Dakar Street Food

The hospitality at Dakar Street Food feels like home. Warm, inviting, centered, intentional and fulfilling! Cuisine was suggested by a friend on a late Tuesday afternoon after errands. We arrived and found an empty vessel but there something filling awaiting. We were immediately greeted upon entering by Elhadji, friendly, informative and attentive. We decided upon a selection of Fataya (Beef & Fish), Fish being my favorite, Mix Dibi/Chicken Dibi, Jollof, and Nem. Chicken & Lamb was juicy and flavorful. Plantains were perfect; sweet and comforting. The food was prepared with intention and love. It was served on wooden plates, my goodness. The drinks were amazing. We tasted the Passion Fruit Lemonade, Bouye, and my personal favorite the Bissap! I ordered one to go and saved it for later. Leftovers reheated very well. Everyone loved their food and was throughly satisfied with food and excellent service. Elhadji spoke about his home with such respect and pride; it was beautiful to learn about some I’ve only seen an hear from afar. It was a great experience to have and the customer service alone grants me future visits. The restaurant feels like kitchen at home. The restrooms were proper and clean. They games, UNO/ Foosball table and a Disco Ball. I will definitely visit Dakar Street Food again. Even if you are apprehensive about trying something different, DO IT! You will not be let down and will be surprised at your experience. Try them out today and see for yourself!

I will preface this review by saying that the food was incredible - every item that was ordered had lots of flavor and it was incredibly delicious. However, they have limited menu options as each day they only have specific items available. We came Sunday evening wanting to try their thieboudienne and their yassa but both items were unavailable on Sunday. They only had chicken dibi and poisson braise so that’s what we ended up ordering. We also ordered the fataya (fish empanada) and the soup. The fataya came with four pieces. It was fantastic and the salsa they served along with the fataya was incredible too. The dibi and poisson were both well seasoned and were big portions. Perfect for sharing. The soup was very earthy and comes with French bread. It was also a pretty sizable portion and good for sharing. The food overall was amazing and I think if the restaurant were to expand their menu availability and serve more food items on a day to day basis, that would greatly help their business. Additionally, water here costs $2 per bottle so bring your own water.

The food was NCREDIBLE ♡♡♡♡ so juicy, tender, flavorful and the portions were enormous! ☆ definitely worth the month and trip there, little did I know they're had a location that was closer to me this whole time. I really want to try their mafe next time ☆ The workers there are so friendly and gave me good recommendations ♡ oh and the ginger pineapple and the hibiscus ginger drinks were also so helkin good ♡♡♡

If you haven’t experienced Dakar Street Food, you’re seriously missing out! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth, hospitality, and the rich aroma of authentic Senegalese cuisine. Every bite tastes like home-cooked love — perfectly seasoned, fresh, and deeply satisfying. The jollof rice? Top-tier. The grilled lamb? Melt-in-your-mouth perfection. And don’t even get me started on the bissap — refreshing and delicious. You can tell this place is run with excellence, culture, and community in mind. Whether you’re new to West African cuisine or grew up on it, Dakar Street Food is the real deal. 10/10 recommend. I’ll definitely be back (often)!

I’m from la Côte d’Ivoire, I’m used to senegalese food because we are neighbors and we have plenty senegalese people in my country. The fact that I was able to taste these flavors again brought me back to our beautiful countries. I recommend this restaurant, the food is delicious and precious. Thank you for being and staying authentic. Senegal rekkk!!!

This was my last time ordering from this place. Shame on the owner for using the name “Dakar”—this is a poor representation of Senegalese food and culture. I ordered Thieboudienne and was served bland rice with no vegetables, just a few onions. The dessert (think to couscous) was even worse: a bowl filled mostly with dry couscous and just a small scoop of milk on top. I brought this to the host’s attention, and she said she’d offer a free dessert next time. But I came all the way from The Woodlands—I’m not making that trip again. It’s clear the owner and staff don’t value their customers; they’re more focused on making money than offering quality food. For those who have never tried Senegalese cuisine, don’t let this place be your last experience. Try Senegalese food in New York City—you’ll see the true richness and flavor of the culture.

Pros: interesting menu, great service, plenty of seating, great tasting food Cons: small menu, not much parking Even though it's a small menu, everything they offer is fantastic. For those of you who like West African food, their plantains, dibi chicken, fataya beef, and Poisson Braise are delicious. For less adventurous people, their burgers and jerk chicken are really good too! And you've gotta try their passion fruit lemonade--it's sooo refreshing! I still haven't tried their oxtails yet, but I will one of these days (when I can stop craving their dibi chicken long enough to try it 😂).

So happy to try Senegal white Jollof rice here. I usually eat Nigerian Jollof that usually red because of the pepper and tomatoes. White Jollof felt lighter and comforting. We came and tried their lamb, chicken and fish, all came out really nice. My favorit must be the Fish that came with the fried sweet plantain, we ordered more plantain because it was soo good. The portions here is Texas size, you'll be absolutely full after a lunch here. They also have so many different drinks, my favorit is the pineapple ginger. My friends got the passionfruit and they loved it too. Shout out to Muhammad for an excellent service. We will absolutely come back to try the Oxtail, it was sold out when we came today. The food here is Halal, and they also have praying mat for muslims customers to borrow if you need to catch up prayer.

If you're looking for the best meal in Houston, stop what you're doing and head straight to Dakar Street Food. My boyfriend and I visited and were absolutely blown away. We tried the ginger drink and hibiscus drink, and both were perfectly sweet--just the way we like them! For our meal, we ordered the Saturday Special to share, but just two bites in, I knew I wanted my own plate. The special features a whole fish seasoned to absolute perfection, paired with two generous servings of Jollof rice. The rice was bursting with flavor, and the tomato onion sauce on the side took it to the next level--I couldn't get enough of it. I'm still wondering how they got the seasoning so deep inside the fish. Literally every bite was flavorful , not just the exterior of the fish. This place is a 20 out of 10 on flavor. Every bite was pure joy, and I honestly can't imagine anyone not loving this food. It's hands down one of the best meals I've had in Houston. Seriously, don't overthink it, and don't waste time reading more reviews. Just go. No more contemplating; JUST GO! You're welcome in advance!

I would 100% recommend the Dakar Street Food restaurant to anyone interested in trying this amazing cuisine! The staff is super healthful and friendly! Our server recommended the oxtails and the fish. My husband ordered the oxtails and I had the tilapia and couscous. We ordered the beef fataya for our appetizer and everything was AMAZING!! Oh, I cant forget the fresh, refreshing drinks. Another great suggestion was hibiscus bissap and ginger drink! Everything was bursting with flavor and came out hot with a wonderful presentation! The food and service were matched onluly by the beautiful ambience!

My friends came here to share appetizers and entrees. The fish empanadas were great and didn't taste too fishy. We had an eggroll-like appetizer, which was good as well. Regarding the entrees, we ordered tilapia, jerk chicken, and mixed dibi (beef and chicken). The portions were good and the food was cheap, but everything had a lot of bones, making food difficult to share and/or eat at times. The jerk chicken was my favorite by far. We also enjoyed the drinks - I had a ginger beverage. The service was pretty good. Regarding the ambiance, the restaurant was fairly spacious, but they played loud music videos or Hallmark movies.

I had almost an hour wait for my food but it was good and hot when it came out so I would probably order ahead next time. Large servings with enough for two people or for leftovers.

Fantastic food and customer service! Came here after lunch on a weekday and it's behind a neighborhood filled with apartments. It was empty but the chef/host was very polite and accommodating. I had the Poisson Braise with plantains and it was amazing and freshly cooked. It did take some time but I wasn't in any rush. The fish itself is cooked well, not spicy and the marinade in it was flavorful and robust. It had hints of citrus in it. It's very light and pairs well with the plantains! Even the tartar sauce was stellar and I could tell they used their own pickles to make it. The chef came out and was super social and cordial. He mentioned that he does some of the cooking and asked if it was my first time trying this dish and it was! Really love the fish here and I'd come back soon to try the Jollof rice.

This is my third visit to Dakar Street Food and I can confidently say this is my go-to restaurant for comfort food! Even though I'm not Senegalese, the food from Dakar Street Food feels like my family's own home-cooked meals. Lots of good seasoned food, sauces that pack a flavorful wallop, and generous portions. I definitely recommend the Cepp Yapp Bou Khong that they sell on Thursdays. It comes with a protein (bone-in lamb, beef, or chicken) with well-seasoned jollof rice, stewed vegetables, and a flavorful red colored onion sauce. I personally think it offers a good idea of whether you'll like the restaurant and want to explore the rest of the menu. That and the fish! The Yassa Jen, which is also a Thursday special, is a whole grilled tilapia over white rice and a generous heap of citrus-y onion sauce. Dakar Street Food grills their fish to perfection and their fish is one of the reasons why I keep returning. I didn't think I'll sing praises over tilapia but here I am. If you aren't afraid of fish bones, order the tilapia and dine in so you can enjoy that perfectly crispy and smoky skin. It is chef's kiss.

Dakar Street Food is an unexpected find, introducing me to the vibrant flavors of Senegalese cuisine. It was my first time trying West African dishes too. Their daily specials bring an explosion of savory flavor, with just the right level of spiciness. The portions here are incredibly generous, and the friendly staff is more than happy to guide you through the dishes, which is especially helpful if you're new to Senegalese food like I was. My Dibi Chicken dish was big enough to last me two meals! There is ample parking outside and it's a true hole-in-the-wall find. The interior is clean, but it could use better AC in this Texas heat. Nonetheless, the flavors here are great and I would definitely come back!

It was my first time here and my first time having Senegalese food. SO DELICIOUS. I can't wait to come back!

I was in town for work and looking for some unique food. Dakar Street food did not disappoint!! The Saturday Special (Cepp Jen bou khong) was recommended by the hostess and it was by far the best fish I have ever had. A full tilapia seasoned perfectly and the meat fell right off the bones. The rice and veggies were just as good and round out the meal perfectly. The ginger juice was also amazing! A huge amount of food for the price! I had to bring the extras home. I'll likely be back before heading home at the end of the week.

For a mid Sunday afternoon, I was looking for something full of flavor, different from the usual restaurant fare. Dakar Street Food was the landing spot, and I was glad of it since I love Senegalese did. The fatayas were out of this world. Instead of a spicy tomato sauce for dipping, there were onions. The fatayas already had a spicy kick. The whole grilled fish and plantains were the best. I washed it all down with bissap. The restaurant is in a small strip mall that's not on a street that gets heavy traffic. It looks small from the outside, but it is quite spacious inside. Based on my exposure to Senegalese food in Chicago and in Senegal, they hit the mark. I'm going back next time I'm in Houston.

Hands down the best west African food I've ever had. Period. I've been ordering from this place for a few years, not only are their dishes so tasty, but what really gets me coming back is their consistency. There's been times I've called just to thank them, as a foodie you can tell when the chef takes pride in what they prepare and this place always delivers. I've tried many dishes but favs are c'est bon, poisson braise, jerk chicken, fataya, juice boye, hibiscus drink, and ginger drink. My boyfriend wants to try the food now because I can't stop raving about it each time I order from there (lol), he may not be foodie like me but I like that he's open to broadening his pallet. Next time, we will definitely eat there.

Best Senegalese food in Houston. Argue wit ya mudda. The talipia and jollof on Fridays are the best and packed with flavor. Come here if you want to have a taste of explosion. The ambiance, seating, and atmosphere all set the tone for the wonderful dining experience you're bound to have. If I have to rate it I'd give it a 10/10 for taste, dining, and vibes.

The Senegalese food at Dakar is amazing. West African food in general is some of my favorite food along with Puerto Rican and Dominican food. It's very filling, reasonably priced, and flavorful. The flavor is like someone is making this food in their kitchen at home and you can't beat that. My favorite dish from Dakar is the "Cepp Yapp bou khong" which has Jolof rice with vegetables, beef, and spicy onion sauce. I always add side of plantains to it and in Ramadan they offer dates to break your fast with. The food is Halal as well which is a huge plus for me. Keep in mind that certain dishes are only offered on certain days so check the menu or call ahead of time to make sure. I always get the Cepp Yall Bou Khong with beef but next time I will try it with lamb. I love the combination of vegetables they include with this dish. I hear their Jerk Chicken is great as well. Some people love it so much it's all they order but because of that they miss out on the other great dishes. The service is great, the people who work here are some of the nicest and the restaurant has a mom and pop feel. I highly recommend Dakar.

We had a lovely Easter lunch at Dakar and were very pleased with everything. First of all, the place is well appointed and very clean. We were greeted by a very friendly server, who took care of our orders, and was very attentive and outgoing. We had a couple of appetizers to share and then we got the Dibi chicken and the paella. The flavors were superb, the sauces that accompanied them were interesting and tasty, and the portions were very generous. There were four of us, and we had plenty left to take home. this was my first time to taste Senegalese food, and I found it very delicious and I'm anxious to return and try other menu items. I encourage you to try as well as places that are this well run and make such a strong attempt to keep the customer happy should be patronized. you'll discover some new taste you've never had but guarantee you'll want to return for more. We were very pleased with our choice.

The food is outstanding here! Made fresh to order every time I've ordered. The flavors are crazy! It was my first time trying the food. The Dakar burger was recommended by my sister. Described as sinful lol, when I was in the mood for a burger I remembered her suggestion & tried this spot, I will say she was on point with the description. It was goodt. The value is hella great for a burger & fries these days. I would recommend! That same night for dinner went back & tried the Jerk chk (it wasn't available for lunch time). One of their regular customers bought me an order of the fataya (empanadas) that be recommended were good.I did say it would be too much food but he said they would be good next day. The chicken Dish was on point, I asked for jerk sauce on the side, my 1st time trying the empanadas were just okay. They were fried tooo hard & a little dried out. The cashier, Awa was amazing. She was so nice. Smiled & was helpful with suggestions. She remembered me it was a cool visit, The restaurant was so clean & their decor is a vibe. Love this spot already. I'm def planning to run it back to do a Mukbang for my YouTube channel. "Rocking Wit Trell" 9 out of 10 for me!

First time trying African food, we got one of their Sunday specials, Paella. I was skeptical about getting it because it had lamb and I was unsure of how gamey it would be. Everything was delicious and flavorful, perfectly seasoned. The young lady behind the counter was very nice she provided great service and recommendations.

I took ONE bite of this and wanted to slap everyone. Slaps of JOY!! Because the chef needs a medal. The fataya was flavorful and delicious. I'm so glad I also ordered the mixed Dibi because both the lamb and chicken were tender and perfectly seasoned. My only regret is not ordering more food. I will be back.

This place is amazing! The food is seasoned to perfection. We got the fried fish and we also got the oxtail plate with jollof and every single thing was so delicious.! I have been craving them since I had it. I will definitely be having to make that 45 minute drive again soon.

If you have never eaten here, you are missing out! The food is by far DELICIOUS, they do NOT skip out on flavor. The flavor is well balanced to perfection. The food is always made with love in every bite. The service is great and the restaurant is consistent. My new favorite Senegalese restaurant, will definitely be back! 100% recommend !

The server was kind and took the time to make a recommendation, which was the dibi lamb with white rice. It took a while for me to receive my food, but it was well-seasoned when I got it. The bowl of onions served as a tasty compliment to the food, but the lamb was very fatty and bony, with very little meat. When I come to a restaurant, I always expect to have a sizable amount of protein and this unfortunately was not the case. I was still hungry after finishing this dish, so I ordered the mixed fataya. The two fish fataya were disappointingly lacking meat. I'm glad I gave the beef ones a try, because I almost decided not to finish them. The beef ones were very good and full. I've included pictures of each one. In all, not a bad experience, but I didn't get the 5-star Yelp Review quality that I was expecting. Maybe another time!

Located in a nondescript strip mall on Walnut Bend, if one doesn't know what they're looking for, this gem is easily missed. Restaurant is bigger inside than it appears, no frills type of family owned business, very clean and the staff is friendly. Ordered the Fatayas, an empanada Senegalese style, flavorful land full of meat . Also ordered a chicken wrap. Menus says you get 2 wraps when it's actually one cut in 2, and it comes with a side of flavored fries. Only gripe is that the online menu needs to be updated for I REALLY wanted to try their "giant fish tacos" only to be learn it was no longer in the menu . The portions were generous. I don't care for the tomato dipping sauce that comes with the fatayas, other than that, it's all golden. If I'm in the area, I will definitely return. Run and go experience the delights Sénégal has to offer.

Out of all the African Restaurants I've tried in the country hands down this one is the best. I knew about them for a while but just recently tried their food and I'm hooked. Been going pretty much every day since. The only restaurant that took me back home with their flavors. I usually order ahead, it takes about 20 minutes for the food to be ready which is not bad. Service is very nice and helpful, very welcoming and so is the Ambiance. Absolutely Amazing Restaurant

First time trying Senegalese/Caribbean food was a great experience with friendly staff and delicious food! The restaurant seems small on the outside, but there is plenty of space inside. It's located in a small strip mall and there is a small parking lot that it shares with other businesses, but we had no trouble finding a spot. I went for lunch on a Wednesday and there was no one dining in, so we were able to sit anywhere we wanted without waiting. There was a mix of booth and table seating. No outdoor seating. Lots of TVs inside. The staff was very friendly, and she helped us a lot with making choices. This was our first time trying Senegalese food, so we were glad she was so willing to explain the food and give recommendations. The menu is in English with good descriptions. They also have pictures of the food shown on a TV screen. The food was very good. We especially loved the rice, ginger drink (spicy and sweet!), and fish fataya (Senegalese-style empanadas.) The presentation was neat and appealing. Note that they do have daily specials!

If you've never tried west African food before, I highly recommend you come here for your first taste. The young man at the register was so kind, welcoming, and helpful. He went through the entire menu with us and explained all the dishes, offering suggestions and recommendations. The beef fetaya (empanada) and nem (spring roll) appetizers were delicious, the beef filling had a very unique spiced flavor. We also got a bunch of entrees and the portions are huge. The Dakar oxtails were big and juicy, chicken dibi and cep yapp was very tender and well cooked. The mafe is a yummy saucey peanuty meat stew served over rice, and I wish I grew up with this as I can't think of a better after-school snack or quick meal as a student. We tried three juices (Bissap, ginger, and bouye) and they were all perfect and refreshing. I will absolutely be back here the next time I'm in Houston!

The food is amazing, the service is good and the ambiance is very nice!!! Very good African food!

I was looking for somewhere I've never been and ran across this place DAKAR street food. When I tell you they were the best tasting Oxtails and gravy. 10/10 I highly recommend couldn't take a picture because the food smelled so good that I smashed it instantly

Ordered oxtails, tilapia and mixed bibi, all spiced perfectly, super tasty. First time trying Sengalese food, I am a fan. Excellent customer service as well. Two big thumbs up!

Was in town for Juneteenth activities with friends and we wanted to find somewhere with good traditional African food. Dakar definitely OVER delivered on their food and service. It was 7 of us and we ordered pretty much one of everything on the menu and we were all satisfied with what we got. Left full and happy. The chef even brought us out an extra fish to try. New go-to spot when in the city

When I tell you everything good. The portion sizes are prefect and the service is excellent. Highly recommended if you are in the WestChase area. The Nem (egg rolls) are just delicious the rice is so flavorful and the lamb/chicken is barbecued but juicy!!

Very good! Everything was fresh and tasted great! Will definitely try more dishes in near future. Also the man at counter was very professional and kind! The place wasn't the most decorated but quality of food made up for that. Overall we highly enjoyed!

Some of the best food I ever had. The fish with the onion stew and rice was crazy good I had to clean the plate ! Definitely recommend. Good portions good price and great service !

Some say food holds the emotions of the chef....but I find that only really good food does. This food does. So much care goes into the flavors, the spices (and not just spice for heat but depths of savory spices), and a smokiness in the oxtail sauce that is THE best sauce I have ever eaten. In fact, you could find yourself happy eating just that sauce on rice if you had only one meal left in the world. But it turns out the meat is expertly cooked as well, tender, juicy, and just the right amount of fat and marrow with the bones that everything is perfectly balanced. We tried the oxtail and lamb lunches and had more than enough food for two hungry people. Tonight I ate the leftovers of the lamb plate and it tastes as good the second time around! The only thing missing eating at home is the friendly faces and the World Cup playing on the big screen TV. Thank you! Can't wait to try more here!!

The food was the best I have had in Houston. The fish was fantastic/delicious. The service was outstanding. Super knowledgeable and nice.

I tried the mix Dibi plate, the oxtail, and the Nem. The Nem was piping hot and delicious, the Dibi chicken was wonderfully smoky, and the oxtail gravy was very well balanced with great depth of flavor. The portion sizes were generous, and I can't recommend enough.

10/10 . i love the oxtail and Didi chicken. Great customer service . definitely will come back

This place was an amazing fine during my travel to Houston. My wife had the chicken Cepp Yapp bou khong and I had the lamb. We also had Fataya and Nem for appetizers. To wash it all down my wife got a passion fruit lemonade and I got the ginger drink. All the food was truly amazing and wonderful. The young waiter was also very helpful courteous and kind and went out of his way to make sure we were happy. This is a must for us now when we go back to Houston.

Wow. We are in town for a convention and found this place on Yelp. The food was wonderful and made to order. I'm not familiar with food from this region but I can tell you I had a whole fried talapia and cuscus with an onion sauce on the side. It was recommended by our server. I am going to find out what it is called because I would definitely order it again. I only gave it 4 stars in case I get to go back and find something even better. Ok, I raised because it really was that good.

Incredible, tasty, everything was wonderful, the food, the service. This is definitely a hidden gem

i got the poisson braise thai time and man this place never missed. this is my 2 time in a week

Great food, good prices. Recommend the fataya, and the lamb ceeb yapp "jollof rice" and ginger drink.

Great food. I've tried a few items (Oxtail, Cep Jen and Dibi Chicken) on their menu and, so far, haven't been disappointed. I like the fact that there are accompanying sauces that compliment the flavors of the entrée. An occasional lagniappe (A big carrot or some other marinated root) included is also fanatic. A balanced meal in my opinion. Lastly, and quite important, is the friendly face and great service received during my visits.

My first time trying Senegalese food and omg it was toooo good. my friends and I ordered most the menu . lamb with rice was so good, the appetizers were great. and my friend enjoyed the juices! this is the only good african food ive had in houston. im downtown but its worth the drive plus service was friendly!

First time trying Senegalese food, and I was very impressed! Everything was absolutely delicious!Definitely coming back.

you know when you have a food and it's so, life-changingly delicious that you know you'll never forget it? that's the poisson braise at dakar street food. also the ginger drink. also the FISH empanadas?? these are some of the finest seafood dishes I've ever eaten in my life. the oxtail is excellent, the chicken is very good, but the fish!! the fish!! get the fish. best ever.

They make the best grilled Lamb and grilled fish you can ever taste :) I am scared they live so close to me because I am about to go bankrupt. I love their food and my friends love it

It's so authentic. I was almost in tears tasting senegalese food i havent had since my last visit in nearly 10years. The food and drinks are so flavorful. I 100% recommend them and will be back often. If you've never had senegalese food, i highly recommend trying it. it's a mix of french/vietnamese/carribean flavors.