I've been in VA for about 3 days and I'm so glad I stopped here for a really late lunch/early dinner! Small and quiet spot tucked at the end of the shops and it was perfect. Of course I ordered their signature oxtail dish with cabbage and it was so flavorful and tender. The tea was the perfect complement beverage hitting that sweet spot with so much savory flavor from my meal. I ate a little over half my meal and asked for more rice and cabbage to go so I'd have a full lunch tomorrow. Even added a couple jerk chicken patties to go. The food was delicious and the service was top notch as well. I was surprised that all three women working the front used my name throughout my meal. I wasn't there too long but it was very much appreciated. It was a great experience and I hope that everyone stops in while shopping or just because it's so good. read more

I'm sorry to write this review but you should be prepared if you decide to eat at either of the two locations here at the outlet. The two locations have different menus. So if someone in your group wants the jerk chicken and someone else wants the tacos... split up. Now there was a red flag but we ignored it. 'Jamaica' was spelled incorrectly on the sign in front of the outside location. SMH. We ordered the jerk chicken and beef patties from that location. The jerk chicken is NOT AUTHENTIC. It's a baked chicken with some kind of sauce on it. It's good baked chicken. The meat fell off the bone but it was absolutely not jerked. The steamed cabbage had zero seasoning. They were out of rice n peas. The staff STRUGGLED when I asked if the beef patties are made in house. Regardless, the filling was light and it wasn't that tasty. I only had a couple of bites. From the food hall location, we ordered the shrimp and chicken tacos. We were the only customers but the food took 15 minutes. The staff making the tacos had an entire conversation with her co worker while talking over the food. Serving spit with tacos is nasty work. She also kept taking the food to the back for some reason. Then she got irritated because we had the audacity to ask if the food was going to be ready anytime soon. Finally got the tacos, thrown in a bag. No napkins, no forks. Given the unnecessary drama, we left those tacos on top of a trash can. Just couldn't trust the staff enough to risk eating them. I will never go here again. read more

Wah Gwaan - Beef patty. 2/5 - Caribbean Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Walking in I felt immediately welcomed. We were greeted warmly and kindly by the young lady behind the counter. The restaurant was clean and inviting. We set at the high top bar counter and we were served with water and menus immediately. the only thing that I did not like about sitting at the counter was that there was a Bath And Body works candle that smelled nice but was extremely overwhelming on the counter. We both looked over the menu and decided what we wanted to order. i love that the fact that the menu was very straightforward and the prices were extremely reasonable. i ordered the jerk chicken with rice and peas and vegetables.And my girlfriend ordered the curry chicken with rice and peas and vegetables. the young lady did inform us that the chef was preparing the vegetables and it would take about fifteen to twenty five minutes to prepare. because we were in a bit of a time crunch to get to the airport. We asked what the other side options would be. she did let us know that the other side option would be the festival. what is a fried dough option. when she brought it to us, it did not seem to be an equal option to the steamed vegetable side, but because we were in a bit of a rush, we accepted what we were offered. We did start our meal off by ordering the beef patties. I am very used to a thick flaky fried pastry filled with meat. What we were served was just okay. It seemed as though the beef patty had been warmed in the microwave.So in some parts it was a little chewy. The rest of our food was amazing. served hot and extremely flavorful! We were given a bowl of rice and peas topped with the sauce of whatever entree we ordered before the rest of our food came out. The young lady did let us know that the rice and peas were unlimited while we were dining in. That was a wonderful and unexpected surprise! The rice was fluffy, the peas were cooked just right, and it was piping, hot! When are entrees arrived?We were equally impressed by the amount of food and the flavor of every part of the dish. i did notice that while we were eating, the steamed vegetables were ready and another guest received them.I would have liked the option of still having the vegetables instead of the festival. Overall, this place is a 9/10. I will for sure be returning!!!! read more

See all

Terrible. Most of the items listed in the on line menu are NOT available when you bother to show up. Unacceptable. read more

What local in their right mind would go alll the way to the Premium Outlets, just for Food and Not to SHOP? .... Me! A true Foodie and lover of Local Small Owned Businesses & Flavor read more

See all

Not a fan of jamaican food trying well, the first time the restaurant was small, but I guess it's catering to a quick snack and run type atmosphere. The food, what's okay? Cabbage has a little hint of spice or heat The waitress was awesome, very friendly. Like talking to your favorite aunt would definitely go again. read more

Wah Gwaan - Jerk chicken cabbage and yellow rice - Caribbean Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

What's up? Wah Gwaan is Jamaican for what's going on, or what's up? Don't be fooled by the location of this somewhat newer Jamaican restaurant in an outlet mall. It's indeed 100% authentic Jamaican fare. I've had my eye on Wah Gwaan all year. They opened in December 2024 and will celebrate one year next month. The location is convenient by H&M. So my suggestion is to park by the bus loop. I noticed most customers carry out. Either way customers order at the counter where there is a menu. I dined in and they do a nice full service china, silverware and table cloth for customers which I really appreciated. They also offer a small bar with wine and beer. They offer a small menu to focus on what they do best. The friendly owner with Jamaican accent took my order. I could not resist getting their oxtails which is a traditional dish, side of cabbage and brown rice with peas. My wife also got a traditional dish of Curry chicken with side of cabbage with white rice and peas. . They offer bottle drinks only. The wait was very short for small rice bowls which we both loved! Then maybe 10 more minutes tops mains rolled out. The food looked and smelled amazing! I chatted up the young lady owner about the place. She said it owned by her and Uncle whom is the cook. My wife first. The Curry Chicken was plentiful and good, but she was a bit overwhelmed by the spice as not use to it. The cabbage is different, she thought it was just ok. Although not perfectly to her liking she enjoyed. My oxtails were the bomb! Tender, juicy packed with flavor. If new to oxtail be prepared for a lot of bone which is normal. Oxtail is the meat off the tail of a cow. I enjoyed the cabbage, it was fresh and crispy, a different take. The portions are served liked dinner entrees, so expect large. Outside of oxtail $26 which is considered a delicacy the items are around $12+. On my opinion fair. Check out at the counter was smooth. You can tip off the card. My overall is I'm impressed with the business, the authenticity of the food and kindness of the staff. My wife was not as big a fan of her dish, but still did enjoy. I think they can retool the experience for customers eating in. Table service and check out would polish them up. This may be too challenging with staffing. 4.5 rounding down and I would return and recommend. read more

See all

I saw a post on this restaurant on social media and was ready to go the next day! It's by H&M and they have a few seatings in the inside to take a nice break from shopping. The menu was minimal which is fine because it allowed for more concentration on their main dishes. I ordered the oxtail with rice and beans, and potato salad. The oxtail was still a little too tough for me but it had great flavor! The rice and beans were mushy and lacked any flavor. The potato salad was interesting. It had sweet potatoes in it. It added a little sweetness and it was yummy!! The owner was really nice and wish them all the best! read more

See all

The food here was very average. Not really a go to if you're looking for authentic Caribbean food.

Excellent food and excellent service. I will certainly be a regular. We tried oxtail, jerk chicken, and curry goat. Each dish was phenomenal. The cabbage is phenomenal fresh and tasty. There are several Jamaican beverages to choose from. Dishes are authentic (coming from a Jamaican). There is ample parking as this restaurant is located at the outlet mall in Norfolk. Jody and Uncle Charles are wonderful and will help you choose a meal according to your pallet. Happy Eating Yeeps!!! read more

See all

This place is awesome. Great food, very friendly staff, and the amount of food you get for the price is incredible. Probably the best jerk chicken I've ever had, and the curry chicken was just as good. I will be going back, and you should too. read more

Ordered the jerk chicken, rice and peas with some oxtail and cabbage. I tasted the cabbage 1st. It was delicious. That was the end of it. The rice was too sticky and no seasoning. Tasted the chicken and it was baked chicken with blackened sauce. Not over the fire Jerk Chicken. The oxtail was good enough. This is Jamaican food that has been Americanized. Not authentic at all. Not even close. They won't ever see me again. read more

5/5 - Absolutely Incredible! If I could give ten stars I would!!!!! Wah Gwaan Restaurant is hands-down the best Jamaican food I've had in Virginia Beach/Norfolk . The flavors are authentic, bold, and perfectly seasoned. I ordered the traditional glazed jerk chicken and oxtail, and both dishes were absolutely outstanding! Very tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The sides were just as impressive, the cabbage was seasoned beautifully, the peas and rice were rich and delicious, and even the mashed potatoes were creamy and full of flavor. You can tell everything is made with care. On top of amazing food, the service was top tier. Friendly, fast, and genuinely welcoming -- it felt like eating at home. If you want real Jamaican cuisine done right, this is the place. I'll be coming back again and again. Highly recommend! read more

I'm currently in the car reviewing this restaurant immediately after eating there, because it was just that good! The curry chicken was phenomenal. I tried a bite of the jerk chicken which was also very delicious. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. Please check this place out! read more

Had the Jerk Chicken and Curry Goat. Beans and rice of corse! When I say I CLEANED THE PLATE!!! Every bite was an ode to home cooked Caribbean food! One of the few places that has Ting as a drink option. My wife and I also got a carrot cake to go. Dessert was . Keep up the good work! read more

This place is great, on all levels. The food is outstanding, the service is amazing, and the setting is on point. since discovering this restaurant, I frequent it at least once a week. The owner has the best attitude and loves what she does. 10/10 .... read more

Staff is friendly and the food is great I would definitely recommend this establishment

The menu is limited. But don't make the mistake I made and check the board outside because I missed that they had brown stew chicken, which I can't wait to try. The food was tasty. Rice & peas with gravy 10/10 - so good Oxtails 4/10 - They were sooooo tough and hard to eat, but the flavor on the outside was good. I hate I wasted my money on the D-Box, but you live and you learn. Jerk chicken 8/10 - best I've had in the Hampton Roads area, but there was absolutely no Smokey or grill flavor, but it was definitely seasoned well. In spite of not tasting any smoke I'll be ordering this again for sure. Potato salad 9/10 it was served warm but it tasted similar to my grandmother's so it gets a point for that. Cabbage 5/10 although it was my side, it was so little of it, it was more of a garnish, the portion of as super small (compared to my son's portion of potato salad). It was also bland but I wasn't over cooked. I just wish it would've been more of it so I could season for myself. Beef patties - 6/10 pretty standard beef patty. The service was average, there was nothing bad about it, but nothing great either. We didn't have to wait long for our food. The restaurant is small and the music was loud for me so I probably would never dine in. But all things considered I'll be going back and I definitely recommend. Just pray those oxtails are tender that day. read more

OMG this is amazing! Authentic Jamaican. Perfect amount of pepper and the curry isn't filled with bones and fat. FANTASTIC!! You MUST try it. I had the curry goat and beef patties. Service was great and they were so sweet. Great vibes. Excellent!! read more

I got the oxtails and they are so tender and the flavor is amazing. It's unlike any other Caribbean restaurant I've ever had. Sorry I couldn't give you 10 stars. Delicious!!! read more

Wah Gwaan - Oxtails with rice & peas and cabbage. - Caribbean Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I was shopping at the mall when a sweet aroma tickled my nose and it took me to the Wah Gwaan restaurant. The breathtaking oxtail and rice and peas took my taste buds to paradise. I traveled from New York just to find out the best Jamaican restaurant was all the way in Virginia. read more

Wah Gwaan - Oxtail and rice and peas - Caribbean Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Theee best oxtails in 757!!! big portion. Their not stingy on porportion. Packed with Flava! My new Jamaican spotwas worth the price.$26 for Large oxtail. read more

The owners were so pleasant the food was fresh and hot didn't take long at all. It's nice and cozy when you walk in the ambiance is really nice. I enjoyed it and will return. read more