Every person who comes to the U.S. brings their rich culture, beautiful art and music, and, oh yeah, delicious cuisine with them, and the Haitian community is no exception. Our communities are enriched by the gifts they bring. Yesterday, I got to experience it firsthand thanks to Amy and her crew over at A.J. W Caribbean Restaurant! They hooked me up with a FANTASTIC meal--a TON of fall-off-the-bone tender stew and delicious black rice and pigeon peas with some of the biggest plantain pieces I've ever seen! They've been open here in Albany for just over a year (a critical milestone in restaurant operations!), and if you haven't been here yet, you're missing out! I'll definitely be back (hopefully to try their snapper!) read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Goat stew, mix of black and brown rice, and plantains - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

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I cannot believe that I have never left a review!!! I was so happy when AJW was established and was one of the first customers. My family has celebrated birthdays, recitals, etc here. Anyhow, the staff are friendly, the food is delicious, and the ambiance is a mix between chill and festive. My favorites: Legume with Diri ak Djon Djon (aka Black Rice); also fried turkey with rice and peas; and most of all the red snapper. The mac and cheese is fantastic and I always have a soft spot for salade russe. Sooo. I have a lot of favorites. Just go and try some Haitian food. I will add more photos the next time I go. read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Fried Turkey, Diri Kole, Bannan Peze Vet - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

Whenever I find a Haitian spot out of South Florida, I'm always excited. I couldn't wait to try this spot. The place is clean and spacious. The people were pretty friendly. I ordered to go and it didn't take long to get my food. I had diri djon djon and turkey. Food was surprisingly good. Surprisingly because I'm bias with my home FL lol. The turkey served were the bigger turkey wings but still good and flavorful. The banan was a bit soft. Overall, I enjoyed my meal here and I'm sure I'll be back. read more

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Delicious food, service was a bit random, I wasn't sure how to order. However, I would go back just for the food, it's sooo good. Very popular among people in the community, many people coming in and out ordering, this is a good sign. read more

Sometimes a single dish is reason enough to try a new restaurant, and this is the case with akra at AJW. It's not fried okra as I assumed but a fritter based on taro. Moist inside, crispy outside with just a bit of heat. A must. Also had a medium portion of the beef stew with vegetables which was easily enough to serve 2. Stew was pleasant with harmonious flavors but the available spicy slaw kicked it up a notch. Accompanied by black rice which now comes with green peas, not mushrooms, and a pleasant plantain patty. (I'm used to plantains sliced like bananas at Cuban places and guess this one is mashed then reconstituted into a patty.) Slices of onion and bell pepper, shown in previous photos, no longer included nor is what looked like a pretty ordinary side salad. Still a very good value for what I received. The interior is spacious and pleasant (apparently a former Starbucks) and a little hard to find with a difficult to read sign. It's to the left of the Men's Wearhouse store in a strip mall facing Colonie Center. Give it a go so this cuisine newcomer does not go away! read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Beef stew with vegetables and black rice. This is a $15 medium portion, very generous and definitely enough for 2. - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

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I have been looking for a Haitian spot to enjoy the taste of home cooked meals that I grew up with. A friend of mine in the area told me about A.J.W. and considering that he is also Haitian, I trusted his word. I went in one day after work with another friend and we both tried their rice dishes. I got legume and diri kole (rice and red beans). It was obvious my creole wasn't the strongest lol but they were patient with us as we ordered and clarified things. My friend got something different from me (I forgot what lol) but she enjoyed her meal as well and said it was a great first introduction to Haitian food. The serving sizes are generous and come with a free water bottle. There are also other Caribbean drinks available such as cola champagne, fruit champagne, and nutraments. We both had enough to make another meal out of what we ordered, definitely worth the price. The restaurant itself has a few tables with Haitian flags as the centerpieces. It was tidy and well-kept, we ate our meals at one of the tables by the door and enjoyed the natural light coming in. I'm excited to go back! read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - rice and legume - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

I had anticipated coming here once I found out we had some real Haitian cuisine in town. I'm so glad I finally had the chance. It is very spacious with seating and a nice vibe inside. The service is fantastic. We were greeted instantly and guided through the menu. We had the fried snapper (pwason woz), DIRI AK DYONDYON (black mushroom rice) BANNAN PEZE (fried ripe plantain), a side salad, Stew Chicken (POUL SOS), rice & peas (DIRI KOLE), w/ banan peze. She fried the snapper fresh and it was decently sized portion! Felt like I was on the island! Can't wait to come back. I hope they add another veggie option as well because I would love to try it. The owner is so sweet and made us feel very welcome. Glad we have this gem. read more

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Tucked inside a plaza between the Gentleman's Wearhouse and IHOP is a Haitian spot that serves delicious authentic food that's fresh and flavorful. Our area is so full of lackluster pub food and non-descript sub shops, that we were looking for a change of pace. We decided to switch things up and try someplace new and we were not disappointed. The chicken was fall off the bone tender and delicious, the plantains were crisp on the outside and mildly sweet inside, and the black rice and peas (known as Diri djonjon) was generously portioned, full of flavor and umami. Nice red sauce on the side and a spicy slaw. What a great surprise. Don't miss this hidden gem. read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Fried chicken, black rice, plantains with red sauce and slaw. Medium size plate was generously portioned. Delicious! - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

My husband and I shared the Fried Red Snapper for dinner. We ate at the restaurant and enjoyed the colorful decor and Caribbean music. He does not eat meat so the choices were limited for him, but what we had was great! Be prepared for spicy food - the side slaw was potent! Fried plantains yummy. Crispy red snapper and black rice to die for. The passion fruit juice was a lovely accompaniment to the meal. We ate early and were the only eat in diners, but it was obvious they do a lively takeout business. (By the way, quite casual there!) The staff was very friendly although there was a minor language barrier which in the end didn't matter at all We plan on returning, so yummy! read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Red Snapper After Dinner - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

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Travel to Albany for work but I live in Miami and found this Haitian spot close to my hotel. The food was really good read more

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Found this new restaurant in town, love love it. Food is delicious and all made fresh . The owners are nice and accommodating. Will be back . read more

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This place is Amazing! A rare find in Upstate NY, authentic Haitian Food with the same quality and taste I fell in love with in South Florida. Quick and friendly service here. Really cute and spacious layout to eat in. Most people stick to the Griot Complet fried pork dish, but I also recommend the Red Snapper and black rice. So glad this place opened here. read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Griot Complet Fried Pork - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

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Amazing! Everything I've had is great. One of the best places to eat in the capital region. Hands down!!

Good food! Definitely worth trying. If you do, get it for dine in. These guys put stew and soup into cardboard clamshell containers that leak before you can get them to the car. As a bonus, the bag the put it in has holes in it. Tossed 3 complete meals into the trash rather than have to get my car detailed from the mess. Now I just need to get my shoes cleaned. read more

Sooooo I tried Haitian food for the first time at this place called A.J.W caribbean restaurant food in Albany it was absolutely delicious! Everything was fresh and the fish was so crispy on the outside yet juicy in the middle. I recommend anyone to this restaurant and the employees were so nice and welcoming not to mention a nice atmosphere. I will definitely be back and with friends!! read more

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Red snapper salad spicy sauce creole sauce black rice - Haitian Near Me - Colonie, New York

The food is really good here the place is OK the restaurant is clean and the people are nice but you have to get here early cause they do run out of some stuff but everything is cooked fresh and plenty of place to park read more

Mwen vrèman te pran plezi nan manje a nan restoran sa a! Li te tankou mwen te tounen lakay nan Jakmèl, kote mwen soti. Òl ak listri yo te bon anpil. Mwen tris sèlman patties Ayisyen yo disponib samdi, men makawoni ak fwomaj la te bon, epi griot la se pi bon an mwen janm manje! read more

I loved the food. It was so flavorful and hearty. The service was great, the staff were so nice and welcoming, and environment was wonderful. I will definitely be going again. read more

I read the positive review of this restaurant and the times union and wanted to give it a try. First the staff is so friendly and welcoming. I ordered (to go) stewed chicken with rice and a freshly fried plantain, and they also let me try another stew. Everything tasted amazing. I'm looking forward to coming back with friends and trying more things. Also, the portion was huge. Definitely two meals and then some. read more

Amazing food! Thanks. Needed this in albany. Please support this place! They deserve it, and it's worth every penny