Note/General Review- Pardon most of the photos as they are either overexposed or very red. Dishes in general are well-flavored, though less spicy than you'd expect I was at this small Jamaican restaurant and rum bar with a smaller group than usual a while ago. The service was friendly enough, and the music was audible, but not too loud, though this was also probably because there weren't that many people there. Along with another person, we each had a cocktail while waiting, with them ordering one of their rum punches, while I went with the Island Time, I believe. The drink for $16 contained rum, which was presumably Wrey & Nephew, along with lime, and coconut water, and judging by the cocktail menu, this was likely the drink I got, as I tend to avoid cocktails with a lot of fruit juices. Whatever it was, it was balanced nicely as I could taste the rum, but there wasn't too big a kick. We got two appetizers. The first to arrive was the 'Stamp and Go' Plantain & Saltfish Fritters for $17 served with a scotch bonnet garlic aioli dipping sauce. There were plenty of fritters, and they were crispy on the outside with a soft middle. The aioli had a slight kick to it, although not as much as I expected for being made with scotch bonnets. While I liked the texture, I do wish there was more flavor from the saltfish, though I am more used to that being present during company parties, served with the more traditional ackee. The other was the very tasty $19 Jerk Goat Ribs, served with a jerk BBQ sauce. The ribs had a great texture with the meat tender, but not completely falling off the bone. There was also a lovely extra crisp on the outside, reminding me a bit of bark from BBQ. The sauce had a mild sweetness with a little kick, and the side pickles added some extra spice and texture. It was also very tasty. All of our main dishes were good as well. My favorite was probably the Sorrel Glazed Lamb Chops for $37, served with a side of our choice. The hibiscus flavor was there, but it wasn't too sweet or sour. Just like with the ribs, the meat, which consisted of four chops, was perfectly cooked. Our side choice was the festival, a fried dough that was new to our host, though not to me. It had a mild sweetness as expected, and for those who haven't had it before, you can compare it to a sweeter youtiao. There was also a pleasant side salad, which was served with the other main dishes. Also very good were the $18 Jerk Mushrooms, with sauteed portobello mushrooms served with rice and peas. The jerk flavor was what you'd expect, though with less of a kick, which was similar to the other dishes, with the mushrooms being cooked down properly while retaining some texture. The rice and peas had a nice texture with a bit of sweetness. There was also the Coconut Curry Oxtail & Spinnas for $36, consisting of braised oxtail cooked down in a coconut curry sauce with spinnas (small boiled dumplings), rice & peas. The oxtail was tender and fell off the bone, and the curry had a mild sweetness. The spinnas reminded me of mini gnocchi in terms of texture with some plumpness. This was again tasty. This might be a pricier Jamaican place, but I can't complain much at all, outside of maybe the food lacking a bit of heat. The price and lack of heat reflect the neighborhood, though, and I guess I could always ask for their hot sauce or similar. I would go back and try more things. read more

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I want to give this another shot since I got this via door dash. The mac and cheese was just odd. I didn't care for the flavors but I also knew better than to get that dish at a caribbean food spot. The oxtail were fine. The flavor was okay. Not overpowering. I would like to actually visit the establishment and give the food another try next time I'm in town. read more

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I live around the neighborhood, but somehow I never noticed Omar's until last week. It's a cool intimate place with lots of island, ambience, and comforting menu. I had a soursop cocktail and jerk chicken with beans and rice. Both were delicious and generous. Service was friendly and attentive. I hear they have a bottomless brunch too. read more

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I came here because I was still waiting for our reservations next door. I only got drinks but was definitely satisfied with that! Shoutouts to the bartender for being open to modify the passion punch for me, I owe him a bigger tip next time I come by! The drinks were great- not too sweet and strong. I came here because I was still waiting for our reservations next door. I only got drinks but was definitely satisfied with that! Shoutouts to the bartender for being open to modify the passion punch for me, I owe him a bigger tip next time I come by! The drinks were great- not too sweet and strong. I visited again and was able to try the food which was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately I wasn't able to try the gnocchi but was able to try the curry shrimp and Mac and cheese. The curry shrimp was spicy and hot with a lot of gravy so I would suggest getting rice with it as well so you can sop it up. The Mac and cheese was reallly good which shocked me because Caribbeans aren't known for good mac (no shade)- it was cheesy and flavorful! read more

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A friend and I showed up at Omar's for Happy Hour but we were a bit too early. We stayed anyway. I was a newbie at Omar's and really excited to try it. Problem is, I barely had an appetite. We ordered drinks. I believe I had a rum punch. It was so strong and tasty, I ordered another one. Next, we ordered wings just to keep the boozy lion from roaring too loudly. Sesame teriyaki I believe. Delicious. We sat for a looong time, even made a friend with a young lady at the table next to us. When the bill came, our bartender who may have been the owner was nice enough to still give us the Happy Hour discount even though we were early. read more

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The food was amazing, everything we ordered was great. The jerk wings were awesome and the lamb chops sorrel was delicious. read more

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This was another great choice by my wife. She is a great picker of almost everything. Attended after a broadway show about 6 pm. The place had a great authentic Jamaican restaurant in Jamaica. Even the bathroom gave a sense of the rich musical heritage of amazing set of people who spice up the world. The menu was rich and unique with jerk goat ribs to name a few. All six of us were seared quickly upon arrival probably due to our reservation. Drink selection was great and I enjoyed the Haitian rum straight up. Waitress was attentive and except for the lack of cool air or a strong ceiling fan at the back wall with the high chair booth, would have gotten all stars. Would recommend and would like to visit again. read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopped Omar's Kitchen before heading to a concert. Omar's is a dope restaurant if you want to dine alone. There were a number of guest who dined alone. The service was good. The waiter was very attentive. I stared off with a cocktail. I ordered the stew salmon with a side of Mac and cheese. I didn't like the Mac. It looked good, but it lacked flavor. I was able to exchange the Mac for another side. The restaurant was very intimate rooted in the Caribbean culture. The playlist was very good, and I plan to go again the next time I am in the area. read more

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Stopped in here for a quick brunch! They had bottomless mimosas with different flavors! We had sorrel and soursop (the soursop one was sooooo good)! For the food, if i had to choose my meal 10 times over, I'm choosing the tamarind wings. They were so flavorful and moist. I love a good wing! The curry oxtail tacos were okay....i think it was missing an "acid" like a hot sauce or something. The pineapples added something but not a lot. It was also really oily. The lamb coco bread sliders had so much potential but the meat to bread ratio was throwing me off so much. I wish there was more to it. Overall, come for the wings and the mimosas. Service was decent- no complaints but it wasn't the best either. And the ambiance reminded me of a Caribbean jerk hut. read more

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The food, service, and atmosphere were all so great. I'll be sure to add this restaurant as a NYC stop anytime I travel here. read more

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Came here mid day Saturday with friends. There was little to no crowd. While here I sipped on a rum punch (not very boozy) while noshing on the following; Salt fish fritters: fried perfectly. Crispy bites of salt fish. Good Lamb sliders: it was a bit gamey but, dipped in the salt fish fritter bites, better. These were just ok. Curry oxtail tacos: meat was deliciously tender but was overpowered by the pineapple. Also you got very little curry flavoring. Lastly the tortilla. It was very chewy. Tamarind glazed wings: although grilled perfectly these lacked in flavor. Service was quick and friendly but, overall my visit was just ok. read more

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Date night at Omar's! Couldn't wait to have some Doubles and maannn, did they NOT disappoint. So absolutely fresh and delicious. Like, so fresh it felt like the herbs and spices were just picked not even 10 minutes before being added to the Channa. Please don't sleep on them they are THAT good. We shared those along with the Honey Appleton Rum wings that were boosting with flavor. I prefer flats over drums. Would've been great if we could've gotten all flats (maybe a possibility but I didn't ask). I'll ask next time. I got the Coconut curry Oxtail, which came with a side salad and a side of rice and peas. Admittedly, while delicious, some pieces were tough and I thought they lacked in size. I love oxtail. The meatier the better. These pieces fell a bit short for me. The rice and peas were good slathered in the braising sauce. I was so full, I hardly touched the salad. The hubs got the Jerk Chicken and he loved it. Flavorful and full of spice. Also served with a side salad and rice and peas. I love spice but didn't want to try in the event it overloaded my taste buds and ruined my entree so I'll take his word for it. His eyes always tell a story at first bite and he was most definitely happy with his choice. I loved their pineapple margarita. It tasted exactly like a pineapple lifesaver. Yummy. Make a reservation! read more

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Omar's is such a vibe. From the décor to the amazing soundtrack and the beautiful mural, you feel like you have been transported from the city. The rum punch and coconut oxtail dishes are a must-have. I do think they are all on the pricier side compared to other places in the city, but it is a smaller establishment so I understand. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and they will be attentive as well. If you are looking for something quick, I would suggest looking elsewhere as they cook here with love, but the wait time is nothing crazy. You also get a bit of history as well, with the Wray and Nephew on the wall, the different Jamaican parishes written on the stones and the records. Highly recommend. read more

We stopped in before a basketball game and...eh. Wings had a good flavor, but were room temp. The rest of the food was subpar and the Caribbean flavors never came through. We enjoyed the location, having a cozy booth, and an empty restaurant. Restaurant seemed to be family-owned, a lot of hanging around at the counter playing music. read more

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I was looking for somewhere to celebrate a friend's birthday and I came across Omar's Kitchen and the drink menu alone had me intrigued. We ended up having dinner here and although I had high hopes, it greatly exceeded my expectations. We walked in and I instantly felt like I was transported to a mom and pop spot in Jamaica, the vibes were amazing here just overall good energy. We chose our own seat and started off with the Coco Bread Lamb Sliders, they were just PERFECT! The lamb was fresh and seasoned perfectly with jerk seasoning but not too much. I love that you could taste the actual flavor of the ingredients and nothing tasted artificial. The coco bread was soft and doughy, the tzatziki was a perfect addition and tbh it was one of the best bites I've had in a while. Next I ordered the Tamarind Punch and it was amazing, the tamarind flavor stood out so much it was such a well made cocktail. The Rum Punch was a 10/10 as well. I got the Sorrel Glazed Lamb Chops as my entree and they were so good, the presentation was gorgeous, they were super tender and the sorrel glaze was everything, sweet yet savory, I can still taste it now! My friend ordered the Traditional Jamaican Oxtail and it was cooked to perfection and again seasoned amazingly. Nothing was salty and everything tasted authentic like a Jamaican granny was in the kitchen making Sunday dinner. We ordered some broccoli and plantains in addition to our rice and peas and both were great. Aside from the amazing food, I really enjoyed the ambiance here , the music was on point and the decor was stunning and I love how genuine the vibe was. As far as service our waitress was amazing, she was super busy waiting and making drinks but she still took the time to answer all my questions about the menu, she was super friendly and she made amazing suggestions. I will definitely be back again soon to try more dishes, I have my eyes on the Escovitch Red Snapper for next time! The bill came out to around 155 and it was worth every penny, highly recommend for a date night or a girls night. read more

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Everything was amazing! Flavor was there!! We got the jerk bbq glazed lamb and the coconut curry oxtail. We got the frozen rum punch and it was dangerously good. Great staff and nice ambiance. Music was great and the interior was cute! read more

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Came on a rainy afternoon it was not busy so we were seated immediately. This place looks exactly like a place in Jamaica. The playlist was a vibe, dancing while eating is my happy place. The wheat tortillas is not my favorite for tacos. The wings were good nice flavor. The burger was a little dry but had a good taste. The fish fritters were good. Overall a good time. read more

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1 Sunday morning I get a call for brunch... being a major brunch lover, I was DOWN! We came to Omar's and here's what I think... Food- the best thing out of the dishes we tried for brunch which includes oxtail and grits, fish and grits, lamb sliders, and chicken and waffles, were the grits. They're made from plantains and that's the most unique and flavorful thing I've had for breakfast in a while. Otherwise the lamb sliders came with 2 and were small so I left hungry. The chicken and fish weren't flavorful yet were perfectly fried and had a great crisp! The oxtail was nice and tender. A bit pricey for brunch as the portions were small and the drinks even though we requested to have a splash of mix were mostly mix. Service was okay. We sat with our finished plates on the table for over 20 minutes. Service would've been better had check-ins occurred more frequently. Overall I'd give them a 3/5 for brunch. Ambiance was so homey! Very well decorated and very cozy. Looks to hold about 35ish people comfortably. Lovely and GORGEOUS decor ! Be advised the booths are high seats so prepare to climb! 1 thumb up and would return to taste entrees and to try full priced drinks. read more

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I went here around lunch time with my son. Mom and son day. I would say the food was good. I think the salted codfish fritters were good just a little too salty a little less seasoning next time. I loved the brown stew fish the rice and plantains they were good. The waffles my son had he liked it and he said the Mac was ok. The rum punch needed to be more stronger to be honest. It wasn't strong enough for me. Overall I would go again and try other things from the menu. The waiter was awsome. The ambiance was nice I loved the music a lot I was dancing in my seat. It not a big place but it was nice inside and welcoming. I gave it three stars cause it was some hits and misses but overall a good place to go. read more

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We love this place! Such a fun colorful vibe inside. Really feels like a trip to the islands. Fabulous cocktails. Malcolm took such great care of us. He's a beautiful person inside... and out!! read more

I got to Omar's ahead of my group and was seated at the bar right away. Ordered a rum punch to start, but it was a total letdown -- weak, watered down, and tasting like they stayed far and poured in the rum. For dinner, I ordered stew peas with white rice. Others at the table went with curry oxtail and curry salmon. Presentation looked promising, and the plates came out extremely hot -- so hot we couldn't help but wonder if they had just been zapped in the microwave. Then came the shocker: my "stew peas" had ZERO peas. I've never in my life seen stew peas with no peas. The rice was mushy and overcooked. Honestly, the best thing on the plate was the salad -- and that's saying a lot. The stew had a burnt aftertaste and watery gravy, so I sent it back and swapped it for curry oxtail. That was mistake number two. The curry oxtail was salty, the gravy thin and runny, and yep... the same burnt aftertaste. At this point, it was clear -- this was not the Omar's I thought I was coming to. The only win of the night was the curry salmon, which was actually good, which came with rice and peas that was not cooked well as some grains of rice were hard and the other parts were really soft. Needless to say, we left disappointed -- and hungry. read more

As a Jamaican native, I tried their oxtail curry on a friend's recommendation. Big mistake. The oxtail was so tough it broke my tooth - now I'm facing expensive dental work. The curry was bland, missing the mark completely. Only the festival and fish cakes were decent. Should've noticed the red flag: this place was empty while the restaurant next door was packed. Skip the Southern friends' Caribbean food recommendations. The waitress was cute though read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

Stumbled on this Jamaican restaurant while in New York for Christmas. The food was amazing I had the red snapper Brown stewed with rice and peas plantains we had the saltfish fritters which were great. We also had the wings and the lamb sliders the wings were our least favorite will definitely be back next time we're in the city. Oh the Rum Punch is a must. read more

I got the Escovitch Fish and Mac n Cheese Fish was good, but not a fan of the mac. It smelled a little funny and the bottom was kinda discolored. (I thought it was just the char at first, which I like, but its not) read more

My first time trying Caribbean food! It was a bit hard to find the place because the name wasn't right on top of the door. But I was swiftly assisted once I came in. The decor was cute and gave me island vibes. I chose where I wanted to sit and they set me up with menus on their iPad. I didn't know the coconut oxtail came with a side, but I chose rice and beans. My friend got the jerk chicken with mac n cheese as her side. If you pick the lobster mac n cheese as your side, there is an up charge of $10. The lamb sliders were very flavorful. The sauce reminded me of greek flavors. My oxtail dish had a bit of fat but even when I avoided it, i was still super full from the meat left. I love their version of dumplings that was inside the curry. It reminds me of gnocchi but just longer. The curry wasn't too spicy, but the jerk chicken was. I never knew what jerk exactly was but it might just be a spicy flavoring. The chicken was huge but it had a bone. The mac n cheese was okay but more fun- I prefer it over the rice. I think for birthdays they give free shots but i'm not too sure. I also saw parrot on their menu and that seems interesting so maybe i'll come back again! read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar - oxtail - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

Food was amazing and the cocktails were tasty! Definitely coming back for a cute girls dinner here!!

I wanted to give this spot five stars. The vibe, the ambiance, the staff, the clientele, all FIVE STARS. The drinks, four stars. The food--at least the food I had--was not great, to put it nicely. This is a laid back venue that serves Caribbean/Jamaican inspired food, as well as rum/tropical drinks. It plays great music--r&b, hiphop, island music (sorry, I don't know the right term). The patrons are lively. The service is attentive and down to earth. The decor is very cool. My food was what tripped me up. I got the coconut crusted salmon with a small salad and mushrooms. The salad and mushrooms were forgettable. The salmon was just plain bad. There was a congealed substance on it and it didn't seem fresh. Now, I probably just messed up and got the wrong thing. Their oxtail, jerk chicken, and some of the other dishes I saw coming out of the kitchen looked much more palatable. I expected my drinks to have a little more flavor, but they were decent, and served with a smile. I would try this place again, simply because I think it's my bad for choosing the salmon. And again, the people running this spot are AWESOME! read more

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Where have you been all my life?? Now listen I'm a girl from small town OHIO. But- I know good carribean food. I got the oxtail (non coconut) and it was like a warm hug. I almost cried at the first bite from happiness. Olivia the bartender was amazing and made this gorgeous and yummy cocktail. It's margarita style but I forget the flavor. I will definitely be back because the vibes were immaculate for a solo date and there's just too many menu items I want to try next read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar - Olivia recommended this cocktail it was amazing - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

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Im adding Omar's to the list of restaurants that look good on social media , but are different in real life. Omar's is off the Williamsburg bridge pass Delancey Street. It is small , holds approx 25 people and they have a bar area. Reservations are accepted but I recommend walking in. The vibe , music and decor was nice. The menu offers a variety of Jamaican dishes , but lacks flavor. We ordered jerk BBQ wings , cod fish fritters , stew salmon , peas & rice , lamb chops with mac & cheese. I did not taste the Caribbean herbs and spices I was craving. I will recommend the lamb chops , they were cooked just right, a nice char on the outside but tender on the inside. However , it's going to take more than a charred lamb chop to get me to visit Omar's again. Lastly. as a rum bar , I expected more rum punch options. The drinks have catchy names "Dutty Wine" Dance Hall Queen" If your in the area check it out. It was not worth the drive for me ! read more

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Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar is a little slice of the Caribbean on the LES. There's beautiful murals, reggae music and Wray & Nephew flags that fill the restaurant and make you feel like you were transported to the islands. It was really easy to get a table on a weekday early evening. Our server was attentive, suggested different items on the menu and overall made our experience at Omar's a great one. Our favorite items from most favorite to least favorite was, + Lamb sliders on coco bread- If I could I would eat these every day lol + Rum infused bread pudding- Delicious!!! + Fire island- scotch bonnet cucumber infused margaritas. It was a little too spicy for my taste. Every time I'd take a sip I'd have to drink a gulp of water lol and I would consider myself someone who really enjoys spice. Not sure I would get this one again, especially on a hot day. + Rice & Peas and Festival - average + Escovitch Fish - not really for us ... lacked flavor Others things on the menu that I can't wait to try... + D'usse infused pound cake + Rum glazed wings + More of their brunch items Overall, we'll be back to visit this black-owned restaurant read more

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Pretty cool spot in the LES with Caribbean cuisine. Great that they had vegan options clearly labeled! The vegan jerk beyond meat sliders were yummy- tasty and filling. There was hummus on it too which was interesting. The vegan rasta pasta dish was flavorful and full of spices. Not the creamy rasta pasta I've had other places but perhaps just a variation! It was almost more like a spiced curry and a bit on the salty side. It was made with plantain gnocchi instead of regular pasta- very unique! It was very similar to regular potato gnocchi. Came on a weekend dinner time without a reservation and it was 45 min wait so would recommend a reservation. Service was average- not particularly quick. You kinda had to try and grab their attention. No major issues overall. Ambience was cool- not a huge spot with a bar area. They had a live DJ playing some great tracks! Overall a fun spot to visit. read more

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I came here with a friend on a cold night, last minute as we were seeking a reservation on a Saturday evening. While it wasn't quite what we expected, it was exactly what we needed. There is a homey feel to Omar's, one that makes me want to call my cousins and family and have a nice dinner complete with the lively tunes they have bumping in the background. Songs, I forgot even existed. I appreciate how casual and laid back the atmosphere is and I appreciate that there is a nice Caribbean spot located in the lower parts of the city. I ordered the curry chicken with rice and peas, it was just okay - there was too much flavor for my taste which meant there was not much distinction with the curry. The bathroom was clean and had all the paper towels and tissue you could possible need lol. Our waiter was good and again, the ambiance was quite cozy. I'm going to revisit and see what other dishes and/or brunch is like. read more

A tiny restaurant serving Caribbean food. It was my first time to have Caribbean food so I was not sure if it was authentic. But overall I enjoyed the dishes. I ordered their oxtail as entrée and added a side plantain. The oxtail was super amazing. Fall-of-the-bone meat tossed with curry sauce, cooked with herbs and some South American dumplings. While I do not like the texture of steak, I found the oxtail pretty delicious. It was not only softer than steak and also had more layers of flavor, e.g., the tendon was gelatinous. I also found the curry had a distinct spicy flavor from Indian or Thai curry. Another great thing was the bean-rice mix served with the oxtail. The rice was soft enough (unlike most restaurants which serve hard, half-raw rice), and the beans added some fiber to the whole dish! Compared to the entrée, the fried plantains were much less surprising. Service was a bit slow, seemed like they need more stuff. Besides, For salad I requested sauce on the side but at first the kitchen forgot about it. Another thing was that when I just got seated my table was still wet with some leftovers. In short, I enjoyed the food very much; it would be better if the restaurant was cleaner and provided better service. read more

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Honestly, the experience was just okay for me. I was slightly disappointed because I've been wanting to go here for so long and I was left underwhelmed. The place has a nice chill Caribbean vibe, which I enjoyed but it was nothing like what I've seen on TikTok or Instagram. I will say that the drinks were a 10/10. I left feeling very nice. However the food did not do it for me. I got the chicken & waffles and while it is a classic brunch dish, this take on it was doing too much that I couldn't enjoy it like I wanted to. I saw other tables demolishing the wings, so maybe I should've have gone with that. While the customer service was warm and friendly, the service was a little slow. The restaurant is pretty small, so I guess they were busy but it took awhile to get our server's attention. The food also took a bit of time to come out. The restaurant definitely gave more of a hipster vibe rather than a Caribbean vibe in my opinion. I would definitely return for drinks if I was in the area, and maybe try out the wings that everyone was loving! read more

Because of schedules and life, it's been a bit since the last time my sisters and I got together. To celebrate one of my sister's pre-Birthday, my identical twin selected Omar's in Clinton St. on the Lower East Side for the occasion. While I understand the mixed, 'it's Americanized Caribbean food' reviews here, my sisters and I thought the food was good- maybe because we're not Jamaican. Beyond the bitters and wine, the bar is all about Jamaican classic add-ons such as sorrel, soursop (aka Guanábana), scotch bonnet peppers, etc. Even with our small meal selection on this day, they were tasty- except for our shared appetizer. Believe the reviews on the fritters. Caribbean cod (salt fish)(conch, or any other fish) fritters are suppose to hold more fish than a heavy hand of flour. You'll still need some flour (maybe an egg) to bind everything together to give the fritter its shape- but these were too doughy and we barely tasted the cod or the sweet plantain. Our main dishes were fantastic though. We actually ordered salmon plates in varying styles. My twin sister and I ordered the Broiled Salmon- topped with like a pineapply+mango+coconut+onion salsa and my other sisters ordered the Jerk BBQ Salmon. They were all winners. Plus the rice+peas side dish with small chunks of coconut, was heavenly. The classic reggae in the background was fine for the small space here and our server, Janice rocked throughout our Brunch. She answered ALL our questions with a smile- but we were also considerate not to overwhelm her and her time. If customer skills is what you're looking for, it's Janice!!! And by the way- don't let Omar's small space trick you. DEFINITELY RESERVE. read more

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When you first walk into this place, you definitely get island vibes; HOWEVER, the music is terribly loud and the space is super small. They will not turn it down if you ask lol. So don't bother. This place was a good vibe for a big group. Definitely not for a date night. The food was good, not great. I was ready to order the chicken sandwich because I honestly have jerk chicken every time I go to a Jamaican spot and wanted to switch it up. I also don't trust everyone's oxtail so I didn't even try. When ordering the chicken sandwich I imagined eating it with fries and well...they ran out of fries. I get that our reservation was late (8:30pm) but fries are such a simple thing to have on hand. So I was soooo sad. Had to end up having the jerk chicken. It was okay. The rice and peas were way too sweet for my liking. Everyone else in my group lovvvved their food so maybe im a little hyper critical but the typical jerk chicken and rice and peas could have been better. One thing is for sure though. That rum punch will get you F**king lit. We got two pitchers. read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar provides a great vibe but the food, not so much. I learned about Omar's from social media during the pandemic and I've wanted to visit ever since. What better time to visit than to celebrate my birthday in February. Myself and 3 other friends excitedly stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night. I easily made a reservation via OpenTable about 3 weeks ahead. We ran late with some of my party arriving before others however, the staff worked with us. Once inside, you'll feel like you've stepped into an old-school Caribbean shop. Being Jamaican myself, it felt nostalgic. The space is small but trendy - there's dim lighting, handwritten art on the walls, and a small bar by the kitchen. In addition, the bathroom is uniquely decorated with vinyl covers of some classic reggae and dancehall albums/singles. We dined during the week of Valentine's day and it was packed. I'm not sure if it was because of the holiday or if its normally that busy, but it was packed and we felt cramped. Aside from that, the vibe was great. There was a live DJ playing a mix of R&B/Hip-Hop, Reggae/dancehall, and Soca, while the crowd was pretty laid back and mature. I loved it! The menu features traditional Caribbean dishes, some of which have been elevated uniquely. I skipped appetizers and went straight for the Jerk BBQ Glazed Lamb with a side of rice and peas (no white rice available), a fresh salad, and a bottle of Ting. Food was up within a reasonable amount of time. Firstly, the lamb was disappointing but the portion size was good (4 chops). I gave one to my friend and proceeded to eat the last 3. When I got to the third piece, it was undercooked. By undercooked, I mean it was very pink with a rigid texture. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary with the other pieces nor did my friend. Secondly, the taste was just alright. It was reminiscent of a smoky-BBQ sauce versus a Jerk sauce or spice. I'm also not sure if the chops were grilled or baked, but they could have benefitted from a better searing prior to the end preparation method. Next, the rice and peas were dry. I asked the server for side of curry gravy and she came back with some type of cream sauce that had veggies in it, I think it was for the Rasta pasta dish on the menu. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what I asked for either. I tried to call the server over to swap it out but could never catch her, so I ended up putting it to the side. When I finally did get her attention, I let her know about the undercooked lamb. She apologized and noticed that my plate was pretty much complete (except for the raw lamb) then asked why I didn't tell her sooner. I let her know that the undercooked lamb was the last item on my plate to consume and I did not notice anything odd until I got to it. She apologized again and left. I'm not sure if she let the cook or a manager know, but she did not take my plate. We also were not comped for that issue. Omar's is known for their curry oxtails. I had a chance to try a portion of it from my friend's plate. Aesthetically, it looked delicious. The curry gravy had a nice color, taste, and texture to it however, the oxtail itself was tough. Oxtail should fall off the bone, but that was not the case here and it obviously needed more time to cook. In addition, the ratio of meat to bones was disproportionate for the price, in my opinion. My other friends who had oxtail dishes at the table had the same sentiment. Lastly, I was provided a slice of pistachio cheesecake on the house (perhaps that was the comp for the lamb?) with a sparkler to celebrate my birthday. I really enjoyed that and found the cheesecake to be delicious. The texture was creamy and the flavor was balanced. All-in-all, I was a little disappointed with the food but the vibe was great. In terms of pricing, everything seemed reasonable for the area and items offered. I also appreciated that the menus were offered on a tablet and included descriptions with photos. Service was friendly however, it was hard getting the server's attention at times, and given the loud music, it was hard to communicate with her. I also think they could've done a better job addressing the undercooked lamb chop as food safety should be a priority. I would return if I were in the area but it would only be for appetizers. Given the limited space, I feel like Omar's is better suited for happy hour or bar-style food. I'd recommend it for a date or outing with a small group of friends or co-workers for small bites but not a full meal. I'll be back but I won't run. read more

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Super small, hipster vibes, Jamaican restaurant. Sat at the bar for happy hour 5-7pm, $10 cocktails. We tried all the different types of margaritas, all were good. Sorrel is more on the tart side than sweet. Bartender was very friendly. It was a Wednesday night so not too busy, but they only had 1 bartender and 1 waiter/ host so they were running up and down the whole night. Tried the shrimp double (which is actually a Trinidadian dish) after reading multiple Yelp reviews on how great they are, they were good but lacked flavor. Needed tamarind sauce and/ or pepper sauce which is how they are traditionally prepared. Heard a few complaints about the food since we were seated right by the host and kitchen area, so we decided not to have dinner there. I would recommend this spot for drinks/happy hour & appetizers. read more

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Each dish tastes thoughtfully prepared, served by people who think about your needs. The staff provided superior customer care. Their food tastes clean and fresh. A very unique environment. Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar workers provided good assistance. read more

The coconut curry oxtail with plantain grits was delicious. Highly recommend. My friend had the mushroom gnocchi and it was subpar. But the drinks were so mid. My martini came lukewarm. My friend margarita did too. I had to explain to the server that good customer service is sitting me at my reserved table because she decided to give it up to a walk in. She actually said "I wish I would've known you was here" when in fact I announced myself to her co worker. The service can be improved. read more

Omar's Kitchen and Rum Bar - Curry Oxtail Special - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York