Pura Vida Jamaican and Costa Rican Cuisine — Restaurant in Pontiac

I've never been to Jamaica but I have been to a number of other Caribbean islands. Pura Vida is the first place here in Michigan that I personally have been to that is just like the side of the road restaurants I had been to in the various islands I have visited. Absolutely amazing! Food is wonderful, the two women working there were super nice to me and a joy to talk with. And the tiny restaurant itself was EXACTLY like the little restaurants scattered across the various islands. I can't believe it took me so long to find out about this little gem, but I can't wait to go back.

And on my way out one of the women slipped me a fresh loaf of coconut bread (still warm) and told me they are planning to open a bakery soon. You best believe I'll be there once it opens!!!

This is one of those places you hope and pray stick around for years to come. I really look forward to bringing others to try it out...

Fantastic place. I arrived just after opening and had the Jerk Chicken as recommended by the waitress. (She said that it was what most people wanted when they came in.)

Checking to make sure I could handle it, she asked if I wanted it spicy. I was confident and agreed.

I was half way through the meal when the heat really hit me and I started pouring sweat from my head. Fortunately for me, the macaroni salad was just the right thing to cool down the spice. The cabbage and rice were a good combination with the chicken.

I think the problem was that I ate a whole pepper during my gestation of the chicken. But it was worth the pain.

Definitely authentic Caribbean cuisine.

I’m sure I will return some time to try their agua frescas and other dishes- maybe even some of...

I ordered curry goat my first time ordering from here and they messed up my order completely and gave me oxtail, oxtail was dry as hell yet tender and hardly had flavor. When I asked for a refund or a new plate the owner and his wife had some miscommunication and long story short I was not given a refund nor a new plate even though the owner/wife messed up my order. Bad customer service for people thag you know are first time customers. If I go somewhere else that serves Jamaican food and I taste the food and its cold/ not what I order then the expectation is to correct the order or give a refund and you did neither. I try to support black businesses every where I go but this was not a place I would support again. You all gotta do better to get a...