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Swahili Village OTS, Newark, NJ

Swahili Village OTS

4.5
4.5
379 Reviews
$31 to $50
African

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for business meals
  • Great for happy hour
Coming Soon!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    African, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, East African
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed, Sun 11:00 am–1:00 am Thu–Sat 11:00 am–3:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Chef Alfredo Hernandez
  • Catering
    www.swahilivillages.com | 202.798.7701
  • Private party facilities
    www.swahilivillages.com | 202.798.7701
  • Neighborhood
    Newark
  • Cross street
    Corner of Center Street and Mulberry Street
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    NJ Transit, Light Rail, Amtrak
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 379 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Essex

    Great for fine wines

  • Essex

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Swahili Village OTS offers an "amazing" dining experience with "delicious" and "authentic" African cuisine. Guests praise the "great portions" and "friendly staff." The ambiance is lively with music and a vibrant atmosphere. While some find it "pricey," many appreciate the "unique vibe" and "excellent service," making it a "favorite" for special occasions.
379 Reviews
  1. Bill

    New York City8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Always positive vibes and a great meal when I come here. I enjoyed the Supu and the Red Snapper on this visit. Large portion which gave me another meal for tomorrow! On the pricey side for a New Jersey dinner, but worth it.

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  2. MARSHA

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Third visit and once again not disappointed by the ambiance, service and quality of the food. It's safe to say that this is quickly becoming one of my favorite dining spots in NJ. I will be back soon.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    New York City2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Made a reservation for 2 so I expected a table for 2. Instead we were taken to a table for 2, which was actually a booth you share with other groups of people. I wasn’t the only one confused by their definition of “private”. The group after me requested a more private seating arrangement. But were told the same thing as me—sitting with other strangers is their private seating. Nobody wants to be paying this much to be sitting elbow to elbow with strangers. The hostess stated that the restaurant was booked. But there were a few tables that remained empty by the time we left. Besides which, a party of 2 was seated at a proper table. Ridiculous. However, the food was very good. The server was okay. Ultimately, not worth a repeat visit.

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  4. JoeC

    New York City5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The wait staff was so helpful and nice. The food was outstanding. We had a goat appetizer and then had a beef stew with coconut milked spinach and a delicious rice dish. My dining partner had the grilled chicken. Both were delicious. The manager came by and chatted and shared stories and connections to Africa. Highly recommend this place and we can’t wait to try it when they open in NYC

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  5. DianeW

    New York City2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Went there for Valentines Day. I had reservations but still was told the wait was 1 hour! When seated we waited over an hour for our food. This place was recommended by 2 friends who said it was excellent! That wasn't my experience. I won't be returning

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  6. Solomon

    New Jersey1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a great time … good food , good entertainment great environment

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  7. Gary

    New Jersey1 review

    1.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    I had a reservation still waited an hour to be seated . Another another and a half for my food . I was so upset I just took my food to go and left as soon as I got my food . The music is loud in some areas not loud in other areas . They sat us at a table not clean then left for another 15 mins no menus nothing . Then waiter comes back take our drinks selection we didn’t get our drinks til our food it was genuinely a horrible experience . What I will say is the food was good . It smelt good . I enjoyed it when I got home.

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  8. Bisola

    New Jersey1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was amazing. Great customer service. I love the ambience. Great server and waiter.

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  9. Gamal

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food definitely exceeded expectations. Everything was flavorful and succulent. There was a DJ spinning live music and that added to the energy of the evening.

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  10. Karyn VIP

    New York City21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our second time at this restaurant. The cocktails are great and the food is delicious and large portion sizes. Everything is tasty and has interesting spices. The service was attentive and the place has a stylish vibe.

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FAQs

Swahili Village OTS offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (973) 494-7379.

Swahili Village OTS is rated 4.5 stars by 379 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Jersey
  4. Essex
  5. Newark

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Google Map for Swahili Village OTS

2 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Corner of Center Street and Mulberry Street
  • Neighborhood
    Newark
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed, Sun 11:00 am–1:00 am Thu–Sat 11:00 am–3:00 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    African, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, East African
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    NJ Transit, Light Rail, Amtrak
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Alfredo Hernandez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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