Had lunch here yesterday. Our 2nd time and didn't disappoint! The food is sooooo good. We had beef patties with garlic naan as appetizers. They were FABULOUS! The beef patties are made fresh to order AND so flavorful and the chutney served alongside was amazing. For entrees we ordered jerk chicken, Chicken tikka masala and goat curry. Each was exceptional - great portion sizes- truly a meal! For sides - we had the exceptional mac and cheese, cabbage, collar greens and bourbon yams. I can't say enough about how good the food is. We love it here! And the owner is there - checking on us and making sure everything was to our liking! Excellent food, excellent service - we will definitely be back again! read more

Okay, I'm finally writing my review for this place. I came here when I was visiting my daughter. The energy in here is so good. You can tell they actually care about the food they're putting out. It's a little small inside and parking is in the back if I remember correctly. It's low-key genius that they have Caribbean and Indian food together. I got the jerk chicken bowl. My daughter tried the the veggie biryani with garlic naan. We also grabbed a side of yams, I would actually die for them. Also, the plantains were perfectly sweet and caramelized. It's giving authentic, it's giving flavor, it's giving "I'm coming back next week." (I wish), we need this in California. If you're on Bardstown Rd and haven't been yet, you're actually missing out. 100% recommend grabbing a plate. NO pictures of the food but my tummy will always remember. read more

I was taken aback from their concept of Caribbean and Indian but looking over their menu I would love to give it a try when I go back! I only ordered a mango lassi in passing, but I saw oxtail pizza and Indian buffet so I can't wait to try that out! The mango lassi was heavy on the yogurt and very creamy, sweet, and delicious! Owner is super friendly and introduced himself, great service with a smile! read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Mango Lassi Smoothie - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

What a WONDERFUL eatery! The best food & outstanding customer service! Friendly atmosphere & very clean including the bathrooms! Don't pass this one up!!! read more

Koko+Rae has added a friend: Mom's Kitchen. You might wonder whether a restaurant that serves both Caribbean and Indian food is a good idea; wonder no more: it is. Upon arriving we were greeted effusively and guided through the menu options. The chef is vegan (!!) and came to the front of house to describe several customized, plant based dishes (not on the menu). We ordered the red bean curry and the curried spinach, as well as vegan samosas and everything was GLORIOUS. Wonderful, complex flavors, cooked to perfection, and delivered at the correct temperature (nice and toasty). Portion size is very appropriate for the quality and price. Based on this experience I would absolutely go back for the food, but even more so the people - so kind, so thoughtful. They truly went above and beyond to ensure our entire experience was unique and memorable (in a very good way). read more

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I loved Koko+ Rae when it initially opened and I had been hesitant to try again after the restaurant was bought. Joe took my order and told me about all the menu and new management, very kind and welcoming. The food is 10/10 just as good if not better than the original place.The Caribbean food is phenomenal! read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Mac and cheese, yams, jerk chicken on a bed of rice and peas - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Wandered into this newly opened little eatery just off the intersection of Eastern Pkwy. on Bardstown Rd. for a lunch snack with some out of town family guests before heading down to the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. Our main requirement was Mac & Cheese and Chicken Nuggets for our 9 yr. old in tow, and they had them on the menu, so, in we went. Very simple interior: little bar/order zone with about 4 bar chairs, and two booths big enough for 4 adults. Beverage cooler with bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks right next to the booth we chose but on quick inspection, found they had cold beer and a modest bar with liquor. As we examined the menu, it got more & more interesting with Indian and Caribbean selections of meats & vegetables. We ordered veggie and chicken dumplings (6 each) and an order of samosas (2) to start (with the children's meal), and the two ladies got rum punches garnished with fresh pineapple & orange, and us two guys got cold beers. Very tasty appetizers led us to order a little more food to share, including a spinach patty, two orders of garlic naan, jerk chicken nachos, and a jerk chicken bowl that came with yellow rice. The seasoning of every item was spot on...dumplings, samosas and the spinach patty were mild, as anticipated, the naan was perfectly cooked, the jerk chicken was very nicely seasoned with a good kick of pepper heat that was tempered nicely by the rice, and the rum punches were raved about. Our only complaint that day was the speed of service, but we understood that: a) They just opened very recently, and b) There are just the two of them there (a woman cooking and a man at the bar taking orders, conducting payment transactions, and making drinks--but that was easily forgotten when the quality of the food and the genuine hospitality of the operators outshined it. I would definitely go back to taste more of the menu and would encourage anyone who likes South Asian and Caribbean influenced foods to give them a try! read more

The food and service is amazing. Please try this place out. This place has the best chicken and bourbon yams. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

The buffet was fantastic! The butter chicken was so tender, delicious, and perfect blend of spice! Tiki marsala so good and if you don't care for much spice this it an excellent choice! Collard greens, Mac and cheese with nan as side so good! Excellent service! Will be back again! read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Buffet on Thursday - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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We tried this new Caribbean food restaurant and had an amazing experience. It was our first time trying this style of food, and everything exceeded expectations. The beef patty was absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The restaurant was exceptionally clean, very inviting, and had a fun atmosphere. The service was excellent and made us feel welcome from start to finish. We'll definitely be back! Judy -Columbus Ohio. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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In the mood for some good Caribbean food my friend and I made it over to Koko and Rae's. When we walked in we started looking over the menu on the TV screen but then a man came out and said to look over this printed menu instead. That is when I realized the menu offerings here were VERY strange. It was 2/3 Indian food with a small bit of caribbean food mixed throughout. Although this was not what we had in mind we decided to stay and give the place a shot. We ordered a Beef patty and garlic naan to share and my entree was the chicken curry korma. The service was prompt and the guy working was nice but that was kind of expected since there was just us and one other person in the place. The chicken curry and the naan were good, I asked for the dish to be spicy and it was not at all. I never know if this is because they have no spices in the back or my ghostly pale complexion but maybe someone will have better luck than me. I did not like the beef patty so my friend ate it. I thought the filling was meager and the dough too thick with a greasy mouthfeel. I dont know if this place is going through some kind of restructuring but it is definitely not the same place as shown in the pics here. I have much better indian restaurants to frequent and the caribbean options are too slim to consider returning. read more

"You know the vibes" & it was exactly that! Loved our first visit here. Tasha was awesome & it was truly a pleasure getting to talk to her. We loved the food. Our favorites were the sweet potatoes, greens & the jerk chicken with the jerk sauce. It was exactly what we hoped it would be. 10/10 recommend. Plus my sisters name is Kaylee & we call her kaekae *Rae :) what more of a sign did we need. Also wanted to mention We loved the space & the bathrooms were clean & bright. Thanks KoKo+Rae read more

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Loved my first visit to Koko+Rae, and I'm excited to see how this new Bardstown Road restaurant continues to grow. When I visited last month for lunch, they had some of their menu available, with the rest to roll out soon, we were told. I ordered the jerk chicken with corn, collards and cornbread. The chicken had great flavor. The entire meal was so filling -- pure comfort food goodness. Our service was friendly and fast. I also loved how bright and welcoming this spot is. I will be back to try more on the menu! read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Delicious carribean food! I got the jerk chicken, collards and Mac and cheese. The jerk chicken was spicy but bearable and omg it was SO JUICY! I can't stand dry jerk chicken and you will not get it here! The collards were good and I ended up waiting for the macaroni to get out of the oven and the wait was worth it as it was bubbling and cheesy! My husband got oxtail which were tender and had good flavor but too chewy. The corn, rice and peas and sweet potatoes were ordered as well and were hits as well. I'd 100% recommend and go back. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Oxtail rice and peas and corn - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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WOW! Give me flavor, oxtail, and Caribbean. That's what makes me a happy gal. We visited twice for my birthday when they were supposed to be open. They didn't have food ready for their first two hours. We were told the food would be ready in an hour, then they said another hour in a half. After the second time, we gave up. We normally go to Eden and Kissi but have wanted to try like no other. So, we gave it another shot! I am oh so thankful we did. The oxtail, rice, and beans blew us out of the water. The amount of oxtail was under 2oz (it was oh so delicius that I wanted more), but that could be due to ordering through Doordash. I am on a strict bed rest for three months and handicapped from a severe surgery. While we don't like using delivery services, we have multiple gift cards to go through. My husband went with the jerk chicken, collards, and yellow rice. It's on our quintessential Louisville list and different from Eden and Kissi. So, I highly recommend it! read more

Immediate review! I'm still sitting here in the restaurant, it's that good. I'm actually thinking about ordering seconds for tomorrow. Customer service and ambiance is amazing as well, and fast. Definitely one of the best spots on Bardstown Rd. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I'm a big time lover of Caribbean food & Koko+Rae did not disappoint! Its a smaller place with dining inside and out. The set up is similar to chipotle, you walk up to the counter and place an order, they assemble the food in front of you, and you are passed down to the person at the register. The service was great, the employees greeted us when we arrived and before we left. The gentleman at the counter was helpful and gave recommendations and even pointed out the vegan jackfruit they have! The food was delicious however it is true jerk chicken and has a bit of a kick to it. I loved it and would happily get it again, although next time I'd buy an extra water! If sensitive to spice I'd recommend trying something else on the menu. The saffron rice was delish and flavor packed. I also got their fruit flavored tea and absolutely *loved* it. It was a good balance of tea flavors and fruity. Definitely on the sweet side, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Final thoughts: I'm so glad this place has opened up & I am excited to return with my meat eater friends & vegan friends! read more

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amazing customer service the owner was in there when I went in, and was super nice. he brought us housemade whipped crème for our dessert. with a big menu it was hard to choose what I wanted but he narrowed it down and we got the jerk chicken it was spicy and so good, and the environment was super energized. good service all around will go back :) read more

I usually wait until I have visited a place at least twice before writing a review that is critical. I have eaten at Koko+Rae at least five times now and desperately want to give it five stars...but three is the best I can do after today. I love Jamaican food so very much, so it pains me to have issues with Kiko+Rae. I want them to become wildly successful. First of all, they are always out of something. That is charming in its own way as it is part and parcel for Mom and Pop shops. So I had to get a second choice meal since their sandwich press was down. The jerk chicken bowl I got had dry, tough meat. The flavor of the seasoning and jerk sauce were excellent, but the texture and temperature were off. The rice and peas were mushy. The patty I got was lukewarm inside, and now they seem to be rationing jerk sauce (they used to have it sitting out in squeeze bottles). My lunch plus tip was $25. That is just way too much for anything that isn't topped with caviar. Also, whomever was working was actually quite inconsiderate by playing audio out loud on her phone. I could write a novel on how bad this habit is and how rude people are for not considering how they are polluting the environment with sound that should only be heard through their earbuds. But there was already loud reggae playing in the restaurant: to have the tinny audio coming out of their phone at the same time was extra nerve wracking. If I were king, people who played their phones out loud in public would be cleaning up the highways. But alas...I just have a Yelp page. read more

The customer service is so-so the servers weren't familiar with the difference between vegetarian and vegan. Things they claim are vegan turned out to be vegetarian after I asked the cook. this might just be a personal pet peeve, but this business does not have small cups of water to enjoy while eating in. You have to buy a bottle of water. and lastly, the jackfruit was over salted. The greens were spicy, but flavorless. Plantains are pretty good. But the sweet potatoes were just way too mushy and gelatinous with sugar. read more

This place is amazing. The oxtail, macaroni, and yams were delicious. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was calm. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Y'all... just go try. I didn't even think someone could compete with my moms yams and that Jamaican cornbread! the sauce was on point as well, the chicken was a good texture just a lil salty for me, my only 'complaint'. Other than that, definitely finished my whole meal #sauceboss singing out read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - Curry chicken, rice & beans, sweet potatoes and Jamaican cornbread - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Huge portions of authentic Caribbean food. The plantains are good, but the chicken and goat curry are tops!

Another gem in the Highlands, especially for Carribean cuisine. The service is always friendly and helpful when deciding what to order. The jerk chicken bowl is my favorite to order and has the perfect spice, and flavor. Their Oxtails are exceptional, and well-portioned. As for the sides, I highly recommend mac and cheese, yams, collard greens and their Jamaican corn bread! Be advised they might not have everything listed on the menu the day you decide to go, they sell out of some of their options. The ambiance is very colorful and welcoming. Koko+Rae have easily become one of my favorite spots to go. read more

I had dinner tonight at Koko+Rae and it was awesome! I have never tried Caribbean food before and it was such a treat. The flavors were amazing! We tried all of the sides and the vegan jackfruit. Yummmy! My favorite was the cabbage. Yes, the cabbage! The greens and veggie Pattie were also quite tasty. The portions are HUGE. You can make a second meal from the large portions. The vibe and the art are PERFECT to go with this Island theme. Very friendly staff and knowledgeable about their food to help us newbies. I would highly recommend this new restaurant in the Highlands!! read more

I was really looking forward some authentic Caribbean curry chicken. Well the whole dish was salty. The corn was ok and the sweet potatoes were marginal. The best was the ginger beer. read more

My first time visiting this establishment. However, the Cabbage had no flavor whatsoever so ever. Oxtail since it was only one, was tough and fatty. Mac and cheese taste like it was boxed Mac . Rice and peas was waaaay too gummy. I would zero recommend this restaurant . It was a total waste of money. Very over priced for the quality and quantity of food that is provided. May I add customer service was mediocre. read more

Koko+Rae Caribbean Kitchen - a meal in a container - Caribbean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

The food was amazing! So glad they are in the Highlands!! We will be regulars going forward. The bbq sauce is the best!

The jerk chicken with molasses-bourbon yams and jasmine rice was absolutely delectable. Hibiscus-pineapple tea is habit forming. The hostess was delightful. I'm traveling, do I couldn't take my leftovers. That hurt me.. I don't remember the last time I couldn't take my leftovers when I left that I was disappointed. For me Koko-Rae was something special. read more

Omg!! So good! 5 of us! Curried goat and jerk chicken were the meat choice. So so good! Sweet potatoes were very yummy! What am I saying? Nothing was bad! Everything was excellent! Very sweet ladies, too! Customer service is everything!! read more

The staff and food is AMAZING. The restaurant is bright,clean and welcoming. The options are endless and flavorful. SEASONED but not super spicy. My favorite is the OXTAIL GRILLED CHEESE!! Sweet potato bread(kissing my fingers). I came in once just on a passing by and have been coming in once a week ever since. My coworkers are hooked as well. Thank you to the staff for every finger licking, OMG moment!! read more

First time visiting, will definitely be back! Great food, friendly service and nice vibes!

Food is good but I thought it was way over priced for what they offer. I live close and will probably never go back. Went with a big group and we tried several things the ox tail, jerk chicken, goat, curry and probably some other items I am forgetting. We liked all the dishes except for the ox tail. Lamb and curry seemed to be the favorite. The cornbread was really good. My plate for jerk chicken and one side came to around $22. $22 isn't bad for a normal sit down restaurant but this is a quick service, not fresh, no veggie restaurant. I would compare the quality to chipotle but the price was way above. read more

This place just opened and I'm obsessed! Their sides are so yummy, I really like the jerk chicken. The only thing is that the prices are a little steep, so if you go, especially if you're planning on paying for more than just yourself have in mind that you will spend a pretty penny. read more

Excellent food with a whole set of cuisine in the Highlands.. Super happy to have them in the neighborhood. I had the oxtail, mac&cheese and greens for lunch with the Caribbean cornbread. The servings were generous and excellently flavored with plenty of hot sauce choices if you want to add a kick. Highly recommend. read more

Had lunch there today. Got the yams, rice & beans & a beef pattie. It was delicious, and filling. The yams were a little sweeter than I would normally go for but with the spice of the pattie & the mildness of the rice & beans, it was a perfect trio! Will be back! read more

I ordered the oxtails so dissatisfied. I only liked the fried plantains & the rice & peas.

I was very disappointed the jerk chicken was dry the rice had more seasoning than the chicken did I will not be going back

The food is so flavorful!!! The people are friendly. Very unique flavor combinations!!! Relaxed atmosphere. The portions of food, have not been consistent, but very tasty. read more

This place is incredible! The food is absolutely delicious and so, so flavorful. For those who haven't had Caribbean food before, to me, it's kind of like soul food but with a more flavorful (and sometimes spicy) twist. The Jerk Chicken and rice, bourbon-glazed yams, and Caribbean cornbread were all to die for. And the woman behind the counter was very kind and thoughtful in helping me since it was my first time there. Highly recommend this place! I will be back. :) read more