Jamaica House Restaurant

The food here is very close to being authentic, I’m not sure if there are different chefs on different days but sometimes it’s a hit and a next time it’s kind of bland. My other issue is that because it is nestled in the heart of the downtown area, parking is a tad bit hard to get. Nonetheless, this is my go to spot when I’m in the area.

To be completely honest, their Brown stew chicken wasn’t hitting on Nathan. I asked them if they had white rice 3 different times and they assured me they ran out. Was forced to order rice & peas; Cool. As i’m waiting for my food I see one of the cooks scooping white rice out of the rice cooker… Picture of the plantains below speaks for itself

Amazing Jamaican food. Complex flavors. We can't wait to come back. This place was slammed with both eat in and take out customers. It is a well oiled machine. Great service and the quality food flowed. Fast and efficient. Super nice staff. Best Oxtails ever. The Chicken curry was awesome.

nice place but i don’t believe it’s authentic. i got a small ackee and salt fish and got 4 big dumpling and a scoop of ackee and grease . i called and they offered no solution.

Cornbread 8/10 yum! "Bless Up" Wings- 9/10 delicious. Crispy outside Beef Patty 6/10- lacked flavor Jerk Chicken Egg Rolls 7/10

Total spent $49. 2 large Curry chicken, one chicken patty, 2 coco breads. 3 lemonades. We stopped by this evening expecting a good meal. Sadly I was extremely disappointed. The young lady who took our order was kind and polite. The Latino man who delivered our food was NOT. He brought me a beef patty instead of chicken to which I didn’t realize it until after I had already took a bite and ate it. I have a beef allergy and immediately called this to his attention. He absolutely showed NO concern and condescendingly replied “oh so what do you want, a chicken patty”. What an A hole! The cabbage was severely undercooked I could barely chew it. I am not a horse or donkey and my bite strength just couldn’t handle the toughness. The curry was not hot at all, Just warm. Overall, we sat for about ten minutes and then asked for two boxes and the same Latino man had the audacity to act as if he was doing us a favor and damn near didn’t even want to give us boxes. We ate about 10% of what was on our plates and he tried to give us a little teeny box. Atmosphere was sketchy! Homeless people right outside the door pandering and two people sitting inside across from us doped up out of their minds! I really use to love this place but I will not be back. They just lost a customer who has been coming here since before they moved and for well over a decade! I wish I could get my money and time back! What a waste

One word: YUM! I got the curry goat and it was absolutely delicious. The meat was melt in your mouth tender and the sauce was spicy and flavorful. The rice and peas were cooked perfectly. The cabbage was a little bland and crunchy for my liking. The fruit punch was also delicious - much more like a smoothie than a juice. The coco bread was insanely good - especially when dipped in the curry sauce. Can’t wait to try more things here!

A Disappointing Experience My recent visit to Jamaica House Restaurant was unfortunately quite disappointing. I had heard good things about authentic Jamaican cuisine, but my experience left much to be desired. My family and I ordered the jerk chicken, oxtail, red peas soup and fried chicken meal and it was far from what I expected. The fried chicken was dry and bland. Everything was pretty much under-seasoned. I genuinely felt like the kitchen just didn't care. Overall, I wouldn't recommend Jamaica House Restaurant based on my visit. The mediocre food made for a truly unsatisfying dining experience. There are undoubtedly better options for Jamaican food.

This is the most authentic and soulful Jamaican cuisine that we have had in years. We decided to check it out while visiting Richmond. We loved Jamaica House so much on our first visit that we returned the next evening. We particularly loved the curry goat (succulent, tender, and flavorful), the jerk chicken (well-seasoned and perfectly cooked), and the red bean soup (sublime with bits of rice, goat, and oxtail). The patties also were flavorful with a tender crust. The curry seasoning in each dish was balanced. Every dish felt like it was made with great skill, soulfulness, and love. The staff was kind, capable, helpful, and mellow. We love this place and would come on a weekly basis if we could. Tip: This is a widely beloved and popular restaurant, and they run out of favorites. So if you have your heart set on a particular dish, come early.

My girlfriend and I visited this place with her sister when visiting Richmond and her sister said this was one of the best places to eat. Having eaten authentic Jamaican food before, I can say it was very good. We started with some meat patties. They were very flaky and delicious. I ordered the jerk chicken and it was really well flavored and spicy. It tasted just how I liked it. The service here was good. You order at the counter and then it's brought out. So there's not much interaction with employees outside of ordering. But our cashier answered all our questions. The ambiance is super casual. Don't feel the need to dress up anyway when here. Highly recommend if you live here or visit and like Jamaican food.

The jerk chicken was really, really good. Came with a big platter of rice and beans and cabbage. All for $13. Amazing deal. Great food for a cheap price. Definitely recommend a stop here.

Yeh Mon! Richmond is full of surprises, and this wallet friendly, flavor heavy restaurant is one of them. Right on Broad St, the main road running up and down Richmond's downtown area...this store front style Jamaican eatery has everything you come to expect. What I wasn't expecting was 12.00 Oxtails. Even if that was a "small plate", thats a great starting price. I was pleasantly surprised by the helpful staff and quick service. I've been here twice, the first time I ordered online and the second time I just placed it in store. The food came out in less than 10 minutes when I ordered in store, on a Monday at around 2 pm. There aren't any lunch specials, but they honestly don't need any with the starting prices and the amount of food provided. I got the jerk chicken (small plate) for 8.00 and it was plenty of food, even for two depending on who you are sharing with. I got white meat, and it was very flavorful and juicy. Everyone's heat tolerance is different, but for me on a spice level I would give it a strong 6. Not overbearing or one note, but a perfect balance of slight sweet with spice. There are plenty of places to sit and eat in the dining area, and a few spots outside with chairs if you wanted to get a little sunshine. Protip: The transit system at the time of writing this was free, so if you are just visiting like me and want to visit. Don't be afraid to hop on hop off, and explore the city with some of the best Jamaican i have ever had!

I miss the old Jamaica House real bad! :'( Such a sore loss. Been eating here since 2016. I come here often to support local but the inconsistency, authenticity and food keeps underwhelming me. It reminds me so much of another restaurant (I won't mention) that I absolutely despise going to. The recipe here is just not it anymore and honestly I hate to say the only thing they do great is the Sorrel juice. Menu hasn't changed but the flavor and true Jamaican representation has. There's even been occurrences where a little extra has been taken on my tip or I've been charged twice for one visit. Hope they get it together as this location is really convenient for me. Fingers crossed.

Order the jerk chicken large plate. Let me tell you it was well worth what i paid. the jerk chicken was tender and tasty. Rice was mouth watering. I got my moneys worth. Some of the best jerk chicken i've had outside of visiting Jamaica. i give this place 4 1/2 stars . it's good.

BUG IN MY FOOD first off I ask for my food with no beans in it and when i clarified rice no peas they seemed like they got it but when i got home and looked there was beans in my food. When i got back the guy was so rude and said i should've asked for white rice. I did you just didn't get it. Then I get another lady and she's insisting I ate so much meat. I ate a small piece and when I went to finish my food with rice and no beans you can guess what I saw. I am so dissatisfied and disappointed this was my spot and now I don't wanna give them anymore business.

Food was NOT good, did not taste authentic, more like an American cooked it, stew chicken was runny and lacked flavor, I am speaking as a Caribbean, also I am from dc which would have more authentic cooked meals than Richmond I guess. Please give your customers a better more authentic experience and taste !

Filling and delicious! Jerk Chicken (Small) 9/10 - comes w/ white rice and cabbages (you can choose rice and peas as well) - plenty of sauce on the chicken and extra, more sauce = happy me - enjoyed the spices and aroma - chicken came off easily and veggies well seasoned

My first visit since they moved locations. Definitely enjoyed my food selections. Flavorful, Delicious, Presentation was excellent. The vibe of the restaurant was peaceful. The door was open on a 73 degree day and this spot stayed busy. About 3 tables and chairs outside on side walk. The seating area was clean and neat and our food was out as soon as we sat down.

Pre-order your food! This place stays busy for a reason. I got the large oxtail with beef patty/cocoa bread. The large oxtail was $15. It came with plenty of meat, rice, and salad. I split my meal with my husband. I went on a Friday and it was busy! I only had to wait for 10mins because I didn't call head or order online. Some good Jamaican food. They also have desserts: carrot cake, coconut cake, etc.

Ordered the jerk Chicken with cabbage and rice , what great flavor! It almost tasted sweet for a second then the spices kicked in and cleared my sinuses! Not drowning in sauce but enough to soak in the rice. Service was excellent, I timed it just before a bunch of customers came in but watched as they orders and were served quickly as well. The whole restaurant was very clean and comfortable, with some great Reggae playing in the background. Will definitely be back

Fun and good! Great staff decent food. We ate well! Have had better Jamaican but appreciated the staff staying open for us and being so accommodating.

If I could leave a zero star rating I would. I was in town visiting Richmond, VA from New Jersey and had a taste for Caribbean food, and decided to check out Jamaica House. It was the worst food I had in my entire life. I purchased Oxtails with rice and beans. The rice was mushy like eating mash potatoes and the meat was full of fat. I dumped it all in the trash.

We came here on a Tuesday for lunch while visiting Richmond. The place was clean, the prices were cheap and the drink selection was good. I ordered the small chicken curry with some coconut bread. The curry was ok it was missing some spice for sure. The bread was good though and the food came out pretty quick. The cashier was cute though.

Decided to try something new out in RVA and found Jamaica House! It doesn't look like much from the outside but once you enter you can clearly tell it's a local favorite. They had so many takeout orders on their shelves. We ordered the oxtail with rice and cabbage. The price was great for the quality and quantity of the food. The oxtail was so soft, fall off the bone! And the sauce was amazing, I could mix it w/ cabbage & rice alone and I would still be satisfied. The only thing I would say is that it is more fatty than meaty. So if you want to get full and don't necessarily like too much fat, stick w/ maybe the chicken or lamb. Overall, very satisfied w/ this place and will definitely stop by again!

Unbelievable! Great food and lots of it...and a good price too. Every dish we ordered is really tasty.

Best meal in Richmond hands down delicious fall off the bone oxtails. Brown stew wings magical. The End.

I was dining here with some friends for lunch and someone recommended it and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the customer service was welcoming, and the price was good. I ordered the curry chicken which came with a side of cabbage and rice and beans ($9.50). I also ordered a beef Jamaican patty ($2.30). The curry chicken was delicious and the sides made it a filling meal. The beef patty was also delicious and very filling with a crisp outer shell and flavorful beef inside. The staff was very helpful and I could tell they put in a lot of effort and care of both the food as well that customers enjoyed their meal and time at their restaurant. 5* for the yummy food, fantastic prices, good servings, and friendly staff. Would go again and recommend to others.

I was super excited about trying this place considering the reviews and it was quite busy when ordered. It was lunch time during a week day and the cashier was super friendly. I ordered the small oxtail which was the perfect size and came out piping hot. The oxtail itself was bland which was super disappointing. It didn't taste like anything or have any heat. The chicken patty was also lacking flavor. I would definitely give this restaurant another try because I wanted to enjoy it so much.

Soooooo I honestly feel like all Jamaican restaurants in Richmond are trash besides 3 and I'm from Richmond , I hate to say this but you guys ain't got nothing on carenas or the spot out in Petersburg and m&f. And imma tell you why ...... There was literally barely any meat on the oxtails and they were extremely large , basically I just ate FAT that's pretty much what it was NOTHING was seasoned , PLEASE season your food like it doesn't make any sense to sell bland food Lastly your lemonade is EXTREMELY too sweet I felt like I was gonna get diabetes.... Other then that the presentation was excellent ! I hate to leave this review but food is too expensive to be eating ox fat ... please take this review as a "step your game up " because I can go to plenty other Jamaican restaurants that actually season there food properly and that have actual meat on the oxtails and it was so many oxtails I'm still confused lol and I always have this issue with the cabbage and the oxtails it's only certain places I go for ox tail because I know for a fact I won't be eating fat ...I'm pretty sure MAYBE your other items on the menu are " ok " but if the ox ain't good that scares me ... That's all be blessed !

Visiting Richmond for a quick girls trip. We had read the reviews and thought we would have a late lunch at Jamaica House. Parker curbside and walked right in. Even though we were the only ones there when we first walked in, there came a steady stream of folks picking up to-go orders. I ordered two beef patties, a jerk chicken lunch plate and the house-made fruit punch. The meat pies were delicious. Right combination of spices with a flaky crust. The temp could have been warmer but they were still good. The jerk chicken was spicy! It was some of the best jerk chicken I've ever had. The sides (rice and beans and cabbage with carrots) were flavorful as well. I was surprised that the rice had some flavor to them as I'm used to having to run the rice through the jerk sauce. But these sides stood alone rather well. The jerk chicken plate could have been hotter too. Food temp seems to be an issue for them as both my friend's plate and mine could have been hotter. Overall, the food was very good and it was worth the stop.

Food was very good. I drove from Newport News VA to try Jamaica House. I ordered curry goat and cabbage. I was very happy that the cabbage still had some crunch to it, not overcooked mush! I do wish they offered a sugar free drink like the sorrel. I'm keto so sugar and carbs are out. I could only have water w lemon. Great service and nice value for the portion! Seating is tight so I'm glad I went at night when they were less busy. I do plan to visit again!

I ordered the oxtails and extra vegetables no rice & the food was delicious and very cost effective. They also have a fresh limeade & rum pound cake

The food is Always good every time I go! Service is pretty decent as long as you call in your order first

The food was fabulous. The spot was clean and inviting. The oxtails very tender. Curry goat delicious.

I use to always come here. But definitely won't be anymore. The prices went up and the food quality went down. The fish/seafood is TRASH and when you order the $16 oxtail you get 3 small pieces and loads of sauce, the owner then wanted to tell me how much he had to pay to buy the oxtail that morning like boy idgaf. Take it off the menu if you can't afford to give customers what they paid for. The customer service sets a new lower bar everytime.... lol Irie tings is minutes away, go there!!

Fantaaaaastic jamaican food here! The Jerk Chicken Dinner was incredibly filling and just oh, so good. The rice and peas were absolutely delectable and honestly a highlight of my meal. I will say the jerk wings were lacking due, just, to the fact that they were a bit hard and burnt (lots of char), aside from that they had great flavor for the most part. The mango sauce with the wings was very sweet and lacked the level of spiciness I would have preferred with that much sweetness- it tasted very fresh and fruity, but more smoothie like than a wing sauce. My absolute favorite from here were the patties- I came back on 3 separate occasions while visiting JUST for the beef patties- they are amazing. The pastry is so much flakier and crispier than I've really experienced but it was just so, darn, good.

Came here with a large group and most of us got the curry chicken with the exception of one person who got the brown stew chicken. Everyone really enjoyed their food and the sides, which were cabbage and rice. The curry chicken had a lot of great flavor to it, and the portions were pretty large but perfect for one very hungry person. It's a small place and they churn out orders really quickly, so we had a great experience overall!

Stopped here for a quick bite and stopped because of the reviews however I didn't read the reviews just looked at the stars we got two small oxtail meals flavor was really good however the price for the meals and then getting nothing but fatty oxtails with VERY LITTLE to NO meat was very disappointing glad it came with rice and peas to be somewhat full. Giving it a 3 because the taste was there just no meat mostly fat on oxtails. Would've been nice if meal came with a piece of cornbread to go with to top it off. Was shocked that they had no other sides to choose from was kind of hoping for yams, Mac and cheese etc. The place looked clean in the inside. Would go back but maybe try something different next time.

Upon walking in, you're greeted with the aroma of fresh cooked cuisine that smells like home. (Even if you aren't Jamaican you sense it!) I ordered the small curry chicken (it was good) with rice and peas (some of the best I've had with the right amount of coconut flavor) and cabbage (not my favorite, it had a slight cole slaw flavor). I also ordered a side of plantains which were also good. I had the pineapple ginger Tropical Rhythms Juice which I actually drink all of the time! (Highly recommend) For my first time eating here I was pleased. The service from the staff was excellent as well. They were knowledgeable and very pleasant which added to the relaxed atmosphere.

If you're in the Richmond area, and love Jamaican food this is the spot to check out. Their food is always fresh and tasty. I ordered large oxtail which came with rice and cabbage. You get a good portion of it, and it's very filling. The beef patty did not disappoint either, it was so good.

Went there the first time with a work friend. I got a curry lamb, and he got an oxtail. They both taste amazing! Will definitely revisit and try other things on the menu!

Great Jamaican food at a great price. Not the best in Richmond but damn near close. I always judge jerk food by the rice and peas and cabbage and their rice was perfectly seasoned!

I was intrigued to try Jamaica house and see if it was just as good as it looked. I ate inside and it definitely felt like more of a takeout spot than a dine-in vibe. Wasn't quite a sit-down ambiance. I got the jerk chicken with the salad. Honestly I had higher expectations of the food, but it was still very good. The jerk chicken is quite spicy. I'd like to go back and try something different!

This was the first place we visited on our trip to richmond....we always come her for the jamacian beef patties !!!! thank u for being consistently great at those. Yes please !!!!

Clean spot. Great food. Good service. Nice ambiance. Parking wasn't too challenging. I would definitely return. Cabbage, patty, plantains are excellent.

food doesn't have the same great taste as it use too.the spice just wasn't the I really miss the old jamaica house I ordered the curry shrimp the on three occasions with the same results rice over cooked just wasn't the same

This is my go to Jamaican restaurant in Richmond. Food is always good and the portion sizes are large. My favorite is their jerk chicken. Still wanting to try the oxtails one day

Food was good, lasted me 3 days just to finish one large plate of oxtail which is great for the price. I personally didn't go inside and get the food my mom didn't so I can't speak on service but, she was in and out the restaurant in about 10 minutes.

Friendly staff, great quality of food and portions. Will come back on my next business trip to RVA.

Pretty standard Jamaican food. I come here pretty often, mostly for the convenience. You can call in your order and it will be ready pretty quickly. Due to Covid I don't think they have indoor dining, but here was a group of folks sitting at a table when I picked up my order. Not sure if they were picking up food, but they were seated. Parking can be hectic. I usually get the curry but I got jerk chicken today. The jerk chicken is pretty good. I think it has more spice than actual flavor. The rice beans and cabbage are always my favorites part, so I think they can go heavier on the cabbage. The portions are pretty big, when I get the large I always have a lot of leftovers. The small is usually more than enough for me. Not the best Jamaican food I've ever had but a string competitor in the city.

Couldnt find the place called 3 times was over 35 minutes looking for the new location. The jerk chicken should be called bbq jerk; it is too sweet to be jerk. I asked for extra gravy didn't receive on the combo i asked for it to be on. There was no plantains in the combo plate. The combo plate was very bland i could taste any curry ; no flavor in the oxtails. The fruit punch was amazing so i guess i will stick to only the drinks and try the desserts next time. The staff member that helped locate the location unlike the other two previous calls with other staff members. She was restocking the drinks was so sweet and accommodating. I almost forgot my drink and she was observant and caught me before i left.

I've been married into this caribiean thing for over 27 years. My wife originally from Trinidad takes us all over the caribiean and also restaurants throughout the United States Jamaica house served up ox tails and curry chicken and my tastebuds were wowed ox tails were the best that I've had in the states. Deffinatlly would drive an hour to sit and have a meal. The service was on point the resterant was very clean. And the ambiance was welcoming and warm. Very cozy and friendly spot.

Restaurant was clean and fast...the food was good. Breakdown Beef Patty A+ Jerk Chicken B- Cabbage B Rice C Champagne soda A but very sugary Overall they tried but the jerk is not the best I have had. Worth a try.

First time trying Jerk chicken and oh boy, I chose the perfect spot. It was so flavorful and spicy. I wished they had a level of spiciness, but overall I had such a great experience. The prices weren't too bad, place is very clean, and the service was great.

this place is top tier jamaican food in rva. i usually get the jerk chicken and woo.. it's so good!! Everything is good though, especially their little juices. ALSO, the serving sizes! are so! generous!! Mostly with the rice and beans but I make a small last two meals! Not everyone can I suppose but it is possible. Never had a bad experience and the service is quick, even for takeout (at night at least). I love their food so so much, holds a special place in my heart. the interior is really cute too although I've never personally eaten in-house.

I enjoyed the food here! My friend got some to-go. This was my first time trying Caribbean food and it was a good first experience. The beef patty reminded me of a savory toaster strudel - flaky pastry, good meat flavor. The flavor was reminiscent of these mini frozen tacos I used to eat, in a good way. This little handheld pie was quite tasty and would make a good pick-me-up snack on its own. The small jerk chicken dinner was a good deal for how much food it came with. There was some rice with beans, cooked cabbage, several big pieces of chicken, and two pieces of sweet plantain. The plantain added a nice touch. Everything in the meal worked well with each other. The chicken was super tender. I enjoyed the little kick to the sauce, though it was a bit sweet for me. My friend called this one of her favorite comfort foods and I can definitely see why. Would be down to come back in the future.

Great food very spacious. It's a nice location but the parking space is lacking. I had salt, fish and ackee with provisions. Jamaica House is always clutch.

Great food. Great service! Curry Goat and Oxtail was fantastic. I always buy 2 entrees one for today and the other goes in the fridge!