Banana Cafe & Piano Bar

I have to give this place 5 stars. I’ve never gotten anything from here that I didn’t like. The staff is super friendly and my orders always come out right. I come here any chance I get for their Tex-​Mex Bruchette which used to only be a lunch special but thank heavens that they put it on the regular menu. I can go on and on but to sum it up, I love this place and have nothing negative to say.

My honey and I came here this evening (Saturday night), and had an ok time. The food was absolutely delicious. Like amazing. We ordered the stuffed yucca as an appetizer, which was unique and delicious. Although it came out after our meal, we still ate it and the manager comped it off our bill. We ordered the ropa vieja and carnitas cubanos for the main course. Seriously good. The one thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is that the service was painfully slow. (Totally not our servers’ fault, I think the place is understaffed) and there was no music playing during our dinner service. Just quiet with the random kitchen and dining room sounds. But I will deginately be back to give it another go. The food was that good.

The only good thing about our visit here was at least I got to try mofongo for the first time. We liked our dish but it wasn’t anything special… the service was slow as well. Would I come back? Probably yes, but not for a while.

Ignore the star rating if you’re looking for a nice outdoor patio serving cold drinks with decent service that doesn’t bother you all the time.
But I would never order food there again.
I was so excited to find a reasonably priced place serving Puerto Rican food in DC. We weren’t terribly hungry and just wanted something to snack on while we enjoyed some drinks in some long-​overdue sunshine.
We ordered alcapurrias and tostones, two things I have almost never had outside of my tias’ or abuela’s kitchens. They were out of alcapurrias, but did have «cod fish fritters» or bacalaitos, which I was very excited to have as well.
I ordered my Medalla, while my wife ordered a Pina Colada. They were out of Medalla (a beer I’ve only ever had on the island), so I settled on negro modelo.
The tostones were ok. A little dry, but serviceable — good for mindless snacking. The bacalaitos, however, were disgusting. They were nearly burnt and undercooked with the insides still mushy. I don’t know if that’s how they’re intended to be, but the taste and the texture were both way too offputting to eat anymore than a single bite of one. My guess is that the oil was simply too hot — which resulted in the outside cooking a lot faster than the inside.
Now we didn’t have anything else, but to screw up bacalaitos that badly and to have such immemorable tostones does not inspire us to drop $ 20+ on their mofongo or pernil. For those things, I’ll settled on my own pernil and the mofongo I can get when I visit my family.
Still. The patio is BEYOND lovely, the chips are good, and the service is good. So definitely check this place out if that is ALL you want.

UPDATE: — Ok, I actually spoke to the owner «George», who was EXTREMELY nice, very apologetic, and willing to do whatever he needed to do to solve the problem. So, I will not amend the star rating because I should never have been put in a situation when I needed to get the owner involved, but I will add this codicil to my review. The food is good, it really is, and the atmosphere is nice. So I’m not trashing the place, and who knows. Maybe an overwhelming craving for coconut flan will bring me back here again one day, because nobody makes flan like Banana Café.
Original review: Check your receipts before you leave! This used to be my spot. I really loved the food here and the atmosphere. My last visit (yesterday) was deplorable and I will probably never go back. I will start off by saying my food was delicious. Appetizer was ham croquettes with red pepper sauce. On point. Tablemates had fried plaintain — Perfection. Entrée was Bistec Encebollado, chicken pounded flat and smothered in onions — Spot on! Dessert was coconut flan — Top notch. So why the one star. Well it took over 30 minutes to get our appetizers — we asked our server twice who kept saying, «oh it’s coming». so finally we asked a manager who said he would check into the problem, walked away and brought out the appetizers two minutes later. Appetizers done… another 40 minute wait for entrees. We asked the server who tried to explain that some food takes longer to cook. We pointed out that the table next to us, came in 15 minutes after us, ordered what we had ordered and they were already midway through their meal. Manager intervention again brought out the entrees. So the final kicker. I get home and pull my credit card account up online and I realized there is a $ 15.00 discrepancy between what I signed for on my receipt and what has been charged to my credit card — ARRGHH. Mind you, although our server was absolutely horrible, I still tipped because I used to be a waitress and tipping is in me. Now because of the shoddy service, he got 10% instead of my usual 20, but he was TIPPED and honestly tipped for nothing since the manager did all the work, including refilling water glasses and checking on us. Also, there was only 4 of us, so it’s not like the server had a huge table to deal with, or multiple checks or anything like that. I’ve spent the last two hours trying to get someone on the phone (when you call it just rings or goes straight to voice mail). So I’m not happy — will update when I get some type of resolution to this issue, but sadly, I will not be going back to the Banana Café again.

My friend and I were strolling along after some shopping in eastern market and came upon this place. The weather was lovely and this place has a pretty large patio so we decided to stop and enjoy a margarita and people watching.
Chips and salsa appeared on the table in reasonable time, which boded well. Then we ordered two basic margaritas which came separately, one after about 20 minutes and the next ten minutes later. The margs themselves were very average.
Even the 30 minutes it took to get our two margs might have been forgiven, had it not then taken an additional almost 30 before we could find someone to get us our check. (At first we were trying to order another round, but then we realized the service was so bad we decided just to get the check and move along.)
We loved the patio and atmosphere, if the service was better, we’d be back and it’d be a great spot, but as it stands now, it’s not great.

We came here on sunday for food, but what we got was much more. We tried the steak and fajitas. It was better than I expected. Everything was marinated to perfection. We also got a half pitcher of margaritas which was more than enough. The service was good but became a little annoying after asking us every five minutes if we were ok lol. After dinner we went upstairs to watch the game. We ordered drinks upstairs as well. We got the coronaritas and a few shots. The drinks were good and we also did karaōke which was great. We had a blast and will be back. As a tip, you cannot order food upstairs only apps and drinks.

I just enjoyed it love the restaurant love the food love the people love the atmosphere love the ambience I love the margaritas

Please see new review

Banana Café & Piano Bar first time visit and their Mofongo is the best I ever had! Exquisite food and friendly staff definitely recommend!

Great service and decent atmosphere, but the food was lacking. I visited recently and ordered the chicken tortilla soup. The soup was very bland and it was a chicken broth — based soup instead of the creamy chicken tortilla soup I’m used to. The soup was advertised as coming with avocado, but there was no avocado in my soup! It did taste very healthy, but it was too bland for my taste. I couldn’t even finish all of it.
But service was quick and attentive and friendly, and I really LOVED the house chips and salsa that they serve complimentary! I wouldn’t rule out visiting again, but I’m certainly not ordering the tortilla soup next time. I’d give it another try and order something else off the menu.

Visiting DC and looking for Cuban food off the beaten path. This is an easy walk from the Eastern Market Metro. The stuffed yuca is not to be missed! While it is certainly enough for sharing, we will each order our own next time because it is just so good! We ordered one of each of the beef and chicken Bistec a la Milanesa. Both were excellent though next time we will both order the chicken as it was extra tender and flavorful.
We were too early for live music in the upstairs piano bar but the happy hour drinks were nicely priced and the house margarita was good — can’t think of a reason not to go up after dinner!
The staff are down-​to-​earth and make the place feel warm and homey. The owner checked in with us a couple times during our meal. We will definitely come back when in DC.

Came here for karaōke. We walked past the main dining area towards the piano bar. Once upstairs, we entered a really small dining area consisting of a bar, a few tables, and a piano in the corner.
We ordered an appetizer and one drink each (we were two people). The stuffed yuca was delicious. The mojito and pomegranate margarita were okay. I wish their frozen margaritas were available because I feel like they would have been amazing.
I liked the pianist/​emcee. He’d mix playing music, singing and playing piano himself, and playing piano with the karaōke recording while people were singing. They had a clipboard to write your music selection (name, track title, track artist). I love this because that way you don’t have keep searching for the karaōke book.
I think I would’ve liked the place more if the frozen margaritas were available and if the space were slightly larger. I’m more partial to larger karaōke crowds so I was a tad disappointed there weren’t as many people there. However, the crowd was polite. The emcee was great. And the place gave off a relaxed vibe.
At one point the karaōke took a break and a mini-​dance party started. This was awkward because the space is super tiny, but it was a good way to manage time and add some entertainment variety.
I had fun, but objectively, it was an okay experience overall. I think that for the area it’s the best pick if you want to do something other than just drink or watch a game on tv.

I wanted to eat Puerto Rican cuisine, so I tried Banana Café with a friend on a busy Friday Night. The staff was attentive half of the time and polite, but never stopped to check on us once for the first 30 mins that we waited for our food to be done.
When the food did arrive, the veggies in the Vegetarian dish were undercooked and room temperature, and the rest of the food was bland, except for the Amarillos — they were delicious.
The Host did greet us in a timely manner, but the bartender completely ignored us even when I stood right in front of him, he never acknowledged us. His sangria blanca was really good though.
I would not come back, the restaurant was dirty, the menus were sticky, and the bathrooms were filthy. I don’t even want to know what the kitchen was like, since it is not under public scrutiny. At 9pm it was very noisy and there was a screaming baby, so plan for that if you decide to eat here.
I think a major issue is that the restaurant is understaffed during peak hours. Having a sufficient number of waiters and at least one busser would allow time to clean the bathrooms, check on guests, minimize wait time for food delivery, and allow the bartender to at least greet patrons that approach the bar.
I appreciate peak times and and a full restaurant of guests; however, I’ve worked in a restaurant for 3 years and in customer service more than 15 years, and this environment is an unpleasant experience for a guest patron.

I read the reviews, and expected to be impressed for a nice Sunday brunch in the Eastern Market area. However, the service was *extremely* slow, and it wasn’t even busy enough to justify it. The staff kept forgetting our food, check, drinks, repeatedly and it was frustrating.
The food also wasn’t particularly appealing. The salmon eggs benedict was very plain, and did not have a great taste. Additionally, the «sides» were barely there… (Picture attached)
The restaurant itself is dirty and unappetizing. Bathrooms dirty, smells weird… I almost feel like they need a health inspection or something.
Overall, would not recommend, but I get the feeling that your experience is tied to what dish you order.

I put 3 stars because no one was unpleasant but I really mean 2, which in my language means I will probably not go back… or maybe just for drinks.
A lot of noise, the food is not especially good, the service is just ok.
They do have a large outside area.

Came in on a Sunday morning for brunch. Not terrible but nothing memorable. Brunch specials are nothing to rave over. I got the huevos rancheros and my date got the fish tacos. We split a pitcher of margaritas — not a a delicious as they sounded.
The service was slow and the food mediocre. The breakfast was probably the best thing on the menu. We also weren’t greeted with complimentary chips and salsa, but every other table was.
Nothing special but convenient if your in the area. Decent sized patio but some other venues along the same street had way larger outdoor seating.

Sometimes you have been a restaurant so many times you can’t believe you haven’t rated it on Unilocal yet… that would be Banana Café for me. Banana is an office favorite and we often trek up here year round from our space at Navy Yard.
While kind, the service can be slow. We have had people place orders to go and waited 45 minutes for them. They have decent priced lunch specials on the menu. You will miss them unless you read the menu carefully. Dinner sized dishes you will need to split with a friend or ask for a box at the beginning.
The food is pretty standard. I have never found it to be super delicious or horrible. It is almost like comfort food made by a family member. It is good, but doesn’t invoke thoughts of warm beaches or prison, but rather a friend’s parent whipping up traditional Latin American foods.
In reply to the Business Owner’s comments — my review is just my honest take on the restaurant. I think ethnic comfort food is good, if you can associate it with your childhood and upbringing. It isn’t mine, so I am happy to enjoy it as an outsider. I don’t really have a favorite menu item as I have tried so much from the Cuban Picadillo to the Ropa Vieja to the Mofongo. Each item is unique and tastes good. I will always return to Banana Café and not just with the work group.

Things tasted today included:
–cod fritters
–seafood paella (my friend’s order)
–seafood mofongo
–sweet plantains
Cod Fritters
PROS
–super savory and tasty
–fell apart in your mouth with a good but not over-​powering seafood flavor
CONS
–too small and only five to share! If you have a party of five, that’s only one per person!
Seafood Paella
PROS
–large quantity
–great flavors
–good seafood to rice ratio
CONS
–I can’t really say for certain but this is pretty up there for flavor and authenticity.
Seafood Mofongo
PROS
–great portion size: definitely shareable for small to moderate eaters.
–good flavors in the meat and vegetables
CONS
–too heavy of a dish if you’re not starving: the fried plantains themselves were almost like a heavy potato paste.
–ratio of seafood to mofongo/​plantain paste is a little off given that the plantain bowl is so dense and starch-​heavy.
Fried Plantains
PROS
–great quantity
–not overcooked or over-​caramelized
CONS
–none
pictures at:

Old haunt revisited! We used to come here a lot. A lot a lot. It’s been years and years since our last triumphant return, a month or two back… «Triumphant?» you wonder, is that the right word? It is, epecially if you count among your triumphs, sloshing through many a pitcher of Margaritas. But the margaritas made with rum cause my mother-​in-​law hates tequila. Shrug. I’m all good with that Tropical Margarita made with Mount Gay Rum instead. No problem a’tallll… This time I just ordered a me proper tequila based Cadillac on the rocks. Was happy about that decision, too.
I’ve always loved checkin out the art here. Of course, after all this time, much of the colorful masks and paintings have been replaced with new works on their walls… all but you, «Sad Party Hat Kid with Balloon.» I remember you! I don’t remember your actual name, clearly, but I remember that somber face of yours at the party in the picture. Hollow eyes. Hello again, I’m happy to see you, even though apparently you cant gather the strength or joy to summon a smile at all, and you’re at a party. At a party, no less. You’re at a party. What did they do to you, dude?
I like that painting.
Look, I’m gonna put it to you plain, go for the Cuban and Puerto Rican food here. Banana Café offers Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Tex Mex dishes, and while I have nooooo problem with the Tex Mex side of things, the Caribbean dishes are the move. Though, I have to add, I am so very much in favor of those complimentary chips and salsa that start off the meal. I love that salsa, I do. And extra on everything. More on that later.
I’ll save you some reading time: Juicy, flavorful, delcious. Everything we enjoyed were that. Let me repeat those adjectives with abandon. Try the ceviche! It’s juicy, flavorful, and delicious. Let’s talk about Banana Café’s Ropa Vieja. That shreddy stewed beef was juicy, flavorful, and delicious. Same with the Pork Mofongo, man. I love plantains every kinda way. I know I repeat that to you constantly. It’s true though.
Hey, remember when I brought up the Banana Café’s salsa? That’s right, back six seconds ago. Even though all of these dishes are juicy, flavorful and delicious all up on their own, I stll ask for extra side salsa. I’m a constant extra sauce type, I’ll remind you. It’s so integral though, especially if you might wanna try the Caribbean vegetarian combo as your entrée. I love that thing too.
I used to order that dish all the time, as I was vegetarian for a lotta those DC area years. So good. Sweet, creamy tamal de elote, fried plantains, coool creamy guacamole, and my favorite favorite garlicky yuca con mojo, along with the prefect black beans and rice and lotsa lotsa of that juicy salsa.
SInce there were three of us this time and willing to splitski, we ordered em all: the ceviche, the ropa, the mofongo, and the vegetarian sampler and did it up family style on a Sunday afternoon. Ahhhh yeah, The Banana Café remains a tasty little spot for Caribbean specialties and drinks galore, and a tasty lil spot in muh heartbone for the nostalgia waves.
!Hey, also know that the upstairs piano bar is really fun too. There be specials up there: $ 2 off margaritas between 4:00 — 7:30, and many more drink deals happening t’boot!