Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine

5-Star Review – Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine If you’re craving authentic Caribbean food that tastes like it was made straight from the heart, Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine is a must-try. I just ate here, and from the first bite to the last, everything was bursting with flavor. You can taste the love and tradition in every dish — this is the kind of food that brings you home, even if you’ve never been to Haiti. The service is just as incredible as the food. Warm, welcoming, and attentive — they treat you like family. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance: comfortable, with a cool, hip vibe that makes you want to stick around a little longer. Whether you’re new to Haitian cuisine or grew up with it, this place hits the mark. Don’t sleep on Island Flavors — this is real Caribbean soul food done right.

Okay, to preface i know basically nothing about Haitian food or afro-caribbean food in general, but this was one of our first stops on our way to learning more. Not only did we get some great conversation with the chef-owner, met his mom, and learned quite a bit about the cuisine and the chef's personal history, the food is amazing. If we lived anywhere near here we'd be ordering or visiting all the time. The door is not easy to find, as they don't have their sign up yet (picture attached), and the neighborhood can seem a little rough around the edges, but the food is 10/10 worth just about anything you need to do to get it, and everyone we talked to was incredibly warm and friendly. We tried: Tasso kabrit (fried goat), which was perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The gaminess of the goat was beautifully controlled. Oxtail, which was braised perfectly. The meat was tender and fall-off-the-bone without being crumbly, and the seasoning was amazing. Djon djon rice, which i don't even need to discuss; just get it because it's incredible. Black beans and rice, which was so savory i wouldn't believe them when they told me it was vegan. The texture of the rice was also spot on; tender with a bit of a chew. Sos pwa, a thin black bean sauce which went perfectly with the rice dishes and meats. Pikliz, which added a lovely crunch and spicy, briny brightness to anything and everything on the plate; I asked for extra and wished I had gotten even more. Bannan peze, which were crispy fried plantains; a really nice starchy complement to the meats and rice, with a touch of savory and sweetness that kind of brings everything together. If you're at all curious about Haitian food (and I kinda feel like you should be), this place should be on your radar.

This place is amazing. I was is desperate search of a Haitian food restaurant in La and I was never successful. Finally found this place and it happened to be when my dad was in town. We both enjoyed the food and service. The griot was amazing. My dad is about as OG Haitian as they come and he enjoyed himself which says a lot. Really hoping this place gets all the support it deserves! Come check them out and then come back with your friends.

I love Haitian food! I ordered so much and the food was amazing. The owners are kind and was able to teach us a lot. I felt very welcomed and left with extra food for later! This is true authentic Haitian food.

I had dîne in food and ended up getting some food to go, No disappointments on the food! Flavorful and the chef cools right on the spot so the food is fresh. Worth the drive from San Diego! My pictures aren’t the best because I demolished my dîne in plate and as you can see i was tearing it up in the car 😅. Anywho def give this place a try! The atmosphere was a good vibe no loud DJ or over priced liquor with the grass wall lol no shade just honostly pleased with the good and calm energy. Food didn’t take long about 15-20 mins for freshly prepped and cooked food? Yup like i said before this was a Great find!

Recently ate food here and the food was great! Service was amazing, he was super nice and attentive, constantly asking if we need anything. Food is fresh and made to order, I got the Griot plate and the meat was super tender and seasoned, great plantains on the side. My girlfriend got the Creole Salmon and it was amazing, great seasoning and cooked perfectly! ( Mind you my girlfriend is Haitian! ) This place is definitely a hole in the whole place but a must try if you are wanting to explore Haitian cuisine. Will come back for sure!

Finally got around to checking out this spot, and can I tell yall how good it is?? I tried the Oxtail, stewed goat, and the grilled salmon. Each portion was generous and beautifully plated with plantains, djon djon rice, and pickleez (I definitely misspelled that)! Everything was 🔥! I can't decide if my favorite was the super flavorful oxtail or the fall off the bone goat, And definitely don't sleep on the pickliiz- you're gona want extra and u gona put it on everything!!

I've waited over seven years for a Haitian restaurant to open in the Los Angeles area, and this one was well worth the wait. Not only did it meet my expectations—it far exceeded them. The flavors were bold and authentic, the presentation was impeccable, and the quality of preparation was truly top tier. As someone who is very selective when it comes to food, I was thoroughly impressed. This restaurant is a gem, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable culinary experience. You will not be disappointed! Don’t walk, run to this restaurant!

Daniel 3: 17. Dieu est pour moi un refuge ki ne manq jamais Béni sea

Haitian food in LA is my favorite find. Island Flavors tastes just like home and I can't wait to stop by again. I ordered the lunch size stewed chicken and beef patty. Delicious. Lunch size comes with 2. Kicked. Tasty sauce. I ordered djon djon (black rice). There were 3 fries green plantain. The beef patty was great. Homemade. Flaky. I wanted more. There's an inside which was nice and huge. It used to be a diner so ample space to dine inside. Of course it's downtown so we know a great issue of downtown is parking. I was able to find parking in the front and there's many street meters. The team was super kind. I waited a few for my food but they were welcoming and let me know my food was coming right out. They were making the Haitian beef patty from scratch. So yes. Nice and piping hot. I will absolutely wait for greatness. Great time. Amazing food. Better prices. Can't wait to go back and try out more dishes.

Subject: Disappointing Experience with Missed Order Dear Island Flavors Cuisine, While I'm sure your food is delicious, I unfortunately didn't have the chance to enjoy it during a recent and very important occasion--my daughter's celebration. I placed an order at f $141 on May 6 at around 5:00 PM and made the effort to drive downtown during rush hour to pick it up on time which was 6:00PM. Upon arrival, I called to let you know I was outside, only to be told by the person who answered (whom I believe was the owner) that he was unaware of my order and you was just seeing it . After providing my name, he located it and informed me that it had not been prepared. He explained that his mother was ill and that he would be issuing a refund. However I came back and mentioned that there was no more oxtail available and that the Griot would take another 30 minutes to cook. I was a bit confused because I was under the impression he gave that he needed to leave With no parking available and time already wasted, I requested a refund and left--empty-handed and deeply disappointed. While I absolutely understand that life happens and unexpected things can come up, customer service and communication are within your control. I was left feeling like an inconvenience rather than a valued NEW customer. There was no empathy for the inconvenience I experienced--driving through traffic only to leave without the food I had planned for a special celebration. I hope you take this feedback seriously and use it as an opportunity to improve your service going forward.

Went for my sisterhood monthly get together. The restaurant is in DTLA, our reservations were at 6:30p so it was still daylight. Lots of unsavory looking individuals out and about and for the most part friendly. At this hour, there was some street parking available. after we all arrived no later than 6:45 we placed our order. They did not have rice and beans which we were all saddened by. The chef let us sample the djon djon rice and it was was tasty. Bianca was our waitress. She was nice and personable. i ordered the Creole Salmon, with djon djon rice. there were 6 of us. one order of Tasso Kabrit, 3 orders of Creole Shrimp and 2 orders of the Creole Salmon. Our orders were served around 8p Overall there were no complaints on the food. it was seasoned well. i had leftovers and it was even better the next day. it would be nice to have appetizers while waiting on your meal.

The flavors were spot on! My Dad and I have been looking for a traditional Haitian restaurant on the west coast and we've found it. Will did an excellent job, this was seriously some of the best Griot I've ever had. We will be back.

The story behind this spot is legendary. Shoutout to chef and his dedication to family and traditions! Great spot to grab some Haitian classics, they'll make you feel like family right away. Everything is crafted fresh and hit our tables with a resounding smell of greatness. Every dish will give you that kick of spice and seasoning that isn't always easy to come by. So pull up, support and Stay Eatin!

Randomly found this place because my husband is Haitian and wanted Haitian food for his birthday. Sober looked it up on google and this is where we landed. First thought - they need a bigger sign.. you could miss it if you weren't paying attention. The location is not the best - there are some sketchy character outside but once you get into the establishment... you're gonna be amazed. It was only us when we went but there were 2 guys ( I think one was the main cook) they were very friendly and helped us order. The food did take a while to come out but it was because everything was made fresh to order ( so I'm not mad at all) Once the food came out----- OMG!!!!! Delicious!!! My husband was so happy l. He said they cook like his grandma( that is the ultimate compliment). The flavors were there .. the portions were great for the price.. the pate's.... AMAZING!!! It was just a great visit. I will recommend this place to everyone- we had a great experience and the food was out of this world. You definitely get an at home family feeling here. Will definitely be. Coming back!! Thank you for making my husbands birthday dinner special :-)

This is my first time here the food was absolutely incredible. The temperature cooked fresh to perfection. The seasoning was perfect just right now. I'm very very picky when it comes to seasoning not to mention the energy from Reggis and his beautiful mom. I love you both and I can't wait to come back

We absolutely loved the food, we had the OXTAIL PLATE, creole veggie bowl, fried chicken, pork with Djon rice, Banana cups and Bon Goo fries . Everything was delicious and look forward to returning. Only took two pics of everything we had.

First time trying Haitian food! This place did not disappoint. The food was delicious I wiped my plate clean! I wish I would have taken a picture but I forgot! Came by on a Sunday and it was perfect! This space is really clean and well kept.

I am gonna be honest the food was slightly better than Natureal. However, it was still missing authenticity and it was lack lustered. The owner seems very nice and professional. Back to the food, the black rice taste like pure cloves, the griot (fried pork) was a solid 3/10. It's sad that I have to go on the east coast for good Haitian foods.

I tried the oxtail plate and the meat is so tender and juicy it falls right off the bone! I love the flavor of the rice and beans its so tastyyy. The sweet plantains is the perfect touch with the food. Also make sure to get their spicy like sauce with it gives it a big spicy kick if you like spicy.

Regis and his people took great care of me in this family neighborhood spot. Great place to slow down and chill with food that will make you feel joy

This is my second time coming here and the food never disappoints! Everyone is very kind and welcoming here. I love bringing friends here who have never tried Haitian food, and seeing joy light up their faces as they understand why Haitian food is one of my favorite cuisines. The griot is so juicy and some of the best I've had. The Djon Djon rice has so much flavor! And if you like spice, the pikliz and green sauce are a must have! If you're looking for authentic Haitian food in LA, this place is it! I'll definitely be back soon!

Wow! The food is absolutely amazing! I came here for a date, was looking for a place that my Nigerian friend would be okay eating because he only eats his traditional food and I came across Island Flavors because of course there is a similarity between Caribbean food and West African food. We got the djon djon, oxtail, fried plantain, he was able to enjoy it and said the djon djon was like jollof, except the difference in color. I had no idea that Los Angeles was blessed to have another Haitian restaurant after the closing of Pras's (Fugees) restaurant closed up in 3rd Street. I am familiar with Haitian food from my travels to Miami and it has become a food and culture that I truly admire. The location of the restaurant is in the old 5 Cent Diner, which offers a bit of 1950's nostalgia. It's not in the best part of downtown due to the mental health crisis. The service here is good, the people are friendly and accommodating. I believe I met the owner a wonderful woman from Haiti. I called her Auntie because of her sharing her gift of food and culture in the community. I hope that she will be able to stay, grow, and prosper in this business. I will be back soon

"We did it Joe!" OK y'all I am Haitian, born and raised in Miami Florida. I have been searching high and low for a Haitian restaurant in Los Angeles and by golly Miss Molly we finally found it. Walked in and immediately felt at home. Regis and his mom were the best. Very warm and friendly people with the good food to match. We got the salmon plate and the Griot plate and wow just like my grandma used to make. And I do not just throw that around because my grandma used to cook cook ok! Very much looking forward to going back and trying more of the menu. You want some well seasoned authentic Haitian food. This is your spot!

Customer Service could've been more welcoming.. Mac & Cheese took way too long to cook, Diri Djon Djon didn't have no beans and I had no sauce to put in my Griot and Diri Djon Djon. Griot needs onions, peppers,& shaved carrots dressed up on the meat with a hint of lime. I had no side salad as well , gave attitude when I ask for pikliz.

Man oh man....I love Jamaican rice and peas til i tried the Haitian Black rice at this restaurant, best rice on the Caribbean market. 1. Flavor is unmatched. Everything well seasoned and cooked properly. The owner was extremely kind. Will definitely go back!

It's got the seal of approval from a REAL Haitian family My Mom and I drove from W.LA to see what's up. Pâté were fire. I got the Tasso Kabrit and Du ris Djon Djon with Banan Peze (CrispyFried Plaintain) of course with the Pikliz! Moms got the Djon Djon and Legume. Everything on point and made to order! I gotta bring my American peeps next time.

I drove 2+ hours from Riverside to try this place and it did not disappoint. I had a plate of griot with rice n beans, and a plate of black rice with legumes. Absolutely delicious! The griot was nicely cut and cooked. The beef in the legumes was juicy and tender. The pickliz and plantains were also on point. Please don't let the neighborhood deter you from going there. After all, it's Los Angeles. Once you're in the restaurant, talking with the chef, and enjoying the meal, you will see that it was all worth it. The customer service was also fantastic. I got to reminisce with the chef and his mother about Haiti, the food and the culture. Hope you all find the time to visit. I will definitely be coming back for more. Looking forward to seeing this place grow into something amazing.

Took my Haitian husband here and the food and service was amazing. Food cooked to order and had us Al happy and full. We ordered the griot, fried chicken and oxtail plates all with diri rice. Definitely will be back all the war from the iE.

Been here twice with both family and friends, each time the food has been nothing short from amazing, we always get food to go. The service is great as well, everyone here is extremely welcoming and kind, while we were waiting for our food we were offered board games/cards!! It's a pretty far drive from where I live, but in the future I plan on coming to LA just to eat here

I haven't had griot this good + I have never had such flavorful goat (tassot) in my life. I literally don't think there's anything on the menu that would not blow your mind. If you're in DTLA, this place is a must taste! The owner was extremely kind and his excitement for his craft and passing on knowledge about Haitian culture through its cuisine is inspiring. 11/10 experience!

Looking for real authentic Haitian food for my Husband that's Haitian and finally found this place. Family owned, which we loved! Had a chance to chat with a few of them. Very homey place. Great services! Very clean and the food was well served and delicious. We had the passion fruit drinks, Griot and Fried chicken. Would definitely come back again!!!

It's very good. I got the oxtails and my partner got the griot. Everything had a great flavor and the meats were well cooked. It didn't feel greasy or heavy either. And of course I love the old Nickel Diner space with the deep red booths and light fixtures to match. Prices weren't bad at all considering the inflation hell we live in. I really hope this spot sticks around.

Man oh man this food was off the chain so dam delicious to my son and I, flavors were banging! The customer service was so respectful and welcoming! The inside was so cozy. I highly recommend this restaurant!!! Please don't forget to the Haitian meat pie with the green sauce you're gonna love it!

Great food and very friendly service. Highly recommend trying the goat. Looking forward to coming back.

I had an amazing experience at Island Flavors! The warm, welcoming atmosphere set the perfect stage for an unforgettable meal. The food was outstanding. The djon djon was great, but I LOVE their patés and recommend it to my friends when we go there. The griot was crispy and juicy (not dry!) and when we asked for more rice with our order they were happy to adjust things to accommodate us , which filled my heart with joy. That's Ayiti. That's the culture I'm familiar with. If you're craving authentic Haitian cuisine in LA (which for so long had been next to impossible to find), it is a must-visit.

Best Haitian Food In LA. Delicious. Pikliz Diri Dijon. If you haitian you know how important the flavors are.

Such amazing food! Owner was so cool to explain where he sourced his Haitian ingredients. Oxtail, pork, and goat entrees were fabulous. Seasoned to perfection! Plantains available savory or sweet. Rice variations are so amazing. Eat here when in downtown!!! Area seems iffy but just be confident when walking the area. Totally worth it! Can't wait to go back

Disappointing Grand Opening Experience As a Haitian American, it saddens me to write this review, especially on our flag day and during the grand opening of this establishment. I preordered $140 worth of food at 2:28 pm and placed a second order upon arrival at 4:27 pm. The restaurant's opening time was 4 pm, and their hours of operation were from 4-9 pm. I brought my pregnant wife and my 1-year-old godson. Planning ahead to ensure she could eat at an appropriate time, I preordered. Despite constant reassurances from the staff, and seeing multiple customers who ordered after me being served, I began to ask questions. I know some people who received their meals ordered after me because I referred some of those customers myself. I first asked for an update at 6:10 pm, already needing to extend my 2-hour garage payment. Again, I was reassured that the food was coming and they were just backed up. My wife had ordered Tasso Koden (fried turkey), and I informed the assistants that since she is pregnant, we needed her order as a priority. All the other orders could be held until completed. At about 6:50 pm, we were told that they only had bits of turkey wings but they would add extra due to the inconvenience. Already irritated, we agreed, thinking she would finally get to eat. However, at 7:18 pm, I was informed that the chef refused to send out the turkey, claiming it would be unprofessional. We hadn't even received drinks or a cup of water, despite my wife's condition and my 1-year-old godson being with us. My view of the establishment was already tainted, but my wife insisted on being gracious, hoping the food would be worth the wait. An assistant asked what we would accept as a substitute for the turkey. We switched her order to chicken and were assured it would be swift. Yet, by 7:39 pm, we still had not received anything. Confused, I calmly explained my frustration to the cashier and requested to speak directly to the chef/owner. The chef hastily approached and seemed already on edge. Despite showing him my preorder confirmation from 2:28 pm, he rudely dismissed me, saying, "What do you want because talking to you is messing me up when I could be cooking since we're already backed up." He continued, "Everyone's food is late and shit sells out, so what do you want from what's left, or you can leave and get a refund from someone else here 'cause I don't have time to talk to you." He then walked away, dismissing our conversation, and yelled at his sister, "I don't give a shit." While the assistants were nice and approachable, only issuing a refund and never offering even an appetizer or drink was unacceptable. Having been part of many family restaurants, I understand the stress and unforeseen circumstances, but this level of service was inexcusable. Regrettably, I have spent over $300 at this establishment in the past month, referring many customers and family members. I will be retracting all the business I've forwarded here. I'll stick to cooking my wonderful Haitian food at home. It hurts to write this, especially on our holiday, but never again.

If you really want to know the food flavor from Haiti, you definitely need to come to this place! The flavors are absolutely amazing, and my favorite was the Djon Djon Rice and the Creole Wings. The place is big enough to come with your friends and enjoy the experience. Great service!

Poor Service. This restaurant clearly is clueless on how to run an efficient restaurant. On Haitian flag day people are waiting 2hr+ to get food. A lot of people and I were not happy at all that the owner of this establishment couldn't do a simply just right. And why you share a kitchen with other vendor at the same location. Place my orders at 4pm when the restaurant opened and don't get my food till 7:30pm. The oxtail tasted nasty it was not fresh at all. The rice had zero taste. The plantain tasted funny and too salty. Spent $80. The creole shrimp also was it fresh at all. NONE OF THE FOOD WAS FRESH. Felt microwaved. The experience coming out to show support was a waste of time. I'm mad my friends tried this food and didn't enjoy it

I ordered the chicken plate and a Malta. The food was delicious. It was cooked to order, so it was fresh and well seasoned. This is in a shared kitchen so you will see a couple other businesses there too.

Amazing food...but there might be an even more amazing wait time. Hopefully they hire on more staff soon.

Last Thursday, a friend and I were in the downtown area decided to pay a visit to one of our own HAITIAN CARRIBEAN RESTAURANT whom recently had open in that area, Best move I have ever made, as one enters the Restaurant the greeting was very warm, and the facilities was great, 1930's style, its a family own restaurant, as we were seated by the matriarch of the family with in 3 minutes they brought us a plate of crisp banana chips, with Pickliz, and their very own special sauce on the side, I ordered the Grio Plate " of cause" and my friend ordered the Salmon Creole Plate, everything was delicious and well presented and of great Portion and the staff keep coming around to make sure we were pleased GREAT EXPERIENCE WILL BE BACK SOON AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDE THIS RESTAURANT.

This place is amazing the food is wonderful and the staff make you feel like family I've never had better service anywhere it's very clean and gives a cool vibe and all the staff come bye to check on you and make sure you're enjoying your meal they have made life long customers and friends of my family

The food was amazing and the service was so friendly! The spicy pickled side added the perfect amount of heat to the wonderfully flavorful, juicy meat. I would definitely come again for this homestyle Haitian comfort food.

Amazing food and super friendly service! Definitely try the signature sauce, so delicious!

The service was so nice and the food was excellent. Very tender pork. A family business that cares about its customers.

Great Haitian food in Los Angeles is finally a reality! This restaurant shares space with several others, but it's an instant standout: the diri kole ak pwa is great, so is the diri djon-djon, and of course the griot is on point. We also tried the poule, the shrimp, and the oxtails, and they all taste as authentic as what comes out of my in-laws' kitchen in Miami. My only quibble was that the pikliz is not very pike, but there is plenty of hot sauce if you need more of a kick. Looking forward to trying their kabrit -- my personal favorite -- and their legim. Go eat at this place and enjoy the best-kept secret in global cuisine!

This place is amazing, the food was excellent. The service was absolutely amazing, everyone is super welcoming and extremely helpful. While waiting for your food they even offer different games you can play. I highly recommend coming if you're looking for a high quality Haitian meal!!

amazing, authentic haitian food. best griot i've ever tried and a great team. had an amazing experience while visiting

I've been wanting to try for a while now and I'm so happy I finally got the chance to try it! The service was great and they were pretty fast with bringing the food out. I got there right when they opened so I wasn't able to try the plantain balls or macaroni like I wanted but it's okay I will be back! Everyone was friendly and I even got to try a plantain cup that had beef, Djon djon rice and pickliz, really good! Definitely will be getting those next time. I ended up getting the salmon plate and let me tell you, the spices are crazy good! Everything on my plate had flavor and I will be back for them plantain cups, balls and next I'm trying the oxtails! The ambiance overall is amazing, I love the old school diner vibes it has. Thank you so much! Ps, my first time trying Haitian food was in Miami and I wasn't too fond of it but this place has definitely changed my mind about Haitian food. I LOVE IT!

First time here and it was worth it. I had been looking for a good Haitian spot to get my soup joumou for New Years. Food was delicious and nice portion. They even had vegan soup joumou available. Has a few vegan options available which is nice. Vibes were great, had a DJ with kompa playing. They had dominoes to play. Loved the community feel, like a Haitian party. Will be back for sure!

This food is as authentic as it comes. The meal was full of flavor, and the staff was very welcoming. They are in a new location (DTLA), not a shared kitchen space. I got a chance to meet the owner and learn about his story. The place certainly deserves a return visit.

Very friendly service and delicious chicken. Will absolutely come back to try out their other dishes, as I'm new to Jamaican food.

I have been making an effort to try Latin American and Caribbean cuisine and have been eager to try Haitian food for a long time now, so when my birthday came around I asked my family to come here with me for our first experience. I don't normally do reviews, but this place is notable. Not only was the food delicious, but I learned the chef is as much of a foodie as I am, and that their unique Haitian and Venezuelan (Venezuelan food is in my top 3 Latin American cuisines) family history has informed their cuisine in unique and delicious ways. I was able to immediately recognize the green sauce that was left at our table as guasacaca inspired with a Caribbean twist (very similar to a sauce I had made at home months prior), and found it to complement all of the delicious Haitian cuisine that was brought to our table wonderfully. We ordered our food and I winced a bit when my mom ordered the goat -- a food I'd had nothing but negative experiences with prior to this -- and when I hesitantly tried it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed it quite a bit. In fact, the goat might have even been my favorite dish! Beyond the food, the service was wonderful. Just to be sure, if you come to a restaurant run entirely by a small family, you don't come in expecting speed. Meeting a family who runs their restaurant as though you are guests at their family home is an experience that more than makes up for lack of speed, and part of that lack of speed was my family's fault anyways. In addition, the fact that this restaurant is found inside the old Nickel Diner, which still has all its timeless decor and ambiance that immediately transports you to the post-WWII period, adds another wonderful element to the experience. We left the restaurant well after closing, feeling as though we'd become family with these wonderful people. As we left, my heart was also warmed when an unhoused individual approached my mother on the way out asking her for money, and the chef diverted his attention only to bring him into the restaurant to give him something to eat. My only regret is that I didn't do this review sooner, and that I haven't been back since (though I am rectifying the first part of that now, and plan to rectify the second part soon!). I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly to anyone looking for delicious food from a wonderful family that will make you feel at home while you eat it!

Best beef patties you'll ever have! Haitian food rules. These guys are doing a great job and I can't help but stop there multiple times a week. Flavors are on point!