The Dutchie is a Caribbean restaurant and bar on Croydon High Street in South London. Its decor reflects the food, creating a small feeling of being in the Caribbean as soon as you walk through the door. Light wood panelling is present throughout, while the dining area is compact and inviting. This is one of three Dutchie’s in London. The others are in Camberwell and Thornton Heath.
Dutchie’s menu covers the full range of Caribbean food. Starters include jerk wings, roti and chickpea curry and sweet chilli fish. There’s also four sharing platters: ochi, negril, nuff wings and jerk sampler. These are the best way to sample a range of flavours.
Classic caribbean dishes headline the main course options. Curry goat, oxtail stew, jerk chicken and ackee and saltfish are all on the menu. These can be teamed with a range of sides, such as mac and cheese, fried plantain and rice and peas. Vegetarian options are also plentiful. There’s a rasta vegan stew, chickpea curry and ackee and callaloo. The jerk options are marinated for 24 hours and jerked on a traditional drum. These can either be chicken or pork.
A large selection of seafood dishes complete the savoury part of the menu. Jerk lobster and lobster supreme are both on offer. There’s also bayou bayou: king prawns, mussels, squid rings and half a lobster served in a bag and accompanied by a bib and gloves.
The whole menu is also available for takeaway and can be ordered via the Dutchie’s website.