Dahlak Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat 12:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
5 Reviews for Dahlak Restaurant
Wow, I've never had Ethiopian food before and was a bit scared to try it, just because we had to eat without any utensils. But to my surprise, the food was very good. We ordered the garlic lamb, cabbage stew and spicy chicken. There were three of us and the portions were just perfect. Our favorite was the lamb, seasoned perfectly with garlic and onions. The service was quite friendly as well. The next time I'm in DC, I'd definitely go back for more!
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This place had so much potential. A bar, a restaurant, entertainment-- but it might be the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant in the DC metro area.
We sat ourselves, because there didn't seem to be a hostess. And then we sat there for about 10 minutes before a server walked by, but he didn't even come over to us. We motioned him over, and he gave us menus and took our drink orders. After we ordered, we realized he hadn't been back to refill our waters. So we grabbed him again, and said he would be right back.
The next time we saw him was when our food came out, waters STILL empty. We weren't rude or anything, so we just asked again to have some more water. He said he would be right back. After another 10 minutes passed we realized we were not getting any water. The girl I was eating with had to go to the bar to get a refill (she cannot handle spicy food so she was in agony!) but those waters were quickly drank. The waiter never came back to check on us. Once again we caught him as he walked by and asked for more waters, and said he would be right back (almost as if he didn't even realize we had asked for some quite a few times before). I saw him walk back to the kitchen for a minute, and then when he came back, he walked out the front door to SOCIALIZE. He hung out in front of the restaurant laughing with friends for about a good 15 minutes, and then he disappeared for a long time. When he came back, it seemed as though he had gone to the market to get a big barrel of ice. He walked right by our table, not even clearing our plates or asking if we were still hungry or anything. Then he went right back outside to socialize even more.
When it came time to pay the bill, he was no where to be found. I'm surprised we even left cash on the table at all. We had to estimate how much it was with tax and everything. I'm sure we could have walked out without paying and gone unnoticed, but I would have felt too weird about it. Anyway, worst service I have ever experienced.
The food wasn't fresh, and nothing was spectacular about it. Large portions with not much enjoyment.
Also, its more of a hangout place, I wouldn't take a date here or anything. A lot of people were standing listening to music, only about 6 tables in the whole room (at least the night I went).
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i went here last weekend. it was my first experience with ethiopian and i really liked it. The injera was delicious the prices were unreal and i thought it was incredibly tasted (had some lamb dish, asked for it to be non-spicy). They don't have a ton of options and the service is slow but i love how it isn't scene-y and there wasn't a wait. cheap beer and delicious food + great location = great find. i don't know why this place doesn't get any visibility.
Nothing was bad, but it was nothing special either. I got the giant vegetarian platter thing to share, and it just seemed unsatisfying and not particularly fresh. Maybe it would have been better if I'd gotten meat, but I ordered exactly what the waiter recommended.
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At the crossroads (17th and U) of two hoods with great options for Ethopian is Dahlak. Dahlak is easy to pass by because its windows are darkened- look for el Tamarindo as your landmark.
On the inside the decor is pretty sparse, but they do have candles on the tables. Order one of the spicy vegetarian platters- of course served with injera. The entrees here will only set you back about eight bucks a piece.
For entertainment, there is a pool table here. On Saturday nights they host live music- typically R&B acts.
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