Discover an island oasis just steps from NoMa’s Union Market. Everything about Coconut Club DC is designed for peak #instagram moments. From their punchy tropical drinks to the vibrant mural done in the restaurant’s signature teal and pink colors, it’s clear that this restaurant is perfect for snapping trendy food pics. But the most important question remains – does the food live up to the hype? I stopped by for dinner recently with a group of friends to decide for myself.
The Drinks
While we might not be on island time, the current weather is feeling just as hot and sticky in DC. We started off with a round of drinks to cool down immediately after arriving. The drink menu at Coconut Club DC boasts a number of fun, island-inspired cocktails as well as its namesake – a freshly cracked coconut.
The Food
When it comes to food, Coconut Club DC is all about sharing. The menu is made up of shareable, tapas-style plates – perfect for trying a variety of dishes. For a classic seafood start, try the fresh poke served with lotus root chips. We also got an order of the grilled baby bok choy, which we, unfortunately, found a bit bland and under-seasoned.
Spam lovers rejoice! An entire section of the menu is lovingly dedicated to the infamous canned meat, including an open-faced musubi, fried rice, and a patty melt. At the recommendation of our server, we went with the spam fried rice that came with a soft egg, crispy shallots, and sprinkles of furikake.
And for the grand finale: the kalua pork lazy susan! Served on a mini lazy susan, this big plate comes with warm King’s Hawaiian rolls, pickles, green onions, crispy shallots, and – of course – a big bowl of tender kalua pork. This might be my nostalgia for those sweet Hawaiian rolls talking, but it was definitely my favorite dish of the night. The pork was delicious and we all had a great time assembling our own mini sandwiches.
Coconut Club DC: The Verdict
Whether you’re looking for tasty small plates, tropical cocktails, or a trendy aesthetic, the island vibes are in full force at Coconut Club DC! Looking for an island brunch getaway instead? You’re in luck! Coconut Club just began rolling out its weekend brunch menu, featuring a much-anticipated loco moco plate.
Coconut Club DC, 540 Penn Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, Website
