Minto's Jamaican Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Oakland

Mintos Jamaican Juice Bar on 15th is just a great spot. The people are super kind, it has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, and the vegetarian patties are honestly some of the best I’ve had — flavorful, fresh, and just really satisfying. Their juices are also great — the one with sea moss and pineapple is my go-to, especially when my stomach’s off. Everything feels clean and easy to digest, which isn’t always easy to find. And all the times that I’ve gone in there, the customers have been unbelievably friendly and the staff and I found myself engaged in these really pleasant lovely conversations and that’s hard to find in addition to the exceptionally yummy food. I really would recommend checking this place out.

[Original Review – Juice Bar] I left a review about the MINTOS juice bar a while ago, because it’s one of my favorite places in the neighborhood—amazing juices, great people, and a really welcoming vibe.

[Update – Restaurant Side] I wanted to add a separate note about the restaurant side of MINTOS, which honestly deserves its own spotlight. MINTOS isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a true cornerstone of community in downtown Oakland. It’s one of those rare places where you feel instantly at ease, surrounded by people who are kind, respectful, and just there to enjoy good company and good food. The vibe is never about flash or ego—it’s about connection. Families gather, neighbors stop by, and there’s this easy, unspoken sense that everyone belongs.

The owner, who also DJs, brings real energy and care into the space—not just through music or meals, but through action. I’ve seen him working with other local businesses to fix up grills for community use, creating outdoor areas where people can gather and celebrate. Places like this don’t just feed us—they strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood.

Oh—and yes, the vegetarian patties are incredible.

Supporting MINTOS means uplifting a place that uplifts everyone around it. This is what embodied community...

Really wanted to like this spot as my maternal side of the fam hails from Jamaica so I grew up on Jamaica flare and sadly I haven’t been able to find any really good West Indian food in Cali. I ordered the oxtails and saltfish fritters. To my unpleasant surprise the saltfish fritters lacked “salt” and any flavor. It’s like they completely soaked or stripped away all the salt from the saltfish and both Patty’s were VERY oily and I LOVE deep fried food. Extremely disappointing and no way did those fritters represent what this dish should taste like.

The oxtail dinner I got w/rice and peas and vegetables but the “vegetables” was just cabbage. Everything lacked seasoning, flavor or any savory(ness). The cabbage was pale, not glossy or colorful or showed any signs of life and the rice and peas although light and fluffy and cooked to perfection lacked any flavor whatsoever. The oxtails showed some promise with a hint of a sweeter flavor and some spice but they gave you one large oxtail that was tender and then 5 pinky sized oxtails that were all gristle and too tough to chew through and at $25, I’d call this a bait and switch tactic, and unscrupulous business practice at best. They also did not honor my request to put gravy on all of my entree not just the one oxtail that was edible. If they clean this up, and prepare the oxtails as they should and that’s tender and falling off the bone and flavorful so you can suck the bones, I’d be open to patronizing them again as there are just no really good West Indian spots I’ve found in Cali with the exception of when I was working in Menlo and was pleasantly surprised by a spot Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar. They had by far the best oxtails I’ve had thus far, but I’m not trying to drive all the way to Menlo to satisfy my oxtails jones. Hope Minto...

"Mi tell yuh, yu nah go deh widout meh. Deh robbin yuh."

Never had brown stew with out a piece of carrot, potato or some veggie. Never had brown stew with out any spices or pepper sauce. Also, never have I ever had it drenched in gravy. That was their way of telling me I don't belong there.

Watched five other people who came in after us, ordered the same stuff, get served and be on their merry ways. We waited over an hour and a half.

They robbed me for three lunch specials. I specifically asked if the sides would cost extra because I follow my gut. I was told no. Alrighty, I see the price and assume it's taxes. Nah, lunch specials are $13.99 and entrees are +$23. Where does $17.99 a pop come in? After I attempted to have a civil conversation with the woman, it became evident that occurrence's response is rehearsed and, there was nothing I could do. Stupid me because all the extras I paid for, I didn't get. Yet the other two meals got rice and peas alongside tons of plantains.

Shame on y'all. My twins were dying for Jamaican food as we're from the East Coast and away from their father who cooks for them often. So, I called him while there and he said "Mi tell yuh, yu nah go deh...