Roti skin, flour, Indian food, buss up shut. Savour the taste of Trinidad: Best Caribbean restaurants in NYC.

NYC’s best Caribbean restaurants inspired by Trinidad and Tobago’s flavours

New York City is a culinary melting pot, and nowhere is this more evident than in its vibrant Caribbean dining scene. From the rich, savoury curries to the irresistible sweetness of coconut-infused desserts, the Big Apple serves as a haven for food lovers craving the authentic taste of the islands with the best Caribbean restaurants.

Among the Caribbean nations influencing this culinary wave, Trinidad and Tobago stands out with its bold, eclectic flavours shaped by African, Indian, Creole, European and Chinese influences. Whether you’re a Trini expat, a Caribbean food enthusiast, or simply curious about the cuisine, here’s your guide to NYC’s best Caribbean restaurants inspired by Trinidad and Tobago’s unique culinary traditions.

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Best places for Trinidadian food in NYC’s Caribbean restaurants

1. Gloria’s – a Brooklyn favourite

📍 Location: 987 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225-2906
Gloria’s has long been a go-to for Trini comfort food in NYC. Known for its hearty portions, you can savour everything from roti stuffed with curried goat or shrimp to the ever-popular doubles, a street-food favourite made with fried bara bread and spiced chickpea filling. Their pepper sauce, true to Trinidadian style, is fiery and addictive, offering an authentic kick to every bite.

Don’t miss: Stew chicken with macaroni pie and callaloo.

2. Trini Breakfast Shed – Queens’ hidden gem

📍 Location: 3209 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226-4213
Famed for its breakfast staples, Trini Breakfast Shed captures the essence of a Trinidadian morning. Dive into dishes like saltfish buljol, bake and shark, and fried bakes paired with cocoa tea. The unassuming ambiance adds to the authenticity, making it feel like a home away from home.

Don’t miss: Bake and shark—crispy, fried shark sandwiched in fluffy fried dough with tangy tamarind sauce and fresh cucumber slaw.

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3. The Hard Grove – fusion Caribbean in Jersey City

📍 Location: 284 1st St, Jersey City, NJ 07302-2940 (a short trip from NYC!)
While slightly outside NYC, The Hard Grove delivers a Caribbean-American fusion experience with a distinctly Trini twist. Their menu combines the best of traditional island cooking with modern gastronomy, making it a favourite for those who want to explore beyond the classics.

Don’t miss: Trini-style oxtail stew served with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and sautéed callaloo.

4. Ali’s Roti Shop – a staple of authenticity

📍 Location: 4220 White Plains Rd, Bronx, NY 10466-3014
For over 30 years, Ali’s Roti Shop has been a cornerstone for authentic Trinidadian roti in NYC. Their handmade dal puri and paratha roti are unmatched, perfectly complementing their wide range of curries, from chicken to pumpkin. The no-frills setup means all focus is on the food—and it shows.

Don’t miss: Curry duck with a side of channa and potato.

Sweet TnT Short Stories

ife in Trinidad and Tobago comes alive in the exciting, entertaining, comical, dramatic, thrilling, mysterious and suspenseful tales in Sweet TnT Short Stories. The novella consists of 34 fictional pieces written by authors from around the twin islands who share narratives with you under the sections Lifestyle, Superstition and Fauna. Created by Culturama Publishing Company, producer of Sweet TnT Magazine from San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago, this book is one of the publications that commemorates the 10th anniversary of the publisher from 2009-2019. US$9.99

5. Miss Lily’s – Caribbean chic

📍 Location: 109 Avenue A On Avenue A at East 7th Street in the East Village, New York City, NY 10009-6107
Miss Lily’s is where the energy of a Caribbean beach party meets NYC’s stylish dining scene. While the menu spans the wider Caribbean, their Trini-inspired dishes, like jerk corn and doubles, pay homage to Trinidad’s vibrant flavours. The lively ambiance, complete with reggae beats, makes it a perfect spot for a night out.

Don’t miss: Rotisserie jerk chicken with pineapple chutney.

Why Trinidad and Tobago’s cuisine is a standout

What sets Trinidad and Tobago’s flavours apart is their diversity. With culinary influences from India (curries, roti), Africa (pelau, callaloo), and even China (chow mein, wontons), every dish tells a story of cultural fusion. Spices like cumin, turmeric, and allspice are staples, while coconut milk, tamarind, and Scotch bonnet peppers bring depth and heat. This distinctive mix makes Trinidadian cuisine a crowd-pleaser for any palate.

Sweet TnT 100 West Indian Recipes

Sweet TnT 100 West Indian Recipes is your kitchen guide to cooking in the Caribbean. Add flavour to your pot and put a smile on everyone’s faces with the right amount of seasonings, spices and stories about the foods you prepare. This cookbook contains 100 tantalising recipes and full colour photographs of home-cooked meals, street foods, treats and drinks that are known in the West Indies for having particular names, ingredients and preparations. The 10 sections are Breads, Fillings, Chutneys and Sauces, Soups, Main Dishes, Salads, Drinks, Desserts, Sweet Snacks and Savoury Snacks. • Kindle – US$4.99 • Paperback – US$29.91

Cook like a Trini at home

If NYC’s Caribbean restaurants leave you inspired to bring the flavours of Trinidad and Tobago into your kitchen, there’s no better resource than Sweet TnT 100 West Indian Recipes. This cookbook, available on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats, is a treasure trove of authentic recipes, from doubles and curried crab to sweet treats like pone and coconut bake. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook, this book makes it easy to recreate the vibrant dishes that define Trinidadian cooking.

NYC’s Caribbean restaurants offer a gateway to the bold and irresistible flavours of Trinidad and Tobago. So whether you’re dining out or cooking up a storm at home, embrace the tastes of the islands and let your culinary adventure begin!

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