Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar

Jamaican restaurant · Palo Alto

Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar

Jamaican restaurant · Palo Alto

3

642 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Photos

Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by Brit Finnegan
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by Coconuts
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null
Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar by null

Highlights

A lively spot for Caribbean classic dishes, cocktails, outdoor seating & live music.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

642 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Get directions

coconutspaloalto.com
@coconutsrestaurant

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

642 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Get directions

+1 650 329 9533
coconutspaloalto.com
@coconutsrestaurant

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"Originally from Jamaica, chef Robert Simpson brings jerk chicken, coconut shrimp, and goat curry to sunny Palo Alto. His colorful restaurant is actually affordable enough for students, and the skinny side patio is criss-crossed with charming, twinkling lights." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri, Becky Duffett

18 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Palo Alto
View Postcard for Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
@infatuation

"Coconuts is making the best jerk chicken in Palo Alto. This colorful and casual Caribbean spot right off of University Ave. is where to get an excellent and reasonably priced meal (a rarity down here). Order the $15 dark meat combo plate with juicy chicken, sweet plantains, and perfectly cooked red beans and rice—plan to lick the tangy sauce off your fingers with reckless abandon. The large space fills up with large groups on the weekends, and on sunny days the adjoining patio is the perfect place to sip on a dark and stormy." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

The 21 Best Restaurants In Palo Alto
View Postcard for Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
@infatuation

"This Caribbean spot is laying down the best jerk chicken in Palo Alto. Coconuts is a colorful and casual spot right off of University Ave. that attracts students, tech workers, and anyone else looking to get an excellent and reasonably priced meal. Get the $15 dark meat combo plate with juicy chicken, sweet plantains, and perfectly cooked red beans and rice—you’ll be licking the tangy sauce off your fingers with reckless abandon. This big space can get full on the weekends with large groups, and on sunny days, the adjoining patio is the perfect place to sip on a dark and stormy under some umbrellas. photo credit: Brit Finnegan photo credit: Brit Finnegan photo credit: Brit Finnegan photo credit: Brit Finnegan" - Ricky Rodriguez

Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar - Review - Palo Alto - San Francisco - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar

lonnell williams

Google
From the moment we were greeted until the moment we left, the team here took great care of our party. Located in a busy downtown area there was ample parking in the lot across the street in addition to the street. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The food is spicy, flavorful and yummy! Each person in our party enjoyed their selection. Served at the perfect temperature, each entree exploded with flavors. The oxtails? Divine. Chef’s kiss. This is definitely a new favorite.

Elizabeth Gifford

Google
It’s the consistency in service, drinks and food for me. I have been coming here for years and have had different servers. It’s always a dependable welcoming atmosphere. Will took care of my friend ,the birthday girl, yesterday and made her feel extra special. Love that

Sara O'Connor

Google
Love love love. The food is so flavorful and well prepared. The perfect amount of spice. Such a great meal especially with the gluten free options.

Jamie Walker

Google
Stumbled upon this little gem; the food was delicious and super flavorful! My husband and I visit Jamaica often and the oxtails and beef patties were spot on! Service was delightful as there was no wait (on a Saturday afternoon) and we were greeted with smiles from everyone. This place will definitely be our "go-to" when I'm Palo Alto!

Nicholas Pun

Google
They serve some darn good food. Ordered the oxtail and chicken combo and everything was cooked to perfection. Oxtail fell right off the bones and the chicken was super flavourful. Service here is going to knock a star off though. It looks like there's a decent amount of staff, but no one seems to know what they're doing. Took forever just to get seated! How is there not someone at the front to help seat customers?? Would still recommend trying this place out at least once. Pretty empty if you're here earlier in the evening, but can fill up.

Huabin Situ

Google
Good jerk chicken. My personal opinion was that it lacked a bit kick. I would also prefer more gravy. The high light was the goat curry which was tender with really good flavor but lacked just a bit of spice. Oxtail was good all around. I would definitely come again.

Hai

Google
A hidden gem in Palo Alto! Food is great, tastes better than it looks. Jerk chicken wings have a spicy taste to it. Our server recommended braised oxtail. It was delicious! They also recommended collard greens. It’s a boiled and salted green leaves. Which was good but nothing fancy about it. Sweet potato pudding is actually a cake base with a scoop of ice cream on top. It was too sweet for me. Atmosphere is not fancy or anything like that. Good for friends gatherings and casual dining.

George García

Google
Food was great and service was good too. Had the oxtail. It had a lot of favor and the meat was coming off the bone very easily. Will come back.

Selina P.

Yelp
Huge portions, great flavor Tried the appetizer platter and honestly really enjoyed it all. The different textures of fried chicken were fantastic and the sauces were so yummy Also got a jerk oxtail / chicken plate and it was so good. I love their plantains and the rice+beans is good. Huge portions, I had enough for a second meal The food was a little salty but very good. Service is fine, nothing notable good or bad. Interior is cozy and dim. I would come back!

Kate X.

Yelp
We came here for a dinner date a while ago. This place wasn't very crowded and the food was delicious and huge in portion size, so we both left pretty happy. I got the oxtail plate while he got the jerk salmon plate. I'm a huuge fan of oxtail and I really liked how the ones here were meaty and well flavored. Each plate also came with side of plantains, and they were also crispy and delicious.

Cecile B.

Yelp
Good food in a casual, tropical vibe. The CORN FESTIVALS (free with Yelp check-in) were nicely fried and warm, but a bit dense and dry I got a BRAISED OXTAILS & JERK SALMON COMBO ($26), which is served with rice & beans and sweet plantains, but I subbed the coconut rice & beans for brown rice. The oxtail was very rich and flavorful, and the sauce went great mixed in with the rice (I subbed the coconut rice for brown rice). There were a few chewy bits, but it fell off the bone and I'd definitely get it again. I also really enjoyed the salmon, which was tender and came in a nice flavorful tomato sauce. Prices have definitely gone up, but it's a good amount of food. Otherwise, I tried the JERK CHICKEN PLATE ($16.5 for dark meat, vs. $17.5 for white meat), and although it was the dark meat version, I found it fairly dry and very spicy (much more so than the oxtails and salmon). Service was very slow and they don't take any substitutions (e.g. wouldn't sub plantains for another side, even with an upcharge), and we had to ask 4 times before we finally got our drinks, but the food was flavorful enough that I'd come back.

Montse S.

Yelp
Although the Uber driver forgot my rum cake and ruined my night, the amazing flavors in the jerk salmon and oxtail combo were to die for!! Honestly, it's so hard to get amazing Caribbean so far away from home, but this place was amazing and it was take out. I cannot wait to visit in person and get everything on the menu if it's as amazing as this.

Jason S.

Yelp
We came here on a Sunday for lunch and the restaurant had about 3-4 tables with guests and the rest was empty. Service was unreasonably slow. It took us a considerable about of time for the server to come see us, get drinks, and receive food. Our server at the time wasn't very friendly and seemed a bit flustered. When I went up and paid the bill, I learned that another server had called in sick and they didn't have the proper staff. I completely am understanding of that, as those things do happen. Unfortunately, they happen to all of us, and even if you are having a rough day, you don't need to project that onto the guests. I am sympathetic, but after all, we are there at a business paying for a nice meal. We ordered crispy pork bites - super flavorful and delicious. Jerk chicken - spicy and flavorful. Chicken was juicy and not dry. Food was a 5/5. I've also had take out from here about 5-6 years ago and it was delicious. Jerk pork and chicken were very flavorful as were the sides. Since then it's been bookmarked. Consistent flavors from the time difference, which I think is very important for any restaurant. Would return here again.

Anne H.

Yelp
My sister and I were visiting Palo Alto from out of town and Coconuts Caribbean was such a great find! We ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer and combo plate with oxtail and jerk chicken to share. The oxtail tasted stellar and the portion was generous. The meat is full of flavor, tender and falls off the bone. The jerk chicken was moist with a mild kick of spiciness, plantains and rice were nice as well. It was definitely enough food for the both of us to share. The service was attentive and kind. The ambiance was casual and relaxing and it was pleasant nice to enjoy the weather in the back patio. Next time, I would like to try the goat curry and oxtail combo plate with a side of collard greens. It's a bonus that the location is in a cute downtown area, perfect to walk around.

Dorothy Z.

Yelp
wanted to try this place out with a few friends. The good: fairly generous portions and vibey restaurant decor. The bad: pretty slow service, and subpar food. The jerk chicken was extremely dry and ox tail was mid. Fries were probably the best part since the dishes were very meat heavy. There were also ants crawling around our table :(

Hanna T.

Yelp
Combo Jerk Chicken and Salmon Jerk: 3/5 Decent but had its shortcomings. The chicken was unexpectedly dry. Both the thigh and drumstick lacked the moisture you would expect from these cuts. Instead of being juicy, the chicken was chewy with a beef jerky-like texture, showing strings of meat. The salmon tasted like a standard grilled salmon, nothing remarkable. The portions were perfect for me; they weren't large. This dish is something you could easily replicate at home with a few seasonings. A marinade to mix with the rice or meats would have improved it, as the seasoning alone wasn't sufficient. The rice didn't complement the dish well since it lacked sauce or strong flavors to soak up. Pineapple Upside Down Cake: 3.5/5 Had a pleasant hint of pineapple and was not overly sweet. However, the cake was a bit dry. Sweet Potato Pudding: 4.5/5 Great and super moist! It seems they just added flour to the sweet potato to achieve a solid texture, making it nearly like eating a pure sweet potato. It reminds me of Asian desserts and is something I would definitely get again! Rum Cake: 4.5/5 The standout dessert! It had an incredibly subtle hint of alcohol and achieved a perfect balance between dryness and moisture. This cake elevates the traditional pound cake. We ate outside with a large party. Very nicely painted walls and decor, makes you feel like you're on a tropical vacation. The workers are very efficient and nice, keeping an eye on my water to refill. I would recommend sitting outside since the inside is a bit dark.

Cindy L.

Yelp
Tender Braised Ox Tail 5 not spicy, very tender Jamaican Curried Goat 4 spicy, texture slightly different from lamb, less juicy, more chewy Jerk Chicken 2 grilled, crispy skin, dry, flavorful sauce, slightly spicy BBQ Chicken 2 same chicken, slightly sweet sauce Jerk Salmon 3 not spicy, slightly juicy Curried shrimp 2 spicy, only 3 shrimp Buttermilk cornbread 4 slightly sweet Corn Festival 4 corn dog, no sausage, crispy outter Sweet potato pudding 2 too sweet Collard Greens 2 sour, soupy

Trinh P.

Yelp
Tender braised oxtails!!! Soooo good! Rice & beans and plantains were delicious!! $20 included tax Really cute place and a bar. Street parking. Friendly staff Went around lunch and there were two other parties there, so not too packed. Food takes awhile to come out but it's worth it! Plenty of food! Was enough for two meals.

Tony G.

Yelp
I give them 4 1/2 stars!!!! What can't I say about this place? Yooo, the food is amazing, on point, and always smackin'!!!! Customer service was superb. My waiter William, was super cool, friendly, and very attentive. Hella cool dude with a positive attitude. So that added to the experience if you ask me. I've been to the sister location "Bakayard" (which I also enjoy), but I've never been to this location "Coconut's". I'll tell you what, I'm coming back! The vibe is right, the staff was cool and they have good pricing, great portions, and hella good food. You won't be disappointed.

Carson M.

Yelp
Stopped by for a late lunch on a Saturday around 2:30pm. There were a few people seated but no line. Owner/manager stopped by our table several times to check on us. Waiter could have been better. He was in charge of 3-4 other tables at the same time as us, so I'm not sure if he was overwhelmed or not. We received our main dishes first and I had to check on our coconut shrimp appetizer afterwards with the owner/manager. In addition, service itself was a bit slow when trying to get the check. Jerk chicken and oxtail: 4.5/5 Oxtail had sharp edges that made it hard to clean the meat off the bones completely. You should use your hands to eat the bones clean - beware you may flick some sauce onto your shirt. Both chicken and oxtail were nicely spiced. It was nice to dip the jerk chicken into the oxtail sauce. Cornbread: 5/5 came out hot and fluffy. Had a hint of sweetness. Goes great with the oxtail and chicken. Coconut shrimp: 5/5 Definitely can taste the coconut and the shrimp itself was a good size. Breading was thin and crunchy/crispy. I would love to come back again if I lived closer. Service left a bit to be desired. I would happily rate Coconuts a 5/5 if the service was better during our visit.

Sophia B.

Yelp
Out of my sample size of n=3, this is the best Caribbean restaurant I've eaten at, and I used to live in Florida. I dined in with friends on a Saturday night and the restaurant was pretty busy. Coconuts has a nice family setting kind of feel. Plating was straightforward and gave cozy homemade vibes. Service was standard, they didn't check on us a bunch. It was busy and they seemed short-staffed, but food and drinks still came out pretty quickly, perfectly timed and soooo good! For the first time in my life, the coconut shrimp actually tasted like coconut. I never knew what I was missing out on Festivals were larger pieces than I was expecting. Think egg roll sized. They had a delicious golden deep fried crunch and sweetness that, oddly enough, reminded me of churros from Spain. An order comes with 3 of these, which can easily be cut in half to provide 6 small helpings and shared with up to 6 people. This was the best jerk chicken I've ever had, 5/5. Tender, spiced, but not as unbearably spicy as others I've had. I was able to really enjoy the different jerk flavor nuances. The oxtail was fork tender, with great warming spices balanced by sweet plantains, and hearty rice and beans made for the ultimate comfort food. Windy rum punch was an excellent cocktail! Tropical fruits and rum, flavorful but not too sweet, who could go wrong with that? Two others in my group ordered the red sangria, which they said was nice, but just okay. My friend thought hers tasted a bit too sweet/weak on the wine and my husband said he liked the fruity taste more. Taste is individual, so it may not be for everyone. In the end they both ordered a second one. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant! I'm already looking forward to coming back so I can try the other dishes. Love the family-friendly, cozy atmosphere. It's super welcoming, making it a good place to share delicious food and make new memories.

Johnny M.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of Coconuts Caribbean! 1. They serve large portions - lots of rice & beans - and fry the plantains to perfection. 2. They are reasonably priced - for the amount of food you get. 3. They have good service, comes and refills the water frequently, brings customers extra utensils and plates quickly. 4. The food was tasty and delicious. Loved the jerk pork and jerk chicken with a side of habanero sauce. Don't sleep on the dessert menu: they make a good sweet potato pudding.

Christina C.

Yelp
Enjoyed an early dinner after window shopping in the area recently and Coconuts hit the spot. We were seated immediately after entering. There were other patrons dining but the restaurant wasn't full when we arrived. Service was prompt and attentive. We enjoyed big mugs of the Caribbean rum punch to set us off on the tropical vibe, along with the perfectly fried coconut shrimp appetizer. It came with salad which was nice but there could have been more mango dipping sauce to go with the shrimp. Our entrees followed not long after - huge plates of curried goat and braised oxtail. Perfectly spiced and tender meats and generous portions of sweet plantains. I ended up with leftovers, reheated well for lunch the next day!

Katherine L.

Yelp
The day we dined here was so unbelievably hot. Their indoor dining room was way too toasty and the staff struggled with opening the windows so we sat outside (it was still way too hot). Jerk chicken wings were dry but flavorful, highlight was the oxtail. Our waitress was almost impossible to get a hold of. She'd come by maybe every 25 minutes and asking for her to get a takeout container took forever.

Kanchan S.

Yelp
Went here early Saturday evening. Around 5:30 but it was still busy and the service was extremely extremely slow. We were a party of 10 (3 kids and 7 adults) and even the kids were tired of waiting for their food. I had been here a. Purple of times before but that was pre covid times and I had loved it back then but the experience was not that great this time around. Not sure if it was just that specific time or if the service has gone down recently. Even the food tasted just okay. White grilled chicken breast meal that I ordered was super dry and didn't lol fresh. Jerk chicken wings were too too salty and I feel the jerk curry itself had issues that day and hence all the dishes tasted too salty and it spoiled the taste of all the dishes. My daughter did enjoy her Mac n cheese though. Others also mentioned their meals were okay and nothing to write back home to.

Tiffany L.

Yelp
I came in here with my friends on a Sunday afternoon. It was very spacious and they had a large table for bigger groups. I shared a combo plate of goat curry and oxtail and a jerk chicken (dark) plate with my boyfriend and a cocktail. The food came out in 15-20 minutes. The service could be a bit better, we asked for water multiple times and they brought it out like with our cocktails.. quite some time after we got seated. But it's ok because the food made up for it. Da pain Killa cocktail I got was so creamy and fruity! I loved the goat curry and oxtail plate! The rice and beans were also extremely flavorful and the plantains were slightly crispy. The curries themselves were so full of flavor and the meat was fall apart tender. I think the jerk chicken plate was good but I preferred the combo plate. The seasoning was very good, but there were a few edge pieces that were a bit more charred and dry for my liking but most was good. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area, I left full like a balloon.

Mimi D.

Yelp
Ribs were above average, very tender and sweetly glazed. The jerk chicken had good flavor but I wish it marinated into the meat more/had more jerk sauce on the plate. French fries and slaw were nothing special. The jerk chicken on the braised oxtail plate had more sauce. It came with beans and rice as well as caramelized plantains, which were my favorite! Both the chicken and oxtail were fall off the bone. Another favorite was the beef patty- a must try! We almost didn't have it but ended up eating 2. With two drinks and two waters our total was a total of $75.

Arya R.

Yelp
My first time trying Caribbean food. The jerk tofu was more bland than I liked but the other sides made up for it. The tomatoes and okra were flavorful and the plantains added a nice sweet crunch. Next time I would like to try the coconut vegan tofu curry. Cute decor inside as well!

Mona S.

Yelp
Such a good spot for drinks and food!! Lovely customer service hands-down! Andrew Alejandro, Castro, Jenny, and William were our amazing servers and yes we WILL BE BACK! thank you

Danielle J.

Yelp
I have been going to Coconuts for years and the service, food, and drinks are consistently great. Will took care of my friend and me for her birthday lunch. It was a very special and memorable day. We will definitely comeback

Anita L.

Yelp
I came here during a happy hour time thinking they would have a happy hour menu, which, unfortunately, they don't. Not a big deal though. We ended up getting a plate of jerk chicken wings and coconut-fried shrimp to share. If you check in on Yelp, you can also get 2 complimentary corn festivals, which are like fried, fluffy cornbread. We also go Da Pain Killer which was a yummy concoction of coconut, rum, and juice. I liked that they didn't seem to skimp on the alcohol. All of the food was good, I like that the coconut shrimp was nicely breaded and not greasy. The flavor of the chicken wings had a nice flavor with a subtle kick but I thought the wings were a little on the small side. The service was a little on the slow side, even when there weren't many other patrons there.

Lauren T.

Yelp
I was really excited to try this place because I love Backayard. But unfortunately, it didn't taste very good. I ordered the Jerk Chicken - Dark Meat, and what arrived was clearly mostly white meat chicken. And it was dry, so very disappointing. Service was also very slow, and we had to ask two different waiters for the check, as the first one just never came back with it. The waitress for my table was very good though!

Jessica N.

Yelp
Sister restaurant to Backayard and just as amazing! This one is an actual sit down restaurant. Food is just incredible. The jerk chicken, oxtails, and jerk pork are perfection. We also love getting the Jamaican beef patties (similar to empanadas). Ask for the mango habanero sauce!!

Jeff D.

Yelp
Once again amazing flavors to the food. The habanero sauce is very spicy and on point. Server was super attentive and friendly. Made sure we were served fast too. Vibe is cool inside and it does get a bit loud since it's a small place with lots of people.

Elsie Y.

Yelp
Stopped by on a Tuesday early evening and we were seated immediately as we were the only ones to have arrived so far. 3 more parties came in about 10 minutes later and after another 5-10 minutes their orders were all taken while we remained seated waiting to put in our order. The service itself is not very good. We got the ox tail and jerk chicken combo to share as well as the corn festivals. I loved the corn festivals but I'm almost always pleased by fried dough. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of oxtail I received and the flavor was great. The fried plantains were also lovely. The jerk chicken was disappointing, the only flavor I could discern was smoky. In the past when I've eaten jerk chicken it's always had more flavor.

Yen L.

Yelp
A staple in Palo Alto with good portions, meaty plates, and spacious indoor/outdoor seating for groups The food: We tried their squash/chicken soup, and both the white/dark meat jerk chicken plates. The chicken breast plate was a substantially larger portion than the dark meat plate while still being flavorful/juicy. The coconut rice-bean side was surprisingly flavorful, with a prominent coconut flavor coming through. The plantains were perfectly fried & sweet! We also liked that the chicken was not overly greasy like some other places. The space: we stopped by around 7 PM on a Sunday night and there was ample seating indoors and outdoors. The outdoor seating is located in a cute alleyway -- great for the summertime! The service: we were promptly seated and able to choose our table. Our waiter brought us extra plates to share the dishes and extra sauce for the chicken, which was the best part! This place makes my list for favorite spots in Palo Alto and a solid, protein-packed option for weeknight dinners/takeout!

Angela Y.

Yelp
Some friends recommended the food from this place a while ago so we finally came to give it a try. A waitress led us to some outdoor seating, but after sitting for a while someone else came over to tell us that the table was actually dirty and she wiped it for us (very nice of her, but we had so many questions). We then waited for another 30 minutes for someone to finally take our order. Apparently the person that was supposed to be in charge of our table didn't want to do that so someone else that felt bad for us was kind enough to come over and take our order. We then waited for another 20 minutes for the food to finally arrive. Everything seemed to take so long that at some point we were honestly thinking about just leaving. As it got late, the temperature got lower, as it always does on a February evening in Palo Alto. We asked if we could have the outdoor heaters turned on so we wouldn't be freezing outside. We were told that they were out of gas and there's no way for them to turn on the heater. Luckily we survived through this because the food was kind of spicy and that definitely helped us stay warm. The lights outside were just some patio string lights, not super bright. Might be good for drinks but if you're having a meal you might not want to sit outside after it gets dark. The other table was literally eating with their phone flashlights so they could see what was in their plates. Shivering in the coldness and darkness. Overall the food was okay (I also don't know what authentic Caribbean food is supposed to be like, would be inappropriate for me to comment on the authenticity) and the portion was pretty big, but the entire experience was not so good and service could definitely be improved.

J M.

Yelp
Horrible service...sat at bat...waited...ordered Pain Killer glass full of coconut milk and pineapple GROSS ordered food...waited..waited finally gave up paid for drinks (no tip) and left. Would NOT recommend

Katelyn L.

Yelp
I wish I could've given this place a higher rating, but the food left me pretty unsatisfied. The Coconut Fried Shrimp was way overpriced, considering they serve the smallest bite of shrimp; however, the guava sauce that comes along with this dish is a delight. Just wish there was more shrimp to eat alongside the sauce. I wanted to enjoy the Jamaican Goat Curry, but the food was something I had to force myself to finish. The rice to curry to plantain ratio was off - with more curry than rice, leaving a lot of leftover curry. Overall, this dish wasn't balanced well and proportionally if it was - I think I could have had a better experience. It's a very casual restaurant & bar, with quick service and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I'd love to come back here and try something else, because I do think that this place adds to the diverse options to dine at in downtown Palo Alto. Don't forget the Yelp Check-In for free Corn Festivals!

Tony F.

Yelp
I honestly thought the food was really good. I want to note that this was the first time I had Caribbean food! The coconut shrimp was small so it was a bit disappointing but I really loved how strong the coconut taste was. The sauce that came with it was good as well. The corn festivals were very good! It was very similar to a fried donut but it was definitely topped off the meal. The curried shrimp was okay. I'd give it a 3.5/5 but the jerk chicken carried my plate. It was spicy and tasty so I recommend! The beef patty was stuffed to the brim inside which was really great! The curried goat was great but I do believe it can get a bit tiring eating only that. The plantains definitely gave a better balance to the dishes. The ambiance was great. It truly gave off a local, Caribbean vibe which was fun! The service was normal. Nothing special. I would probably come again to try new things! Very interesting restaurant.

Jessica Z.

Yelp
The food is so so good! My friend recommended the oxtail and the cornbread, and they both blew my mind! I was particularly surprised by the cornbread as the texture is unlike any cornbread I've had before - it was soft, moist, and cake-like, rather than having the crumbly texture I was used to. For the main meal, I got the oxtail and jerk chicken combo, and it came in a huge platter of food, including plantains and rice. The oxtail was so tender it was falling off the bone, and it just melted in my mouth. The chicken was flavored so well, and everything just tasted so good together. It is very heavy, and I was so dumb for eating this right before a cycling class, but it was so worth it. I did deduct a star for service, as we asked for water multiple times and didn't receive it until our food was already out.

Vicky T.

Yelp
Delicious. Came here with three friends as the start of a lovely afternoon. We got pineapple juice, mango lemonade and passion fruit lemonade- all topped with a cherry and fruit. One of our friends had never had Caribbean food before so this place was a good introduction for her. Two curried tofu plates, a curried shrimp and chicken plate and an ox tail and chicken plate. You can choose between light or dark meat. Service was fine. Restrooms are clean. Patio is dog friendly.

EM H.

Yelp
I have been eyeing Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar for years and finally got to check them out with my friends for a late lunch on Saturday, June 10, 2023. We had an awesome time. Venue: B grade/3 stars. Located on Ramona Street in downtown Palo Alto, the restaurant is conveniently located across the street from an underground public parking lot. Metered parking is also available along the street and in the neighbourhood. The venue, itself, is composed of several dining rooms with mainly yellow walls with vibrantly colourful mural paintings. Bar seating as well as private room dining are available. For sunny or warm days, they have a narrow patio for dining al fresco. We opted for an outdoor table which was nice, especially when they started playing music. Not sure why the music wasn't playing all day. I wish it was. I can't speak for the men's restroom, but the women's could have used some tidying up. Food: A-/B+ grade/4.5 stars. Coconuts serves generous portions of yummy food at great prices. Below is what we ordered: DA PAIN KILLER - We shared a virgin pitcher, with the rum on the side. The alcohol servings were generous. Insert smiley face and two thumbs up emojis here. BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD - I'm usually not into cornbread because it always seems to be dry. Coconuts' version is THE MOISTEST cornbread I have ever had. Surprisingly, I am a fan of this! JAMAICAN PATTY (beef) - A delicious pastry containing meat and spices baked inside a golden yellow flaky shell, similar to an empanada or turnover. Very good. COCONUT CURRIED TOFU - I didn't taste it, but my friend, Jasmine, almost finished this dish on her own. I assume that the curry is the same as the one for the CURRIED SHRIMP & VEGETABLES, which I ordered. If I am right, then this is a tasty plate. TENDER BRAISED OXTAIL & JAMAICAN CURRIED GOAT - My friend, Benny, really liked this Combo plate. According to her, "Everything was great on its own, but having the sauce WITH the rice was delicious." CURRIED SHRIMP & VEGETABLES - I enjoyed this very much. Although I found the curry sauce to be a little bit on the thin side, I did wish that I had more of it to drown my white rice in. JERK CHICKEN & TENDER BRAISED OXTAIL - This was Tracy's order. I had a little taste of the RICE & BEANS which was good. Benny tasted the chicken. She said that, "The sauce on the JERK CHICKEN was flavourful. Had a little kick to it, but it was a good kick." WARM SWEET POTATO PUDDING - Our server surprised us with this dessert on the house. The accompanying scoops of ice cream were served in a separate bowl since our waiter heard that Jasmine has been trying to be vegan for a while. I didn't try the ice cream, but the WARM SWEET POTATO PUDDING was very nice; thick and rich. My husband would love this. Service: A+ grade/5 stars. I didn't catch the name of our waiter, but according to our receipt, Marcus served us...excellently. He was very friendly, accommodating, and, at my request, demonstrated how to pour the rum float on my DA PAIN KILLER. Very fun guy with great energy. As I mentioned before, he served a WARM SWEET POTATO PUDDING to us as a complimentary surprise. Oh, and I should add that we were also at our table from 2:45 to 6:45 PM with no issue. We could have closed that place down without complaints from the restaurant staff. Such a hospitable and welcoming place this is! Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar is an awesome place for enjoying cocktails and eats, especially at their outdoor patio during sunny days with the reggae music blasting. Definitely my kind of place. I will be back...and will need to bring my husband at my next visit. He would dig their food and drinks for sure.

Sarah C.

Yelp
We came on a Friday night around 7pm and the restaurant was fully packed! The atmosphere was very lively and fun! Thankfully, we got a small table in the outside patio area. We ordered the Jerk Pork and the Combo Oxtail & Curried Goat. The jerk pork was so tender and perfectly seasoned, broken down into both meat and fat pieces. It went perfectly with the slight sweetness of the rice and the stronger sweetness of the plantains. The oxtail meat was so tender, it fell off the bone and the sauce complemented the dish very well! The curried goat (in the greener sauce) was a bit tougher to get off the bone and there were a lot of small bones to work through. However, the curry was so delicious and the goat flavor was very strong. I haven't had goat too much so I definitely had to get used to the gamier taste. Still, I'm glad I was able to try this more unique dish! Overall, the food was delicious! The only downside was that service was a bit slow as it took us over 30min to get the check after we were completely done eating. Just something to keep in mind if you're in a time crunch.

Ian W.

Yelp
Great food with a very authentic feel! Great service and vibes throughout. Staff was very friendly.

Queena Z.

Yelp
SO GOOD. My first time having Caribbean food and it was spicy, flavorful, and delicious!! My favorite item has to be the beef patty and jerk chicken wings. They were both spicy and wonderfully spiced. Make sure you check in on Yelp so you get free corn festivals. They were perfect for using it to soak up the sauce from the braised oxtail and curried goat. The corn festivals reminded me of hush puppies but a lot bigger.

Iris Z.

Yelp
I went Coconuts for Caribbean food! It was my first time trying Caribbean food and it was so delicious and my experience here at Coconuts was exceptional. My friends and I went on a Thursday evening and there was no wait. Our server greeted us so kindly and sat us down as soon as we arrived. We ordered the coconut shrimp for the table and the shrimp was cooked so perfectly. The shrimp was also big and I thought it was going to be 90% batter & 10% shrimp like other places but it was not the case here. The shrimp came with a side of coleslaw and a guava dipping sauce which paired well with the shrimp. To drink, my friend and I also split the Da Pain Killer and that was super yummy. For my entree, I ordered the Jerk Chicken & Braised Oxtail combo. The oxtail was so delicious and it was fall off the bone tender!! Truly one of the best oxtails I've had so far. The jerk chicken had such a delicious and in depth flavor that I've never had elsewhere. It was so smoky but so yummy. For people who never had jerk style cuisine, it is a bit on the spicy side but it's worth trying. Overall, I would come back again and it's definitely great for big groups!

Lauren G.

Yelp
I ordered a curried tofu dish and in general, I enjoyed it. Part of the dish was a little bit on the spicy side, so I wish it was a little bit milder. The service was great! Initially, my friends and I sat outside, but it was too cold outside, even with the flame heater. We asked to sit inside, and we luckily got an indoor table. Very comfortable. I enjoyed the plantains a lot. My friends enjoyed their food too. Overall, I recommend this place. I have eaten at this place several times.

Lucy W.

Yelp
The plantains are my favorite. Jerk spices are flavorful and delicious, but my favorite is the goat curry. Wonderful service the 3 times I've been there.

Kathleen Q.

Yelp
Such a great find! Ordered the corn bread (forgot the name), the seasonal holiday drinks, jerk chicken and oxtail entree. The entrees were super filling and tasty. The protein is all cooked well and flavorful, and the plantains are fried/grilled with just enough caramelization for flavor. The oxtail is one of their most popular entrees and it's not something you come across often. The MVP goes to the bread. I don't know how to articulate it well but theres a crispy outer layer to the bread, almost as if it was fried just the slightest bit for the extra crisp. The middle is super soft and the bread was overall so good, would highly recommend. And shoutout to the incredible service! The workers were very patient in helping recommend dishes as well as their drinks. Thank you!

Wil L.

Yelp
Well, first timer here w/ the family. We ordered: Coconut Shrimp- delicious and crispy! Cornbread - super good. Has actually pieces of corn kern in it This chicken meat patty (can't recall name)- good spice to it. Delicious. Jerk chicken and oxtail- really good. I wish there was more meat on the oxtail. It was so tender! Yummmmmm. BBQ chicken and fries for kids- kid ate it. I should have asked them for no sauce. We ended up wiping the sauce off the chicken. Yelp gave us a complimentary order of corn festivals when we checked in. - I was personally not a big fan but the kids enjoyed it. One word to describe our experience. DELICIOUS! From the first delivery of the coconut shrimp to our entrees. Everything was so tasty. To top it off, our waiter was super friendly and attentive. Felt like a mom and pop restaurant rather than a bland big chain (nothing wrong with big chain though). Will definitely come back if I am in the area!

Bryan R.

Yelp
Coconuts 642 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Swipe for more content! SWIPE -BBQ BONELESS PORK $15 -JERK CHICKEN & TENDER BRAISED OXTAIL COMBO $19 -JAMAICAN PATTY $4 -COCONUT FRIED SHRIMP (WITH GUAVA DIPPING SAUCE) $14 -BBQ PORK SPARERIBS $13 -JAMAICAN CURRIED GOAT $17 -CURRIED SHRIMP & JERK SALMON COMBO $21 -COCONUT CURRIED TOFU $18 -CORN FESTIVALS $5.5 -COBB SALAD $11 SIMPLE REVIEW: 1. Taste: Coconuts Jamaican Restaurant is a true gem in the heart of Palo Alto (SIDE NOTE: Stanford University is an 11-minute walk from the Restaurant). From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with the aroma of authentic Jamaican spices and flavors. The menu contains delicious options, from classic jerk chicken to savory curries and stews. BIG BONUS: The portions are super generous and the flavors are out of this world - you'll feel like you've been transported straight to the Caribbean! The standout dish, however, is definitely the oxtail. The meat is incredibly tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and complex. It's clear that the chefs at Coconuts take great care in preparing each dish, using only the freshest ingredients and traditional techniques. 2. Service: The waitstaff are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations if you're not sure what to order. They're also attentive without being overbearing, making sure that your glass is always full and checking in to see if you need anything else. 3. Worth the price? Coconuts Jamaican Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking for a delicious and authentic taste of Jamaica. I can't recommend it enough - five stars all around! Pointers: Free Street Parking Indoor Seating Only Accepts cash and card Cultural Vibes (Caribbean) Do you want to Save this? You can under "Jamaica"! Consider following my Instagram community(3k+):@brbinges too if you want

Annie Y.

Yelp
There's plenty of street parking, but sometimes it may be hard to find a good spot. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. Keep in mind, everything is spicyyyy (I didn't know that, but if you can tolerate spicy, this place is for you) We ordered the Coconut Fried Shrimp, Jerk Chicken & tender Braised Oxtail, and Jamaican Patty. The Coconut Fried Shrimp was good, it wasn't as crispy and I'm not a huge shrimp person, but it was good with the sauce they provided. The Jerk Chicken & tender Braised Oxtail was delicious! The rice tasted really good and well seasoned, the braised oxtail wasn't dry and the meat just slid off the bone. The Jerk Chicken was also good, but my favorite was the braised oxtail and rice. The Jamaican Patty was spicy and didn't expect that, but it was really good! It was soft and packed with spicy flavor. Overall, everything was yummy and spicy. Recommendation(s): - Jerk Chicken & Braised Oxtail - Jamaican Patty Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Everything is spicy - Street parking available

Bernardo S.

Yelp
Good vibes. If you like a quiet dinner this place is not that place. If you're wanting a good Caribbean food around the area this place is that place. Ordered oxtail and goat curry and jerk chicken plate. Tender chicken the goat curry is a must. Not new its our 3rd time eating here so not surprised with the menu being good. I recommend this place if you want your taste buds to be happy.

Zach S.

Yelp
Second time here, and once again the food did NOT disappoint. Finally tried the goat curry, which after having the oxtail and every kind of jerk chicken, is definitely the BEST dish. Goat is so soft and falls off the bone, and they give so much off it too! Oxtail is lowkey a little too fatty for my taste, and the jerk chicken is nice but a little less of a showstopper in comparison. Also portions here are huge. You'll definitely be more than full enough from one combo / entree.

Roxane P.

Yelp
We've eaten here twice now. Both times, food is on point. Service is kind and attentive. They were more busy the last time we visited, but still made their rounds to check if we needed anything. The ambiance is chill and relaxed. It was good to see the restaurant busier the last time we visited. Food still came out in a timely manner. Food was still just as delicious as the first time. But we planned better and ordered to share vs. entree plates per person. We ordered ribs and it was so flavorful and juicy, not dry. Our standard order is the oxtail and we know we wouldn't be disappointed. We also ordered collard greens and corn festivals which were both so delicious. We typically order based on what we can share with our little one. Fortunately, she loves rice and beans! And she enjoyed the plantains too!! This is definitely a returning go-to spot.

Jae D.

Yelp
My fav Jamaican restaurant :') my absolute go-to for traditional and authentic Jamaican food. Service has always been expeditious and the people have always been kind when I visit. Everything is always so darn good! Well seasoned and extremely flavorful dishes. The sauce is honestly my fav, from the Jerk to the Curry one. They have never disappointed and I have been here a few times. Every time i'm around PA, I have to hit this spot up! They also got outdoor seating and great drinks!!!! i HIGHLY recommend visiting if you're in the Bay Area, CA. PERIOD!!