Open List Home >> Washington, DC >> Restaurants & Food >> Restaurants >> Banana Cafe and Piano Bar
New & Used Restaurant Equipment. Our Specialties Are Slicers & Mixers
Business Summary what's this?
Banana Cafe And Piano Bar in Washington is a two star Caribbean restaurant. Try this popular spot for cheap eats in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Know before you go: this place features live music. Upon entering the restaurant, you'll find an energetic atmosphere. This place features a full bar and brunch.
2.0 of 5 stars.
Another one of those places I really wanted to like - well, I used to live around the corner so I REALLY, REALLY wanted to like it. So I went, and went again, and again... and now have to decide one…
yelp.com - user review - 09/14/2008
Full Review »
We've eaten at Banana Cafe 2 times: the food is great, but the service is...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 09/07/2008
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
Okay, I'm finally writing a review of the Banana Cafe. This is in my 'hood, so i have been quite a few times. It started to be kind of a go-to place, and this last experience finally made me question…
yelp.com - user review - 09/01/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I went here for lunch and had a great beef enchilada and taco meal. The wait for getting our food and then getting our bill was incredibly long, but it was the lunch rush so I can't complain too much.…
yelp.com - user review - 08/16/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
So I didn't actually come here for the food this time around. Banana Cafe is really close to where my friend works so we decided to grab some mojitos or two. We came here around 4ish after work on a…
yelp.com - user review - 08/15/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
This place is great! The food has a great flavor and they aren't timid about the portions. The wait staff if friendly and the prices are reasonable. There is a lot to choose from on the menu. The…
yelp.com - user review - 08/14/2008
Full Review »
Great food, great atmosphere and great service!
urbanspoon.com - user review - 08/13/2008
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
Mediocre food, mediocre margaritas and some of the worst plantains I've ever had. We sat outside because there was a really loud group of women inside and we couldn't hear each other. Our server was…
yelp.com - user review - 07/26/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Great spot for an afternoon or evening latin cocktail and some bites. The friendly bartender will make you an awesome Mojito - heavy on the mint, light on the sugar - but if you're a lightweight like…
yelp.com - user review - 07/07/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
My first time here was for a retirement luncheon so we had a rather large group. I ordered a quesadilla and was a bit disappointed when it came out kind of soggy, like it had been sitting too long,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Banana Cafe is just down the street from work for me and it's a frequent location for my coworkers and I when we decide to take a long lunch. For lunch, the Cuban sandwich is delicious as is the Cuban…
yelp.com - user review - 06/15/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Meh, it's alright - I guess. I enjoyed my mango margarita and my chicken enchilada was good. The only problem I have is the greasy-ness. It's a little insane. I don't think Mexican food equates to…
yelp.com - user review - 06/01/2008
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
Note: Review for piano bar only, not food. This is the bar i've been waiting to find in DC!!!!!
yelp.com - user review - 06/01/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Best chips and salsa i've had in the DC area! I was with a group of three and we must've went through at least 4 or 5 baskets. Light and crisp and warm. Great salsa too. Food was standard mexican…
yelp.com - user review - 05/23/2008
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place! i work down the street from here, at Skin Beauty Lounge, and all of us are regulars at Banana. I love the atmosphere any day of the week and the food is great. being from the…
yelp.com - user review - 05/21/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
DC Trip: Chapter One. Flying in to DCA is pretty painless, and I must say I was encouraged to see so many folks using mass transit (you see, Austin is all grows up and is gettin' some MT of its own).…
yelp.com - user review - 05/20/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Alright, I admit it, I have it out for DC. Actually, I just decided I must reserve 5 stars for the truly spectacular ones from now on. But 4 stars ain't bad either!
yelp.com - user review - 05/16/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
My organization held a dinner event at the Banana Cafe, and it was a great experience. The staff was very friendly in helping us pick a menu for the event with meat and veg options. A dinner with…
yelp.com - user review - 05/13/2008
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
I liked the design of the place but the food wasnt that impressive.
yelp.com - user review - 05/13/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Platanos. If you don't know what they are, then get your ass out of this restaurant. I love the whole pan-Latin vibe, so I got to choose from several tropical cuisines for my meal. I ordered stuffed…
yelp.com - user review - 05/10/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place. The outdoor seating is excellent for people watching. The margaritas and mojitos are delicious. The meals I've had have always been good and I wish they sold the salsa in to-go…
yelp.com - user review - 04/27/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
A friend asked if I wanted to go to happy hour somewhere, so I said sure, and being that she lives right by here, we ended up here after walking up the street and back. We went to the upstairs bar,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/19/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Would rate 3.5 stars. Been here many times and usually I find the food so-so with an occasional hit. On my most recent visit I realized that their mojitos are consistantly good. They also had a…
yelp.com - user review - 04/04/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I'm always on the search for a good mojito... and this one is up there. The piano bar might be a draw for some, but I found the dude loud and annoying. I've only eaten here once, but the food was…
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
(Check out my photos!) My cousin from New York was visiting, and I wanted to show her a side of DC that didn't include cover charges, thump-thumpy music, pretentiousness or over-pricedness. My search…
yelp.com - user review - 03/15/2008
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
I can't say anything bad about the Banana Cafe. The food is amazing...ahh my love of Mexican food and the sangria is pretty good. This is a great restaurant to visit during when the temps are warmer,…
yelp.com - user review - 03/12/2008
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
I went to visit my boyfriend in DC a few weeks ago and we walked by Banana Cafe and thought: "Dueling piano bar? Hell yes." So we went. And it was fabulous! Granted, we have a small niche in our heart…
yelp.com - user review - 03/07/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Been here for lunch and dinner numerous times through the years. My how this neighborhood has changed. Banana has been great even before the street had those extra wattage bulb street lights and…
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Edit March, 3: You must try the mofongo. It's the best thing I've ever had at Banana. It might only be available on Saturdays, but maybe not, I didn't really understand what was going on.…
yelp.com - user review - 02/25/2008
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Something of a personal favorite, and naturally YMMV, but it was where I liked to grab grub before heading to RFK to watch a Nats game, and were I still in DC, where I'd eat before heading to the new…
yelp.com - user review - 01/26/2008
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Banana Cafe is always a fun time. It has a good atmosphere, good food, and good prices. I can't remember a time when I had to wait, and they have good happy hour margarita specials upstairs in the…
yelp.com - user review - 01/17/2008
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
You guys must be delusional. This place is wonderful, every single time I go! I go there for brunch and get all the champagne I want plus excellent Mexican/Cuban food. I mean there is some serious…
yelp.com - user review - 12/10/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
3 1/2 stars Piano Bar: Weekday happy hour specials are good ($2.50 house margaritas), plus "free appetizers" in the piano bar. The piano bar is pretty fun, but you can only order from the bar menu…
yelp.com - user review - 12/02/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
It wouldn't have been bad if I closed my eyes the whole time. The decor at this place is cheesy. The local art on the walls and on the menus is bad. The piano bar upstairs isn't very nice. It seems a…
yelp.com - user review - 11/30/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I haven't found Mexican food in DC that I like, let alone love. I am not a West Coaster who is a Mexican food snob, I just have certain expectations. I have decided to never again order any chicken…
yelp.com - user review - 11/27/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
The piano bar upstairs is really the only reason to ever come here. The food downstairs is, in my experience, consistently mediocre. Points for consistency, I suppose...
yelp.com - user review - 11/06/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Gotta love the chicken. The buffet is $15 (or $15.95) so you want to eat lots. The beef is nice (it's tender and flavorful) but the chicken is so much fun. It's juicy and tender, breaded in crumb and…
yelp.com - user review - 11/05/2007
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
[Piano Bar Review] There are SO many layers of umm umm good going on here.
yelp.com - user review - 10/09/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
I've been to this place off and on for over a year. It appeases my Latin/Carib fix i need monthly I went during happy hour a few times. Cheap margaritas (2 bux a pop) free appetizers (wings, cheese…
yelp.com - user review - 10/04/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
The vegetarian plate here is pretty good...sauteed veggies, yucca, plaintains, rice and beans. I have to say though, the service isn't great and I never leave feeling quite satisfied. It's kind of…
yelp.com - user review - 09/24/2007
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
good dinner/food; i kind of thought the atmosphere was okay not truly spectacular or memorable but that's cool...don't know if i'd make the trip from NW down again or not. 2.5 stars
yelp.com - user review - 08/24/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
I generally like this place, as their cuban dishes are pretty great. I will say it seems to be a little hit or miss on the service side of things though. Sometimes they are on point, but other times…
yelp.com - user review - 07/09/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
I've been going to Banana Cafe for years. Ambience: Go here with friends to hang out, eat, drink.
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I've enjoyed several happy hours upstairs with friends and colleagues. They have a piano, live singing, and a relaxed and cheerful vibe. Nice mojitos. But had a less thrilling experience at lunch this…
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2007
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
Happy hour drinks are at the upstairs bar! The lone bartender/server was setting up margaritas like bowling pins and patrons were grabbing them faster than a NY pickpocket. They were pretty stiff,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
I don't know why this place has such bad reviews... I LOVE their food!! Well.. I guess I can only speak for the one entree that I order every time.. but I LOVE their veggie burrito! I don't know what…
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2007
Full Review »
5.0 of 5 stars.
I was really surprised to not see better reviews of this place. Margarita was great, friend plantains are great, and Ropa Vieja is the best thing going since sliced bread. I am sure, however, that…
yelp.com - user review - 05/20/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
A great place for fun dinner with a small group of friends. Where else can you get a pitcher of mojito? It was ~$35 and enough for 6-7 glasses. The food was also pretty good. From what we ordered,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
The salsa was always fresh and the plantain quesadillas were always delicious. This is one of the restaurants I miss.
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
This place has exceptionally good marinated pork. My companion was not as ecstatic about his standard latin-food fare, but luckily I was the one who got the pork. We definitely took it home for…
yelp.com - user review - 02/23/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
This place has very good marinated pork. Outside of that the food is what you would expect from a mexican restaurant. Would have loved to see more cuban dishes.
yelp.com - user review - 02/17/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
This is a great place to come on a Sunday after a day at Eastern Market. The bar upstairs is great as its not usually as crowded. The bartender up there was very nice, quick, and helpful. I've also…
yelp.com - user review - 02/15/2007
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Pros: 1) the bartender's penchant for stiff cocktails
yelp.com - user review - 02/15/2007
Full Review »
Tucked on a little street near Eastern Market you'll find a charming little place called the Banana ...
judysbook.com - user review - 01/26/2007
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I've eaten here a few times now, so I decided to update my review. The first couples of times was takeout for lunch - it's only an 8 minute drive, if that, from our office in Anacostia - and I finally…
yelp.com - user review - 01/08/2007
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
I came here for lunch and really wasn't impressed with the psuedo-Mexican, Cuban and everything else going on here. It was promising when I first walked in, because I liked the way it is decorated in…
yelp.com - user review - 12/22/2006
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
A good friend of mine basically lived here so whenever he and I would hit places in and around Cap Hill, we would always end up here. In fact, he and his wife had their "last hurrah" dinner here. When…
yelp.com - user review - 12/20/2006
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
I don't eat Cuban food often, but what I tried here I ilked. I had the ropa vieja, and my two friends had the carintas plate and the Bistec. I recommend the house maragaritas, plus they're cheaper…
yelp.com - user review - 11/19/2006
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
Step off Barracks Row and into Havana where this lively, "worst kept secret" neighborhood Cuban is a reliable favorite. Piccadillo, ropas viejas, mufongo...I'm salivating just thinking about it!!…
yelp.com - user review - 11/02/2006
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
A great bar on Friday and Saturday nights... The drinks are tasty and the piano player rocks the house!
yelp.com - user review - 10/22/2006
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
I was very disappointed with the service on my only visit here, but might consider giving it another shot someday. The food quality is decent but not spectacular, and I've had better cuban food…
yelp.com - user review - 10/05/2006
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Bananas....that is what we had. The atmosphere is boisterous to say the least. Vibrant, loud, colorful, and packed. Myself and my two friends had to wait 1 hour for an inside table, although we…
yelp.com - user review - 09/18/2006
Full Review »
4.0 of 5 stars.
okay, that 'piano bar' consists of a cheezy upstairs lounge where a man plays and sings off an electronic keyboard (that's right, keyboard) but banana cafe is a great place for a solid meal. my…
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2006
Full Review »
3.0 of 5 stars.
Oh Banana how I want to adore you. Your decor is hip, you have cute waiters, your menu is fun and yet...... you make me wait and wait and wait. Ply me with margaritas and and visit me now and…
yelp.com - user review - 08/16/2006
Full Review »
2.0 of 5 stars.
everyone recommends this place to me but i wasn't that impressed. the portions are large but the food tasted like it had come out of the microwave - i had the vegetable quesidillas, my friend had the…
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2006
Full Review »
Banana Cafe is a funky little restaurant that doubles as a piano bar upstairs. The kitchen is reliab...
judysbook.com - user review - 09/15/2005
Full Review »
food is billed as puerto rican, mexican & cuban but it's not that good. the food could use some flavor;.....
tripadvisor.com - user review
Full Review »
the banana cafe is on capitol hill near eastern market. this popular restaurant serves cuban, puerto rican and tex-mex dishes...
wcities.com - user review
Full Review »
this sunny cafe surrounds diners with vibrant art, lively music, and loads of fun. inspired by the cuisines of cuba, puerto rico, and the caribbean, the menu offers tropical dishes that bring customers back...
10best.com - user review
Full Review »
© 2008 Open List
About
|
Contact
|
Advertising
|
Add a Business
|
|
Terms of Use
|
Privacy Policy
|
Site Map
Some data provided by Localeze Some reviews provided by Yelp.com
