Chef Kwame Onwuachi is making a highly anticipated return to Washington, D.C., with the launch of Dōgon, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant located in the Salamander hotel at The Wharf. Known for his innovative culinary work and cultural influence, Onwuachi’s reputation has grown with each new venture. Onwuachi’s career began in D.C., where his restaurant Kith and Kin earned him a James Beard "Rising Star" award before it closed during the pandemic. Now, teaming up with Salamander CEO Sheila Johnson, he returns to the nation's capital with a concept that reflects his Afro-Caribbean roots.
Dōgon’s menu draws from Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Creole cuisines, with dishes like Mom Duke's Shrimp and coconut-mussel curry. The restaurant's design pays homage to the legacy of Benjamin Banneker, an 18th-century Black astronomer and surveyor who played a key role in mapping Washington, D.C. Chef de cuisine Martel Stone, a Kith and Kin alum, helps recreate signature dishes, while Columbia Room founder Derek Brown leads the bar program, offering a mindful drinking menu. Dōgon’s focus on shared plates and cultural storytelling promises a dynamic new chapter in D.C.’s dining scene.
