Karibbean Cuisine — Restaurant in Los Angeles

If you're looking for a taste of the Dominican Republic in the heart of the city, Karibbean Cuisine is a spot worth checking out. From the moment you walk in, you get a warm, homey vibe, and the energy of the owner (La Tía) sets the tone for the experience. While there’s a lot to love here, there are some nuances worth mentioning.

Let’s start with the food. The mofongo (fried plantains mashed up) is definitely a standout dish. The texture, though, could use a little work. It's a bit chunkier than I expected, and the grease tends to drip out, which takes away from that authentic softness I crave — almost like mashed potatoes. However, the salami paired with it is cooked well, and the fried egg (although greasy) adds to the overall dish, along with the sweet, red caramelized onions. I’d give this a solid 3/5 for satisfying the craving, though it could use a bit of refinement.

Now, for the Bistec Encebollado Completo (white rice, beans, and potato salad), this dish is definitely the highlight of my visits. It brings me straight back to my nanny's cooking, which makes it worth a 5/5 rating. The beef is flavorful and tender, and the whole plate just feels like home. I do have to mention that the portion of beef can sometimes feel a bit small, so I always order an extra side of the Bistec Encebollado to really get my fill. That’s a must for me.

Speaking of must-try dishes, the maduros (sweet plantains) are a no-brainer. For $5, they’re a perfect accompaniment to any meal, adding a sweet balance to the savory dishes. I’ve also tried the beef stew plate, which includes white rice, beans, and potato salad. One thing to note — the beans are always a surprise. La Tía will serve you whatever beans she decides that day, be it black or red (habichuelas guisadas). It's a bit of a gamble, but they’re usually good either way.

As for the fried snacks, the chicharrón con tostones (fried pork skin with fried plantains), fried salami, longaniza, and fried cheese are a must-try, especially on the weekends with a cold beer at home. I’d give those a 5/5, and don’t forget to grab the pink sauce (ketchup/mayo sauce) on the side — it’s an essential dip. The quipes (bulgur wheat filled with ground beef) are also pretty good, though sometimes not cooked all the way through. Still, they’re tasty enough to earn a 4/5.

Now, let's talk about La Tía. She’s definitely a character. When she's in a good mood, she's charming, loud, and full of energy — just like many Dominicans are.

The service can be a bit slow at times, and that’s probably because La Tía is the main cook. She’s got some help in the back, but there’s definitely a sense of a one-woman operation. Also, while the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol, they allow you to bring your own from the liquor store next door, which is a great perk for a casual lunch with friends.

One of the best things they do at Karibbean Cuisine is the Chimi nights — where they serve a Dominican burger made of either ground beef or pork on a soft roll with cabbage, onions, and tomatoes. It’s a treat, and when they have it, I highly recommend going. The flavor is outstanding, and it’s just another example of the authentic Dominican flavors they bring to the table.

Overall, Karibbean Cuisine offers a solid Dominican experience with some dishes that truly stand out. Despite some quirks, like La Tía’s personality and the slow service, the food is tasty and comforting, reminding me of home. If you’re craving Dominican food and want a bit of a nostalgic vibe, this place won’t disappoint. Just be prepared for a bit of an adventure, both in food and...

This review is really hard for me to write because I truly did not want to leave anything negative but I woke up still thinking about how disrespected my family and I felt. If anyone else has experienced this kind of treatment here, please know that this is not a reflection of who we are as Dominicans. We are warm, loving, and serviceable, and this experience did not represent that at all. I’m not writing this out of pettiness. I’m writing it because I believe in holding people accountable, especially when you walk in with good intentions and leave feeling completely dismissed.

As a Dominican living in California, we were so excited to have ran into this place! We were just leaving Helms Bakery, we were so excited. We did the fastest U-turn ever, all smiles, just happy to support and get a little taste of home. From the second we walked in, the energy was off. We weren’t even greeted. My teenage daughters came up to the counter with us just out of curiosity to see what was in the food display. They were genuinely excited. We noticed a few premade pastelitos and figured we could just grab one or two and keep it simple since we had already eaten.

My husband politely placed the order. One pastelito and one quipe. Immediately, the woman behind the counter responded with an attitude and said, “Well if that’s all you’re going to get, tell them to have a seat,” referring to our daughters. It already felt unwelcoming. My husband then stepped away to take a business call, and I stayed behind to finish the order and pay.

She looked at me and asked in a short tone, “What kind did you want, meat or cheese?” I said, “Both please,” and she snapped back, “No. It’s either or.” Which honestly would’ve been fine, but the way she said it was so rude and irritated, like we were bothering her just by ordering.

Still, I kept it polite and asked if I could actually order more, one for each of us. (Realizing she was making them to order) Before I could even finish, she cut me off and said, “That’s not what he said. He said one and one.” I was stunned with how rude she was..I calmly responded, (containing myself and not trying to argue. ) Just do the one and one.” She then slapped her notebook on the counter and asked us to have a seat. When the next customers came up behind us, she started talking about us to them, right in front of us. We just stood there in disbelief. It was humiliating.

And when the food was finally ready, she didn’t even hand it to us. She had it on the counter and said, “Here, take it,” like we were a burden. No eye contact, no smile, no basic respect.

We walked in happy and proud to support a Dominican business and left feeling completely disrespected and hurt. The food was okay, but the experience was AWFUL. As Dominicans, we should be lifting each other up, not treating each other like this.

I hope the owners read this and realize how important kindness and hospitality really are. We came with love, and we...

I am glad that this place has positive reviews and that some people have felt happy here as well as like their food. However, that was not my experience. I went with my family (two adults and four kids) on a weekend for lunch and we were so excited as we love Dominican food. First, it was completely empty. You'd think that because of this, the owner would be grateful to have you- WRONG. She did not greet us, she looked annoyed at the fact that there were kids there, she yelled at my kids for being in the bathroom claiming they were going to "drop things", she had an attitude when taking our order and never checked in on our family while eating even though we were dining in. Eager to try lots of things on the menu, we spent a good amount and bought a few entrees plus appetizers, but even then the owner's respect wasn't purchased. My family honestly felt like we were a bother or like they say in Spanish - "un estorbo". Finally, the food was EXTREMELY SALTY... so no thank you, I will pass on this place. No wonder it's always empty, and I drive down Venice Blvd and Cattaragus twice a day.

By the looks of it, there needs to be a lesson in kindness and professionalism from this restaurant owner. I wish this business well, but as for my family and I, we will visit El Bacano in NoHo instead ☺️ So go ahead Business Owner respond with your unkind response as you do with all your less than favorable reviews. Just that in itself proves the point expressed in my...