Ethan BrownAs a certified foodie, I’m always excited to try new cuisines. I first tasted Jamaican food at a cultural night I attended in Ottawa, and it left a lasting impression on me. There’s something both bold and warm about their food that leaves you wanting.
So I was a man on a mission: I searched far and wide for the best Jamaican restaurants in the city to soothe my cravings and hopefully yours, too!
I even asked for help from my team to make sure we come up with a reliable list. So if you’re simply curious and want to try some jerk chicken, or have specific Jamaican food cravings, read on!
Lil’ Negril Island Grill
Media credit: lilnegril
Contact: +1 613-226-7575
Address: 261 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday (12 PM – 8 PM)
- Friday – Saturday (12 PM – 8:30 PM)
- Sunday (12:30 – 7:30 PM)
Known for their reasonably-priced and delicious Jamaican food, Lil’ Negril Island Grill is a must-visit! It’s the kind of place that makes you feel warm, both by their food and their impeccable service.
Their jerk chicken and curried chicken are show-stoppers. According to their chef, these are their most-ordered dishes. Aside from that, they also have good seafood, like their shrimp in buttered sauce and grilled fish with mango salsa.
The food is filling, as every entrée comes with fried plantains and congo beans with rice. Overall, you get so much more than what you pay for.
Pro Tip:
Don’t sleep on their cocktails! The “sunset” and “tropical heaven” drinks are delicious with the food.
Island Flava
Media Credit: flava613
Contact: +1 613-321-4198
Address: 412 Dalhousie St.
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
- Friday – Saturday (11:30 AM – 10 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
If you haven’t tried goat curry, this is the place to have it! The food is renowned among locals for being authentic, flavorful, and filling. I see why this place is often packed and why loyal customers stick with Island Flava even when they’ve moved to this new location.
You also can’t deny the good service. The serving time is fast, and you don’t need to keep following up on your order. They’re warm and friendly to boot!
Something worth mentioning is that the roti is always prepared fresh. There’s no chance you’ll get frozen roti here. One thing we can say is that we wish we had more options on the menu.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to try their affordable and delicious lunch menu! For just CA$7.99, you get your choice of jerk chicken, curry chicken, or curry vegetables! Plus rice, peas, and a salad. What a deal!
Run2Patty
Media Credit: run2patty
Contact: +1 343-999-2283
Address: 1224 Shillington Ave, Unit A
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Saturday – Sunday (2 PM – 8 PM)
The Jamaican patties here are bomb, you have to try them. They’re mouthwatering and are always prepared fresh. They’re generous with the meat fillings, and adding hot sauce takes it to a whole other level.
While it’s not exactly a sit-down restaurant and more of a charming local takeout corner, people often come because of the tasty food. They have different platters you can choose from, but our favourite is the Oxtail Platter. You can’t go wrong with that.
Pro Tip:
Love their hot sauce and Jerk BBQ sauce? You can buy bottles to take home so you can have that yummy Jamaican spice any time you want. BRB, we’re hoarding as we speak.
Do Good Food
Media Credit: dogoodfood
Contact: +1 613-695-0700
Address: 80 Burland St
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Saturday (12:30 – 8:30 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
Another well-loved spot is Do Good Food. It’s a hole-in-the-wall type of restaurant that only serves takeout – but man, it etched its permanent spot in the local food scene, as it should!
Their jerk chicken here is just fall-off-the-bone fantastic. The flavours of the food here are complex, authentic, and just on point – the kind that makes you crave more.
There’s no dry rice in this house, which I’m so grateful for. Everything, even the rice, is seasoned so well. Plus, the service is amazing and friendly!
Pro Tip:
Ask for extra sauce on your rice. Trust us. Do it.
Jerk on Wheels
Media Credit: krispyfry_chicken
Contact: +1 819-639-5233
Address: 42 Holland Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday (11:30 AM – 4 PM)
- Tuesday – Thursday (11:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
- Friday (11:30 AM – 5 PM)
- Closed on weekends
If you’re ever around the area during lunchtime, order their Jerk Tacos, Jerk Grilled Cheese, or Jerk Burger. The food is so flavorful, bold, and downright delicious, it’s no wonder locals rave about it.
The servings are hefty, so it’s worth the price. It can feed two people (if you’re not too hungry). If you’re intimidated, you can even ask for a sample of the sauce so you know what you’re getting into.
We love ordering the poutine for takeout. It’s the perfect food to have with beer, surrounded by friends. You can find them in an area where live music is playing in the background, so the overall atmosphere is such a vibe.
Pro Tip:
They have Taco Tuesdays here, where tacos are only CA$3, don’t miss it!
Nu Caribbean
Media Credit: nu.caribbean
Contact: +1 613-867-6776
Address: 858 Merivale Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday (11 AM – 10 PM)
- Friday (11 AM – 11 PM)
- Saturday (12:30 PM – 11 PM)
- Sunday (3 PM – 10 PM)
This place offers great takeout food at a decent price, perfect for those weekend hangouts where you can’t seem to decide on what to eat. Our top pick here is their fried chicken and ox tail.
The Jamaican patties here are also always a hit because they’re flaky and pack a lot of flavour. You can either get them mild or spic, and they are great to bring home to family or friends as a treat.
Plus, the service here is superb. They’re warm and friendly, an atmosphere that matches the food that they serve.
Pro Tip:
They have limited seating here, just two or three tables. If there’s a free table and you have time, try to eat your food there so you can strike up a conversation with the owner. They’re very friendly and will talk to you about the food they serve!
Island Grill
Media Credit: islandgrill
Contact: +1 613-565-3030
Address: 324 Bank St.
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday –Thursday (2 PM – 9 PM)
- Friday – Saturday (2 PM – 10 PM)
- Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Island Grill is another great place for a Jamaican food fix. The meat in their dishes melts in your mouth (especially the ox tail), and the flavour is consistently delicious. The atmosphere here is quiet and warm, a great place for a date.
Their roti and chicken wings are crowd-pleasers. So make sure to try at least one of them!
The restaurant is owned by Chef Carlton, who has over 22 years of experience. He’s the one who makes the impressive sauces and rubs for the meat himself; that’s why the food tastes fresh and homemade.
Pro Tip:
Need catering for a party or office event? Island Grill is a good option. Check them out here.
Ocho Rios Caribbean Eatery
Media Credit: melshangrytable
Contact: +1 613-733-9999
Address: #15, 1800 Bank St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday (12 PM – 6:30 PM)
- Friday – Saturday (12 PM – 7 PM)
- Closed on Sundays and Mondays
While Ocho Rios is not solely a Jamaican restaurant, it deserves a spot on this list because of how unforgettable the food here is. The meats are smoky, well-seasoned, and have just the right level of spice for me.
We like that they have combo meals available if you can’t decide between two delicious dishes. That means you don’t have to pick between jerk chicken or curry goat anymore!
While those are usual bestsellers, don’t sleep on their ackee and saltfish, because it’s also fresh and delicious.
The serving sizes are big, so you can take it home with you if you can’t finish everything in one go. The food here is so good, Jamaicans recommend it to friends, so you know it’s authentic!
Pro Tip:
The chicken soup here is one of our go-tos when we get sick! It warms up the stomach and the soul.
Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine
Media Credit: jamaicanhomestylecuisine
Contact: +1 613-415-4527
Address: 2127 St Joseph Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – Sunday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
If you want something that tastes homemade and has a variety of options, Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine is a safe bet. Each dish is made to order, so you know you’re guaranteed fresh food each time.
Compared to the other restaurants, the spice level and flavour here are more relaxed, so it’s very beginner-friendly. Some of the highlights here are their curry lobster platter, jerk wings, and roti.
Pro Tip:
For dessert, their cherry pie is a gift you should allow yourself – it’s worth it!
Fishys Original Jerk
Media Credit: fishysoriginaljerk
Contact: +1 613-834-6226
Address: 2297 St Joseph Blvd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – Wednesday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Thursday – Saturday (11 AM – 9 PM)
- Sunday (11 AM – 7 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
Fishys Original Jerk is a family business whose claim to fame is delicious Jamaican food that you can rely on. A lot of their dishes are made from family recipes!
Aside from the usual favourites such as oxtail and roti, what makes them special is that they make seafood really well. You should give their Escovitch Kingfish Meal a try. It’s seasoned and fried to perfection!
They also have the widest selection of Jamaican desserts. Make sure to try sampling their coconut drops and gizzada, both coconut-based and scrumptious. It’s hard to have just one.
Pro Tip:
Everything washes down so well with Ting, a Jamaican grapefruit soda!
