Update: 9/13/2024: Did this place change hands of management again? Because on Wednesday I ordered oxtail, curry chicken and a plate of curry goat and it was widely different from the last time I visited a month ago. The food had NO flavor whatsoever - it's as though there was a different cook, it was quite bland. The woman at the front was not friendly, even as I greeted her with a smile and said goodbye with a smile. Still the same unfriendly stance. This is not the same woman I came across a month ago that was friendly. Note to the owner: How you greet your customers makes a huge difference! I have to say how disappointed I am, the food was delicious the last time I was there and now just inedible. Also the curry chicken had chopped small bones, so be wary if you're going to order this dish. I hate to say that I doubt I will be returning and will make the drive down to Asbury when craving Caribbean food. It's unfortunate, but I have to change the rating to 1 star based off of my recent experience. This was a take-out order. read more

My family was in town and attempted to order a few days ago and I surely warned them about the unprofessionalism. It was close to closing however the order platform was still taking orders. They canceled their order after waiting 30 minutes and didn't even have the decency to give them a call. SMH I'm not surprised based on their ethics. Welp Yelp, my family won't be ordering from here ever again as well! Tip to the owner, customers will come to an establishment with GREAT customer service. Maybe you should try to implement that in your Mission Statement, just FOOD for thought. read more

I visited this restaurant 3 times and the food service was very poor! When owner was contacted her mannerism was poorer than the food. She had a lot of excuses about food prices rather than listening to the customer queries. I would not recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for an amazing, taste quenching Caribbean restaurant go to Asbury Park THE ISLANDER! read more

Not sure why this place has such low reviews! I'm shocked. We came into this place on a whim actually. It's not the most inviting place at first, but we gave it a try anyway. We ordered beef and chicken patties, which were to die for! We also ordered their jerk chicken and oxtail, which came with their beans & rice with cabbage and plantains. Everything tasted incredibly flavorful and juicy! My husband and I were both blown away! I've had jerk chicken in Jersey City before, but was never ever impressed, but now I understand the type behind carribean food!!!! Hands down amazing! Keep up the amazing food! read more

Very good stewed chicken. Rice was awesome as was the cabbage. Meat pocket was delicious. Everything was hot and fresh. Lovely lady working the counter. Everything was fast. Easy parking. No notes. read more

I have to update my review, it's still 5-Stars because what can I say... it[s deeelicious. Recently after my long stay at the hospital I was transferred to yet another long stay at a sub-acute rehab center for physical therapy and though the food was good and tasty, I needed something else. I wanted substance, stick to your ribs sheer comfort food, that makes you sigh with pleasure. My co-worker Joyce was coming to visit me and she knows I love the food here, especially the curry goat and rice. She stopped in on her way to visit me and got me a large order of the goat, veggies and rice, even one of the meat pies to surprise me. You know she walked into my room and I perked right up!! I was smiling and so happy to see her.... but then, she showed me what she brought me---YES!! I was so excited and appreciative, because she thought to bring me something that she knew I would like and would cheer me. She even was kind enough to also bring some Tupperware so that what I didn't eat, I could save and have warmed up by my nurse. It was so good, the goat was tender, seasoned well and the bones (as always) were easy enough to pick out, I had enough rice and goat for another whole me the next day and my nurses even commented on how good it smelled when they were reheating it for me, wanted to know, "Who did I know..." and "Where did I get such delights"-- of course I shared the info, I am not selfish!! If you have not had the opportunity to stop off here, you really need to, I know the wait can be a few minutes to get the food, but love takes time and the food here is made with love and served with a smile!!! read more

Nice little place to get a very reasonably priced and delicious meal. This is set up like a fast food restaurant where you order at the counter. There are a few small tables. The interior is painted a bright, sunny yellow and they have Caribbean music playing. Beef patties and chicken curry patties are already prepared and you can grab them and go. Other items on the menu, like the shrimp and rice my husband ordered, took about 20 minutes to make. Don't miss the homemade ginger beer, it was delicious. One thing I didn't love, although we ate in, everything was still served in styrofoam. Overall, if you're in the island mood this is a nice little stop. read more

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We've been wanting to try this place out for awhile and we finally had the chance! Great find, especially around the Jackson/Howell area since there aren't many awesome family run ethnic foods down here! And, we love Caribbean food! Place is family run, food tasted fresh, and the flavors tasted just like how we remembered it in Jamaica. Fiancé ordered the jerk chicken - this came with stewed cabbage, rice and beans, and a piece of a plantain. He said the jerk was really good. It had a kick to it, but not too much that no one can handle. I on the other hand, ordered the ox tail - I loved it! Meat was literal melting off the bone, just the way I like it! The rice and beans were pretty good too. The stewed cabbage was cooked well. Honestly, I think I could've just ate the ox tail all by itself!! We also ordered a beef patty - yummy in our tummies!! Just like Jamaica!!!! The portions are very filling! We both got smalls but had enough food to feed a family of 4! Can't imagine how big the large portion is! If you come here, come hungry! The prices were really good too!!! And there's a 10% discount for anyone in the military, cops, and firefighters. We will definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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I think this place is under new ownership. The food didn't taste the same. Maybe the cook changed? Either way, it's all there is in this area so if you're craving West Indian food, this is it unless you want to drive farther. They do have that going for them but I hope they make this place greater than it was even before when it was decent. I also would love to see the addition of rotis. read more

Service was on the money, the food was off the hook, and price was right. And when i go home i have to bring my daughter some of this delicious. And then we eat the whole thing thank you read more

this place used to be good and I am not sure what happened. I've ordered from them well over a dozen times over the years and in recent weeks noticed a significant change in the food and the quality of the food. maybe a new cook? yesterday I received BURNT beef patties. Decided to give them another try today cause it's Sat and that's only day for ackee and Salish. Ackee was the worst quality runny and watery and prob not even cooked properly. read more

Got the oxtail. They never disappoint and the meat was not fatty either. Mhmm so good. Y'all should try. Oxtail Stew.

Great place to eat if you're craving Jamaican/Carribean food. Jerk Chicken was seasoned very generously but rice seemed a little undercooked. Staff was very welcoming and prepared my food within minutes. I would definitely come through here again soon. read more

Food is mediocre at best. Oxtails are overpriced rice is plain & boring. Curry chicken is ok. Service is mediocre as well. Ambiance is not that good either. I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

This food is delicious. Rice and beans, vegetables, plantain and curry goat combo was flavorful and full of Caribbean vibes read more

Caribbean Vibes - Curry Goat combo - Caribbean Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

I ordered multiple times Jerk Chicken . It's delicious spicy and fulfilling . You also will love the plantain and cabbage sides . I enjoy rice n peas too. read more

I love island cuisine! The oxtails here are amazing! The beans that the oxtails are cooked with are great. I really enjoyed my lunch today!

Coming from a Caribbean background I can honestly say that this place is just ok. I've eaten here 3 times. I've had the oxtail which was good, the escovitch fish which is also good, and the brown stew chicken which I didn't enjoy too much which is weird being that it's the simplest of the three dishes. I ordered the lunch special and the chicken they gave me was mostly bones. Not too much meat. The rice was a little bland also. If I need a quick bite I'd stop here, but it's not at the top of the list to grab Jamaican food. read more

Plain and simple, do not order from here. Tonight we had ordered a large oxtail. A large jerk chicken, a large fried chicken, two side orders of Mac and cheese, and a side order of plantains. The chicken in both dishes were over cooked. The oxtails are the only thing giving this restaurant a single star. Them alone would have been a nice dish, instead we got three sub par portions (For sure not larges) with massive portions of converted starchy rice with an odd aftertaste and a signature Caribbean cabbage side. The plantains were not cooked at all and very very oily. The Mac and cheese seemed like cooked elbow pasta mixed with cheap shredded cheese thrown in last minute along with bell peppers. Pictures to follow. Do yourself a favor, do not Order from here ever. 50$ down the drain I woulda rather tied it to a balloon and let it fly away. This is not a review to put down the establishment but a sign to the owner you should either change recipe or cooks or retire from the business as this was not worth a single penny read more

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Not the best Caribbean food out there. I recently moved to Jackson, and I was surprised to see a Caribbean restaurant in the area, so I decided to try it out. I ordered a beef patty, and a jerk chicken dinner. The chicken was EXTREMELY dry, and the rice and cabbage both lacked flavor. There are a couple of restaurants not too far away (freehold, south amboy) that are amazing. I wanted to like this place, but coming from a Caribbean background, I didn't find this to be authentic. read more

Caribbean Vibes - a plate of rice, meat and vegetables - Caribbean Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

I'm a fan of Caribbean food and found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. It's a small place with 2 tables so it's mostly a take out place Entrees Oxtail - large. The oxtail was tasty but the cabbage and rice were lack of seasoning and tasteless Jerked chicken large. The same with the chicken, it has a decent taste but not spicy at all, rice and cabbage tasteless. Maybe we are used to the spices at Morgan Grill in Hightstown. Not planning to return. read more

Best Caribbean food in the area with quick and friendly service! Try the oxtail. It may be your favorite food you didn't know you love read more

Caribbean Vibes - Caribbean Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

I ordered a small oxtail and got stew chicken. When I called the girl is going to tell me "oh....the next time, just write it in the notes" wtf....so selecting the meal isn't good enough?!?! So basically I was scammed. I paid oxtail price for stew chicken. I wouldn't NEVER buy from them again. read more

Great small place. More of a take out. My first time there I got the curry goat and stew chicken with fried plantains. And on a whim I got 2 of her homemade empanadas. Both were amazing. Would highly recommend this place. read more

Good spot for basic Jamaican food. My jerk chicken was very good, portions were decent for the price. Rice n' peas, and the steamed cabbage were good as well, they even put extra "gravy" on the rice for me, by request. I'm glad I stopped in. read more

I recently moved up from Florida and was craving Caribbean in specific oxtail. My favorite. So I ordered pick up. I was very happy to get home and eat, my car was smelling delightful. I cant tell you how happy my heart was when I opened that togo container. I have to to say I will be returning to try the rest of the menu. read more

Big portions! Can not believe the amount of food they give compared to some other Caribbean restaurants in the area for the price. Ordered the oxtails which were seasoned pretty good and the curry chicken patty was tasty as well. Will def be back! read more

Caribbean Vibes - Oxtails, rice and peas, cabbage, plantains - Caribbean Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

I needed a Caribbean fix and this did it. We ordered 6 large ox-tails and 1 large curry chicken. Let's just say...I'm full! The service was good. The food is a little expensive but I get it. read more

Fairly wide menu and the food I have tried was good. A Little pricey though, but I'd recommend them

this was if jamican n say this good u not jamaican the chicken leg is so big if it steps on your toes u dead n it was never washed I really don't like the food read more

The place hits the spot if you moved to area from the NYC. The food is taste fresh. But they never have white rice lol. I enjoy he brown stew fish and the oxtails. My husband loves the curry goat! read more

Overprice Is that a large ox tails for $30? The oxtails was very tough and tasted a lot like ginger instead of oxtails. The rice was probably the best thing about the dish other than the gravy the ginger taste also ran deep into the veggies would try again but I wouldn't spend $30 on oxtails if I were you, I'd probably try the jerk chicken next time around. Customer service was good Otherwise. read more

Food is pretty good. I was craving some jerk chicken but got curry chicken but it was good. Chicken was super tender and rice and veggies were good. read more

Decided to try this place. I was so glad I did. I ordered the large jerk chicken platter. The chicken was delicious and very spicy. It was perfect. The rice and beans were very flavorful. I will definitely be back and try the oxtail. Everyone was very friendly. read more

Caribbean Vibes - First time here. - Caribbean Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

First off, even though I've been ordering from here for a while and I've never taken the time to stop inside. Stopping inside, I was amazed at how clean this place was. It was I would have thought it was brand new if I hadn't known it been there for a whole year of yes. I was a little bit disappointed by the oxtail soup that I bought this week, but previously the goat curry has been perfect. read more

Yes, this food is as good as it gets. It does not matter what Janice the "cook" makes, she does it well. Every time we order, the food is always delicious. My hats off to Caribbean Vibes and Janice the cook. Very pleased customer!!! read more

Last night we went to Caribbean Vibes for the 2nd time. The first time was when they first opened and we were a little underwhelmed. We decided to give it a second try and we are so glad we did! We each had a beef patty ( wonderful flaky crust with taste beef filling with a hint of heat). I had the curry chicken which has amazing flavor, fell right off the bone and tons of meat. My only complaint is there were a lot of little bones in the curry that I had to pick around. Hubby had the jerk chicken. The chicken was smothered in tasty jerk sauce (which had the appropriate amount of spicy heat) which was also super tender. Each meal came with rice and beans and a vegetable medley. We each got a small and had enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Can't wait to continue trying new dishes from this place! read more

He food is generous and the flavor is great! It has a mom and pop feel to it. The Caribbean dishes are authentic. Love this place. Will go there again. Highly recommended. read more

Craving something a little different on a Friday night, and my husband and I decided to try this place out. So glad we did, the food is absolutely amazing! So I got the curry chicken, the portion is huge! But they don't skimp on quality, the curry chicken is so tender and flavorful. It comes with a yummy rice and beans combo, a braised cabbage veggie side, and some fried plantains which perfectly complemented the slightly spicy meal. Everything was delicious, loaded with flavor, but not with salt, nicely balanced. My husband raved about his dish of Oxtail stew, which came with the same sides. He somehow finished his entire meal in one sitting!! Thankful to have some new flavor in town, think we may become regulars here. Yum yum read more

In a sea of fast food chains on 9 this place is a gem. Very good food and good ppl making it. Big meal at a nice price. Support small business:) read more