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The Continent DC, Washington, DC

The Continent DC

4.4
4.4
99 Reviews
$50 and over
African

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 53 times today
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
From the savory stews of West Africa to the aromatic spices of East Africa, The Continent DC offers a menu crafted to bring you the best flavors from various African regions. Our restaurant is designed to reflect the rich cultures and traditions of Africa, offering a cozy and welcoming environment for you to enjoy your meal.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    African
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:00 am–3:00 am Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–7:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 978-1320
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 99 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Continent DC offers a vibrant Afrocentric dining experience near the White House. Guests rave about its "excellent food," "impeccable service," and "stunning decor." The ambiance features lively Afro-beats, creating a "warm atmosphere." While some note noise levels, the authentic flavors and "generous portions" make it a must-visit.

99 Reviews
  1. MS

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Overall the space is quite lovely, beautifully done, good lighting, the most comfiest dining chairs I’ve sat in a while and good seating arrangements. It was Christmas Day and actually busier then I thought it would be but will also give a pass on the service sake of. It wasn’t the best but certainly not the worse, she was seriously multitasking (mindingthe bar) Overall the food was good but lacked the spice that usually comes with native food (I was disappointed in that) it could have come out hotter but the flavors were good. Creamed spinach (no flavor, didn’t like) Jollof rice - Smokey and flavorful but a littler underdone. Continent seasoned wings - yummy and done well Whole snapper - yummy, lightly seasoned, cooked well. The side pepper sauce was mild I’d rather it been spicy (next time I’ll ask if available) Chicken stew - could taste the tomato paste base but was okay. Chicken itself was ok but not very meaty and little hard (I know traditionally many like it as such) Oxtails - it’s like 3-4 large pieces, tender and flavorful Lamb chops - tender and tasty Caesar salad - crisp Suya - tender, flavorful the side pepper is really spicy (does contain peanuts in the spice) French fries - fresh, crisp and the seasoning was really good Plantain - ripe and done well I do feel some items were overpriced but it was well worth the trip and we will definitely be back soon!!

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  2. Cynthia

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Wish I could give 4.5 stars for overall experience and food. I agree with many of the reviewers who mentioned the slow service. So we set the bar for that and ordered immediately and asked for our drinks and apps to come out first. Luckily our server did his best. The food is tasty. The red snapper was amazing. My husband ordered the red stewed chicken while the sauce was good, the chicken was scraps. (Wing, neckbone?) what restaurant serves neck bones? My husband is not one to send things back. But that should be unacceptable. Two suggestions:They need to hire more servers and the feast dish is $250 for a whole lot of meat and then the seafood up charge is in excess of $70. How about a plant based or pescatarian feast? We’ll be returning with friends and family, but won’t be ordering the red stewed chicken.

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  3. Isatu

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious! I loved the decor and ambiance. Service has to be continuously worked on because I find that it is difficult for African Americans to serve others, especially when they have to serve a predominantly Black population. With tip already included, there is no incentive for them to provide exceptional service. Owners should consistently remind them to treat the business as if it were their own.

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  4. Dani

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service, ambiance and drinks were great. Food was tasty but oxtails weren't meaty and veggies were just okay. I would try again especially on a night with live music.

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  5. Laquita

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Quality Service . Our waiter was Excellent she took her time and explained the menu as this was my first time experiencing African Cuisine. Food was Bomb! Drinks were 10 out of 10 Atmosphere was Amazing, very grown and sexy.

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  6. tahlee

    VIP

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is superb and authentic African cuisine. Staff was wonderful. The ambience is a vibe. Keep it up.

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  7. Aima

    VIP

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here is absolutely amazing! Bronzino was well seasoned and tasty. As we’re the lamb chops and shrimp samosa. The red stew chicken was a little dry but tasty. Server was very nice and knowledgeable but the food was very slow to come out and delayed. The server was overwhelmed with managing the bar as well as tables.

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  8. Donna

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    The food, atmosphere, drinks were amazing. The section of food was priceless. My Fine Dining Group order just about everything on the menu and the food was EPIC along with the cocktails. They need to hire more servers for the customers and for the bar especially for the weekend.

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  9. Tanika

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tonight, my best friend and I had the pleasure of dining at The Continent, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for a special experience. The food was incredible. I ordered the huge tiger shrimp with jollof rice and spinach, and it was a flavor-packed masterpiece. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned with just the right amount of spice, while the jollof rice was rich and smoky…the perfect accompaniment. The sautéed spinach added a fresh, earthy balance to the dish. My best friend had the Branzino with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, and she couldn’t stop raving about it. The fish was tender with a crispy, golden skin, the mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth, and the vegetables were cooked to perfection. We started with plantain chips and lightly toasted cinnamon wafers, which set the tone for the rest of the meal. The plantain chips were crisp and savory, while the cinnamon wafers had a hint of sweetness and warmth that paired beautifully. To top it all off, we shared a slice of moist lemon cake for dessert. It was the perfect ending…light, fluffy, and bursting with citrus flavor. The service was just as impressive as the food. The staff made us feel right at home, balancing professionalism with genuine warmth. Our server was attentive without being intrusive and made excellent recommendations that elevated our experience. And let me talk about the ambience…it was perfection. The restaurant has this upscale yet laid-back lounge vibe, with stylish decor and soft Afrobeat tunes that made the entire evening feel like an escape. Whether you’re there for a night out with friends, date, or a special celebration, the setting elevates the experience in a way that feels effortless. My best friend and I couldn’t stop talking about how The Continent is a “triple threat”: incredible food, exceptional service, and a gorgeous atmosphere.

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  10. Victor

    Detroit

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Food portion was too small, and it took a long time to get food.

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FAQs

The Continent DC offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 978-1320.

The Continent DC is rated 4.4 stars by 99 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 53 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Continent DC

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005-3544

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:00 am–3:00 am Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–7:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    African
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch
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