Rainbow African Restaurant -West African Cuisine — Restaurant in Gaithersburg

I absolutely LOVE this family, the restaurant and the food they serve- there's none like it. The family that owns Rainbow are cool people. There's nothing like coming inside a place that is family owned and knowing that a family is running the place instead of some large chain restaurant without any personal touch to it. The food here is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! I'm an American born West African, so many pieces of our culture I have to relearn because I didn't have them growing up. This menu literally tastes like home, the food tastes so familiar and authentic. Everything is good. Literally everything, most dishes I am familiar with but even a few I tried to pick randomly, that I have never heard of, and it was still outstanding. If you are Ghanian having Amoutu on a weekend, or perhaps you want the Nigerian feel of Fufu with Egusi it is here and it is good. For my fellow West Africans that start small wars (joking) over Jallof Rice, even the Jallof Rice here is such that every West African could agree on!! (Legendary!) Each nation claims to have the best rice but this restaurant puts that dispute to rest. If you want a taste of home (West Africa) or you just want to experience outstanding cuisine that will make you mouth dance with excitement with every bite, quit reading this post, and get over to Rainbow now!! You'll be glad you did!!

P.S. If you are still reading this post, every West African is well aware that all Jallof Rice bows it's head to Nigerian Jallof...

4.5. Place is nice and clean. My second time trying African food. Way better than the 1st time at recently opened restaurant.Went for peanutsoup with Goat instead of chicken. They accommodated my request. I wasn't really interested in the meat, moreso the flavor of the meat permeating the broth. I wanted more broth than anything. I should have specified Though. I was a little taken aback when the food came out and I saw the portion size. It was more akin to meat and gravy stew than soup. Would have glady traded out half the meat for more broth- not because it was 'too much' meat but because I would have liked more liquid. You pay ~$20 for soup you expect at least 16oz. Of broth. I did enjoy it with the fufu though. Puff puff was greasy but not bad, fish patty was decent. May go back next time I'm craving peanut soup and short on resources to make it myself. Also may try their light soup.

Edit: Went back 2 days later for the light soup with banku, fish patty and sorrel. Banku is so delicious. While fufu is more akin to mashed potatoes, banku is akin to grits. I am used to Caribbean sorrel flavored with ginger but this had pineapple and was not over poweringly sweet. Fish patty was good.

So happy I took a chance on this place. The portion is small for the price but the flavor is good.

I recommend peanut butter...

Honestly, I wish I had read reviews here before ordering via Uber. I’m leaving this review with the smallest hope that the restaurant may actually make some adjustments. There is way too much salt/maggi in the food, including oil. African dishes do not need to be extra salty and greasy to taste good. Please consider the health of your clients! We were really excited to try this place and give it a second chance since the first wasn’t that impressive but sadly both times have been terrible. The food tasted bad, to the extent we had to throw it out. Also noticing that most of the reviews over the last year are all negative. Something needs to change, with a rating of less than 4 and more bad reviews coming in, it doesn’t bode well for this business. If you’re very familiar with African food, this will likely be a big disappointment. New people to this cuisine may give it a pass but trust me these dishes from this restaurant are not being made with your health in mind. I hope management truly reflects on all the negative feedback and takes a stand to do something to turn things around. Unfortunately this place is now a no go for our family as we’re going to seek to...