The Continent DC

Excited to find a high-end African dining experience in the heart of DC. Loved the atmosphere and the menu options. Unfortunately (perhaps because it was a busy Saturday evening) our food took a while to come and it was lukewarm. The drink was great through and so were the samosas. I’ll still go ahead maybe on a slower day and get a better feel.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Continent , and I was absolutely blown away by the experience. From the moment my husband and I walked in, the authentic decor transported me straight to the heart of Africa. The vibrant patterns, traditional artwork, and warm, earthy tones created an atmosphere that was both inviting and culturally rich. The food was nothing short of phenomenal. Every dish was a celebration of bold flavors and fresh ingredients, with spices that danced on the palate. The lamb chops was a standout—perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. It was clear that a lot of love and care went into every plate. The staff was equally impressive, offering warm, attentive service that made me feel like a valued guest. The owner stopped by to share his story about how he wanted to open a restaurant that was for us by us, which added even more depth to the experience. Whether you’re new to African cuisine or a seasoned enthusiast, this place is a must-visit. The combination of authentic decor, incredible food, and exceptional service makes this a dining experience you won’t forget. Highly recommended!

I would say the meats are good. Plantains were too too fat. Shrimp was delicious and moi moi was delicious. Wings delicious. They charge a 20% service charge for any party size. We had 3 people. The music is TOO TOO LOUD, you cannot talk due to this.

The bathrooms were clean. There was no wait when we got there for our reservation. The food was very tasty. I had the red snapper, and it was really tasty. Cute date night spot, but it also works for a girls' night out. Would be back.

The Continent DC was a sub par dining experience, and marred by some dubious service issues at the end. The food overall was underwhelming. We sampled these five appetizers: Chicken Wings Crispy wings tossed in your choice of sauce: (jerk, continent sauce, or dry rubbed suya spice) - decent rub, but nothing too flavorful or memorable Yam with Tomato Sauce (Sliced yam deep fried and lightly salted, paired with a seasoned stew) - bland and flavorless, would not recommend it Boerewors (Flavorful Southern African beef sausage stuffed in a lamb casing and grilled to perfection) - outstanding flavor, highly recommended Beef Suya Bites (Grilled marinated cubed steak bites) - meat was gamey and overdone, not recommended Samosas with beef - unremarkable And we shared these six entrees: Stewed Beef Oxtails (Slow roasted and sautéed in a West African blend served with jollof rice and mixed vegetables) - some interesting flavors but the oxtails themselves were not the best I had Grilled Lamb Chops (Seared lamb chops with sautéed garlic spinach and mashed potatoes) - good but nothing to make me want to order it again Red Snapper (Infused with continent seasoning, deep fried, and served with two sides) - striking presentation but pedestrian flavor Liberian Cassava (Leaf Blended cassava leaves, sautéed for hours with assorted meat, crayfish and dry shrimp served with white rice and plantain (contains peanuts) - interesting preparation, some good flavor but the assorted meat was of poor quality, spoiling the dish somewhat Moi Moi (Lightly seasoned steamed bean pudding. Served with your choice of two sides) - disappointing flavor Grilled goat - unremarkable Overall, more misses and mehs than anything worthwhile. Cocktails also were not inspired, but quite pricey. I'd pass and recommend Lydia's on H or Swahili Consulate; much better quality, no misses on any of their dishes. When we got our bill for our group of 6, the 20% gratuity was included. What was odd is our server said that tip was only for the back of the house. That didn't make a ton of sense, did they really expect us to tip another 20% for the front of the house for a total of 40%? Also when they charged our credit card, they snuck in a 3% credit card fee, would have at least appreciated the transparency. This ending tipped the experience from just so-so to not wanting to return ever.

I came here for my birthday dinner and it was amazing! The atmosphere, and aesthetics were great! The staff was very professional and great with attention detail. The food was fresh and GOOD!!!! Our server, Idris was AMAZING! He noticed that my friend was not feeling well and offered her hot tea and she felt better! Thank you for making my birthday nice and welcoming! I will be back next time I’m in DC!!!

Absolutely loved my experience at The Continent! The food was outstanding—each dish was flavorful and beautifully presented. The staff (Alvin & Mariam) were incredibly attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. I highly recommend the lamb chops, it was a highlight of the meal! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, perfect for a special night out. I can't wait to return! 5 stars all the way!

This was my first time here celebrating my sisters birthday. First things first the food is good. The Jollof was good but it wasn’t Nigerian Jollof maybe Cameroon or Ghana. The moi moi had no egg or meet in it but serviceable. Our waiter Alvin was great. Very attentive and personable. Gave great food recommendations. The music that was played was good and it wasn’t too loud that you couldn’t hear yourself think. Only cons is they were running out of bottled water and they served us our champagne with wine glasses. So inventory management is an area for improvement. I will def come back.

Wonderful service!! Restaurant was very elegant and very classy!! Our waiter Carolyne was amazing 5 stars for sure absolutely had an amazing time!

We had the goat, the giant prawn, jollof rice and the beef suya. The giant prawn, the jollof and suya was chef's kiss. The waiter was very good. We definitely want to go back to try the fish. The decor was sophisticated and a beautiful nod to West African decor.

Finally tried this place! I did dinner last night with a big group. This is definitely a popular place so don't bother showing up without a reservation! Parking wasn't terrible on a Saturday evening. I found metered street parking around the corner. Paid via parkmobile. There is a nearby garage and it was only $10. A few in our group parked there. Now I know for next time! I arrived a bit earlier than the reservation so I hung out at the bar. It was buzzing! Since it was "National Margarita Day" I decided to try their Cape Town Margarita - tasty but not strong. Service at the bar was good. Since they were packed, they give a time limit once seated - 2 hours! They didn't stick to it since some of the food took awhile to come out. We stayed close to the 3 hour mark! So regarding the dress code, online it says upscale. Some were certainly going for that depending on the occasion being celebrated Most seemed to be date night cute or smart casual. I wouldn't recommend showing up in sweats! Kudos to our amazing server, Denham. Thank you so much for bearing with us and taking our pictures and just being awesome in general. Please give him a raise! Next time I'm here, I'm requesting him to be my server! Now onto the food. I tried the grilled chicken with a side of jollof. The chicken wasn't bad as far as taste. When I saw it, I was thinking it didn't look appetizing but I gave it a try - it was well seasoned and was flavorful. The jollof was a bit spicy but I didn't mind the spice. Comes with a spicy sauce on the side. Overall a great experience here! From the hostesses, bar staff, Denham and manager, Chaz. Thank you all for a great evening! I'll be back soon!

Honestly some great food with the lamb chops and giant shrimp really taking the cake, and the beef suya coming in close! Flavors are all on point, they have very spicy sauce if you want it, just ask, and the cocktails are so good! Service is a little lackluster and the space isn't the most beautiful, but we had a really nice table. We'll definitely be back and I think you should try it!

I had a great time celebrating a birthday dinner! The servers really made the birthday girl feel special. The place is beautiful, I loved the art work , table setting and light fixtures as it was just a gorgeous space to take in. This place has not been open a year and they are doing an amazing job! We had a pretty big party and the food was delayed with coming out. The staff took accountability, apologized for the delay and the food came out. What more could you ask for ! Also the jollof rice was a 10 out of 10!! Many places can't seem to get jollof rice right and they did that! I loved my meal and will definitely be back.

Have you ever had a love hate situation where you just don't know? well..... this is that!!! On a Saturday night with a deposit being paid we were booked for a bday dinner party! Reservations were made for 9:45pm The restaurant decided themselves to push the reservations back to 10:45pm :( without confirming with anyone!! From 10:45pm -12 am we were waiting for our table !!! Like what?!?!! From 12-12:30 we were seated and our order was taken. Our food HIT the table at 1:30 am!!!!! 1/2 of the menu was out so most of us order the lamb chops and only 1/2 of us were served !!! Mind you it's 1:30am ... we were comped some stuff off the bill but this was such a bad experience now the food was great! Lamb chops seasoned and mashed potatoes were amazing !! I truly can't believe the experience and Prayfully it will be different next time !!!!

The first thing about this place that I loved was the ambience. It's so beautifully decorated and very inviting. The second thing was the drinks. Very tasty and creative cocktail offerings and there's even a happy hour during the weekdays. We had to remind our server to adjust the bill to reflect happy hour, but it was no problem. I ate the lamb chops for dinner and they were delicious! Will definitely be back to try more dishes very soon.

The Continent was packed when we stopped by to celebrate a birthday on a Friday night. We made a reservation but weren't seated until at least half of our party showed up. The ambiance is nice and we felt at home with the afrobeats music booming across the entire business. There are a variety of Nigerian food options, I think they are a little on the pricey side, but not unreasonable. The cocktails, I felt were a tad expensive going for $18 and up a drink. I tried the samosas which were amazing. And also had the beef suya dish that came with Nigerian jollof and plantains -super tasty suya, well seasoned, generous plantain and suya portions. Also tried the efo riro which was really good as well and packed with a lot of protein. And the moin moin was also nice but note that it didn't have any protein in it. So the service, was good, but could be better. It was a busy evening and I felt like our waitress could have been a little more attentive. I went the entire meal with just one glass of water, it would have been nice to get a proactive refill across the table as meals were also being served. And with a big party just be ready for one check, at least that was the case for us. Despite these little callouts I think this is worth a visit to satisfy your Nigerian food cravings!

I have been for drinks and apps and this is my first time dining in. The food tastes good, however for a $45 ox tail dish, I expected more meat. The large bone pieces had too much fat (which is interesting because the server asked me if I wanted a fatty cut and I said no). Jollof rice and plantains were delicious, hard to get those wrong at a Nigerian restaurant. Beef Samosas were mediocre, I could do without. I also wish the food presentation was more thoughtful.. just kinda threw food on a dish like I would at home. I ordered a drink off the menu, side car to be exactly- didn't quick taste like what I ordered so I got a class of wine instead. Service was a little slow but I'd offer grace as it was a very busy night. 4 stars for ambience and vibes... good music and the space is absolutely gorgeous. Great space for birthday dinner.

Excited that there's a new African restaurant in DC. It's very spacious and has a great atmosphere. I first came here for a networking event and got the chance to meet the owner where he told us about the vision for The Continent. I also visited another time and sat at the bar. They have both Nigerian and Liberian jollof, so my friend and I ordered the Nigerian jollof. I've never had Liberian jollof before but open to trying it! The jollof was smoked and seasoned well. I also ordered the Oasis of Africa cocktail which was also very good. The prices are standard downtown DC prices, so expect to spend your coins. I had a great time both times I visited and may even make this my go to bar and restaurant in DC. I definitely have to come back to try their other menu items.

Shout out to Kaua The Continent is an exceptional African restaurant that delivers an elevated dining experience in every way. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is stunning, sophisticated, sexy, and perfect for an upscale evening out. One thing I truly appreciate is their dress code. It's refreshing to dine at a place that values presentation and doesn't allow jeans or gym shoes. This attention to detail sets the tone for the rest of the experience. The service was outstanding. Our waitress, Kaua, was a gem--sweet, attentive, and accommodating. She ensured every detail of our meal was perfect, making us feel genuinely cared for. The owner was equally personable, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that added to the restaurant's charm. As for the food, it was divine. I ordered the Bronzino, which was beautifully prepared and paired with cauliflower. My friends tried the beef tips and red snapper, both served with plantains. Every dish was flavorful and expertly cooked. The beef tips were tender and juicy, and the red snapper was perfectly seasoned. The drinks were just as impressive. I enjoyed a Moroccan Sour with Hendrick's gin, which was a delightful twist on the original recipe. The flavors were balanced and refreshing, making it a standout cocktail. For dessert, I had the pineapple upside-down cake with vanilla ice cream, and it was phenomenal. The cake was moist with a caramelized pineapple topping that was rich and slightly tangy, perfectly complemented by the creamy sweetness of the ice cream. It's the kind of dessert you find yourself craving long after you leave. One of the most commendable aspects of The Continent was their music. Unlike many upscale restaurants, they kept the volume at a level that allowed for easy conversation. I loved not having to shout to be heard, which made the evening feel even more relaxed and enjoyable. Overall, The Continent excels in every category--ambiance, service, food, and attention to detail. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. This is the place to go if you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience.

The point of entry you're greeted by their beautiful and polite staff. Beautiful decor from wall to wall beautiful African photography and art. The food in was spectacularly and from appetizers to entrees it didn't miss a beat. Packed with flavor, very well seasoned. Be mindful if you're not used to spicy food as well cause the motherland spices will be an exorcism for you lightweights . Few things we tried : the tiger , samosa's samosas, the suya chicken that thing was so juicy I should sue yah! For my entree I had the grilled snapper. Little small but that thing was so good it brought out the West Indian in me and not even the head was left intact. All in all great serves great vibe and great food.

I love quality and they serve nothing but high quality drinks, meals and service. I loved the vibes, it's perfect for a birthday or dinner date. The music was a bonus, there was a live DJ spinning all hits. We had no reservation so i'm not sure if they are required but if you don't have one I would say weekdays would be your best bet.

This was my second time at the Continent. The first time I just had one dish. This time we did a tasting menu and it was absolutely amazing! Tony , one of the owners, lead us thru each dish. He explained the origin and how each dish got its name. Unfortunately, I did not get any pics. But my friend did. Follow @chimaeats for detailed videos. The vibe was very inviting and comfortable. I loved the decor and the staff was attentive and friendly. I'll definitely be back.

This was my first time here on Tuesday, March 4th for dinner and to this restaurant. I attended my sisters birthday dinner. Nice decor and location. I felt like the service and food could have been better. My food was cold when it came out and just the overall quality of service and waiter could have been better especially for the price we paid. Again nice decor and location but they need to provide better service and food needs to come out warm and not cold. Alot of people said the food was cold.

I love black owned, upscale restaurants! I spontaneously ate here and it was the best decision. We got here around 7pm without a reservation which is the perfect time for dinner. Around 8:30, the place gets packed making it hard to get a seat. All of the staff were professional and kind. Food: The beef suya was flavor so, chewy and delicious. The continental jollof rice wasn't my favorite. It had a very strong smoky taste. We also received it cold. I wish I tried the Liberian jollof. The rum cake was dense, yet still delicious. The rum taste is powerful which is a win! We had the beef somosas which were fresh. Lastly, you can't ever go wrong with sweet plantains. I will be black, I mean back!

We chose this spot for my friend's birthday. We had a party of 9. The place is literally right beside Lincoln restaurant on Vermont (I say this because I had an issue finding it at first). The inside is beautiful with high ceilings, full bar and an upper seating level. Our waiter was Denim, super sweet and very much dedicated to providing us a great service with recommendations. I opted for the beef suya and for my first time trying African cuisine I must say it was delicious. They provide a sauce on the side that is spicy as heck but I tore it down anyway lol. Denim told me to get the jollof rice and that was delicious as well. My drink was strong and I love that because in DC you can pay a lot for a beautiful drink but WEAK in alcohol. I ended up having two of the Moroccan Sour's. I enjoyed my time from the service to the food. Me and my friends definitely put them in the "I'm coming back" category and we are kind of tough on restaurants so this was a WIN.

Omgeee the food here is sooo yummy! The restaurant was not packed upon arrival so we were quickly sat and brought waters immediately. It did take a moment for a waiter to come over but luckily it worked out well. We ordered two drinks from the bar. The beef and Samos as an app. The Samosa were so good! You only get two so we ordered an additional order. We also ordered both jollofs. The Nigerian one was def more spicy & flavorful of the two. By the time we left, the restaurant was fully packed.

This is a new spot so my review is with some understanding. They posted on IG a New Years Event...and honestly, there was none. No 3 or 4 course meal, no NYE hats or noise makers, no champagne toast, nothing that would make you want to come here for a special event. We waited almost 1 hr for the normal menu, but they appear too New to really pull off the event. We arrived at 830pm, ordered by 915pm (food, we did bottles the night) and food came by 1030pm after my friend called the manager) The workers and their family seemed to have NYE glasses, hats etc. Regular costumers...not a thing We ordered the Contiental Platter, it was good but alot for NYE (cause again they noted a course meal on IG and when I called Sierra the hostess stated the meal was all inclusive). None of the food was hot. Our last side came out about 20 mins after everything else and was cold. We sent it back to get warmed and the flavors were great! That's why food is served warm and/or hot. I will say, my rating is higher because I expected this. I called several days before to clarify their IG post and no one could explain what their NYE event was (again not the Eve of NYE event that was also noted on IG) Ill also note the IG post said formal dress and as others mentioned, people came in with jeans, pajamas, t shirts and again this was NYE. The sax was great. The DJ not so much..never got the party going to want to be on the dance floor. Go here for a regular night..save special nights for

This place is kind of over rated in my opinion. You can tell the prices are so high because of the location. I'm guessing the rent is high. The ambiance was great. The service was below average. Took a while to get a bar tenders attention. The main ones that were there were barely paying attention to the customers. My main complaint was the food not being hot enough. It definitely came room temperature. I like my food piping hot. You can tell most of the dishes are prepared in mass in the back and they give it to you as you order. Not getting hot food fresh off the stove is a deal breaker for me, especially at the prices they are charging. If you want to go it's cool to go once but I'm not dying to go back unless one of my friends are having an event there.

I was treated to a birthday dinner here by a friend last week Friday evening. We had a 9 PM reservation. I called ahead to inquire about valet parking or parking in general. I was told although they do not have valet parking, there is a an n elevator from the adjoined parking garage. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I learned the elevator only goes down to the garage, but you have to walk up either steps or the garage ramp to get to the restaurant. This was not ideal since we were wearing heels. It would've been nice to be informed of that when I called ahead. The ambience and service provided that evening more than made up for the parking situation. The restaurant is beautiful! They have two levels. We sat upstairs overlooking the dining area below. It was a perfect place for photos, and our server was more than happy to take as many photos as we wanted. As a matter of fact, several servers offered to take pictures of us. That was a nice surprise. Food! We appreciated the variety of authentic food and the traditional meat varieties that were offered. We ordered the goat and oxtail dishes to share, and received a complementary piece of chocolate cake with a candle for my birthday. The cake delivery also included a sparkler which was a nice touch and made for great photos. We thoroughly enjoyed our drinks as well. So much so, that we ordered three rounds of the same drink. I recommend this restaurant for I apprecidate night or hanging out with friends, and celebrations. I appreciate the Afrobeats music that was played throughout the evening. It was a fun environment!

Ambiance: Super cute. Large space. Decorated well. You can throw an event here. Food: $75 is ridiculous for this menu. There should definitely be an a la carte option. And $5 add on for plantains which is a staple west African side food is also ridiculous Suya: 8/10. Needs more spice. Plantain 8/10. The wings are decent as well. Everything else is mid and therefore not worth the money. Drinks: You get one bottle per person which is cool.

I just went to The Continent DC for the first time this past weekend. I initially saw posts for them on SM, and was eager to go check them out and support. Once I arrived, I was impressed by the lovely decor and ample seating. The colors in the restaurant are mostly monochrome (lots of black, gold, and silver), but because of the lighting there is still a very warm feeling. The selected artwork is also very beautiful. As far as the service, I was very impressed. Our waitress was so friendly and kind. There were many people on the floor working on Friday night, and they seemed to have a nice system going. Even the manager (I assume) came out and spoke with us to check in with how our food was. I saw him talking to other patrons too, so you can tell the overall restaurant experience is an area they take seriously. I really appreciated this, and before my friend and I left, our waitress stopped back over to personally thank us for coming and wished us a good night. She didn't even have to do that, but the fact she took time to do that, made a really good impression on me. And, the food was really good too. I had previewed the menu before I got there, and knew that I wanted to try a few sides rather than an entree. I opted for their chicken wings with a continental glaze, their continental jolloff rice, and their sautéed spinach. My friend had the goat pepper soup with fufu. The chicken was very flavorful and I loved the glaze. It was both sweet and tangy. The continental rice was pretty good. It was more on the smoky side although I would have liked some more spice, and I loved the sautéed spinach. My friend enjoyed the pepper soup, and I tried a bit. The goat was succulent and cooked well. She stated it was a bit spicy, so she took her time eating it. She also ordered this blue alcoholic drink that reminded me a bit of a pina colada whereas I got a rose. Both were nice complements to the meal. Definitely, definitely would recommend and return!!

This place is off to a brilliant and courageous start!! We decided to come here on a whim after a day filled with celebrations for my good friend's opening photography exhibit. She specifically wanted to support Black/African owned businesses during this weekend, to honor her roots and inspirations behind her art-and I suggested that we try out The Continent DC, though this would've been our first time dining here. Let me say-Its a whole upscale, artful, culturally immersive vibe, with very delicious food and attentive service. The place is also very large and spacious. This for sure blew our expectations, especially for a restaurant still in its soft opening phase. And the food is very tasty-I admit I was a bit surprised by how good the food tasted because it's very rare to find a place where the food and the decor is on the same level of excellence. The food was so good that I forgot to take pics before we devoured our appetizers and entrees!! Here are a few things to come: Brunch will now be offered; and you know DC loves their brunch spots! The restaurant will eventually convert into a restaurant/lounge in the late evenings, and will continue to stay open until 3am on the weekends. The food is mostly West African cuisine with a few items from all over the African continent (i.e. Morocco, South Africa, and Kenya), and some other inclusive dishes such as braised short rib, mediterranean lentil salad, and couscous (to name a few). So there's something for everyone...but don't sleep on West African cooking!! They also offer a variety of specialty cocktails and mocktails, and will be offering a happy hour featuring top shelf liquor for half-off pricing as a limited time promotion. Overall, this is a passion and dream for Chef Tony and his business partner to bring forth this vision of upscale African dining to the Washington DC area. Highly recommend! And ya'll better get here before the reservations become booked out. There's also street parking and a garage nearby, but just plan accordingly since its downtown dc and in a prime location.

I was actually in the city on a Saturday night, so we decided to try out a nice restaurant. To my surprise, we were actually able to get a table because this place was packed but the vibe was very nice. It definitely gives grown and sexy, so don't forget to dress to impress. Parking is as expected, non existent so be prepared to Uber/Lyft or pay for parking. I am still very new to trying out African cuisine and am currently trying out the same dish, so I will know my go to spots for particular foods items. Our entree dish was the Suya and it was perfection!...I think about that Suya often. Lol The beef was obviously great quality beef, cooked to perfection, maybe medium well. I would definitely recommend and suggest that as a main course. I decided to try Suya wings and Jollof Rice since I wasn't that hungry. The wings had a dry rub on them, same as the beef and it was delicious. I was not fond of the Jollof Rice because there was a smoky flavor that was a bit overpowering for me but there was potential. My company ordered the fried whole fish and it looked amazing, so I will be returning to try all the other menu items!

The service at The Continent was superb. We didn't have a reservation but they sat us at a high top table immediately. They provided great menu reservations and really catered to us. The music was very nice as well as the decor. We had several menu items - chicken wings, egusi, fried snapper, beef suya, and a beverage or two. The spice in the food was just right and flavor was impeccable. I'd definitely recommend it for a dinner night out.

We had a fantastic experience at the recently opened restaurant. The space was large and beautifully decorated with a chic Afrocentric boho theme. The restaurant had a vibrant and busy atmosphere with live music playing. They even had a red carpet where guests could take photos. From the moment we arrived, the hostess was welcoming and friendly. Our waiters, Chioma and Ester, provided exceptional service throughout our meal. We tried a variety of dishes including tiger shrimp, red snapper, jollof rice, plantains, samosas, and spinach, all of which were delicious and well-seasoned. The portion sizes were generous and the prices on the menu were reasonable. The drink menu was also impressive. While it would be nice for the managers to personally greet guests, since they recently opened. There's an outdoor patio for people to smoke cigars. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to return for another visit.

What a good vibe! & a great location in the city. There was a live band which set the tone for a good Friday night out. Our food & drinks were pretty good as well. I'll definitely visit again.

Heard about The Continent DC on TikTok and quickly scheduled a reservation for 3 days later and was so glad I did. Restaurant has been open for 3 weeks and I can't wait to see how this place continues to evolve. Things I thoroughly enjoyed: - the service was top notch. From the hostess, to our waiter and a few management folks who stopped in to check on us. Not a single complaint. - most of our food items were delicious. We loved the beef suya bites with both the west African and East African dipping sauce. Perfext blend of spice and flavor and the beef was cooked perfectly! The braised oxtail was so well cooked and seasoned and the mixed veggie and plantain sides were so good. - loved that there were two options of jollof rice (I tried both). I used to think I favored Nigerian jollof but the Senegalese jollof was definitely more my speed. Also heard they may consider bringing a Liberian jollof to the menu so you can really get into a jollof war right at the table. - there's a mix of food from all over the continent which means I will be back to try more of the menu. - the space is so well designed and decorated. Music is great and tons of space for small to large groups. - I personally enjoy the gratuity being added (I don't have to think about it) but I know this can be controversial Overall, great new restaurant with a parking garage right next door. Great service and really flavorful food options from the appetizers to the deserts. Excited to come back for the hard launch in a few weeks!

KB took great care of us at the bar. We came for happy hour and it did not disappoint. The Chicken and Beef Suya were phenomenal but the Goat and Jollof Rice took the show. My complements to the chef for the flavorful meal. They have a full range of Uncle Nearst products to quinch whatever thirst you may have. Looking forward to dinning again!

It's a beautiful space with delicious food. They have a super welcoming staff, the chef went around the floor greeting guests at some point which definitely added to the experience. The cocktails however have been disappointing both times I went. The presentation is great but doesn't hit the mark in terms of taste. The food and drinks also take quite a long time to arrive even when the restaurant isn't overly busy. They do have great music playing, sometimes even a DJ so that makes the wait bearable. Will come back for the food and vibe.

Went to The Continent back in August for a dinner date on a Friday evening. It was a vibe! There was a DJ playing Afrobeats. I have seen mixed reviews about service, but our server Charldine was exceptional. From the start she made recommendations for us to try without even asking and she was spot on! She was a true gem. We started off with the beef suya appetizer. It was prepared a little differently than what I have had in the past, but it was very flavorful, enough to order a second plate! I had the oxtail which was plentiful and delicious. I had sides of jollof and spinach. For dessert, we shared the pineapple upside cake which was so good! I would definitely make a trip back here for another date night.

Great ambience and delicious food. I came here for a night out with my girlfriends for the first time. It was a wonderful experience. The staff was nice and the food was very delicious. We all split the platter and had a great time.

I went to The Continent DC on Valentine's Day to celebrate my sister's birthday. We saw the restaurant on TikTok and liked that it was upscale African cuisine restaurant. Overall, a decent experience. It was super busy which made the wait time for our food and drinks very long. Our reservation was at 8pm and we did not leave until 11:30pm even though the restaurant informed us that we had a 1hr and 45 minute time limit. However, our server, Alvin was very kind, personable, accommodating and patient since we had a large party. I highly recommend the suya wings either plain with suya seasoning or with the sweet Thai chili sauce. They were a 10/10. The beef suya entree with jollof rice was pretty good and the portion sizes are generous. Also highly recommend the Tiger Shrimp that is imported directly from Nigeria. We also ordered several orders the lamb chops, medium but some came out well done. I think this was just a result of how busy it was. Also, there is a semi-formal dress code. I would definitely try this place again on a less busy night

Beautiful inside with an upscale but chill vibe. The service was great along with the food. Prices are expensive but portions are enormous. I split a dinner entree with my friend, and others had another meal or two of leftovers. The Nigerian jollof rice is very smoky. I think this is how it's supposed to be but I wasn't personally a big fan and would get the other jollof next time. Everyone agreed the plantains were awesome. The salmon was great and I tasted the chicken stew as well and loved it. My drink was super enjoyable too. The manager came by to make sure we were all happy with our experience. I recommend!

Food was great. I had the grilled goat, a friend ordered the red snapper in the picture. Great service and awesome decor. If you are unable to find parking on the street, there is a garage a few doors down.

On IG and website they post about dress code. when I arrived they were letting any and everyone in. Kinda makes it pointless for a dress code. Literally people were in sweatpants, crocs, ripped jeans, no one turned them away. I'm not expecting them to, cause everyone's money is green. Ambiance your tryna preserve wasn't how yall posted on social media. Half my table ordered chicken the other half goat. Staff had put goat in front of people who ordered chicken. We're like that's kinda dark for chicken. Staff were like no that's not. Then staff "fixed" it, we again said all these look like goat. Then they go let me go ask what is what. Then they came back and said your food will be out In 15mins. Was it chicken? Staff said it was. So then we said bring it back then it's fine. We ended up waiting cause they said they told them our table didn't want too much skin on our chicken... only to bring out pieces with the same amount of skin ( which we never said give less of). Concerning if your own workers can't tell what meat is which. None of the meat was fall of the bone. Chicken bones were so hard to separate the wing from the drum. So strange. Jollof you can get better from take out places. It had no taste. Literally just the color was correct. Plantains were edible but nothing special. 20% gratuity automatic. Then charge 3% of the total with the gratuity for using a credit card. Food was not that great. I wouldn't come back. Bathroom was halfway clean, I told the front desk and they appreciated me for letting them know. It's 5 pm and it's getting busy. Someone should be checking that periodically. Parking there is a garage next to. Easy walk from the metro as well. Clearly easy to lyft/ uber to if your in dress code where you dont want to walk much or mess uo an outfit. Sadly , my whole group was excited to try this place and we were very disappointed. I'll give 1 star cause out of 5 of us 1 person liked it. Nothing about this was great.

Beautiful. Came here for drinks. Service was excellent. Met the owner a very humble and friendly professional guy. The design of the restaurant is spectacular. A must try!

Ambiance decor 5 star very nice Brunch was disappointed as I am a pescatarian and they didn't serve fish on the buffet so I had to pay $8 extra dollars for salmon Everything honestly was just mediocre Except for the beef my wife loved it and kept the orders for it coming We didn't know due to making reservations thru open table that on Sundays they only serve brunch we had our hearts set on oxtails and branzino but stayed to give it a chance some people left when they were told it's brunch all day However despite our mediocre food our server was awesome he was great we will probably give it a try for dinner

Heard about it from a friend and was in the mood for some good food so I came to check the place out. The interior is slightly upscale, chill lounge/club-esque. There are different sections and a DJ tower which makes me think late night it'll lean more towards the club side. The outside also has a section for smoking and drinking. I got the chicken suya, a quarter chicken with seasoning and peppers, for $16, and I opted to add a side of vegetables for $9. Everything was good, though I do feel the portion was on the smaller side. I sat at the bar so I can't speak too much on table service, but the bartender was attentive and the hostesses were very helpful in helping me navigate the menu. It was the soft open so there was no alcohol at the time but I've been told they have a full service bar now, so I'll go back and try it and give an update. If you're looking for an upscale venue in DC with some good food and vibes, the Continent may be just for you. Food: 9/10 Drinks: N/A Service: 9/10 Aesthetics: 9/10 Value: 7/10 Overall: 34/40

The drinks were amazing which was nice considering the price point. Love the atmosphere and decor but the food took way too long to come on a Saturday night. Thankfully ordering appetizers made the wait bearable.

It was a Friday night the a/c was out so it was a bit hot in the building. We wish they would have said something before we sat down to give us the option. If we hadn't have asked they wouldn't have told. The food was delicious I cannot lie. I had the fried tilapia! The ambiance was gorgeous can definitely take some beautiful pictures in there. The drinks were a bit more juice filled, but taste good. The staff were nice and helpful. I would need to come back and give another try

Finding good food in D.C. can sometimes be a challenge, but this experience was incredible! The dishes were perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious. African cuisine truly shines in this area, offering some of the best flavors I've ever had. I can't wait to return next month and capture some photos to share!

The food, drinks, and ambience were amazing. The music was perfect too! I can't wait to return.

Beautiful space! The food was amazing and the service was prompt. My friends, and I ordered the jollof, rice platter, chicken stew, and roasted goat. Everyone enjoy their meals. Only feedback would be to turn the music down a notch to enable diners communicate easily.

Great service great food. Really fun new experience for out-of-town guests. Kind invested staff and high-quality food I haven't seen anywhere else in the neighborhood.

Such a beautiful restaurant! I've been twice, once for a pre-opening event and once for my birthday happy hour. Both times the service was great and the food was top notch. My favorites are the beef suya, jollof rice, wings and the giant shrimp. My friends loved the fish dishes they got. The cocktails are also so pretty and really well done. Check it out!

Delicious and authentic west African cuisine! This is a pretty new restaurant in the city, but I see them becoming very popular very soon. The chef came and explained all the dishes, service was amazing! The restaurant is very beautiful and would be perfect for a date night.

Last Saturday night... Imagine waiting 40 minutes just to get water and your drinks. Then to have your entrees served piecemeal to your party of three. One person's receiving part of their order 30 minutes before receiving the remainder. THEN the food is mid. For the final blow, tax at 10% and tip at 20%!are already included in your check. You pay it and then the waiter is begging you to tip on top of the 20% because "the tip included in the check is split amongst everyone".... And so you tip them an additional cash tip just to stop their whining. How classless. I will never and I mean NEVER return to this low budget ran but wannabe overpriced restaurant. Epic fail.