Wha Gwaan Jamaica Jamaica — Restaurant in Oldsmar

I recently visited WHA GWAAN Jamaican Restaurant with a friend, and we were both blown away by the food and service. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm, genuine hospitality, which set the tone for an excellent dining experience.

Food: My friend ordered the Jerk Chicken with rice and peas and fried plantains, and it was an absolute hit. The jerk chicken was juicy and packed with flavor, with just the right amount of spice, while the rice and peas complemented the dish perfectly. The fried plantains were cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside with a soft, sweet center.

For myself, I went with the Wha Gwaan Surf & Jerk, which came with jasmine rice, fried plantains, and mac and cheese. This dish was a flavorful combination of jerk-seasoned seafood and chicken, and every bite was a burst of Caribbean goodness. The jasmine rice was light and fragrant, the plantains were delicious as always, and the mac and cheese was creamy, rich, and indulgent—comfort food at its best.

For dessert, we shared the Butter Toffee Cake, and it was exceptional! The cake was moist with a rich, buttery flavor, and the toffee added just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

Service: Our server, Donya aka Jacob, was top-notch. He was friendly, attentive, and had great recommendations. Donya made sure we were well taken care of and added a personal touch to the dining experience. Even though the restaurant was busy, we never felt rushed, and his warmth and enthusiasm really made our evening special.

Ambiance: WHA GWAAN offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere with a distinctly Jamaican vibe. The reggae music in the background and the colorful décor made it a vibrant and comfortable place to enjoy our meal. The cleanliness and attention to detail were spot on, making the restaurant feel cozy and inviting.

Overall: WHA GWAAN Jamaican Restaurant delivered an unforgettable dining experience. The food was authentic and bursting with flavor, the service was impeccable—thanks to Donya aka Jacob—and the ambiance was perfect. If you’re looking for a taste of Jamaica, this is the place to go. We’ll definitely...

We visited Wha Gwaan Jamaican Restaurant on Saturday night and were blown away by the experience. The live music set the perfect vibe—energetic, fun, and truly authentic. From the moment we walked in, the warm hospitality made us feel right at home.

Now, let’s talk about the food—because WOW. We ordered the Fried Jerk Chicken, and even without the sauce, it was packed with flavor. But once we dipped it in that sauce? Next level amazing! 🔥 We also had the Taste of Jamaica platter, which came with curried goat, oxtail, and jerk chicken. Honestly, I couldn’t even pick a favorite because each one was outstanding. The curried goat and oxtail were so tender they melted in your mouth—fall-off-the-bone perfection! The jerk chicken had that delicious smoky flavor with just the right amount of spice.

We used to drive all the way to Tarpon Springs for Jamaican food, but not anymore. As much as we love the Jerk Center, we have to say that Wha Gwaan is even better. This place is officially part of our weekly restaurant rotation!

⚠ Heads up: Since everything is made fresh, expect a bit of a wait. But trust me—it’s 100% worth it. Good food takes time, and you can taste the love and care in every bite.

They also have a great selection of cocktails and beers. The owners came out to greet us, making us feel like family. And if you love live music, Saturdays are the night to go!

💯 Vibe, flavor, and hospitality—all 10/10. If you’re looking for authentic Jamaican food, look no further....

I like Jamaican food and wanted to try this place out for the first time.

Walking in at 4:00 (pre dinner) crowd to order take out. They had 2 customers and they were setting up for a live band.

The place is clean and friendly staff. The menu looks good and tried a couple of dishes for take out. I ordered the jerk chicken, fried chicken, and the A taste of Jamaica dish.

It took them about 55 minutes to get the food out to me and I wasn’t sure why as since it was only 2 customers. I could only think that they were not able to handle meals in between lunch and dinner orders.

When the food finally arrived, it was hot and smelled good.

Of the three dishes, I would not recommend the fried chicken. I do like the jerk chicken and the curry chicken was also good. The jerk chicken was moist in the center but dry on the outside. The fried chicken was dry but the curry chicken had a good blend of spices. The Cole slaw had so much vinger and could only have a bite. I like the cabbage side dish to complement the spices.

Overall, it is a nice place to eat and I am more than willing to come back and try some of their other dishes. But I do wish they would be faster with getting...