Darbo Restaurant

Reviews

• A Z.

  star star star star star 1 July 2026

  The food tastes awesome. The portions are humongous, but what takes the cake are the complimentary stuff, you get free tea, soup and pineapple water. This is a great place to visit.
  Ambience is not great but the food more than makes up for it.

• Christopher G.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 24 June 2026

  Let me preface this review by saying I know and love African food. I was sorta excited to get to this place, seeing good reviews, but now I have no idea how this place get even marginal reviews.
  
  This place is in an old crappy building, in a crappy neighborhood, and crappy lot. The front door is non-functioning, you enter through the side door. Just follow the gross and black grease trail from it. Inside is no better...you can feel the grease underfoot or when you slide your chair. Decor would normally be okay, but this place is absolutely filthy. Dirty chairs, tables, walls, and even the ceiling was dirty. Menus were greasy and filthy as well...I had to wash my hands after holding them. A/C wasnt working well, so there is a big floor fan running in the dining area, but the biggest turn off was the dozens and dozens of flies. They were landing on our table, getting into our glasses, we were CONSTANTLY swiping them away. To get further grossed out, they had those disgusting yellow fly strips hanging in the dining area, full of dead or dieing flys. The men's room was equally disgusting. It only has room for 1, but there were about 10 of us in there...me, and 9 other flys.
  
  Service was good...you can only order 1 drink,  thats some sort of sweet mango Kool-aid that comes in a plastic beer pitcher, and a small plastic cup. Each customer gets a banana too, and both are automatically served.
  
  She got the chicken and lamb...chicken was dry, and the lamb was tough and fatty.
  
  I got the quarter chicken, that was very tender, but other than that, unremarkable.
  
  Both dishes came with lukewarm undercooked veggies and rice.
  
  So we finish, and box up the leftovers (most of our meals) and our server just awkwardly stands there by the table with his hands clasped. We look at each other, not really knowing what hes doing, so I say "Check please?" So he says "Oh, yes, of course." and starts using his fingers, mumbling numbers, then proclaims "25 dollars!" Really? No bill? No breakdown on what we are paying for?
  
  What a terrible, terrible experience. I have no idea how they stay in business, or are not shut down by the health department.
  
  We will not return.

• Brad R.

  star star star star star 24 June 2026

  One of the perks of living in Columbus is amazing ethnic restaurants like this. All of their food was incredible. So after you order your meal they have an amazing broth soup and chai tea on a table close to the kitchen. Both are incredible and things you must try. They also bring out pineapple juice in pitchers and it was actually real juice with pulp in it!
  
  As for food I ended up getting the curry goat and my wife got the grilled goat. Incredible flavor. Huge portions. Watch out that the goat has chunks of bone in it. The meals come with a huge plate of rice and plantains. They make their own hot sauce as well...and yes it is deceptively spicy as it has a green and creamy color. And every meal is under 12 dollars.
  
  This place is a steal! The owner is very friendly and mentioned he's owned this place for 10 years and has had the same cook the entire time. Definitely a place we'll go back to!

• Donna O.

  star star star star_border star_border 21 June 2026

  One of the great things about Columbus is the number and diversity of African restaurants. There is something for everyone, and in most cases, multiple options for any number of styles. If you are a little dubious about heading into a modest-looking African restaurant, know that you are going to be treated right. Darbo is no exception.
  
  The building is modest, but clean and bright. There is a TV showing football (soccer) news, and the staff are super friendly. There is complementary soup (!) and tea available near the kitchen, so you can enjoy a little goodness while you're waiting for your meal. The staff here are super-friendly and welcoming, and are quick to answer questions or make a recommendation. They also give you a complementary pitcher of juice if you're dining in.
  
  We came here for dinner, and were immediately greeted and seated. When I asked, "what's good today?" our server immediately asked what kind of food we liked (meat, rice, etc.) and told us, "don't worry, I'll bring you the best food!" We ended up with Chicken Ala Diabla (spicy chicken legs with rice and salad), Curry Goat, and Chicken Kalangal (grilled chicken). Feeling like something more American? They have regular grilled chicken, and chicken, beef and fish sandwiches.
  
  Everything was done nicely, and all the sauces brought out the flavors of the veggies and proteins, that all-day simmer you want in a stew or brushed over your grilled meat. HUGE portions, too - you know you've got two meals coming to you, and my diabla was just as good the next day.
  
  Yet another great Somali restaurant on Columbus' list.

• Alex N.

  star star star star star_border 11 June 2026

  One of many exceptional Horn of Africa restaurants in the vicinity. The free tea and soup are both delicious, as are the entrees. One order is probably enough for two people, but this food is prepared so perfectly that you'll want some to bring home! The rice here is a contender for the most flavorful I've ever had. Paired with the smoked meats and a banana, it's a taste combination unique to this cuisine. Skip the utensils and use your hands!