Jamaica Sweet Spices

So fire, among the best food I’ve had in the Bay Area. I’ve been long craving good Caribbean food on the west coast and have only been to a couple who can compare to places like Toronto as far as Jamaican food goes.

My lady and I got Oxtail with rice and peas and steamed cabbage, Curry Shrimp (actually spicy) and the Chicken stew with pumpkin and spinners.

She has the photos but I’ll edit this review and share them later, worth every penny.

Food: 5

Service: 5

It hurts my heart to write this.

While I think Haitian food is generally superior to the other islands, this was the worst experience with any rice + beans + plantain combo. I was given stew chicken instead of jerk and both plates were filled with bones and burnt beans. (I don’t know if I was supposed to get plantain because they were absent.) For $53 (the oxtails were $28), chicken shouldn’t be dry and beans shouldn’t be undercooked.

It wasn’t all negative; I enjoyed the dancehall.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Warning: Avoid this restaurant. The food is too salty and oily. The oxtails taste like a mix of oil, salt, and ketchup. Small portions, high prices, and poor customer service. Look for another Jamaican restaurant.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

This was my second time going to Jamaica Sweet Spice and I don’t know why the owner is not on social media to promote his business. The food is absolutely delicious. I would consider it one of the best in Oakland! This will be my go to spot when I want my Jamaican food! I’m going back today for dinner because I’m craving the flavor! The oxtails were tender, the rice and peas had flavor not like others that is just simply rice and peas. Theirs have a nice light flavorful taste that isn’t over powering but just enough to let you know they stand out from the rest! I definitely got to get a side order of the plantains because it wasn’t enough and the cabbage was good too! I added hot sauce and it matched perfectly with the spread! You gotta try it to know what I’m talking about! I’ve been to all the Jamaican restaurants in Oakland and this one is my new favorite!

Parking: You’ll have to find street parking away from restaurants. No street parking. Only on the side streets or across the street from the restaurant.

Recommended dishes: Jerk Chicken

I had brown stew fish with cabbage, plantains, rice and peas. I enjoyed it.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Brown Stew Fish

I first ate at this restaurant about 6 to 9 months ago and thought the food was exceptional.

Unfortunately, the quality has gone down drastically.

Today I ordered the 3 piece meat with jerk and curry chicken and oxtail with rice and peas, plantain, cabbage and avocado. The rice and peas was dry and bland, salt hasn't touch it. Only about a tablespoon of cabbage was given and the avocado tasted old. The oxtail was mostly gristle, the curry chicken was overcooked and the jerk chicken boring.

On a positive note the plantain was nice although not enough.

I thought the price of $30 for the plate was reasonable.

Also, the service is always pleasant.

When I first patronize the restaurant, there was a gentleman there who I thought was the owner and cook. If he was, he needs to return to his place in the kitchen.

I parked on the curb since the only other option is parking on the side streets. And wouldn't you know Oakland Police Department came cruising by but I wasn't bothered or ticket.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

I first ate at this restaurant about 6 to 9 months ago and thought the food was exceptional.Unfortunately, the quality has gone down drastically.Today I ordered the 3 piece meat with jerk and curry chicken and oxtail with rice and peas, plantain, cabbage and avocado. The rice and peas was dry and bland, salt hasn't touch it. Only about a tablespoon of cabbage was given and the avocado tasted old. The oxtail was mostly gristle, the curry chicken was overcooked and the jerk chicken boring.On a positive note the plantain was nice although not enough.I thought the price of $30 for the plate was reasonable.Also, the service is always pleasant.When I first patronize the restaurant, there was a gentleman there who I thought was the owner and cook. If he was, he needs to return to his place in the kitchen.I parked on the curb since the only other option is parking on the side streets. And wouldn't you know Oakland Police Department came cruising by but I wasn't bothered or ticket.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

The food was really good. The service was good also. Friendly staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jerk Chicken

We purchased 3 plates, 2 plates with two meats (oxtail and brown stew chicken) and a 3 meat plate (curry, jerk, and brown stew chicken). Never again!! The rice was very hard, clumpy, and tasted like it was days old. Tje brown stew chicken had a funny tangy taste, which it shouldn't have. I got burnt and hard plantains. The curry and jerk did not really have a taste to it, just oil. The oxtails were tender, but fatty with bottom of the pot scrapings. We spent over $100....save your money and go elsewhere!!!

Food: 1

Oxtail was very flavorful but were cold. The rice was good but extremely hot. The cabbage could use more flavor.

Donovan is such a great personality, it's refreshing to see at a Jamaican establishment as a Jamaican myself ? and the food is actually good and seasoned. I had the curry goat and the oxtail, very good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Missed the Sweet Spice MarkMy experience at "Jamaica Sweet Spice" fell short. The dishes lacked the expected Jamaican zest and authenticity. Despite a decent ambiance and service, the absence of true Jamaican flavors left much to be desired. Encouraging a revisit to to Jamaica and it’s recipes for a more authentically satisfying visit.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 2

The oxtail were authentic Jamaican style deliciousness. So often I'm disappointed by these places who don't know what they are doing. Not today baby. I'm sovery pleased. I live 40 miles away but I'll be here at least once a week to get me some real Jamaican oxtail. I will also be tying other items on the menu. Oh and the plantain, cabbage rice and peas were also perfect.Thank you to the owner for bringing us amazing food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I stay very close to this place and when it first opened. I newi was going to try this Jamaican sweet spices. hands down. Thr place is small inside but just right. The lady at the Counter was very nice and pleasant. The food was good And not dry. i got the Oxtail dinner and my boyfried got the Curry shrimp it was Delicious. We definitely going back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is soooooo goooood. I have been here 2x so far. The first time ( mid summer '23) it was delicious, but it didn't make me fanatical. Oct '23 I went back and we had jerk chicken, Jamaican red bean soup and a bottle of sorrel.The chicken was spicy scrumptious, the rice flavorful, the veggies succulent. But I didn't get to eat much of it -- it was the bf's and I was trying to be polite. I got the red bean soup (they don't have it every day I guess- it is not on the menu board). My life changed. It was rich and hearty and grounding and full of veggies and dumplings (!?). I would eat this once a week. Such a healthy meal, though next time I would get a side of rice for myself (!). It does have pork in it I think (thus the deliciousness). And a good deal; made 2 meals for me and one of the cheaper things in the menu.The sorrel is another story: super strong and sour and beautifully spiced: but I diluted it with lots of water (and simple syrup) and it lasted me for the rest of the week. Don't expect to drink it straight. Might even be good with some gin or rum (!) and a lot of club soda.Anyway I loved it all and I can't recommend this place enough.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jerk Chicken