The Strand DC

“This place is a whole vibe—the music fills the room, and the food truly feeds the soul. The shrimp and grits took me straight back to my childhood. The best way to describe this spot is pure Tenderism.”

“DC native … As someone who travels for food, this was my first visit to The Strand DC, and it did not disappoint. The variety of choices was impressive—if one dish wasn’t for you, there were plenty of others to enjoy. What I loved: Shrimp & Stone Grits: Excellent—large, flavorful shrimp cooked perfectly. Sweet & Spicy Salmon: Great balance of flavor. Fried Chicken: Even better when dipped in the BBQ sauce provided. Waffle Station: Fun with lots of topping options. Omelet Station: On point—fresh and well-seasoned. The showstopper: The collard greens with turkey and jerk salmon stole the show. I couldn’t stop going back for more! The fresh pineapples tasted like they came straight from Hawaii. What could improve: The oxtail and rice were a bit chewy—not the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture I was hoping for. Heads-up: $45 plus …( includes sweet tea) A 20% gratuity, service fee, and taxes are automatically added, so plan accordingly. Final thoughts: The service, food, and ambiance were all great. Don’t judge this spot by its exterior or the neighborhood—step inside and discover this hidden gem.”

“My friend was craving a fish sandwich, so I did a quick Google search and found The Strand. After checking out the reviews and photos of the food and interior, we were sold! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm smile and a great personality—off to a great start! The staff was friendly, and the atmosphere felt welcoming. We decided to go for the brunch buffet, which was not only reasonably priced but also packed with variety. (Let’s hope they can keep those prices steady, but with this economy—good luck!) The buffet was both visually appealing and amazing for the tastebuds. There were so many options, and I went all in—oxtail, salmon, mac & cheese, shrimp & grits, and of course, my favorite—a fully loaded waffle. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach! I wanted an omelet too, but I just didn’t have the room. The music was on point, the staff was all smiles, and the service was top-tier. The Strand has only been open for five months, but I truly hope they keep up the great customer service and quality food. I also love that they offer private rooms, which makes it a perfect spot for gatherings. This place is a fantastic addition to the city, and I’m so happy to have found a soul food spot that isn’t lacking in flavor or heart. I’ll definitely be back—and bringing friends!”

“Dinner at The Strand in D.C.!!! What a great experience we had!! The restaurant is beautiful, the service was good, very nice and friendly people....but the Food, the Food...BAABBAAYYY!!!! Was Top Notch Delicious 😋 👌 👏 👍🏾 This was a suggestion from our son who lives here. As Californian's, when traveling, we love great places to eat with Great food!! This will be one of our favorite places to come whenever we come to D.C.!! Try it once and you'll love it!!! We tried a variety of items and they all were good. Oxtail Stew, Fried Fish, Collard Greens, Cornbread, Hot Crab Dip, Ribs, Spinach, Mocktails, and the desserts were the warm Bread Pudding with caramel sauce and the Apple Pie with Ice Cream.”

“Disappointing. I went there for Sunday Brunch. No where on website does it say, reservations are REQUIRED. I tried calling a couple times on Saturday, no answer each time and Sunday morning. Parking across street at House of Praise as listed on the website was helpful. Arrived 1:15pm ONLY to be told Walk-ins are between 2-2:30pm, NOT listed on website. Finally got in naband the buffet line was long, why? they “Ran out of plates!” Okay more “Small plates arrived!” Only “Plastic utensils.” I saw some seated guests with cloth napkins and silverware . Buffet food as listed per website with fresh fruits. A young man was making omelettes to order , Belgian waffles and vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Lots of toppings to choose from to make your sundae. The food was slightly salty, the collard greens with smoked turkey otherwise everything was very tasty especially the jerk salmon, shrimp and grits, and braised oxtail 😋. A 20% gratuity, operation fee and tax included in your check. My waitress was Destiny and she was great in providing water and keeping my glass filled with sweet tea . Not sure if I will make another trip but overall I rated three stars.”