Taste of Eden

Jamaican restaurant · Dorchester

Taste of Eden

Jamaican restaurant · Dorchester

2

38 Norfolk St, Boston, MA 02124

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Taste of Eden by null
Taste of Eden by null
Taste of Eden by null
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Taste of Eden by null
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Taste of Eden by null
Taste of Eden by null
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Taste of Eden by null
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Highlights

Authentic Jamaican & Jamerican fare, tender oxtail, curry goat  

Featured in Eater
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38 Norfolk St, Boston, MA 02124 Get directions

tasteofedenjamerican.net

$10–20 · Menu

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38 Norfolk St, Boston, MA 02124 Get directions

+1 617 282 0077
tasteofedenjamerican.net
tasteofeden7

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

Where to Eat Vegetarian and Vegan Food Around Boston

"This neighborhood Jamaican spot in Codman Square offers a vegan menu for plant-based eaters to dig into fried plantains, rice and beans, vegan mac-and-cheese, and meat alternatives in spicy jerk seasoning." - Celina Colby, Megan Hennessey, Eater Staff

https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-vegetarian-vegan-restaurants-boston
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@eater

Best Breakfast and Brunch Options in Dorchester | Eater Boston

"Dishing out Jamaican and American — or “Jamerican” — cuisine, Taste of Eden offers plenty of options for those looking for classic American dishes or flavorful Jamaican breakfast fare. American breakfast options range from pancakes to egg and cheese sandwiches on buttery, house-made coco bread, while Jamaican offerings sing with fried dumplings, seafood, and callaloo, or leafy amaranth greens. Taste of Eden is open for takeout via telephone and online ordering, with delivery offered via DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats." - Nathan Tavares

https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-breakfast-brunch-dorchester
View Postcard for Taste of Eden

Adnan Salam

Google
I’ve been coming to Taste of Eden for the past 10 years, and it’s hands down one of the best spots for Caribbean food. Their curry goat and oxtail are unbeatable—tender, flavorful, and always cooked to perfection. The seasoning is on point every single time. If you’re looking to try authentic Caribbean dishes or just want to switch things up from your usual takeout, this place is a must-try. Highly recommend!

Becky W

Google
I don’t know much about Jamaican food, so I have no comparison. We both had fish plates - one salmon and one red snapper. The side portions were huge! The woman behind the counter was patient and helpful. There are only a few tables and it seems that most people get take out from here. There were many local folks coming in, which speaks well for a restaurant.

Guess Julio

Google
The food at taste of Eden is the best Jamaican food in Boston. The owners treat you like family and serve you very generous portion sizes of delicious traditional, Jamaican food, such as jerk chicken, beef, patty with cocoa bread, and different sections of chicken, such as wings, quarters and drumsticks

Mathurin Notary Services

Google
The consistency over the years has been amazing. Was in the area for the first time in awhile, and decided to check out an old favorite spot. I was not disappointed. Great staff, great atmosphere, food is amazing!

Alexander La

Google
I literally went there today was standing there for 25 minutes just to get service nobody showed up I called on the phone someone answered The guy that was in front of me said he was there for half an hour to almost 40 minutes I could have made myself a plate of food and just left the money there what's the point of saying that you're open if you're not trying to work hire people

SpyCe T

Google
I love this place but they are very,very slow on the orders. Most times the drivers go for the food and it's not ready,even though they have been waiting. Phone is also busy,can't get through to them

NoahJon Marshall

Google
not bad. at present, there’s no dine in seating. seems to be mostly chicken, with some rice and vegetables. service was quick. worth a shot.

salvation burnette

Google
amazing jerk wings! spicy and flavorful, and the meat falls right off the bone. the tofu curry with lima beans is also great; the beans are large and plump, and the tofu soaks in the flavor from the sauce.
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Keerthi D.

Yelp
Taste of Eden is an authentic Jamaican restaurant that's family-owned in Dorchester, MA close to Codman Square Health Center. They serve/charge for food by plate (pick a carb and protein) or you can place an order for specific dishes over the phone. The restaurant doesn't really have a place to dine in but the food is served and cooked fresh. I went in during lunch on a Friday and was waiting for over 30 minutes to order. I got a good portion for what I paid and they threw in an extra fried dumpling knot for free for my wait. The owners are really nice and wholesome but I wouldn't recommend this place if you're in a rush. The food was really flavorful - the noodles had a good amount of sauce and the chicken was cooked well. It was a little greasy but worth the price.

Colleen R W.

Yelp
I'm curious to know how this place even stays open. They have a sign that says open, online it says open, but when you get dressed to go there, it is closed, it is very unprofessional to have people standing out there waiting for the door to open and it's closed. Every time you go there it's someone new who never knows what they are doing. You ask for white rice, you get rice and peas, you ask for no cabbage you get cabbage, like no one pays attention to anything. you ask what kind of meat do they have they never know.
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Katelyn P.

Yelp
A really solid meal! This place is right next to the health center I was working at, so naturally everyone recommended this place as a go-to spot for a quick lunch. The value is just too good to beat. The menu can be limited, so a lot of the time the online menu in apps doesn't actually match availability. But in-person ordering was super easy. There's a display case in the front and everyone who works there is really friendly and willing to help you decide on what to get based on what they have. There's a plexi-glass divider over the counter and a decent amount of standing room so it felt very safe. Beef- really flavorful and tender. A good serving of meat on top of plenty of rice and peas and some veggies on the side to add some crunch. Just be aware that they usually don't give you a knife, but it's tender enough that you might not even need it Oxtail- delicious, but definitely a smaller serving. It's really similar to the beef if you put gravy on both, but still a great choice It's not the prettiest thing to eat, but if you have time to sit down and really dig in, this spot is worth a try! It's really heavy, so I don't think I could eat here every day, but a great option nonetheless
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Mark T.

Yelp
Disclaimer: based off an Uber Eats order. Got the Jerk Chicken Salad and a Beef Patty. Jerk Chicken salad was pretty solid. The chicken was tender and cooked appropriately. It has a nice level of heat and spice, first it's a mild, then some of the heat makes a cameo appearance. I personally like a little more oomph, but that's just me and my heat tolerance. If you like a little heat, but not a scorcher, this should be just right. There were a couple pieces of cartilage that made their way in, though for something that otherwise served boneless, I'll let it slide. Good amount of meat too! While not the the star of the plate, the salad performed its supporting role well! It was fresh, and dressed very lightly. Not to mention it's nice to have the option of a something fresh and crisp to compliment the meat. Then there was the patty... that thing which cost Taste of Eden a star. The crust wasn't at all flaky, but this is dwarfed by the overall flavor. I don't know if MSG is the right term here, though the whole thing, crust and filling has a strong taste resembling the background flavor found in Spring Rolls at a Chinese takeout place.
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Anh H.

Yelp
I was craving Jamaican food so I decided to place an order for delivery from here. My order consisted of the oxtail plate with Mac and cheese and steamed vegetables. I also got a side of plantains. I was quickly let down when I opened the takeout box. It was filled mostly with the Mac and cheese. Although not the prettiest food, I was hoping that the taste would make up for the appearance. Unfortunately, I can't say that I recommend what I ordered. I ate some of it because I had not eaten all day but the macaroni is very, very, very soft and tasted so plain. The oxtail was good but I don't think I would order again because the portion of oxtail was very little even though I paid extra. I usually buy a large size so that I can split it across several meals but I ended up throwing away what I couldn't finish. Maybe the other menu items are hits but I am hesitant to try this place again. For me, I think I'll keep looking for where I can get good Jamaican food in the Boston area.
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Joseph A.

Yelp
Proportion will vary! Make sure you ask if they have enough of something. because is you dont ask, that is YOUR PROBLEM! They food is always good but never enough when you want it. My girl ordered Ackee and Saltfish, but we got a corner of grease and barely any fish. When she called to see if there was any compensation available, she was first hung up on. Then when she called back, she was told she was given the last of what was left (as i described, a corner of grease and no fish) she didnt want to continue being told she was wrong, so she hung up. The plate is currently in the sink with holes at the bottom of the Styrofoam to drain all the grease/oil.

Sofia W.

Yelp
Delicious plantains, rice and peas, with oxtail gravy :) friendly and not too pricey with cash
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Glendon B.

Yelp
After waiting for over an hour for my delivery, I open my order to find that the stew chicken I ordered was actually baked chicken. For $13.50 I was given 1 anemic and dry chicken quarter and soggy rice. Not worth the wait, not worth the delivery fees, not worth the money....plate has gone in the trash and my search for a meal continues. NEVER AGAIN!!
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Danny M.

Yelp
Oh my goodness, wow wow. Jerk chicken, oh yes. BBQ chicken, oh yes. Everything, ohhhhh yes! If you're looking for some Jamaican food, the real deal Jamaican food then put this in your mouth and eat it cause it's soooooooo good!
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Tequealla S.

Yelp
This place used to be a place I would go and get some of the best stew chicken I've ever had up until I believe it underwent new management because the last plate of stew chicken (or whatever they want to call that god forsaken plate of food) I had this passed December, it was beyond anything I've ever tasted in my almost 31 years of life! It was absolutely disgusting. The worst plate of food I've ever eaten. I will never ever go back.
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Christine P.

Yelp
Really yummy, great portions, reasonable prices. There's a coffee shop attached to it with pretty decent coffee (a little pricey for the coffee, but I don't mind paying a bit extra for local coffee shops). The Jamaican beef patties were amazing and got me through long work days. The jerk chicken was so incredibly flavorful and was packed with delicious spices. It left me licking the bones in hopes for more of the delectable Jamaican spices. Highly recommend! a small disclaimer- but I've only had Caribbean food a handful of times, so I'm the furthest thing from an expert. But it was fantastic tasting to me! During my 2 week rotation through a neighboring health center, I probably went 4-5 times.
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Jacky H.

Yelp
Ordered through Grubhub & my entire order was WRONG! Smh needless to say it was upleasant experience
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BtownBaby S.

Yelp
Went to Taste of Eden on Friday, 7/26/2019. I have to say the service, although VERY courteous, was definitely slow. Also, the food was very good but, for a large oxtail dinner, I got a lot of rice & peas, which were very tasty and not dry, but not many oxtails. The oxtails I did get were AMAZING, so the amount was disappointing.
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Kristen T.

Yelp
I no longer eat here. A few months back I came in just for their dumplings and a woman behind the counter bagged them up with her ungloved hands. I threw out the dumplings on my way out the door. I have been back since and received overcooked fish and that dry chalky rice I mentioned in my previous post. Because this restaurant is so close to me and my previous good experiences, I have tried to continue to support this place. The last two times I have visited I was I the sole customer, yet was still ignored while waiting to order at the register. In addition to that they no longer display their menu, which is suspicious as their prices seem to be increasing and the portions decreasing. Despite their odd efforts of staying afloat like adding a coffee shop and then a vegan menu, this place is certainly going downhill.
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WENDI S.

Yelp
I travel to Dorchester from Lynn just for their stewed steak. For $13 you get a Large plate of rice & peas (beans), cabbage, sweet dumpling and steak with gravy! They give you so much food you can feed 2 off that one plate or keep it for yourself and have some for later. I started coming here in the 90's when it was Paradise and I have been a few times since and the food is the same. I recently started coming here again after an 8 year hiatus and am HAPPY to say the food is still BOMB!! My boyfriend had the ox tail and those were also good his plate had 6 big ox tails. Oh B.T.W. people in the other comments have mentioned the staff as being rude. As long as you come in with RESPECT you get RESPECT. I've never had a problem.

Reese C.

Yelp
Stopped in just to grab two patties they were lukewarm, and burnt such a waste of money. Typically the food is great, I'm highly disappointed today and I've been a patron of over tens.
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Zack D.

Yelp
Solid take-out Jamaican food in Codman. Plenty of seating in the Ripple coffee shop next-door. The seating is still available after the coffee shop is closed. Nice neighborhood vibe. There were a few high school kids in there doing homework and some older guys playing dominos.

Jason L.

Yelp
Once I got some delicious chicken here. However the second time they refused to make a fresh batch and forced me to take the old chicken that was sitting there for hours. It was disgusting and burnt from being in the heat lamp too long. Lazy! I would not come again due to poor service
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Samuel F.

Yelp
The reviewers are right: Be polite, and these folks will treat you nice. Quick and tasty. Snapper, plantains, and good ginger beer: Delicious.

Ream A.

Yelp
I can't say enough good things about Taste of Eden. We got the beef patties with coco bread and the beef stew chicken with rice and peas. The beef patties and coco bread were so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice. Probably the best coco bread I've ever had. The chicken was so well seasoned. I'm not someone who typically eats a lot of rice but I couldn't get enough of it. The prices and portions are great and the women we interacted with were incredibly sweet and welcoming. We're only sorry we didn't find this place sooner. We can't wait to go back. Thank you Taste of Eden!
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HereComesIan H.

Yelp
one of the spots around the way that has good food everyday i normally would get snapper or king fish from here str8 up jamaican spot too, so don't look for that american hospitality best use your manners
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Need D.

Yelp
Food is ok, service is HORRIBLE! ALWAYS SLOW! And the attitude of the clerk is nasty. Only in the hood. SAD.
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Fredo S.

Yelp
I was feenin some really good Jamaican food for some time now, as soon as i walk into work my mind is already at lunch & some good ol fashion oxtails were on my mind. I had no idea where to go so as i normally do i came on to yelp for assistance & to my surprise i couldn't find anything that caught my attention. My cousin allyse is always mentioning only one Jamaican restaurant so i looked up their reviews must of them good so i was off to this restaurant as i made it there i thought of this little restaurant i use to buy my curry goat from however this was years ago so i completely forgot. Only one was packed so i left to head down the street to Taste of Eden Ja-American Restaurant, where i ordered oxtail white rice & cabbage. This place was empty which is surprising because their food is delicious. I'm glad i came back because the ox tails are to die for!!!
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N. J.

Yelp
This place has been around for year, before Flames, Only One and many other Jamaican restaurants, and I think they do a pretty good job with the food than must however the service needs a lot of work. They are extremely slow, if you only have 30 minutes for lunch this is not the place to go to, it may literally that 10 minutes per order to get your food. But the food is better than must spots around so if you have time check them out.
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Mina M.

Yelp
Well don't know where to start extremely slow service to have had 4 women behind the counter. My rice and peas the texture was like oatmeal (yuck)! The stew steak was all gristle. I hadn't eaten there in years just knew I was going to get a great meal. I'll try again in a few more! So disappointed.
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Barry M.

Yelp
The online menu led me to believe that this place had a ton of vegetarian options, but when I got there they only had rice and vegetables. Everyone else I was with liked it, so I'd say it's probably worth trying if you aren't picky.
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Saphira C.

Yelp
If you want authentic Jamaican food this is the place to go. I was craving Jamaican food a friend of mine who is Jamaican, who would know what authenticity taste like recommended me this restaurant. I would definitely go back and recommend this restaurant to anyone who Craves Jamaican food.
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Blondie C.

Yelp
The service there is very slow and the workers have no customer service skills at all. The place needs a good cleaning up. Flies buzzing around the garbage bin in the front and then flying through the kitchen where the spoons are on top the pots rather than in a container with water. Has not eaten there in over 1 year and I will not be going back there.

Satisfied D.

Yelp
This is the best tasting Jamaican food in Boston. Their portions are great but they have sometimes served just one strip of beef or too few oxtail. I did complain and was compensated the next time I ordered. They are a little slow with the order but that is an issue with most West Indian establishments and this is also one of the more friendly atmospheres I have ever visited. West Indian restaurants are typically very horrible with customer service

Young Whan C.

Yelp
My second time here. The jerk chicken is amazing. Quantity of food is serious. We got two large plates along with a couple sides and it fed nearly five adults. Don't come in a rush because one woman seems to run the whole show. The food does seem to be prepared ahead of time, so if you are expecting food to come out HOT, you will be disappointed. AND the coffee next door is simply amazing. They just opened up and are related businesses. I haven't had a better cup of coffee. I wish I remembered the name of that spot.
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Kenisha A.

Yelp
I have been going there for years, I love their rice, curry goat, plantain, veggies, and bakes.
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Christine B.

Yelp
On July 13, 2013, the Taste of Eden (formerly Paradise) Restaurant catered my daughter's graduation party. We had fried and jerk chicken, rice and peas, candied yams, collard greens, vegetable medley. The experience from start to finish was amazing! The food was unbelievable! All our guests (over 100 of them) were very impressed! Ms. Bailey catered my daughter's birthday parties when she was little and we lost touch. She surely took care of us again, as if no time had passed at all. I highly recommend this restaurant!
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Joe D.

Yelp
This place is close to where I work so I'll go sometimes for lunch. I usually get jerk chicken, rice, beans, and cabbage. They give you a lot of food and it has a good spicy flavor. The layout is a little weird but I usually take my food to go.
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Zinah A.

Yelp
Service sometimes a little slow but worth the wait! I love the oxtail its so tender and delicious. Food is always consistently great. I have tried everything and have never been disapointed!
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Marilyn L.

Yelp
The food is great (esp. the jerk chicken wings) and the food here is generally reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend this place

Mark D.

Yelp
Words _can_ express how I feel about this Ja-American restaurant tucked into an old house on Norfolk Street. Words like "succulent," "home away from home," and "one of my top three 'cheap eats' in Boston (along with Tacos Lupita in Somerville and Pho Pasteur in Downtown Crossing)." It can get crazy busy during the lunch hour, and they don't always have everything on the menu, but what they do have is made fresh daily and out of this world. I can't go a week without some of their Jerk Chicken (either in a coco bread sandwich or over a fresh green salad).
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Carolyn C.

Yelp
food is great, just order about 3 weeks ahead. the service is sooo slow and the staff is lifeless and disengaged.

Ashley T.

Yelp
Taste of Eden is the #1 Jamaican restaurant in Boston! Hands down the food is great and the owner is the sweetest person I have ever met. If your looking for some great tasting Jamaican food with a great menu this is the place to go!

Jasmine S.

Yelp
Good food, horrible I mean HORRIBLE SERVICE. After being served my food by rude staff I felt terrible that I gave this lady my hard earned money for her attitude. I felt bad for eating the food. I felt ashamed that I enjoyed the food.

Ki L.

Yelp
The food is good and reasonably priced. The servers can be a bit rude tho! I just called and placed an order over the phone and I was hung up on.

Charlotte H.

Yelp
This place is the bomb.com. Food is excellent! People are genuinely nice AND Christians!