YENDIDI VIRGINIA BEACH — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

Date of visit 7/24/2025, Thursday 6:30 pm Was not expecting to leave an excellent review after we experienced the waiter we did. It was not crowded but we barely ever saw her, just over all not good at her job. The food got delivered by R2D2, we'd seen it go to other tables but had no idea it was automated until it came to ours and the waiter was nowhere to be seen. The other waiters and staff took notice fairly quickly however and helped us save the experience. My wife's food came eventually but mine apparently went to the wrong table so I had to wait for them to remake it, the food takes a while to prepare because basically the whole dish is prepped and cooked fresh when the order comes in, it shows in the quality but makes it really rough when mistakes happen and the food comes separately. The waitress Alyvia was truly amazing she noticed everything happening and brought us a manager to help us, and the manager was immediately helpful as well, they brought me out an appetizer while I was waiting for my entree so I could eat with my wife, we treated the different dishes like different courses and wound up just sharing everything anyway. The portions were spectacular and plenty and absolutely everything was amazing and fresh. My wife got a tomato basil chicken stew prepped with medium heat with a pounded yam (mashed potato taste with a slightly firmer texture) and jollof rice. I got the spinach stew with shrimp cooked with high heat and paired it with coconut rice and sauteed mushrooms. They sent sauteed cabbage at first but quickly sent the mushrooms and let us keep the cabbage too which was nice because it was spectacular as well, fully cooked but still had a crunch and immaculately seasoned though not overpowered. This mushrooms... Mmmmmm the mushrooms.... Fantastic lightly sauteed and fresh as can be paired with a zesty seasoning and peppers and onions truly spectacular. The coconut rice was so good I had to learn how to make it at home. And the jollof was no different. (Coconut and Pilau ((yellow rice)) are less work, less steps, and less ingredients if you're like me and just have to have it again). The pounded yam is a perfect side for a spicy dish, simple and filling and I'll be learning how to cook that too. The tomato chicken and basil stew is everything spaghetti wants to be, absolutely delicious and I'm not a fan of most tomato baste sauces but this was spectacular and very clearly not from a can. The spicy spinach stew was immaculate, very generous with both the spinach and the shrimp. The flavor penetrated both but neither were over cooked and both spinach and shrimp cook way fast so that shows talent in the kitchen. Neither of us could stop eating until we were fully stuffed. Then we ate some more while we waited for Togo containers. Absolutely everything got eaten, we couldn't bring ourselves to waste a single thing that came in the bowls. Can't wait to try it again with a different waitress....

I'll start by simply saying WOW!

The decor is thoughtful and well executed. The colors are bold and eye catching. The establishment is neat, clean and inviting. I so look forward to dining in with them soon.

This is my second time visiting the Virginia Beach location. The staff at Yendidi are extremely professional, kind and patient. The first time I went i met, who i believe to be the owner, Abina. She was courteous, involved and quite pleasant. She clearly at the tone and standard of customer service. The ladies that manage the front desk, Christy and Kam, are knowledgeable and extremely personable. All while being the epitome of beauty and grace. In fact, Christy recognized my voice over the phone after only meeting me once. Impressed. The service was fast, both when ordering in person as well as over the phone.

On to the food. My tastebuds were in heaven!! Both times i got the egusi soup. The egusi with goat/lamb/ cow foot with pounded yam with cabbage was delectable. It was full of flavor. It was spicy while still being enjoyable. This time i still got the egusi soup but with chicken and plantain fufu and cabbage. The cabbage was lightly seasoned with maybe a bit of garlic, salt and pepper. It was so good and i was happy it wasn't over seasoned or soggy. It went so well with the soup. NOW, that egusi soup at Yendidi is something special!!! It smelled so wonderful and was so flavorful with the right amount of spices. The fufu was delicious as well and also really loved the texture. Next time i will order an additional side of fufu, one of each to determine my favorite and because the portion of soup is so generous i find myself running out of fufu. I almost forgot the samosas. I also got them last time. I ate them on the way home and nearly turned my car around to get more. This time I order two helpings. I loved the flaky texture and the filling was so mouthwatering. They were scrumptious and the sauce that came with them , rich and decadent. All and all Yendidi has a forever customer in me. They are ALWAYS going to get my money. I can't wait to try their other menu items as I'm sure they will not disappoint.

Also I will include pictures from both occasions. Please forgive me. My back was widening south anticipation and I ate before I...

Vibrant Vibes and Flavorful Feasts

Yendidi wasn't just a meal, it was an experience. From the moment we walked in, the owner's warm welcome made us feel like invited guests, not just customers. The decor was stunning - modern and inviting, with the kind of atmosphere that sets the mood for a perfect weekend evening. Great selection of music, TVs on playing in background , and even though they were missing a few drink ingredients, the staff handled it with such genuine grace that it didn’t even impact the dinner.

Now, while the appetizers took a bit longer than expected to arrive, and didn't all come out at once, once they did, they were worth the wait. Just maybe next time the cook should think about frying the shrimp a little less longer because they were too crispy not a miss though. The flavors were incredible, the grilled chicken, perfectly seasoned and juicy, held its own alongside the Yendidi wings, which offered a delicious echo of the entree (not a bad thing!). The yellow rice was cooked to fluffy perfection, and the steamed vegetables, often an afterthought, were surprisingly vibrant and fresh. Don't even get me started on the lemon cake - a perfect touch to cap off the meal.

We spent $120 but for the ambiance, the impeccable service, and the explosion of flavor in every bite, I'd say it was money well spent. Yendidi isn't just a restaurant, it's a celebration of taste, community, and good vibes. If you're looking for a place to relax, indulge, and truly experience African cuisine at its finest, look no further.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Highlights:

Warm and welcoming atmosphere Delicious and flavorful food Excellent service Live music and TV for entertainment

Minor quibbles:

Appetizer wait time Overcooked shrimp

Final verdict: Highly recommended! A must-try for anyone seeking a vibrant and flavorful African...