MP Island Cafe is located near Military Circle in Norfolk. It serves as both a restaurant and a grocery store. The store is clean, well-organized, and has friendly staff and ample parking. I primarily visit MP's for their grocery selection to cook homemade Caribbean cuisine. They carry a wide variety of well-known Caribbean brands, seasonings, drinks, and snacks. I've found their produce quality to be superior to other international markets, all at very affordable prices. Whether you are looking for a great selection of Caribbean groceries or a quick bite to eat I recommend stopping by. read more

I first had their food at an event at the beach. They had a smoker and food truck on the boardwalk...... it was amazing. The staff was busting their butts and kind. I have since went to their location and gotten take out. It was so good, jerk chicken and rice and peas.... the lunch special and price is great. We also love going to the market, the store is clean, the produce is so fresh and the prices are more than fair. They are all kind and the place gets packed around lunch. read more

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If you eat here as a Black American, make sure they're charging you the same that they charge Caribbean and African people. The prices on their in store menu are not what they actually are on the receipt and I'm not sure they don't up charge Black Americans. read more

Attitude was BAD. Restrooms were out of order. Had to wait extra than wait time for food without a working restroom for customers. Paid for 2 LARGE oxtail plates and got FIVE small behind oxtails in one of the boxes ..for 52 dollars. I should dispute read more

MP Island Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Customer service was amazing Now let's talk about some delicious authentic Jamaican cuisine! From the cow foot soup, curry goat and jerk chicken it was all delicious! They even offer breakfast! Ackee and saltfish, food, patties, etc. I love this place and the ppl. Oh, just moved in this area, born and raised in the Bronx (so you know that I'm not lying) read more

So I usually come here for convenience. This place opens before everyone else that serves jerk chicken and most affordable. The chicken itself is satisfying for me. The Mac is OK. The problem is this man right here. He's very nice in my opinion but he moves too slow. He use to be on the line at one point in time serving the food and he would hold the line up because he just can't move fast enough. Now at the register he makes the line take longer than it really needs and it's annoying. read more

MP Island Cafe - Lunch Jerk Chicken (Leg & Thigh) Mac and cheese Cabbage - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Food isn't that good. The service is terrible. They advertise a $6.99 lunch special but it's really $10.99 plus whatever fees they wanna add. I would recommend going to another place that's honest read more

MP Island Cafe - Front entrance - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

MP has fast become my "go to when starving: spot in the Hampton Roads area. Any affectionate of premium Jamaica food will simply love this spot. This day I went with the large oxtails, their signature mac and cheese and collards greens. Oh, and let's not forget the slice of sweet potato pie, all of which was scrumptiously delicious. Without question, MP yall will see me again and again, bravo mon. read more

MP Island Cafe - Oxtails, collards, and mac and cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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This was our first visit since they moved to the old VFW location on Glenrock Rd 3 years ago. The setup looks great as the menu is back-lit. Nice little dining area if you decide to eat on location. The grocery store is stocked with great staples for carribean cooking. I ordered the last of the oxtail with cabbage and collard greens. I gave up rice for Lent. My husband ordered Jerk chicken-white meat with double order of cabbage. The staff was great. It wasn't busy went we arrived, but by the time we were finished eating they got really busy. We will be back read more

MP Island Cafe - Oxtail Caribbean Dinner with collard greens and cabbage. No rice - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I stopped by MP's for lunch and to get some things from the store. The line can get kinda long during busy times. So expect to be there 15-25 mins on a busy day. They have oxtail, jerk chicken, fried chicken, salt fish, fried fish and etc. I ordered the fried chicken meal with 2 sides. They won't let you mix the chicken... Its either white meat or dark meat only. I got mac and cheese and cabbage. The mac n cheese was good, but the extra side i paid for was only a small amount. You get a smaller portion of sides with the fried chicken which was disappointing. When i went to eat it the chicken was soggy from the cabbage juice. That was a bit of a turnoff. The cabbage was just ok. I've eaten here before and liked it so maybe today was an off day. I want to go back to try the oxtail. They looked good!! The cornbread also looked good. On the other side is the store. I found a bag of chicken backs for only $3 which was a good deal. I also found some seasonings and snacks. The guy at the register was friendly and helped me figure out how to cook the chicken backs. I've never had them before. They sell rum cake snacks and different Caribbean drinks as well. I do like getting sazon and other goodies from their store. Check them out!! read more

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Okay today I came in and the line was efficiently moving and as quick as the food was getting scooped out it was refreshed and restocked. Kudos on that which aided in the line moving smoothly without hiccups. All the workers today were attentive and on their game in the service line. The table top area still needed work and we opted to just go home and eat, but I like to recognize improvements when I see them. Food today was a Large jerk chicken large white meat with fried plantain and rice and peas with coconut muffins. My husband had a Large oxtail with white rice and gravy and cabbage and cornbread. Liked the improvements and keep up the great job gents and ladies read more

MP Island Cafe - Sm jerk chicken (white meat), rice and peas with collard greens. - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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MP Island Cafe is small but has a lot to offer. There's a little grocery section on one side. I found seasonings you definitely can't find at a grocery store. The other side has a restaurant that has all the staple Jamaican dishes and It's very flavorful though I have not tried the mac just yet. Service was pretty normal for a Jamaican restaurant. They were either very polite or polite enough so no complaints from me, actually I wish there was better lighting and more places to dine in. I'd definitely recommend stopping my here for authentic Jamaican food. read more

Babyyyy, don't you ever come to Norfolk and not stop at MP for lunch, dinner, a snack ... something! This is the first Jamaican spot I've been to that asks "light or heavy sauce?" It's a win either way so take your pick. I ordered the curry chicken, rice and peas, macncheese HEAVY sauce because that's my business. The guava peach was delicious as well. No complaints about anything. Order time was decent, clean interior and friendly staff. Plus, they have a grocery store connected so you can grab grub and odds, ends, fruits, vegetables and necessities. I believe it's family owned because it felt like we were around the dinner table. Carribean accents were real - I'll be back before I leave town. read more

MP Island Cafe - Curry Chicken Caribbean Dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Initially love this cafe for it's authentic caribbean food. At the Norfolk location specifically, the servers don't pay attention to the food. In one order they are serving rice that is undercook with hard grains, other times you are given more bones that meat. It has gotten so bad that they are mixing up orders. Even though you asked them to confirm, they act as if you are holding up the line for their mistake. Piss poor customer service. read more

My go to every time I'm in VA. Got my usual, oxtails and it was a hit as expected. The collard greens are NOT canned; bonus. If you like Jamaican food MPs is your spot. read more

MP Island Cafe - Oxtails with rice n peas and collard greens. - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I've been going to MP's since the early 2000s and I've watched them grow. I've ate at their many different locations, and the food remains delicious. The staff are friendly, they got a good selection on the grocery side. Be prepared to wait, the food is so good, that the lines are always long. read more

My jerk chicken was covered in feathers! I wouldn't return, and I did not enjoy the meal.

Been coming here on and off for years . The food is good and most definitely recommend giving the grocery store a view. You will find something you need. Most of the employees are pleasant. Will definitely be back. read more

Food is good but the oxtails have gotten smaller Also overall the portions are a little smaller, sometimes it's well seasoned and other times not. Good service. read more

As a white boy, I can't tell you if this is good Jamaican food. But, as somebody with taste buds I can't tell you this food is absolutely delicious. I was completing a DoorDash order here, walked in and immediately texted my wife to let her know where we were eating. We both got the dark meat jerk chicken. I absolutely cleaned the bone and was searching for even a morsel of meat left behind! Definitely going to be a go to spot!! read more

I'm not sure what has happened, but MP has fell off the last few years. My stew chicken was tough. The food was cold. The mac and cheese looked like it came from a box. It's just not as good as it used to be. read more

Who charges a dinner price for a lunch special.... I figures when I got home the math was off.. the lunch specials $9.99 and got charged $11.99 at 1:15pm and barely had enough curry chicken left. They barely scraped what was left on the buffet warmer instead of asking me to wait and see about some fresh coming up. This is the last they will see of me. Too many inconsistencies indeed... the previous visit on a Friday it was busy for lunch didn't have a problem with waiting the line was getting moved very efficiently but I had a problem with one of the cooks whim was Caucasian again not a problem but came up to the front to just watch and his appearance was not all that clean looking and he had his hands in his pants digging.... not very clean. So yeah I have done enough giving grace. I will stick to my local spots in portsmouth or cook my own going forward. read more

I would like to say when your coworker ask you if you would like to order Carribean food at 9am, of course the only answer is yes! This was my first time ordering from MPs and I must say for an early morning lunch and late work day dinner it was bomb !!! This one plate lasted me the whole work day and was only 9.99 on DoorDash. The quality of the food was a 10/10 and I must do it again. Cheers to a bigger back and a bigger life with the best food. read more

MP Island Cafe - Stew Chicken Caribbean Dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I don't go to MP Islands often, but when I'm in the mood for some oxtails, this is where I go. They have moved again, they are off of Glenrock Rd near Military Circle Mall. For my meal, I got the large oxtail plate with a side of rice and peas and the Mac and cheese. It was so good. I have some left overs for dinner tonight. The beef patty was not the best, but everything else was on point. In the new location, the grocery store is bigger and looks official with the grocery store checkout lanes. This is the place to go for all your Caribbean needs. Go support. read more

MP Island Cafe - Ox Oxtail Caribbean Dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Went there recently and I honestly don't think I've ever been treated so poorly at an establishment. The tall, young man was so rude. Not only to me but to literally every customer, he doesn't speak to anyone, rolls his eyes at customers and ALWAYS has an attitude. I'm not willing to match that attitude so I will not be going back to the restaurant or market. The food tastes like it was made days before, and there's always a depressing vibe in there. 0 STARS!!! read more

Been eating here for some years now and typically have had great experiences between the service and the food quality. Today, their mac and cheese tasted... off. Almost like there was soap in it. The taste made it inedible. read more

Just 1 word delicious!! The customer service was amazing. Definitely will be a returning customer read more

MP Island Cafe - Jerk chicken cabbage rice and peas - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

It has to be a lack of competition that justifies the long lines. No way in NY would this establishment survive. If you want to raise your blood pressure and stress your kidneys join the line. Or maybe I visited on a day they were off their game...way off. The food was loaded with salt and inedible. Oh and there were more bones than rice. Of you know Caribbean food, you will not return. read more

MP Island Cafe - goat bone curry - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Black Owned Business - "Check the Flavor" @mpislandcafe is delivering in the #757. I was definitely singing "Give Me Your Love..." as I ate my curry shrimp. Oxtails are a hot commodity right now so $18.99 plus tax for a large plate is a pretty good deal. Oh yeah Grandma approves too...Ya'll know Grandma had mom and I drive from Chesapeake to pick these oxtails up in Norfolk and bring them to her in Virginia Beach... but that's a story for another day! This is a great to go spot. Due to covid-19 it didn't appear they were using dine in space. Now be prepared service may be a little slow but hey you know the vibes when you hit the neighborhood spots...it gets hectic. This location has an international grocery store attached and they sale all the @goyafoods products. Note: Black History - I'm impressed by how this family gives back to their community! They own several MP Cafes in the Hampton Roads area. My heart was moved when they worked with the City of Norfolk to reopen the Farm Fresh (grocery store) in the underserved Berkley neighborhood that closed a few years ago. It reopened as the Berkley Market in 2021 thanks to their family! This is the only black owned and veteran owned grocery store I'm aware of in the Hampton Roads area. read more

MP Island Cafe - oxtails - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I bought oxtail and this is what I received with my meal. I then asked the lady for extra and was told $5.99 per piece of oxtail $11.99 for 3 pieces. You're better off cooking at home. read more

MP Island Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

First of all the servers not friendly. No smile on her. I'm paying high price for this food I expect a bit more food . She served tiny scoops . Usually I give tip not this time. Customer service need to improve if they want to keep customers coming back again read more

Y'all are HATERS because this hole in the wall is one of the friendliest, bestest, yummiest, joint for Jamaican food in VB/ Norfolk. MP Island cafe is a little difficult to get to, with the roads all funky and everything, but man, don't worry about that. They also have multiple parking spots in the front and in the back. When I meant friendly, I meant it. I ordered myself a curry chicken lunch platter and with rice and heavy gravy. I got excited when I saw HEAVY and I accidentally did twice the order of rice D:" . I just wanted one order so I can get the mac n cheese. Nonetheless, I walked up to the register and in a very humble tone I asked to change my order. Unfortunately, they already made it, but they gave me a mac and cheese , so THANK THE JAMAICAN GODS. Okay, but the food here is divine. Served in a lunch line style, the food is packed with flavor and herbs and spices one can only dream to know the recipe. Curry chicken? On point and can stain your fingers. Rice with peas with heavy gravy? DOUSED with curry. Just writing this review makes my mouth drool. Just go man, what're you waiting for ? Head to MP Island Cafe this instant. read more

Sooo many opportunities for improvement at this restaurant. Service....rude, they charge to split the food up if you have a preference of your food not touching, I was rushed through my preferences all the while there was no line I just didn't understand the rude responses to my questions and request. macaroni...very not macaroni like. Over all taste was a 4/10 for me. I got the yams Mac and oxtail...just not good. I used to frequent this place not sure if or when I'll return. read more

Visiting here at their new location. I tried the jerk chicken with 2 sides and still tasted delicious. The place is clean and spacious. Jerk chicken tastes aunthentic and moist. Def will be back read more

I am visiting from out of state. I walked in yesterday hoping to try this place. I was looking in my purse for something and heard two smacks on the counter. I looked up and a family member laughed and asked me did I see that. The family member said someone in the back hit something on the counter and looked at the rolled paper/ towel and looked up like a deer in headlights. The family member didn't have to say anything else. I said let's go. I don't want to eat roaches. I guess food inspections don't happen much in VA. The state I'm from puts a list out regularly with the offense. I can't see how this restaurant has been missed because the roaches come out to help serve on the front line. Needless to say, I won't be back. read more

Stopped at MP Island Cafe after church today, bought a Large Oxtail Dinner and three piece Curry Chicken to take home. When I got home I ate most of the oxtail and was putting away the remaining, mostly rice for later. While transferring the rice to a container, I discovered a DEAD ROACH in the rice and gravy. Needless to say I was mortified since I already ate some of the food. I threw away all the food, including the chicken, having lost my appetite for any more of the food. I kept the container with the roach and called them to let them know. The lady did not apologize, instead she asked if I could bring what I had back to the restaurant. I took it back, and again, no apology. She checked it saw the roach and offered to give me a small order of the oxtail since I ate most of the food. I said absolutely not. She said but you ate most of the food. I told her I ate the food not knowing there was a Dead Roach in it, had I seen the roach when I opened the container, I would have NEVER ate it. She finally agreed to refund me but for a small order, since I ATE MOST OF THE FOOD!!! When I went to the register with the receipt for my refund, they asked for my card, I told them I paid cash, they tried to argue that it was paid with my card because the receipt was not a cash receipt. After going back and forth they finally gave me my money back and once again, they never apologized! Never going back. read more

MP Island Cafe - Dead Roach in my Oxtail Dinner order... - Soul Food Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I've been coming to MP Island Cafe for almost 10 years now and the food always feels like home. My go to is the Curry Goat with Cabbage and Rice & Peas, Jerk Chicken with Mac & Cheese and Cabbage, or the Pattie with Coco Bread. The staff is efficient and gives you the authentic West Indian experience. I recommend this VERY heavily. The food is 10/10 and the nap afterwards is absolutely worth it. read more

Just ok! I am tough on ratings for Caribbean spots - if you know me, you know that's my heritage! First, I loved all the options - from jerk, to curry, to stew chicken, snapper, goat - YAASSSS! But, I think my excitement stops there. The setup is assembly line style, you indicate what you want and your dish is passed along. I had the curry goat with white rice and cabbage. I am used to a thicker, curry sauce, and the curry goat missed the mark for me. The sauce was quite watery, and I didn't think the meat was seasoned well. Just ok. read more

This food is always delicious and fresh. Be prepared around lunch hours for a line because this is a popular location

Zero stars!!!!!! Straight rubbish. Called ahead for a red snapper meal, got there and waited 30mins for it WTH. Then got home (by the way just got off the highway from a 9hr drive) and looked in the plate and the fish was not even cleaned properly. REALLY! SCALES? I will NEVER EVER GO BACK. GARBAGE. RUBBISH! and I haven't even commented on the horrible customer service..... I try to support my people but this is rediculous, I rather go to the Columbians up the street. read more

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