5 Best Jamaican Restaurants in Ulster County — Compared and Reviewed |
From Kingston to New Paltz to Ellenville — your complete guide to authentic Caribbean flavors across the county |
Craving authentic jerk chicken, tender oxtails, or curry goat with rice and peas? Ulster County has a growing scene of Jamaican restaurants bringing bold Caribbean flavors to the Hudson Valley. Whether you're in Kingston, New Paltz, or exploring the Rondout Valley, here are five verified spots worth your time — complete with locations, hours, ratings, and what to order.
1. TopTaste Restaurant — Kingston's Beard-Nominated Gem
Location: 448 Hasbrouck Ave, Kingston, NY 12401
TopTaste has been a Kingston institution since 2014, earning a James Beard Award nomination and a spot on the Ulster County Tourism website. The menu focuses on authentic Jamaican comfort food — jerk chicken and curry goat are standouts, but the escovitch fish and ackee and saltfish draw repeat customers. Portions are generous, and at $15 you'll leave full. Located near the Empire State Trail, it's a perfect post-hike meal.
2. JJ Eva Spice — Home-Cooked Kingston Soul Food
Location: 579 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401
A Black-owned business featured in the Kingston MBA directory, JJ Eva Spice earns praise for "home-cooked Jamaican food" and friendly service. Reviewers call the curry goat "flavorful with tender meat cooked just perfect." The restaurant stays open later than most (until 11 PM), making it a solid dinner option. The atmosphere is described as pleasant and welcoming.
3. Yah So Nice Caribbean Cuisine — New Paltz's Newest Addition
Location: 52 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561
Opened in April 2025, Yah So Nice took over the longtime pizza spot at 52 Main Street and brought Caribbean flavors to New Paltz. The menu goes beyond the basics — jerk burgers, rasta pasta, and wraps sit alongside traditional jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat. They even offer vegan options like curry tofu and jerk tofu. Late-night hours (until 1 AM Thursday-Saturday) make it a post-bar destination. Delivery available.
4. Caribbean Taste — Kingston's Early Bird
Location: 89 Franklin Street, Kingston, NY 12401
Caribbean Taste opens earlier than most — 7:30 AM on weekdays — making it a rare option for Jamaican breakfast or lunch. Located in Kingston's midtown area, it offers delivery through Postmates. While newer and with fewer reviews, the extended hours fill a gap for early risers craving Caribbean flavors.
5. M & C Jamaican Cuisine — Ellenville's Hidden Treasure
Location: 28 North Main Street, Ellenville, NY 12428
Worth the 30-minute drive from Kingston, M & C Jamaican Cuisine in Ellenville earns rave reviews from those who make the trek. Owners Chris and Medeka run a tight operation with generous portions and friendly service. Reviewers call it "my favorite restaurant period" and praise the jerk pork, jerk chicken, and BBQ jerk chicken. Sides include rice and beans and warm cabbage. One reviewer noted: "It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is colorful and clean. The food is absolutely delicious."
Side-by-Side Comparison
Which Should You Choose?
For first-timers: Start with TopTaste in Kingston — it's the most established, tourist-friendly, and has the most reviews to guide your order. For late-night cravings: Yah So Nice in New Paltz stays open until 1 AM Thursday-Saturday, and JJ Eva Spice in Kingston is open until 11 PM most nights. For vegan options: Yah So Nice offers curry tofu, jerk tofu, and other plant-based dishes. For early risers: Caribbean Taste opens at 7:30 AM — rare for Jamaican restaurants. Worth the drive: M & C Jamaican Cuisine in Ellenville is 30 minutes from Kingston, but reviewers say it's worth the trip.
Final Thoughts
Ulster County's Jamaican restaurant scene may be small, but it's growing — and each spot brings something distinct to the table. Whether you're after late-night jerk chicken in New Paltz, an early breakfast patty in Kingston, or a scenic drive to Ellenville for curry goat, there's authentic Caribbean flavor waiting across the county. |
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I never knew Caribbean Taste opened that early. I pass Franklin Street on my way to work and had no idea. Jamaican breakfast is such an underrated thing. Definitely stopping in this week.
PatriciaM_KingstonLet us know how it is! I'm curious about the breakfast side of things. Most Jamaican spots around here don't open until noon so having that option on Franklin Street is kind of a big deal.
Caribbean Taste has no ratings yet and the website URL looks like a placeholder. Would have been nice to see a little more info before including it on the same list as a James Beard nominated spot. Just saying.
skeptical_ulsterFair point honestly. Though I think the early hours angle is the hook there since nothing else opens that early for Caribbean food around here. Still would've liked at least one or two actual reviews to go on.
M and C in Ellenville is the real hidden gem on this list. I only found it because my coworker dragged me out there last fall. The jerk pork alone is worth the drive, and Chris and Medeka are genuinely the nicest people. Do not sleep on Ellenville.
Terri CaldwellYour coworker did you a real favor. I drove out there skeptical and left completely converted. The cabbage side dish sounds boring but it is so good. Ellenville is worth a whole afternoon honestly.
Yah So Nice opened where the old pizza place was? Walked past that spot a hundred times. Rasta pasta on Main Street until 1am is not something I expected to be typing in 2025 but here we are. Gonna check it out this weekend.
mike_newpaltzHa right? That corner has been a pizza spot for as long as I can remember. Went last Thursday and the oxtail was legit. The place fills up fast on weekends so maybe go a little early if you can.
TopTaste is no joke. Been going there since like 2016 and the curry goat has never let me down. Glad it's finally getting some wider attention but also hoping it doesn't get so popular they start rushing orders.
Donna R.Same fear here. Once a place gets put on a Beard list or goes viral things change fast. Hoping they can keep up the quality. That escovitch fish though, seriously underrated on their menu.