Best Jamaican Restuarants in the Tampa Bay, Florida Area

You don't need to drive down to South Florida to get authentic island cuisine from Jamaica, because it's right here in Tampa Bay. There are certainly a number of authentic Jamaican restaurants that are independently owned and operated. However, one in particular is a chain called Golden Krust Bakery that operates in only a few states besides Florida. They serve Jamaican and other Caribbean dishes.

A question that arouses from time to time is what exactly is Jamaican food? It is a combination of cooking techniques, spices, flavors and influences of inhabitants that have come to Jamaica or are native. An example of popular Jamaican dishes would be curry goat, fried plantains, rice and peas and of course "jerk."

Jerk is one of the most popular and famous Jamaican foods globally. It is a type of barbecuing that uses a hot spicy mixture called the Jamaican jerk spice. For example jerk chicken is the most popular along with pork, shrimp and other fish. Now, here are five of the best Jamaican restaurants in Tampa Bay that serves authentic food from Jamaica, especially jerk.

1. Jerk Hut Jamaican Grille & Rhum Bar - Tampa, Florida

No mistakin' it's Jamaican. That's right this restaurant has been a popular destination for Jamaican cuisine for nearly 20 years here in Tampa Bay. They feature Andrew's original recipes and the freshest ingredients imported from the Caribbean. Some of the menu highlights are: Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Curry Chicken, Oxtail Stew, Curry Goat and Escovitched Fish (a type of vinegary mixture). Jerk Hut is located in north Tampa and downtown. North Tampa's location is 926 E, Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612 (813) 977-5777. Downtown location is at 207 E. Twiggs, Tampa, Florida 33602 (813) 223-4483.

2. Little Ochi Island Grille - Tampa, Florida

Right in the heart of Ybor City's 7^th Avenue is this Jamaican gem of a restaurant. Ybor City is the place to go for restaurants featuring international cuisine. Little Ochi Island Grille is amongst them. When they say it's authentic Jamaican food, they mean it. You'll enjoy their spicy and flavorful cuisines just as if you were in Jamaica. Claude, the chef and owner, wanted to create a place that serves real Jamaican food. 2302 E, 7^th Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33605 (813) 248-6244

3. Cauldron Jamaican Restaurant - Brandon, Florida

Ginger beer is a popular soft drink in Jamaica much like root beer and ginger ale is in the U.S. You will find this popular Jamaican beverage here. If you are looking for excellent curry chicken and goat you can find it at Cauldron Jamaican. Once again authentic Jamaican food can be found in Brandon. 230 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, Florida 33511 (813) 689-1959

4. Christine's Caribbean Cuisine - Riverview, Florida

Come try her popular homemade dishes of Jerk Chicken, Curried Shrimp, Beef Patties, Montego Bay Roast Fish and Roti, which is a popular Jamaican flatbread. You can dine-in or take out. They also feature other authentic Jamaican foods such as Ackee and Saltfish, which is a fruit and cod fish, their ever popular fried patties and for a side dish, the fried dumplings. Christine's Caribbean Cuisine is located at 13352 B. Lincoln Road, Riverview, Florida 33569 (813) 766-6390. Hours of operations are: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

5. Golden Krust Bakery - Tampa, Florida

The first Golden Krust Bakery opened in 1980 in Bronx, New York. Since then they have expanded into other states in the Northeast, New England and the South. There are two locations in north Tampa. Even if it's a chain establishment they do in fact serve authentic Jamaican foods and desserts. They offer a variety of their patties and pastries that includes breads and cakes. You'll also find on their menu jerk chicken, ackee and cod fish, the national dish of Jamaica, and curried goat. 2255 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610 (813) 231- 2000 and 14913 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33613 (813) 963-3800

Whether you want a Jamaican restaurant that has ambience and music from Jamaica, like you'll find at the Jerk Hut locations, or something simpler in décor at the other locations in Ybor City, Brandon and Riverview you have a choice. Also, for those from New York and the other states that have Golden Krust Bakeries you'll find them in Tampa Bay. If you want to try a savory cuisine for a change you need to try Jamaican mon.

SOURCES:

Jamaican cuisine, Wikipedia

Jamaican Restaurants - Tampa Bay, Florida, Google