Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

    4.7 (20 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Order A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    A. J. W CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Beef stew with vegetables and black rice. This is a $15 medium portion, very generous and definitely enough for 2.
    Otis M.

    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!

    rice and legume
    Muriel D.

    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!

    Bannan Peze (Plantain)
    Raya V.

    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.

    Fried chicken, black rice, plantains with red sauce and slaw. Medium size plate was generously portioned. Delicious!
    Christine C.

    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.

    Red Snapper After Dinner
    Becky C.

    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!

    Outside
    Louis S.

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

    Nice pretty dining place
    Sean J.

    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 .

    Griot Complet Fried Pork
    Kat S.

    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.

    Red snapper salad spicy sauce creole sauce black rice

    See all

    Photo of Ian U.
    232
    16
    3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean J.
    20
    9
    13

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - haitian - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...