Carena's Jamaican Grille — Restaurant in Virginia

If you're looking for authentic, mouthwatering Jamaican cuisine in Richmond, VA, then look no further than Carenas Jamaican Grille. This restaurant is a hidden gem that consistently delivers incredible flavors, generous portions, and outstanding customer service. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted with warm island hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family.

One of the standout features of Carenas Jamaican Grille is its commitment to authentic, bold, and well-seasoned dishes. Every bite takes you straight to the heart of Jamaica, with rich flavors that come from carefully blended spices and traditional cooking techniques.

Jerk Chicken – This dish is the star of the show! Perfectly marinated, grilled to perfection, and served with just the right amount of smoky heat. The spice level is balanced, offering that signature jerk kick without being overpowering.

Oxtail Stew – Tender, juicy, and slow-cooked to perfection. The meat falls off the bone, and the rich, savory gravy is ideal for drizzling over rice and peas.

Curry Goat – A must-try for anyone who loves a well-seasoned and comforting dish. The curry is fragrant, mildly spicy, and full of Caribbean soul.

Fried Plantains – Sweet, caramelized, and the perfect side dish to complement the savory entrees.

Coco Bread & Beef Patties – The perfect Jamaican snack! The patties are flaky, golden, and stuffed with flavorful, well-spiced beef, while the coco bread adds a soft, slightly sweet touch.

Rice and Peas – A staple side dish that’s cooked to perfection, pairing well with any entrée.

Every dish is made fresh, with authentic ingredients that bring out the true essence of Jamaican home cooking. You can taste the passion in every bite, and the portions ensure you leave satisfied (or with leftovers for later!).

Beyond the amazing food, what truly sets Carenas Jamaican Grille apart is its outstanding customer service. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable about the menu. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, they treat you with the same warmth and enthusiasm.

They take the time to explain the menu and offer recommendations if you're unsure of what to try.

The food comes out hot and fresh, never rushed, but always timely.

The atmosphere is laid-back, comfortable, and inviting, making it a great spot for casual dining or takeout.

If you need extra sauce, extra spice, or anything customized, they go above and beyond to accommodate without hesitation.

It’s the kind of place where the staff remembers your name, your usual order, and always serves you with a smile. That level of personal service is rare, and it makes dining at Carenas a truly exceptional experience.

If you’re craving authentic Jamaican cuisine with outstanding service, Carenas Jamaican Grille is a must-visit. From the flavorful jerk chicken to the fall-off-the-bone oxtail, every dish is crafted with love and tradition. The friendly and attentive staff only add to the experience, making it a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Whether you’re a Jamaican food enthusiast or trying it for the first time, Carenas will not disappoint! Do yourself a favor and stop by—you’ll leave full, happy, and already planning...

This was my 1st time here so, I am making my review based on my specific entry and experience. I ordered the "pick 2" meal Which allowed me to pick 2 Meats and it comes with a side of Jamaican rice and peas and cabbage. For my 2 selections I got the oxtail and jerk chicken. Common practice when I go to a restaurant is to try Every item individually before it all gets mixed up so i get the actual taste of each dish and determine which one I'm Saving for last (the best for last that is 😁). So that is how I will Proceed in the rest of this review. Jamaican rice and peas. This specific item I will give 5 stars as it had good consistency and flavor and reminds me much of what I grew up eating. I could probably just get a side of this and eat it by itself 👍 The cabbage. I will give this 4 stars. It also had good flavor and reminds me much of what I had as a kid, however I like my cabbage a little softer than they had it. The oxtail. I will give this 4 stars. I was given a good portion size, meat was tender and had a good flavor, however, there was a bit more cartilage on some pieces than preferred. But overall it was good 👍. The jerk chicken. 1st impression... Not impressed. The jerk chicken came with jerk sauce On TOP of the chicken which means it was not cooked with/into it. Traditionally jerk chicken is cooked on the grill or in the Oven and the marinade is already on it and it adheres to and permeates through the meat AS it cooks. But I was willing to overlook this fact and continue my meal. The taste was OK. It had the taste of jerk, however, it taste more like a Lawry's jerk marinade and not authentic (if you know, you know). The overall meal experience was going good Until I bit into my jerk chicken and the center of the piece i had was cold.. not like ice, more like room temperature. The outside was warm but not the inside but the chicken was cooked all the way through, so, this could only mean one of 2 things. The meat was not cooked at the restaurant (purchased/pre-made somewhere else) and they're simply heating it up They are reheating chicken they cooked on a different day a.k.a not fresh Disclaimer: I am not so stuck up that I cannot Partake in premade or reheated food. We do it all the time at our house. But there is a level of expectation I have when I go to a restaurant and pay for the meal that the meal I get will be fresh and/or made to order. Not reheated from yesterday or thawed out and heated up.

I'm sure other restaurants do this, but at least they make sure it's heated all the way through so the customer is unaware of this fact.

In any case. It was Not a horrible experience. Overall taste was good. Good customer service. The beverages were good. Even my wife's Red Snapper meal good. Seemed like it was just made or at least...

I was very excited to try this restaurant out after seeing it several times while driving around. My experience was horrific too say the least. It all started when I arrived at around 9:45 p.m., they close at 11:00 p.m.. After being seated by a very unfriendly woman. My friend and I sat down at the table and began looking over the menu. I wanted to try the soup, since I wasn't being so well and.also I'm a big soup fan too. Unfortunately, they were all out of soup. I proceed to order several other items off the menu, but, they said they were either all sold out, or could not make them anymore, because there over and grill had already been turned off and cleaned. The only things I could order was a panini or a salad, or some fried chicken wings. Hard to believe, but this is true, so I proceed to order the chicken panin, in hopes that it's be impressed, and I also couldn't get white rice with it, because that was also all sold out. The flavor was quite bland, and nothing to write home about. I wanted this to be a great dining experience I wanted to love this place, but unfortunately it was an experience, and not a very good one. As I proceeded to finish my food I over heard two tables to my right, both complaining that there food was not hot. I was surely not very surprised! Finally, at about 10:15 p.m., keep in mind they close at 11:00 p.m., they began to pile up chairs five or six chairs high in two locations, directly in front of customers still eating there meals. I was totally appalled. I was actually speechless. I will never, ever, go back to this restaurant again. I'm embarrassed even to write this review. Change your ways Carena's Jamaican Grill, if you want to continue staying in business. Have a very...