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Swahili Village OTS, Newark, NJ

Swahili Village OTS

4.6
4.6
354 Reviews
$31 to $50
African

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
Booked 21 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Good for groups
Coming Soon!

Order delivery or takeout

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
    (973) 494-7379
  • 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
  • Neighbourhood
    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 354 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Essex

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Swahili Village OTS offers a lively atmosphere and authentic African cuisine that delights many diners. With "amazing food" and "superb cocktails," it's a go-to spot for special occasions. While some diners note slow service during peak times, the "friendly and accommodating staff" and vibrant ambiance make it a unique dining experience.

354 Reviews
  1. gigi

    New York City

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I throughly enjoyed my experience. The food is authentic and tasty. Loved the jollof rice and the salmon bites. The wings were fried just right and pretty large. I will be back!

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  2. Janice

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to dine before going to NJPAC for a show, or even if you’re in the area for a visit. Food is very good d as well as the staff hospitality. Be sure to reserve on line far in advance of your show time.

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  3. Gregory

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We will definitely go there again. Aside from the price of the meal, everything else was exceptional. Everything costs more in today’s economy, so the price was comparable to other restaurants.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Lisa

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Swahili Village. The food is phenomenal and love the music. Just wish I could get a table on the bar area.

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  5. Lynne

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Creative & tasty cocktails. Excellent food - great flavors & good variety of menu choices.

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  6. Michele

    New York City

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an absolutely beautiful dinner with friends on a Sunday afternoon. Bradley was so friendly with his caring service, the restaurant & artwork is beautiful & the food was delicious. We shared the whole fish & beef cubes & are still talking about the delicious the collard greens & spinach sides. Thank you for making our Sunday road trip a very special outing.

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  7. Melvin

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service. Good food. Overall a great night out

    Is this helpful?

  8. AnthonyG

    New York City

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    This was my first visit to the restaurant - the plantains were good.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our 2nd time going to the Newark.location....1st time was my wifes bday back in May. Yesterday was our 23rd weddimg anniversary and since the 2nd experience was great we decided to go again. Not so great this time. Once seated we noticed how cold it was, i never get cold. Not sure if a vent was directky over us....then someone came to remove unneeded table settings...it was fast and quick, he only greeted me with a quock swoop he was gone..smh leaving one wine goblet and all 4 place settings....overall thec waiter was just ok....no convo just got down to business..not to be shady but there was a slight communication issue and his accent was lil thick...(we are black). Drinks and appetizers went ok but everything came out together....entrees arrived incorrect, we both had beans with 2 sides, the sides were switched....my wife tried to improvise without making a fuss but we decided to tell the waiter. We also noted how dry and lumpy the her red beans and my lentils looked... i ordered the lentls last time and was blown away....i was anticipating ordering again since i am not plant based...not the same presentation, dissappointed...not the same quality...the waiter did step in and insisted we get it corrected...plated came back corrected and was fine from there, but the same dry clumped beans...which were both stews....the waiter came to check on us towards the end..my plate was done but he never cleared dishes not even the appetizer...he did ask of we wanted the check as my wife was still sort of eating. The waitress at the next booth was kind and offered to take our plates stacked with the other customers...after dropping the check he came right back leering over us at the table i had to ask him to give me a few , come back.....we got up after paying and the waiter reached behind me to grab the check and look at the tip walking away never said bye..etc..smh

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  10. Precious

    New York City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a nice time food was very great music was nice waitress was nice very well respectful I would love to come back here

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Swahili Village OTS is rated 4.6 stars by 354 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Swahili Village OTS

2 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Corner of Center Street and Mulberry Street
  • Neighbourhood
    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
  • Phone number
    (973) 494-7379
  • Catering
    www.swahilivillages.com | 202.798.7701
  • Private party facilities
    www.swahilivillages.com | 202.798.7701
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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