The UK is home to a vibrant community of people of Caribbean heritage. The Windrush Generation bought with them culture, music and food from the many islands that they travelled from including Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago.
In the UK, Caribbean food is celebrated on a larger scale at event's like London's Notting Hill Carnival. On an everyday level, you can celebrate Caribbean food by visiting a Caribbean restaurant here in the UK!
Below, I've listed a number of Caribbean restaurants and eateries from across the UK for you to explore. Including older establishments that have been essential for their local Caribbean communities to keep a connection with their home and heritage. Plus, new and innovative restaurants and street food vendors who are sharing new and exciting Caribbean dishes.
All in all, Caribbean cooking is about community, family and good food, so please use this list to expand your food horizons and celebrate each nation's delicious cuisine!
About Caribbean Food
There is so much to Caribbean food and Caribbean cooking, so it is hard to define it simply. Each Caribbean island and nation has its own unique cooking style and national dishes. Caribbean food is influenced by a mix of the food of the indigenous Arawaks and Caribs, as well as African, Indian, Chinese and European cuisines as a result of the Caribbean's rich history.
The Caribbean region spans over 1000 miles, so given this vast geographical distance plus historical differences between each nation and island, there is a clear distinction in language, ethnicity and also food. This means there is so much to explore and discover with Caribbean food. For example; Trinidad & Tobago, a nation with a large Indian-Caribbean heritage and population, has their delicious roti (similar to the Indian chapati flatbread) as a staple dish. Whereas, Antigua's national dish of fungee is similar to an Italian polenta.
Caribbean Food In The UK
Although Black communities have been in the British Isles for centuries, our understanding of what Caribbean food is here in the UK has mainly been shaped by the presence of people from the Windrush Generation, or descendants of the Windrush Generation. This is dominated by people from English-speaking Caribbean countries like Jamaica, so it's common to find a lot of Caribbean restaurants in the UK serving delicious Jamaican food.
However, there are other Caribbean islands that also have delicious dishes that should also be recognised and celebrated. In this list you will find a few of the chefs and restaurants here in the UK that celebrate and serve food from all around the Caribbean like Caribe' in London.
Find Caribbean Restaurants in the UK
Please enjoy and explore this list of Caribbean restaurants and eateries in the UK.
This list is not exhaustive, there are so many more places to explore in the UK. If you know of any great places that should be included on this list, please let me know and I'll try my best to include them all!
Caribbean Restaurants London
Ayannas London
Lumina Building, 2 Yabsley Street, London E14 9RG
A modern fine dining Jamaican restaurant in Canary Wharf offering fine dining menus with a Jamaican twist.
Bokit'la
Various London Locations
London's French Caribbean street food vendor. A family business sharing a taste of Guadeloupe.
Buster Mantis
3-4 Resolution Way, London SE8 4NT
A Jamaican cocktail bar, restaurant, event and gallery space in Deptford, South London.
Caribe'
Unit S/36 Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, London SW9 8PQ
An authentic Caribbean Eatery that represents the Caribbean islands as a collective and shares island eating culture at its best.
Cottons Restaurant
Various London Locations
A Caribbean restaurant in London offering a modern take on authentic Caribbean food. Cottons Restaurants has rum shacks in Camden, Vauxhall, Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
Fish, Wings and Tings
Brixton Village, 3, Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PR
A compact Caribbean restaurant in London dishing up a vibrant menu of Caribbean meals & drinks at pavement tables.
Jamaican Patty Co.
Various London Locations
Simple takeaway for traditional Jamaican patties, plus soups, coffee, juice and cakes.
Juici Jerk
Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
Traditional Caribbean family recipes with an added a fresh and modern take.
Limin' Beach Club
Gabriel's Wharf, London SE1 9PP
A vibrant venue on London's South Bank serving Caribbean specialties and rum cocktails. Also with vegan options.
Ma Petite Jamaica
4 Inverness St, Camden Town, London NW1 7HJ
A Caribbean diner in London serving authentic Jamaican food.
MRC Caribbean & European Cuisine & Jerk Centre
70 Baring Rd, London SE12 0PS
A local South East London restaurant serving Caribbean and European cuisine.
Negril
132 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RS
A simple Caribbean restaurant in London with a traditional comfort food menu.
Original Flava
443 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8LN
markethousebrixton.co.uk/original-flava
Original Flava's first permanent restaurant residency at Market House Brixton.
Rudie's Jerk Shack
Various London Locations
Rudie’s Jerk Shacks aim to bring an authentic taste of Jamaica in their Caribbean Restaurants in London. Find them in Boxpark Shoreditch, Borough Market, Brixton Village, Canary Wharf, Mercato Metropolitano & Hawley Wharf Camden.
Turtle Bay
Various London Locations
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Wood and Water
412 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LF
Formerly Three Little Birds, Wood & Water is a modern British Caribbean restaurant with a Jamaican soul, bringing unique flavour combinations and an eclectic rum offering.
Caribbean Restaurants Birmingham
27 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6JQ
A Caribbean restaurant in Birmingham offering classic Caribbean cooking in an informal neighbourhood dining room.
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
A tropical fusion restaurant combining fresh ingredients and modern culinary methods to create innovative dishes. Inspired by South East Asia with traditional Caribbean elements.
Aunt Sally's Caribbean Food
31-32 Manchester St, Birmingham B6 4HL
A Caribbean restaurant in Birmingam that serves Caribbean cuisine such as jerk chicken, patties and salt fish.
Belly's Caribbean Grill
101 Mackadown Ln, Birmingham B33 0JJ
Belly's Caribbean Grill on Uber Eats
A Caribbean grill in Birmingham. Food is available as takeaway or delivery with Uber Eats.
Devon House Jamaican Restaurant & Bar
16 Hall St, Birmingham B18 6BS
Serves a wide range of traditional Jamaican dishes in a relaxed Caribbean restaurant in Birmingham, with a wine and cocktail bar.
Jamaya
Two locations in Solihull
An award-winning independent Jamaican restaurant celebrating the authentic taste of Jamaican food.
Mellow's Bar & Restaurant
57 Grosvenor St W, Birmingham B16 8HJ
A modern restaurant that serves dishes with an authentic taste of the Caribbean. All dishes are cooked fresh everyday.
The Deep Experience Caribbean Restaurant
34 Bristol St, West Midlands, Birmingham B5 7AA
A Caribbean restaurant based in Birmingham city centre serving their original style of West Indian cuisine. Enjoy an all you can eat buffet on Saturday and Sunday.
Turtle Bay
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Manchester
Island Vibe
414-416 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0SD
islandvibebarandrestaurant.com
A bar and restaurant serving delicious Caribbean inspired dishes. Recommended for its amazing food and cocktails!
Pull Up Bar Cafe
14-16 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JN
A cafe featuring Jamaican jerk chicken, curries & sharing plates, plus veggie options.
The Drop Bar Cafe
356 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 8AZ
A Caribbean restaurant in Manchester serving authentic West Indian & Caribbean food.
Turtle Bay
Various Manchester Locations
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Leeds
Ryan's Kitchen
126 Shrewsbury St, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 7NY
ryanskitchenleeds.business.site
A Jamaican takeaway cooking Jamaican food. They make some typically spicy dishes mild, without losing the Caribbean flavours with a few spicy dishes for those who love the traditional heat.
Jamrock UK
42 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 6DT
A compact eatery with an easygoing vibe serving cocktails & Jamaican cuisine, with vegan options.
Turtle Bay
14 The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Coventry
Leave It To Esmie
13a Fargo Village, Far Gosford St, Coventry CV1 5ED
Leave it to Esmie aims to capture the vibrancy of West Indian cuisine, serving hearty Caribbean staples from grilled meats to rice & wraps in their Caribbean restuarant.
Turtle Bay
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Kent
Mullins Brasserie
6 Market Pl, Margate CT9 1EN
A restaurant with a menu comprising modern European cuisine with a hint of the Caribbean by Bajan chef Antonio Forde.
Caribbean Restaurants Liverpool
Raggas Caribbean Cafe
58 Smithdown Rd, Toxteth, Liverpool L7 4JG
A Liverpool restaurant that specialise in authentic Caribbean food.
Turtle Bay
Various Liverpool Locations
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Devon
89 Mayflower St, Plymouth PL1 1SD
A Plymouth restaurant that specialise in authentic Caribbean food.
Caribbean Restaurants Oxford
64 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1JB
Serves an array of classic Caribbean dishes in a modern, lively setting with a full rum & cocktail menu.
Turtle Bay
A Caribbean restaurant aiming to capture the essence of Caribbean Island culture and food. More locations across the UK.
Caribbean Restaurants Scotland
Edinburgh RiveRLife
84 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh EH11 2AX
Distinctive French-Caribbean cooking is offered in a small, informal dining room.
Caribbean Restaurants Sussex
Whatagwan Caribbean Bar & Grill
76 Seaside Eastbourne BN22 7QP
whatagwancaribbeanbarandgrill.co.uk
An East Sussex restaurant serving authentic Caribbean food.
Sources and Further Reading
1. What is Caribbean Food? Read more
2. Belly Full: Caribbean Food in the UK by Riaz Phillips
3. Photo by S kelly on Unsplash
4. Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
