Ghana Cafe

If you’re black, please don’t waste your time to come to this place. The husband was completely rude and racist. He barely said a word to us, but was completely servile to the two white women next to us. He was extremely rude to my mom who just had knew surgery and is a senior. He rudely told her to move her chair in to make room for the white woman that was coming. Mind you, there was no to move. This sad reverse racism still exist among many Africans. Moving forward and never coming back here. Please, unless you want to waste your money and be treated like we are back in the Jim Crow Law days, skip this place!

Delicious food! I’ve never had anything like this before. Perfect for vegetarians. I had the fried plantain, and a spinach and pumpkin seed stew — was really fantastic!
I thought the service was fine — the owner came by and talked to us – he was very friendly.

Ghana Café is the one of the few restaurants in DC serving authentic Ghanaian cuisine. I first visited their location in Adams Morgan many years ago, but since moving to Logan Circle, they are much closer to my home base. That said, I don’t visit them any more often than when they weren’t in my neighborhood because I have a sort of love-​hate relationship with them. When I first visited the restaurant, I was very excited to find that they had a separate vegan menu and I really liked the food so I dined there several times. Then, they offered a Groupon a few years ago that really hurt their business. When I tried to redeem my Groupon, I waited over an hour for a seat and hours for my food all with no apologies from the owner or the staff. In fact, they were downright rude. They are a family-​run business that really can’t handle a fully packed restaurant so the two people who worked that night couldn’t handle the hundred or so people who showed up. The entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth and I never went back, that is, until now. So here is my most recent experience.
So upon moving to the hot Logan Circle neighborhood, you would have thought they’d have upgraded some of their décor or at least the neon sign. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When we arrived, my friend immediately remarked that it looked exactly the same as it did in Adams Morgan many years ago. I confirmed that this was an accurate observation.
When we walked in on a Saturday night, we were the only patrons in the restaurant. That is telling. We took a seat at a table in the middle of the restaurant. The top of each table has Ghanaian flag prints covered in lacquer and Ghanaian flags adorn the walls. We were approached by a young waiter who told us about the Ghanaian beers available that night. We ordered two — Castel and 33 Export. We enjoyed both of them.
The menu is fairly simple, but with many of the foods being authentic to Ghana, it takes a bit of time to figure out what to order if you aren’t familiar with this cuisine. You have a choice of vegetarian peanut soup, spinach and egusi (pumpkin seeds), okra stew, or beans stew with any of a choice of 12 different meals under the subheadings of rice, plantain, corn, and yam.
We started off with the plantain appetizer, which consisted of fried sweet plantains with a tomato-​based fresh ground pepper sauce. This was pretty spicy and pretty tasty.
For my entrée, I ordered the Jollof rice, which is Ghanaian-​style rice cooked in savory seasonings with spinach and egusi stew. I liked the flavors of the spinach stew and the red sauce, but the rice seemed a bit overcooked and underseasoned. The meal definitely needed more spice so they supplied me with some of their hot sauce, which still wasn’t that hot. And the entire meal had a bit too much oil for me. That’s not to mention that the portion size was humongous!
My friend ordered the Red Red, which was fried plantains with beans stew and gari, which is made from cassava root. This dish was okay, but really needed more spice as well. My friend, however, liked it much more than I did.
Throughout the meal, there wasn’t much attention put on good service. In fact, despite being the only patrons in the restaurant, the owner spent the entire time watching sports on the television. His one waiter joined him and seemed to have forgotten about us so much so that we had to get up and ask for the check.
For a divey restaurant with $ 11 entrees, I guess it is fine for a quick grab-​and-​go lunch or dinner. But, if you are looking for a unique experience, you can find a better one elsewhere with better service.

I have been meaning to try this place for ages and finally walked in last night for dinner with my Living Social voucher. Having been to Ghana before, I knew going in that I am not a fan of Fufu. However, I loved everything else I had while I was in Ghana so I was psyched nonetheless.
FOOD: We ordered the Goat tomato stew with Banku and the Chicken in peanut sauce with Jollof rice. We did our research beforehand, but the staff was extremely nice and helpful. The food was great! The goat stew was excellent (doesn’t have that ‘gamy’ taste at all, which I don’t like) — I highly recommend it! They also have a great selection of African beers for you, Tusker and Star lovers.
SERVICE: Excellent. I believe the man that served us was the owner. When he carded me for the Tuskers, I whipped out my passport (lost my ID recently) and he said «now that you’re in Ghana, I hope you have a Visa!» Randomly enough, I actually did have a Ghanaian visa in the back and his face lit up. We basically fell in love right then and there.
ATMOSPHERE: We arrived at 6pm on a Monday for dinner and it was relatively empty and quiet. By 7pm, 90% of the tables were full and everyone was drinking so it got that comfy «i can talk loudly and not feel weird about it» level.
CAUTIONARY TIP: DO NOT and I stress do NOT eat the orange pepper that comes in the goat stew. There was only one of them in the stew so I’m thinking that not everyone gets it. But of course my luck — I very oddly thought the pepper was a carrot and happilly jammed it in my mouth, only to find out that it was the hottest pepper I’ve ever had. I spit it out promptly but it was too late. The pepper juices had spread to my whole mouth and I felt like my head would explode. The owner saw me, just as I was tearing up, and said «Oh god oh god I should have warned you…» He offered me milk but I felt like being a champ so I overcame it with more Tusker. Took me about 10 minutes to get over — let my mistake be your lesson!
CONCLUSION: I’ll definitely be back to try the Fish in peanut stew and the other starch options. Give it a try!

Stumbled in because I didn’t have my ID to get into Churchkey — apparently being 30 and balding isn’t sufficient for a douchey bouncer :)
I’m often weary of ethnic joints like this where the owner /​manager person is just sitting around watching tv. There weren’t many people in there either, BUT THE Unilocal REVIEWS WERE SOLID.
Honestly, I care far more about the food than the service, and some of the negative reviews had harped on that, so I’m hoping for the best.
I got it. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t five star dining, but I ordered the chicken wahyke (sp?) with the okra stew, and it was filling, rich, and tasty! The tomato sace on the chicken was good too. The rice with black eyed peas (wahyke) was a touch dry, but everything else was so moist and juicy it didn’t matter. The portion of meat wasn’t huge as it cam bone in, but it was solid.
We were there late and my friend mentioned something about wishing to try their peanut soup. The owner /​manager kindly brought out a bowl for us to try on the house… probably finishing the
Overall, I was pleased, although won’t be back in a rush. Lastly, the lunch special looked like a good deal.

Staying nearby & ducked in for carry-​out. They were happy to accommodate me & I took their suggestions for their two favorite vegetarian dishes. They did not disappoint. Quick service, large portions, very flavorful & good value.

I’m not going to pretend that I know enough about fufu or banku to tell you whether Ghana Café’s are good or bad. (I did enjoy my first taste of banku, which, kind of like camembert, smells funky but tastes great.) But I will pass judgment on the fantastic ginger beer, which was every bit as intense as a ginger fanatic like me could have wished. The owner (?) was also very attentive and brought some more of the peanut soup when he noticed that I’d finished mine with banku left over.

This place doesn’t look like much from the outside, but wow! Very welcoming and friendly service. As another reviewer mentioned, the menu is confusing — but the waitstaff are happy to help you navigate. You’ll want to pick a type of stew and a type of starch to go with. I chose the spinach and egussi (which was described as a ground gourd seed, kind of like pumpkin seed) and the banku — a ball of fermented cornmeal. OK, that sounds terrible, but trust me – it’s DELICIOUS. It’s accurately described as being similar to sourdough. These were accompanied by another stew, this one tomato-​based. I know I’ll get flak for this generalization, but if you enjoy Ethiopian or Indian dinners of a couple of gloppy dishes and a starch, you will be right in your element (but with completely new and different flavors). The seasoning was wonderful, and the optional hot sauce was a nice accompaniment. All of this for less than $ 13? Nice.
We had the donuts with pineapple sauce for dessert, and I have to note that these were SO good that I would consider coming to Ghana Café just for the donuts.
Important note: this place can satisfy meat-​eaters and vegans alike, as there are vegan and non-​vegan versions of virtually every dish.

I recently had to visit Ghana Café for the sole purpose of drinking an ice cold STAR beer which is hard to find in the States. Once there I has sadly disappointed by the prices on the menu differed from the online prices which was approx a $ 2 difference.
I quickly said «Ok» I can deal with a price change bring on the ice cold beer. Well I asked for STAR and was quickly informed that they are out of all Ghana beer. So I said ‘Ok” I’ll have palmwine since I love it too. Well you have to «order» at least 48hrs in advance for this drink. Which is a strange way to operate a business your product should be on hand. So I settled for a Tusker beer and jollof rice with chicken and a side of fried plantains.
I enjoyed the company of the owner very nice gentelman however; it didn’t sway my feelings on the place needing to be managed better to ensure all products are readily accessible for those who venture in and want to try authentic Ghana foods. As far as the food go I wasn’t wowed with it at all. I’ve cook better at home and prefer my plantains not so ripe.

Some of you have maybe read my review of Drelyse Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio in 2010. It was my first experience with West African food and one that I have tirelessly sought to re-​live. Living in NYC for the past five years, I failed to find West African food. There was South African food not too far from me (braai in Hell’s Kitchen) and plenty of Ethiopian. I was able to find some West African food in a pan-​African restaurant in a Disney resort in Orlando, but there is nothing like knowing that if you want a particular type of cuisine, you only need to walk a few blocks or take a metro to get it. It’s the benefit to living in cosmopolitan cities.
Thus, I was thrilled to find Ghana Café just a short walk from where I work. Ghana Café serves food from Ghana (obviously), and it is a gem find of a restaurant. It doesn’t look much from the outside and in fact, the exterior is a bit grimy and perhaps cheap and budget, but the interior is actually reasonably pleasant and decorated with cultural memorabilia. I went on a Friday evening and the restaurant was pretty empty, which really is not right, but it meant that we could pick our table.
To get to the meat of this review, I love the food here. I don’t know if Ghana Café’s rendition can be considered authentic or how it compares to what you’d actually find in Ghana, but if you’re looking for unique flavors and textures, and what I consider an experience, this is the place for you.
Tips:
1) The menu is super confusing. Stay calm, it’ll be OK. Ask questions.
2) For many entrees, the waiter will ask you if you want the tomato stew base or the peanut soup, and you’ll need to make a decision. The peanut soup won’t necessarily come with each entrée like a standard soup side.
3) Get the banku instead of the fufu if you’re indecisive and deciding between those two. I think banku is more flavorful (more fermented!!) and it’s also tougher, so it’s actually easier to do the whole eating with your hands thing with them. I ordered the fufu entrée and a side of banku, so I’ve done the side by side comparison of those two for you. However, I haven’t tried the kenkey or several of the other starches, so I have to come back for those.
4) SHARE. Portions are huge and they’re messy to take home.
5) The fried plantains appetizer with peanuts mixed in is delicious. Order it.
6) The spinach and egussi actually doesn’t have that much of a kick to it, so ask for the Ghana Café hot sauce, if it’s not given to you.
Finally, this place simply feels authentic because you feel like the meal is prepared just for you, by one person in the kitchen and not an assembly line. You also don’t feel like you’re just getting food scooped out from some big vat. The service is extremely slow but the food is really piping hot – almost too hot. It’s okay to give it time to cool down. A dinner out shouldn’t be rushed, so this the slowness of the service was just fine by me. That being said, you probably don’t want to do a work lunch here.
There are a ton of items on the menu I still need to come back and try. There is absolutely no reason this place shouldn’t be rated higher.

Recently I was in Washington DC for the Fancy Food Show. I was in town for a few days and was able to try some of the vegan food DC offers. Although not totally vegan, Ghana Café offers some traditionally vegan entrees on their authentic African menu. I had never tried had African food before so I was excited to try it.
My combo entrée was very flavorful and was more food than I imagined. There were fried plantains, seasoned beans and rice. I ordered a side of peanut stew that was very tasty. You’re supposed to break the fufu into bite size pieces and dip it into the stew. He said the fufu was enjoyable, but wished he ordered my platter.
The reason I rated this restaurant 2 stars is because I thought it could have been a bit cleaner. There was a bug crawling on the wall and someone who worked there killed it right beside me while I was eating. Then he made some comment about. Gross…
Ghana Café is about 6 blocks from The White House. It wasn’t the most convenient place for me to get to from my hotel. It’s located near Logan Square, which is a popular area so public transportation should be available. The restaurant has a bar, so you may order drinks with your food. I ordered a Jamaican beer with mine. The restaurant is moderately priced and is ideal for dinner with friends. I wouldn’t say it is romantic or trendy.

The most underwhelming of all the Ghanaian restaurants in my view. If your friends are around and you want to take them to a real Ghanaian restaurant you are better of taking them elsewhere. Trust me, options include Sahara and Rainbow restaurant within a closer vicinity. Food is under seasoned, and the only thing I like there is their kelewele. Next.

Tender well-​cooked flavorful chicken, rice and plantains! Service was kinda weird. Our server did not speak to us once throughout. He just nodded quietly while taking our order and placing the food on our table.

Ah how I love Ghana Café!
This is one of my favorite DC restaurants, particularly on days when I’m not in a huge rush. Their lunch special is really filling, and particularly warming on cold winter days. My favorite meal is probably the Jollof Rice with the Spinach & Egusi stew. Very hearty meal, and when you add in the spicy shito, it’s got a great kick. I save my fried plantains for dessert and it’s a great meal.
Can’t speak for the meat, but my friends have always enjoyed the goat, chicken and beef stews. I’ve tried several of the dishes with fermented corn too (banku, kenkey) and while they were exciting to try, they might be more of an acquired taste than something I’d recommend.
The exterior might look a little forlorn, and you’re often sitting inside alone or with very few people. However, the owner and his son are both incredibly nice. And, if you’re looking for something a little different, I definitely recommend checking out Ghana Café. They also sell their shito — I love experimenting with it in my kitchen at home when I’m looking for some extra kick to my cooking.
Is it gourmet food? Not really. But you’ll find a warm environment, unique food and lovely individuals at Ghana Café. The menus is very friendly to vegetarians and vegans alike, and they have an interesting collection of bottled African beers plus more traditional domestic beers on draft. I will keep going back!
One quick warning — their hours say they open at 12. We’ve found more than once that 12 can sometimes be 12:15 or 12:30.

Knowing nothing about Ghanaian food, I can say with confidence that this unassuming place is fantastic. The food is very flavorful and comes in filling portions, and the owners (usually serving the food) are extremely helpful and friendly. The only thing lacking is the atmosphere, which can be on the quiet (read: empty) side, but if you can snag the window seat, it’s good people-​watching on 14^th Street.
We came early on a weeknight and were the only people in the restaurant. Two people (assumingly the owner and chef) were sitting in the banquettes watching TV, but the older gentleman (owner?) came over to help us as soon as we walked in. The word that comes to mind when describing him would be «grandfatherly,» as he was one of the kindest servers I’ve ever met, guiding us through the (rather confusing) menu. He even had grandfatherly humor, joking that his son had created the menu (eye roll), and «sigh, these young people…»
With some help, we ended up ordering the beef banku and red snapper red red (I don’t know if this is the correct terminology). We had never had anything like it before, so I can’t write about the dishes comparatively, but they were interesting. In a good way. If you enjoy thinking about your food and the flavors, this is a good place to do it. Conversely, if you enjoy eating really hearty food that tastes really good, this is also a good place to do it. I might put it on the same level as Cajun food — it’s homey and comforting, yet complex and exciting.
Definitely order the ginger ale (super fresh and spicy, and I think they put a little pineapple juice in it) and get a side of shito. That shito will blow your mind.

Food: ⁵⁄₅
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Cleanliness: ³⁄₅
Décor & Style: ³⁄₅
WOW, as far as food goes, this has to be my top 3 places in the DC area. The goat curry is absolutely amazing! Make sure to add the Shito sauce with it! This is for spicy lovers. Their sauce is so good, they actually got approved to sell it at the local Whole Foods. I bought both the Hot sauce and the Shito Sauce. Nom Nom Nom…

Ginger beer. We’re talking real ginger beer that you get in Kumasi and Accra, not this knock-​off that is nothing more than a very strong ginger ale. Succulent curry fish. Wakye: rice and beans. Jolloff rice. Plump plantains.
I had already felt like I had returned to Ghana. But when the Ghanaian doughnuts came to the table, I needed a cigarette after I had finished the meal. Wow! It was that good.
Service is slow and I went during the day on a Sunday when the room was not filled. Then again, the food is prepared to order. If any of what I had came to the table faster than it did, I would have wondered if it had been microwaved or warmed in the oven. The wait for the food can be long for that very reason, but you simply cannot beat food that is prepared as soon as you order it.
Oh, I will be going back.

The food at Ghana Café was unique and tasty — we had fried, spicy plantains, fufu and chicken curry, and jostof rice and goat curry — all very good.
The only downside was that the service was really slow (an hour before we got our appetizer), but that could definitely be our fault for going on the last day before a Groupon expired.
Overall, it was a fun place to eat. The food didn’t knock my socks off, but I think I would go back to try some other things on the menu in the future (and maybe order the spicy plantain appetizer again — that one was really good).

So I had the Kelewele – definitely didn’t expect the fish to come out whole like that. LOL. But it was prepared well. The sauce went very well with everything. The plaintains were extra delicious and fried… mmm. I just wish that it weren’t so oily, but it’s hard to get fried plaintains NOT oily…
Anyway, I tried my friend’s Banku. Don’t know if it was Ghana Café, or if it’s supposed to be that bland/​dry. I might come back after I’ve educated my pallet a little more on West African food. Came here on a Groupon deal, but I’m not sure I would’ve paid what I would’ve had I not had it.
The décor is AWESOME though… for real, some cool stuff on the walls. The waitstaff was friendly – he gave us some good recommendations and was very patient with us. It’s definitely more chill. Make sure you ask for your check, or you’ll sit there all night, lol.

DELICIOUS. Though I think it’s because I love plantains. I got #4 Kelewele with beef stew. It was delicious and hit all the right spots. The beef was tender and tasty. The plantains were perfect. Soft on the inside and lightly fried on the outside and not oily.
Service was good, though I was told by my dinner companion that I was affirmative and proactive with the service. I had a time constraint because I had to catch a bus in Bethesda later that night. Food came out fast and the service was good. It was a busy Friday night too.
I don’t recommend any of the beers.