DJONDJON

Dined in for brunch and it was amazing! I recommend the French toast ( any flavor) and the shrimp grits ( which is really cornmeal) it was delicious! And the drinks were yummy and STRONG! 10/10 I would recommend! Oh and the service was excellent! Emmanuel was my waiter and he was so nice!

Jayda was absolutely the sweetest! I enjoy the food and drinks as they were very flavorful. Great portion size. We had a the coconut shrimp, mussels, voodoo pasta, fish of the day, kabrit en sauce w/ black rice, and finished off with the sweet potato cake and ice cream (which was not too sweet, perfect for us)! Great chill atmosphere, but we also went on a Tuesday around 6pm! Definitely will be back!

Food, at its core, is a vessel for history and memory. When you step off Nostrand Avenue into Djon Djon, the immediate sensory experience is an emotional entry point into Haitian identity. The dining room greets you with an enveloping, delicious aroma and a beautifully curated, relaxed decor. Soft music plays at a volume that respects conversation, and there is a palpable sense of anticipation for the community space it becomes, evidenced by the live band setting up just as the evening draws to a close. This is an establishment that clearly understands its role as a cultural touchstone in Brooklyn, interacting with its neighborhood not just as a business, but as a host for shared heritage.<br><br>The culinary journey began with the Chiktay. This dish of shredded and sauteed codfish, tossed with vibrant green and red peppers and onions, was an absolute triumph. Served alongside perfectly prepared plantains, the execution was casual in presentation but masterful in flavor. Every bite was wonderfully seasoned, balancing the savory depth of the fish with the sharp, aromatic crunch of the peppers. It is the kind of traditional comfort food that instantly connects the diner to a sense of home and belonging.<br><br>Unfortunately, the momentum faltered slightly with the main courses. The Djon Djon Paella is a beautiful concept on paper, utilizing the iconic, earthy black rice that gives the restaurant its name. While the seasoning of the rice itself was commendable, the dish overall felt incomplete. It lacked the rich, flavorful Creole sauce promised on the menu, leaving the plate dry, and the kitchen was far too conservative with the seafood allotment, offering only a sparse scattering of mussels and shrimp.<br><br>Redemption was partially found in the Kabrit en Sauce. The classic Creole sauce accompanying this stewed goat was nothing short of spectacular, boasting a deep, seasoned complexity that was so good it had to be poached from across the table to salvage the dry paella. The accompanying Macaroni au Gratin was equally marvelous, rich, comforting, and beautifully baked. However, the goat meat itself fell short of expectations. It was noticeably tough, missing the tender, melt in your mouth texture that only comes from a long, patient braise. The flavors and intention are entirely there, but the execution requires more time on the stove.<br><br>The physical space is immaculately kept in the dining area, though a late visit to the restroom revealed a complete lack of toilet paper, a frustrating oversight for an establishment at this price point. Djon Djon sits on the more expensive side of casual Brooklyn dining, which makes the service shortcomings harder to overlook. Throughout the night, the staff was largely inattentive, requiring effort to flag down for basic needs. Compounding this frustration is the restaurant's policy of automatically adding the tip to the bill, a practice that rarely sits well with diners, especially when the service lacks attentiveness.<br><br>Ultimately, Djon Djon possesses a beautiful soul, an inviting atmosphere, and a kitchen capable of delivering truly delicious, aromatic Haitian flavors. If the kitchen can ensure its meats are consistently tender and its paella properly sauced, and if the front of house can elevate its attentiveness to match the premium prices, it would easily be a flawless destination. For now, it remains a culturally vibrant, highly promising spot with excellent seasoning that just needs a bit more care in its daily execution.

Gia and Erica were amazing hostesses! The food was so flavorful and exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend the black rice paella! We will be back very soon

We had a reservation at another restaurant that closed and we came to Djon Djon and they immediately put us down for a reservation. The communication and service was excellent. Our server Emmanuel was very accommodating. The food was delicious. I had a great mother's day.

First time here and really enjoyed the food! First time having a salt fish chiktay which was amazing! Nice vibe with a live jazz band. Will definitely come back with family and friends!

This is a nice place. It’s my second time coming here. It’s quiet and not too crowded during lunchtime, but it can get busy at night on the weekends. The drink was good, and the food was good too. I ordered wings and pâté kode, which filled me up since it comes with three. The pâté kode was pretty good. Since this place is close to my house, I’ll probably come back to try more of the food. Great place for a date or to hang out with friends.

I had the Kabrit Boukkanen (goat meat) and it was amazing, very tender and seasoned well. There are pickled onions on top as well that help contrast the flavors. I'd highly recommend it.

Came to this place randomly on a Saturday and was able to get served by Gia. What a wonderful experience! The food is absolutely wonderful, incredibly flavorful and filling. Gia was incredibly accommodating and kind! It’s a Haitian cuisine and it was incredible. We traveled to Brooklyn from NJ for a fun Saturday and will happily return here easily anytime! If you’re new to Haitian food this will also be a great place to give a try for your first time, so many options!

The layka spaghetti and the Milo sandwich were amazing! We loved our server Elijah! We did the bottomless mimosa brunch and loved the live music during brunch. Also loved the kremas cocktail! We will be back in the summer time and for the jazz nights on Thursdays and Sundays!

Came to celebrate News Year Day and have traditional Haitian Dinner to start the new year right. It was a wonderful experience and the food was amazing. Our ride from Rockland County to BK was well worth the drive and we will be back again

Great service, the food was very good. On a very busy night we were promptly seated and very well taken care of. A good introduction to Haitian culture through the culinary talent of the chef/owner. Will definitely recommend.

It was amazing experience with Gia as the hostess - she was very kind and hospitality with a great sense of humor! I love coming here for authentic Haitian food and culture even more so on Independence Day. I love supporting them as they give out free small bowls of soup joumou for everyone the day of. Outside of that, the food is delicious from the appetizers to the drinks. Highly recommend especially for my Haitian diasporic folk trying to get more in touch.

The food and service were really good. We had a good time. The music was a little loud but since there was a DJ playing so the music was good. Jolissa was our server and she was great ! I would definitely come back and totally recommend.<br>Mwen sonje peyim !

Food was excellent. It feels like the food is organically cooked, with good attention to detail, making for a very good presentation and experience.<br><br>I got the beef blood sausage, and DjonDjon paella. Blood sausage was nicely juicy and flavored, the tomatoes and sauce paired very nicely, adding a nice touch of acidity and sweetness. The DjonDjon paella is nice and satisfying. It is not boldly flavored, which meant I could eat a lot of it in one sitting without feeling overwhelmed.<br><br>The atmosphere is nice, like casual fine dining. I highly recommend giving this place a try, I will certainly be back.