New York City is home to over 200 different cultures, making it an ideal place for both tourists and locals to explore their culinary horizons.
While some of these cuisines are easy to spot as they are constantly on the menus at every restaurant, other cultures have been more elusive until recently. One such culture is that of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is a beautiful collection of islands; some are smaller, and some are larger, but they all share a similar culture, one that is defined by their culinary heritage.
It’s really exciting to see the Caribbean like this make its way onto more menus, and it’s even more exciting to see the prevalence of these cuisines throughout New York City! You’d be surprised at how many Caribbean restaurants are in New York City.
Here are 15 Best Caribbean Restaurants in New York City
1. Negril Village
- 70 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Contact: +1 212-477-2804
- Visit website
A 3-minute walk from Washington Square Park, Negril Village is a local joint serving authentic Jamaican and East Indian food.
The menu features many interesting dishes, and the restaurant is packed with locals, especially on weekends.
Despite the busy crowds, you’re guaranteed to have friendly service, one of Negril’s most important values.
The ambiance is modern and tasteful, and with live music on the weekends led by a sound engineer, they make the best of it!
My favorite meal at Negril Village was their jerk chicken, a dish that is hard to get right, but they nailed it!
The meat is full of flavor, and the sauce is just the right balance, not too sweet and not too spicy either.
I also found the jerk chicken to be comparable with my favorite roti around town, which made me very happy!
There are many other dishes on their menu like curries, stir-fries, and oxtail; however, I only ordered their jerk chicken when I went.
2. Miss Lily’s 7A Cafe
- 109 Avenues A, New York, NY 10009, United States
- Contact: +1 212-812-1482
- Visit website
Miss Lily’s is a very popular spot in the East Village and is an absolute must-try when you visit the area, especially if you want to get your Caribbean fix!
This Jamaican restaurant is one of New York City’s most authentic restaurants, and their jerk chicken is said to be even better than Negril Village.
The prices are very affordable, and like many other restaurants in New York City, they offer delivery.
Their island cocktails are also very reasonable and delicious! My favorite cocktail was Captain Morgan (Miss Lily’s signature drink) which had just the right level of sweetness and flavor.
It is a must-try not only for their brown stew chicken but also because their food is authentic, well priced, and delicious!
3. Freda’s Cuisine
- 993 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
- Contact: +1 917-409-3689
Looking for hearty Caribbean soul food? You’re in luck. Freda’s cuisine is one of the best places for it on the island!
The menu includes many classic Caribbean dishes like escoveitch fish and lobster, but they also serve roti wraps and chicken thighs, which adds to their diverse menu.
The interior is modern and classy with delicious food that is fun and great value for money. This Caribbean restaurant is a true hidden gem!
My family and I devoured the oxtail dish, which was incredibly tasty and hearty. The fish protein was incredibly soft and perfectly cooked. The roti-wrapped fish was also a favorite in my family!
4. Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine
- 371 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
- Contact: +1 646-964-5337
- Visit website
If you’re a fan of roti wraps and don’t know where to get them in New York City, Jasmine’s would be the place for you!
Located in the heart of Harlem, this Caribbean restaurant serves both traditional Jamaican dishes and roti wraps.
Their roti wraps are made with homemade spiced dough and have a warm buttermilk dipping sauce.
They offer three different types of roti wraps, ranging from chicken to pork, and they are all delicious.
The roti dough is soft and chewy with an excellent crust. Each dish is made from scratch by their chefs in-house and served with the most delicious sauces on the island.
I loved the jerk chicken wrap, which was very flavorsome but tasted like jerk chicken. I also devoured fish and chips wrap, which was very filling and tasty!
The prices are very reasonable compared to other local roti wraps bars, and the portion sizes are generous.
Whether you’re looking for authentic Jamaican food or roti wraps, this Caribbean restaurant is a must!
5. Caribbean Starr
- 280 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027, United States
- Contact: +1 917-261-7669
- Visit website
Looking for a reggae brunch vibe? It is the place that you’re looking for!
Caribbean Starr was opened by reggae star Freddie McGregor and is a Caribbean restaurant that serves delicious Jamaican food.
The ambiance is as relaxed as their menu, with an upbeat, casual yet elegant vibe. The menu is an extensive collection of West Indian and Jamaican dishes, with the most popular being their jerk chicken.
The best part about this restaurant is its brunch, accompanied by a wide selection of dishes from classic favorites to healthier options.
I had their ackee and codfish, which was incredible! Ackee and codfish are two traditional Jamaican dishes with an interesting flavor combination.
Overall, their food is delicious with fresh ingredients that are well cooked, which makes for a unique dining experience in New York City.
Their cocktail selection is also amazing and very authentic. I loved the red stripe, which had a great taste of cherry and ginger, perfect for a sunny day in New York!
This Caribbean restaurant is a must-go-to for authentic Jamaican cuisine, delicious brunch with reggae vibes, and an excellent cocktail selection.
6. Omar’s kitchen and Rum bar
- 29A Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, United States
- Contact: +1 646-866-6993
- Visit website
Looking for a great Rum bar in New York City? Here it is!
This Caribbean restaurant is located in Harlem and filled with Cuban, Cuban American, and Puerto Rican customers. Their specialty is rum, so you’ll love coming here after a night out at the clubs!
The Caribbean dishes are authentic and delicious! I loved their various styles of platters, which range from the classic jerk chicken to curries and other delicious dishes.
They are also located within walking distance from the Apollo theater, so a trip to New York City’s most legendary venue would not be complete without checking out this Caribbean restaurant!
The decor inside is also unique, with loud and colorful, very inviting decorations. I highly recommend checking this place out if you want authentic Caribbean cuisine in New York City!
7. Tings
- 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
- Contact: +1 646-928-0095
Located in the Chelsea market, this Caribbean restaurant is a must-try! The food is reasonably priced, and the ambiance is casual and hip.
The wings are delicious, the portions are generous, and the prices are affordable, not to mention the portion sizes. The grilled jerk salmon was also very flavorsome and cooked to perfection.
Their wide delicious menu ranges from traditional Jamaican dishes and oxtails to various desserts, and the quality is exceptional!
In addition to their food, the atmosphere inside is fabulous with vibrant colors and thoughtful decorations. I loved the thoughtfulness of their interior design!
I highly recommend this Caribbean restaurant if you want good wings and Jamaican cuisine in New York City!
8. Island bites
- 2107 1st Ave., New York, NY 10029, United States
- Contact: +1 646-850-8855
You will find Island Bites in East Harlem, and their Jamaican cuisine is delicious!
Their menu mixes traditional Jamaican dishes like oxtails and jerk chicken and other popular Caribbean dishes like oxtails, curries, and roti wraps. Their food is very flavorsome, tender, and well cooked.
Due to the mixed crowd in this restaurant, one can expect a wide variety of food, which is great for those with specific dietary requirements.
I loved the bbq chicken, the jerk chicken, and the prawns, which were all served hot, juicy, and beautifully spiced.
The prices are very reasonable compared to other Jamaican restaurants in New York City, especially alongside their generous portions.
Island Bites also offers a wide selection of dishes, ranging from curries to oxtails. I highly recommend this Caribbean restaurant for both Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine!
9. Wats on your plate
- 513 W 145th St, New York, NY 10031, United States
- Contact: +1 212-234-4411
- Visit website
This Caribbean restaurant is located in Harlem and serves some of the most delicious oxtail and curry chicken I’ve ever tasted. The ambiance is relaxing, casual, and Caribbean.
This Caribbean restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes ranging from various fish to prawns to oxtails, traditional Jamaican dishes like roast breadfruit, curries, rice and peas, and much more.
The food offered here is delicious and well cooked with the right amount of spice, incomparable to other Caribbean restaurants.
My friend and I devoured the oxtail and curry chicken, which were succulent and delicious.
The portion sizes were also very generous, with more than enough food to satisfy your hunger.
I highly recommend this Caribbean restaurant if you want some Jamaican cuisine in New York City!
10. Imani
- 271 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States
- Contact: +1 718-923-0100
- Visit website
This Caribbean restaurant is located in Brooklyn, and the food served is authentic and delicious.
The Caribbean dishes are very different from others and include Roasted pork with cranberry sauce, curried cassava, stewed green bananas, fried fish, roti wraps, jerk chicken, baked fish, and more!
The food is very flavorsome with various spices that are great for a wide range of palates. I particularly loved housemaid hot sauce, a unique Caribbean hot sauce with great flavor and taste.
The ambiance is very warm, and they have excellent customer service. The interior decor is also very creative, with various African artifacts dotted around the restaurant, giving it a unique character.
11. BK 9
- 62 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
- Contact: +1 718-789-2176
- Visit website
BK 9 is a very different Caribbean restaurant in Brooklyn and is probably one of the best new restaurants in New York City.
The restaurant is located slightly out of the way, but it is well worth the trip!
The food here is cooked to perfection with authentic Caribbean flavors, seasoned with just the right amount of spice.
The portions are generous, and you’ll leave this place extremely full! Their extensive cocktail list is also worth checking out, especially the rum punch! I loved the food here, and you will not be disappointed with your visit.
I highly recommend this Caribbean restaurant if you want some happy hour Caribbean food in New York City!
12. Negril BK
- 256 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
- Contact: +1 347-721-3801
- Visit website
This funky chic bar Caribbean restaurant is located in Brooklyn and serves Jamaican and Caribbean food!
The interior decor is unique, with a modern twist on classic Caribbean decor, including lots of bright colors. The vibe inside is very relaxed and casual.
Negril Bk is updated Caribbean cooking, and their signature cocktails are worth checking out!
Their menu includes delicious dishes like parmesan-crusted chicken, curry goat, oxtails, and jerk chicken.
Their food is extremely flavorful with just the right amount of spices. I loved the beef patties and the jerk chicken!
My favorite dish was shrimps in garlic sauce, served with a bartender’s special cocktail, “Rude Boy,” a mixture of various rums, which was extremely delicious!
13. Mama’s
- 2347 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, United States
- Contact; +1 212-410-4210
- Visit website
Located next to Island Bites, Mama’s serves some of the best Caribbean food in New York City. The interior decor is unique and quirky, with unique African artifacts decorating the walls, giving it a unique character.
The food was excellent and was cooked to be moist, succulent, and flavorsome. It was delicious but not overly saucy, spicy hot, or over seasoned, perfect for this cuisine.
I particularly enjoyed their stewed mackerel and jerk pork, which had a nice kick from the spices.
Mamas also serve a wide array of dishes, ranging from family specials breakfast and dishes such as roast chicken, lamb chops, and jerk shrimp.
You should visit this Caribbean restaurant if you want some aromatic Caribbean fusion cuisine in New York City!
14. Kingston
- 218 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026, United States
- Contact: +1 646-861-1082
- Visit website
The extended warmth of Jamaican and Caribbean islands is what you get when dining here. The food is outstanding, the staff was very friendly, and the place has a warm, welcoming atmosphere!
The ambiance is nice and clean. Kingston has tables and booths for seating, which are comfortable enough to relax, converse, or eat.
I was there on a Thursday night, and the place was not too packed.
The happy hour got my attention, good music, mimosa, and good drinks. I ordered the Rasta pasta, which was very delicious.
My order came with an appetizer which was so filling. It is an excellent place if you want some Caribbean cuisine in New York City!
15. Caribbean soul
- 234-04 Merrick Blvd, Rosedale, NY 11422, United States
- Contact: +1 718-712-1106
- Visit website
If you are looking for a place for birthday parties, a romantic occasion, a wedding anniversary, or just a place for authentic food and drinks, then the Caribbean soul is the place for you!
Located in Rosedale on Merrick Blvd, the Caribbean soul is a small yet beautiful restaurant with incredibly friendly staff and delicious food!
Their cuisine is delicious, and I particularly loved the jerk chicken and roast beef. The food is authentic, and the service is extremely warm and welcoming. The interior decor is beautiful, with African artworks dotted around the restaurant.
The Caribbean soul has a great atmosphere, and I highly recommend this Caribbean restaurant if you want some authentic Caribbean vibe in New York City!
Final Thoughts
Caribbean food is among the best cuisine in New York City. It possesses a certain kind of warmth only experienced in places like Jamaica and New York City.
New York City has a lot to offer. If you’re looking for authentic Caribbean food, you have found the right place!
Happy Dining, I hope this article was helpful; in case we missed any restaurants, kindly comment below.
