Some restaurants serve food. Others tell a story. From the moment I stepped into Twin Isles, I knew this was going to be the latter. The first thing that struck me was how intimate the restaurant feels. It's not a massive dining room where you're just another customer passing through. The smaller space creates a personal connection that allows you to appreciate Chef Janelle--not just as the person preparing your meal, but as someone who poured her heart into turning a dream into reality. That alone makes the experience feel special. The atmosphere is transportive. The music flowing through the restaurant, the Caribbean radio stations playing in the background, and the unmistakable sounds of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and neighboring islands make you feel as though you've stepped through a portal. For a moment, you're no longer in Texas--you're immersed in the rhythm, warmth, and hospitality of the Caribbean. It's comforting, peaceful, and beautifully authentic. The menu is thoughtfully designed and incredibly approachable. Whether you're building a bowl or choosing a plate, the process is simple and easy to follow. Even if you've never experienced Caribbean cuisine before, there's no intimidation. Chef Janelle is happy to explain unfamiliar dishes, ingredients, and flavors, making first-time visitors feel just as welcome as those who grew up enjoying Caribbean food. That level of hospitality is becoming increasingly rare, and it deserves recognition. One piece of advice: arrive early. The food has earned a loyal following, and popular items sell out for a reason. Now, onto the meal. I kept my first visit relatively simple: a bowl with curry goat, sautéed spinach, macaroni pie, and rice and peas. It sounded like comfort food on paper, but what arrived was a beautifully balanced collection of flavors that complemented one another in ways I hadn't anticipated. The macaroni pie deserves its own moment. If you're expecting American-style macaroni and cheese, leave those expectations at the door. This is something entirely different. It has the structure and integrity of a baked pie while delivering all the creamy richness you hope for in macaroni and cheese. The beautifully browned layer of cheese across the top provided the perfect contrast to the velvety interior. Every bite was indulgent without feeling heavy. The sautéed spinach brought freshness and depth to the bowl, especially as it mingled with the curry goat. Speaking of the goat--it was wonderfully seasoned, tender, and deeply comforting. The curry carried warmth and complexity rather than overwhelming heat, allowing every ingredient to shine. I couldn't resist adding an extra serving of the house pepper sauce. That's simply my preference because I love spice. The meal absolutely stands on its own without it, but for me, the added heat elevated every bite, adding another layer of excitement without masking the incredible flavors already present. The rice and peas were far more than a supporting side. They were fragrant, flavorful, and satisfying enough to enjoy on their own. After finishing the macaroni pie, I mixed the rice into the remaining curry and spinach, letting it absorb every last drop of those incredible juices. It was one of those moments where every ingredient came together so naturally that you couldn't help but slow down and savor it. What impressed me most was how every item could stand confidently on its own while also contributing to something even greater when enjoyed together. That's a hallmark of thoughtful cooking. Nothing competed for attention. Everything complemented everything else. This was my first visit, but it certainly won't be my last. In fact, I'm already planning my return because there were several dishes I wanted to try that had already sold out. If anything, that's another testament to the quality of the food and the loyalty this restaurant has earned. Thank you, Chef Janelle, for sharing your passion, your culture, and your hospitality. Twin Isles is more than a restaurant--it's an experience that celebrates Caribbean heritage with authenticity, warmth, and extraordinary flavor. You've earned a lifelong customer. read more

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Service was pleasant and engaging. Ordered a couple of doubles and oxtail sandwich with a drink. Doubles were a bit watery and the sandwich was a bit mid (no distinctive favor or special bun). I won't be harsh on the doubles because we got there when they just opened so it seems it may have needed more time to thicken/cook. Place is small and clean. read more

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Came here for an early dinner on a Tuesday. We had no wait time, and found the service to be fast and very friendly. It's a fairly small space, they have a good amount of seating considering the size, but it does feel more targeted towards takeaway business. We overall had a great experience and highly recommend anyone in the area to check it out! I had curry goat wrap as my main and we shared an aloo pie. The portion sizes are huge, so I recommend either coming hungry, or with the mindset that half of your food will be brought home for another meal The aloo pie had a nice crispy pastry filled with a flavorful potato curry. The goat curry was super flavorful and just the right amount of richness. I appreciated that there was a near even balance of goat and potato in the wrap, as opposed to a ton of potato and a little goat Will definitely be coming back here to explore more of the menu in the not too distant future! read more

This place is a fast-casual restaurant serving authentic flavors from Trinidad & Tobago. Trust others when they say the food here feels like a home-cooked meal from someone's grandmother. I ordered several items and really enjoyed them. Depending on what you choose to order, it may be a bit pricey, but it's worth it and supports a local business. For the food, I had the oxtail, greens, mac and cheese, plantains, and this Sunday special roti. I can tell the food was made with love. I'm looking forward to returning next time to try different items. read more

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The restaurant itself is very small in the inside with little space to sit down and enjoy the food but still gives a cozy vibe. The food was pretty expensive, the bowl I got and the small Ting bottled soda was $39. The food was very flavorful and seasoned well all around. The plantains were caramelized perfectly and they left me wanting more. The person that took my order didn't seem generally friendly or happy to be taking my order BUT maybe the were having a rough day. I would come back, it's a good addition to the lunch rotation. read more

Twin Isle - Steamed Fish - Red snapper filet, rice & peas and curry potatoes - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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As always, I am roaming the streets when suddenly I get a craving for something and this time it was for oxtails so I Googled oxtails near me and Twin Isle was less than 5 minutes away Twin Isle is small but mighty, very cozy with limited seating inside and out nevertheless take-out is highly recommended so one can be in the comfort of their own home, making moans and groans that are unbecoming in public as the flavors are savored. I ordered only the Stew Oxtail to-go and let me tell you, the flavors won the approval of my discerning palate I am definitely returning soon to build my bowl, beginning with the base of Rice and Peas, then adding the protein, Stew Oxtail with a side of Sauteed Spinach and topped off with Garlic Sauce. read more

Twin Isle - Oxtails - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

THE BIG: Twin Isle or the pair (Trinidad and Tobago). Caribbean spot located in east Austin. Small interior and shares a bathroom with the soup peddler. Small parking lot. THE BLACK AND WHITE: The wife and I came here for takeout and ordering was pretty seamless. Only one person was working with some of the food already set out. It reminded me of a caribbean chipotle. For food, we got the curry chicken roti wrap and the jerk chicken rice and beans bowl. The roti wrap had so much stuff inside and it was a bit dry. The bowl was great with jerk chicken and sauteed spinach. That was my favorite. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall, we spent around $40 for two dishes. Pretty good Caribbean flavors. I definitely recommend the bowls more than the roti. read more

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Came here at 11a and we're the first group there. They let us know that the macaronie pie wasn't ready yet, but we didn't plan to get it so it was fine. I got a bowl of jerk chicken, sauteed spinach, rice and peas, garlic sauce, and mango salsa. I don't think the mango salsa is worth $1.75 but everything else was great!. The chicken was tender, the rice was flavorful, and I love the garlic sauce on top. My friend got the same protein but with chickpea curry which was also good. I definitely will come back! read more

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Ordered a day in advance on the app Too Good To Go and walked 30 minutes from my house to find out they canceled my order 5 minutes before I arrived and after the pickup time begun. The owner said there's no food as there's 4 people inside waiting for their food. Management needs to have respect for their customers' time. I liked this place until now but won't return. read more

Twin Isle - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Located in rosewood, twin isle is a fast casual spot with lots of flavor. I got one bowl with jerk chicken, rice and sautéed spinach. It was so so good. I also tried the curry chicken roti wrap. It was very dry in my opinion and was very difficult to eat. It completely fell apart! We ordered for take out and food took about 10 min. Overall - I would go for the bowls, but skip the wraps read more

Twin Isle - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Food truck turned brick and mortar restaurant. They have a variety of menu items but we opted for the bowls. Portions are decent for about $15. chicken is flavorful and jerk chicken is spicy. The oxtail fries were sweet tasting but even tho the fries for were made to order they were not hot enough to melt the cheese. Service can be a little slow. We waited 30 min for our food but would go back and try other items. read more

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The owner and chef of the former food truck, Shirley's Trini Cuisine has opened a brick and mortar across the street from where the truck was located and also across the street from my house. Yay!! Chef Janelle Romeo is bringing all of her flavors from Trini to Twin Isle for a full-fledge Caribbean experience. Woo-wee am I lucky to be so close to this incredible restaurant. The menu offers meals from family-style to building your own bowls and more. Jerk chicken, Trinidad street food, and so on. The chickpea baras are to die for-fluffy fried bread with sauces, chickpeas, chutney, and herbs. We were lucky enough to stroll by the soft opening and get a taste of the goodness. It's an absolute elevation of the already amazing food that was coming out of the food truck. Can I eat here everyday? Yes, please! Grand opening is 9/1/25. read more

Please take my advice and just go! Words cannot describe how excited I am that Twin Isle opened in East Austin. Having followed them from Shirley's food truck days, I knew the food was going to hit the spot and that it did. The service was amazing, and everyone was so friendly, answering my questions and just chatting with me. As someone born and raised in Jamaica, I have to say the curry goat is a must try, packed with flavor and the perfect level of spice. Honestly, everything I had was delicious from the Mac and cheese to the perfectly sweet plantains. I can't wait to go back and work my way through the rest of the menu! read more

Twin Isle - Curry goat build your bowl - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Came during their soft opening but the full menu was available since it's the weekend. Got the oxtail sandwich and curry chicken roti wrap! Both were pretty good, and the roti wrap is a huge portion that I think can be shared between two people. Oxtail is tender and there's lots of cheese in the sandwich. Tried the sorrel drink for the first time and I loved it! Sweet and tart. The inside is small with limited seating. There's limited parking. I think the restaurant has potential but I wish they had pictures on the food menu read more

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East Austin just got a serious upgrade with Twin Isle, the new brick-and-mortar from Chef Janelle Romeo (of Miss Shirley's food truck). She's a native of Trinidad & Tobago, and the flavors here taste exactly like sitting in a family kitchen back home. The space is small and cozy, with bright carnival colors (yellows, blues, oranges) that set the mood. It's counter-style with just a few seats, but honestly, the food is the main event. The menu is a mix of street food favorites (doubles, aloo pie, roti wraps) and comfort mains (macaroni pie, stew oxtail, curry goat). Prices are mid-range, portions lean smaller, but everything is fresh and made from scratch. I ordered a mac pie + curry chicken bowl with fried plantain, pineapple chow, pepper sauce, and culantro sauce plus a cold cream solo. My husband had the goat roti wrap (medium spice) with sorrel to-go. Both were flavorful, authentic, and worth every bite. Yes, the food took a little while to come out, but they had a small staff working hard and the quality made it worth the wait. Having tried most of the Caribbean food in Austin, I can confidently say Twin Isle is the first place that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Canje when it comes to food quality. Open Tues-Sun 12-5pm Street & lot parking available If you're craving real Trinbagonian flavor, this is the spot. read more

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Food is delicious!! Tried the bowl with rice and peas, jerk chicken, fried plantains and added the mango salsa on top (extra) Service is order at the front and they will call your name when ready Pretty quick, less than 5-10 minutes or so. Overall everything was delicious - it all went so well together!! Very limited space for seating inside but there is some outdoor seating available too! Great food! Spent around $20 for bowl with extra salsa and water bottle read more

Twin Isle - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Excellent, delicious options and very filling. Small spot but very popular even at 3pm on a Thursday. Minimal seating inside but they do have more seating with several tables on the patio. The ox tail was a hit, as was the goat. The drink options were pretty limited tho so keep that in mind. We got drinks at the spot next door instead. We will definitely be back for the food read more

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Disappointed and hoping it improves. We used to love Shirley's food truck, so we were excited to try the new restaurant -- but the experience just didn't measure up. We ordered the oxtail fries and waited about 30 minutes, even though no one was ahead of us. When they finally came out, the fries were so hard you could snap them in half, and the rest of the dish had almost no flavor aside from a strong garlic taste. It was also pretty cold -- the cheese wasn't even melting. We really wanted to love it like before, but this visit missed the mark. Hoping they can bring back the flavor and care that made Shirley's so great. read more

Twin Isle - Oxtail fries - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Finally made it!! It's officially open...food truck is now a restaurant. Eat in or sit outside. My husband is Trinidadian & he says food is on point!! Even if you aren't ... try it! But maybe go easy on the pepper if you dont like spicy! read more

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1000/10 - Would recommend ! The trick is to get ox tail sauce / gravy on everything and pineapple chow - Thank me later ! read more

Twin Isle - Macaroni Pie, Ox Tail, Jerk chicken , Sauted Spinach and pineapple chow - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

My mom and I loved Twin Isle! Both of my grandparents were from Trinidad and Tobago, so I grew up eating roti, curry chicken with potatoes, plantains, and doubles and this tasted exactly like how we had it growing up. It was like being at my grandma's house again. I really appreciate how the restaurant is set up in a "build your bowl" or "build your wrap" style. It makes traditional Trinidadian food approachable and convenient, kind of like a Chipotle-style setup but with way more soul. The owner was so kind and clearly puts in an incredible amount of work. Anyone who's ever made dhalpuri roti knows how time-consuming it is, and she nails it. The space itself is bright, clean, and inviting, with minimal bar seating inside and a few tables out on the patio. Street parking is the main option, so keep that in mind. Overall, a truly special spot that brings authentic Caribbean flavors to Austin. We can't wait to come back! read more

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I love the flavor of everything I got which was a jerk chicken plate , I just wish the chicken was a bit more tender/ juicier . Will continue to support this place tho fasho read more

DELICIOUS food. I drove all the way from Georgetown to try and it did not disappoint. Everything was perfectly seasoned & great portion sizes. I had enough for dinner that same night. I 100% recommend and I will be back read more

Twin Isle - Rice & peas, curry potato, jerk chicken, Mac pie, jerk sauce & pepper sauce - Caribbean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Looking for an authentic Trinidadian meal, this is your spot. Small, clean and cozy location in east Austin. As with most food mostly prepared fresh, expect a short wait, but some great flavors. I've made 2 visits, and for both wasn't disappointed. I had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich , and on 2nd visit basically a veggie Roti with potatoes and Chana and washed it down with some freshly made sorrel. Friendly service, cool vibes, and flavorful food! What more can you ask for. Will be back to try more dishes read more

Staff are SO NICE and friendly. Portions are VERY small for the high price. First time I went the platter came with 2 chicken breast. I went back the next week and I ordered the same thing but only got 1 small one price for almost $16. The chicken is boneless which I can appreciate but didn't expect that. The flavor of the jerk chicken was very good but imo it's a tad salty! The rice is good but again it was literally like a scoop maybe 4oz. The doubles have flavor but they are really soggy, messy and fell apart. While yes the food is good I probably will not be back due to the small portion size. read more

Have come by this place twice. Food is good but both times it was about 20 minutes waiting for a bowl and once in middle of early afternoon they had run out of jerk chicken which is one of their major dishes.i know they recently got an Insta video and their business has picked up but honestly, They need to cook more food so customers keep coming g back. Also they need to do something about the flies inside by the food... not a good visual. read more

We went on opening day, and after going to Trinidad this summer, I have to say that the food at Twin Isle was much better! So much flavor! Not as spicy, but so so delicious! I will be coming back for more, and adding extra Peppa! This place is simply fantastic! read more

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Flavorful, spicy, so many layers of flavor. We got the chicken curry roti, the roti was more like a thin tortilla, and the jerk chicken with fried plantains. I'm so glad we have a new awesome Caribbean spot in Austin! read more

Twin Isle's jerk chicken is my new favorite meal as of recently. I was lucky enough to sample the oxtail & that too was just as delicious. Service was warm and friendly. Best to take the food to-go or sit upfront since the interior is compact. read more

I got the oxtail sandwich and it was outrageously good! Hearty portion of meat on delicious bread. Quantity for the price felt reasonable. I took it to-go and it was deliciously saucy but still structurally sound by the time I got home. Seriously, the oxtails tasted like heaven, if heaven were a shredded meat sandwich. read more

Amazing food, home cooked style. The curry goat was my favorite, the oxtail was incredible, and the jerk chicken delicious. Would definitely recommend! read more

Amazing Food and amazing service. Bought the curry goat with a bake and shark, phenomenal! Very authentic trini food! I will be back for more! read more

This place is amazing! The chicken curry was absolutely delicious & tender despite it being end of day (tgtg) I'll be returning to try more of their delicious menu! read more

Amazing food and great price. One of my new favorite places in Austin. Highly recommend