Africa is a big continent, not a country. That means “African cuisine” is actually a giant category that doesn’t really do justice to the hundreds of different cultures coexisting there.
Back in January, Eater touched on just one African cuisine - Moroccan. Now it's time to dive deeper and explore other types like Mozambican, Senegalese, Eritrean, Nigerian, Ghanian. Of course there's representation from Ethiopian, arguably the city's most famous African cuisine.
Here, we will explore some of the best North African dining experiences that the District of Columbia has to offer.
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
Chef Kwame Onwuachi Brings Afro-Caribbean Flavors to DC | Black History Month
Discover Afro-Caribbean flavors infused with the soul of the district. Chef Kwame Onwuachi is no stranger to pushing boundaries, but at his Washington, D.C. restaurant, he honors them and the West African lineage that helped draw the borders of the District of Columbia.
Read also: Maghreb Cuisine
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi sits along the revitalized Southwest waterfront in Salamander Washington DC, and the acclaimed chef returns to the nation’s capital with a concept inspired by DC Surveyor Benjamin Banneker and his heritage to the West African Dogon tribe.
Intention. Culture. "Dogon to me means history. History untold. History untapped.
Kwame Onwuachi has penned multiple books, like his successful memoir Notes from a Young Black Chef and the bestselling cookbook My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef. He has also been a contestant and a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef. In 2019, he was acclaimed by Esquire as its Chef of the Year, recognized by Food & Wine as one of its Best New Chefs, and named by the James Beard Foundation as "Rising Star Chef of the Year.”
Dōgon DC will be Onwuachi’s second restaurant opening, following the highly acclaimed Tatiana in New York City. Last year, Tatiana was last year named as the city’s best restaurant by the New York Times and rated one of the best new restaurants of the year by Esquire.
If you're a talented culinary professional who is passionate about breaking the mold to deliver unique and unforgettable experiences, we’d love to work with you. Grab a seat at our table and reignite your culinary career at Dōgon DC.
Read also: Culinary Traditions of North Africa
The Story Behind the Name
According to the Maryland Center for History and Culture (MdHS), Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught, free African American tobacco farmer, whose brilliance in astronomy and mathematics garnered the attention of the most powerful white men in the new nation.
With the approval of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Ellicott enlisted Banneker to assist in surveying the territory which was to become the District of Columbia. In 1994, historians preparing a National Register of Historic Places registration form for the Pierre L'Enfant plan of the City of Washington wrote that 40 boundary stones laid at one-mile intervals had established the district's boundaries based on Banneker's celestial calculations.
According to MdHS, which owns copies of the original Banneker almanacs and is in possession of the Banneker's handwritten astronomical journal, Banneker was the grandson of an African slave named Bannaka and an English woman named Molly Welsh. Molly was a former indentured servant who purchased Bannaka and another slave upon her release from servitude, as she needed help working her tobacco farm.
A 2002 biography of Benjamin Banneker from Charles A.
The Dogon people are an African tribal population of 400,000 to 600,000 native to Mali, most of whom live in the hills and mountains of the Bandiagara escarpment. Beginning in the 1930s French anthropologists Marcel Griaule and Germaine Dieterlin began studying the Dogon people, and their findings prompted further authors to report significant mathematical, scientific and astronomical knowledge dating back hundreds of years - especially surrounding their detailed knowledge of the star system Sirius, which is made up two separate stars: Sirius A and Sirius B.
Read also: Comparing Africa and North America
This is notable as it wasn't until 1862 that the American astronomer Alvan Clark deduced the existence of Sirius B using a telescope, among the most advanced for that era. And, it was not until 1970 that there was confirmation of the existence of this star, never mind a photograph of it.
LYDIA ON H
Malawian chef and mixologist Victor Chizinga brings his heritage to H Street NE in a two-level venue featuring three distinct experiences and a members-only speakeasy serving Black-owned spirits. Lydia on H honors his late mother with dishes like curry chicken and cabbage.
Caribbean influences shine in rum punch riffs, jerk wings, salmon fritters, and oxtail with jollof rice. Upstairs, Raine hosts live music, while Lake Malawi offers patio vibes with games and tunes.
Chef Kwame Onwuachi Brings Afro-Caribbean Flavors to DC | Black History Month
What to Expect
Dishes like fufu, ugali, and nsima are guaranteed to make an appearance. They’re different names for essentially the same thing - a food made with maize or cassava that’s a vehicle for proteins and vegetables. It’s a staple in Central, East, and Southern Africa. Jollof rice is a West African dish of rice, tomato sauce, and spices.
The food was absolutely amazing, I had the Oxtails with Cabbage and Jollof rice and Mac and Cheese. The oxtails were slow cooked to perfection and the Cabbage was well seasoned. Benita A.
This place is amazing. Food? Amazing. Service? Amazing. The vibe upstairs? Amazing! The jerk chicken and fries are so good, I would get it again. I also got the rice. Human F.
Chef Victor and the entire Lydia on H staff are amazing! I planned a staff outing for about 25 people and the staff at Lydia on H. was accommodating to all of our needs. The bartender kept the drinks flowing. Brandan P.
Plan Your Visit
Although walk-ins are welcome, we highly recommend making a reservation to avoid long wait times. Reservations are available 30 days in advance You have a grace period of 15 minutes to arrive for your reservation. After that time frame, we will do our best to seat you as soon as possible but there is no guarantee a table will become available.
Catering Services
We are excited to announce that we are now offering catering services! This means that guests can enjoy our delicious, crowd-pleasing meals at events, meetings, or special occasions, all delivered with ease. We are ready to bring flavorful dishes directly to you, making your event unforgettable. Ordering is simple and convenient, so you can focus on what truly matters - enjoying great food with great company! Place your order online and enjoy the Lydia on H experience wherever you are.
Events and Rewards
Don't miss out and discover what’s happening at Lydia’s. From live music to themed dinners - there’s always something exciting waiting for you.
Join our rewards program, earn points every time you order online and redeem your points for free food!
Malawian Bites & Sips
The gallery features a vibrant selection of Malawian cuisine & dining experiences, including refreshing drinks, savory jerk chicken served with flavorful jollof rice, crispy flatbread, perfectly cooked snapper, and a hearty short rib dish highlighted as a winter special.
Follow us on InstagramDon’t just visit-get involved! LYDIA ON H hosts a vibrant lineup of events designed to connect, inspire, and celebrate our creative community. From pop-ups and panels to art nights and live music, there’s always something exciting happening. Stay in the loop by following us on Instagram, where we share event highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories from our community.
Practical Information for Visitors
The building offers on-site parking with a capacity for up to 172 vehicles. Parking fees range from $13.00 to $20.00, depending on the day of the week.
Conveniently situated next to the CVS store is a Marriott hotel, and adjacent to us is the Lincoln restaurant.
Dress Code
We strive to create a comfortable and family-friendly atmosphere. While we appreciate stylish attire, we kindly request that our guests maintain a business professional or casual dress code. Please refrain from wearing clothing with offensive graphics or language, exposed undergarments, cut-off shorts, and tank tops. We also ask that hats be removed upon entering the restaurant, though hats and team support jerseys are welcome in our bar and patio areas.
Safety Measures
At our restaurants, we prioritize the safety and well-being of both our Guests and Team Members.
InKind Program
InKindExplore, Dine & Earn using InKind for LYDIA ON H and claim your $25 Off your next $75+ meal.
