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The Islands

(Now Closed)

Caribbean Restaurant$$$$

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

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The Islands

The experts at Serious Eats and The Corcoran Group recommend this place

127 Tips and reviews

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SageSeptember 6, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Jerk chicken, curry shrimp, calypso shrimp, stew chicken are all standouts. You really can't go wrong with anything here. The rice and peas that accompany most dishes is outstanding.
Beril EsenSeptember 6, 2015
This beautiful place is not only awesome because it's byob, but due to the deliciousness of its spicy food. The calypso shrimp, jerk chicken, plantains, and roti skin were all amazing!
Peter CucèJune 17, 2016
Ridiculous huge portions of West Indian food in odd-shaped venue. Oxtail, jerk chicken, curried goat are faves so far. Really can't go wrong. I love the steamed cabbage and rice and peas. Possible MSG
Barry Gottehrer Real EstateJuly 15, 2016
The food is so good here, I get take out from here all the time! Surprisingly the take out tastes just as good as when you get it there, thats not the case for most places! Jerk chicken is the best!
Andrew LimMay 13, 2015
Cozy byob spot with very friendly staff. Food was so delicious. Order the jerk chicken and the oxtail. Come with sides of rice and peas, cooked cabbage, and a salad. Can't wait to go back
LilyMay 3, 2017
Lucky Peach: "Portions are generous here: spicy, tender jerk chicken and curry goat come served on wide platters with plantains and coconut rice, most of them big enough to share."
AnneAugust 16, 2013
This place is as the reviews claim; genuine home cooking. Felt like I was back home. Great flavor, great portions, worth the trip. And as noted, it's truly a hole in the wall; limited seating.
Jana PetersenApril 27, 2013
Jerk chicken is a MUST. Portions are huge. Ambience is ... set to feel like you're in a really really small boat. And it's BYO. Wins all around. Hidden gem and will def be back.
Zac ZellersMay 2, 2016
tiny cash-only 4-seat spot (sometimes with service upstairs) serving fine curry and jerk dishes. it just *feels* good to be here with someone on a warm sunny afternoon.
Lori LuoFebruary 22, 2015
This tiny eatery has a pint-sized dining area, but the flavors and portions they put out are nothing to scoff out. Get the Jerk Chicken with Rice and Beans; a large will be enough for two meals.
Fodor's TravelSeptember 9, 2015
Generous portions (a "small" plate is plenty) of chicken, shrimp, goat, and oxtail come with rice and salads, an authentic and delicious low-frills meal. Read more
Damian BayonaJune 22, 2015
Call in and order take out. Not much space at the restaurant. Everything curried is good. Get extra cabbage on the side as that stuff is dooooope.
Helena WongJanuary 2, 2014
Still thinking about the jerk chicken and oxtail. Meat is oh so tender! Dining upstairs is def an experience. BYOB!
LaTanya B. 🌍💥👙👩‍👧🙏🏾🇺🇸🇧🇸🍫🌊🎾🎸✈️August 28, 2015
Quaint. Authentic. Delicious. Spicy. Savory. Curry shrimp. Jerk chicken. Mac & Cheese. Do it.
Raphael LangenscheidtJuly 22, 2015
Jerk chicken, goat curry, Mac and cheese, plantains. Go there, right now. Order ahead, and sit on the steps of the Bk museum.
The Corcoran GroupMay 1, 2011
The sweet ladies that run this teeny tiny space are serving up some of the best Jerk Chicken and the Curry Goat around. Don’t rush here as you’re now on Island time.
Gabriel HayesAugust 26, 2015
Its a hard debate whether this or Glady's is better. They are the two best Caribbean places I have been to in Prospect Heights - Crown Heights, in Brooklyn & in New York City.
Liana LauDecember 4, 2011
Been here 5+ times
FAVORITE restaurant. The Islands man is super wonderful and generous, though he has a pretty thick accent. The food is delicious, too. :D Mmm stewed oxtails & calypso shrimp ...
Sha SugandaOctober 29, 2013
One of the tastiest Jerk Chicken I've ever had! Oxtail was also delicious.... Def going back!
Jess ButlerOctober 4, 2015
Enjoyed a spicy and delicious plate of jerk shrimp and got a lesson on hot peppers from the amazing chef.
Lisa SchreibmanJanuary 26, 2018
Ignore the menu and ask what is ready. There is always a chicken and a veg dish ready.
Charles FordeApril 17, 2014
Best Jamaican food in Brooklyn. Try the fried dumplings. Better than my mother's. Don't tell her I said that.
Tristan LewisMay 17, 2016
Incredible experience. I'm Jamaica and I can attest that this spot is truly authentic. I'd definitely visit again!
Bob RutledgeMay 24, 2015
Head to the kitty-corner bodega and grab a couple of Red Stripe beer before settling in at the upstairs dining room for Amazing jerk chicken.
Serious EatsMarch 19, 2013
Service is slow but worth the wait for enormous servings of some of the city's best Caribean food.
Cicely OaksAugust 18, 2013
Oxtails were delicious. Ideal seating area is outside its a little cramped upstairs.
Gabriel HayesJune 20, 2015
Great Caribbean food near the Brooklyn museum. Limited seating but great for takeout.
WEI WEIApril 4, 2016
The best jerk shrimp I've had. Very small shop with a couple of tables upstairs.
Steve SMarch 4, 2012
PLEASE DON'T COME HERE!! The place is small, and if you're here, you'll get in my way! Srsly, the food is full-on amazing. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Lisa RayleSeptember 7, 2015
The brown stew chicken with rice and peas was delicious, very satisfying. The jerk was too spicy for my taste.
Kristina PFebruary 25, 2018
jerk chicken, oxtail, garlic shrimp were all sooo good. also it’s BYOB!!!
illyJanuary 14, 2017
Still dreaming bout the jerk chicken, oxtail, and baked mac n' cheese 😍 Literally licked the plate clean.
Nick AndlingerOctober 24, 2016
Spicy and authentic. Will be back ASAP.
TBernie Talks BeautyNovember 24, 2011
The real taste of Jamaica! Faves: Stamp And Go, Soups, Garlic Shrimp Salad, Calypso Shrimp, Jerk Lamb, Steamed Snapper, Pineapple Cheesecake
Gabriel HayesJune 20, 2015
Ranked by many as the best Caribbean food in Brooklyn. I have no reason to disagree. So amazing.
Lynn HuAugust 14, 2013
Certain items are sold out on some days so ask before you try to make decision. Also, small plate is actually huge!
Amira BlissAugust 24, 2012
The most amazing jerk chicken ever. Take out orders are prioritized over dine-in orders. I think you know what to do.
Joshua TuscanApril 29, 2016
The rice alone is worth it. Tiny spot, get takeout or free delivery.
Ru ChungNovember 28, 2015
The ox tail!! Best in the area. The hour of operations are wacky though.
Saarim ZamanJuly 14, 2016
Jerk chicken is awesome. But the baked mac and cheese is next level.
Gabriel HayesJuly 29, 2015
The mac & cheese is very good. Substitute it for the rice for $2.
Maya BruckMarch 30, 2015
Everyone's right -- the jerk chicken is amazing. Get it. A large was more than my husband and I could finish.
Gabriel HayesAugust 27, 2015
The plantains are amazing. Nice long strips seasoned perfectly.
Noah XifrAugust 25, 2012
Its all luvly homestyle cookin here, jerk chkn roti w gr8 spice. Finally tried the mac & cheese well baked. Must. Have. More. Mac&cheeesy.
Sam GilDecember 11, 2016
Oxtail is perfect but price increased. Everything is great...bring a bottle of wine.
Monica LeslieNovember 24, 2015
Cool atmosphere and nice service, it's slow, but it's BYOB so just drink a lot
Adrian MangelSeptember 7, 2014
Sit outside, great lemonade and amazing jerk chicken
Andrea ReneeAugust 31, 2015
It's just amazing. Great food and service. calypso shrimp is amazing
Mallory NapolitanoSeptember 19, 2016
Slow service but great food and HUGE portions. BYOB and cash only, super cute but tiny place
BrooklynMuseumDecember 11, 2009
Staff Pick! Danny (Exhibitions): A hole-in-the-wall kitchen covering your Caribbean needs. I like to get the spicy jerk chicken and head over to the nearby park to enjoy.

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The Islands

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