The Most Delectable Caribbean in Washington

Negril - Silver Spring

★★★★☆ 3.9 (389) • $

"Ordered the "Chicken Fricassee " w/ white meat only plus rice & peas ... it's plenty of delicious food ! I mean it's really delicious! It comes with some kind of dipping sauce (liquid) which adds a savory kick ! We buy from Negril somewhat often & will definitely be back! My mom got the curried chicken dinner w/ rice/peas and light cabbage ! She's full , quiet and very happy indeed ! Mission accomplished Negril!"

Mad Cow Grill - Brandywine

★★★★☆ 3.5 (66) • $$

"I've been supporting this establishment for years. First the Laurel location & now here in Brandywine. Some of my go to items are jerk salmon, curry shrimp, shrimp tacos, and the popular Rasta pasta... the herb coconut Parmesan sauce is yummy but I ask for light sauce now. Consistent Quality. In the interest of time, I place all my orders online. The staff is accommodating and Mad Cow is very friendly to the cycling community. My bike club has organized rides departing from both locations and we dined outside after the rides. One issue that can easily be addressed. I enjoy plantains but no longer order from here due to the shabby quantity. Mad cow charges $6 for a side and there are normally 5 or less pieces inside the cup. I won't run down the list of places that charge the same amount but you get much more. Aside from that, it's good! . Support!!"

Catherine's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (8)

"this spot saved my life today. I am a real estate agent and had been working all day without eating. I only had a small window of time to grab some food and stopped at CK. The fried whiting was fried lightly and not too greasy, the potato salad perfect, greens, string beans, mac and cheese , shrimp quesadillas - all delicious. Deanwood needs them here. They took me back to when i was a child growing up in NW DC i use to eat with my neighbors at a place called Goins on Georgia and Shepherd. I miss that place cause they are no longer there and Catherine's Kitchen gave me yummy reminders. I will be back."

Ocean Blui Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (68)

"Here's what we had:CURRY CHICKEN - Tender, flavorful, and delicious. Would definitely order again.OXTAIL - Savory and tender. Plenty of sauce and not super fatty, just not as flavorful as we hoped. Doubt I'd order it again.Each dinner entree includes two side items. We had RICE AND PEAS and FRIED CABBAGE with both. Next time, I'm definitely ordering an extra side of fried cabbage because it was really good.The portions were plentiful, so that's a plus. Everything smelled really good, so I was anxious to try it.The service was polite. We'll be back soon to try other items and beverages.__I eat. @f.huxI thrift. @DCthriftish"

The Society Restaurant and Lounge

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (721) • $$

"I HAD A BALL! I haven't been out in a "Club" setting for quite a few year (I'm embarrased to say) and i wasn't sure how it would make me feel. But it was nice, there was enough room for people to dance, talk, drink and even stand against the wall without getting bumped into. There are two levels and both of them had a different vibe. The drink are priced the way club drinks are priced, and they weren't as strong as I thought they would be. Even though I asked for a Patron Magarita I KNOW they added some rail Tequilla because I had a headache the next day. But its whatever, I enjoyed it when I was there!"

Africaribbean Taste

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (78) • $

"I've tried the curry goat, escovitch and fricassee chicken. All have been amazing, food Is fresh and employees are friendly. I like the touch of care they provide by letting me see the food prior to putting in the Togo bag."

Da Jerk House

★★★★☆ 4 (44) • $$

"Food 10/10 The chicken was delicious. The beef patty was flakey on the outside but savory with the perfect amount of heat!Service 10/10 there were 4 people with orders and one person behind the counter. There was no long wait after I made my order.Ambiance 10/10 there are several benches with tables outside. There are no tables inside. There are bars (against the wall) if you don't mind standing while you eat. The reggae music playing outside will definitely have the party lit. Everyone seemed happy to be there. I understood why after I finished my plate. I am so happy Da Jerk House is here! I plan eating my way through the menu! Won't you join me?"

Island Pride

★★★★☆ 3.5 (331) • $$

"It's a very popular and busy spot. Very delicious food choices, jerk chicken, jerk pork, curried chicken, beef and chicken patties, and much more. This is mostly a take put joint. Service is quick, depending on your order. Their prices are reasonable and good portions for the price. The staff is friendly and attentive. I recommend Island Pride."

Jerk at Nite

★★★★☆ 3.6 (68) • $$

"Jerk at Nite was a lovely experience in the city.To set the scene, it's on a corner unit on the H street block, and there's a to-go station that is outdoors.Parking was decent, I parked in the neighborhood and my friend found parking across the street.There is not really a fleshed out waiting area, so considering the busy nature of the restaurant, you're going to be a bit awkward, either waiting in your car, waiting in the cold, or standing up in the limited space in the restaurant.Our server was quick to share her perspectives on the dishes we inquired about, and showed pride in how jerk at nite differentiated themselves from other food spots.Now, to the meat and potatoes (pun intended)Me and a friend both got the tropical punch, along with a water. The tropical punch had a layered taste to it- you could definitely taste the passion fruit, mango and more. For both my friend and I, we agreed it was a little watery. It felt like either the result of a syrup based drink, or, a jungle juice type drink where there's ice in the jug, and it melts over time. I didn't think it was too big of a deal, as the degree of watery-ness didn't ruin it. 5/10The Mac & Cheese is an extremely affordable appetizer for the size of dish that you receive. There were 5 people in our party, and we were easily able to split two dishes of the Mac & cheese at $13 a piece. It was extremely seasoned (in a good way), and it didn't have a nasty consistency about it, which is my complaint with a lot of Mac & cheese's. 10/10.The jerk chicken pasta was seasoned TO THE GODS. The sauce was prevalent, but not overwhelming, and the cheese was a nice touch. There even was a kick of spice to each bite. 8/10.I didn't order the tacos, however, the tortilla has a nice char on it, which I appreciate. It didn't fall apart with each bite, and there were enough ingredients within each taco that you're getting a combination of flavors with each bite.Be careful- there was a 18% gratuity included automatically on our check, and our server didn't go out of her way to point it out. One of our friends ended up paying $10 extra, on top of the service charge. That and the tropical punch was the only reason I give Jerk at Nite on H street: 4/5 Stars."

Hot Pot Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (60)

"Let me get straight to the point....This is the best Jamaican food I've ever had.Period.The oxtails fell of the doggone bone y'all!!!And they were seasoned masterfully. Somebody in that kitchen knew exactly what they were doing! At other restaurants, they usually add too much clove or one spice is dominant above all others. The seasoning on these oxtails was perfectly balanced. The rice and peas were absolutely delicious. The rice was delightfully chewy and ever so slightly sweet. The shredded cabbage had the perfect mix of crunch and spice.And speaking of spicy, let's talk about this sorrel. I've never had sorrel with so much ginger. This drink has some BITE baby.... get you some of that!!The beef patty was flaky, a little spicy and very good. There was a little too much crust (or maybe not enough filling) for me, but it didn't take away from the taste at all.Aside from the incredible food, young lady behind the counter was very nice. Jamaican spots are not really known for their hospitality but it was great to get a plate of incredible food, minus the attitude.Aside from a few seats inside of the restaurant, there is also a small bar as well as a seating area outside with a fire pit. I might have to come back and bring my girls.This spot closes at 8:00 p.m. during the week (9:00 p.m. on Saturday), so make sure you get here in time to get you a plate of this deliciousness."

Little Island Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (102)

"Great portions, friendly staff, and the kind of hours that a Jamaican spot ought to have. Glad I found this place and I look forward to returning. They even had a spot for me to do an impromptu photo shoot while we waited!"

Caribbean Corner

★★★★☆ 3.9 (309) • $

"Finally got lucky and got in when they were open! I know their hours are unpredictable and I've tried multiple times to catch them but I was just so happy to get in the door. My barber recommended I try their jerk pork since it was a Friday and he described it as melt in your mouth.It took a second to see if anyone was even in the kitchen but someone must have heard me and took my order. Only took about 5ish minutes to get my order (only one in line). Food traveled very well, still hot when I got home. That pork is no joke, it was crispy, fatty, tender, and had a really good amount of jerk seasoning on it. Came with a load of rice and peas and some plantain. Really almost two regular sized meals only for under $12 (for the large).I really hope I can catch them when they're open, I need to try their oxtail if they're doing the jerk pork this good."

Agama Kitchen & Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (17)

"We met the owner in the neighborhood and he was so kind that we decided to stop by his restaurant. I am SO glad we did. From the outside, you could miss the place but once inside we saw two folks picking up catering orders. I now see why. The service was impeccable. The fish was enormous and wonderfully seasoned. We were asked about "our relationship to spice" and when we hesitated he offered to put the spicy sauce on the side (good move since it was really hot to me, kind of hot to my husband). The fish was so good that my husband barely touched the plantain and that's one of his favorite foods! We had jolof rice and as well which was pretty good (it doesn't compare to the amazing fish). We will certainly be back and we recommend you stop by soon."

Halfway Tree

★★★★☆ 3.6 (7)

"If you want the taste of authentic Jamaican food for a very reasonable price, Halfway Tree is the place for you. Everything I order is always delicious."

Shantoo Togetherness

★★★★☆ 3.8 (58) • $$

"It used to be a Pizza Hut location, so there was a lot of familiarity with the location. However, the food was really great! I like that the portion sizes are very generous too. There was quite a long wait, but as long as the food is good and made fresh, so I definitely didn't mind. I was here on a Sunday, and it seemed very family friendly for everyone to be comfortably served. It's also easily wheelchair accessible. Just has a slow paced home like feel to it, which is great."

LuvPlates Soul & Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (30) • $$

"This truck is outside my job every Tuesday. I always saw my coworkers getting food and I never went but today I decided to stop. I got a crab cake with Mac and cheese and the buffet and with that I got gumbo, greens and Mac and cheese. The food was delicious to me. The greens are cooked with turkey and seasoned just right. The customer service is amazing. They give out samples and have wonderful smiles. I will be back next week to try the jerk chicken and red deans and rice."

Jas & Fam Caribbean Flavor

★★★★☆ 3.8 (25)

"Small family business I discovered out of pure luck!!! I wanted a beef patty so bad and they didn't disappoint!!! Very moist, flaky and flavorful. So glad I decided to take a chance, it's always the spot you least expect to surprise you! Hubby got the curry chicken and I helped eat it haha it's that good! Will definitely be back!"

Tropicana Eatery

★★★★☆ 3.6 (129) • $$

"The food here is very good. I pick up food for my mom whom is very very particular about her food.. I've been here several times for the lunch special, which is really reasonably priced. My food order is always correct, as well as the food is always hot and fresh. Ordering by phone is a breeze."

Bammy's Modern Caribbean

★★★★☆ 4 (254) • $$

"The view of the river is so beautiful but the food was even better!We got the jerk wings, Plantains and spicy beef patties. Everything was really delicious, with fantastic flavors and just the right amount of spice. I got a strawberry Long Island ice tea which was great and not too sweet. During happy hour it's on sale for $8. Even though I paid full price it was worth it. The server was very helpful and attentive especially Dre who kept coming back to make sure everything was good. I can't say enough good about this place. Great food! Good drinks! Beautiful location! Great service!"

Jerks of the Caribbean

★★★★★ 4.6 (33)

"All the employees were really friendly! Food was soo good and flavorful! Would be here all the day if I lived nearby. I got the 1/4 jerk chicken with coleslaw and corn. The chicken was super juicy with tons of good flavor, the coleslaw was probably the best I've ever had, and the corn was also delicious!"

Nativo Coffee Shop

★★★★★ 4.7 (23)

"Inside the food hall The Square, Nativo is a go-to coffee shop that creates Latin-inspired coffee and food. Meeting a friend here on a Friday, Nativo's barista was very friendly and seemed passionate about introducing people to Nativo's coffee.The Cafe Bombon was very good. It comes with sweetened condensed coconut milk and nutmeg.The breakfast arepa hit the spot too. It comes with a fried egg, cheese, and a very tasty green sauce. I added bacon to it.Nativo also has sparkling water out for guests, seating, and a little book shelf with books for guests."

Sweet Sweet Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (83)

"The food here is amazing. Sweet Sweet Kitchen is a small African/Caribbean restaurant that offers authentic Caribbean & West African food. You will be hooked on your visit. I literally came on a Friday came back on Saturday. My favorite dishes include the Cassava Leaf, this was actually my first time trying this dish. I love the curry chicken and the oxtail is fall off the bone good. I want to try the curry goat and the snapper next but I keep getting the curry chicken. Parking is limited. There are a few tables to enjoy your meal at this location. Prices are big higher then most Caribbean spots, but totally worth it. All the food is halal/kosher."

Queensway Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (18)

"Queensway is what Bowie has been missing in terms of diverse food offerings. We have so many chain restaurants, but where are the mom and pop spots!I have been mourning the loss of Cetrone's Pizza on Old Annapolis Road for some time, but was intrigued when I realized Queensway was opening over there. This place is carryout style and they offer Caribbean and West African dishes. I usually get oxtail or curry goat, but I substitute the white rice with jollof rice and add a meat pie. They have so many offerings like fufu, fish pepper soup, tripe, and more! The food is made fresh so I make sure to call in my order 15-20 minutes before I'm ready to pick it up."

De-Ranch Restaurant

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (58) • $$$

"The Cassava Leaf Soup was . The Chef poured a generous amount on top of my chicken and Jollof Rice. They definitely give you a good portion for your money.De Ranch has 3 different areas. One is the dining room. The dining room gives you an antic afri-cuisine feel when you enter. The lounge gives you reggae vibes. The main area is where you order your food. The main area is also a bar with a heavy selection of alcoholic beverages.If you want African, Caribbean or American food. De Ranch can service you!"

Judy's Island Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (490) • $$

"This was my first time eating here which I ordered from Uber eats. I felt the price was a little expensive for a regular size meal. I ordered oxtails rice and peas with sweet plantains. The plantains were on point just the way I like it. The oxtails which is one of my favorite foods to eat weren't tender at all. Each one was a little tough. The rice wasn't cooked the best . But overall the flavoring was a little spicy which is a plus for me."

Reggae Vibes Qzine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (57)

"This place is on the corner of Georgia and Eastern Avenues and is hard to miss with its colorful island colors, Jamaican flag and pictures of food on the wall outside of the restaurant. I ordered the Jammin' Jerk platter (chicken, fried plantain, rice 'n' peas) and a side of steamed cabbage via Door Dash. My pickup time kept being extended on the app, so I decided to just show up to the restaurant to collect my order after thirty minutes. My order was ready and one of the employees explained that there was something wrong with their system. I wondered why they didn't call to update me, but the female employee who greeted me was pleasant, so I didn't make a fuss. The chicken tasted like baked chicken; no jerk flavor. I didn't appreciate the taste of cloves in the rice and peas. The plantains were sweet and delicious. The cabbage had a nice smell, but something on them -- not sure if it was butter or oil -- didn't sit well with me and I wasn't able to finish it. The portion size was large enough for two meals.2.5"

Caribbean Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (153) • $$

"I can always appreciate the good authentic Jamaican cuisine that's served up here. I used to indulge in the lunchtime buffet prior to the pandemic since it was nearby to my place of employment. The brethren always welcome me with a smile and are eager to take my order. I ordered a trio of boiled dumplings, rice and peas and cabbage. My order came out quickly and I was on my way."

Jerk House Eatery

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (53)

"So authentic. True Jamaican taste. Great service and pleasant atmosphere. Love going back again and again"

Jamaican Breeze

★★★★☆ 4 (46) • $$

"Jamaican Breeze is located in a food hall, it's pretty much the only restaurant that gets any business. Jamaican Breeze offers authentic Jamaican cuisine. The food is flavorful and bold. I tried the beef patty, so good, you can tell these are made fresh and not frozen. The goat and oxtail are also must try's, fall off the bone good. I highly recommend the dumplings and the Mac and cheese as sides. The food is super filling but a bit expensive, we spent almost $70 however it was worth every penny. There is plenty of street parking and the staff are friendly."

D&D Caribbean Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (44) • $$

"Awhile back one of my Yelp compatriots suggested I try this place and sadly it took awhile for me to make it there. But, today the hubby and I stopped by to have lunch and we both give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.I ordered curry goat because, um, I am me. My husband ordered curry chicken. We each got a very generous portion loaded with meat atop rice & peas, with a cabbage vegetable medley and a couple slices of plantain. Everything was very good, which is a relief since this portion is about 4 meals worth for my appetite. I think I like the veggies here the best of the veggies at the other Caribbean restaurants in the area. The curry goat was on point, good flavor, though not quite as spicy as I am used to. It does still have some heat though. And did I mention how much meat they gave me, it wasn't all bones or skin. Lots of delicious curry to seep into the rice & peas. The plantains aren't candied or super soft, but they add a teeny bit of sweet to the mix. Prices would seem on the high side if I weren't going to get several meals out of it. The card prices were a couple percent more than the cash prices; curry goat 26 instead of 25 etc. so if you carry cash use it here.It isn't a place for ambience; even ordering dine in it comes in the takeout box, but that is fine because we knew we would take most of it home and we didn't come for date night.Food was ready in about 10 minutes plus or minus.All in all a solid choice especially if you don't want it super spicy."

Andrene's Soul Food & Caribbean Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (339) • $$

"I absolutely love Andrene's Soul Food & Caribbean Cafe. I ran across this spot on the humble. I was in the area because the traffic was detoured. I had a taste for Caribbean cuisine so decided to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did. I had the chicken curry and my son had the curry goat and oxtails. It was BOMB!!! This is my new spot. I had been looking for a good spot since Sweet Mango closed."

Jamaica Mi Crazy Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3 (22)

"First a review of my experience and then a few comments about the 1-star reviews. I am a regular on the Schaeffer Farms mountain bike trails and I have regularly enjoyed getting food at La Casita after a nice trail ride, however today I was in the mood for something different. I stumbled upon Jamaica Mi Crazy and decided to give it a try. Many times when I go to a new place that is owner-operated, I ask them "what should I order if you want me to come back again?" (meaning, give me your best dish). In this case it was oxtail with peas and rice and cabbage. After coming back to pick it up, I decided to take a little taste in the car before driving away, I expect ed to take just one bite, but then...."WOW!" It was so good that I sat in the driver's seat and ate the entire take away box! The oxtail was succulent, the peas and rice had completely flavor and the cabbage was also very well seasoned. Overall a 10/10 and a great meal. I will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes. Now, that being said...I can see why there are some 1-star reviews. It is a small take away restaurant that is less than a year old. I assume they have been hard hit as wave after wave of the pandemic impacted not only the flow of customers, but also the prices of staple ingredients. In fact, the menu prices had just gone up (as there was paper covering the original prices). I empathize with the owners and I am sure at times they have stretched the food a bit longer than they should, so I recommend that new customers address this up front with the owner and ask "what is fresh?" I will encourage the owner to reply to all negative yelp reviews as any good owner should to show that they are listening and improving their service. I will also encourage the owner to have some lower-priced options on the menu. You can go to Mi Castia and get a $4 pupusa which is definitely enough for a meal for one person. in this economy every restaurant needs to have a go to staple that will bring customers in and make them feel good about the value that they are getting for their money.I highly encourage giving Jamaica Me Crazy a try and send me a DM to let me know what your experience was."

Jamaican Country Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (68) • $$

"One love one love!!! Let's get together and feel alright!!! That's the song that popped into my head when I walked into this restaurant and smelled the vibrant aroma of Jamaican cuisine cooking! I placed my order over the phone, and I was greeted by warm and welcoming customer service upon my arrival.My order was ready upon walking in, and I checked out with ease. Now onto the deliciousness! I ordered a Small Jerk Wing platter, and I also grabbed a homemade pineapple ginger juice! When I got home I was so excited and ready to dig in!Upon opening the jerk wing platter I was delighted at how generous the restaurant was with the portions! I drizzled some pepper sauce over the food that I asked for on the side, and took my first bite into the wings and WOO LAWD!!! My eyes lit up like a Las Vegas slot machine!!! The jerk seasoning coupled with the grill char of the wings was enough to make me want to jump for joy! The sweetness of the plantains, coupled with the crunchy texture of the cabbage, as well as the delicious comfort of the rice and peas!!! This entree was so delicious that I could not help but finish it all in one sitting!I was so amazed at the food! The pineapple ginger juice was also freshly made and complimented the vibrant flavors of the food very well! I am honestly reliving the moments as I write this review! When you have delicious food like this, it makes you look forward to trying more food from the restaurant in the future.Check this place out! You are truly in for a treat! Cheers to good eats!"

Tropicana Eatery

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (132) • $$

"Can we all say "yo-man" on the count of 3. While visiting the Island Bwoy Cuisine the Chef asked if I wanted to grab some lunch @ a tiny Jamaican restaurant not far from his place. Located in a strip mall this unassuming place serves one of the best for this style cuisine. Since Chef Mark is a frequent customer & from the island, they put together a variety of items for us. Pictured at the top was the Goat stew which was over the top, along with the jerk chicken, oxtails, the staple rice and cabbage and tiny bite size portions of plantains. Everything was fabulous and having never eaten goat stew - that in itself was amazing. One knows when an ethnic restaurant knows how to cook as the meat off the oxtails and goat just fell off the bone with savory flavors coupled with the sauces. 5 solid stars for this small business and hope work sends me back to this area!"

SaPoDilla's

★★★★☆ 3.7 (120) • $$

"My fiancé is Guyanese, so this place has been on our "to eat" list since we found out about it a few months ago.What we had:*OXTAIL STEW DINNER w/ RICE + PEAS*JERK GRILLED SALMON DINNER w/JASMINE RICE + FRIED CABBAGE*FRIED PLANTAINS (side)Everything was made to order, so there was a wait. I was the only customer there at the time, so it wasn't too bad -- 15-20 minutes, tops. My order was piping hot, so I didn't mind at all.Pricier than I expected, but it was good. I'm fairly new to eating Caribbean food and don't have much to compare it to restaurant-wise, so these prices might be standard. I'll be back soon to check out some of the other items and hopefully catch the lunch special.**There's also an event space next door for hosting and catering functions.__I eat. @f.huxI thrift. @DCthriftish"