7 Spices Caribbean Soul — Restaurant in Norfolk

My wife and I flew in and were looking for lunch, this place came up and we decided to come by. A soul food restaurant was on my list of places to try as well. I got the oxtail, my wife got the jerk chicken. Everything was seasoned perfectly, but I can see how some people would say this was over seasoned (Jerk chicken is supposed to be HEAVILY seasoned, look up other recipes lol). The chicken itself was a flavor explosion. The oxtail was fall of the bone tender, almost creamy because of the amount of fat and tenderness that the dish had. When the sauce mixed with the beans and rice, it was simply one of the most flavorful, umami flavor you could dream of. Both her and I had the Mac and cheese, then we also had the cabbage and collard greens. The Mac and cheese was a pretty standard Mac and cheese that I would compare to homemade (made from scratch cheese sauce). The collard greens and cabbage were packed with flavor, seasoned with spices that I don’t know the name of, and cooked to perfection.

I at least told the lady working the counter that I put my dining experience in her hands, and she did not disappoint. She was very friendly in her recommendations, service, and overall demeanor. Food also came out quickly (within a few minutes).

Atmosphere is where I took off a little bit due to the dimly lit area, slightly sticky tables (although still clean), and loud music. It is worth noting that we were sitting right next to the speakers and I do feel this would be much better if we sat elsewhere

Price was very fair, but the oxtail was more expensive (comparatively to the rest of the menu) pushing the pricing band into the mid 20s per person. It is reasonable to be within the 10 to 20 per person price range without getting the oxtail. But you totally should because...

The initial pulling into the parking lot to me gives dirty vibes. but I was so hungry I went ahead and tried it even tho my instinct was telling me to just leave, (side note , I should have listened go my instincts) the glass door upon entering was filthy full of fingerprints , smears, etc as if it hadn't been cleaned for weeks/ months. Red flag number 2 . the entry way after you open front door was dirty & smelled dirty ( I should have left at that moment) then the actual restaurant inside had a very very very dirty funky smell , I was like ok maybe it's the oxtails they cook i have no clue because I don't eat them but I was just trying to make myself feel better to eat there. again once inside dirty vibes again. tables sticky, floors dirty . No a/c so just muggy and warm plus the foul smell even worse. used the bathroom, it was also hot inside there , super cheap falling apart toilet paper , dirty floor , stink in the whole dang building. omg I should have just left. but again I was so hungry so I ordered. they are sooooo slow , Chinese restaurants and Mexican restaurants would never have you waiting that dang long for 1 meal. then i got my meal , of course it was nasty, and wrong ,mac and cheese barely any flavor , rice had hard crunchy spots in it . just ridiculous. and not fresh at all. I will NEVER GO BACK . Oh and they are ridiculously HIGH IN PRICES . 17 dollars for barely any food of 1 meal , & if they are out of something that comes with your meal, you are just sol, they won't replace it with nothing else. I don't know how they are even still in...

Authentic Jamaican Flavors at 7 Spices Caribbean Soul – A Must-Visit in Norfolk VA

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting 7 Spices Caribbean Soul in Norfolk, VA for the first time, and let me just say — this place is a hidden gem! As someone new to Jamaican cuisine, I was excited (and a little curious) to try oxtail, curry goat, and curry chicken for the very first time, and every single dish blew me away.

The oxtail was unbelievably tender, seasoned to perfection, and swimming in a rich, flavorful gravy that I could’ve eaten with a spoon. The curry goat was equally impressive — deeply spiced, fall-apart tender, and full of bold, savory flavor. The curry chicken had that comforting, home-cooked quality with a delicious kick of Caribbean spice that made it impossible to stop eating.

The sides — especially the candied yams and cabbage — were the perfect complement to every dish. You can tell everything is made with love and authenticity. The staff was warm, welcoming, and eager to share their passion for Jamaican food, which made the experience even more special.

If you're anywhere near Norfolk and want to experience real Jamaican cooking done right, do yourself a favor and visit 7 Spices Caribbean Soul. Whether you're trying these dishes for the first time or you're a seasoned fan of Caribbean flavors, this spot will not disappoint. I can’t wait...