Carib De L' Afrique — Restaurant in Hastings

How far would you travel for food? I don’t often ask myself this question but Carib de l’Afrique made me ponder it as we waited for our starters.

I had already been once to this fine-dining, African- and Caribbean-themed restaurant in Wellington Place, in the heart of Hastings. Last year my companion and I had an hour to spare before catching our train back to London. We decided to try this splash of brightness in the middle of a pretty drab part of Hastings. However, a slow service combined with the clock ticking meant we left the establishment with an empty belly.

Not this time, though. My partner and I chose Carib de l’Afrique as the final stop before heading back to the Big Smoke. By then, we had already walked the hilly Stade Trail. We had truly earned our dinner. Also, this time the service was excellent.

Carib de l’Afrique is a labour of love. It’s the creation of Islington-born Adebayo Olujobi. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere, and it prides itself on its fresh, flavourful food, and friendly owners.

We visited during the May Bank Holiday weekend. It was a Saturday and the crowds were out enjoying Hastings annual Jack in the Green celebration. Garlands hung from buildings, Morris dancers performed in squares, and families paddled in the shallow waters on the coast.

In the middle of all this, Carib de l’Afrique stood out like a baobab amongst crab apple trees. The aroma emanating from it contrasted nicely with the fast-food waft coming out of the McDonald’s opposite. The mix of lovers’ rock, reggae, and jazz pumping out of the restaurant’s 15-inch speaker was a balm to the ears.

Our starter was spiced honey wings. It was a good choice as the kick wasn’t overpowering allowing the sweetness to seep through. The wings were also texture-perfect and juicy. We even saved some of the gravy for later.

The star of the show, however, was the jollof rice. I’ve already said before that the Third World War won’t start in the Middle East or eastern Europe, but in west Africa. And the reason? Ownership over jollof rice. Restaurant owner Adebayo labelled his as “Nigerian jollof rice”. That’s asking for trouble. I’m sure that Ghanaians, Senegalese, Gambians, Malians, et al will have something to say about that. Even languages have been summoned to the debate over the origin of jollof rice. Gambians and Senegalese assert, reasonably in my view, that since they speak Wolof, then, Jollof (see what they did there?) rice belongs to them.

Accompanying the jollof rice was goat curry for me whilst my partner went for the vegetarian curry. My goat curry was beautiful, the slow-cooked, off-the-bone meat was tender and the taste hearty. My girlfriend’s vegetarian curry was creamy and thick (we shared our food). She also had rice and peas. However, when jollof rice is on the table, I can’t look at any other rice in the same way. Call it being a faithful lover.

Oh, yes, tables. And decor. Carib de l’Afrique is not just a restaurante, but also a learning centre. The table tops have stats on both African and Caribbean countries. By pure chance we were seated at the Nigeria table, but I also had a peek at the Rwanda one. The explosion of colour that greets the visitor outside segues inside settling on walls and cushions.

The only disappointment was my choice of drink. I’d never tried Afrimalt and being a bit of a malt connoisseur I wanted to have a taste of this brand. It was a bit too watery for my liking.

Nothing, however, should detract the visitor from the fact that Carib de l’Afrique makes reasonably priced good food. The restaurant is fun and attractive, in a friendly “in your face” kind of way. Adebayo strikes that fine balance between businessperson and amiable host, exuding vibes as warm as Tevin Campbell’s voice in his timeless 90s classic “Can We Talk?” These are all perfect reasons to go back. Because when what’s on offer is that good, the mileage is the last...

After a gruelling long shift I was in desperate need of a good meal before heading back for the second half of my shift. I decided to pop into Carib De L'Afrique in Hastings, and it turned out to be just what I needed.

From the moment I stepped in, the warm and vibrant atmosphere immediately lifted my spirits. The decor, with its rich African influence, was inviting and colourful, setting the perfect backdrop for what promised to be an enjoyable dining experience.

The menu offered a delightful array of traditional Caribbean and African dishes, and I was spoilt for choice. I finally settled on the goat curry, which was cooked off the bone to suit the preference of European customers. I must say, it was nothing short of delicious. The curry was rich and aromatic, with tender pieces of goat that practically melted in the mouth. The rice and peas that accompanied it were flavourful and well-cooked, making for a thoroughly satisfying meal. The portions were generous, which was much appreciated given the long hours ahead.

The service was equally commendable. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure that everything was to my liking without being overbearing. It’s clear they take pride in what they do, and it shows in both the quality of the food and the overall experience.

In all, Carib De L'Afrique provided me with a much-needed break and a taste of home-cooked comfort in the midst of a hectic day. Whether you're a fan of Caribbean cuisine or just looking for a hearty, satisfying meal in Hastings, I’d highly recommend giving this...

Visiting the South coast for the week and fancied trying something a little different and we were not disappointed at all!!

My sister and I were stood outside wondering whether to go in or not, and the owner came out to us, chatted to us about the menu, but wasn’t overbearing or coercive at all..a large part of the reason we returned for lunch.

The owner was very friendly and happy to answer questions and give recommendations about what sides to pair with which dish…between us we got: jerk chicken, spice chicken, jollof rice, rice and peas, and beef stew - it was nicest food I have had in a long time.

Food was clearly cooked fresh, yet we weren’t left waiting and ignored at all…staff were happy to chat, yet weren’t helicoptering over us the whole time…really was perfect.

To drink, we had 2 ‘mad mixes’ (they were that nice!) and a Nigerian beer, both of which were excellent.

An underrated side dish has to be the roti, which I have had before elsewhere and didn’t enjoy, but that was NOT the case here at all…cooked fresh, it was a bread dish but was not dry at all - absolutely perfect!

Food aside, the decor inside the restaurant was absolutely brilliant…homemade artwork really makes a place feel more comforting and welcoming - we could even see someone painting it while we were in there, making it feel even more authentic.

If you’re in Hastings, please give this place a try, we would usually overlook a place like this, but I’m so glad we didn’t this time - a true...