Top 5 Best Caribbean Food Near Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver doesn't have a big Caribbean community, but a few dedicated kitchens serve the real thing: Trinidadian roti and doubles, Jamaican jerk chicken and slow-braised oxtail.

This guide lists the five Caribbean spots we could verify as open, rather than padding it to ten.

Looking for another cuisine? Browse our full guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine.

How We Chose These Caribbean Restaurants

Each pick serves Caribbean food as its main focus and is open in Vancouver, checked against recent listings, local press and the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.

Hours are often limited, so confirm before you go.

Best Caribbean Restaurants in Vancouver at a Glance

Top 5 Best Caribbean Restaurants Near Vancouver, BC

1. Baby Dhal Roti Shop – Commercial Drive

A Trinidadian roti shop using family recipes passed down through generations.

What to order: Doubles and a curry goat or chicken roti.

Why it made the list: VanMag Bronze for Best African and Diaspora in 2025 and 2026.

Address: 2707 Commercial Dr, Vancouver | Price: $

2. Riddim & Spice – Commercial Drive

A long-running, casual Jamaican spot with good-value combo plates.

What to order: Jerk chicken and oxtail with rice and peas.

Why it made the list: Reliable Jamaican classics on the Drive.

Address: 1945 Commercial Dr, Vancouver | Price: $

3. The Lion's Den Café – Fraserhood

A quirky café mixing the owners' Jamaican and Japanese backgrounds.

What to order: The jerk and teriyaki combo.

Why it made the list: A neighbourhood fixture for more than two decades.

Address: 651 E 15th Ave, Vancouver | Price: $

4. Calabash Bistro – Gastown, Vancouver

Calabash Bistro is a Caribbean restaurant at 428 Carrall Street, Vancouver.

What to order: A roti or curry, with a Jamaican patty on the side.

Why it made the list: Downtown's best-known sit-down Caribbean restaurant.

Address: 428 Carrall Street | Price: $

5. The Patty Shop – Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver

The Patty Shop is a Jamaican patty shop at 4019 MacDonald Street, Vancouver.

What to order: The classic beef patty.

Why it made the list: A Vancouver institution for Jamaican patties.

Address: 4019 MacDonald Street | Price: $

Caribbean Dishes to Know Before You Go

• Jerk chicken: Chicken marinated in scotch bonnet, allspice and thyme, then grilled.
• Roti: A flatbread wrapped around curried meat, chickpeas or potato.
• Oxtail: Slow-braised oxtail in a rich, spiced gravy with butter beans.
• Doubles: Trinidadian street food of two fried breads with curried chickpeas.
• Rice and peas: Rice cooked with kidney beans and coconut milk.

Where to Find Caribbean Food in Metro Vancouver

Commercial Drive

Home to Baby Dhal Roti Shop and Riddim & Spice.

Fraserhood

Home to The Lion's Den Café.

Gastown, Vancouver

Home to Calabash Bistro.

Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver

Home to The Patty Shop.

Tips for Eating Caribbean Food in Vancouver

• Check the heat: Scotch bonnet peppers are very hot, so ask how spicy a dish is.
• Order sides: Plantain, rice and peas and festival round out a meal.
• Call ahead: Smaller kitchens can sell out of popular dishes like oxtail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Caribbean restaurant in Vancouver?

Baby Dhal Roti Shop won VanMag Bronze for Best African and Diaspora in 2025 and 2026.

Where can I get jerk chicken in Vancouver?

Riddim & Spice and the Lion's Den Café.

Where can I get Trinidadian food in Vancouver?

Baby Dhal Roti Shop on Commercial Drive.

Is there vegan Caribbean food?

Yes, Baby Dhal has several vegan options.

Explore More Vancouver Food Guides

Hungry for more? See our complete guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine, covering 69 cuisines across Metro Vancouver, or browse all restaurants on Vancouver Page.