Don’t Count Jamaica Out: Home to JFK, and some of the best Caribbean food in the city
The neighborhood I grew up in, Jamaica, is vastly overlooked. When it comes to Queens neighborhoods that everyone is talking about, Jamaica is often at the bottom of the list.
Perhaps it’s because most people only see Jamaica from the highway on their way to or from JFK. This is not what you would call the prettiest section of the borough—or even the area, for that matter—and at first glance it doesn’t give the impression of somewhere you’d want to stop in for a meal. From the highway, the entire area looks grey—part residential, part industrial.
Maybe it’s because it’s just too far out. If you’re accustomed to hanging out in more “hip” neighborhoods like Astoria or Long Island City, which are only a short ride from Midtown, Jamaica can seem like a trek. If you live in Brooklyn or Manhattan? Forget it. A friend who lives in Washington Heights once teasingly asked if she’d need to bring her passport to come visit me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve skipped a night out simply because getting there was daunting.
I get it … I really do. But here’s a secret about Jamaica: You’re missing out.
Like other, more popular parts of the borough, Jamaica prides itself on its diversity, and the area’s food reflects this. From Portuguese to Dominican to Salvadoran, Jamaica has got you covered. One of the best things about living and growing up in this neighborhood is that you get to meet people from so many different cultures.
Growing up, I had friends whose families were from literally all over the world. The Caribbean is highly represented: Trinidad, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and, of course, Jamaica. I frequently found myself at the table with families from the Middle East, Africa and Asia as well. Jamaica teaches its children an appreciation for communities far different from their own.
Most of the restaurants here are locally owned and operated, which means you can come to the table with families from around the world, even when you’re dining out. It’s not at all unusual to find someone’s mother or grandmother in the kitchen cooking. Even if she isn’t, you can pretty much assume that the recipes being used are hers.
Sure, we have some chains, but locals know that the mom-and-pop places are where to go for the best food, not to mention good company. If you’re a regular, you can easily find yourself chatting with the owner or chef at your favorite spot, especially if you’re there on a slow day. Jamaica is a family-oriented part of Queens, with many people moving this far out because of the relatively low prices and availability of actual yards.
Because the area has so many Caribbean folks, the Caribbean food in Jamaica is arguably better and certainly more diverse than anything you can get elsewhere in the city. Many people immediately think of Jamaican food when they hear “Caribbean” but I’m talking about food from all across the Caribbean (though we do have some truly authentic Jamaican restaurants here too). Places like low-key Sybil’s Bakery on Liberty, where you can feast on coco bread and Guyanese beef patties, or El Rey on Hillside for those craving some good Dominican pernil.
The nightlife here can feel limited to semi-divey little neighborhood watering holes, but occasionally you come across a spot like Singh’s Roti Shop, which has a hopping live band scene on Saturdays. For something a little more upscale, try the C Bar and Lounge on Lefferts, near the 121st Street stop. It might take a little insider knowledge, but the idea that the party scene in Jamaica isn’t as good as more hip Queens neighborhoods is vastly overstated.
The next time you’re flying into JFK or feeling up for an adventure, trek into a new part of the borough. Consider stopping in at one of our local Jamaica establishments for a meal or a drink. Or better yet, don’t. That way we’ll get to keep our delicious and fun neighborhood all to ourselves.
Sybil’s Bakery | @sybils_bakery
El Rey
Singh’s Roti Shop | @singhsrotishop
C Bar and Lounge
