I have to ask... a Trini restaurant in Lancaster?! Of course I had to see if it was actually worth it, especially as a doubles lover. WELL WELL... it exceeded every single expectation. The doubles? Exceptional. Soft, perfectly filled, and full of flavor. And the hot pepper sauce? Whew. It didn't just add heat, it elevated an already outstanding dish to another level. I ordered so many doubles I barely had room for anything else but I had to try the dhal and it was exactly what I needed. Comforting, rich, and done right. Everything tasted like true, authentic Trini food, the kind that makes you feel warm, satisfied, and already thinking about your next visit. I was literally craving it every single day for the rest of my Lancaster trip. The space itself is on the smaller side, but really cute and inviting. The service was great: friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience complete. Whether you're new to Trini food or already know what's up, Calaloo will not disappoint. Trust me, you'll be planning your next visit before you even leave. read more

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Callaloo has been one of my favorite restaurants in Lancaster for quite a long time. Their flaky buss-up-shut bread paired with their perfectly seasoned coconut jerk chicken melts in your mouth. I always order the coconut jerk chicken and am delighted be the Trinidadian/Asian fusion mix their menu provides. Specials rotate, which is so much fun. The staff are always friendly, helpful, and even my gluten-free mother can eat here. The food is consistently good and the spice levels are high, so take them seriously! Especially the pepper beef. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone passing through! read more

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I hadn't been to Callaloo in years, and this was my first time trying their stand at Central Market. The Cumin Lamb Meatballs bowl was one of the best meals I've had all year. Everything in the bowl--rice, charred corn, cucumber chutney, pickled red onion, chili crisp, schug, and harissa vinaigrette--complemented each other perfectly and was portioned just right. It was also a generous serving--almost too much to finish in one sitting. read more

We called ahead and asked if they would be able to sit a table of four. The staff member said not until an hour later and that was just an estimate. We decide to just go to the restaurant and wait for a table. Only 1/3 of the tables were occupied. The bar had no one sitting at it. I don't know if the restaurant is trying to give a false impression that they are super busy but you can actually be losing business with this narrative, what if I decided to go somewhere else instead of waiting. One of the members in our party was running late, when we asked to put in an order of food in instead of waiting for him, we were presented with attitude. The staff also seemed to be all over the place, interchanging roles. Trinidad food itself has deep flavors and provides a sense of warmth. The food itself was good in general but that's because of the dish itself. It seems like the recipes changed since we visited the restaurant over a year ago - before the chef took a year hiatus. Doubles (5/5) - Fried bread, curried chickpeas, cucumber chutney, tamarind, chadon beni; this reminded me of a desi dish I am familiar with, very good Aloo Pepper Roti (4/5) - Crispy roti, cumin, garlic, habanero seasoned potatoes, cheddar, cilantro lime sour cream; crowd pleaser for sure! it's like if a paratha and pierogi had a baby Curried Fish & Shrimp (5/5) - Lightly fried swai, coconut curry broth, butterflied shrimp, sautéed spinach, jasmine rice; fish is cooked to perfection Pepper Beef Lo Mein (1/5) - it was drowning in the hoisin sauce read more

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WOW!!! i cannot believe i've been living in lancaster for so long without stumbling upon this place. easily one of the best meals i've EVER HAD in lancaster. you can not go wrong with anything on the menu. the plantain gnocchi was out of this world, the coconut jerk chicken was so good i got an order to go. went here after showing some out of state friends downtown lancaster and now they cannot stop talking about how awesome it was. WILL BE BACK SOON read more

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Amazing food and service. The jerk chicken and fish/shrimp curry were so unique tasting and flavorful.

The restaurant looked like someone's living room. We were immediately seated and a QR code was on the table for the menu. I got the Coconut Jerk Chicken. My husband got the Buss Up Shut dinner of curried beef. I really liked my Coconut Jerk Chicken. The chicken pieces were tender and the sauce had the right amount of sweet, savory, and heat. My husband's curried beef tasted bland in comparison with to me. He said it was ok but liked my food better. The bread compared to Indian bread we've had was too doughy and not as crispy. I don't know much of Trinidadian food so this could be very traditional and great. I can only compare it to similar dishes I've had in other places. The coconut jerk was very good. I highly recommend it. read more

Callaloo - Menu off the QR code - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I came by here with my friends to try out this place. Surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed but left with a great satisfied smile. I street parked my car nearby as I didn't see a designated parking lot for this restaurant. Once we entered, we were greeted and quickly arranged our tables and seats. Their service was great. We wanted a dish that is not in the menu and the chef came out to confirm that he can still make that dish for us. Amazing! Really doing above and beyond to their customers. We ordered char siu pork belly over rice and the wings sampler. Both dishes taste very good. The place itself isn't that big, so if you have a big party, maybe it's best to make your reservation ahead of time. read more

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Outstanding food and service! Our server was super helpful in assisting us, as we were unfamiliar with Trinidadian and Caribbean cuisine. Everything was fresh and delicious. Would go again in a heartbeat! read more

Truly remarkable layering of flavors and textures. The food is consistently outstanding. A true gem

Had it back to back nights as take out Loved everything on the menu. Came to town to visit our friends but will come back for this gem of a restaurant. All the kids loved the Mac and cheese. I love the curry. The bao is to die for. The fusion of flavors is so amazing. Leftovers were just as good. read more

I only tried the doubles , they delicious. The staff is very sweet, the place is clean and simple. Definitely go for the doubles !!

Food was good overall. The doubles tasted great but the flatbreads were dense and pancakey instead of light and bready. The coconut jerk chicken was also good but heavily under salted. And when I asked for salt they simply said no which came off a bit highbrow haha. Nice environment and well decorated. read more

Callaloo - Coconut Jerk Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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The food here is absolutely amazing and delicious. Unique dishes that I imagine you will not find anywhere else. The slab of ribs with Mac n cheese is what I had and the meat was tender and fell of the bones. Absolutely to die for. My wife had the Fish and shrimp in a skillet and to too was amazing and delicious. If you're in Lancaster you must stop in for some delicious food. read more

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I cannot believe I am still finding restaurants that are unique and so delicious in the city of Lancaster. Who would have thought?! Trinidad cuisine... A unique combination of Latin American food and Chinese cuisine. I was blown away by the quality, quantity, and price of the place! Quality: everything is cooked to perfection. The bao buns are a MUST get. Out of everything that I ate (everything was great) the bao buns are a top. The ribs are so soft that the meat comes off the bone with a touch of the fork. The coconut jerk chicken was super tender as well and the sauce that it came in was a perfect combination of savory, creamy, and spicy. Quantity: the amount they gave you per dish was probably enough to share between two people. Your palate will be selfish but your stomach might (maybe...) Want to share. The sharable dishes are just enough to wet your appetite, the entrees are enormous portions. Price: my wife and I ate 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and a dessert. It was much less than other restaurants I've been to that gave less in terms of food as well as quality. The food is more than worth its value imo. The restaurant changes its menu constantly which is brilliant in terms of business model as well as the consumers as I love trying new things. I'm sad that they are only open for limited hours and they are packed to the brim. If you are wanting to go (yes you should go if you can) I recommend making reservations at least 2-3 weeks in advance. I'm totally going back read more

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Callaloo is a true gem of Lancaster city. Such good fusion food, packed with flavor and very unique. Fried chicken bao buns are the best and I would recommend to anyone. We also enjoy yuca fries which come with a variety of fun dipping sauces. Fries are a little bland on their own. As far as meals, the jerk chicken was our favorite. Also, the mango lemonade was an excellent drink. If you've never had buss up-shut, please try it. It is a delicious and doughy vehicle for all kinds of curries and stews. Love this place! read more

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My family and I tried this place and so glad we did! Service was great, food was amazing and unique! I had the duck leg and it was probably the best duck I have ever had. My kids had the Korean chicken wings and Mac and cheese pies both were delicious! read more

Callaloo - Duck leg and homemade lo mein - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Still one of my favorite eateries! The quality has not declined since they've opened and the customer service is still outstanding! They have decided to remain take-out only due to the size of their restaurant and wanting to keep their staff and our community safe. I live about 20 minutes away and the food traveled well. Most recently, I had the Fried Chicken Bao Buns and they were amazing! Please keep these on the menu! Soft, light, airy buns, perfectly fried chicken counterbalanced with a slightly sweet mayo based sauce and refreshing cucumber that adds another layer of texture. Callaloo is always high on my recommendation list and has remained in my top five for Lancaster! read more

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Food here is amazing. The jerk chicken curry is my go-to but really enjoyed the sweet potato dumpling entree last time I was there. I unfortunately could not give a 4 or 5 rating because my last dine in experience was extremely uncomfortable and was left feeling unwelcome. The male server/host was the definition of "mean girl energy". He had a chip on his shoulder with me and my party from the get go. Meanwhile several people came in after and his demeanor with them was much more pleasant. Before we were done eating, without stopping by to check in, the just dropped off the check and said whenever you're ready. We don't live close to Lancaster and came specifically for dinner here and to be rushed and made to feel unwelcome was extremely disappointing. We also had reservations and instead of giving us one of the three tables that were reserved, he offered us the counter seating at the window. read more

This has been some of the best food I've ever eaten out. I went here for the first time in April 2021 and was blown away. I was itching to go back and finally did this weekend and was very happy with my food once again. We literally drove 2 hours just to eat here. The flavors are absolutely amazing. You have to try the doubles. They're a great starter and fun to eat. The aloo pepper roti is not my favorite as I find the potato to be a little bland, but the people I've gone with have always loved it. The chicken bao buns are really good as well. The main curries (chicken and beef) are a staple and good, but I would suggest trying one of the entrees instead. I really loved their shepherd's pie, which they weren't serving this time. The fish and shrimp curry was delicious. The fish was somehow slightly crispy even tho it was in a thick sauce and was bursting with flavor. The buss up shut is a must have if it's not already included in your main. Oh yeah! Their hibiscus drink is also a good add on. Definitely give this place a try whether you were considering it before or not. read more

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Flavorful delights awaits with unique Trinidadian food blended w Korean flair. Limited seating due to being short staffed; but service was super and were attentive with beverages and timely food arrival. Worth the wait and patience. Next time will try to Korean menu of kimchi stew w pork belly and Korean fried chicken. read more

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The place was wonderful, the food was amazing and the service was friendly, warm and fun! Will definitely be back again!!

Delicious food - small place but not overnoisy and service was friendly and prompt. We enjoyed the plantain appetizer which was definitely big enough to share. For mains we split a cumin lamb and noodle dish (widest noodles ever! With very spicy ground lamb) and the coconut chicken curry with the bread as add-on). Practically licked the plate the sauce was so good (used the unusual bread to wipe the plate). Only down side - only BYOB. We outoftowners would have loved a beer rather than limeade (tho that was pretty good too). read more

Callaloo is an eye-opening experience to the world of Trinidadian cuisine. Let me tell you that it's a great one as well! The Curried Chicken here is my go to! The chicken itself is so soft and can easily be broken apart! The curry has a mixture of onions, potatoes, pumpkin, & chickpeas. The pumpkin adds the right amount of sweetness to this savory dish! The seasoning of the curry is unique to the Trinidadian cuisine and so delicious! The Buss-Up Shut is a flaky butter bread served with the curry and pairs perfectly with it! You can also ask for the Trinidadian Pepper Sauce to add some heat. I thought I had a really good spice tolerance until I tried their pepper sauce. They make it homemade too! I also always had the doubles for an appetizer! It's curried chickpeas on Trinidadian fried bread and is a common street food in Trinidad. Callaloo adds cucumber chutney to the doubles to bring freshness! Callaloo was my go to lunch/dinner spot when I was living in Lancaster. I hope this business does well and I will be coming to visit soon! read more

Callaloo - Doubles - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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I always go to callaloo when in Lancaster because the food never disappoints. This time was no different. Currently they are only doing take out because they're under staffed but as soon as they hire more people they'll be open for indoor dining again! Regardless take out was just as good. We got the doubles, Aloo pepper Roti, cassava fries, fried chicken bao buns, coconut jerk chicken and a side of Buss-up-shut. The doubles were a little drier than I remember previous times probably due to take out, when reheated next day it was perfect Aloo Pepper Roti was delicious there are so many of them so it's super filling and cheesy! Cassava fries were super thick, so much flavor-- I suggest getting all three sauces. The sauces are so fresh and tasty The buss-up-shut is so good definitely worth the extra $3 if your entree doesn't come with it. Finally the chicken bao buns were to die for. I personally always get bao buns if they're on the menu. These were so good!!!!! read more

Callaloo - Fried Chicken Bao Buns - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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This place was recommended by a friend who says the food is as authentic as it can get! We needed a quick bite to eat and one order was more than sufficient for two people to share. Order: -Curried Curry: Amazinggggg!! I really loved the depth in flavors. Everything was super tender. You need to add all the sauces they provide (green and red sauce) to even make the dish more flavorful. The sauces provided a very gentle kick but made everything perfect. -Buss up shut: A MUST get!! It's a very flaky flatbread, comes out piping hot. There's really no need for utensils because you use the bread to pick up the food. Even on its own, it's a delicious add. The workers were super kind and efficient. They made water cups for us even though it wasn't explicitly sold. There was no indoor seating back in May when we went, eating out of the car made it even more memorable. After a meal like this, you'll definitely need to take a stroll around Downtown Lancaster! read more

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Great flavors and wonderful service. It's a small spot so make sure to come early to get a seat , we had to squish in at the window but we were glad we did. A nice easy and quick option with a great unique menu for central PA. read more

The Bao Buns. You HAVE to try them. They are a revelation. My life will never be the same. First, there is this succulent, perfectly seasoned and dredged piece of chicken, fried to perfection, then tossed in hint of a soy glaze topped with some mayo and some of that pickle chutney-- all on the most supple pillow of a bun. So good-- I just can't EVEN! You can order 3, 4 or 5. If you're eating alone get the 4 pack. No one can judge you-- and you'll want to have enough to make the Joy last. These are EVERYTHING. Chic Fil A? Ummm, nope. Not even a contender. Not even remotely close. Popeye's? A close second. VERY close. But this-- THIS is the one. So. I think it's important we think positively, in light of so much that is obviously pretty terrible right now. While Covid has taken so much from all of us, it does force us to value the culinary prowess of our local restaurants and gives us gifts like these Bao Buns, which have single handedly renewed my faith in humanity and given me a reason to go on. read more

Callaloo - Fried Chicken Bao Buns-- the greatest thing there is. (Okay, fine. ONE of the greatest!) ;) - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Callaloo topped my list of restaurants to visit on my recent long weekend in Lancaster. We stopped by and placed a to-go order at the counter. The woman who rang us up was great and helped with questions about the menu - it was my first time trying Trinidadian food! We ordered: doubles, cassava fries (I asked about the sauces and the woman helping me very kindly said she'd include a little of each!), buss-up-shut with curried chicken and curried fish and shrimp. The order didn't take long and then we were on our way back to the Airbnb with a very heavy bag. We unpacked enough food for a family of four or five. I was happy to have a kitchen where we were staying because we had a ton of leftovers. All of the food was delicious. The doubles were a great start to the meal; they held up well for takeout but I bet they would have been even better fresh out of the kitchen. I loved the sauces with the cassava fries, but beware the yellow pepper sauce - it is HOT! The green, garlicky sauce was probably my favorite. The chicken entree was perfect for fall. The chicken was super tender and everything tasted so great with the buss-up-shut, which is a flaky bread somewhere in between a croissant and naan. The curried fish and shrimp was also awesome. The seafood was lightly fried and served in a curry sauce, but it maintained a great texture nonetheless. My first Trinidadian food experience was certainly not my last - I can't wait to explore more of this cuisine and will definitely return to Callaloo next time I'm in Lancaster! read more

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Work brought me to Lancaster, Yelp pointed me to Callaloo. This restaurant was such a delightful and unexpected find. Lancaster surprised me with its culinary offerings. First I found a Jamaican spot then a Trinidadian restaurant. Very nice. If you are a foodie looking for something a little different in Amish country you have to stop by Callaloo. Parking is limited, the space is small but the flavors are HUGE. I had a chance to visit a few times and my favorite thing to get is the Buss up Shut. No trip to the restaurant is complete without the quintessential Trini street food Doubles. I could describe it to you but I'd say just look at the pictures. Order it!!! The curry chicken is borderline perfect. Well balanced and masterfully executed. I spent a huge chunk of my per diem at Callaloo and as I write this review I'm a little sad that I may never get to go back as I live in Florida and my project is complete in Lancaster. read more

Callaloo - Doubles : Trinidadian street food - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

OMG the food here is AMAZING. Run and go get some immediately!!!! We ordered some food for pick up. We'd hoped for delivery one way or another but it's not available so we made a run over. The food did not disappoint. Their bread, which is somewhat like naan, is sooooo good. The spicy beef dish is definitely spicy-- and excellent. My fellow diner tried a few dishes I don't recall the names of but he loved them. And the macaroni and cheese pie does not disappoint. I started to wonder if it was possible to order a whole pie for a future family dinner. read more

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Service is impeccable. Food is delicious. And it's BYOB. Great spot if you like trying new foods! read more

Really, really delicious, well executed food with an Interesting fusion focusing on Trini/Korean. Had spicy lamb noodles which had great flavor, coconut jerk curry chicken, which was perfection, as well as pineapple guac and a bag of Korean style donuts. Everything was on point, service was great at pickup. NYC guy who gladly gives his stamp of approval. Wish they were closer!! read more

"Better belly buss than good food waste."―Trinidadian saying I'm a huge fan of Caribbean food because I love that they make some of the spiciest and most flavorful dishes using a fantastic fusion of ingredients, spices and cooking techniques. I can't say that I've ever eaten at an exclusively Trinidadian restaurant before, but when my girl pointed this place out to I knew I had to go. Their five star Yelp average notwithstanding, the pics of the food looked legit, and I knew we had to go here during my visit to PA. I admit I went a bit crazy ordering waaaay too much food, but when I know I only have one shot at a restaurants menu I can't help myself. Peanut Punch ($3.5) Basically just a peanut milkshake, but with a touch of nutmeg. Unfortunately, the nutmeg had all sunk down to the bottom so I didn't even realize it was there until the very end. Otherwise it was very tasty. 4* Buss-Up-Shut & Curried Vegetable ($8.75) The curried vegetable themselves were cooked absolutely perfectly, but my one qualm was the curry stew they were in seemed a bit underspiced. Sometimes I wonder if they dumb things down a bit "for the area"―if you catch my drift. 3.5* The buss-up-shut really deserves its own category. In one word: fantastic! It was like a giant, velvety soft Crêpe that you use like a naan to scoop-up and eat the food. This thing was so long it seemed to to go on forever. It was so much velvety carby goodness... 5* Soup d'jour: Coconut Butternut Squash Soup ($5) I really wanted to like this, but honestly it just tasted like butternut squash soup. I couldn't taste the coconut or much else. If it was a butternut squash soup it would've been great, but since it wasn't 3* Coconut Jerk Chicken ($10.5) Now this was one well-put together dish! Good spice/heat level, great coconut flavor and the chicken was cooked juicy and perfect. 4.5* Doubles ($3.75) This Trinidadian street food favorite is comprised of fried bread topped with tamarind sauce, cilantro sauce and curried chickpeas. The bread was velvety soft and the sweet and sour tamarind sauce went perfectly with the chickpeas. My only qualm was the bread stuck to the wax paper underneath and we might've eaten a few bites of it. 4.5* Overall I really did enjoy my visit to Callaloo and I feel a bit bad rating them four instead of five, because I think their 5-star rating is well-deserved for the area. However I have to throw in the Cali fractional equation into the mix...and carry the three...divide by six...hmmm...4.0833333* by my calculations. Highly recommended, nonetheless! read more

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I am still dreaming about this meal. We ordered take out during our short visit to Lancaster. We shared the buss up and shut up vegetable curry, the butternut squash soup, the mango arugula salad and baigan and pumpkin choka which came with delicious fried bread. Everything was delightful and I want a life time of both types of bread to dip in delicious stews. Also, all of this was like $40 with tip - and fed 2 people twice. read more

Callaloo - Caribbean Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Loved my curried chana and my char siu bao alike. Terrific fusion of Indian, Trinidadian, and South Asian flavors in this terrific eatery! Generous portions Warm, friendly service Parking's not too bad. To quoe another Yelper, "Off-street parking is now available. Heading north on Mulberry Street, it's the first lot on the left after crossing Lemon Street. There is often availability on Mulberry and Lemon streets near the restaurant, as well." read more

As a Caribbean and having grown up eating a lot of authentic Trinidadian food in New York, the dishes that my family and I tried from here were extremely disappointing. We did a pickup order and got the curried chicken buss up shuts. However, our chicken and all the veggies were extremely undercooked to the point where we could not eat any of it. I'm not sure if the chef was in a rush that evening or if this is the norm here... As far as the flavors went, we found them to be a blander more "Americanized" version of the food we're used to. It was a late dinner and we were super hungry so rather than drive all the way back, we just dipped our rotis in the stew sauce and called it a night. I can't comment on the sit down service because we only did a pick up order. However, the restaurant is small but quaint and the staff seemed polite at check out. Overall, the food just wasn't edible for us and the flavors seemed watered down so I can't say that I would return :/ read more

It was exactly what we hoped for and we left very happy and satisfied. An interesting Korean trini menu with lots of flavour. Spicy, sweet, sour, and textures. We never had Trini cuisine before Callaloo gave us an experience we will never forget. read more

This is my new favorite place! Everything was so fresh & delicious. The steady flow of people speaks volumes as to how amazing this place is. It's tiny so wouldn't say super kid friendly but perfect date night spot. Highly highly recommend. Can't wait to go back. Save room for dessert!!! read more

I had never had Trinidadian food before so I was excited to come here. We arrived and most of the restaurant was empty except for a few tables. It was the night after Thanksgiving so I thought it might be busier but it wasn't. The host asked if we had a reservation, but we did not. We were told that all of the tables were for reservations, but we could sit at the bar, a narrow rail with high top seats. I'm deducting a star because there is no indication at all that they take reservations, on the door, on the website, on Yelp. I guess you're supposed to call and ask? The narrow rail where we were seated was fine for a quick lunch, but the food served was not conducive to sharing and eating in such a small area. It was really awkward and uncomfortable. I wouldn't come here without getting a table. The food was really good. The best was the callaloo and dumplings. The buss up shut was interesting and tasty. The peanut drink was so rich I wouldn't get it again, but it was delicious. Overall, I thought the food, service, and ambiance was better, but this place needs to decide if it's a nice restaurant or a lunch place. And accept reservations online. read more