12 best Caribbean restaurants in London serving authentic food

Although the introduction of Caribbean food to London began back in the 60s, following the arrival of the Windrush generation post-war, it’s only in the last decade or so that a cohort of cracking Caribbean restaurants have emerged. Previously, you might have been able to get your hands on a Jamaican patty at one of London’s decades-old Caribbean bakeries, or a box of jerk chicken to takeaway, but the concept of enjoying authentic food at a sit-down restaurant is a relatively new thing.

Now, you can find a wealth of Caribbean spots in London celebrating this fantastic cuisine via authentic food and traditional recipes. There are a few pockets of London where Caribbean restaurants abound, particularly in places like Brixton, Notting Hill and Hackney which are home to large Caribbean communities. From cosy diners to rum and reggae bars, there are plenty of good times to be had at London’s best Caribbean restaurants.

Jerk chicken is probably the most popular, or at least recognisable, Caribbean dish in the UK. Fair dos – it is a good one. This fiery dish of meat marinated in a signature spice blend, then slow-cooked over a grill and served, traditionally, with rice and peas, never fails to hit the spot. Although we love it, there’s so much more to Caribbean cuisine than just jerk. Dishes such as curry goat, brown stew, salt fish fritters and fried plantain should all be part of your vernacular once you’ve finished reading this guide. There’s one thing that ties these dishes together though: Caribbean food is bold, hearty, heavily spiced and generous in every possible way, from flavour to portion size. 

Ready to get stuck in? From the party that never stops at Rum Kitchen, to the chilled-out vibes at Fish, Wings & Tings, these fantastic spots are a must-visit if you’re after some of the best Caribbean food in London.

Limin South Bank, South Bank

What: Head straight to the beach at Limin South Bank, a Caribbean restaurant-cum-beach club located on Gabriel’s Wharf overlooking the Thames. Chef-owner Sham Mahabir was born in Trinidad and Tobago and his passion for authentic Caribbean food shines through on the menu. Of course, there’s killer jerk chicken, which has been marinated on the bone for 24 hours and comes with rice and salad. Alongside various grills are plenty of smaller sharing plates, from Trini mac & cheese baked in carnation milk and cream, to a fried flatbread with chickpeas, hot sauce and sweet mango jam. Cocktails are a big part of the experience here too. Beware though - the Limin Rum Punch is delicious but deadly.
Where: 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
Book now: Limin’ South Bank

Ma Petite Jamaica, Camden and Shoreditch

What: Now with two locations in Shoreditch and Camden, Ma Petite Jamaica is London's first Caribbean diner, famed for its authentic Jamaican food and Caribbean soul. Rum cocktails and jerk chicken are a way of life at both of its cosy and colourful sites, but there are plenty more vibrant plates on offer, from sweet potato and pumpkin fritters with coconut coulis and chilli jam to jerk salmon with cassava mash, jerk sauce and callaloo. A daily happy hour means you can sling back as many Jamaican Mules as you please, while weekends are all about its Jamaican bottomless brunch, which includes two courses and and 90 minutes of unlimited Rum Punch or Prosecco.
Where: 4-6 Inverness Street, NW1 7HG; 130-132 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AR
Book now: Ma Petite Jamaica Camden, Ma Petite Jamaica Shoreditch

The Good Front Room, Marylebone

What: The Langham might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of Caribbean food, but a rather exciting restaurant concept has moved into the Marylebone hotel and it absolutely deserves a place in this list. The Good Front Room is headed up by chef Dominic Taylor, winner of Channel 4 and Netflix's Five Star Kitchen, who strives to celebrate his heritage through Caribbean cooking that challenges the stereotypes it often receives in the UK. Ingredients such as plantain, goat and rum are used in abundance, from dark rum and raisin pork belly to his signature take on curry goat. While desserts include inspired riffs on classic Caribbean dishes, such as Bun and Cheese made with a toasted spiced bun, sweet blue cheese, sour cherries and plantain chutney.
Where: 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA
Book now: The Good Front Room

Rudie’s Jerk Shacks, Various London locations

What: Jerk shack Rudie’s brings authentic ‘real’ jerk to London, with meats marinated for 24 hours in a secret spice blend, then grilled and smoked slowly over charcoal. You can find its shacks all over the capital, including at Boxpark Shoreditch, Market Place Vauxhall, Canary Wharf and Mercato Metropolitano. The most popular dish on the menu is the Jerk It Up box, which includes its signature jerk chicken with one side, jerk gravy and jerk sauce. Other top choices are the Yardie Box featuring curry goat, and the Boston Wings, which sees chicken wings slathered in sweet molasses.
Where: 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY
Book now: Market Place Vauxhall, Boxpark Shoreditch, Boxpark Wembley, Mercato Metropolitano

The Rum Kitchen, Soho, Brixton, Shoreditch

What: One of the most popular spots in London for Caribbean food is The Rum Kitchen, which currently boasts three sites in the capital and promises a good time, whether you’re visiting for dinner with friends or late-night cocktails. It always aims to bring the carnival vibes with a party-like atmosphere, dancing, DJs and punchy rum cocktails. Jerk chicken is taken ever so seriously here, marinated for 48 hours and then sous vide for another two hours to lock in all that flavour. Curry mutton is another favourite, alongside salt fish fritters, jerk pork buns and fried plantain with pineapple chilli jam.
Where: Various locations
Book now: The Rum Kitchen Soho, The Rum Kitchen Brixton, The Rum Kitchen Shoreditch

Fish, Wings & Tings, Brixton

What: Brixton is a hotspot for killer Caribbean restaurants, but one of our favourites has got to be Fish, Wings & Tings. You can’t miss its colourful yellow shop front, and the plates all feel properly authentic, from its reggae wings with pineapple and mango chutney, to stew oxtail, creole fish stew and mutton roti. Chef and founder Brian Danclair, originally born in Trinidad, started the business in 2012, and it’s become something of a community hub for people to come together over great vibes and good food.
Where: Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PR
Book now: Fish, Wings & Tings

Jam Delish, Islington

What: This 100% vegan restaurant and cocktail bar turns the essence of Caribbean food on its head with some seriously tasty plant-based fare. Instead, dishes like BBQ jerk plantain, buttermilk oyster mushrooms with spicy plantain ketchup, and curry ‘goat’ with rice and peas fill in for their meaty counterparts – and it delivers above and beyond in terms of flavour. Foliage-filled interiors and bright blue walls get points for Instagrammable aesthetics.
Where: 1 Tolpuddle Street, N1 0XT
Book now: Jam Delish

Danclair’s Kitchen, Brixton

What: From the same man who brought Fish, Wings & Tings to Brixton comes Danclair’s Kitchen, Brian Danclair’s eponymous follow up. Opened in 2021, this tapas-style restaurant sees flavour-packed small plates paired with fine wines and signature cocktails. Think BBQ wings with guava glaze, plum and ginger pork ribs, cod fish fritters with lime aioli and Danclair’s beef burger. On the cocktail list, don't miss the Eldorado Rum Old Fashioned.
Where: 67-68 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
Book now: Danclair’s Kitchen

Cottons, Various locations

What: Cottons is a series of restaurants across the capital famed for its fun event nights and boozy brunches. Explore its menu of food, rums and fruity cocktails, or take advantage of its great-value lunch deal, with two dishes totaling £15. There’s a kid’s menu for families in need of somewhere to take little ones, while on weekends it serves a tropical bottomless brunch washed down with 90 minutes of rum punch.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Cottons Shoreditch, Cottons Camden, Cottons Vauxhall, Cottons Notting Hill

Mama’s Jerk, Fulham

What: We like that Mama’s Jerk menu doesn’t overcomplicate things, with a few classic options available in your choice of box or wrap. Choose between jerk BBQ chicken, Jamaican spiced prawns or vegan curry jackfruit served in a roti wrap, or enjoy with rice and peas, plantain and slaw if you go for a box. Like things saucy? It serves an epic selection of sauces for an extra 50p each, including pepper pickle, hot jerk and mango mayo.
Where: 49 Fulham Broadway, SW6 1AE
Book now: Mama’s Jerk

Mama Jacq’s, Wembley

What: You can find this family-run restaurant over in Boxpark in Wembley, and we’d recommend heading straight to Mama Jacq’s stall if you’re in town. Why? The menu is rammed with ridiculously delicious items, from burritos filled with jerk chicken or curry coat, to a fried chicken burger with homemade jerk sauce. There are Big Island Mains too, like brown stew and curry chicken.
Where: Kentish Town Road, NW1 8NY
Book now: Boxpark Wembley

Buster Mantis, Deptford

What: Buster Mantis is a restaurant and bar in Deptford located under the railway arches of its train station. One side functions as a bar and eatery, and the other is a creative arts space that hosts an array of exhibitions, screenings and events. It's an independent, family-run business whose owners split their time between Jamaica and southeast London, which is why most of the menu tends to focus on Jamaican food. Although you can order an array of global small plates, Caribbean classics include saltfish fritters with pineapple salsa, a jerk chicken burger, and chicken thighs with jerk ham croquettes. It also offers a Jamaican-Anglo Sunday roast, which sees roast meats served with rice and peas, a Yorkshire pudding, veg, roast potatoes and gravy. 
Where: 3-4 Resolution Way, SE8 4NT
Book now: Buster Mantis

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