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Swahili Village OTS, Newark, NJ

Swahili Village OTS

4.5
4.5
382 Reviews
$31 to $50
African
2 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102

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2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
7:00 pm
Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Good for special occasions
Coming Soon!

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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
  • Area
    Newark
  • Cross Street
    Corner of Center Street and Mulberry Street
  • Parking details
    Public Parking
  • 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, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 382 people are saying

Swahili Village OTS reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Essex

    Great for fine wines

  • Essex

    Romantic

  • Essex

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Swahili Village OTS offers a dynamic dining experience with "outstanding food" and "flavorful and succulent" dishes, including goat, beef stew, and seafood options. The ambiance is vibrant with live music and stylish decor. Service is generally attentive, though seating and wait times may vary. Overall, a "highly recommended" spot.
382 Reviews
  1. Karen

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All around great experience. Food amazingly delish! Strawberry flaming margaritas amazing as well.

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  2. michael

    New York City4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was amazing. The ambiance was nice and an eclectic group of diners. The food took quite awhile to come out which was the only downside. We were seated promptly (we had reservations). The appetizer (salmon bites not on the menu) were amazing excuse me AMAZING! The dinner was great as well. The sides of spinach in a coconut milk was DEliciious The collard greens were Okay. The flatbread was really good. Both the salmon and shrimp were outstanding. My wife loved her chicken dish as well. For dessert we had mango mouse which was unreal. Definitely heading back again once I save up some money. It was on the pricier side.

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  3. Chuck VIP

    New York City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Try the goat. Similar, but just a little bit tougher than lamb chops

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  4. Bill

    New York City8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 29 March 2025

    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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  5. MARSHA

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 March 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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  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York City2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 22 March 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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  7. JoeC

    New York City5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 2 March 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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  8. DianeW

    New York City2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 15 February 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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  9. Solomon

    New Jersey1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 15 February 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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  10. Gary

    New Jersey1 review

    1.0

    Dined on 15 February 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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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 382 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

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Booked 9 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
  • Area
    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 Parking
  • 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, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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