Caribbean Restaurants in Gainesville

“Who was in the kitchen tonight?!

Because whoever it was, was in their bag. What a compelling plate of food. Truly—who was cooking tonight?! My husband and I were ready to place the entire order all over again, but they had already closed for the evening.

We’ve been regulars at Tropical Eatz for the full two years we’ve lived in Gainesville, eating there anywhere from once to three times a week 😅 for context, I have a shortcut to order online from them on my Home Screen. Knowing the full range of their menu, I can confidently say they’re “hit or miss”… except the misses are still delicious, and the hits make you question whether this is the best plate of food you’ve ever had in your life 😂

Our go-to is the BBQ jerk salmon—saucy, flavorful, and always satisfying. The Creole salmon is more of a dry rub (same with the Creole shrimp), also good. I get the Haitian rice, my husband gets the Jamaican rice so you can’t go wrong either way. Some standout specialty items we’ve loved: the seafood cakes (shrimp and salmon are my favorite), sweet plantain waffles, lobster and shrimp Rasta pasta, and the whole baked fish (order it!). Honestly, everything is great.

Now, the Rasta Pasta deserves its own paragraph. When I was pregnant, I once ordered four at a time, froze them into six portions, and ate them whenever a craving hit 😂 Chef JJ literally referred to me as “the Rasta Pasta girl” 😝 We also love the sweet plantains and braised cabbage. And the drinks—Island Twist is my favorite! A friend visiting from the Virgin Islands gave the food his official stamp of approval, too.

Tropical Eatz is family-run, and Chef JJ’s brother, Freedlengton, is usually the friendly face greeting you—I adore him. I was so happy for them when they opened their storefront, and even happier for us because they’re open more often now. It genuinely just makes me happy.

Side note: the lobster and shrimp Rasta pasta I had a few months ago? I inhaled it. So garlicky, buttery, loaded with big ol’ shrimp—absolutely scrumptious. I’m honestly tempted to host an event just for an excuse to have them cater. I even top my own shrimp and salmon with thinly sliced red onion and bell pepper now—I call it my signature, but I definitely stole it from them 😂

Love you guys. Keep doing what you’re doing! ❤️“

“My son and I tried Caribbean Spice for the first time today. The oxtails are the most tender I have ever had and the brown stew chicken is extremely tender and flavorful as well. The plantains are cooked perfectly. The cabbage is also delicious and retains a nice crunch. I will definitely be back again!!“

“The Jamaican restaurant that I frequent has consistently proven to be an exceptional culinary haven, delivering an authentic and vibrant experience that transports diners straight to the heart of the Caribbean. The atmosphere is both welcoming and lively, enriched by the warm hospitality and the rhythmic sounds of reggae music gently playing in the background.

The menu is a testament to the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Jamaica, offering an array of dishes that are as flavorful as they are aromatic. Each dish is prepared with meticulous attention to detail, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients! Thanks Ma!!“