Dunns River Island Cafe image

Dunns River Island Cafe

Restaurant Jamaican restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Jamaican restaurants in Tampa


Address

11154 N 30th St, Tampa, FL 33612, United States

Contact

+1 813-374-2093

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (864 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 11 am to 12 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 8 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 8 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 8 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 8 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: chicken (35) great (20) ordered (15) good (15) drinks (11) rice (10) oxtail (10) ginger (10) waitress (10) time (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 LADY A. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was great! Literally everything we ordered was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious! We ordered the ackee and saltfish cups for appetizer. Delish! I ordered the steamed snapper with lobster tail, rice and peas, and cabbage. Omg it was amazing! And my aunt and uncle both ordered the curry goat and oxtail combo with rice and peas and cabbage. There was not one thing that wasn't absolutely amazing! We also ordered a side of festival which was PERFECT as well! The only complaint I have was my drinks. I ordered a mojito and was told there was nobody that knew how to make it. Which was fine, so I just ordered a jack and ginger ale. Our waitress brought me a jack and ginger beer. (I hate ginger beer lol) so I told her I'm sorry can I get a jack and ginger ale instead of ginger beer please, I don't like ginger beer. She apologizes and brings back another jack and ginger beer and runs off. So I walk over to the bar with the drink and tell the bartender listen I told her twice I ordered ginger ale, not ginger beer and she brought me the same thing twice I thought she understood me but i guess she didn't. He tells me well unfortunately we do not have ginger ale. I say, ok so I'll take a jack and cola. He pours my new drink (for the third time) I get back to the table and take a sip and it's definitely not jack and cola. It tastes like cognac (which I also hate) I tell them this was the third mistake with my drink and they said well I'm sorry but you're going to have to pay for 2 of them I can only take one off. At this point I don't even care because the food was so amazingly good. I will also most definitely be returning because of how delicious it was, but now I just know not to order any drinks from there. We drove an hour and a half for some great Jamaican food because the food in North Port, FL SUCKS, and Dunns River Island Cafe did not disappoint!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 sigmaqueen 1 year ago on Google
    Had brunch on Sunday of the Labor Day weekend. The place had a lot of people in it. Although we forgot to make reservations and we had 11 people in our party they were able to accommodate us in less than 30 minutes. The atmosphere is lively. There was a saxophonist there and a female singer who was phenomenal. There's also a DJ who plays in between sets. The menu itself was wonderful it had something for everyone. If you want something big it was there if you wanted something small available they even have vegetarian options. The drinks were not as pricey as I expected them to be. They had many options cocktails fresh juice and Caribbean sodas. I looked at reviews and pictures before going. Pictures of some of the foods may not be accurate. I ordered extra waffle because the picture showed that you got two little pieces of the waffle. That's not true. I ended up with a lot of food. This place is truly worth a visit
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Roxanne M. 2 years ago on Google
    Even til this day I still eat their tofu because I think it's the best. I respect their amazing vegan and vegetarian options. I've had their jerk chicken which is pretty yummy. They always seem to be out of plantains and patties though. Customer service definitely needs improvement and the food is never ready when you get there.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ron 5 months ago on Google
    Pros: Very fresh and hot food, I got take out & food was piping hot when I got home after grocery shopping. Curried chicken was flavorful with herbs and spices. Rice and peas had a nice coconut flavor. Very nice staff. Large portion for the price. Cons: Beef patty was pressed thin, which wasn't good, dried out and hard Opinion: Food prepared well, and quality is evident in how it's being served to customers They seem to really care about the food that's being made
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dee G. 5 months ago on Google
    We enjoyed our meals, we had a combo of jerk chicken & brown stew chicken- combo of curry chicken & brown stew chicken and lastly just am order of brown stew chicken. The staff was attentive and pleasant. Our only concern was there is an 18% gratuity automatically included with service- and we were a party of 3. Besides that food was delicious and no complaints 🤗
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katrina M. 1 year ago on Google
    I really had a phenomenal time here. The ambience was laid back and chill. Service would have received 5stars but it be for the delay in the bar drinks we ordered that we ended up canceling due to the time. But the server was really great and receptive. The chicken and waffles were on point. The drinks we did receive were good as well. I definitely recommend this spot as an adult getaway for the grown and sexy. Also there were a couple birthday parties being thrown there which were really nice.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Linda E. 1 year ago on Google
    Today was our first time at restaurant. The waitress was friendly and was accommodating. The food was great. I had the vegetarian Rasta Pasta. My husband had the brown stew chicken with rice and peas, which he said was great. My daughter had the cheese quesadilla. She ate it but not all of it because we were not aware it was going to have red pepper flakes top of it. It did take a little bit to get out food but it was worth it. My daughter ended up eating some of my husband's food. We will definitely come here again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Dominique 1 year ago on Google
    A friend of mine booked a brunch party for my bday, myself and 2 others arrived first and were greeted by the rudest host ever! As soon as we walked in she rudely asked if we had a reservation before even saying hello or good morning, we replied yes then she asked what's the name with a look of pure disgust! I wasn't feeling my best so I had one of my friends speak with her. We were booked for a party of 15, we were sat at a table that could fit 7 ppl. The other waiters did accommodate us, however it kind of took a while. But that was fine the whole party hadn't arrived yet. Another waitress came to the table at one point and asked why we were taking tables that they didn't have available as if we brought tables to the restaurant with us.... Our waitress was nice but very frantic for some reason from beginning to end lol. Because we had a large party she was not comfortable with the ppl who ordered the bottomless mimosas to have their own carafe I'm assuming in fear that others who did not pay for that would be drinking the mimosas, so in turn it was taking forever for those ppl to get their drinks. Outside of the major service flaws the FOOD WAS GREAT, SHOUT OUT TO THE KITCHEN STAFF AND THE DRINKS WERE GREAT AS WELL GO SEE LALA AT THE BAR! The music was very good as well.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca T. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is a vibe for Brunch.🖤 The music was great and the energy was great. Now our server not bringing us a mini pitcher for bottomless mimosas($30 bottomless mimosas per person) and moving super slow were the only issues. The food tasted great the drinks were strong I would give this place 8/10 only because of service. I will be back for another brunch.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 janet e. 2 years ago on Google
    Had Jamaican food for the first time here, it was delicious! I had a vegan patty (they were out of beef and chicken), and brown stew chicken with cabbage. It could have had more cabbage but it was all amazing! The staff were polite, helpful and professional. Excellent experience, I'll definitely be back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Natasha D. 2 years ago on Google
    Went for Sunday brunch and it was excellent. I had fried lobster tail and waffle and unlimited mimosa’s. The service was great the staff was great and very friendly. We had a group of 5 people and everyone was satisfied. I will definitely come back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kdd L. 5 months ago on Google
    I really love this café. It is truly the best I drive way from Saint Pete to come Dunns it’s a great atmosphere is a great spot. I love the performance on karaoke night. The people are great employees. The restaurant is very clean. The food is amazing the drinks. Oh my goodness.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Xiong H. 6 months ago on Google
    Boy, I was blown away by the dishes this place offers. I got the lamb ribs and the ox tail. It was bomb. Highly recommended for anyone wanting some good Jamaican food.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tyrone B. 8 months ago on Google
    I recently had the pleasure of stopping by Dunns River Island Café in Tampa for some takeout, and boy, was it a delightful experience! My primary intention was to try their highly recommended fried dumplings, but little did I know that I would end up devouring an entire meal right then and there. First things first, let's talk about the star of the show - the fried chicken with rice and peas and steamed vegetables. The moment I opened the container, I was instantly greeted by a mouthwatering aroma that tickled my senses. The fried chicken itself was cooked to perfection, boasting a crispy and golden exterior while being unbelievably moist and tender on the inside. It was evident that the chicken had been expertly seasoned, as each bite exuded a delightful explosion of flavors. The rice and peas served alongside the chicken were spot-on. The rice was flawlessly cooked, separating easily and offering a light and fluffy texture. The addition of kidney beans added a delightful and earthy undertone to the rice, making it a perfect companion for the succulent chicken. Additionally, the steamed vegetables were cooked just right, showcasing their vibrant colors and maintaining a delightful crunch. I must applaud Dunns River Island Café for their impeccable cooking skills and attention to detail. The entire meal was well-balanced and left me more than satisfied. The flavors were rich, robust, and undeniably delicious. It's evident that the chefs at Dunns River know their craft and are devoted to providing their customers with an exceptional dining experience. In addition to the delectable food, I cannot overlook the excellent service I encountered at the café. The staff members were warm, friendly, and efficiently handled my takeout order. Even though the place was buzzing with activity, they managed to remain attentive and provided me with timely assistance. Their professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were truly commendable. If you ever find yourself craving a delectable meal in Tampa, I highly recommend stopping by Dunns River Island Café. Whether you're a fan of their fried dumplings or looking to explore their extensive menu, your taste buds are in for a treat. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 yancey t. 9 months ago on Google
    Although the service was a little slow the food quality and drinks were very good. The oxtail pasta was very flavorful along with chicken and waffles. I also liked the fried lobster tail which was really flavorful. Our waitress was really great and attentive to our request, I definitely will be returning for another round.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jennifer S. 9 months ago on Google
    I love to support my own. However, today that support ends. I ordered two chicken specials that I normally order and the fried chicken was very light & very soggy Chicken. I went back inside and brought it to the manager attention she refused to remake the chicken and blamed it on "new grease" and walked off and started assisting someone else very unprofessional manager. I am disgusted with the staff, quality and service!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 shannon M. 9 months ago on Google
    Food was absolutely amazing! Went here as a group for a birthday brunch. I got the oxtail pasta and a side of pancakes. Both were phenomenal! Highly recommend. Also got the mimosas which were great as well!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Curtis Matthews (. 9 months ago on Google
    We saw a lunch special for chicken dishes, so we ordered the fried chicken. We did not know they would put a sauce on the chicken. So if you like your fried chicken without sauce, remember to tell them We also did not know you needed to specify dining in or takeout. They gave us our food, and after we sat down, someone told us we could not dine in because we had a take out container. To avoid confusion, we just ate in our car The rice and vegetables were good, but we did not eat the chicken because of the sauce. Don't worry, I don't waste food. We gave it away.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Nanna C. 1 year ago on Google
    I recently just went to this place today. My FIRST time I ordered a small Curry chicken with streamed veggies. The veggies were awesome.The first time I had 4 pieces of curry chicken opened the inside with a fork and it was pink and did not taste done.( didn't take pic first time but, should have)So I went back inside to ask one of the crew members was I tripping? She said she had to go in the kitchen because the lights that were inside the front you really couldn't tell. She comes back and say the cook says its done and that I cannot receive a refund and or exchange and I told her it didn't taste done, she disregarded it🤦🏾‍♀️. Ok so I brought another curry chicken 1/4 just to see if the outcome would be the same. Went to the car opened the chicken with a fork and this is how it looked. So again I will ask is it me🤷🏾‍♀️???? So not only that I couldn't get my money back, I had to pay again and the outcome was the same. First impressions are best but, not for me.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Tiffany W. 1 year ago on Google
    My experience with a large group (20) at the restaurant was horrible. On a day like mothers day the management should make sure that they have adequate staff to handle a large group. Our waitress was amazing at trying to accommodate. But even though she put our order in before another waitress, the other waitress took our tables food (trust we confirmed) $.after arriving at 130pm by 417p we still had not been fully served. Like I said our waitress was amazing and we felt sorry for her but at the end of the day our party was not satisfied, management didn't even come over to apologize, basically left the waitress to fend for herself. I WOULD NOT recommend dining here on a special occasion such as mothers day etc if you have a large party.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jenni G. 1 year ago on Google
    (Friday night) The drinks were good. The atmosphere was good, the crowd appeared to be 35 and up which was great. I ordered the wing basket, the fries were perfect, but I didn't like the flavor of the wings. The dj and the band were both great. I'll definitely return as I had a good time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Catoria S. 8 months ago on Google
    This was a waste of money to be honest. The oxtails were small,tough and had little to no meat. The plantains were dry undercooked and tasteless. The oxtail pasta may as well be called oxtail sprinkle pasta because the main thing you get is pasta and the few oxtail pieces had fat on them. The quesadilla was greasy and so-so and the shrimp appetizer was 5 shrimp. With fees, tip, etc this meal was $91.57 of wasted money! Thanks a lot for a horrible first impression! **The pictures are what was left AFTER having small,tough, and/or fatty pieces of oxtail in the oxtail pasta and the oxtail rice/peas and cabbage** This restaurant should be ashamed of themselves serving these dishes knowing they would not eat them served this way themselves! There are SEVERAL Jamaican restaurants in this area any of the others have to be better than this! BUYER BEWARE!

  • 5/5 Cabrini S. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was great. Lobster and waffles. Lack the amount of staff for the amount of people. If you are having a special event, you anticipate that you will have a bigger turn out and should staff appropriately. It took well over an hour for our food and some came out cold and not together.

  • 2/5 Gio R. 8 months ago on Google
    Was seated immediately but had to ask for our drinks and appetizer twice. Appetizer came out 2 minutes before entree . Shrimp came out uncleaned and the salmon was dry. We were only tended to twice in an hour experience.

  • 1/5 Samora R. 7 months ago on Google
    So I am passed. I am a new customer. I went in ordering a Half chicken jersey chicken and a large order of curry with salad. First and foremost did not get my salad. I called because my jerk half chicken was two thighs cut up into pieces. I speak with the manager who informs me that this is considered a half chicken size because they don't cook white meat. So if it's only dark wouldn't that consist of two thighs and two legs??? They cut two thighs in four pieces and said it's a half chicken. The manager wasn't even sorry nor did she offer to replace what's missing she basically said that's our portion size like of well. I try to sorry black owned business but this is exactly why I don't. I won't be a returning customer and more people need to join this notion as well. You don't care once you get the money then you don't deserve the customers. I wish I would've paid by card and not left a tip so I could dispute with my bank but lesson learned never again. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!! MARK MY WORDS CAUSE IT COULD BE YOU NEXT.

  • 1/5 Darnel M. 8 months ago on Google
    High priced little bit of food not even worth it , didn’t even tip avoid this place , 25.99 for this plate this place a joke

  • 5/5 Deirdre S. 6 months ago on Google
    Listen this was a great experience... this place was busy and the food was good. It was I had to send the mimosas back, the watermelon tasted like sugar. The others were decent.

  • 2/5 dstchi11 f. 6 months ago on Google
    This was my 1st time at this establishment, and I was very disappointed with the food. I promise the chicken looked and tasted like it was left over the previous day, which is the reason for only two stars! We also asked to speak with a manager and was told we could not because he was next door. The band was outstanding, if not for that, I would have given only one star.

  • 3/5 Karlene W. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was excellent. I had the brown stew chicken, rice and peas, and cabbage. It really was one of the best I've had from a Jamaican restaurant so far. My one issue was that I found a piece of hair in my plate, so I didn't feel comfortable finishing my food. This restaurant should stick with their recipe, but they definitely need to work on cleanliness.

  • 5/5 Persia V. 2 years ago on Google
    I absolutely love the atmosphere and the food! The Ackee and Saltfish was great! I've been thinking about it for weeks now!

  • 5/5 Scuba T. 4 months ago on Google
    Really good Jamaican food and a good vibes nice music excellent service. Jody was very professional and took good care of us. I had the oxtail and goat combo.


Call +1 813-374-2093 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Happy-hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Restaurants nearby

Columbia Restaurant image
1
Columbia Restaurant
Spanish restaurant
Traditional Spanish restaurant, a branch of a long-standing local chain dating back to 1905.
$$$ $
4.50 (17.2K reviews)
Bahama Breeze image
2
Bahama Breeze
Caribbean restaurant
Laid-back chain eatery featuring Caribbean entrees & tropical cocktails amid beachy decor.
$$ $$
4.50 (16.1K reviews)
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Tampa image
3
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Tampa
Bar & grill
Rustic hangout with a party vibe that serves casual American chow & booze right on the beach.
$$ $$
4.10 (14.1K reviews)
Armature Works image
4
Armature Works
Food court
Striking mixed-use event space offering an upscale food court, bar & lounge in lofty, historic digs.
$$ $$
4.60 (12.1K reviews)
La Teresita Restaurant image
5
La Teresita Restaurant
Cuban restaurant
Family-run eatery serving a menu of Cuban & Spanish standards in homey surroundings.
$ $$$
4.40 (10.2K reviews)
Last updated:
()