The Spice Lover’s Guide to the 9 Best Jamaican Food Spots in Ottawa
Last week, my friends and I were craving for something bold and flavorful. Tired of the usual fast food spots, we wanted to try something different–that’s when we found out about Jamaican food.
We decided to have a little competition to see who could suggest the best Jamaican restaurant. With a fierce sense of determination, I quickly got to making a list of the best Jamaican restaurants in Ottawa.
After my landslide victory, I decided that it was simply criminal to keep this list for myself. Get a glass of milk ready because we’re about to go on a spicy adventure!
1. Lil’ Negril Island Grill
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Website: https://www.lilnegril.com/
Location: 261 Centrepointe Drive
Contact Details: 613-226-7575
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Must order: Jerk Chicken with Mango Salsa
From the moment you step inside Lil’ Negril Island Grill, you’re greeted with the aroma of bold spices and island-inspired flavors. The tantalizing smell of their dishes encapsulates their mastery of bringing Jamaican dishes to life, one plate at a time.
For an authentic experience, try some of their Jerk Chicken with Mango Salsa. The chicken is smoky, tender, and spiced to perfection. The Mango Salsa provides a kick of tangy and refreshing sweetness, perfectly balancing the spice of the chicken.
Not in the mood for chicken? Their Jerk Pork is another local favorite. With a deeper and richer spice profile, it really cranks up the heat.
Pair these dishes with their red wine. The fruity and smooth notes are great for mellowing down the spices!
Pro tip:
Their white wine is another great partner to their dishes. It’s super smooth and flows like no other.
2. Island Grill
Media credit: islandgrill
Website: https://islandgrillrestaurant.ca/
Location: 324 Bank Street
Contact Details: 613-565-3030
Business Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 2:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Must order: Curried Goat
For over 22 years, Island Grill has been serving delicious Jamaican dishes that pack a serious punch. This isn’t just food; it’s an embodiment of island tradition, perfected over two decades.
Their best-seller is the Curried Goat–tender and slow-braised goat meat combined with their house-blend Jamaican curry. The various island spices give it a rich and spicy taste, leaving you wanting more.
For those who crave finger food, their chicken wings are some of the best in the city. These aren’t your average wings–they’re drizzled in their signature Rum and BBQ sauce. They’ve got a smoky, sweet, and boozy taste that’ll leave you licking your fingers.
Seafood lovers are also in for a treat when they taste the Jerk Salmon here. It’s perfectly cooked and seasoned with signature jerk spices, giving it a smoky and spicy kick!
Pro tip:
For your appetizer, try the Salt Fish Fritters. They’re so good that I ordered another serving to go!
3. Kool Vybes
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Website: https://koolvybes.ca/
Location: 2559 Innes Road
Contact Details: 613-590-3730
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
Must order: Jerk Chicken
Kool Vybes is known for the best Jamaican food in the city. Their delicious dishes are partnered with an equally authentic cultural atmosphere to give you a Jamaican experience like no other.
Their Jerk Chicken is the star of the show. With its perfectly grilled and seasoned chicken, each bite is like a rollercoaster of flavors. The spice is bold but balanced, and the charred edges simply add a unique texture that’ll leave you wanting more.
Should you want to switch things up, their oxtail is another must-try. It’s slow-cooked until tender, giving it a hearty and comforting flavor. It also comes with a side of rice and peas.
For your beverage, try their Pineapple and Ginger juice. It has a sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of zing from the ginger, to refresh your palate and complement the spices of their dishes.
Pro tip:
For less zing, pair your choice of dish with some Minute Maid Lemonade.
4. Island Flava
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Website: http://islandflava.ca/
Location: 412 Dalhousie Street
Contact Details: 613-321-4198
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Must order: Oxtail
Island Flava is a solid choice for Jamaican food, and for good reason. They’re Faces Magazine’s overall winner for Ottawa’s favorite Jamaican food 7 times in a row.
Their consistency and incredible flavors have cemented their reputation as one of the best Jamaican food spots in the city.
Their award-winning Oxtail is a dish that you must try. Tender meat, drowning in savory gravy, packed with island spices–it’s something that keeps you savoring every bite.
For something more hand-held, their Jerk Chicken Rotis are no joke. With warm potato roti wraps engulfing a core of perfectly spiced chicken, it’s everything you’d want in a small and delicious package.
The servings here are amazing as well. All meals come with a side of rice, peas, and salad, surely leaving you stuffed!
Pro tip:
Their Curried Goat is something you don’t want to miss out on.
5. The Captain’s Boil
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Website: https://www.thecaptainsboil.com/
Location: 290 West Hunt Club Road
Contact Details: 613-680-8998
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Must order: Pirate’s Feast
The Captain’s Boil is best known for their fresh takes on traditional Jamaican dishes. You’re in for a treat–a really hot one.
The Pirate’s Feast has a Jamaican twist. You get to choose from lobsters or Dungeness crabs which are perfectly spiced.
Add some shrimp, mussels, clams, or chicken, and you’re set. These come with a jerky sauce that makes the platter a fiery and flavor-packed feast.
I also recommend that you try the Captain’s Fried Rice. It’s loaded with seafood, chicken, and sausages. All of their toppings are spiced, cranking up the heat like no other.
For your side dish, I recommend that you try their fries. They’ve got a rich flavor because they’re coated with jerk seasoning. These come deep-fried for that perfect crunch with every bite.
Pro tip:
Their Onion Rings are the perfect appetizer. Super crispy and delicious!
6. Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine
Media credit: jamaicanhomestylecuisine
Location: 2127 Saint Joseph Boulevard
Contact Details: 613-415-4527
Business Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Sunday: 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Must order: Spicy Fried Chicken
Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine doesn’t have the fastest service but the wait is truly worth it. From the name itself, it’s a “home-style” spot, as evidenced by the very plain surroundings. But don’t let that fool you, the food here is far from plain.
The Spicy Fried Chicken, their best-seller, has a kick like no other. The moist and meaty chicken is slathered with their special sauce that takes it to the next level. This dish comes with a side of macaroni pie to mellow down the spice.
While you’re at it, get some of their roti to-go. I recommend their Chicken Curry Roti, a rich and flavorful handheld snack that will surely leave you wanting more. Their Beef Roti is another great option–it’s made of small beef cubes in a bready parcel.
Pro tip:
Try their Oxtail Stew. Its bold flavors will surely leave you wanting more.
7. Do Good Food
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Location: 80 Burland Street
Contact Details: 613-695-0700
Business Hours:
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday to Saturday: 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Must order: Brown Stew Chicken
Do Good Food might be a small spot, but don’t let its size fool you–the food here is nothing short of amazing. This little hidden gem serves up some of the best Jamaican food in the city.
You must try their Brown Stew Chicken–it’s their best-seller. The chicken is perfectly tender and drowned in their rich and flavorful house sauce, giving it a savory and slightly sweet taste with just a hint of spice.
Should you want to opt for a classic dish, they’ve also got great Jerk Chicken. It’s perfectly seasoned, giving it just the right amount of heat. It’s the kind of dish that’ll get you coming back for more.
Pro tip:
If you’re feeling adventurous, pair their Oxtail with some BBQ Chicken. It’s a combo unlike any other!
8. Reggae Rooster
Media credit: reggaeroosterottawa
Website: https://www.reggaerooster.com/
Location: 321 Somerset Street
Contact Details: 613-230-0465
Business Hours:
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Must order: Rice and Beans with Oxtail Gravy
Reggae Rooster is where Jamaican food meets hearty portions. The dishes here will surely have your stomach stuffed and your tastebuds happy.
Drop by and give their Rice and Beans with Oxtail Gravy a try–it won’t disappoint. Fluffy rice, tender beans, drowning in their savory oxtail gravy–I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
If that doesn’t satisfy your cravings, their Jerk Chicken Platter will get the job done. With perfectly spiced fall-off-the-bone chicken, the heat is just enough to keep you reaching for another piece.
To finish your meal, get a side of their Macaroni Salad. Its creaminess and sweetness are a refreshing contrast to the bold and spicy mains. If you’re still not full, this will surely do the trick!
Pro tip:
Their Coconut Macaroons are simply delicious. These bite-sized snacks are the perfect finger food to start your meal while waiting for your mains.
9. Run2Patty
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Location: 1224 Shillington Avenue Unit A
Contact Details: 613-230-0465
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Must order: Special Jamaican Patties
Run2Patty is the perfect spot for when you’re craving a quick Jamaican snack. Whether you’re in a rush or just need a quick fix, they’ve got what you need.
Their Special Jamaican Patties are absolutely a must-try. These are packed with fillings like spicy beef or curried chicken. The little flakes give a bold flavor to each bite you take. This snack really screams “Good things come in small packages”.
Should you want a full meal, their Curry Goat Platter is a solid choice. It’s a combo of tender goat meat with their aromatic curry sauce, served with rice and peas. Trust me when I say that this will surely hit the spot.
For something unique, try their Mac and Cheese topped with Jerk Chicken. The cheesy macaroni meets the heat of jerk chicken–a truly unforgettable pairing!
Pro tip:
Their freshly baked Cornbread is a personal favorite of mine. Try it with their curry sauce–it certainly doesn’t disappoint!