Manhattan is a borough in New York City that has a variety of ethnic cuisine. One type of cuisine you can try in Manhattan is Jamaican. You have dozens of restaurants to choose from both large and small. Below we have outlined nine of the best Jamaican restaurants in the borough. We ranked the restaurants based on food quality, atmosphere, authenticity, and customer ratings.
1. Solomon & Kuff
Solomon & Kuff has a wide selection of quality rum that pairs well with your meal. All of their alcoholic drinks feature common Caribbean flavors for an authentic experience. For those who like a lively atmosphere, they run DJ nights. Compared to other Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan, the place is large.
They have a loft-style dining space, two elevated DJ booths, two full bars, and an event lounge. Solomon & Kuff is an ideal place for dates due to the excellent interior design and large space. They also take table reservations, so you and your date don’t have to wait. Unique items on the menu to try are escovitch skewers, jerked Japanese eggplant, and yucca fries. Or you could go with the traditional jerk chicken with a side of rice and peas.
Address: 2331 12th Ave, New York, NY 10027.
2. Negril Village
Negril Village is one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan with an in-house DJ. Invigorating island tunes play while you eat your food at this restaurant. Negril Village has great spicy cuisine and potent rum punch. Unique items on the menu include calypso shrimp and grits, Jerk Treasure, Negril Sampler, and Escoveitch Fish Bammie. Other delicious eats are the curry goat stew, jerk shrimp, and curry shrimp. The bright orange and yellow interior decor helps set a vibrant atmosphere. Negril Village is a privately owned family restaurant that serves authentic Jamaican cuisine. Marva Layne established the joint 15 years ago.
Address: 70 West 3rd St, New York, NY 10012.
3. Hot Pot Under the Tree
Jamaican patties are a popular food in Jamaican cuisine. Hot Pot Under the Tree is known for having good patties. Other well-liked items on their menu are plantains, oxtail, jerk chicken, curry goat, and curry chicken. Through GrubHub, Hot Pot Under the Tree offers food delivery. You must place a minimum order of $20 for a food delivery and pay a $4 delivery fee. Due to negative reviews about their food delivery service, however, you may find it’s better to walk in. Reviews on experiences inside the restaurant are positive.
Address: 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10039.
4. Miss Lily’s
Miss Lily’s is one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan with retro decor. You can enjoy jerk chicken, curry goat, and other classic Jamaican cuisine in the fun atmosphere. Miss Lily’s often plays reggae music to help set the Caribbean mood. The inside of the restaurant features bright colors like yellow, orange, and red.
Miss Lily’s takes a modern approach to Jamaican cuisine. Their culinary team includes Executive Chef Adam Schop and Chef de Cuisine Andre Fowles. Schop has over 20 years of culinary experience. Fowles is a Jamaican native who won the Caribbean Challenge on “Chopped.”
Address: 132 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012.
5. Freda’s
With a combination of booths and chairs, Freda’s is a comfortable, casual restaurant. As one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan, Freda’s has excellent jerk chicken. It has been family-run for a long time. If you go to Freda’s for lunch, you’ll receive peas and rice plus your choice in one side. Entrees also come with peas and rice and your choice in two sides. Possible sides include fried sweet plantains, white rice, callalloo, and candied yams. Freda’s is a great place to enjoy a filling, hearty meal.
Address: 993 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025.
6. Kingston
Enjoy the popular Jamaican beer Red Stripe in a casual setting at Kingston. They are one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan. Delicious items on the menu are jerk chicken, oxtail, rasta pasta, jerk chicken with salted caramel waffle, fried plantains, roti, and bun n cheese. Other good drinks besides Red Stripe beer that are on the menu are Jamaican Mudslide, Smile Orange, Kingston Belle, and Deep Blue Lagoon. Kingston’s jerk chicken is juicy and tender. And their steamed vegetables are well-seasoned.
Address: 218 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026.
7. Sisters Caribbean Cuisine
Sisters Cuisine is one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan that serve both southern and Jamaican cuisine. They are known for their pineapple cornbread. Several customers have praised Sisters Cuisine for serving authentic Jamaican food. Items on the menu you can enjoy include jerk chicken, curry chicken, stewed chicken, and callalloo. One customer described the jerk chicken as tender with a peppery kick.
Address: 47 E 124th St, New York, NY 10035.
8. Sweet Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant & Salad Bar
Sweet Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant & Salad Bar is a buffet-style restaurant in Manhattan that sells Jamaican and soul food. Several foods and sides you can find at the restaurant include jerk chicken, fried chicken, fried tilapia, sweet plantains, herb roasted potatoes, salad, greens, and cornbread. Sweet Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant & Salad Bar has a small area to sit. Most customers take their food to go.
Address: 689 Malcolm X Blvd, New York City, NY 10037.
9. Winston & Tee Express Jerk Chicken
Winston & Tee Express Jerk Chicken is a good place to go for a quick bite to eat. Items on the menu include jerk chicken, oxtail, curry chicken, and curry goat. Winston & Tee Express Jerk Chicken serves large portions. Several customers have given positive reviews about the quality of their fish that is flaky and well-seasoned.
Address: 1257 Park Ave, Frnt 2, New York City, NY 10029.
Final Thoughts
The nine restaurants listed above are the best Jamaican restaurants in Manhattan. Every restaurant on the list has great food. The differences come down to atmosphere of the restaurant.
Do you prefer listening to music while you eat at the bar or sitting in a small quiet restaurant that’s hard to find? Let us know in the comments below which restaurants on the list are your favorites.