This memorial day weekend was all about getting rained out events and we were hanging at home kind of dreary, trying to figure out how to save the day and couldn't figure out any food groups that really jumped out of us. My wife spent over an hour searching for places and stumbled upon scotch bonnet kitchen. We think we heard of a place through the chef and owner Todd of Roti plus Trinidadian restaurant a couple miles away where we're regulars We decide we have nothing to lose and only to gain, and I'm glad that we did make the decision as it ended up being a really good surprising meal I understand a lot of these types of ethnic food. Restaurants are takeout only and we would of course prefer to stay out after being in the house all day, but regardless bringing the food home didn't change anything. It was delicious. So what did we order? I had the stewed snapper with plantains and cabbage. It was cooked to perfection. The meat fell right off the skeleton. My wife had a meat pie, the macaroni and cheese, and then she started digging into my dish as well, which is a good thing Unfortunately, we did not take any food photos, but it was a work of art and just as tasty and we will certainly be back. Need to try the oxtail and or the goat dishes. Very friendly staff helpful with this couple questions that we had for the part that we could see of the establishment very clean well organized seem to have a good system and the best part of all they were busy. That's a good sign means the food is tasty and food is fresh and more importantly food's going out the door so it's constantly being replenished. See you again real soon read more

Food was delicious and tasted homemade. Portions were generous and the price was great. We ordered the veggie platter with rice and pigeon peas, mac and cheese, and steamed cabbage, and a beef patty. We also ordered the jerk chicken and calililou. Everything was great. This is 5 star Jamaican! read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

Scotch Bonnet Kitchen. That's the name. Sounds like a tavern where pirates might go to complain about the price of rum and their ex-wives. But no, it's a modest little place, warm in its purpose, serious in its portions. I ordered the large jerk chicken. $16.99. That's not money, that's a gesture of kindness. The bird was a bit dry in parts, like maybe it had been waiting on the tarmac a little too long. But the flavor. Smokey like a memory of something better and layered with more character than a freshman novel. Not spicy, which some folks might see as a flaw, myself often included, but in this case I found it thoughtful. Not everything has to hurt to be honest. The mac and cheese. Well. I've suffered through bland noodles before and this was not that. This was creamy comfort served without apology. My wife agreed. And she does not toss compliments about easily when it comes to macaroni. She also had a beef patty. I watched her eat it and for a moment she was somewhere else entirely. That, my friends, is the power of pastry and spiced beef. Now the cabbage. Steamed and sweet. A dish so humble it could almost be missed. But I didn't miss it. It was lovely. A vegetable that tasted like it had read a few good books and knew how to be generous. For dessert I had banana pudding from a place called Yevette's Yummy Creations. A name like that usually sets off alarm bells in my soul. Too cute by half. But let me tell you. That pudding was the real article. Smooth. Sweet. A little nostalgic. Like a postcard from someone you forgot you loved, scented like Nila Wafers. Four stars. Not five. The chicken was dry after all. But even so. Scotch Bonnet Kitchen is a place that knows what it's doing and does it with care. That's more than I can say for most of the world. I will be back. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Jerk chicken with mac and cheese and steamed cabbage - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

I've only ever picked up food from here but it's always been delicious and the staff is super attentive. The mac and cheese is my favorite menu item. read more

The food was great! Very tasty and flavorful but it was a very small portion of 4 oxtails, little Mac and cheese and it was mainly rice and I paid 38 bucks for that (plus two waters)! Service was good and kind. More so a take out spot but we sat in. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Oxtail Rice and Peas Mac and Cheese - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

I was in the Trenton area and wanted to try a different place to eat at and since I was craving oxtails I decided to give SBK a try. I'm from Brooklyn and as soon as I walked in the vibe was giving this food it about to be on point and boy it did not disappoint. Oxtails were tender and flavorful and that Salmon pasta was delicious. Service was normal as can be but no complaints. Food didn't take too long and it was fresh. read more

Simply said, very very small portion of ackee, while its spread out on the bottom of the tin, made to look adequate, while the hard food (dumpling, banana and yam) are placed on the topside giving it the full appearance. Lots of grease (see the picture.) on the positive side, I can attest to the fact that the food is good. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Ackee and Saltfish...see all the grease in between the 2 dumplings - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

I was in Ewing, NJ for work and randomly chose this restaurant for the oxtails. I'm so glad I did! They were moist and very well seasoned.

This is a bigger bottle than what I usually buy . But I promise you it's worth it ! Look up the health benefits for " ginger turmeric " drinks . Ask them to educate you on the different drinks they have. You'd be surprised what a simple drink as such can do for your body. Support your local businesses. You won't be disappointed with The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen drinks You can feel the gingers kick in your throat a little so if you don't like spice, be careful but that's my favorite part that's how you know it's working read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Ginger turmeric drink - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

Amazing chicken soup and goat curry. The food was excellent. I highly recommend it. Plantains were good too

Great food!! Best to call and order in advance since at the POS the wait is usually 15-20 minutes. But....it's worth the wait.

worst service ever, the staff doesn't greet you or say your welcome. Truly brutal experience and food was subpar.

Excellent rice / peas, oxtail, MAC & cheese and cabbage. The jerk chicken is also good. Great customer service

This restaurant was truly a wonderful and delicious surprise. I had previously been ordering my Oxtail from the Princeton County Club and was mildly content. The meal from SBK was amazing with fall off the bone Oxtail, a perfect Peas and Rice, soulful soup (rich and flavorful with dumplings), the cabbage savory and nicely seasoned, just everything not only tasting good but making me feel good as. I am working my way through the menu with joy and excitement! To the group of people who felt compelled to post 1 star reviews with foolish comment, shame on you. I grew up eating this food so I know good from bad and this restaurant is a treasure who deserves our support. read more

the food was pretty good. i had the oxtail with mac and cheese and cabbage. the cabbage was a bit greasy and made my stomach hurt a bit but the oxtail was very tender and the mac cheese was pretty good as well. the service was nothing special and not the most helpful but she was not rude. not much of an ambiance. more of an in and out spot. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

The food is absolutely amazing as well as authentic. One of the best places if not the best place to eat from Trenton, New Jersey.

It was my first time trying this spot out. I don't really eat Jamaican food often, it's very rare but this was a grab and go spot, no dining it. The customer service was really cool and helpful, she helped me choose because everything on the menu looked good, it was hard to choose. The place was very clean, maybe recently renovated. Artwork on the wall was really nice as well. The wait time wasn't that long, I decided to get curry chicken, macaroni & cheese, rice & peas with oxtail gravy on the rice, and a veggie patty. I was very satisfied with my entire order. Everything was full of flavor and exceeded my expectations! The pricing was very fair as well, overall very satisfied! read more

See all

Tried SBK for the first time tonight and loved it! So excited to have such a great takeout place near me. I'm not an expert in Jamaican cuisine, but we found the food flavorful, well-prepared, and a great deal for the price. The large size entrees are pretty big--enough for me to have leftovers to eat the next day. We recommend the jerk chicken (great flavor and comfortable heat level) and the chicken curry (super tender and flavorful). The plantain side dish is delicious and we also really enjoyed the steamed cabbage and callaloo--both hearty sides that stand on their own. read more

This place is terrible! Food is awful, bland and undercooked. ***Food poisoning risk - High *** read more

I ordered the oxtails in a large and was very disappointed in the tiny size portion, which was like a medium size portion and it was overpriced at best. Not to mention the oxtails were bland. This place is not even worth the stop.I felt like I got ripped off. Never again will I go back! read more

At first it was an okay place ate there once never been back, and after that, I noticed a odor I have a good sense of smell and everytime I ride pass this place ,, They cover up their food with excessive Garlic and Ginger and if you cook you know what it about,Let me explain people who over seasoned their food it's because The MEAT IS NOT GOOD AND IT HAS A BAD SMELL or ODOR that's not good,So just becareful before you become ILL read more

Hands down, the best caribbean food in the Mercer area. I've tried plenty of other spots and Scotch Bonnet met all of my expectations regarding my meal. I'm looking forward to visiting again the next time I'm in town. I ordered the red snapper with rice and beans, cabbage, and plantains. The plantains were cooked the way I like, not hard. read more

See all

Didn't have a good experience here, the food wasn't good, it was dry. The prices were expensive for the amount of food you get. The service was non verbal. read more

5 stars!! I wish I could give more. Their food is amazinggggggggg! First of all, the plantain is the best I've ever had and the cabbage is so good!!! The jerk chicken wings are amazing every time. They give you so much food! I love this place. My favorite Jamaican spot and I don't usually even like Jamaican food that much. This place is so so good. My husband gets the oxtail and loves it! Everything I've had from here has been good. The curry shrimp is also delicious as is the chicken soup. I'll keep coming back! read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Oxtail and Rice and Peas - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

See all

This was my first time ordering from here and I was not disappointred. I had oxtails w/ rice n peas w cabbage. It was delicious and the meat was so tender. Then next week I ordered again the oxtails again and my husband ordered the jerk wings. He was upset with his order said the wings were dry out and no sauce was on them. Another week later he ordered the curry goat which was on point and the mac n cheese was ok. I will continue to order from here until I have tried all the meals. They are little on the expensive side but I think it is worth it. read more

Tried this spot a few days ago when I was craving some Jamaican food for my weekly cheat meal. I'm glad I tried it! I got a peanut punch drink, a beef and cheese patty, and a small curry goat meal with rice and peas, mac and cheese, and a small side of steamed cabbage. The total was about $25 for all of it. All of the food was really delicious. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the peanut punch drink, which was expensive at almost $5 by itself, and had an odd spice in it that kind of ruined the taste for me. However, I don't know if that is made by the restaurant or some other facility, since it was in a glass bottle in the fridge. But everything else was on point and I would definitely return. The beef and cheese patty was gooey, hot, and yummy. You could taste the cheesey goodness coming through, complimenting the beefy flavor, with a flaky, delicious pastry exterior. The curry goat was well-seasoned, and paired excellently with the rice and peas, the flavorful mac and cheese, and the steamed cabbage. All in all, a really good meal. Side note: Being that I had a gastric bypass surgery, I should also note that with the small meal and beef patty, I took about 4 different meals to eat all of the food. It is a good portion size. Not sure how it works out for someone with a normal-sized stomach, but I ate it for dinner the day I bought it, then again later that night, and again for lunch and for dinner the next day. LOL. read more

See all

Great cornmeal porridge! I also really enjoyed their curry chicken. The rice and pigeon peas were very dry and the cabbage was average. Overall, I was satisfied with my meal. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Cornmeal Porridge (small portion) - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

I thought this place was great. My parents live around the corner so I grabbed some when I was visiting one time. I'll definitely be back.

This restaurant is a hit or miss. Today I'm particularly unsatisfied after ordering on Uber eats. The chicken soup tasted burnt! On top of that there was hardly any chicken! The rice and peas tasted like ginger and I got three pieces of plantain as a side. Very displeased and will not be ordering again. read more

Total disappointment! I spent over $50 for 2 entrees. At least my husband liked his oxtails. But I don't think enough to go back. The jerk shrimp was a disaster. I was charged for a big plate of sticky rice and beans. The shrimp was over cooked, dry and rubbery. I have a spoonful of cabbage which was suppose to be a side. I though since it was jerk it would have had a little sauce, but apparently not. Needless to say I went to bed hungry and disgusted. read more

The Scotch Bonnet Kitchen - Jerk shrimp - Caribbean Near Me - Trenton, New Jersey

See all

Great food. Ordered the chicken patties because they were out of the beef ones. It was delicious. Jerk chicken was quite good as well. Will be back for the beef. Nice staff. read more

I love this place, I love this place. When my wife and I don't feel like cooking or I just want something delicious that I can count on being good consistently. This is my go to place. read more

Oh this is my spot! Food is always hot and delicious and the customer service is on point. They always have everything listed on the menu and the decor is really nice. You can tell they care about their business by the presentation of the food. If you haven't been here it's a must! Don't walk, run and get some! You won't be disappointed. read more

Super take out! The chicken with brown gravy plus plantains and cabbage fed the two of us for around $14. It was delicious! I'm looking forward to trying more things. read more

I've been here 4x, the food is good, the staff is nice. I will recommend ordering ahead because there is normally a long wait if you order in store, i believe the food is made to order. The rice and peas is good , i normally get that with the red snapper , sometimes with brown stew or fried. read more

The food was decent. My only complaint was I ordered Cod Fitters and they never refunded me the $.

The Best Darn... Jamaican Food we've ever had. We travel from Washington D.C just to load up. Its like really.. being in Jamaica. The Goat is amazing . The Jerk Chicken and patties are unbelievable. Everything here is Great..We would love to open a franchise in the DMV. read more

I am a frequent visitor of this establishment and have told others including food bloggers about it. I ordered a large chicken soup and it did not have any chicken at all in it, no yams, irish potatoesetc. Purely broth and 2 spinna's...Who served this order just did not care and they knew it and sold it. I ordered online per usual,10.93 for large.... i discovered it once I was already home. SAD, because I give major business. read more

Outstanding food and great customer service. Will definitely be back! Thank you for taking me at closing time...

Only been here a few times. Great place for authentic Jamaican food! Ladies at the front are always friendly and my food is always warm. When ordering allow plenty of time, lunch time is busy! read more