Pittsburgh is a metropolis with a variety of ethnic restaurants. The city has several Jamaican restaurants that you can try. Some of them are large with a bar area, whereas others are small joints for a quick bite to eat. Which Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh should you go to? Below we have listed nine of the best restaurants in the area for Jamaican cuisine.
1. Kaya
With dramatic lighting and unique menu items, Kaya is an eclectic restaurant to eat at in Pittsburgh. Delicious items on the menu include jerk chicken, conch fritters, fried chicken, jerked pork and plantain nachos, and Caribbean flank steak stir fry.
It’s a good Jamaican restaurant for dates or when you want to relax and take your time eating. On average, customers spend 1-2 hours at Kaya, and the peak wait time is around 30 minutes. Kaya has a bar area and offers happy hour food and drinks.
During happy hour, you can receive 50% off on alcoholic drinks. You can make reservations and buy gift cards at the restaurant as well. Kaya has been in business for over 20 years.
Address: 2000 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
2. Leon’s Caribbean Food
Leon’s Caribbean Food is a good place for a quick bite to eat. This Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh has great jerk chicken, oxtail, and patties. One customer said the restaurant’s jerk chicken was similar to that they had in Jamaica. Additional options you may like are escovitch chicken, brown stew chicken, and curry goat. Leon’s Caribbean Food serves generous portions. They also offer delivery and takeout.
Address: 823 E Warrington Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15210.
3. Pirata
Pirata has modern island interior decor, setting a fun atmosphere. They are open all days of the week, except for Sundays. This Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh is good for dates and fun nights out. Items on the menu include patties, jerk chicken tacos, jerk shrimp tacos, escoveitch salmon, and jerk chicken. Pirata has an extensive selection of rum. You can choose from over 100 bottles of rum. They also offer beer and wine.
There is a bar area where you can sit at the restaurant. Occasionally, Pirata runs events at their restaurant, such as the Five Course Caribbean and the Winemaker Dinner with Pares Balta. You can make reservations online for parties of six or less. If you want to reserve seats for more than six people, you must call the restaurant.
Address: 274 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
4. Bahama Breeze
Bahama Breeze is a Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh that has other locations in the U.S.. Patio seating is available at their Pittsburgh location. The inside of the restaurant is decorated in beachy decor. It has a fun atmosphere and delicious food. Examples of Jamaican items on the menu include jerk chicken, plantains, and jerk chicken pasta.
They offer happy hour in which appetizers are half off and you can order specialty handcrafted cocktails. Bahama Breeze’s cocktails are made with sugar cane and fresh juices. The restaurant sometimes has live music. You can make reservations and order your food to go. They also offer catering services.
Address: 6100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
5. Abby’s Jamaican & American Fusion Cuisine
Abby’s Jamaican & American Fusion Cuisine is one of the best Jamaican fusion restaurants in Pittsburgh. It’s ideal for those who are looking for unique Jamaican food. Perhaps you’re already familiar with Jamaican cuisine and want to try something new. Examples of tasty dishes are the jerk chicken pizza and jerk shrimp cheese fries. The restaurant is open from Monday to Friday. You can make reservations and order takeout.
Address: 2408 Reed St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
6. Fireside Caribbean Restaurant
Fireside Caribbean Restaurant is an old-fashioned Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh. They serve traditional Jamaican food like jerk chicken, plantains, and brown stew chicken. The restaurant’s chicken falls off the bone, and their sauces are flavorful. Fireside Caribbean Restaurant is a good choice for those who are looking for a no-frills eatery that has authentic cuisine. The restaurant is open all days of the week, except Sunday. You can order take-out, but they don’t offer delivery.
Address: 796 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.
7. Linton’s Caribbean Grille
Linton’s Caribbean Grille is known for having genuine Jamaican food. One customer who tried Linton’s Caribbean Grille said the jerk chicken tasted like that they had in Jamaica. Other items on the menu include curry chicken, oxtail, and plantains. The restaurant is open all days of the week. Linton’s Caribbean Grille is good for grabbing a quick bite to eat.
Address: 3100 Brownlee St, McKeesport, PA 15132.
8. Mama Rose
Mama Rose is a casual Jamaican restaurant that has high customer ratings. It’s a good place to go when you crave a home cooked meal. The cuisine is authentic, and Mama Rose serves large portions.
This restaurant is open from Monday to Friday. The staff are friendly, and the restaurant is kept clean. If you like supporting small businesses, then Mama Rose is a good place to check out. Examples of menu items you can order are jerk chicken, oxtail, goat, and sides of cabbage and rice and peas.
Address: 121 Mayflower St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
9. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is a casual eatery that has good Jamaican food. Popular items on the menu include jerk chicken, curry goat, jerk shrimp, curry shrimp, and brown stew chicken. Their jerk chicken is tender and spicy. The rice and peas are spiced well and aren’t greasy. For dessert, you can order the Jamaican rum cake. Royal Caribbean is known for serving authentic Jamaican cuisine.
Address: 1568 Park Ave, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania 15221.
Final Thoughts
Pittsburgh has many restaurants that serve authentic, traditional Jamaican food. When you’re feeling adventurous, they also have a few restaurants that serve fusion Jamaican food. For fusion or modern Jamaican food, check out Kaya and Pirata. Leon’s Caribbean Food and Fireside Caribbean Restaurant are good options for traditional Jamaican cuisine.
Which restaurant do you think is the best Jamaican restaurant in Pittsburgh?