaian restaurant! THE BEST IN MARYLAND! The flavors were just so authentic! I shared the picture first with my friends on social media and had to sure if with you all! Literally you will not be disappointed. read more

Rainbow Restaurant - Talapia with jollof rice salad plaintains and stew! - African Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Such great food!! Really good service even though they're actually a take out spot. We will definitely be back!! I had the fish plantain and beans. Amazing. And the ginger and the sorrel... lovely read more

Poor customer Service.. no body in there knows how to talk to customers nicely . They always have rude answers to any questions you ask ... if not for the fact that there are only two African restaurants in Gaithersburg and Virginia is too far, I would have ditched this place a long time ago.. jeez I can't stand their negativity vibes read more

The food is good but the service needs much improvement. The first time I went it took about 40 minutes to prepare my food even though the cashier told me it would take 15 minutes. Mind you the place wasn't crowded. There was 1 person in front of me when I arrived who had already placed an order. She seemed a little frustrated because they were taking long with her order. The cashier finally came out with my food when I informed him politely I am on my lunch break and have to get back to work. The cashier informed me next time to call in advance. I ordered okra stew with beef but the cashier came out with okra stew and goat meat instead. I didn't have time to correct the order so I just took it and went to work. I decided to give it another shot but this time I took the cashier advice and called in advance. The lady on the phone informed me again it will only take 15. I arrived at the restaurant 20 minutes later and it was obvious that they did not place the order. I even ask the lady before paying if my order was placed when I called and she responded yes. After waiting another 30 minutes after arriving I ask for my money back when the lady told me my food is ready. It clearly was not ready because I seen the cooked scrambling to get my food ready through the kitchen door window. Atleast this time the order was correct. One last thing they are passively rude but I'm not going into details about that, I'll let you be the judge if you decide to deal with them read more

I'm gonna hold out with Rainbow as my second favorite Ghanaian food in town. Pluses: *they have t-zed!!! (this is the traditional dish of Northern Ghana (where I lived) and no other West African place in town has it!) *their ground nut stew is probably the best in town *lots of choices *VERY clean *flat screen TV's Minuses: *far away *far away *far away If it were closer I'd probably eat here more often! We had a fairly large group and they managed to get the food out and mostly correct pretty quickly. I think there were a few mix ups, but I don't really hold that against them! Everyone was really satisfied with their meals at the end. read more

African Food in Gaithersburg? Snowballs in Hell? Sure, why not? My brother went to Kenya and Tanzania once. Can I use that as street cred here? No? Oh well. Enjoy the review anyway. Rainbow restaurant was not full as I entered on a Wednesday afternoon. But, every person in there, whether staff or patron, was from Africa or the caribbean. I had jerked chicken to go. What was a refreshing surprise was to find actual pieces of identifiable chicken parts--dark meat---not some blanched white, formed nuggets. Sure, I had to pick out bones from the chicken chunks, but this was REAL chicken, cooked fresh and swimming in a superb jerk sauce. For $11, it's not exactly a bargain, but it does fill you up. I noticed some of the plates of the African customers. You want whole fish on a plate, buggy eyes and all? Come here. You want customers with clothing that doesn't say DKNY, or CK, or whatever the hell is the height of runway tragedy these days? Come here. All threads in the joint were continental or caribbean, and it was such a great surprise find for a quick lunch, when all I wanted was a turkey sandwich and the deli was closed. How fortuitous to end up here. This is the kind of place that seems very authentic (at least to this reviewer, who, remember, has a brother that went to Africa:)) and would be a shame to miss. Even if the food is not breathtaking, it's a breath of fresh cuisine in a staid suburban community that tows the line of sushi and every chain restaurant known to the Washington area. read more

OK, I wouldn't normally review the Rainbow, because I've only had their food delivered (via Takeout Taxi). So I can't comment on ambiance, and food is never as good delivered as when eaten at the restaurant. That being said .... Stop what you're doing, go to oldtown Gaithersburg, and order the Fufu with Goat. Or, probably, with beef, though I haven't tried that yet. Seriously. Do it now. The rest of our meal was perfectly fine ... we ordered a beef patty appetizer (nicely seasoned and flaky if slightly dry), and the red snapper (well seasoned, and a great sauce, but perhaps very slightly overcooked), and the bofrot / puff puffs (fried bread-balls, dusted very lightly with sugar -- quite tasty). But the fufu with goat was fantastic. The star of that meal is the soup that the goat is cooked in -- a spicy, deep, rich, meaty, stunningly flavorful thick broth that I want to beg them to sell to me by the gallon. Or possibly by the pony-keg. Really, it's that good. The fufu, a sort of ground plantain dumpling, is served separately but you add it to the soup -- it balances the spice wonderfully. And the goat is rich, spicy, and tender. I'll edit this review once I've had a meal at the restaurant itself -- which be assured I'm going to do soonest. But in the meantime, you owe it to yourself to get there. The prices are reasonable, the menu is interesting and varied, and the portions range from slightly large to huge (the jollof rice that came with the snapper could have reasonably fed a family of four!). Really, try the fufu. I'm not kidding. read more