Dakar

This is a must do for any foodie! A friend recommended this place to me and I knew I had to come. I was a little hesitant about an almost $200/person pay upfront reservation, but trust me it's worth every cent. The space is cozy and has a casual but well appointed dining space. I was dining alone and was seated at a community table. I have yet in my life to ever meet a stranger so this was totally fine with me. My companions were visiting from Italy, Australia, and Bolivia. They were equally excited about the experience. The first course is a traditional ginger tea with green tea foam. According to the Chef, the tea is traditionally served at the end of the meal. It is considered an honor to be invited to stay for tea by your hosts. The meal unfolded course by course. Each dish was beautifully prepared and executed. The team introduced each course explaining the ingredients and any history behind dish itself. Prior to the main course, Chef came out to formally welcome us to their home. He explained the history behind his cooking and his concept for Dakar. This was a phenomenal experience for me. I am passionate about Creole and Cajun cuisine. Senegalese food was a new experience for me and I'm disappointed it took me this long to experience this. Of course, they have set very high expectations for any West African or Senegalese food I have in the future. Just a note, I have chosen not to write about the dishes themselves and just on my incredible experience. The menu rotates frequently and I would hate to inadvertently recommend something that won't be served when you visit.

Such an amazing experience. Located in the garden district, an area I would refer to as restaurant row on Magazine Street, this little restaurant makes a big splash. A modern vibe with an African decor makes for a really cozy spot.This restaurant is a reservation required stop. We had reservations and even with them there was a little bit of a hiccup, but the team welcomed us and provided a prime spot to watch all the action. I just love the fact that a community seating option is available if you are on your own or just feel like you want to get to know some new people. The welcome experience includes a traditional handwashing over a basin and an explanation of African / Senegalese practices. The only option is the chef's tasting menu which provides for seven courses (changes, seasonally) of the most different and wonderful food experience I've enjoyed in a long time. Starters include a warm tea with mint foam and breadsticks all for a Taste Of what yet to come. The fusion dishes were amazing. Loved the heat in some of the dishes and the jellies offered to add more if you were up for it! Dakar NOLA's tasting menu is inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye's mother. Chef Serigne earned his stripes with a great deal of experience , including the famed Commanders Palace (think Emeril Lagasse,Paul Prudhomme, and a number of other great chefs)Recognized as one of the best new restaurants of 2024 by the James Beard organization, this restaurant did not disappoint. We chose the non-alcohol route and were pleased to find a number of wonderful drinks that were offered by their mixologist.The chef's tasting menu might be a little bit more than you typically spend on dinner, but it's definitely worth the once in a lifetime treat!

After receiving the 2024 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, Best New Restaurant in Esquire, and much national press, we had to try them out.We were fortunate to get a reservation in the slow tourist time in January. So reserve early. Two seatings - 4 PM and 8 PM.So it is a seasonal seven-course pescatarian tasting menu that features rich, bold and aromatic flavors of Senegal and NOLA. The only additions are cocktails and the "wine" pairing.First, a great space. EXCELLENT service. We will not describe the dishes - see the attached pics of some - and as the menu changes regularly. But many dishes will be "different" but tasty and extremely well presented.It was fabulous and memorable. One of us did the pairing ($100) and amazingly it was worth it (many such pairings are small pours, inexpensive wines or spirits, and sometimes they don't "pair." One of the dishes used a Madeira!So go. Enjoy.Dress is dressy casual.Damages with tip, cocktails, 2 tastings, and a wine pairing was $600.

We came here for my wife's birthday as she was super excited about eating here. Not being able to see the menu online and not really having a sense of what was served here, I was skeptical, but my wife was right. This was probably the best meal I've had this year. The meal started with a tea service. I don't drink tea. Don't like tea. But I actually enjoyed the mint and ginger green tea starter. I was a refreshing palate cleanser and start to the meal. Every bite that followed was flavorful and well-balanced. Dakar is about exploring the African roots (specifically Senegal) of some southern dishes, and what struck me was that a lot of the flavors that I was tasting were new to me. And that was the real treat about eating here was discovering new flavors done excellently. My favorites were the okra, crab, and palm oil soup with palm bread and spiced butter, the Jën (gulf fish in yassa sauce), and the Thiakry pie for dessert. The Thiakry pie was so decadent and just an absolute flavor bomb to end the evening on. While you're there, definitely don't skip on getting drinks. The cocktail selections were incredible. What really stood out for me was the Carver's Impact. In the spirit of exploring new flavors, a mescal drink with suya spice and chili oil was just something you won't find at many other cocktail joints but they hit it out of the park with that one. Dakar looks like they built it out of a large, older house, and the decor and ambiance were perfect. The service was top-notch as to be expected with a reastaurant with as many accolades as Dakar has received. The head chef took time out to guide everyone through the meal and they story behind the food we were eating and the restaurant. Every little touch was perfect, and Dakar is a place that any serious foodie should consider checking out if they're going to be in New Orleans.

WOW!! Truly the most delectable meal during my recent visit. In fact, I've been craving Dakar since returning home. The service is 5-star and I loved the communal dining set-up. Each course was accompanied with a detailed description provided by the staff. Chef Serigne was serving food, interacting with guest, and engaged my +1 and I in conversation throughout the night. His storytelling was the cherry on top. Everything was thoughtfully plated and the complexity of flavors (pescatarian menu) danced upon my taste buds. The menu rotates, so I'll definitely return. A perfect blend of Nola and his Senegalese culture + cuisine. There's a wine tasting add-on, an a full menu for cocktails and wine by the glass + bottles. Run, don't walk, to secure your seating. More than worth the $$$.

First of all, I have a question - are the waiters hired with a casting call because I have never had such a handsome team work with me at a restaurant. That said, I'd come back a million times for the staff alone. Ok back to business. This dining experience was phenomenal. The team was able to accommodate our various dining needs without hesitation. The food was amazing. Like amazing is an understatement. Each bite was intentional and a beautiful dance between Senegalese and Louisiana cultures. I was so full and tapped out about halfway through the courses, and the team carefully boxed each of my remaining courses following my taking a bite of them. Another cool thing was their attentiveness. I got a little cold and borrowed my bestie's jacket; one of the gentlemen brought over a pashmina from the restaurant to keep me warm. It was such a simple touch, but it was beyond appreciated. Additionally I loved the tea, but have a strong aversion to mint, so they made me a special batch without it. I can't name a favorite course as I genuinely loved them all. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience Dakar.

5 stars is not enough for this place!Incredible food, menu, and experience. Menu changes constantly but you can't go wrong. The owners are unbelievably kind.My favorite dining experience in 10 years in New Orleans (and maybe anywhere!!). This place definitely deserves the hype.

This was a very interesting and excellent experience. So the restaurant only takes at most. I'm gonna say about 15 people in the restaurant at a time because it is a course experience. It is a traditional African meal with some of the experiences infuse. One of the experiences was they wash your hands and give you these towels to clean them so that you can enjoy your meal. It is a really cute quaint location definitely worth the money and the experience.

Impeccable is the only way to describe this experience. The food, the service, and the ambiance were all top notch. This place is so deserving of any and all awards. Each course seemed better than the last. The wine pairings were spot on. The service was outstanding. It was precise but relaxed and comfortable. The explanation of every dish and each wine pairing kept you engaged and wanting to dive in. We appreciated each story and how it related back to the culture. It is a very expensive experience but I look forward to doing it again!

A very strong showing from a popular restaurant, which doesn't always end up being the case. We had a large group separated into two tables with some strangers joining in the communal table-style dining room, which ended up being a fun experience. The chef was super nice and came out to answer questions throughout the meal, making the ambiance relaxed and fun. The food itself was great, with a few standouts (my personal favorites were the gulf shrimp and the dessert). After learning about some of the processes to assemble the components of these dishes, I also gained a higher appreciation for the tastes and textures, adding to the whole experience.I am looking forward to great things from this restaurant as they rennovate soon to accomodate more diners!