18 Best Caribbean Restaurants near Columbia

“Super-friendly guy behind the counter (the owner, maybe?) who asked questions about what I like and provided informed recommendations that were exactly right! Delicious teriyaki vegan “chicken”!“

“Delicious! We got the chicken, oxtail, and shrimp tacos (picked the corn and pineapple pico as toppings), jerk chicken bowl (corn, jerk cauliflower, pickled slaw and pineapple pico as toppings), and angry mac n cheese. Shrimp taco was my favorite since it was the spiciest. They accidentally left out the jerk sauce I asked for and yet everything was still flavorful without it. They do offer delivery but I ended up picking it up since online ordering kept giving an error message. Ordering over the phone was a little challenging so in the absence of online ordering it may be easier to just stop by and order in person.“

“The food is delicious and the portions are enormous. I got a bowl with brown stew chicken, rice n peas, and plantains. It's enough food for multiple meals (for me). I just wish I'd asked for a bit more brown gravy!“

“It's by far the best Jamaican food ever! I would eat it everyday if I could. The staff is very professional and super friendly. Try the oxtail which I love with all my heart.“

“*Heads up, the restaurant came under new ownership a few months ago* (the old owners were letting things fall by the wayside it seems, thankfully new management is doing much better!) I’ve stopped through a couple times for carryout and each time there have been other customers stopping by, so it seems like a popular hidden gem among locals. Spoke with the owner and he was friendly, knowledgeable, and you can tell he’s passionate about his craft. Food was great, it’s now my go to spot for comfort food when I’m craving Caribbean cuisine- have tried the deep fried turkey, kabit goat (love the rice and beans the entree comes with!), Jamaican beef patty, and Haitian codfish patty. You may have to wait a little for the entree to come out, but that’s cause they’re cooking it fresh. They’re currently rebranding the look/ambience of the space, so will definitely be back to visit once it’s done.“

“Excellent Cuban Food and great friendly staff.“

“The goat curry and oxtail Mac and cheese are both amazing! Great flavor for both. Curry has a good spice to it. And the meats for both fall right off the bone! Will be back for sure :) only thing is Mac and cheese itself was a bit oily

Also want to thank the worker working the cash register who let me try a small sample of the goat curry!“

“I had jerk sandwich and a piece of rum cake before shopping.Very delicious 😋“

“This is the very best and authentic Caribbean restaurant in the DMV. The food reminds me of home so much which is Jamaica. I have some chicken soup and I felt my body and mind in Jamaica has a little girl eating with my family that’s how delicious it was. If you’re looking for delicious, authentic, well seasoned, fresh and tasty please check out this restaurant you will not be disappointed.“

“Simone, the owner, is outstanding in customer service and attention to detail. She treats every customer like family. Sitting in the backyard area was like walking into a paradise.“

“From the moment I walked through the doors to leaving. From the first bite to the last. Oneluv Reggae is five star all the way. My daughter and I eat here regularly and enjoys the meals every time. From one Jamaican to another, or just a guess looking for something enjoyable to eat this place is highly recommended. The energy is down to Earth and the price is right. Thank you Oneluv ❤️“

“if you want good carribean food this is the place.the price is fare.the waiters are ok. I've been here a few times and to say the least out of the last 5 times I visited here 2 times was disappointing.“

“I used to live in this area, and for the last 10 years I haven’t found anybody within three hours of my new home who makes or sell goat soup. After a full decade of disappointment, I finally decided to make the 3.5-hour pilgrimage back here for their Tuesday goat soup. And let me tell you… I’m glad I did.

First things first: the place is exactly how I remember it. The bathroom situation? Classic. You need a key attached to a five-pound bar, but the bathroom is CLEAN, so I’m not complaining. The cashier? All business with no small talk or smiles. To be fair, they were never the warm-and-fuzzy type, so I’m not docking any points off. Not personable, but efficient. Our order was correct, the wait wasn’t long, and he included a sufficient supply of napkins and silverware (which ended up being crucial to my survival).

Because listen… Ithanks to a few reviews I was fully prepared to just open that cup and drink it straight. The reviews had me thinking I’d be lucky to find one lonely piece of meat floating around (see photos). Total opposite. THANK GOODNESS he gave me utensils because I would’ve choked. This soup was packed. Full of meats, potatoes, and carrots. And the broth? Warm, peppery, loose, savory—pretty close to perfect.

Now the only con: this pot was SALTY. So salty the mutton flavor didn’t just get overshadowed—it got evicted. The ancestors definitely went home mid-seasoning. But you know what? I’m not deducting a single point. Somebody clearly lost their life flavoring this pot, and I’m going to be grateful. When I warm it up, I’ll just drop a couple ice cubes in there—cool it down and stretch the salt out at the same time.

Inside the restaurant is simple, clean, with a small dine-in area and a Bob Marley mural that fits the vibe perfectly. After reading the mixed reviews, I was hesitant, but I’m glad I trusted my cravings instead of the internet.

Will I make this 3.5-hour trip again this winter?
Absolutely. For a cup of their goat soup, I’ll fill up the tank every Tuesday.“

“Simone, the owner, is outstanding in customer service and attention to detail. She treats every customer like family. Sitting in the backyard area was like walking into a paradise.“

“Delicious Jamaican food, But Needed More Sauce!
I ordered the jerk chicken for delivery, and it was a fantastic meal overall. The jerk chicken itself was incredibly fresh, tender, and flavorful. What impressed me were the sides—the rice and peas, cabbage, and plantains were all perfectly cooked. Not often do I get every single side dish just right from a Jamaican restaurant, so that was a pleasant surprise!

My only minor disappointment was the jerk sauce. There was barely a teaspoon's worth, which was a real letdown for such a tasty dish.

Despite the sauce situation, I'll be back to try the jerk chicken again, along with the goat, oxtails, and curried chicken in the future.“

“I visited here on accident and was pleasantly surprised. It's very small, but the drinks are affordable, delicious, and the DJ knew what he was doing. It wasn't many people in here so yall come and support so we can keep this gem alive!!“

“YAAASSSSSS!! The food is delicious and as authentic as the friendly staff. So good I order twice today!!“