Washington, D.C., may be hundreds of miles from the Caribbean, but the Caribbean’s influence has long been part of the capital’s cultural identity. There’s even a historic neighborhood in Northeast D.C. called Trinidad, named after the Caribbean island. D.C.’s ties to the region are also evident in its growing Caribbean food scene, where chefs and restaurateurs serve everything from Jamaican-inspired seafood to creative cocktails made with sorrel, tamarind, and tropical fruits. Whether you’re in the mood for Trinidadian street food, an elegant Afro-Caribbean dinner, or a lively evening with friends, these five D.C. restaurants showcase a refined side of Caribbean dining, with innovative menus and an atmosphere to match.
Croix Rooftop
Buzzard Point | Crucian cuisine and botanical-inspired cocktails
Opened in August 2026 atop the Cambria Hotel in Buzzard Point, Croix Rooftop highlights the food and culture of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Chef Keem Hughley and chef de cuisine Malika King put their own spin on Crucian dishes, including crispy beef- and conch-filled patés served with mango-scotch bonnet hot sauce and handmade plantain agnolotti with smoked ricotta and creamy jerk sauce. Save room for desserts like the sorrel granita and the rum-soaked black cake.
Between the tropical greenery, island-inspired decor, and open-air terrace, Croix Rooftop makes it easy to forget you’re in D.C., except for the stunning views over the city. The restaurant is worth visiting just for the cocktails at the Botanic Bar, where Caribbean herbs and botanicals inspire drinks like the Tamarind, made with tamarind, mezcal, agave, passion fruit, and lime, and the Guava Blossom, which combines Tito’s Vodka, guava, strawberry, and lemon zest. The adjoining Croix Veranda is an ideal place to catch the sunset before DJs and late-night gatherings bring a livelier energy to the evening.
Cane
H Street NE | Trinidadian comfort food
At Cane, Trinidadian-born restaurateur Jeanine Prime pays tribute to her homeland, from the restaurant’s name, inspired by Trinidad and Tobago’s sugar cane heritage, to its menu of traditional island dishes. Start with the doubles, a popular Trinidadian street food made with soft fried flatbread, curried chickpeas, and chutneys. The jerk wings deliver a spicy kick, while the oxtails and pepperpot are heartier choices. To drink, you can’t go wrong with a classic rum punch, although the restaurant’s cocktail menu make a strong case for trying something different. The Purple Passion is a refreshing mix of white rum, sorrel, and lime, while the Island Life pairs rum with ginger, mango, and ginger beer.
St. James
14th Street NW | Contemporary Caribbean dining
If Cane is the cozy neighborhood gathering place, its sister restaurant, St. James, is the stylish older sibling who enjoys dressing up for dinner. Also founded by Jeanine Prime, this 14th Street restaurant takes a broader approach to Caribbean cooking, with influences from across the region. Diners can choose items like callaloo soup, pepper shrimp, ginger-spiced plantains, crispy macaroni pie, fried snapper, and jerk wings packed with smoky heat. Rum cocktails and sorrel-infused creations complement the bold flavors coming out of the kitchen. Spread across two levels, the restaurant is an ideal place for date nights and dinners with friends, featuring whitewashed exposed brick, warm wood tones, and a chartreuse-colored tile bar.
Isla
Downtown | Upscale Caribbean fare
Opened in October 2025 at Midtown Center in downtown D.C., Isla makes a striking impression with its dramatic pink chandelier, gold accents, tropical patterns, and plush seating. Canadian-Jamaican chef Lonie Murdock incorporates her Caribbean heritage in dishes like oxtail patties with fermented mango pepper sauce, lamb tartare with green seasoning and sweet potato crema, and grilled lamb chops with plantain purée. Rum features prominently on the cocktail menu, appearing in drinks like the Golden Touch, which combines coconut, pineapple, lime, and soursop syrup. For those who want to extend the evening, the adjoining Goodlove lounge offers a fashionable place to unwind, with moody lighting, leopard-print accents, and DJ-spun beats.
Dōgon
Southwest Waterfront | Afro-Caribbean fine dining
At Dōgon, acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi takes diners on a culinary journey that connects West Africa, the Caribbean, and Washington, D.C. Located inside The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection, on the Southwest Waterfront, the award-winning restaurant draws inspiration from Onwuachi’s Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Creole heritage, alongside the legacy of Benjamin Banneker, the Black mathematician and surveyor who helped survey the nation’s capital.
The menu is designed for sharing, although deciding which dishes to surrender to your dining companions may prove difficult. The Hoe Crab remains a signature dish and guest favorite, served with spicy Ghanaian shito, plantain cakes, and ají verde sauce. Other popular dishes include Shrimp Creole, the house-made coco bread, Oysters Escovitch, and rum cake. The cocktail menu features drinks like the Sorrel Rickey, along with a flavorful selection of nonalcoholic options, and a new cocktail menu debuting soon. Inside, dark wood, soft lighting, and contemporary décor create a stylish backdrop, while an upbeat soundtrack keeps the energy going.
