Taste Of The Islands Charleston. SC

***UPDATE*** I’m really disappointed with my experience today. The woman at the counter (short, skinny, had her locks in a ponytail) was honestly just rude. She kept walking away while a couple was trying to place their order, and her whole attitude came off really condescending. I waited 45 minutes for my Rasta Pasta, and when I finally got it, it was super underwhelming compared to the last time I came. The portion was small, and it only had six shrimp—definitely not worth $27.99. I don’t mind paying for good food, but this just wasn’t it today. Not sure what’s going on with the service or the food lately, but I left feeling pretty disappointed. ************************************************* We had an amazing experience at this restaurant! We ordered the jerk chicken with rice and peas, along with a side of plantains, and the jerk chicken Rasta Pasta with extra shrimp. The flavors were incredible, and the portions were generous—definitely worth it! For drinks, we tried the Rum Runner and a Long Island. Both were well-balanced, strong in the best way, and blended perfectly with the flavors. A big shoutout to John, the manager, who was so accommodating and a pleasure to chat with. It was such a nice touch that he introduced us to the owner, Mrs. Sonia, who was just as lovely. That kind of personal connection made the experience even more special. If you’re in the West Ashley area, I highly recommend stopping by. Great food, great drinks, and even better hospitality!

We visited on a Sunday afternoon, and it wasn't busy in the dining area. There were a lot of people picking up to-go orders and a few eating at the bar. We were told they have live music there on certain days. The food was okay, and the service was great. Our top Jamaican restaurants in Tidewater, VA have better flavors, but this one will pass.

The food is very tasty, the price was very reasonable, customer service was a-one, and the atmosphere was top notch.....i was just a visitor in the neighborhood for the 3rd time and it's the best tasting food I've ever in the area, felt like I was back home at my favorite corner shop eating or i cooked it myself....I was biting the big bones like I haven't ate in days....the male cashier was so welcoming, this place really made me miss home. The rice and peas tasted like they use the coconut from the tree and that curry must have come from Jamaica or the food cooked on coal..real granny cooking Went back and the price change shocked me....I had the most expensive oxtails ever...it was good, rice and peas was nothing like the first time. I uploaded the new menu price

OMG! Soooo good! I had the jerk ribs (a little more spicy than I care for) but they were so good I couldn’t stop eating them. My husband had the ox tails (duh, yes I ate some of his food) they were banging, with the rice n beans.

I recently was missing the amazing Island food we had in Aruba. This place did not disappoint. HOLY COW!! The food was perfectly seasoned. The ribs literally fell off the bone. If you haven't eaten here yet, you are missing out on a true Caribbean experience in Charleston. A must try.

John was our server and he was a delight!!! Very knowledgeable on the food. He was personable and made our first time visiting a joy. So glad we came. I’ve found a new spot to come and enjoy REAL GOOD FOOD!!! The portion sizes were great and the food was seasoned to perfection!! We are so happy 💕

Any time we travel I'm always looking to break bread with local establishments instead of chain restaurants. This place was literally a stones throw from our hotel. I had the fish tacos, cabbage, rice & beans. The wife had fried chicken & fries. The slaw was a bit more spicy than I like for my taste. But nevertheless good for sure. The wife enjoyed her plate as well. I bit her fried chicken definitely surprised me because we were like hmmmmm curry chicken, oxtails, curry goat etc at Jamaican restaurant cool respect. But fried chicken this a gamble. Well it was good period point blank. The crunch, skin straight 10. Season just right.

Customer Service was Exceptional from the time we walked through the door… we were Greeted by a young lady with a beautiful smile, who directed us to the bar to order, since we were doing take-out. Sage, Greeted us with an Amazing Smile as well and asked how she could assist us, I told her it was our first time and that they came high recommended… She was very helpful with explaining the menu and made some awesome suggestions… We bought 2 oxtail dinners and 2 Curry Chicken dinners… The atmosphere was exceptional. There was a Live band, that was Amazing…sounded very good, lead female singer w/ Band. The first time experience was Excellent 🙌 and we definitely will be back… Thank you Sage, for Everything!!!!!🥰

It's been awhile since I've had a great Jamaican meal, and this didn't disappoint. I got a pretty sizable Jamaican jerk dinner platter which had a pleasant kick to it. The mixed spice was on point and not too heavy. The meat was very tender and slid off the bone (which there's was hardly any of.) It came with three sides, one of which are plantains, but I wish there was more than just one. Looove plantains! Other than that, I had one of their cocktails but it didn't contain much alcohol, especially for over $10. The ambiance is pretty casual, but colorful. They had a DJ that night so it was slightly loud, but it didn't really detract from anything - might for others. Our server was very nice. Service was a little slow for just a couple tables occupied, but not sure if that's because we were there an hour before closing. Still worth it!

Really wanted some Jamaican Food and while in the area we decided to try Taste of the Islands. We ordered the conch fritters, brown stew chicken and oxtails. Everything was delish! Would go back again!

I ordered takeout and arrived with a bit of a wait. They tried to offer me someone else's order because they missed mine (we had ordered the same thing). Then, the veggie pattie I ordered was given to someone else but they asked for it back (giving him a slice of cake instead) and got it to me. As such, it was probably an authentic experience in the sense that these people seemed to be on island time and were not providing particularly competence service, but the food and the vibes were good. Ordering stir fried okra and butter beans was a combination I've never seen before but it worked, and the spices were mouthwatering. The sides it comes with fill a takeout container pretty well. The pattie was a fairly basic creation that I didn't think was worth all the fuss that went into getting it, but some green peas and black pepper, among other things, were nice to take on the road. They had decent vegetarian and drink options and I could see returning.

Let's start with the really important stuff LOL - THE FOOD WAS DELISH! We just kind of stumbled on this lil spot in search of good caribbean and we found it for sure. The portions HUGE; Taste ON POINT; service FAST and FRIENDLY; the place itself oozes Caribbean through decor; music and and of course the food and drinks. The also offer a rum cake that was awesome. Both the hubby and I had the oxtails and it was Phenomenal! Tons of oxtails; the cabbage was tender but still had some bit and something I will have to try with my own cabbage is adding tons of veggies; the rice was tender and full of flavor and the plantains sweet! MAKE SURE YOU STOP HERE WHEN IN CHARLESTON! You can thank me later. :)

I really wanted to love this place. Upon entering, I was greeted with smiles. It's clean and decorated inside. I felt like I came at the perfect time because it was empty and it would be soon that a crowd would be in for lunch. I ordered the jerk chicken with the sauce on the side. It came with the standard rice & peas, plantains, vegetables . Everything was great except for the jerk chicken. I had more bone and skin than meat. Although there was steam from the food, there were cold pieces of chicken in the mix. The jerk sauce is spicy but good. I've recommended this place to a few in the past prior to trying it and I regret it now.

Went in after church on a Sunday for a To-go order. It was very crowded. They have brunch & a band on Sunday afternoons. Should've known it was going to take a while, and it did, but I didnt feel like going anywhere else. Ordered tje oxtail meal for my mom. It comes with 3 sides. Ordered white rice, plantains, & steamed veggies. Didn't realize that we got rice & peas instead of white rice until we got home, but she said it was good. My meal was Rasta Pasta with Jerk chicken and also a Beef Patty. It took about 30-35 minutes to get the food. Checked the food in the car, but it had been so long since I'd ordered that it took a few minutes before realizing that the Beef Patty was missing. Went back and got that. My mom didn't enjoy the plantains. Said they were dry, but they have been good in the past . The Rasta Pasta wasn't as seasoned as in the past. They said they were surprised with a large party that day, which contributed to the long wait.

We got the ox tails Beef oxtails- Beef Oxtails, onions , white potatoes, carrots peas and rice and plantains and the curry shrimp and jerk chicken Curry Shrimp - Local Shrimp seasoned with authentic Jamaican curry sauté with onions, bell peppers and carrots. Served with rice and peas, cabbage and plantains. It's so fresh and not even when getting it to go! We will definitely be back to try other things!

I've been patronizing this business for some years now and I'll say I absolutely love what the owner has done with this new location. The oxtails I had in this pic were extra flavorful and very filling. I literally was set for the rest of the day after eating this at around 2pm! Plate is pretty pricing tho which is why I give it a 4 instead of 5 star

Have eaten about five times. Each time excellent. Super friendly staff. Pleasant decor. Hope they add some more desserts. Really enjoy coming here. Highly recommend!

Love the atmosphere. The flowers are beautiful and healthy. The place looks spotless. The food arrived quickly. It was literally a one man show. He greeted, seated and served. Enjoyed everything, especially the cabbage and ginger sweet tea. The food was hot but not spicy. Neither of us could finish our dishes. Family owned business. We will definitely be back again.

Food was excellent. Very nice inside. Had a nice chat with fellow diner! Will be on my list when I go to Charleston again

Very good Caribbean food for a great price! I had the large oxtail plate and I loved them! I had plenty of leftovers! I didn't eat inside of the restaurant but I did take some pics. The service was okay. When I first walked in there was a bit of a snag with the bartender but it ended up being a misunderstanding! I really enjoyed my food and I look forward to dining inside for my next visit.

After my sister highly recommended this spot for the oxtails, rice & peas, and red snapper, my wife and I visited yesterday. All I can say is "Oh my gosh!!!" Everything, and I do mean everything (ambience, cleanliness, drinks, service, food) exceeded our expectations!!! Awesome place and we will definitely be visiting frequently!

Excellent Caribbean food choices! Highlights are the oxtails & conch fritters. Very friendly wait staff. Cozy vibe and family-friendly.

The server we had was really really sweet. The music was turned up way loud and there was nobody in the restaurant so we decided to take our food to go. It took a half an hour at least to be served and get the food and then it was not very good Although the fish tacos were pretty good. The calamari was not.

The ambiance of the restaurant was so welcoming and it felt like I was coming home to family when I was greeted by the owner. I ordered the Oxtail plate as well as a Vegetable plate and they were both DELICIOUS!!! Not a pinch of seasoning was needed. :-) Definitely a favorite and I will be back!

When I tell you I will definitely return to Taste of the Islands is an understatement!! The Staff are incredibly friendly and very hospitable. The restaurant is in a great location right off I526 in West Ashley offering the Caribbean vibe with full service bar. I ordered my meals to go which meant I had a little wait but no worries when you you're in a great place. I ordered to go each meal came with rice/peas w/steam vegetables which was perfect with my meats: oxtail dinner-delicious with more than enough oxtails to share, a must try, small curry goat meat dinner- definitely will be back meat was very tender I should of ordered the large. I ordered the Shrimp Roti wasn't what I expected but the shrimp was slightly spicy with red peppers and onions no potatoes no curry) I was raised to eat the Trinidadian Roti so I didn't enjoy it. The saltfish fritters were good(sauce a bit spicy for me) but I would definitely order again. Be sure to check out this Taste of the Caribbean as you won't be disappointed. Have a Rum Punch while you're waiting the Bartender is great. f you've ever been to Jamaica a Taste of the Island will definitely have you reminiscing about going back soon Let me know when you're ready

Service was great. The live music was amazing. Maybe a little bit too loud. The oxtails was pretty good and everything was affordable.

We were acknowledged as we walked in to say, yes, seat yourselves. We sat at a booth toward the back closer to the entrance door. We were served water, and handed the menus. We ordered the steamed red snapper, curry goat, and oxtail. The waitress looked a bit perplexed as to why I was ordering two plates :). At the restaurant, I ate the oxtail platter. The oxtail was nicely cooked and seasoned. It was soft and not chewy. The serving of oxtail was a good portion too. I took the goat back to my hotel and refrigerated it. I ate the goat over two days once I got home. The goat was nicely seasoned and cooked well. My husband ate his red snapper and he enjoyed it. Service was good. For checking in with Yelp, I received 10% off!

Our group was quickly greeted and seated. Our waitress answered all of our questions and provided great recommendations. I ordered the medium curry goat with Mac and cheese and cabbage. The servings were huge! The artwork added a nice touch to the interior decor. I want to come back and try their weekend brunch.

I enjoyed the authentic curry goat! The vibe was great too! I would recommend this restaurant for the Island taste you are craving !

I keep meaning to take pics, but we tend to just shove it down our gullets as quick as we can:) I usually get curry goat ( to die for ) but branched out and got oxtails with no complaints except now I will have to decide between the two when we come back! Food is authentic, dranks are good, service was 'nonchalant' but nothing to whine about. We love this joint!

I really enjoyed my curry goat and rice and peas. Found this little spot while visiting Charleston SC. The restaurant has a nice vibe. The staff is awesome. I ordered my food to go and it was no disappointment on the quality or quantity. Definitely recommend them.

This place is a hidden gem. Took my mom here for her birthday. The food is amazing and our server was super friendly. Highly recommended

I stopped in with the family and ordered To Go after my kids appointment. Love the inside and the music playing! We ordered jerk chicken platter, curry goat platter and beef patty. Everything was very good. The goat was fall off the bone and the portion size is huge. We will be back to order more things. Customer service was great.

This is a lovely restaurant at the corner of a strip mall. Amiable and accommodating service with a smile. It's obvious that the chef wants vegetarians to have an excellent dining experience as much as meat eaters do. My okra and beans with sautéed cabbage was tasty down to the last bite - bright and flavorful! Hubby completely devoured his jerk chicken. Highly recommend!

We walked in at 4 p.m. There was only one other customer in the restaurant, yet our food arrived at our table one hour and fifteen minutes later. The spouse ordered a drink, and he finally gave up waiting and went to get it himself. To top it off, they sent the appetizer out last. The food was palatable, but not worth $60 for a burger, taco, and nachos. Maybe they were having an off day, IDK.

Authentic Jamaican food for sure! The Oxtails and Jerk Chicken were great!! WILL BE BACK

Great casual place. Food was excellent. Sage took care of us and was super. She makes a killer rum punch. We need to get back and try some different dishes.

Incredible food. OMG the place is very well designed, service all around is excellent, but the food and its prep steals the show. In Charleston from Minneapolis and sure wish we could eat here weekly. Thank you Sonia, and John your recommendations were spot on. Try this restaurant when you can.

I am a Cuban born American who loves Latino food and was attracted to their banner and signage.....so we went in and found the restaurant to be very clean and inviting. We were welcomed warmly And felt wonderful as good rhythmic Reggae low volume music was played.... I was "ready" for some Chivo (goat) and ordered that which came in a stew with potatoes, carrots, some ripe plaintains, Fried cabbage, and rice & beans.... The portion was plentiful allowing a take-out for a future meal.... Our waitress, Christina, was way and beyond any expectation.... Courteous, Funny, knew the menu items and great! We went back with friends for a second "go" and we will be back.... Christina remembered us the send time Which was impressive! Their drink list is quite good and inviting.... Try it, you will like it!!!'

Huge portions...very tasty Oxtails, curried goat. Super friendly and quick Their pricing is less than I expected....I've been there 10x.

I wanted some real jerk chicken prepared by Caribbean natives, and this place satisfied that craving. The medium jerk chicken with a side of rice and peas brought me memories of Jamaica. They also have ox tails, curry chicken or goat, and stewed turkey wings, so you know they're on point. Very small location, so plan to take out, not eat in.

The food is delicious...worth every penny The Oxtail is so tender....rice and peas are yummy!!!

Oooohhhh so delicious!!! A cute little restaurant near by where I stayed and thank goodness as I craved Caribbean food! Walked in and the nice lady greeted me. I ordered the Oxtail Entree and Jamaican Beef Patty to go. The Oxtail medium plate came with rice & peas, steamed veggies and plantains. I love the flavor of everything! Great balance of seasoning and taste of the oxtail and the side dishes. It was so much that I had it for dinner for two nights! The beef patty was also delicious! I was very satisfied and bookmarked this place for sure! Amazing and definitely recommend this place to others!

Fabulous food! We came here over the weekend for lunch and the place had a few other tables. Service was friendly! We ordered the beef patties, the jerk wings, the oxtail, and the chicken curry. The beef patties were great, a little spicy but nice and flaky. The jerk wings were very spicy! Almost too spicy for me, but my husband loved them! My oxtails were nice and tender and the chicken curry was flavorful. The portions are huge, I think 2 people would be able to split one entree. We will definitely be back again!

Ordered the ox tail and jerk chicken. The portion sizes were good. Would order the ox tail again but the chicken was a little bit too sweet. The cooked cabbage and raw coleslaw was good as sides.

It's been three hours and I'm still full. The food was delicious and the portions were monumental, even for the medium sized entrees. Fantastic jerk chicken and ox tail, they were out of curry goat and roti so I went with the chicken curry and was not disappointed. There wasn't a single bad bite, the sides were also fantastic, perfectly cooked steamed veggies and epic mac and cheese. So fresh and very reasonably priced with friendly service, I'm looking forward to stopping by for a taste of the islands again soon!

I always enjoy the vibe, authentic dishes you will love. I love the new location as well easier to get in and out. The service is quite pleasant.

I love the food here. Never had a dish from them that didn't awaken my mouth and leave me wanting more. So excited that they are opening a second location closer to me!! This time I had their famous Ox Tail with rice and beans. The oxtail was fall off the bone tender and very tasty.

OH!!!! YALL REAL JAMAICANS!!!! I thought yall been from John's island. Lmaofff. LORD HAMERCY!!!! Very nice spot. I like the setup. They bring a lot of flavor to the shopping center. The life of the shopping center used to be piggy wiggly. Lol. Get the air fixed, tho. Hot as hell in there. @ the bar were nothing but Jamaicans. I didn't know there were so many of these beautiful people in Charleston. They were pouring in. BOO YA KAH!!! BOO YA KAH!!!! (Let me be corny 4 a min. Let me be great.) DA RASTA PASTA is CRAAAAZY!!!! Can't really see the sauce. Just saw noodles and veggies but sauce us incredible. Oxtails are so comforting and flavorful. And the gravy layed on that bed of beans and rice. WOW!!!!. Love the way they do their chicken. Seasoned perfectly with that sweet jerk sauce. Chopped in little pieces. I felt spoiled. HEYYYYY MAAAAAAN!!!!!!! I don't even like plantains, and they were good. My son and I were sooo full afterward. All of this for only $40 is insane. I will be back super soon. I was so impressed. The vibe is so great in there I felt like I was from in the islands. Order ahead, or you will have to wait a while. A lot of orders were coming in. ONE LOVE!!!!!

This is my second visit. The physical location is unassuming and indoors is very chill. I was warmly greeted immediately upon entering. The food is excellent. The curry chicken is very moist chicken, little soft potatoes in a delicious sauce. I got basically a pound of Mac and cheese for two bucks. This was a great value. I will come back. Don't forget the imported yummy fruit drinks.

The food was amazing!!! My husband and I love Caribbean food and fell upon this place by chance. My husband had a Caribbean jerk chicken wrap and said it was the best he's ever tasted . I had the vegetarian plate with shrimp on the side that was to die for! We will definitely be coming back. Additionally , our server was very sweet and personable! Had a fun time!!

First, I must apologize as I have enjoyed the food here since August 2021 and just now getting to the review. Absolutely outstanding, it's a small restaurant with four seating areas and I have a ton of Caribbean sodas. All of this reminds me of my in-laws from Jamaica smells and taste even A warm welcome from Sonya behind the counter. Curry goat, curry chicken, oxtail and even the Patty! All are are authentic flavor explosions in my mouth! The food is fresh and the portions OMG!

I Had the chicken curry, my husband had the red snapper and my sister had the coconut shrimp curry. It was all really delicious. Service was excellent and The waitstaff was friendly. I can't wait to eat here again. Taste of the Islands is definitely a place you don't want to miss while visiting Charleston SC, Yummy!! Outdoor seating available.

Ok food. Nothing like the other reviews but could have just been my experience. Hometown place with a neat vibe.

So excited to have found this restaurant! I never knew it was possible to crave oxtail and goat curry anymore than I already do but I already wanna go back and eat it all over again. Added on some conch fritters as an appetizer, and it was one of the most filling meals ever. Everything was perfectly seasoned, but not too spicy. I was super satisfied. It looks like they have live music during the week as well. Overall, it seems like a really spacious and lively restaurant!

Everything about this place was incredible. I would highly recommend it for those who love Carribean Food.

Great food excellent drinks, wonderful ambiance,friendly, great staff. I highly recommend this place. Live band is good every Thursday evening 4-9 PM.