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Best Jamaican Food In DC
A Taste Of Jamaica In The Nation's Capital

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jamaican_box_lunch_food.jpgBest Jamaican Food In DC

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

As we shared with you before, we are guiding you to some of the reportedly best Jamaican restaurants across the United States, so you can have a taste of Jamaica wherever you are. Today we are on to Washington, DC. They have a melting pot of cultures, and their culinary scene reflects that diversity.

Among the many flavours represented in the nation's capital, Jamaican cuisine is a go-to because of its vibrant, bold, and deeply satisfying dishes. Whether you're craving the smoky allure of jerk chicken or the comforting richness of oxtail, DC has plenty of spots that bring the taste of Jamaica to life.

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Here are some of the best restaurants to get your Jamaican food fix in the city.

1. Negril The Jamaican Eatery

Negril The Jamaican Eatery

Location: 2301 Georgia Ave Ste. G, Washington, DC 20001

Negril The Jamaican Eatery has been a staple in DC since 1979 when founder Earl Chinn opened his first location. Named after the famous resort town in northwestern Jamaica, Negril offers a taste of the island with dishes like curried chicken with cabbage, rice, and peas, and flaky patties filled with beef, vegetables, or chicken. Pair your meal with refreshing coconut water or a Ting, the popular grapefruit soda from Jamaica, for the full experience.

2. Jerk At Nite

Jerk At Nite

Location: 2149 Queens Chapel Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018

Jerk At Nite offers a modern twist on Jamaican cuisine, blending traditional recipes with contemporary flair. Established in 2012 at Howard University, this spot has become known for its innovative approach to Caribbean flavours. Signature dishes include Smoked Jerk Chicken served with Rice & Peas and Cabbage, making it a popular choice for both lunch and dinner.

3. Halfway Tree DC

Halfway Tree DC

Location: 1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

Halfway Tree DC brings authentic Jamaican jerks back to the DMV area, with pimento and jerk spices smoked over real wood. The menu features Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Jerk Ribs, and Jerk Salmon, along with other Jamaican staples like Oxtail, Rice & Peas, and Curry Chicken. A must-try is the Festival dipped in Oxtail gravy — an experience that will change your life.

4. Andrene's Caribbean and Soul Food Café

Andrene's Caribbean and Soul Food Café

Location: 308 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC 20011

This family-owned restaurant, run by Kingston-born Andrene Finn, has been serving the Petworth neighbourhood since 2006. Known for its jerk and barbecue chicken wingettes, which often sell out quickly, Andrene's also offers a daily lunch special featuring curried or stewed chicken, vegetables, and a soda for just $7. Andrene’s extends special discounts to Howard students, police officers, postal workers, bus drivers, military personnel, and seniors.

5. Karibbean Kitchen LLC

Karibbean Kitchen LLC

Location: 1400 Meridian Pl NW, Washington, DC 20010

Located in Columbia Heights, Karibbean Kitchen LLC is a go-to spot for beef patties, oxtails, charcoal jerk chicken, and coco bread. But the true star of the menu is the curry goat, with tender meat falling off the bone in a rich, flavorful stew. The sides, including rice and peas, cabbage, plantains, and mac and cheese, perfectly complement the hearty mains.

Taste of Jamaica

Taste of Jamaica DC

Location: 3308 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Owner Howard Frampton, originally from St. Catherine Parish in Jamaica, has been at the helm of Taste of Jamaica since 2003. After relocating twice due to gentrification, Taste of Jamaica has found a permanent home on Georgia Avenue since 2016. Customers flock here for the curry shrimp, red bean soup made with chicken and turkey, and fricasseed chicken — all dishes that reflect Frampton's dedication to authentic Jamaican flavours.

Jam Doung Style

Jam Doung Style

Location: 1726 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20002

For two decades, Jam Doung Style has been a beloved destination for Jamaican food lovers. The family-owned restaurant, named after the Jamaican Patois for “Jamaica,” serves up classics like curry chicken, sweet plantains, and oxtail. The restaurant’s longevity is a testament to its consistent quality and authentic flavours.

Kith/Kin

Kith/Kin

Location: 801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

At Kith/Kin, James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi brings his Afro-Caribbean heritage to the table with dishes inspired by Jamaica, Trinidad, Nigeria, and New Orleans. The menu features a blend of traditional and progressive Jamaican dishes, including curry goat, braised oxtails, whole-fried snapper, and jerk chicken. For dessert, the rum cake for two, crafted by executive pastry chef Paola Velez, is a must-try.

Jerk & Juice

Jerk & Juice

Location: 2800 10th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Marlon and Trecia McKnight, the husband-and-wife team behind Jerk & Juice, specialize in Jamaican sandwiches at their stall inside Brookland’s Tastemakers food hall. Their menu includes a standout Hellshire Fish Fest sandwich, made with escovitch-style fish, lettuce, and tomato, all served in a sweet festival bun. Popular entrees like curry chicken and oxtail round out the offerings.

From long-established eateries to innovative new spots, Washington, DC, offers a vibrant array of Jamaican food options. Whether you're in the mood for a traditional plate of curry goat or want to try a creative take on jerk chicken, these restaurants deliver the rich, bold flavours of Jamaica right to your plate. So next time you're in the capital and craving a taste of the island, be sure to check out one of these fantastic spots.

If we haven’t gotten to your state as yet, or you are not in the United States, try any of our recipe books, and make your own delicious Jamaican food at home.

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References & Sources For Best Jamaican Food In DC

  1. Adkins, L. (2019, October 18). Where to Find Jamaican Food Around D.C. Eater DC. https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-jamaican-food-restaurants-dc-maryland-virginia

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