Sandovan’s Restaurant & Lounge

Entrees are offered with a choice of two sides. The atmosphere is very friendly and cozy. Peas and rice with curried goat was really good! The food took awhile but I was soon reassured after it arrived that it was worth the wait. I also tried the jerk chicken which was very tasty. I was told that there are only dark meat jerk chicken options at the moment which, could be worthwhile if expanded to include some white meat portions as well. Overall, I would definitely recommend and plan to return soon.

Everything is cooked with love here. Great place to eat, drink, catch the game, and listen to good music. I will definitely be back soon.

We came by this restaurant past midnight one night on our DC trip and were very happy that their kitchen was still serving up food.
–Jerk chicken is *out of this world*!!! It is marinated in a delicious spicy marinade and cooked till blackened… I’ve never had chicken like this and will sorely miss it!
–Goat curry was delicious, although a little salty.
–The steamed cabbage side was very good. Plantains were delicious. Mac’n’cheese was heavenly.
–Buffalo wings are superb!!! It looks like they don’t just toss wings in buffalo sauce– it was almost as if the wings were completely marinated with buffalo sauce. Very tasty.
We will certainly be back when we visit DC again!

Sandovan is such a quaint and lovely restaurant. After over 26 years I cannot tell you how nice it is to enjoy a sit down restaurant in your own neighborhood. The food selections are delicious and available. Unlike some of the other Mom and Pop restaurants in the area, inventory is not an issue at Sandovan“s which lends a very respectful and professional image for customers. Karaōke is also available here with a really nice variety of music genre’s which is an added bonus. The staff are very accomodating and friendly. You will really enjoy a casual date night here. A great spot to warm things up before you enjoy other date night activities later on in the evening.

I went there on a Wednesday for happy hour. There was only a handful of people there, but it was also a rainy day. Sandovan has a cozy setting. The staff is very kind and personable. The food was amazzzzing… like really good, and I am super particular about my Jamaican food! The happy hour drinks are not that much of a deal, but the reasonably priced food makes up for that! Apparently, they have an old school DJ on Tuesdays and karaōke on Fridays, so I plan on going back for that!

DO NOT KEEP PASSING BY THIS PLACE!!! Do yourself a big favor and go eat here!!! My boyfriend and I ate here last night. We live only a few blocks away and have never given it a try. I can’t believe this gem was so close by and we’ve missed out for so long!!! It was one of the best meals I’ve had out in a while, and EASILY the best meal I’ve had in the neighborhood. The waiters are very friendly and attentive, to boot. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food, though!!! Mannnnnn… best wings ever. Don’t pass up the jerk wings, please. Veggie soup– deeeeeelish. Mac and cheese– deeeeeeeliah. All sides were so tasty– the cabbage and rice and peas and spinach. Fantastic curry goat. Ginger soda that they make in house and is sooooo gingery and great! And we topped it off with red velvet cake that they make in house also, and it knocked out socks off. I cannot wait to return! I’ll bet you’ll feel the same!

I loved the atmosphere and vibe of the place. The food and service was awesome! I will definitely go back!

Can’t say enough about the good service and the amazing food. Randomly found this place and I can say that I’ve found a new favorite place. Their house rum drink is delicious. The jerk chicken is on point. Will return again and again!

Tips:
1. Visit on a Friday night.
2. Order the chicken curry & rum punch.
3. Get up and SING!
My sister, friends and I had the BEST time celebrating my birthday! We sang about 15 songs at karaōke. The staff is friendly, the locals are inviting, and the food and drinks are good.
Sandovan will be on the itinerary every time I’m in DC.

I hate that I can’t get uptown often to go to this place. For me it’s the nostalgic feeling of being able to go to a JA spot on Georgia ave. It brings back memories of growing up where all the JA spots and all the JA families lived up and down Georgia. Good food and good drinks. I like when the music is pumpin in the evenings.

Stumbled upon this place via Unilocal search because I was nearby and had a craving for jerk chicken. Needless to say, as soon as my friend and I stepped in, a party was going on. Sandra took our orders at the bar and the food came in 10 minutes. Everything was hot and NOT dry — a miracle! Donovan came out later to clean up and we had a nice chat, he told me that they’re booked for events for the rest of the year until October! I’m so glad I found this local gem will support this business, you should too.

Okay so pretty much everyone here is a gem. It didn’t matter that I had never been to a Caribbean food place before, as soon as I walked in and was happily greeted by the people at the bar, I could tell at least the experience would be positive.
It was around 9pm on a Tuesday when my friend and I came, and it was just us save for 2 people at the bar. I wasn’t super hungry but ordered the side of mac n cheese (because I can always make room for that) while he ordered meatloaf w/​mac n cheese & plantains.
I know I spoiled it for myself by ordering the most American thing on the menu, but OH MAN this mac n cheese was GOOD. And according to my friend, so was the meat & plantains. He let me try the plantains (my first time ever trying them) and though I’m not big on the taste, I could tell they would be considered delicious to anyone who likes that kind of thing.
I’ll go back, and I promise to try the actual caribbean food when I do. However, for those of you not as adventurous when it comes to food but have friends that will try anything, this place would be a happy medium.

SERVICE RATING ONLY!!!
I came here late tonight after a long day’s work. I was craving some Jamaican food and a strong drink and Sandovan did not disappoint!!!
Even though I walked in after the kitchen had closed, Sandra, the owner, gladly accommodated me with food and a cocktail, no questions asked.
This was my third time trying to get food at that late hour and it was indeed a charm!
Details to come on the food, but much to Sandra and her team for doing a touch more!

I live in Arlington and drive to this place just to get my Caribbean food fix! That’s how good, fresh and of quality the food is.
Great prices, generous amount of food, smiley staff.
Worth the drive every time!

Sandovan’s is nothing short of stellar. The waitstaff are incredibly friendly and helpful. They love their cuisine and are passionate about sharing it with their customers. When I asked for hot sauce, the waiter brought out three options. When I asked for recommendations, he told me what his favorites were. And he didn’t lead me astray: my friend and I both for the chicken curry and it was phenomenal. The mac and cheese? To die for. The spinach? Heaven.
The food quantity and quality were incredible for the price. I can’t wait to go back!

Omg the food is off the chain and the owners have the best. The place is very laid back some night they have different events. Going to miss this place when we move.

I guess when you have ordered everything on the menu in a week and a half. You are a fan!

Recently was hired to DJ an event here and loved the staff !! This place is ran by husband wife whom are 100% about keeping the customers happy and atmosphere engaging.
I did not get to eat as to why I left 1 star off, but I saw plenty of people grubbing and enjoying the food that night. I will be back to eat and enjoy the vibes.
I know they have a comedy night, karaōke, and an array of bands and djs that come so whenever you do stop in you will have entertainment as well. The crowd is grown and mature so no need to worry about being trapped in a lounge of rowdy people.

The music in this place is amazing! We went in on a late Sunday night for dinner and the restaurant was empty. The playlist was bachata and similar Spanish music and we sung along so much we got asked if we were Spanish. While they may have thought we were morenas, we’re not, just two Caribbean girls who appreciate good music. Olé! Anyway. Food was pretty good. We had a combo of chicken, steak, and shrimp. We knew we were having Spanish food so we expected well done food, and it was. All well seasoned, although the shrimp left us wanting more effort. Standouts were the yellow rice, guac, and DELICIOUS frozen drinks.
There was also parking on the right side of the restaurant which is a plus when you have a car in the city. It’s open late. Only regret is that we didn’t know about this place while living in DC. I’ll likely be back.

Tender Goat Curry, Live Music, Chill Crowd, Sexy Staff…
Dayum
This is da place!