I really like it here! I came here with some girlfriends for a happy hour, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the tunes were a vibe, and at night it turns into more of a lounge giving grown and sexy (I didn't get to experience this version as I left right when the transition started to happen). It's black/African owned, and they have products that are sold along the wall of the first floor that you can buy which is cool. Street parking (again for a happy hour) I found to be easy to find. I would like to come for a night out here as I have heard amazing things. read more

Great spot for music and African food. The salmon was amazing and Suya, marinated beef skewers were cooked perfect but a tad too salty. Sunday's are packed with 20s & 30s dancing to r&b and hip hop. Make a reservation early for dinner and stay for dancing. The prices aren't bad but parking is a nightmare. We typically metro there and leave by 11:30pm. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Sost is truly one of those rare places where you can do it all. It's the kind of spot where you can comfortably work from home during the day, come back for dinner in the evening, and then stay for the nightlife when the energy picks up. Few places in DC offer that kind of versatility, but Sost pulls it off effortlessly. The space itself is amazing. With four floors, each level has its own vibe. The lower level especially sets the mood with a great atmosphere, giving a variety of DJs the opportunity to perform while also being a perfect space for birthday celebrations and special events. I've celebrated so many moments here over the last six months, and honestly it's become one of the highlights of my DC life. A big part of what makes Sost special is the leadership. Mimi and Siem are incredible people who really care about what they're building. They consistently support the city by hosting community and city-related events, creating a space that truly brings people together. Parking on the street can be a bit hit or miss since the area has limited spots, but that's honestly a small trade-off for such a great place. For me, Sost is always a hit. 10/10 -- an amazing space, amazing people, and an amazing vibe every time. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was a vibe. I'll certainly be back. The service was a little spotty at first, but we all got it together to be seated after waiting for a hostess for a little longer than expected. Outside of that, the service was great. I had the harissa wings, Jollof rice, and sambusas because I wanted to try multiple things. The wings were good but just a little dry. The Jollof was tasty and the sambusas were delicious! My friend had the Grandma's Suya platter and loved it. I will be getting that next time. They had a pretty good happy hour menu, if you want those deals! It started getting pretty packed around 7:30-8, so I know they have a good time over there between the 3 levels in the spot. This spot is super cute, good music, and good food! read more

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I really like that Sost offers four levels to choose from, including a speakeasy, lounge, restaurant, and great rooftop area, all in one building. I love getting my bang for my buck; I hit the jackpot. The music is a nice selection of different styles to enjoy. The food is good, plus the atmosphere, which makes you feel relaxed when you're eating the delicious desserts; you might want to order an extra one to go, lol. Did I mention it has amazing service and decoration too? As you can guess, it exceeds my expectations. I just have one question: what are you waiting for? Check it out. read more

Sost - Harrisa Creamy Salmon $28 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This restaurant and lounge has a great vibe! A friend and I visited, and we sat at the bar. I ordered the aperol spritz for my drink and the harissa shrimp with jollof rice for my meal. I'm really particular with jollof, as it's not always made well at restaurants. I'm not sure which country the recipe is based on, but it was pretty good. No major complaints about it. I really enjoyed the shrimp! It went well with the jollof, along with the sauteed spinach. read more

Sost - Harissa Creamy Shrimp - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I tried Sost on a Saturday evening while I was out as about attending events in the city, as it had been on my want to go list for a while. It wasn't overly crowded when I arrived and we were able to get a seat in the bar area right away. There was a bit of a delay with a server coming to our table with a menu and to greet us even though they weren't too busy, but she was very polite. I wanted something quick so I ordered the Mumbo sauce flavored Sost wings and a side of jollof rice. The flavor was nice but I wasn't able to fully enjoy the experience of the food because unfortunately my it was lukewarm when I received it. I would definitely give this place another try and when I decide to go back I'd definitely flag my concerns from my previous experience with my server. It was a nice vibe and cool crowd so I would recommend it for something to do in D.C. on the weekend. read more

Sost - Sost Wings Jollof Rice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

"SOST is where the Black and African Diaspora thrive--a cultural bridge built on music, flavor, and community," says their website. Part cafe, restaurant, speakeasy, and gallery, it's true. On a block in D.C. called "Little Ethiopia," SOST is a gathering place. In the mornings and afternoons, SOST is a cafe serving coffee. Popping in around 1pm, I ordered the Honey Latte. It's made with oat milk, honey, and cinnamon. It was refreshing and tasty! The space itself is designed beautifully with books on its shelves and art on the walls. As you wait for your coffee, browse both or chat with the kind staff. read more

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So we came to Sost and tried the grandma's suya platter with pikliz and their drinks. I like Nigerian suya and this was not that. It's grilled beef on kabob sticks with a dip and no suya powder that you're typically used to if you like Nigerian suya. I did like the beef just not what I expected. Pikliz was nice! Service was actually fast. Depending on the time though sometimes you have to find them yourself but they're usually in all black. It turns into a club and that's also nice! Love the 4 levels and ability to change to a quieter or more packed area depending on your mood. They play different music on different floors as well, 3rd and 4th is the same Dj. Would return ! read more

Sost - Basement level - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love this place! It's such a neighborhood gem - like a brownstone with four levels of entertainment. 1st floor is the cafe lounge that seems like a great place to get some work done and enjoy a mimosa or latte; the 2nd floor is the restaurant portion which has a very comfortable ambiance; 3rd floor is a small rooftop with a vibe and the dimly lit basement is a speakeasy. We didn't have a reservation but were able to get a seat at the bar on the 2nd floor around 8:30p on a Thursday and enjoy the live music. The food was really good - from the lemon pepper wings, sambusas, beef suya (the jollof rice was undercooked) and harissa salmon. We enjoyed a paloma and skinny margaritas - James was very attentive when it came to our cocktails and what we wanted. The live entertainment was 'chef's kiss'! I forgot the name of the artist but her voice captured what I'm looking for when I say I want "a vibe". read more

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We visited this spot on a random weekend. The cocktails were great and the DJ was playing all the hits. This is a while vibe! While we didn't order food on this particular night, the plates we saw coming out looked delicious . We will return! read more

Sost - Cocktails - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Sost DC - Milestone Birthday Vibes Went to Sost DC for a milestone birthday celebration and the food was delicious. I had the sliders, rice, shrimp, salmon, and chickpea patty everything was flavorful and well prepared. The celebration was held downstairs, which was aesthetically pleasing with a cozy yet upscale feel. The 80s & 90s R&B vibe was spot-on and really set the mood. The ambiance was grown, nostalgic, and perfect for celebrating something special. Service was pretty good overall. The only hiccup was when they transitioned from a private event to general public suddenly there was a huge influx of people with little notice (other than someone saying they needed my chair ). It got very congested, and trying to exit meant squeezing through the crowd, which wasn't ideal. That said, I would definitely go back just for a private event or on a weekday when it's less packed. Still a solid experience. read more

Stopped by for drinks on a late Wednesday night. The bartender was friendly and made very good strong drinks. The dj downstairs was top tier and everyone had a good time. There was no cover. This is a nice chill spot. I will definitely return. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My fave DC spot so far! My man suggested this place for lunch. I was so happy to eat Ethiopian food! But, it wasn't the usual menu I'm used to at Ethiopian restaurants. I loved everything I tried! The service was excellent, a bit of a sketchy neighborhood full of homeless and seemingly addicts. So be careful if alone here and mindfully secure items in your car. We both tried the Ethiopian spice kemem chai tea latte and it's the best chai latte we've both ever had. We looooved the taste! I can't wait to return. I tried the suya plate and wow was it tasty altogether. My first time having fried injera and it was nice. The suya meat itself could've been less salty but it wasn't too salty when paired with the side item which helped cut it. He'd eaten here before so tried the fried chicken plate this time and he loved the black eyed peas, found the chicken a little dry but tasty. I ironically wound up here later that night with my friend and a big crew--the party vibes on all three floors was perfection with perfect music and mostly sophisticated crowd, people actually talk to strangers and a little dancing! I tried the veg sambusas which were tasty. The buff server was nice and gentlemanly. I appreciate the owner story--each sibling owner apparently owns a floor very cute concept. Appears to have several managers watching activity all night. Very attentive. The female manager from the day noticed me as she was also working later that night. All Day at Sost is okay with me lol! Immaculate vibes day to night! Go, enjoy!!! read more

Sost - Sambusas yum spicy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Yummy food, amazing service with Jordan! The skewer, branzino, and the salmon were my favorite! Careful, some things are spicy! But my tolerance is terrible so it might be fine for those that can tolerate spice. Own downside to me was it's like a club, so it'd extremely loud and dark! It made it difficult to speak to my group of friends. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great music, staff, and clientele. Didn't order food so I can't speak about that. Great DJ. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Sost is a vibe! The neighborhood and the venue outside give brownstone vibes. What you don't realize until you enter is that you're stepping into a restaurant, lounge, speakeasy, and rooftop section all in one building. I came for a 30 and up function, and the host had DJs playing music on multiple floors. One of the highlights by far is their vinyl record collection of past and current musicians. It was one of the most unique bookshelf type displays I've seen. The bartender was nice to make one of their specialty drinks for me since it was my first time there (they were only making regular cocktails for the event.) I ordered the Jaba with tequila instead of vodka. It was surprisingly sweet, as the raspberry liquor stood out over the lime juice, ginger syrup, and sparkling rose. The speakeasy downstairs was a nice change of pace from the restaurant level and higher floors. The Emancipation of Mimi sign and the lighted mirror were a nice touch. You saw more pictures dedicated to music in the cozy and dimly lit area (also with a bar.) When I come back I'll try some of their food, because what I smelled and saw caught my attention. read more

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Was my 1st time visiting. It's a really nice, cute, cozy spot. Definitely worth checking out. Received excellent customer service The drinks were amazing, there is so much to choose from on both the liquor & food menu. Will definitely be re visiting. read more

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Really liked this place! Vibe is immaculate but the food is great too. My friend and I had the buffalo wings appetizer with fries...crispy liked I asked and not overly spicy. The sambosas were okay, not my favorite but truly just my preference. The cook of the meal was still great. I'll definitely come back to check out the other floors & see what else they have to offer! read more

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Right away, I really enjoyed Sost. I recently went and dined in as soon as they opened. Because of this, it wasn't crowded at all and there weren't many people there. The interior decor is beautiful. It's very clean, warm, with a great color palette. We were greeted by multiple staff upon entry and our server gave great customer service. We sat in the main dining area, on the same level as the entrance. I started with a Sahara Smoke, a mezcal cocktail. It was good. I ordered two. For my appetizer, I got the sambusas. They were also good and came with a sauce on the side. The sauce had those traditional East African spices and paired well with the dish. For my main dish, I was so torn. I wanted to try something different. I went with the Berbere-Q Braised dish. It's a large piece of dark meat, that comes with rice and slaw. It was also paired with the same sauce. I really enjoyed it. I do wish the menu had a few more options. After eating, we got the opportunity to walk around and check out the other levels. The later it gets, I believe the space turns more into a lounge vibe. The space was crafted beautifully. Each level is unique and has a theme. The bathroom on the main floor is spacious and very clean as well. I'll be a returning customer. read more

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I came here with a couple of friends on a Friday night. We were seated in the Hybrid Cafe which has limited seating so reservations are needed. The building has multiple floors including one with a Dj and another that's a vinyl room. I felt the hostess could have been friendlier but maybe it was a long night? Anyways, our server was great. I don't remember his name but I recall he was from Atlanta. My friends and I ordered multiple drinks. I preferred the drinks ordered off the menu than the ones on the menu but they were all made well. As for food, I had the Suya platter and the wings. I really liked the Suya and the mambo sauced wings. However, the jollof was a bit bland and overdone. I'd definitely come back again but probably opt for appetizers rather than their entrees. read more

Sost - GRANDMA'S SUYA PLATTER - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was my first time hearing of this new spot SOST, but apparently I was the only one because this place was action packed! The ambiance was live, hip and happening. The food was well seasoned and tasty. The Harissa Creamy Salmon succulent and the creamy sauce was flavorful super creamy with a welcomed spicy kick. James, our server, was impeccable. While busy he made sure to check on us regularly ensuring we were okay. He made excellent food and drink recommendations too. We will definitely go back to check out the Vinyl Room with DJ nights. read more

Sost - Harissa Creamy Salmon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Loved it! First time here came in during restaurant week. The regular menu was available but we took advantage of the prefixed menu. I had the injera bowl and really enjoyed it we also ordered a side of samosas. I LOVED the samosas and need them. Great drinks, clean restaurant, clean restrooms and good service. read more

Sost - Menu from restaurant week - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to SOST for brunch and might I say the food was really good. Service and vibe of the venue was also great. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Speakeasy's have become a thing lately. Well, when I went to this spot, for the food, I was surprised that they had a whole secret level in there!! This spot was an experience!! LET'S GO!! . Where I am: @sost.dc . Location Reviewed: 1901 9th Street., N.W. Washington D.C. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Mocktail ($12 with pineapple, bubbles, orange juice, grenadine, & Passionfruit boba). Absolutely refreshing!! I need a gallon of this!! STAMP!! Their Sost Chicken Wings ($16 Six baked, Mumbo sauced wings). Super tender, a savory Mumbo...try these!! LIKE THAT!! Their SOST Halfsmoke ($18 a grilled beef & pork sausage with pikliz, a Haitian slaw, onion jam, seeded mustard, shoestring fries, & a spicy Ethiopian Awaze sauce). Serious heat to it!! Tasty with STAMPED fries you don't need to dip!! LIKE THAT!! Their Berber Q Braised Chicken ($24 braised chicken with an Ethiopian pepper spice blend, pikliz, & Jollof rice). This also had heat, & nicely braised with STAMPED Jollof!! STAMP!! Their Grandma's Suya Platter ($26 West African Suya beef skewers with Jollof rice, & pikliz). The absolute BEST beef Suya I've ever had!! Tender, flavorful, & fulfilling!! STAMP!! Their Moroccan Croissant ($12 a croissant drizzled with coffee glaze, sweet plantains, & vanilla ice cream). Flaky, sweet, & creamy!! . Customer Service: On Point . Parking: Rough!! . Accessibility: Nit Wheelchair friendly, but differently abled persons accessible. . The Inside: Swanked out!! . Recommendations: Get the Skewers!! 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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I visited SOST during the day and wanted to try the coffee and check it out. I had no idea what to get but the bartender/ barista was extremely helpful. I decided to get the Ethiopian slow pour and it was amazing. The place was beautiful and I plan on going back later in the day to see how the other levels are. read more

Sost - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to a natural wine tasting at Sost last Thursday and had a marvelous time. Having recently been on a wine tour in South Africa, I can honestly say this tasting was a close second to the real thing! The pours were delicious, and the sommelier, Monica, was incredibly knowledgeable. She provided so much great information about each wine making the experience both educational and enjoyable. For only $34, we received 6+ generous pours the price was absolutely a steal for such high-quality wines. Overall I was super impressed with Sost's programming and would love to see them host more community events like this in the future read more

Sost - Wine tasting menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Three floors of fun! We started on the main floor with dinner. The space was dimly lit and inviting. I liked the vinyls on the wall and it was just a good vibe. Eating with R&B hits in the background felt like home. We had a larger group and they accommodated us smoothly. The food was delicious! We had sambusa for the table and I ordered the Suya platter. It was a healthy portion, if you're not hungry I'd suggest the Suya appetizer. The cocktails were great too! I'd recommend the citrus soliel. We went up to the top floor to dance and get more drinks. The dj kept us dancing all night and after 1am I noticed there was a line to go back up stairs. I didn't get to check out the speak easy lounge downstairs but we'll certainly come back! read more

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I really wanted to like this place, but the service left so much to be desired that it completely overshadowed the experience. We had a reservation, but when we arrived, there was no one at the front to greet us. Tons of people were just walking in and seating themselves while we waited about five minutes before someone finally showed up. When the hostess did appear, we told her about our reservation, and she went to check on our table. She came back and told us the people at our table were refusing to leave, so there was no seating available. Instead of having a plan to fix this, she awkwardly walked us upstairs, where there were no available seats. We stood around looking confused for a few minutes before heading back downstairs, where we were finally seated at a table. Once we were seated, it took another 15 minutes before anyone came to greet us. The hostess and one of the many owners eventually brought us water--without straws--and apologized for the confusion. The waitress who finally came over was visibly upset and told us she had just received some bad news. We told her she could take a moment, but she insisted on working, which felt uncomfortable because it seemed like she was struggling. To make matters worse, there was another woman sitting in the back with a laptop--who also appeared to be an owner--and she didn't step in to help at all, even though the waitress clearly needed support. When the owner came over to apologize after we were finally seated, they offered my friend and me a shot. We didn't take the shot right away because we had no food yet. Later, after we placed our orders, they offered us a second shot. Normally, after two shots, you'd feel something--but we both felt absolutely nothing. It made us wonder if the drinks were watered down. The lack of leadership was apparent throughout the night. At one point, another owner cut to the front of the bar line, grabbed drinks, and went downstairs to party and socialize instead of helping manage the chaos. Meanwhile, we struggled to even order a drink. When we went upstairs to the bar, it was so crowded that the bartenders didn't even look up to take orders. We eventually gave up and went back downstairs. My friend tried to order a specialty drink, but they said they don't serve specialty drinks past a certain time. Later in the night, I ended up ordering a lemon drop, and when it came, it had a curly black hair in it. I pointed it out to the bartender, who apologized and took it back, but at that point, I didn't even bother asking for another drink. The food was good--honestly, no complaints there. I ordered the harissa creamy salmon, which is salmon, mashed potatoes, and spinach. It was good, slightly salty, but tasted fine -- but the service was so disorganized that it completely ruined the vibe. It was hard to overlook how chaotic everything was, especially since there were at least four people who appeared to be owners or managers, yet none of them seemed to be doing much to keep things running smoothly. To top it off, we spoke to an acquaintance who had also experienced a long wait earlier in the evening, so it sounds like this wasn't just bad timing--it's a pattern. If you're going to have this many staff members and claim to offer a more upscale experience, then the service should match the atmosphere and prices. Unfortunately, SOST missed the mark in that department. Would I come back? Honestly, probably not--at least not until they figure out how to properly manage their staff, take better care of their customers, and serve drinks that actually hit. read more

I ended up coming back to Sost this past Friday night with some of my friends!! We started off in the Vinyl Room and shared drinks and some small bites. We appreciated being able to mingle with others and enjoy good music. Then around midnight, the DJ started playing his set. We went upstairs to the Resto-lounge level and realized this is where everyone was! Amazing vibes all around. Definitely a spot to add to your list for a Friday night to have a good time and enjoy good food! read more

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Such a vibe. Went on a Friday night. My drinks were amazing. I substituted them for tequila. read more

Sost - MOROCCAN MINT (with tequila) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Keiko!! Don't ever fire this woman. Her customer service and attention to detail is next level!! I'll be back with the whole crew!!

I absolutely love the ambiance and decor here--each floor has a different vibe, which makes the experience even better. I barely took photos because I was having such a great time! it's a classy spot with dim lighting, perfect for date nights, birthdays, or a night out with friends. The food was just okay--the jollof rice tasted stale, and the suya wasn't authentic; it was more like a plain beef skewer and lacked flavor. Aside from that, we had a great time dancing upstairs on the dance floor. definitely book a table in advance because it fills up quickly. Cant wait to come back! read more

Sost - Suya - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Welcome to Shaw, SOST! SOST is a cafe, vinyl room, and a resto-lounge, all in one, and we came here to check out their lounge and grab some dinner during their opening weekend. We ordered: +Sost chicken Wings - baked and glazed; could choose from buffalo, mambo, or the signature sweet Tunisian Harissa pepper sauce; we went for the Tunisian Harissa pepper sauce +Akara Fritters - Senegalese black-eyed pea fritters, served with mild and spicy pepper sauces +Grandma's Suya Platter - West African beef skewers, served with jollof rice and pikliz +the Harissa Creamy Tiger Shrimp - with Tunisian harissa pepper cream sauce, served with mashed potatoes and spinach +and, the Sost Cheeseburger - patty glazed in mambo sauce and topped with onion jam, muenster cheese, fried onions, seeded mustard, and spicy aioli; served with french fries For dessert, we tried the Moroccan Croissant, drizzled with coffee glaze and crumbled plantains; this was served with ice cream. Staff were friendly, and the place was cozy and intimate. Ensure you make reservations, as the place could potentially get busier due to their scheduled live performances. This place offers 3 types of venue spaces for get-togethers and private events. +live performances +3 venues +friendly service read more

Amazing vibes , amazing music, I felt at home and so well taken taken care of thanks to Enon! The drinks are amazing we recommend the Jaba and Citrus Soleil read more

Sost - Jaba - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've eaten here multiple times now, and every visit has been consistently great. The service is always on point--if your server is busy, a manager or another team member will stop by to check in, which I really appreciate. The salmon is my go-to, and it's sooo good. For drinks, I always go with the Sahara Smoke--absolutely divine. If you're into mezcal, I highly recommend it. The place itself is super cool, with three floors, including a speakeasy! By day, it's a coffee shop, which adds to the charm. Definitely a unique spot worth checking out. read more

Sost - Harissa Creamy Salmon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If you're looking for a spot in DC with amazing food, good people, Sost is it. It's more than just a restaurant, it's a lounge where you can really enjoy yourself. The ambience is warm and inviting, with a down-to-earth energy that makes you feel right at home. The food is top tier -- flavorful, fresh, and clearly made with love. I had the salmon which was so good I'm still thinking about it but everything we tried hit the spot. What really made the experience stand out was the energy of the space. Everyone--from the staff to the guests--added to the vibe. It felt like a spot where people come to enjoy life and good music. Ziti was amazing and made our time so special. If you're in DC and want to eat well and catch a vibe. Sost should definitely be on your list. read more

Sost - Love this mirror - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I loveddddd it here! I came for happy hour and it was a great time. The bartender was lovely! I can't remember her name but she's a younger Ethiopian woman and attends Howard. Her drinks were BOMB! Her service was so great she made us want to come when the restaurant turns into a club. And let me tell you!! The club is fun! It's 4 floors with different DJs on each floor. They have a great burger and the mambo sauce wings were cooked perfectly. It's def a place I would attend again. Only con is that if you come late, they will charge a cover and will have an incredibly long line to get it. The security was a little mean and rough but I assume that's from a long night. Otherwise lovely place and it's BLACK OWNED!! Would love to go again! Oh and the sambusas were good too! Happy hr had $10 select drinks and $8-$15 bites! Lovedddd read more

Nice venue. Staff was pretty good. Drinks are def overpriced. The food looked good. I didn't that's any but I might next time I'm there. I'd go back. read more

Very warm and welcoming vibe and AMAZING food and drinks. A must experience in DC. Don't skip the dessert here.