Eatopia Eatery
Credit: DJ Phatsu
Sides include“ red red”— stewed black-eyed peas with fried plantains, and tomato-based peanut butter groundnut soup served with fufu, the cassava and plantain dumpling. Wash it down with sobolo, a refreshing hibiscus-pineapple drink spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. 5505 Colorado Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011,( 202) 885-9831
APPIOO AFRICAN BAR & GRILL
The restaurant’ s name, slang for Ghana’ s national spirit, akpeteshie, is a casual spot tucked into a rowhouse in the city’ s Shaw neighborhood. The television is tuned to sports in the bar, and the cozy dining room honors chef-owner Prince Matey‘ s Ghanaian heritage with colorful murals, African masks, and carvings. But nothing captures a sense of place like his homestyle Ghanaian cooking.
One favorite at this decade-old establishment is egusi, a hearty West African stew thickened with finely ground melon seeds, spinach, peppers, ginger, garlic, and onions. You can order it vegetarian or with a choice of fish or meat, including goat and oxtail. Another popular dish is Waakye, a combination of rice and beans with red dried sorghum, gari( fresh cassava flour), and served with spicy shito. Keep it vegan by adding spinach, or include meat or fish. Another customer favorite is emotuo, which features soft, sticky rice balls served in peanut or palm nut soup. If you’ re unsure of what to order, consider a platter with one or two proteins and two sides.
On Friday or Saturday nights, you can burn calories dancing to DJ-spun tunes. 1924 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001,( 202) 588-7366
Swahili Village
Credit: Jide D
FLYWASHINGTON. COM 42 AUTUMN 2025