Jambo Cafe
2010 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87505
Jambo Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Jamba Juice:
Eating good food at the right time can control your blood sugar, also stop you from craving wrong sort of food. Jamba Juice offers drinks in three separate sizes: 16, 24, and 32-ounce. You can choose the lowest serving size and cut down on sugars and calorie intake. If you're diabetic and concerned about the sugar intake, then you can opt for the smaller 9.5-ounce smoothies available for kids at Jamba Juice.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for Diabetics:
Jamba Juice is primarily known for its highly satisfying and nutritive smoothies and juices. Almost every smoothie and juice item on the Jamba Juice menu contains sugar. Diabetics are recommended to opt for smaller serving size while ordering at Jamba Juice. Also, avoid opting for creamy treats as all the smoothies offered in this category contain a load of sugars.
Keep the sugar content below 50g per meal at Jamba Juice and ensure that you don't follow it with a heavy meal. A small size regular smoothie is equivalent to a meal for everyone. Classic smoothies at Jamba Juice are also heavily loaded with sugars. Stay away from that section if you are a diabetic.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jamba Juice:
Great Greens (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 37g carbs, 24g sugar, 5g fiber, 4g Protein
Pomegranate Antioxidant Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 0g Fat (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 80mg sodium, 43g carbs, 34g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Cucumber Orange Cooler (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 46g carbs, 46g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein
Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0.5g), 15mg sodium, 35g carbs, 5g sugar, 4g fiber, 8g Protein
Orange Carrot Twist (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 120mg sodium, 41g carbs, 34g sugar, 0g fiber, 4g Protein
Veggie Vitality (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 200 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 240mg sodium, 44g carbs, 33g sugar, 5g fiber, 4g Protein
Lotta Horchata
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 125mg sodium, 44g carbs, 26g sugar, 2g fiber, 4g Protein
Positively Pomegranate Bowl
Nutritional Facts: 380 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 85mg sodium, 69g carbs, 46g sugar, 10g fiber, 10g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Santa Fe for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Jamba Juice
Vegetables and fruits combo is considered the best food to lower blood pressure. More importantly, if you opt for ingredients containing carotenoids such as lutein, beta-carotene, and cryptoxanthin as well as Vitamin C will also help lower blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods also help lower blood pressure. So, if you are concerned about your high blood pressure, then always opt for Jamba Juice smoothies and juices containing vegetables and fruits, especially foods rich in potassium.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for High Blood Pressure:
Almost every juices and smoothie offered at Jamba Juice contain an adequate amount of sodium. To control or maintain blood pressure levels, you must avoid flatbreads served at Jamba Juice. They are high in sodium and saturated fat. Most of the items on the Jamba Juice menu are safe for high blood pressure candidates. However, it is recommended to opt for healthier options than to munch on anything and everything.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jamba Juice:
Acai Super-Antioxidant Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 65mg sodium, 63g carbs, 52g sugar, 4g fiber, 6g Protein
Tropical Greens (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 230 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 170mg sodium, 56g carbs, 39g sugar, 8g fiber, 4g Protein
Pomegranate Paradise (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 25mg sodium, 61g carbs, 50g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Strawberry Whirl (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 20mg sodium, 53g carbs, 45g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Santa Fe for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Jamba Juice
The best thing about Jamba Juice is that almost every item on their menu contains zero cholesterol and no trans-fat. Jamba Juice offers a wide range of vegetable, fruits, nuts, and chocolate smoothies, juices and bowls. The unique blend of these healthy ingredients ensures that each item on Jamba Juice is 100% healthy and cholesterol free.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for High Cholesterol:
Besides packing good amount nutrients in their drinks, several items on Jamba Juice often come with a high calorie count. If you have high cholesterol, then better stay away from their range of classic smoothies. Some high-calorie smoothies available at Jamba Juice are Peanut Butter Moo'd, Chocolate Moo'd, Strawberry Surf Rider, etc.
Although low in calories, the Tasty Bites are often cooked in palm oil (a trans-fat) and contains butter and sugar. It is recommended to choose a 200-calorie smoothie containing fresh fruits and veggies instead.
Food Suggestions for High Cholesterol at Jamba Juice:
Apple 'n Greens Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 55mg sodium, 60g carbs, 45g sugar, 4g fiber, 4g Protein
Orange Supreme (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 65mg sodium, 54g carbs, 40g sugar, 4g fiber, 4g Protein
Kale-ribbean Breeze Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 320 calories, 3g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 75mg sodium, 66g carbs, 48g sugar, 6g fiber, 10g Protein
Nutritional Facts: 490 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 40mg sodium, 99g carbs, 67g sugar, 11g fiber, 8g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Low-Cholesterol Foods:
The best way to get rid of bad cholesterol from the body is by detoxifying the whole system with fresh shots. Jamba Juice offers Turmeric Shot, Ginger Shot, Wheatgrass Shot, and Orange Ginger Cayenne Shot that will keep you healthy even when you consume junk food.
Visit below restaurant in Santa Fe for healthy meals suggestion.
Q & A for Jamba Juice
How to order Jamba Juice?
You can order Jamba Juice either online or visiting the store directly. Use the Jamba Juice to order Jamba Juice online or use Restaurant Listings directory to locate the Jamba Juice store nearby.
Are Jamba Juice smoothies gluten free?
Jamba Juice offers 36 gluten-free drink options including 15 non-dairy drinks.
Are Jamba Juice smoothies vegan?
Yes, you can order vegan smoothies at Jamba Juice. Almost all Jamba Juice smoothies are available as vegan or can be made vegan by substituting milk with Almond milk or Soy milk.
When does Jamba Juice open and close?
Generally, Jamba Juice outlets are operational every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, the timings may vary based on the restaurant locations and owner preferences. You can check the timings of the Jamba Juice nearby on our Restaurant Listings directory.
When is Jamba Juice happy hour?
Currently, there are no Jamba Juice happy hours.
Is Jamba Juice healthy?
Jamba Juice offers a wide range of smoothies and fresh fruit juices. Most of them are healthy, while a lot of others are loaded with sugar and excessive calories. Check the nutrition content before you make the order at Jamba Juice to choose a healthy option.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice Company was founded by Kirk Perron who is fitness enthusiast and avid cyclist. The company was first headquartered in Emeryville, California but later transferred to in Frisco, Texas. The company has 875 locations in the United States and 65 International Stores including Mexico, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Jamba Juice gains its popularity by introducing healthy drinks and smoothies in the US. Later they also introduced healthy bowls and snacks specially designed for kids. The main aim behind Jamba Juice was to introduce nutritional food options for all age group.
Healthy Food Options at Jamba Juice
If you are too tired of sipping sugar-loaded drinks then
visit nearest Jamba Juice outlet where you can enjoy fresh fruit smoothies,
juices, fresh shots and ready to drink shots for those who wish to have
something healthy while going to work. All the drinks made in Jamba Juice are
made using fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
-
Address :
2010 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, NM, 87505 - Phone (505) 473-1269
- Website https://www.jambocafe.net/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Matthew L.
I find it a bit ironic that the name of the restaurant "Jambo" means hello in Swahilli given the fact that upon entering this establishment not one of the staff bothered to say hello in English or Swahilli! The young man that waited on us was at best indifferent and the only way I could identify him as a waiter was that he was taking plates of food from the kitchen to the customers at the tables. My friend's 10 year old son is wheelchair bound and when they dine there, the staff act like it's a huge inconvenience to accommodate him. Granted the place is small, but would it kill them to smile and be a bit more accommodating? This place is not wheelchair friendly and judging by their actions, I don't think it's going to change anytime soon. I suppose it's cool and hip to be indifferent and aloof to your customers at some hip up scale restaurants and bistros, but at this place? Come on people...your restaurant is located in a strip mall next to a Hobby Lobby!! The food was very good but not good enough to compel me to go back to be treated rudely. Mr. Obo...please teach your servers to be friendly and warm...like your food is!
(2)Nicholas S.
It was 15 till 9pm on a Thursday and these guys were packed. I'm used to going to more bare bones Caribbean/African place, cheap flooring, simple low cost tables, no real decor. But these guys have done a great job making the place nice and comfortable. So I rush in just before their closing time expecting to have a hard time getting food. I open the doors and am shocked that every table is full up, good thing I'm getting it to go. Everyone there was very helpful and pleasant. I ordered the Jerk Chicken (kind of have to) and the vegetarian sandwich. Both of which had amazing flavor and was well put together. You can tell that Jambo Cafe takes pride in their food and it looks as if the abundance of customers knows that as well. Sadly this place is a days drive away from home so I may never be back... *snifff*
(5)josephine L.
loved this place. after paying a lot of money for an average dinner at one of santa fe's premier locations i was ready for some delicious honest food. this place delvers at good price. interesting wines. i will go next time i visit sf.
(5)Ben T.
Great place. The food is excellent, the service is friendly, the atmosphere is hip. This is the kind of place that would fit into any major city. The waitstaff have personality and often tattoos and the music they play makes you feel like you're still cool even if you showed up for dinner at 430 PM with your wife and a baby (hypothetical example). I recommend starting out with the sampler plate so that you can taste the chicken curry as well as the goat stew--I know, I know. It's goat and it's great and you should eat it. Get the roti--the rice is great but the roti is better. Also, definitely get the young coconut to drink, and once you're done with the juice, ask the waiter to have the chef cut it in half so you can scoop out the sweet coconut inside.
(5)Holly D.
Went to Jambo for my birthday last night, taken by my little family who had great things to say about it (also, everyone I work with, everyone my husband works with, etc.). Now, I don't like curry, and my husband hates curry. He also hates saffron, and isn't a fan of cumin. I had suspicions that it would be one of those "we politely picked at our food, but didn't enjoy it" evenings. But we liked what we received! I had the lamb sandwich (reminded me of some tasty gyros I've had). Very basic ingredients, but they did a great job in my opinion. Pretty tender, I liked the dill in the cucumber-yogurt dressing, not too many onions, tasty. My husband had the chicken kabobs and was really happy with them! The meat was tender, it came with chutney (which he praised) and the couscous/green bean bed it came on was excellent. I ordered a Chai tea and immediately fretted on my decision. I am such an American who likes my Chai milky, semi-sweet and not spicy...but when we got it, I sighed relief that they cater to pansies like me - tasty iced chai. My mama had hot Chai tea - same as my drink but warm and equally good. Mango cobbler w/ vanilla bean ice cream (and they sang to me) was good, the pecan pie was good too. In the end, the wait staff and the food were pleasant. Perhaps it wasn't 5 stars because it didn't COMPLETELY BLOW MY MIND, but I certainly enjoyed my experience. Thanks Jambo!
(4)Lindsey B.
Chicken curry is amazing and I love the plantains. The chef almost always comes out of the kitchen to say hello. There is a lot of love in this restaurant and it is evident in the food.
(5)James N.
All I can say is I had the goat stew and it was awful. Everything else might be wonderful, so this is NOT a real review of the restaurant. I just know I have not been back because there are too many good places to go (or places that I like, let's say) to give it another try. Not that I would not, if somebody really wanted to go there, but I am in no hurry. For me it joins the ranks of Maria's Tomasita's, Geronimo's, Rio Chama (the actual restaurant, not the bar) that everybody ssmes to say are the greatest places in Santa Fe and I would have about zero interest in returning to any of them. NOT THAT THEY SUCK. That is not it. They are just rated and ranked SO much higher than my experiences there...but that is just one guy, and this is probably more about preferences than anything else, which is true of just about ALL reviews of things....
(2)Meekam B.
Enjoyed eating outside.
(2)Constant C.
Despite the strip mall location, which actually makes parking easier, this place has great atmosphere. Upon entering the building, you are met with an intoxicating olfactory experience. Nothing overwhelming, but seriously sumptuous. The decor is tasteful and they have used a lot of creativity to create an intimate eatery. The food is amazing! All the flavors and spices are perfectly blended so nothing dominates or overwhelms. Lots of flavor and just enough heat. Great selection and good service. One of the most enjoyable meals I've had out. Will have to try more selections to improve my rating, but so far, so good.
(5)Lynn C.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was inventive and well prepared. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful in ordering the unusual menu items. We were given many excellent recommendations for food and drink. If you are looking for a change of pace, this restaurant is definitely worth the visit.
(5)Emily H.
After hearing great word of mouth, we decided to take the opportunity for a nice night out and check out Jambo Cafe with our family. We were pleasantly surprised- the service was excellent, the menu had interesting variety, and there was an awesome kids menu for those whose children have yet to venture over to the spicy side. Our boys had chicken fingers, fries, and the rasta pasta, all of which were worthy of an adult palate. I had the Caribbean jerk chicken- delicious and generous portion, with perfectly seasoned rice and beans accompaniment. My husband had the coconut chicken curry and it was also delicious. We each enjoyed a young coconut- so yummy, and we shared an order of the sweet potato fries. I think the sauce that went with the fries was a mixture of mayo and curry spices, but it was incredible. Definitely beat out ketchup for flavor. For families, this restaurant can't be beat. Go early, take advantage of the well priced kid menu while you enjoy flavors you may not normally include in your own cooking. We'll definitely be returning to Jambo Cafe again and again.
(5)Ralph B.
My wife and I ate at the Jambo Cafe three times while on vacation in Santa Fe in 2010. We ordered the plantain appetizer, goat stew, grilled tilapia.. The quality of food was far above average and the prices were very reasonable. On two occasions the service was outstanding, and on one occasion it was inattentive.
(4)Peter C.
***** UPDATE ***** Bumping it up to 5 stars on second visit. ***** UPDATE ***** In a word, yum! I used to love to sample the African cuisine at Camden Market, and I've missed that - so glad we have this cuisine available to us in Santa Fe! The service was good, and friendly. The prices just right. And the food delicious. I will be back, many times.
(5)Leland T.
So Amazing! I had not been back in a while and was excited to see they expanded their operation now Jambo has a great environment as well as great food. I had the Jerk Chicken salad and was blown away! With a Salad! Wow that is all I can say. Keep up the good work and great quality!
(5)Ben S.
Love the food and the atmosphere, kind of a low-key hole-in-the-wall, tucked away in a strip mall, nice alternative to the oppressive sameness of downtown Santa Fe restaurants. I'd describe the food as Afro-Caribbean comfort food, nothing too fancy but interesting combinations of flavors and very filling. Everything I've tried here has been delicious.
(4)Soupy T.
The best, most original restaurant in SF
(5)Corey J.
Jambo Café is all style and very little substance. They offer very little value for money, and their food is hit and miss at best. I tried the Beef Skewers, which came with roasted new potatoes, green beans, and a pomegranate/onion sauce. The price was $10.95. What I received was 3-4 oz. of overcooked (on the north side of well done, when ordered at medium rare), sinewy beef on skewers, and a cloying, oversweet pomegranate sauce that created a puddle on my plate. It was reduced to the point of a sort of pomegranate molasses, which spread everywhere. At the cost of the food, one would expect better-quality beef. Potatoes were either cold or lukewarm, and the green beans had no flavor, except for the bleed-over from the pomegranate sauce. On the positive, the fried plantains were fantastic, if a little oily and under-crisp, and my girlfriend quite enjoyed her Jerk Chicken (as did I, from a few samplings), but unfortunately the red beans and rice that came with it had very little actual flavor, from my samplings. It seems like the restaurant's chef has several great ideas, but consistency in the kitchen is vital to the continued success of this venture. Currently, their prime selling point seems to be the uniqueness and trendiness of their food, but this cannot sustain a restaurant forever--especially in a town as fickle as Santa Fe.
(2)Angela P.
This place was great. Casual and fun vibe. Great food and really good service which is apparently rare in Santa Fe. It was the best service we had in our four day stay in town. I will definitely be back next year.
(5)Paul B.
A friend and I arrived early for lunch on March 24th and we had no trouble getting seats. I liked the atmosphere immediately and the staff was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. I had the goat stew with flatbread and loved it (be prepared to pick out small bones). My friend had the curried chicken with rice and he also raved about the flavor. Others have complained about it being too small and hot, but I found it adequate, especially for lunch and not hot at all. The quality of the food and ambiance are wonderful. My compliments. Update. I went back today with a friend of mine and had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries. It was simply delicious. If you are going for lunch, get there early!
(5)Michael R.
All I can say is amazing. Yes it's crowded, yes there'll be a wait. It was worth it. Service was quick and attentive and very friendly. The owner/chef was seen making rounds and checking in with his patrons. The food was so very good... Really unusual flavors that were blended to perfection. I had the lamb curry and my partner had the beef kabobs. We also on recommendation from others split an order of sweet potatoe fries with curry aoli. Soooo glad we did. Side note...while waiting outside for a table we ran into a couple of friends from back home whom I haven't seen or spoken to in 12 years and 1000 miles away. Is this place magic or what. And all in a strip mall. Who'd expect?
(5)Regina R.
What a pleasure! The food is wonderfully delicious and creative. Prices are very reasonable, probably too reasonable. But that's part of how pleasurable eating at Jambo Cafe is.
(5)Nancy D.
Charming, lovely experience. Don't be scared by the location, tucked in the corner of a non-nondescript strip mall. We came here to celebrate my birthday during a recent trip to Santa Fe. It was recommended to us by a shop owner as a no-fail experience. Indeed. This restaurant is tiny (although rumored to be expanding soon, hopefully not at the expense of charm) so we had to wait for a table. No problem, they have a nice heater outside. After a brief wait, we were sent to our table. There were two individuals team-waiting the room. The woman was absolutely charming and spot-on with her recommendations. Hubby had the jerk chicken, which was a good solid dish. At the waitress' recommendation, I changed my selection to the combo plate. HELLO! It looks like a cafeteria plate with 3 individual compartments, but no that is rice dividing 3 pie-shaped wedges of yumminess, each swimming in a complex "sauce". It gave the perfect overview of the restaurant's reach. Goat, lentils, and chicken curry. Yum, yum, and yum. When asked where the restrooms were located, I was sent through the kitchen. Really. This afforded the opportunity to meet the chef/owner, ogle over the other dishes being cooked, and really savor the care going into the food. He couldn't have been more friendly, as if welcoming me to his home. It added a wonderfully charming and personal (albeit a bit odd) footnote to the evening. These 5 stars aren't awarded lightly but are well earned by a delicious culinary evening of amazing value ($35 tab for 2 beers and 2 entrees, Santa Fe on a Friday night).
(5)David S.
Loved it. All delicious, low key and priced well.
(5)Alex F.
Excellent food, great service. Highly recommend. The chef owner personally checked on our table and served us dessert. The food was exotic, flavorful, rich and delicious. If you are in Santa Fe, don't let the strip mall location fool you, jambo is a must eat stop.
(5)J M.
Ate here once, was seriously disappointed (some combo plate with goat--worst goat I'd ever had--and chicken and lentils). The table was kinda sticky/dirty. But, went back anyway several months later--could have died it was so good. Some soup of the day and Morrocan-style curry?! Um, incredible. So tasty, actually made me feel nourished and relaxed. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now!
(4)Daniel C.
I love the food. Soups are to die for. I know little about real African cuisine and many of the dishes remind me or are like Caribbean in nature. Wonderful warm spices. It is a little crowded, at least when I have been there, and if there is a short wait it's worth it.
(4)Paras G.
Loved eating here. The service was superb, as was the food. Even though this place was packed, and I guess that is the case every day, the waiters/staff were down to earth without any pretention about their rave reviews and awards. They accommodated our party of 10 at short notice. Everyone in our group loved the dishes they ordered.
(4)Pierre G.
Food was excellent, we would have never found this little gem without yelp. Only thing is that they close at 9PM which is about 1h too early.
(4)T. H.
it doesn't seem that jambo really needs me to write this review, but I'm doing it anyway. run, don't walk. don't let the strip mall locale fool you, this is truly tasty cuisine. we ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer, pili pili shrimp entree, blackened chicken salad and then the cinnamon plantains for dessert. ALL SUBLIME. the only knock is that we ordered take-out and were told it would be 15 minutes. it took 35 minutes. but everyone was so pleasant and we ordered a coconut (water to drink and meat to scoop and eat) while we waited. yes. yes. yes.
(5)Farwah R.
I recently visited this restaurant with three other people on a weekday night. The place was busy, and there was a twenty minute wait for a seat. After we ordered, the food arrived quickly. First the phyllo appetizer. The price was 7.95 and the serving was small for the price. It was filled with raisins, olives, feta cheese, bell peppers and it was heavily salted. We also ordered the hot and cold chai, and mango ginger lemonade. The chai was good, and it had the taste of cardomon, and cinnamon. However, the mango ginger lemonade was too sour, and filled with more ginger than mango. We ordered the goat curry, salmon, and shrimp curry. The goat curry came is a heaping serving accompanied by rice. My friend complained that the goat was too fatty, and had too many tendons. The salmon was dry, and lacked seasoning. My friend ordered pita because they couldn't eat the salmon on its own. Me and my other friend had the shrimp entree. The shrimp was overcooked and rubbery. The rice was cooked but watery and the dish was full of carbohydrates. I wanted to take a nap afterwards. At the end we ordered a banana coconut pie. The pie was made of banana, and seemingly graham crackers. There was no coconut taste, and there was no custard in the pie. The service was okay, but the waiter was not accommodating with our requests. We had to ask more than once for the same thing. If we came back to Santa Fe, we wouldn't try this restaurant again.
(1)Sam R.
Simply amazing. Honestly one of the best meals I have ever eaten. This was my family's first real experience with African cuisine...I had seen East African food on TV several times and wanted to try it badly. I was delighted when I found this place on Yelp while planning restaurants for our vacation to New Mexico. Thank you, Yelp, for helping us find this place, because it is the best place we have gone on the trip so far and will likely stay that way. The ambiance of the place was very calming and it was very pretty inside. Everything was on theme and the place was very busy for a Tuesday night. The service was also good. The food was STRIKING. Every time I tried a new bite of something, I would exclaim "oh wow, that's good!" I ordered the tilapia with pomegranate sauce, spinach, and coconut basmati rice. Every bite was amazing. The sauce on the fish was indescribable. After finishing the dish, I concluded it was the best fish I have ever had, anywhere or of any type of food. My mom ordered the Kenyan kabobs, which were also excellent and had a completely different pomegranate sauce. My dad tried the combination plate, and every item on it was delicious. The roti was also good, even if a little greasy. If I lived in Santa Fe, I would be back. I would be back as much as possible. It was a bit pricy, but for food of this quality, it was completely worth it. If you are visiting Santa Fe, you absolutely MUST GO HERE!!!
(5)Victoria G.
Hands down the best restaurant in Santa Fe. I've been through this city 3 times and have tried several restaurants. But this place was recommended to me 3 years ago on my first pass-through by a local. I've been coming back ever since! Everything is delicious and consistent and the environment is fun and eclectic. I love the pistachio-curry encrusted goat cheese salad, the lentils, the mahi-mahi, the tilapia, the curry, the roti... it's all wonderful. Clean space and friendly staff. Go here!
(5)Steph G.
It's not too often that I get to have African cuisine like this, so of course I took advantage. I am often intrigued by this type of cooking because of the types of spices and flavors that are paired that I would never be creative enough to think of in my own cooking ventures. Enter African cuisine. We started off with the jerk chicken wings, which were amazing and fall-off-the-bone-tender! I have never had wings so incredibly tender. And the jerk seasoning? Out of this world. A little sweet, a little spicy, and yes very savory. We also got a bowl of soup: shrimp chowder. Home run again! Lots of warm spices, perfectly cooked shrimp, and sweet corn. MMM yes. My love got the lamb burger, which probably doesn't sound too exciting but it was absolutely delightful. Served on a ciabatta roll with feta and a tomato chutney, it was heaven on a bun and so flavorful. Reminiscent of a greek burger, but had the taste of those awesome spices again. Forgive me, my palette is not yet developed for differentiating all those spices- yet! My entree was the mahi mahi over black wild rice. Sadly, this was the least flavorful of all the dishes and my fish was a bit overcooked. I'm not sure if it's because the rest of our meal was so bold in flavor? Oh well, 3 out of 4 is good for me. I'd definitely return if I'm back in Santa Fe.
(4)Jeff S.
Jambo is tucked into a strip mall, and from the street does not appear like much. Don't be fooled, however, this restaurant is a gem. They serve a mixture of authentic East African and Caribbean cuisine (not fused). We sat outside, cutting down the wait to be seated to immediate. The outdoor seating is very limited, three tables with umbrellas placed along the sidewalk out front, but it works. Our table ordered the cinnamon-dusted plantains, which came out quickly and disappeared quickly. Our server went to get us separate plates for splitting the app amongst our party of six, but we had devoured the gooey goodness before he could return. For the main entrée, I had the Kenyan-style Beef Kebabs. The meat was tender, well-seasoned; overall, pretty delicious. It came served overtop potatoes and green beans. The other dishes ordered in my party also looked tasty. The goat stew was thick and looked ideal for a drizzly day (not that Santa Fe experiences many of these). Service was quick and friendly despite the Friday night crowd. I'd recommend.
(4)Kip K.
Visited here with family about two weeks ago. The food was awesome. If we're ever back in Sante Fe we're definitely eating here again.
(5)Anye F.
The last few times we were in town we tried to come for dinner and couldn't brave the lines so this time we made lunch reservations. Good call. They had a table waiting when we arrived. Our waiter Abdul was kind enough to bring my dad a sample of the curry so he could determine if it was too spicy for him (it wasn't), which was super nice. The food was excellent. I had a jonesing to try one of their soups this time and the watermelon mint gazpacho sounded good so I went with the curried chicken salad wrap with a sub of the soup. We all shared an appetizer of the cinnamon dusted plantains which were a hit. I don't normally order sandwiches and wraps but this one was amazing. It was served on roti rather than pita which was delicious and the chicken salad was perfection. The wrap was about twice as much as I could eat. I liked the gazpacho too, it was unique. I wouldn't say it was a "must order" but I'm glad I tried it. My grumpy pre-teen who didn't even want to be there admitted he really enjoyed his spice rubbed lamb wrap and by the end of the meal was dipping my dad's extra roti in my elder son's curry. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu.
(5)Joanna L.
I was visiting Santa Fe and looking for a good local restaurant. I wanted something other than Mexican food, so I came to Jambo because it was nearby and highly recommended on yelp. We shared the following items: the combination plate, jerk chicken wings, and sauteed spinach with garlic. - Combination plate (chicken curry, goat stew and coconut lentils with rice and roti): nothing stood out in particular, but it's a good way to try different flavors - Jerk chicken wings: great seasoning. The side sauce reminded me of a honey mustard cream sauce. - Sauteed spinach with garlic: Perfectly done. Ironically, when I asked the waiter about other vegetable options, he said "we don't do vegetables here." Haha. The service is friendly and personal. All the waitresses were very helpful. We asked one for travel recommendations in Santa Fe, and she wrote them down for us. The place is decorated with a bright and fun character. This place is packed and crowded, and it's easy to see why.
(5)Allison R.
Some of the best food in Santa Fe, very popular with locals. You'll be hooked by the scent of exotic spices the minute you walk in. Friendly staff, good service, quite a few vegan options. Faves: blackened tofu + roasted vegetables over salad greens, black bean stew.
(4)Sherry C.
I like the starter cumin french fries. The combination plate was a lot, with wonderful lamb stew, curry chicken and beans. The decoration in restaurant was cool. Apr. 25th
(5)Amy R.
Wow!!! Our eating extravaganza continues and Jambo Cafe lived up to my high expectations. Have you checked out the menu? Go check it out now...I'll wait. Really unique and all sounds amazing, huh? Well, I'm here to tell you...it delivered. We shared a cup of the Watermelon Gazpacho. Trust me, make this the next thing you consume if you are less than 100 miles away. I cannot remember a more delicious soup in my lifetime. It was a daily special so hurry before it's too late. Feel free to send me a Yelp message to rave about this transcendent experience. The ingredients were captured in their most perfect ripe and sweet state. And, on a hot day, it was sublime. We also loved the crab cake appetizer which was a serious meaty portion for ten bucks. We rounded out the meal with the entree special of the day...Ono with quinoa and sautéed Swiss chard. The sauce made this dish. I hate to say it, but the fish was a tiny bit overbooked. We still licked our plate so not complaining. Thanks, Yelpers for turning us on to another gem!!!
(5)Salem A.
I loved the food it was really delicious, if you're like me who likes little bit of sweetness in your food you'll love this place, oh and I had the moroccan lamb stew.
(5)Shyann C.
AMAZING. Everything was delicious, I would've eaten the whole menu if possible. My group of 3 had combo platter, cinnamon dusted fried plantain, banana wrapped island spiced mahi mahi with mango coconut sauce, black bean sweet potato soup special, spiced rubbed lamb sandwich, and mango cobbler. I would come here every night. We met Ahmed the owner, very friendly and nice. Our server Azael was funny, informative, and very helpful.
(5)Timmy T.
This food is edible, but not much more. 4 times in a row I have found that eating this food is hard work. It is the only "African" restaurant in Santa Fe and from the reviews I am seeing, these humans have NEVER EATEN AT A REAL AFRICAN RESTAURANT....... I keep waiting on it to be "good" or "great" or something, but it isn't. "Hands down the best restaurant in Santa fe"??!!!!! LAUGHABLE....No way in hell. NOT EVEN CLOSE. This is definitely one of the most over rated restaurants in Santa Fe though. I am stumped by all the great reviews. Everything I have ever had here is bland, dry and overcooked. The seasonings are without true expression. Seems like the chef has been doing the same exact thing for 10 years and has become bored, jaded and also bored. Chef: revamp the menu, go on a long hike in the mountains and come up with something inspired. MEDIOCRITY REIGNS HERE....Cripes.
(2)Roxanna S.
Good God this place is delicious. I stopped in here based on the Yelp reviews and I was not disappointed. Incongruous location in a strip mall notwithstanding, the atmosphere inside was fun and inviting. Love the way it's decorated, and the service is superb and the prices very reasonable. I've been back at least three times since I first tried it and will recommend it to anyone!
(5)Dara M.
When you think of Santa Fe, it's probably not African/Caribbean food that comes to mind...but it should! I was only in Santa Fe for 24 hours, and felt guilty about trying a place that did not feature the local cuisine, but I was so glad I did. The prices are very reasonable, the servings are generous, and the food is delicious. I was tempted by all of the specials, but opted for the lentil stew. I got the kids' serving and still couldn't finish it--it's hearty and well seasoned, rich from the coconut milk, and super filling. My husband ordered the lamb sandwich and declared it to be the best lamb he's ever had. The chef/owner came out to check on us mid-way through our meal. I wish there had been more people in our party so we couldn't tried more--everything I saw being brought out to the tables around us looked delicious, and all the patrons seemed to be enjoying their meals.
(5)Nelson M.
Came to Jambo Cafe during Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Love it or hate it, but no one can say that their food lacks taste. Eveything was very good! I really loved the reggae music! Since we're not accustomed to spicy foods, I can't give it 5 stars, but will definitely come back!
(4)M H.
Traveling and the RV park told us about the food and it was excellent will have to go again while in Santa Fe I had the salmon salad and my wife had the lamb then we had the Mango cobbler with ice cream
(5)Keith B.
Huuuuuge Portions Jambo's is an extremely popular place in Santa Fe. It is not in the historic center, but rather a bland shopping center about 3 miles out. Food style is Caribbean/African. We had a reservation and the hostess (who looked like she had been out partying for the last several nights and greeted us in a fog) told us that our table wasn't ready and we could have a seat at the bar. So we did and waited and ordered some wine and waited and studied the menu and waited. The hostess appeared to have forgotten us and we went back to check. We were told that our table still wasn't ready. A couple of servers had approached us to ask if we were going to eat at the bar so we finally agreed. The food was all very good, but the portions were excessively large. Since we were traveling, it wasn't really feasible for us to take home the leftovers. We started with sharing the "coconut shrimp" appetizer which was very good. Then we shared the "Encrusted Curry-Pistachio Goat Cheese Salad". It is served on a bed of greens and roasted vegetables. It was fantastic. For entrees we had the "Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew". It was very tasty but a huge portion and it is very dense. It would have been helped by some fresh greens or onions. A little acid would have cut the heaviness. We also had the Kenyan Beef Kebabs which were very good. The atmosphere is fun and the prices reasonable.
(4)Becky R.
The food is delicious and the service was excellent! Anytime I'm in Santa Fe this will be my 1st stop!
(5)Sara B.
My husband and I came here on recommendation from some friends when we were in Santa Fe for our honeymoon. Neither of us had ever had African food before, so we were both really excited. We were not disappointed! We came in for lunch after shopping in the main square in Santa Fe. We were shown to our table right away and the waitress was very welcoming. When we told her it was our first time trying the cuisine, she guided us through the menu and made some recommendations. We shared an order of the Moroccan lamb stew and the goat stew. Neither of us had tried goat before, so we were a little hesitant at first. It was delicious! Yes, there were lots of bones to deal with, but I didn't mind at all. The lamb stew was also delicious and I was obsessed with the cous cous. If I lived in NM, I would definitely be visiting this place more often!
(4)Kim J.
Excellent service, even more excellent food. Absolutely must try the black bean sweet potato curry soup. Could have ordered another just for a solid meal. Combo platter is enough for two meals and offers popular favs. Jerk was very good, lentils and we'll as rice and beans top notch. So much food we had to get our three desserts to go. Good value and great location.
(5)David B.
I was really impressed with the quality of food at this resturant. I was not surprised because any place with 5 stars on Yelp with over 300 reviews has always been great from my experience. I really liked the special they were serving tonight (Hawaiian Curry Moon Fish) but the rest of my party's food was just good not great. Our server also kept me from rating this place higher. He wasn't ugly, just overly sarcastic and not timely responsive to common table needs (replenishing drinks, extra napkins, bringing the check w/o even asking if we wanted anything else like coffee towards the end of our meal). This service almost cause me to drop my rating to just a 3 star honestly. Still, I would come back to this unique local favorite joint in the future.
(4)Jennifer O.
5 stars when the chef is in the kitchen, 3-4 stars when he's not. I LOVE Jambo Cafe. It has been one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe since I've been living here, and I used to go here frequently by myself and with groups of people in town. However, since expanding to twice its original size, the food is less reliably fantastic than it used to be. Just for examples, sometimes the sweet potato black bean soup is watery or too gingery; sometimes that goat is overcooked/tough; sometimes the chicken curry (not the peanut) is bland. It makes me sad, and I'm wary of going except for in the evenings when it's likely that Chef Obo will be present, because whenever he's there an asks me how the food is, it's fantastic, and I haven't yet found a way to tell him that when he's away the flavors in the kitchen go out to play. When prepared as they should be, I don't think that I've every had anything bad on the menu, and my favorites include: DRINKS: tamarind juice, ginger mango lemonade, and the CHAI (best chai in Santa Fe, and they refill it if you somehow get to the bottom of the large mugs) APPETIZERS: jerk chicken wings, plaintains with curry mayo dipping sauce SALADS (Definitely large enough to eat as a lighter meal): The toasted brie and anything with roasted vegetables is yummy ENTREES: goat stew, peanut chicken curry, jerk chicken platter with rice and red beans, sweet potato black bean soup (bowl is cheap and plenty big for an entree), and any seafood stew special
(5)Ian M.
Just came back from the most delicious dinner at Jambo Cafe! I ordered the special. It was mahimahi with a peanut crust in a mango coconut sauce. The sauce was really wonderful, and the creaminess of the coconut really matched well with the peanuts. Just the right amount of spice, too! I really can't say enough good things about this dish! Also, I had Ras al-Hanout soup to start. The artichoke and chicken came out so wonderfully together. I wish I had another bowl of this! This is really a gem in Santa Fe and I'm really glad that I checked Yelp for something African.
(5)Esmeralda R.
This restaurant reminds me of Cady's desperate attempt to fit in a new high school. "Jambo!" But instead of eating a stale sandwich in a bathroom stall, I ended up feasting on amazing Kenyan/fusion cuisine in a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. (Also, not sure how many people understand that reference. Two thumbs up to those who do.) I ordered the combination plate ($15) in order to sample a few different dishes. It comes with rice, coconut lentils, chicken curry and goat stew. Not to mention a giant tortilla-looking thing called roti which was amazing! The food was very filling but not overwhelming. It's a great option during a cold windy day and could easily become delicious comfort food. The staff is friendly and professional. Would definitely stop by again if I was ever in the area.
(5)Sharan N.
The combination plate is must try along with jerk wings and banana coconut pie. The service is fantastic and huge food portions. The ambiance is wonderful and this is the only best afraid food you can try around
(4)Javier G.
4.5 stars, it was amazing. It tasted amazing, that is. It's a BIT pricier than I would like. Shave ~$2 or add some more portion size to everything, and this would be a 5 star restaurant in my books.
(4)Xiao G.
You must try the lamb stew, the meat is very tender and the soup is just perfect for rice.
(4)Jason B.
What a great place-so much win here. I had the lamb stew with cous cous, and chutney. Wow-wow-wow. Big flavors all over the place. Service was good, and we the owner/manager stopped by for a quick visit too. I'd recommend.
(5)Samantha C.
Excellent food, attentive service, unique concept. Don't let the strip mall deter you- this restaurant had some of the best flavors I've had in a long time. Such a fun change of pace from the usual tex-mex and modern fusion spots in the area. I got the pita sandwich which came on light, fluffy pita and was piled high with veggies and creamy goat cheese. My friend got the banana- wrapped mahi mahi in a sweet chutney sauce. Don't miss the phyllo appetizer with cranberry sauce!
(5)Jay H.
This was damn near a religious experience for me. After disappointing meals during our Santa Fe stay this was a gift from God himself. Everything we had was delicious. Absolutely perfect balance of flavors and spices in every bite. I had tears in my eyes. This may all sound like hyperbole. But I don't joke about great food that goes above and beyond the usual. The staff was extremely helpful with the menu and very kind to us. Made us feel very welcome to be there. Do your heart, mouth and soul a favor and eat here.
(5)Sarah M.
I don't really understand why everyone raves about this restaurant. I think that the food is okay, and pricier than I expected. I ordered crab cakes which were fine, nothing extraordinary. My husband ordered the goat stew which he absolutely loved (I wasn't as impressed as he was). I think maybe I didn't order the right thing. As I only hear rave reviews about this restaurant. I'm willing to give it another try, we may have just gone on an off day.
(3)Sonny W.
Very delicious my wife brought me here and the food was great! I had the beef kabob plate with veggies. Medium well and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was friendly and the lunch crowd was talkative to say the least. The prices were reasonable and desert was great!
(4)J. L.
Update: I am adding another star because my four star was for a four star lunch item I had there, a lamb sandwich on pita and fries, was just so so. However, after reading everyone's reviews it occurred to me that I should have been a little more exact about what is so wonderful about Jambo, Service: Five Stars all the way. Being new to Santa Fe via a few large, hip, cities, I sometimes think the only time I see anyone under 60+ is as servers at restaurants or as students at the school I work at (I have mostly lived in cities alive with youth culture and miss the energy and fashion, even though I am far past my salad days!) I like to be reminded that there is actually some cool youth culture here, and Jambo is one place that reminds me of that. They are sweet, cute, and fun. The decor: Casual but appealing, not standard or boring by any means, and the lighting is nice. Sometimes there is a guitar player milling around, the place is cute and quirky. I think the adorable and sweet humored staff adds to the aesthetic, not that all staff should be judged on their potential to appear in a short film about attractive, hip 20-somethings, but most hear probably could. The Food: Not every dish I have tried is equal in its fabulousness, and despite my squeamishness about eating goats (I used to have them as pets) the goat stew is AMAZING, my favorite dish so far in Santa Fe. Also, they have this chewy flat bread as an option other than rice, again: amazing. There is no food like this in SF, and if you aren't from here and you don't want to eat at a Taco Bell clone with a New Mexico angle, or a so/so New Mexican restaurant that drenches their food in cheese and green chile, the food at and price at Jambo are considered affordable by local standards. I just had a bowl of Pho a few storefronts down that was the most expensive, and least delicious pho I have had and it was on par with the cost of this delicious goat stew at Jambo but nowhere near as tasty. If you are looking for a welcoming place to eat, without needing to wear your fancy pants or paying upwards of fifty bucks for a meal for three (not including booze), Jamba is a great choices.
(5)Dan D.
My wife and I did a road trip around the country and this is still the restaurant that we talk about. It doesn't look that impressive from its location, but don't let that fool you. The food here is absolutely delicious! The balance of spice and flavor is perfect and they have the best flourless chocolate cake I have ever had. If you are in Santa Fe it is well worth the visit.
(5)Erica L.
As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The place smells richly of spices. I had the Moroccan lamb stew with couscous and chutney, and everything blended together perfectly. He stew was very tomatoey, the lamb was melt in my mouth tender, the chutney added to the flavor (which I have rarely found to be the case with chutney generally), and it paired well with a South African Syrah. There is a small but good selection of affordable South African wines. Quite affordable too. Id definitely come back!
(5)Elizabeth B.
This is some seriously good food! The peanut coconut chicken stew was comfort food at its best. The Kenyan style steak kabobs were deliciously sweet. Even the side of beans and rice was great (think cajun red beans and rice, only fewer red beans, but still very well seasoned)! Their drinks are interesting and delicious. And, the staff is genuinely warm and inviting. They chat, laugh, play with your toddler...you feel like you're a regular on your first visit. Dining in Santa Fe, I've learned that New Mexican food isn't my thing (give me SoCal Mexican food any day). But, sweet Kenyan kabobs, I've found my new favorite place!
(5)mark k.
Excellent, reasonably priced dinner. Unique food and laid back atmosphere in unassuming location. We had hummus, snapper special and sampler. All great.
(5)GT W.
Type. . . . . . . . . . ..African Restaurant Location. . . . . . . ..Outside Santa Fe, Strip Mall Prices. . . . . . . . . ..Normal Beer Selection. . ...Small, Tusker Lager Food Level. . . . ....High Staff. . . . . . . . . . ..Friendly, Prompt Noise Level. . . . ...Lively Décor. . . . . . . . . ..Homely, Local Artwork, Forgettable Good for Kids. . ...Yes Parking. . . . . . . ...Private Lot Cash Only. . . . . ..No Recommended. ...Yes Comments: Authentic East African food with cassava, goat stew, ugali, and the like. Great flavors and hearty portions. Mahi and jerk chicken were also enjoyed by our group. A unique place to go in Santa Fe if you want to get a break from traditional Southwestern US food.
(4)Autumn W.
I loved it! You're not expecting such a hustle- bustle before you've experienced it. From the exterior- strip mall dining. But once you're inside it is not. Cute and busy and great food and also cool waitstaff. I'm in!!
(5)Jessica C.
I've eaten dinner here 3 nights in a row. I can't get enough of the delicious spices, meats and veggies. The flavors here are unique and varied. I've tried several dishes that are excellent - the stuffed phyllo app, lamb stew with cous cous, baklava, and Jerk salad were all delicious. My boyfriend likes the cinnamon plantains, the lentils and roti, and goat stew. Wonderful food at a reasonable price.
(5)Eric And Jennifer R.
We ate here based on a recommendation from a friend in Albuquerque. She also mentioned that the food is excellent when the owner is cooking. The owner was not cooking the night we ate there. The greeter was helpful and friendly. The cook was accommodating. I got the combo plate and substituted the chicken curry with jerk chicken. My husband got the Morrocan chicken kabob. The goat stew sauce was excellent. The meat was a little chewy. It required at least 30 minutes in the pressure cooker or an hour on the stove then it would have been tender. The lentil was flavorful with a hint of sweetness probably from the coconut. The jerk chicken had a good flavor but the chicken was dry. The hibiscus iced tea was unique and delicious. The flourless chocolate cake was lovely. We will give them another chance. We will probably call ahead to see if the owner is cooking.
(3)Casey C.
Such a delight! My husband and I are both picky and we were really impressed! The jerk chicken wings were so flavorful and fell off the bone. I got the Moroccan lamb stew and I loved it. My husband thought it was a little sweet, but I thought it was perfect. He got the goat stew and he liked it a lot. The roti is a must! I have had roti in Trinidad and liked this better honestly. So add it to your order!!!!
(5)Tim A.
What a tremendous meal!! The phyllo and plantains to start were awesome as were the lamb stew and chicken curry! Great restaurant and great owner / chef who personally came around and made sure everyone's meal was top notch. Will definitely eat here next time we're in Santa Fe!
(5)Jenna E.
For some reason I put off trying this place despite the awesome reviews and several recommendations from friends. Boy, am I sad I did- this is an awesome Santa Fe gem! I really didn't know what to expect since I have zero knowledge about African food. I was pleasantly surprised- from the cinnamon plantains to the jerk chicken (spicy deliciousness!) to the coconut curry- holy cow! Everything was flavorful and a fiesta on a plate! The plantains and the dip they come with was out of this world- savory but a touch sweet, very complex. I think I could just eat those and be a happy camper! The atmosphere was fun, energetic, but comfortable. Service was great too. Wish the beer selection was better but it wasn't too bad. I'd definitely go back- there were so many other things I wanted to try. Don't be scared like I was, just GO.
(5)K K.
I'm only visiting Santa Fe for the summer, so I wish there was a Jambo in my home town! We started with the Phyllo - Delicious! I ordered the Moroccan style a chicken kebabs with the feta and forget the sauce. Also Delicious. My friend ordered the curry with tofu. The portions were Huge! And we finished off with Rum Pecan Pie. I will definitely be going back!!!
(5)Clare M.
I visited Ethiopia last year for a month and had previously never had true Ethiopian food. When I returned I was much more curious to try Jambo as I'd already heard so many raving reviews of it. Come to find out, all the raves were legit. This place is legit. It's authentic, it's delicious and it will fill you for days on end. If you hesitate and think you don't like "African" food...chances are you have no idea what it is. There are curries, stews as well as simple chicken, shrimp and dishes for a more american palate. For the person really wanting to dive in, try the Goat Stew. The atmosphere is easy and calm...ignore the fact it's in a strip mall. Go inside, soak up the smells and eat your heart out!
(5)Elizebeth O.
If we lived in Santa Fe, we would be regulars. This food was spectacular. Crab cakes for an appetizer came first. They were crisp outside and soft and flavorful inside. I had tilapia with spinach and chutney on a bed of red chili powder spiced rice. My husband had goat stew. Both had depth of flavor that made us stop to enjoy before taking another bite. We finished off with a coconut cardamom flan. We were going to share but got another after the first couple of bites. Coffee came in huge soup mugs and was the perfect flavor to accompany the flan. Our waiter Salvador made the meal a delight and gave me a hug to go. Warm people and good food make this a place to remember.
(5)Kat C.
Get the combo plate to try everything. The goat curry was delicious. It's what I order every time. They were kind enough to give me a taster of tamarind juice which was so good I ordered it. Plus, plantains with cinnamon and flourless chocolate cake. Yum. I have enjoyed every meal here and it's a little "something different" with all the southwestern / New Mexican food around. The line to get a table starts promptly at 5:30 so either get there early or come late when all the families and older couples have headed home.
(4)Amber S.
This place was nice! I had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It was way too spicy, even though I do love spicy food. But it does taste delicious. And I loved the sweet potato fries. My friends had the goat stew. If you like to eat goat or lamb, try this one or the combination. And don't forget to try their Kenya beer:)
(5)Lou M.
Best food EVER! We are from Texas but when we came to Santa Fe the locals were raving about Jambo. Okay, we have never had "real" African or "Caribbean" food unless the Disney World African restaurant was authentic. Anyhow, we get there and it was busy. The couple in front of us were locals and ensured us it was worth the wait. While waiting they were going over the menu with me and my 18 year old daughter. Oh my, there is so much to choose from... So, when we were seated we ordered. We ordered a LOT. There was NOTHING that was "okay", EVERYTHING was to die for. You have no idea how much we wished we weren't travelling that day because we wanted to take all the leftovers and eat 24/7 until it was gone! I wish we didn't live so far away. If you are trying to figure out where to eat, you found it!!!! Try something new, you won't regret it!
(5)Lora S.
Excellent flavor and service. We highly recommend seeking out one of the best places in the Santa Fe area.
(5)Gaby R.
this place is defiantly one of our favorite date nights in Santa Fe, the first time we went we didn't expect much being at a strip mall location but then you step inside and the atmosphere is elegant and cool, It has a young people vibe (which is important & rare in santa fe) then the menu is full of yummy yummy goodness! even down to the drink list. they have a good selection of vegetarian food but you cant really beat the slow cooked goat or lamb stew. The owner is often there and he is a friendly man that gives off good vibe to make you feel good about spending your money there. the service also seem happy to work there. definitely take your sweetheart on a date here
(5)Renae M.
No words, only love. Dreaming of the goat cheese salad right now :)
(5)Retta G.
We came here because everyone raved about it. It was ok (if not less than ok). Don't know what all the hype is or was about. We have definitely had better African/Caribbean food. Maybe it was just an off night, but--- will most likely not be back, at least not any time real soon.
(2)Jill H.
Man, who would've thought one of the best meals in Santa Fe would be African?! But it was amazing! Got the combination platter and the island spice coconut peanut chicken stew. OMG, both were incredible. The peanut is very apparent in the stew, but great! The side of roti (fried tortilla-like bread) was so good! I would recommend reservations if it's a weekend dinner.
(5)Kristina K.
Love this place! Everything is tasty and perfect every single time. I often get food to go after work, the to go boxes are sturdy.
(5)M H.
Wonderful home-style, brilliantly executed Carribean and African food. A real treat.
(4)Noam F.
Wow! Coming from Philadelphia I never expect a city to have a food scene I respect on the level of philly. I was super excited to come to Santa Fe for the culture and walk-ability, but never did I expect it to be a food haven! Janbo is the leader of the pack. It was suggested to us by a fellow chef for a interesting and cultured experience. Boy did it exceed expectations. The young coconut and mango, ginger lemonade was a great start to the meal. Jess stated, "I would come here everyday for a coconut!" I had the jerk chicken and roti bread. The jerk chicken had a beautiful blend of spices and was complimented by the sweet plantains and rice and beans. We had to try the mango cobbler to finish off our meal as its one dessert I have never had. It was not on the same level as the main courses, but still pretty darn tasty and different. The service was friendly and made us feel extremely comfortable. I don't say this much, but Janbo will go down as one of my favorite restaurants!
(5)Lesmag H.
My wife wasn't too sure about trying a strip-mall restaurant that didn't serve fill-in-the-blank smothered in green chilis on our NM vacation. Now she gets all gleamy eyed when we talk about Jambo. So good.
(5)Jen A.
I did get the overhype as my friend swears the food is really good. I ordered the jerk chicken with rice & beans with planatins. The jerk chicken doesn't taste that authentic to me though in fairness the taste is decent. My pal ordered an appetizer made out of phyllo dough which I like better due to the interesting mix of taste and texture. It has a fusion spin to it. Overall, it's ok to eat here again especially since food is not pricey but no round 2 for a Santa Fe visitor like me.
(3)Vic T.
The first thing you notice when you walk in is the backhand to the face from the spicey aromas in the restaurant! We've just got into Santa Fe after a long day of driving and Jaimacan seemed like a good idea for a hearty meal. We ordered: Jerk chicken wings - they should call these "ridiculous melt in you mouth wings with tears of baby jesus dipping sauce"! 'Nuf said Combination platter - this had chicken curry, goat stew, lentil curry with rice and roti. Pretty good, but the goat stew wasnt completely heated up, still good. Roti is a little different, was the flaky type but went well with the curries. The rest of the dish was just as you'd expect, like a heart meal at grandmas. Mango cobbler - homemade baked fruits topped with guey ice cream... Yum! Hot and cold always hits the spot! serving size was great. Service was great, waiter always checked up on us without being intrusive, just the way I like it. Glad we tried out this place
(4)Jay D.
After hiking all day in the mountains above Santa Fe, I had a big appetite worked up for my first visit to Jambo Café. I arrived at about 4:45 before the dinner rush on a Thursday and decided to eat at the bar. The restaurant tables were starting to fill up as I was leaving at about 5:30. I was originally going to order an appetizer, but I'm happy the bartender helped my decision by mentioning how much food came with the main course. Boy, was she correct! I ordered the combination plate which came with the goat stew, chicken curry, lentils, and roti. The stew and curry were quite good and I made sure to sop up all of the juices with the roti. The lentils, I wasn't as big a fan of, but I ate almost all of them as well. All washed down with a Mango Ginger Ice Tea, it made a great, filling meal to top off a great day in the Sangre de Cristo's.
(5)Matthew R.
The locals secret to amazing eating! Do you want great ambiance, and local pricing for exceptional food? Or do you want tourist prices for sub-par food? Well, if you want the later go get it downtown. But, if you want the former head to a strip mall in the middle of town. Jambo is amazing and is a perfect date spot!
(5)Mandy M.
Moroccan lamb stew with chutney. Delicious. The flavor of the raisins and sweet potatoes balanced well with the lamb. Hearty and warming to the soul. Giant portion. Don't miss this gem in Santa Fe when you have had enough chili.
(5)Ellen L.
The restaurant decor is kinda funky, but the food is unbelievable. We started with the stuffed phyllo which was exquisite. The pastry was pan fried, so the crust was delicate and flaky. The pomegranate sauce made a delicious for the organic greens. This was just one of many vegetarian options. Next we tried the jerk chicken wings. They were moist with just the right amount of spice. The creamy mustard sauce was a perfect compliment. Finally we had the spice rubbed leg of lamb sandwich. The lamb was flavorful but a little dry. Next time I would try the lamb burger. This place is definitely worth the drive. I have never had such good food in such an unpretentious setting.
(5)Andrew P.
Spectacular food. My wife and I love supporting the local joints and this is, by far, one of the better eats in Santa Fe. Their stews are savory and their cooked meats are spiced well too. My wife loves the homemade lemonade, I like the hibiscus tea. Only catch, the place is really small and often crowded leaving the waitstaff looking stressed and, more often than not, preoccupied.
(4)Valencia D.
Jambo Café is a must when visiting Santa Fe. Recommend going for dinner as the atmosphere is much more lively and higher chances for live music. Hummus plate is a must and def try the lamb burger with cumin fries. No juice on the menu for little ones / kiddos so bring your own. Beef kabobs were just OK. Felt like they were lacking in any flavoring whatsoever. There can be a wait for a table, so prepare for that. There is patio seating but it is small.
(4)Cathy S.
Read the Yelp reviews before my daughter suggested this wonderful place. Did not disappoint on any level. The ambience, the music, the decor were like a journey to another exotic land. And the food was beyond fantastic. Our server Aziel was just as wonderful as the rest of the experience. We all ordered different things and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. A clear winner of a dining experience.
(5)Ashley D.
Definitely a Santa Fean favorite! If you need a break from all the great New Mexican food in the area, Jambo is perfect. Actually come to think of it Jambo is perfect all the time. Everyday. Everything I've had here is amazing. The flavors are all wonderful and complex. A lot of chutney and a lot of curries going on up in here. I love starting out with an appetizer of plantains. Sweet cinnamon and fried just perfectly. I've also ordered the fresh young coconut a number of times and that's always fun and tasty too. Drink the coconut water then scrape out the coconut meat with the spoon. So cool and so refreshing. The specials they offer are always good and amazing but you honestly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I unfortunately never got a chance to try any of the soups offered, but the chef/owner Ahmed Obo has won tons of awards at the "Souper Bowl" with so many of these guys. Jambo has also been on at the top of "The Best of Santa Fe" for years so you know they not messing around. On top of everything it's a warm and friendly atmosphere that is fun to hangout and enjoy good company :)
(5)Cecilia F.
I am pretty conservative with my stars, but this place is amazing! So I will most definitely give it the full five stars! I came here on a Wednesday night (around 8pm) after getting out of an event in Santa Fe. We are from Albuquerque, so we weren't sure where to go...and as a good Yelper, I went ahead and typed "food" nearby and Jambo Cafe came up. I looked at the reviews and I knew I had to trust my fellow yelpers, and I did. As soon as we walked in and the explosion of delicious smells hit my nose, I knew my fellow yelpers hadn't let me down. I sat down with an unbelievable hunger and couldn't do anything else but stare at the menu that was beautifully overwhelming. I ordered the Jerk Chicken, which came on top of the best beans and rice ever!! So perfectly cooked, the chicken just fell of the bone...still savoring it right now! The fried plantains sent my mouth into an overload of deliciousness. The portion was rightly sized for the price. and the ambiance was great. My friends and I also decided to share a MANGO cobbler, and it was super, super amazing!! Fast service, amazing food, amazing DESSERT!! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!!
(5)David W.
Sorry, came here with recommendations from friends, it did not live up to the hype. The place was extremely packed, but had a very friendly atmosphere We tried the sweet potato fries, jerk chicken wings, goat stew, jerk chicken, chicken curry. Sorry, all the food was just mediocre, I didn't think that any specific thing was better than the standard goat curry / wings / sweet potato fries.
(3)Adam J. V.
If you are looking for authentic African/Caribbean cuisine.......this is not it. I tried to enjoy the dried out jerk chicken, but could not force it down. The goat stew and chicken curry would've been great had I been expecting dishes made from a calendar recipe. The chef appeared to be a very nice man........in the wrong business.
(1)Marc M.
Tried this place for the first time and I was very surprised! From the outside it looks small and boring. Once I walked inside it was completely different. The African/Caribbean vibe and decor had me pretty amazed. My wife and I were seated at the bar. We started by getting crab cakes a Santa Fe Pale Ale and Mango Ginger Lemonade. For dinner we had the spiced lamb burger and the grilled organic jerk chicken. Everything was excellent! The service was even better! Can't wait to go back! This is a hidden gem. Check it out!
(5)Margaret G.
Ok, so I am basing my rating (almost) solely on the quality of the chai. The lovely cardamon infused milky tea drink which sustains me through my evening shifts. It's hands down the best in town in my opinion. But, in order to enjoy, you must be a fan of cardamon. Anyhow, aside from the chai, I've enjoyed very tasty (mostly carryout) meals from Jambo. My kids love the ginger lemonade and hibiscus drink. They love the plantains. It's a great establishment and atmosphere and wish I had time to dine-in more often.
(5)Kelly U.
I seriously could never get enough of Jambo. I think I've had almost everything on their menu and I felt like it was about time I should write a review. I've ordered out here for work, dined for lunch and dinner and can say that the service as always been excellent. They are friendly and always accommodating if anything isn't up to par...but it always is. The soups are the kind that taste delicious and yes, warm the soul. So you can never go wrong with the soup of the day. The Fried Cornmeal Plantain Crab Cakes are my favorite appetizer and are also a good light meal. You can never go wrong with the Encrusted Curry-pistachio Goat Cheese salad always fresh and full of flavor. The Lamb Burger is one of my favorites in all of Santa Fe, however they season it is perfection. Whatever you do, don't leave this place without trying the plantains or the fresh baby coconut drink that comes in the coconut so you can scoop out all the delicious coconut meat after drinking it all.
(5)Jana D.
Amazing!!! Flavored and spices that take you to a different continent! The place is small & can be busy and loud but food is worth it!!! Moroccan lamb stew omg so delish, coco curry chicken and coco juice in the coconut!! Go eat be merry!!
(5)John O.
Yelpers really hyped this place up....... Came here after a very long day of adventure in New Mexico, famished, ready to gobble down some good Jambo! Apparently food is not cheap in Santa Fe (I was visiting from out of town). When I opened up the menu, I was a bit shocked......it was really expensive! The ingredients aren't unique -- again, I was a bit surprised at the prices. The seating is not intimate at all -- the restaurant is just two rooms with booths and tables. We were seated at a table in the middle of other patrons eating their meals. I wasn't that keen on the layout......but I decided to stick around. Friend ordered the salmon salad and I ordered the jerk chicken w/ fries. Her salad looked quite good - fair portion size for salmon. The jerk chicken served in a pita bread was delicious - great use of seasoning - but the sweet potato fries were not perfect. They were a bit on the soggier side. Fries should be made to perfection -- it's not hard to mess up fries......... Our water was awesome. Great service. Friendly and very helpful. Would I go here again? I'd probably try another restaurant in the area before coming back.
(4)Corinne C.
Their jerk chicken is remarkably spicy and all about flavor ! "Bland" is how I would characterize the lentil stew. I would eat there once a week if I lived in Santa Fe.
(4)Tay L.
It's interesting eating in a strip mall, this spot is tucked away in this typical American strip mall. However, the ambiance is nothing near a strip mall, once inside I felt I was somewhere in the New York west village neighborhood. The colors, fabrics, the music and art were all well played. The service was slower than I am use to, but once I received the jerk chicken I immediately looked over the snail service and had one of the best meals during my visit to Santa Fe.
(4)Ashwin D.
This was an impossible find for me, since I wasn't looking for an african fusion place in Santa Fe. The food was unimaginably good. Their wings are to dye for. They have special flavors in their food which are exclusive to their cuisine. This place is truly a hidden gem.
(5)Mike D.
Have eaten at this outstanding café since hearing about it on Triple D and dropping by on our way home from Colorado 3 years ago. The strip mall it is located in made it a bit intriguing to find the first time, but it was well worth "the search." Have been there 2 more times since then and have NEVER been disappointed. The appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts are all spot-on. We head to Santa Fe in December for skiing/boarding and we are staying on Cerrillos because of its proximity to the ski area and because it is the path to the culinary delight known as Jambo Café. They have wine and beer. My son fell in love with the Tusker Beer on our last trip in March. Great stuff. The house wines are complementary as well. So, is there anything bad to say about Jambo from this Texans standpoint? Nope. Nada. Nuttin'. Zippo. Yes, the Café is close quarters, but that's what Cafés are....close. Too close. Nope. Just right. Great waitstaff. Great food selection. Great flavors and yep, GREAT Prices. Jambo, I miss you. See you in December..
(5)brianne c.
Wonderful calming atmosphere. The food are usually spicy, so keep your eyes peeled! Great vegetarian selections.. Try their jerk chicken sandwich! Also, their sweet potato fries and aioliis out of this world!!!!! Yum
(5)Jason C.
Went here because I saw it on "Diners, Drive-in, and dives". It was worth it. I had the coconut curry chicken with a mango ginger lemonade. I went during lunch and prepare for a short wait but it's worth it.
(5)Susan M.
Yum! We were in town and needed a break from green chiles (gasp). What a delightful find! Everything was tasty (savory phyllo, moon fish special, coconut lentil stew, mango cobbler) and the service was friendly and fast. Not sure when I'll be back in Santa Fe but will make it a point to eat here again.
(5)Julia O.
One of the best ethnic restaurants in town. It has good food, good portions, reasonable prices, and friendly staff!
(5)Kris K.
Food is absolutely delicious. Have been here twice since I don't live in Santa Fe, only visit, and both times could not have been happier with the quality of food and the level of service. The location is unassuming and you might think that it's some sort of greasy spoon, but there is a reason that this place gets mostly four and five stars reviews here on yelp. If you get the chance, go check it out. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Lyla A.
The staff was nice and the place was clean but the food was unfortunately just so so. We had the sampler, which gave us curried goat, chicken stew, and coconut lentils, and the Mahi Mahi dish. We also ordered the mango cobbler a La mode. It was all just OK. I'd give the overall meal a B-. Diners Drive ins, and Dives way overhyped this place.
(3)Rodney P.
Just had a great meal here. Beef Kabobs was my choice, and Jan had a soup and Hummus Pita. Good service, nice atmosphere and sizable portions.
(4)Brigitte M.
Jambo Cafe was such a delight! For starters I brought my African roomates here for lunch and they were absolutely in love! For starters, the service was great. And we could see our server helping other customers who weren't so familiar with the food try and find something on the menu that they would enjoy. As a vegetarian they have a wide range of vegetarian options available, I had the coconut lentil stew with roti and it was delicious. Some of the other dishes we ordered included the jerk chicken and rice, the fried shrimp appetizer and the goat and everyone left full and happy. The dishes were a little pricey, but the portion sizes are very big, enough to take home for dinner. Only regret was not having room for dessert!!!
(5)Jazmin R.
I have never had great curry until I came here! Plantains, roti and everything was excellent, the service was great and the ambient was nice!
(4)Erin L.
I've visited Jambo Cafe twice, and both times the food was a winner. The jerk chicken is the essence of comforting soul food: a well-seasoned, tender chicken thigh reigning over a pile of beans and rice with fried plantains perched on the top of the pyramid. The Kenyan beef kabobs are nicely charred and set off well by the sweet, light sauce on the haricots verts. The cumin fries are not the crispest, but they're tasty. Portions are large, and the prices are comparable to what you might pay at a worse Santa Fe restaurant. The jerk tofu, vegetarian sandwich, and coconut lentils are solid, generously portioned options for vegetarian diners. Service is neither fast nor slow. The servers are friendly and laid-back. When one over-inquisitive member of my party asked a server where he was from, he deadpanned, "Originally? My mother's womb." The ambience is also laid-back--the space is your typical strip mall restaurant with tile ceilings, but scarves cover the fluorescents and windows to soften the light, and the walls are heavily decorated with an ever-changing array of art. The ambient music often consists of Bob Marley classics. Dinner time can get crowded, but the staff doesn't make you feel rushed, and a weekend lunch was leisurely with the restaurant only half full. Overall, the Jambo Cafe is a comfortable place with comforting food. Be sure to stop by the adjacent shop to check out the many crafts and textiles for sale as well as an array of fresh spices, including the cafe's jerk seasoning blend.
(5)Sharon M.
We found this place through trip advisor when we were traveling to New Mexico. We wanted to try something different and this is where we finally decided on. Don't let the word 'cafe' throw you off as it sometimes does to me but this place was truly classy. We loved this place. Food was great. It was a lot like Indian food but my husband said it's common. The food was flavorful and love the ambiance. It was decorated with a lot of African deco, it was just nice.
(5)James W.
Jambo Cafe is an interesting and pleasant find in Santa Fe. Among all the green and red chili dishes of the southwest, this Caribbean/African restaurant is holding their ground and paving new ones in introducing such delicacies. Their curries are quite excellent, and the spices all around are generally very good. I was a little disappointed with the staple of Jerk Chicken. I had hoped for more spices, but realized that it may have been catered for the clientele in Santa Fe. The chicken was moist and well prepared, but just lacked the kick of of some authenticity. The crab cakes we ordered was a delight, and we ended our meal with a Mango Crumble that was simply delectable. Thank you Jambo Cafe for a wonderful meal, and thank you Chef Obo for coming out to greet us.
(4)Mehdi S.
This place is badass - that's all you need to know - I ordered the organic Jerk Chicken and had a black bean/sweet potato soup... so good - great quality food - great cooking - make sure you get the Cold Chai - so refreshing. one of those places i wish i had where i lived! enjoy :)
(4)Gary S.
Was visiting Santa Fe and just happened to stumble on this place, in a strip mall not far from our hotel. It is a really outstanding find! Great African/Caribean food. Nice atmosphere, good service - a really fun place. We were even able to find something acceptable to our three year old. It has been a while since we were there but I remember I had Kenyan-style beef kebobs that were delicious, and my wife had a curry that she also loved. If you are in Santa Fe and want some unusual food - and a break from the many great Mexican options, this is your spot.
(4)Tio N.
Walked in and they were playin' Tarrus Riley...feelin at home... What's playin as I type this..."Murder She Wrote"...AWESOME!
(5)Angela H.
Jambo is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe, because it offers a different kind of cuisine than most of the region and the flavors and spices are amazing. The dishes are creative and fresh and the staff is warm and welcoming. My favorite things on the menu are, for appetizers--the fried plantains, sweet potato fries, jerk chicken wings and the curry dipping sauce is to die for; entrees--mahi wrapped in banana leaf with black sticky rice, and i have had some amazing specials here as well. The fish and jerk chicken is what I would go for. Drinks--mango ginger lemonade and the fresh coconuts. Love it.
(5)Brent S.
Coconut chicken curry is to die for. It is a dish that never fails. Wait staff quite helpful and professional.
(5)Jordan A.
Food was amazing. Ambiance is very nice, really great for a lunch type place. Service was fine, wish the servers had been a little more friendly though. Definitely worth the money spent. (:
(4)Jen G.
This is now my favorite restaurant in Santa Fe. Seriously good food. I ended up getting the Jerk Chicken Sandwich, which I would highly recommend to anyone. I'm actually not a fan of spicy so I was surprised when I took my first bite. But the jerk chicken is incredibly flavorful. The sandwich looks like the photo on the Jambo Cafe website. It's jerk chicken on a fluffy pita, and I got mine with sweet potato fries (though I could have chosen the cumin fries instead). The fries were just as good as the sandwich, especially with the sauce on the side. I saved those fries for last, since they helped tame the fire in my mouth after eating the chicken. I actually ate the "sandwich" with a fork and knife, since I would have made a complete mess if I attempted to eat it like a sandwich. Some leaves separated the pita from the jerk chicken concoction, which was great so that the pita didn't get soggy too fast. My friend was the one brought me here and even comes here for lunch alone, because the food is just that good. She recommends the stews and always gets the hot chai (but recommends getting the chai after the meal, since the chai is pretty filling). This place not only gets 5 stars for the food, but 5 stars for customer service and being well run. My water glass was kept full, waiter was attentive, and the food came out pretty quick even though the cafe was busy for lunch. The staff is well-trained and seemed to have a good rapport with each other. Decor in the restaurant is nice, with cloth covering the overhead lights (so they're not too bright) and strings of flower lights contributed to the ambiance. Parking was really easy in the lot outside. I got a spot right in front! If you're visiting Santa Fe, make sure you stop by Jambo!
(5)Richard B.
I'm not going to go on and on. Plenty of others here have described the dishes and everyone who gave Jambo either four or five stars described the food accurately; everyone who rated it less are wrong. All I'm going to say is that I love this place, from the ambiance to the last morsel of food. It's fresh, exotic and delicious. Whatever you order is going to be good. I love green chile but it's nice to have a dinner without it now and then. I will be back and I hope to see you there. PS - Expect to have to wait for a table in the evenings. Very popular with locals.
(5)Michele L.
We have been here before giving it another chance. Food is amazing. Customer service is horrible. Won't go back. Why is Santa fe so bad on customer service??????
(2)Jenny V.
Every time I'm in Santa Fe for business, I have to get my dose of Jambo. Small restaurant with eclectic decor and great food!
(5)Misha U.
There are so many things that look amazing on the menu, and I don't think that you can go wrong. The jerk chicken is tender and flavorful.
(5)Eric S.
Food is amazing. Make a reservation just in case (45m-wait one time and empty the other). The manager dude who seems high and chats up your table with a sense of humor is awesome. Don't pass on the wings or plantain appetizers. Pro tip: bring a dart. If you're not sure what to order, throw your dart at the menu. Order that. Pro tip II (warning edition): there is an exotic-sounding African (I think) beer on the menu that costs more than the others. It's pretty boring and unremarkable - not worth the extra money.
(5)Charles J.
First thing I have to say is I have never had a bad meal or experience here! I've tried at least half the menu and eaten here a couple of dozen times! The food is great and you can tell a lot of care goes into making it. The only thing that might be better than the food is the service, gracious and welcoming. Everything I have eaten has been great, but the goat stew and lamb sandwich are my favorites and my girlfriend's favorite is the sweet potato and black bean soup... Eat here!!
(5)christine h.
I have only been once with 6 people and everyone was happy with their food. If you like spicy, then the shrimp dish was awesome.
(4)Bobbie M.
The dining experience for me is a disaster. I just find every single menu item distasteful. I did however appreciate the ginger lemonade. And as such, appropriately, swing by the strip mall for a cold beverage if you are in fact forced to enter the Southside of Santa Fe.
(1)You-Cyuan J.
I tried their Moroccan lamb stew. It looks like a chili soup, but the taste is awesome. A little spicy though. The meat is well cooked and I like the combination with chick peas, beans and potato.
(5)David S.
I love, love, love the food. My favorite is the jerk chicken. However, the goat stew is bomb too. However, we have a 2 year old and both work. As you could imagine we don't get out much. Maybe every couple of months we get take out. As one could imagine this is a pretty big treat for us all and we're looking for things to go smoothly. Tonight, for the third time in a row, we had our take-out order screwed up. My wife went back and was told it was her fault because the cashier had showed her the order on the screen. As she pointed out she does not work in a restaurant and is not familiar with how the screen appears. It is not on us to determine if the order is correct. In any other city this kind of mistake making and behavior would be weeded out through competition, but not in the City Different. As excellent as the food is in this little backwater we'll be patronizing places that value our dollars and our loyalty.
(1)Jess K.
Best recommendation I can give you: make a reservation. There was as much activity around the hostess stand and outside the restaurant as there was inside, a bit of a wait, but everyone was friendly, so we waited. 45 minutes for 2, but on a Friday night so take it with a grain of salt. We sat down, our servers were very nice, made good recommendations and were attentive despite how busy it was. We ordered the jerk chicken wings as an app, they were not good. Tasted wet and without much flavor, not crispy at all. But our entrees were excellent. The goat stew, served with roti, was flavorful, rich, and meat was tender, fell off the bone. The coconut chicken curry is a must, sweet and mildly spicy, I enjoyed all of it. Served with rice, it was delicious to mix in with the extra sauce. This place is definitely a local favorite.
(4)Brian O.
On our way to Taos, we stopped in Santa Fe for lunch at the Jambo Café. My wife had the salmon salad and I had the Lamb burger and the cumin fries. Both meals were delicious. For dessert, we shared a mango cobbler with ice cream. It was also delicious. Service was very good.
(4)Ivy A.
We LOVED Jambo it was sooo tasty We had jerk chicken fell off the bone Christiana was a great server made our evening special highly recomend
(5)Mark L.
So great except for no salt? Why? Everything was under seasoned which I'm shocked by at an African cafe. We had to add salt to every dish we tried - once we did this the food was amazing Maybe because they are so popular and busy the chef has stopped tasting the food before he sends it out
(3)Lauren H.
I liked Jambo not only for the cool vibe and friendly feeling, but also for the deliciously different, super-tasty spin they give their food. We ordered a variety of things when I went with my family, and it was all very flavorful and good. The jerk chicken especially, served with red beans, rice, and sweet cooked plantains Coconut shrimp and the crab cakes on the appetizer menu were both great starters.
(5)Farmer T.
Right when we walked in, we were greeted nicely and sat promptly. Wait staff was very friendly and accommodating. Food menu was extensive with plenty of dishes to choose from. The jerk chicken was excellent as was the mango ginger lemonade was also amazing and really hit the spot. The decor was friendly, inviting and not very loud at all. Overall it was a great experience and will for sure be back again.
(5)Patron X.
Diverse menu with great options for any diet. The specials are creative and I find myself having trouble picking from the plentiful delicious options so we always end up ordering several items and end up with more than we can eat but the leftovers never go to waste. The place is popular and therefore always crammed and a wait for a table is expected. If your looking for super traditional East African food this isn't the place, but the creative Afro-Caribbean fusion is tasty and fun. It's a pretty casual joint tucked into a strip mall, but the ambiance is lively making it a good place for a tasty and hearty meal with friends.
(4)Carrie H.
We drove from New Jersey to Arizona and came through Santa Fe specifically for the goat stew. It's delicious - a flavor your mouth will not believe! Also got the island spice chicken stew, and I think I liked that even more! Now I just need an excuse to go back...
(5)David G.
Fantastic!. We are from San Diego and have eaten in a number of African and Kenyan restaurants but none remotely as good as Jambo. We had their crab cakes and their Jamican Jerk chicken salad apetizer which wer fabulous. Our main dishes were also both great but we so often love our apetizers best that we realy should order them as main dishes, especially when the salads are big enough to be a meal. The owner came by our table to ask if we were happy and I asked if he will be writing a cookbook to which he said hopefully within a year. His story of how he got to where he is, is also very interesting and satisfying. I will be donating to his nonprofit to help his village.
(5)Ryan H.
Best vibe in Santa Fe. They make you feel like family. DON'T fear the strip mall! Must tries are the goat and the lentils. Made a point to visit there every trip to Santa Fe. Will be back on my next trip.
(5)Arlene S.
This restaurant is fake, the jerk chicken is no where close to Caribbean jerk chicken, then again you got africans trying to make caribbean food... Also not sure why they were playing bob marley, thought i was in a keynian restaurant, i would love to hear their music. If you are going to this place for jerk chicken skip it, the african food might be good however..
(1)steve d.
A great tasting alternative to other Santa Fe restaurants. The coconut/peanut chicken stew and the curry chicken stew are taste treats. The mahi mahi was a bit over cooked. The talapia is nicely seasoned, sometimes the portions are not consistent. The combo with the goat stew is excellent however as others have mentioned, eat cautiously because of small and sharp bone flakes. Avoid at all cost the following: The appetizer coconut shrimp and the appetizer crab cakes lack taste and freshness, are over cooked and blanketed in a coarse coat of corn meal? The jerk chicken just OK. The mango dessert and the pecan pie are quite delectable.....
(4)Melissa F.
The food is delicious here, the sweet potato fries with curry dipping sauce. Yum yum yum. And then got an order of their Caribbean goat stew, the goat is so tender and the flavor perfect! Service was great too, the staff was helpful and very friendly. An all around good joint.
(5)Jennifer S.
I have only been here once, and I plan on coming again! I got the lentil stew and the fried plantains. The plantains were to die for, and there was quite a few of them. The lentil soup was thick and delicious. The wait staff was friendly, and I could figure out which customers were the "regulars" by how the wait staff interacted with them. The environment is very welcoming. There was a little placard on the table that told about the island in Kenya the owner had come from. Kenyan food at its finest.
(5)Colin S.
For me, Jambo Cafe was as good as a restaurant can possibly be and I don't say that lightly. Not only was the food amazing, but the service was fast, courteous and efficient. Did I mention this was an extremely busy Friday night? I even saw the chef/owner out busing a table and making sure the customers were satisfied. I told him thank you and shook his hand, as you don't often see the owner out on the floor cleaning dirty dishes to keep everything running smoothly. He seemed genuinely happy that I was there and was very humble. I really, really wish Jambo Cafe was here in Boise!
(5)Sam S.
Unique restaurant for this town. Give it a try. Friendly staff!
(5)Allison S.
Excellent dishes with delicious flavor combinations. I recommend the Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew!
(5)Kendra P.
Don't be fooled by this restaurant's humble exterior. The only thing off about this quaint restaurant is the fact that it's located in a strip mall. The second you walk in the door you'll understand why this place is so great. Fun African decor extends even to the bathroom! The food is second to none - a wide variety of scrumptious meals that are sure to delight any palate. I don't live in Santa Fe but if I did I'd eat here all the time!!!!
(5)Elliot M.
Great food. Extensive menu. Very reasonable prices. Great service. In a mall set back so we passed it by on our first try, but found it quickly. I had a great Morroccan stew full of delicious flavors.
(5)David N.
Food ranges from okay to quite good, although the dishes tend more towards the Caribbean side than African. My biggest issue is the price - a lot of the dishes are probably 20-30% more expensive than I'd expect for what you get. They do serve up something that's not like anything else in town though, so I suppose they can command a higher price given there's little to no competition for this kind of cuisine in Santa Fe. The Kenyan Beef Kebobs are quite flavorful - it's a favorite of myself and several others I know who have eaten here. I'm not as much of a fan of the jerk chicken though, although I may have just gotten a mediocre batch that was on the dry side and not as spiced as I'd like.
(4)Maggie D.
I would never have picked an African food place to eat in Santa Fe, but my friend took me there for lunch, and I'm so grateful!!! The coconut pili pili shrimp was amazing! Spice was perfect, shrimp was tender , rice was tasty, and the sauteed spinach was just right.
(5)Anne L.
Holy cow! Eventually it was well worth it, and by that I mean the wait was a bit long and we recommended they get a paging system since the waiting area is small and it's in a strip mall, so it only makes sense to walk around and we got passed up. But on to the food! YUMMMMMMY! Butternut squash curry soup, curry chicken with rice, fresh coconut juice!!! ALL yummy!!! My travel buddies got jerked chicken and jerked chicken salad and heard no complaints! The sauce to the sweet potato fries was delish! If they weren't closed today, we'd probably be back there...with reservations please!
(5)Cathy F.
If there were more stars I would give them to Jambo! Our meal was delicious . Service was top notch. I will say the best wait staff in Santa Fe! You do not see anyone standing around. The goat stew is a must. The roti is amazing. Flavors are outstanding. We look forward to our next meal there .
(5)Kellen C.
This is the best East African spot I have had, and the best African Vegetarian place I have ever had, really maybe the best Vegetarian place ever it is up there with anything in Cali, Portland, or Seattle. The Kenyan Chef has something special at this place the atmosphere is tight because it's always packed.
(5)Tc H.
I saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and couldn't wait to try it out. I wasn't disappointed. Everything on the menu looked so yummy but had to pace myself. I took a group of friends and we all ordered something different to try the dishes. It's always packed and the service has always been good to us. Santa Fe is lucky to have a restaurant that is different and isn't just another traditional restaurants that we have so many of. Thanks, Jambo Cafe!!! Maybe open a location in Albuquerque???
(5)andrea a.
What a FANTASTIC restaurant. Great food, great service, great smells everything was great. It was so good we tried to talk the Chef into opening a restaurant in Northern California. This is a must do when in Santa Fe. Be sure to check out the store as well. We look forward to purchasing his cookbook once he gets it finished.
(5)Jim V.
Wonderful jerk chicken great location to learn about a new culture of food and how fantastic the food is I will defiantly come back to jumbo
(5)Kitty J.
The cinnamon-dusted plantains are incredible. The plantains are cooked perfectly and that sauce! Wow. And the owner... he is super cute. Sooo glad I came here.
(5)Jon A.
Incredible jerk chicken! The homemade chai is awesome. What makes it is the exotic and delicious african food in a shopping mall surrounded by a sea of red and green chili.. The owner always stops and chats. This place is awesome.
(5)Nancy M.
Mighty tasty! The kabobs and shrimp were delicious and that pecan pie was so tasty, with melting ice cream, that I think about it all the time. Super yum!
(4)Matissa Y.
Wow Wow. That's all I can say. How come these reviewers are here saying this place is good? I had very good service from a pretty waitress, but that's about it. The food is neither authentic nor delicious. My husband and I had fried okra soup, Mahi mahi with black rice, Fufu with goat stew and Tilapia. Every dish was mediocre at best. Taste was not flavorful enough and rather blunt. Trust me, people who are giving five stars are those who really do not know what the real African / Jamaican food is. The server was very attentive but I wont go back to drop another $50 from my pocket while I can cook better African food at home.
(2)Mary M.
The food was simply amazing. Glad that we stumbled upon this restaurant on our vacation.
(5)L B.
When you get tired of eating Mexican food stop in at Jambo! Yes, the strip mall seems strange, but the food is excellent. We had a large group that included vegans, meat-atarians and general food snobs...ALL were satisfied with the quality and price of the meal. We had a gorgeous server who handled our large table impeccably. I am a BIG fan of reggae music and let me say the playlist they had on was dynamite... nice blend of classic dancehall favourites and sunshine feel goods. Make a reservation :)
(5)A. M.
Jambo is one of my go-to eateries. The food is lovely and the service is actually good, considering we're in Santa Fe, notoriously known for poor service in almost all areas. To be honest, I can't pull myself away from the goat and lamb. I haven't sampled much of the menu because these items are so spectacular. Take that into consideration. :-) Yes, this is located in a strip mall which tends to deplete my energy level. Yes, it's ALWAYS busy during mealtime, which also puts a slant on the enjoyability. If you can put on your blue hair and settle for dinner around 5:00, you'll beat the crowd and easily get a table. I've learned to do it that way. And, I look hot with blue hair.
(5)Heather T.
Gleeful Experience. Jambo! We were staying at the El Rey Inn and decided to have cocktails in town at Secreto (Hotel St Francis) followed by dinner here, closer to our hotel. Best plan ever. Hidden gem of a place, in a nondescript strip mall location with creatively lit interior archways & brightly colored walls, adorned with African art. From the beginning, it was abundantly clear that the servers were cool, calm & happy, and this made us happy. Happiness shined from the kitchen also. Sound weird? It wasn't. The whole place had a warm vibe to it. I must confess that the servers were so cute, I could just eat them up. Not in a drunken Cougar like way, but you know, they were just beautiful people. :) We walked in close to 8:30 and they closed at 9, so we were sensitive to that & ordered quickly. They were welcoming and oh so laid back (not outwardly worried about closing soon at all!) and we just melted into the place. We started with a Kenyan Tusker lager (for him), iced chai (for me, as two Secreto cocktails were already too many), special black bean ginger/coconut soup with fresh warm pita + coconut shrimp, followed by their pecan encrusted salmon special & cinnamon fried plantains. Sharing all of this was plenty filling, and we had to get the plantains to go. The soup was possibly the best balanced/spiced/textured soup I've had in my life! Maybe it was the prior Secreto cocktails talking, or the cute servers, or the amazing food, but man, this dinner was bliss. The shrimp were flattened, tender, fried and served with a mango yogurt sauce? Salmon was a wild caught looking nice red with a crispy & nutty outer layer (perfectly done for me), on a bed of quinoa, bok choy & cranberry, in yet another delicious sauce. The plantains were a generous portion with yet another great sauce. We surrendered our forks because it was time to roll us outta this place. On the way to the bathroom, Bob Marley appeared six or seven times. In the form of framed photos. His presence seemed fitting, for this was a peaceful place making great things happen. Jambo had us doing the mambo, and we will be back on a future trip.
(5)Abe J.
A menu that competes with all of the fine dining places in Santa Fe, but with out the pretentiousness that comes with Santa Fe at other establishments. Also, this blows Anapurna out of the water. That being said the Blackbean soup was always amazing! The salmon salad was my favorite, and their jerk chicken recipe is killer. Young coconuts are served there as well. Thematically solid, on par service, and amazing food! Don't often give the 5 put this place earned it.
(5)Randy S.
Lime coconut soup with soft pita. Jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and curry dip. Sound like the perfect lunch to you? I wish I lived here just so I could eat at Jambo Cafe! Everything had perfect seasoning, and was obviously made with fresh ingredients and passion. Kudos to the kitchen!
(5)Rick D.
We loved this place the atmosphere was excellent. We tried the goat stew it was great and also tried the mahi mahi it was fantastic and the service was nice and it was amazing wish there was one my town. If we come again to Santa Fe we would come back.
(5)Hight F.
Great coconut, guava lime soup. The combination plate is a good choice for sampling both jerk chicken and goat stew!
(5)Davina D.
There are some thing folks don't do. like eat at strip malls. ....... my man prefers not to eat at restaurant with pictures of food posted above the counter/kitchen (I disagree. some places are rather goodddddddddddddddd) but then Jambo, with a major uplift, comes rolling around and they sure do stick around. and they stay consistently busy. "Did you make reservations?" I pout my face and shake my head no in disgust "No...............But I came all the way from NYC", pity pitch. It worked especially for the fact we went at 615pm and it was still a bit early, yet already crowded. Pale Ale and coconut curry chicken please with nan. The aroma while waiting got me fidgeting and biting my man's arms. The food is on point, that curry chicken with an additional sprinkle of hot sauce (already on the table) and I'm floating awayyyyyyyyyy into the real Caribbean islands. I'll talk about the special (steak) my dude got but let's not....that coconut chicken curry is all you need to focus on. How do you do this? It sure beats a lot of places in Brooklyn and in the city, dang. Yum.
(5)Amaryl P.
Wonderful atmosphere! It was laid back, like Santa Fe is, but with a different flair to it. The greenery, the lights, the bongo drum....it felt festive and Jamaican. We had the lamu coconut pili pili shrimp over rice and the combo plate, which included chicken curry, lentils, and goat soup. The chicken curry was SO GOOD! It was way too much food, but we ate it all anyway. Go. Drive away from downtown. Enjoy the ambiance! Enjoy the fabo food!!!
(5)Steve S.
Camouflaged in an anonymous strip center a little north of Jackalope on the freshly finished asphalt of Cerillos (thank God) , you can drive south of town to get a double dip of the best Santa Fe has to offer for eclectic shopping and unique ethnic chow. Jambo is a delight to the eye, ear, nose, and palate, walking through the front door. Happy ethnic music, colorful decorations, heavenly scents of spice wafting through the air, and excellent servers all enhance the extraordinary yum yums served here. We shared the fish special of the day and squash bisque, both a marvelous marriage or spices, balanced perfectly and prepared flawlessly. The mango ginger lemonade was a perfect foil for the rich deliciousness of the food, and we left feeling joyous inside and out. An outstanding change of pace when you're feeling "chilied out"- drive here, enjoy, and spread the word. This place is divine.
(5)Jesse C.
Been here twice now. Loved it both times. Great service and reasonable price. The food is authentic and local and very tasty.
(5)Tim V.
This place impressed all around. What I liked most was the obvious committment to quality and freshness. The flavors were unique and didn't require a pound of salt to stand out. While the food had the attention and quality of higher-end cuisine, the restaurant and staff seemed very down-to-earth. Oh, and moderate prices too. I can see why Jambo Cafe has garnered so much attention and love. People living and vacationing in Santa Fe know good food. Jambo Cafe is good food.
(5)Jeff A.
Jambo was amazing. Food., atmosphere and service all great. 4of us had meals drinks and 1 dessert. $92. Can't beat .chicken falls off the bone. Great taste . Warm mango cobbler with vanilla ice cream to die for. Best calling for reservations.. They are busy at dinner. Jeff
(5)Jeremy S.
Jambo Cafe lived up to the hype. Wings and Jerk chicken were amazing. My wife said Plantains were best she ever had. I agree. Mango cobbler was fantastic too. Highly recommended.
(5)Jordi G.
SO GOOD. so so so good. My friend was house sitting and so we made a night trip to hit the town in Sante Fe. By the time I got there I was hangry to say the least (angry from hunger) and was ready to just go find a Wendy's. My friend said that we had to try Jambo because it had been the talk of the town. When we got there at 7:30 we realized we should have made a reservation because there was a 35 minute wait. The little hungry demon inside of me was freaking out but my friend said it was worth the wait and it was! We decided to get a few plates to share amongst the three of us and it was just the right amount. We started with the Stuffed Phyllo - pastries filled with spinach, black Moroccan olives, organic feta, roasted red peppers and chickpeas, over organic field greens, drizzled with pomegranate sauce. I was sold with that alone. For our main dishes we got the special of the day (chicken stuffed with feta... and other treats I'm forgetting), sweet potato fries and the combination plate (Chicken curry, goat stew and coconut lentils with rice and roti). The goat meat was all my hopes and dreams. I'm a carnivore girl and that meat just won me over. I will definitely going back and exploring the menu more!
(5)Chris C.
Jambo: Swahili for hello. As such a welcoming place should be named; don't be fooled by its humble strip mall location, the ambiance is warm and friendly. Youre immediately comfortable and at home inside. The food is amazing. Wonderful flavors and textures of food, a menu that is full of tasty eats! The chicken peanut stew is amazing. I never get tired of eating here. Unpretentious and completely satisfying. The whole place radiates goodness, light, and love!
(5)M M.
I can't even begin to describe how incredibly delicious this place is. I am visiting Santa Fe for a week and had made a deal with my traveling companions that we wouldn't eat at the same place twice...... that deal has gone out the window. There is no way that I am leaving Santa Fe without eating here again. If at all possible, make a reservation.
(5)Kate L.
Food was good but server made an obvious mistake (she never wrote anything down) with our order and never showed any urgency to correct the wrong. Second entry showed up 15 minutes later.
(3)Eric H.
Good food is only part of the experience of eating out. Otherwise, I could just as easily cook at home. The food here is good and I enjoyed what I ate, but a few things made the experience less than satisfying. My wife and I had dinner during Restaurant Week so the menu was a bit more limited than the regular dinner menu. We had a three course meal from a choice of two appetizers, three entrees and two desserts. Unfortunately, the soup and our entree tasted a bit too similar, as if they used the same coconut curry sauce for both. The entree was also a bit too spicy, even for me, and I like spicy food. When the heat detracts from the flavor of the food, then perhaps there's too much. There was nothing here that had that five-star wow factor. Ultimately, it was the service that ruined my experience. We ordered a bottle of South African wine and the wine service was entirely wrong. First, our waitress, Christiana, brought out the wine and didn't show me the bottle. Then she couldn't manage to twist off the cap and left to get help. Finally, she returned and poured the wine for my wife and then myself without even allowing me to taste it first or see the label. After she left and we tasted the wine, were we able to see the label and realized that it was the wrong wine. When we were finally able to get her attention toward the end of our entree, we told her the wine was not the one we ordered. She left to find out more and returned to tell us they had run out of the wine on the menu and this was the substitute. She did offer to let us order something different, but by then we were nearly finished with our meal. I told her that this may have been avoided if she would have shown me the label before she opened the bottle. It was apparent that she knew almost nothing about wine service. And the fact that she never returned to check on us makes me wonder if she was new to this line of work. I can spot newbie wait staff by how inefficient they are when going back and forth to the kitchen: their hands are empty. All in all, the food was four-stars, but the wait staff was inexperienced and detracted from the dining experience, hence the three-star rating. I would suggest some wine education for the staff.
(3)Karen M.
While visiting Santa Fe we decided to try Jambo Cafe. Upon entering we were greeted by the attentive staff and happy music. The restaurant has a unique and vibe. Above all the food was delicious. I ordered the Kenyan beef kabobs that came with a variety of greens and a perfect sweet sauce.
(4)Marco B.
Awesome goat stew, attentive waiting and not the norm for the area. Win, win, win if you ask me. Would go again if I'm in the area. Pretty much a pointless review because it seems everyone else agrees with me!
(4)Mark K.
The food is amazingly delicious and unique. The moment you walk in and smell the aroma of the food your appetite "doubles." I had the organic jerked chicken which was fall off the bone good. It came on a bed of delicious red beans and rice with a side of tasty fried plantains. All of it was stick to your ribs delicious.
(5)Maggie N.
Delicious! Our server was a little off, but the food was great and the chef came by to make sure it was great.
(5)Tania I.
Our friends in Boulder, CO said "you MUST eat at Jambo Cafe while you're in Santa Fe". So, we did and LOVED it. Went in on a rainy Friday afternoon for a late lunch. My husband had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Black Bean Sweet Potato Curry Soup. I had the Coconut Grilled Tilapia. It was served on a bed of rice, topped with garlic spinach, chutney and dried fruit. Never before had my taste buds been tantalized like this. We ate every morsel. Not wanting the delicious experience to end, we decided to get dessert despite being stuffed. As I eat gluten-free, we had the flour-less chocolate cake with whip cream. That was THE best flour-less chocolate cake I have ever experienced. It was soft, moist and light. Topped with their home made whip cream that was thick, smooth and sweet. Now I understand why and how this place gets rave reviews/referrals from people out-of-state. I highly recommend checking out Jambo's Cafe while in Santa Fe.
(5)Tia R.
The roti is worth four stars alone. I'm a frequent traveler to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and New Mexico in general. ONCE in a while, I do get tired of New Mexican food and I venture out to try something different. The last few times, I dined at Jambo Cafe, (twice in one day, actually). Their service is friendly and their food is always satisfying. I have had their curries, stews, and the jerk chicken. You can't really go wrong with anything. Their apps and desserts are wonderful. I have not tried their goat because I don't do goat. I grew up with a culture that had goat for special occasions. The smell throws me off and the furthest I have gone is lamb, which I don't even truly enjoy (too gamey for me). It is a bit expensive, but you do get a lot, so plan on eating plenty or taking it home.
(4)Rand R.
I had been wanting to try Jambo Cafe for a long time. On a recent trip to Santa Fe, I got the chance to have lunch there. What a treat!! Located in an old strip mall at Cerrillos and St. Michael's, this place may otherwise go unnoticed unless you are looking for it. But once inside, you know you have arrived to someplace special. Nicely decorated, tables full, staff busily attending to customers, Jambo is hopping -- and for a reason: the food is AMAZING!!! Featuring African and Caribbean cuisine, there are many wonderful options. On this first visit, I had the jerk chicken sandwich with the combo of cumin spiced and sweet potato fries. It was all delicious. The chicken was so flavorful and moist. The fries crispy and perfectly seasons served with a wonderful, unique dipping sauce. I can't wait to get back and try more! The staff was so helpful, attentive and friendly.
(5)Nate L.
I've been here twice now and both times the food was great. The food is consistent and the jerk chicken wings are awesome!
(4)Joshua M.
Santa Fe is a place with lot's of food options so it is no small feat to shine .. Jambo Café shines, one of the most easy going casual yet attentive and caring service standards experienced in town, the food choice provides a very nice variety to predominant local flavors and the result is delicious, my friend had the sampler plate with the goat and the chicken curry and did not leave a thing, I had the chicken in coconut & peanut sauce it was absolutely delicious !! also the drinks offer a great variety, loved the delicious lemonade with ginger and mango overtones and the tamarind was delicious, highly recommend a visit
(4)Annie S.
I love Jambo! I love the coconut chicken curry dish and their sweet potato fries. Every time I have gone, it's crowded yet I've never had to wait for a table. Service is quick and the staff are friendly. This restaurant is a must-try.
(5)RN Juan-Xiao W.
Tried this place with a few friends this evening. Everything we tried was delicious. The coconut chicken curry, goat stew, lentil soup, kabobs.
(5)Jane D.
The real deal! Goat stew, Jerk Chicken, plaintains ------ YUMMO
(5)Sameer N.
The place is fantastic. Don't let the mall environment fool you. We ordered the combination plate and chicken curry with rice. The food was tasty and just right. More than of the servers stopped by many times to take care of us. Decor is awesome. Definitely a must visit on your trip to Santa Fe.
(5)Stephen W.
We loved this place! After eating green chiles for seemingly 100 meals in a row we needed a break. We searched Yelp and found this place. A bit hard to find as it's situated at the back end of a strip mall, but once we figured it out (after calling) we found it. We arrived on a Friday night around 6:30-6:45. There was already a line so we had to wait quite a while to be seated. When we were seated it was at the bar. The aroma from the restaurant is intoxicating so standing in line was not so bad. The food was absolutely wonderful. I got the coconut chicken curry and the wife got the combo with lentils, chicken curry, and goat stew. We both loved what we got. We started with the ginger butternut squash soup--it was absolutely divine. The service was warm and helpful. This is simply a great restaurant. I would return in a heartbeat.
(5)Chris M.
Excellent food. Sweet potato fries were marvelous and the jerk chicken was very good. Service was ok. Kind of rushed me and was not that helpful on the menu.
(4)Paula H.
Love Jambo! High quality and delicious food prepared by a kind staff. Reasonable prices and they are always expanding and getting better. So proud to see this venture grow so successfully over the years. Try the soup... You won't be sorry.
(5)Sheila S.
Thanks to Yelp I found this amazing restaurant--and its sister store selling African art and spices, all in the same strip mall. The prices, unlike downtown Santa Fe, are reasonable and the food is creative and good. I will come back!
(5)DA W.
Worth the drive when staying in Santa Fe. Wanted a break from SW food and our meals were excellent. Great vegetarian options, too...I had a cup of the East African Coconut Lentil Stew (called a kiddie portion) which came with basmati rice on the side and was delicious. Then the Curry Encrusted-Pistachio Goat Cheese over roasted vegetables with a pomegranate vinaigrette which was amazing. My dining companion raved about the Moroccan Lamb Stew. Save room for dessert. Our fantastic waitress recommended the Coconut Cardamom Flan and we were tempted to lick the plate.
(5)Leza M.
Unbelievable restaurant, DELICIOUS food, GREAT service. Incredible North African food that is not Middle Easter and completely different from Ethiopian or Nigerian. Looking forward in returning and trying some new. I had the lamb and couscous along with baked plantains.
(5)Shane B.
Fresh and delicious. Try a soup! I had East African coconut lentil stew and it was savory and hearty with roti (similar to naan but thinner and flakier) and a side of cumin French fries mixed with sweet potato fries dressed with curry mayo which is insanely good. Christy had a veggie sandwich which consisted of marinated artichokes chickpeas olives goat cheese green peppers organic mixed greens piled onto a toasted pita with a side of fries. The sandwich was tangy and savory, just the right amount of salt. Service was prompt and friendly and as is the case with many of the restaurants we've visited, the atmosphere was lively and original local art was hanging on the walls. We were also fortunate enough to meet owner Chef Ahmed Obo who was engaging and friendly and interested in who we were. Overall a great meal and excellent experience.
(5)Tania S.
What a relief that this place exists in Santa Fe--home of a million tourist-friendly, expensive-yet-mediocre Italian and sushi places. Yawn. The food at Jambo is flavorful and unique. I have not tried it all, but I love love love the beef kebabs. They are super-tender (not stiff or chewy) and served on a bed of potatoes and spinach with a sweet-ish, tart-ish pomegranate reduction. OMG, yum. The lamb stew and curry-pistachio encrusted goat cheese salad are also very tasty dishes. Also, an important thing to note in Santa Fe: these dishes have been *consistently* delish. None of the sometimes-on-sometimes-off bullshit that Santa Feans have to deal with all the time, everywhere. I knocked off one star only because I've had some stuff here that was just okay, like the combination plate w/chicken curry, goat stew, and lentils. I didn't particularly love any of those dishes, but didn't hate them either.
(4)David P.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat in Santa Fe. I've had most of the items on the menu and never been disappointed.
(5)Amy M.
Man, I wanted this place to be so much better than it was! This is going to be harsh, and if it offends you, you can ignore it, and keep eating. First, we called up to make a reservation for our party of 6 only to be told that they only take them for parties LARGER than 6. From my understanding, the number goes up with the popularity of this overrated hole in the wall. Regardless, a party of 6 came in immediate after us, with a reservation. They "knew the owner". Left a bad taste in our mouths as we waited, sardined in the front of the restaurant, for a couple of mismatched tables to open up that we could push together. Listen, I get it. You Santa Fe dwellers probably crave departure from Christmas everything. I would too. But the variety in local restaurants simply has to have better offerings than this. The fries. Hey, those were good! Our meal started off on the right foot, with me thinking that the sweet potato and cumin fries were a harbinger of good things to come. The dipping sauce was to DIE for. But as tasty as they were, when it comes down to it, they were normal french fries tossed in a coating. Nothing innovative there. Man Candy and I split a bowl of the peanut coconut chicken soup, as well as the lamb stew with couscous. At first bite, the soup was delicious. Subsequent tastings, however, proved it to be bland and lacking in seasoning. It cried out for some lime, for some salt. Something to help cure the pervasive coating of peanuty-coconut that plagued my taste buds. The lamb stew was like dressed up dinty moore. Maybe that sounds harsh. The cornstarch thickened broth filled with previously-frozen vegetables that now lacked any sort of texture, small pieces of what may well have been lamb lacked the kind of gusto I expect from Moroccan-style cuisine. The couscous was simply instant. Not the time-intensive Moroccan couscous with the beautiful texture you only get from intense attention to detail. All in all, this restaurant was a letdown to the senses. From the party of 6 who had a reservation when we were denied the same, to the run-of-the-mill french fries, the feckless soup, and the artificially thickened stew, each course offered a unique chance to realize how much better eating at home may have been.
(2)Frances L.
Fantastic food and attentive service even when they are busy. I tried the combo plate which is a good way to get a taste of everything. However, the goat stew does have some large bones that are big enough to not choke on when you see them in the meat. my fiancé loved his Morracan Lamb stew. The roti was hot and awesome.
(5)Angela S.
This was the first time that both my bf and I tried African food... OMG--we are in love! I got the jerked tofu sandwich with sweet potato fries, and he got the combination plate. We shared both our dinners with one another for the most part and loved everything. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable & helpful. Decor was nice. Can't wait to go back when I'm in New Mexico again!
(5)Abby K.
As another reviewer said, "don't let the strip mall location fool you." This place is a must visit if you are a foodie. great decor inside, reminds me of my travels to Africa. Food is good. The appetizer of fried plantains was so yummy and enough to feed 5 people! The stew (goat and chicken peanut) were both tasty and big portions. Also ordered 2 fish dishes which were good, but portions were small.
(5)Albert S.
It's hard to believe but the best restaurant in Santa Fe is in a strip mall on the outskirts of town and it's not New Mexican food, it's African. My favorite dishes are the goat stew and jerk chicken and save room for the baklava and pecan pie. This place is an incredible value.
(5)Lydia S.
SO GOOD! I have eaten almost everything on the menu, and I have never had anything that was less than fantastic. The chai tea is my favorite in town, cinnamon dusted plantains are a must-have, and the soups and stews are across the board amazing. The atmosphere is laid back and interesting. Lots of beautiful things straight from Africa. There is really nothing like it in Santa Fe!
(5)Natalie V.
Delicious!!. Ordered the coconut lentil soup goat curry, and beef kabobs. A friend got the Moroccan lamb stew and everything was great!! We ordered fresh coconuts which I thought was just awesome (I miss it). Will go back for sure.
(5)Brandon W.
Food was incredible. You must try the cinnamon dusted plantains and beef kebabs. I have never had something so delicious.
(5)Linda A.
Found this restaurant on Yelp. The meal was orgasmic! Great food, service and ambiance. Our server Christiana was prompt, attentive and really friendly. As you can probably tell, I highly recommend. Don't forget dessert -- the mango cobbler will make your eyes roll back in your head.
(5)Brandon S.
Excellent food and service. Very unique menu. Try the lamb pita sandwich. Also try the crushed bonnet pepper sauce on the table, it's pretty spicy, but the flavor is excellent. I wish this place was in Huntington Beach!
(5)Kelly K.
Jambo is everything Santa Fe needs in a restaurant - bustling atmosphere that caters to locals (ie, it's off the tourist routes), high quality ingredients prepared and presented with flair, and a menu that sets your mouth watering as soon as you read it. My favorites include the crab cakes/salad appetizer (don't order as an entree, it's too small), the herb crusted salmon salad with capers and a zippy dressing. My husband loves the goat stew and we're both fans of the jerk chicken. 5 very big stars.
(5)Lauren S.
best food in New Mexico! Get the plantains!
(5)Alisson S.
Great- I hate writing negative reviews and it takes quite a poor experience to result in a review like this one. I ate at Jambo. I sat at the little bar, had a glass of white wine and ordered a goat and rice dish. Every single bite of the bowl of goat stew had bones. I was absolutely turned off and sickened by the goat bones and distinct smell of body odor that filled the restaurant. I truly gave it everything I had- but it was terrible. When the server asked if I wasn't going to finish, I was disgusted that he dare ask.
(1)Jane D.
I had their food at a house party.. Everyone agreed that everything was delish!!
(5)Karen K.
The dinner special of Yellow Fin on a bed of mixed mashed potatoes with guava sauce and asparagus was delicious and we savored every bite. The fish was cooked perfectly and our meal was served after a short wait. Our mango cobbler was also very good. 5 stars for the food. The service did not meet the same standards as the food. The wait staff were courteous but inattentive. Although there seemed to be plenty of wait staff, and few diners as it was late afternoon/early evening, they primarily occupied themselves by visiting with each other, eating, cutting fabric (!), and being generally distracted. We had to flag down someone to refill our water, to bring us a clean glass (lipstick), and to ask for the dessert menu. We were very disappointed in the lack of service. 1.5 - 2 stars for service. We will return to Jambo in the future as we like the food and appreciate that they help their community in Kenya. Overall 4 star rating.
(4)Sam W.
This place has earned my first every 5 star....My partner and I have traveled the world and this place has amazing flavors that can not be found any where else....I must admit the location is interesting, but it is a slice of worldly happiness in the middle of a strip center...The service was awesome, the beer was great, the food was Phenomenal. I had the roswell alien ale, the hummas and roti to start....I have been to trinidad and this roti was the best I have ever had... Main course I had the Marinated Beef Kabobs...The flavors were amazing...they were medium cooked....tender and on a bed of newed potatoes, green beans, grill onions and veggies, bedded on spring mix... 9 out of 10 for flavor...also great presentation My partner had the Lamb Stew and Couscous...he also gave it rave reviews...I had a bite and it has an amazing african flavor... Tips: Come early or later to get a table with no wait.... Not good for large groups unless you are willing to split up...Be open minded...it is African Fusion...You cannot find that every day. If you are narrow minded and not willing to eat in a strip center or stand to wait a few minutes...I am sorry that you will miss out....There is a fast turn over so if you have to wait it looked like tables were being sat in a reasonable time....I am here for a week and will be back at least one more time
(5)Dorothy F.
This is a very different restaurant. The food is exceptional.....carefully prepared by a chef who is dedicated to his profession! The way our orders were plated showed care and attention to detail. I especially liked that the different foods were divided with rice....keeping the flavors of each item from mingling. We definitely plan a return visit!
(5)Rada Y.
Love this place! Great service, exotic, delicious food, unusual atmosphere. Don't let the strip mall exterior fool you! I've had fish there several times...always a winner! This time had the jerk chicken...so good!
(5)Ted R.
Food was unique and Excellent. Service was great. Tables were crowded. Call for reservation.
(4)cory b.
One of the best lamb burgers I've had in my life. Decent service, too.
(5)Maritza K.
Yes, I also know Caribbean food :) Lived in Puerto Rico, I am 1/2 Puerto Rican, South America (Ok not the same but close in 'savor'=taste), Miami and other good food places. I wished it was larger, but if you go early, which I like anyways, you don't have to wait. Weekdays are best, no reservations, so you better be there early, because the smells will make you ultra hungry while you wait.....Tasty, very tasty, prepared with love, and attention to detail, makes me feel that someone in this town has some 'mojo' going...I am sooooooo tired of Mexican food. And yet I have not found the 'ONE' Mexican restaurant either! ;( Don't wait, go GO Now.... DO IT :))
(5)Tamara W.
Awesome food! ! Super friendly, accommodating staff! ! I had mahi mahi baked in banana leaf, with amazing sauce w mango, tamarind, and coconut. So tasty! ! If your visiting SF, it's off beaten path, well worth it
(5)april C.
I ate the lamb burger. And then I ate the lam burger the next day. And then I tried to go the NEXT day to eat the lamb burger, but they were closed, so I obviously went the day after that. WHAT UP, MEDIUM-RARE lamb burger.
(5)Jen K.
Jambo is simply the best! I love the wonderful eclectic African food, salads, ambiance, art, music, care & kindness of the welcoming staff. The place is always packed with creative, mystical wonderful people. I recommend treating yourself to Jambo... and try their catering services, for something really delicious!
(5)Ashia S.
Delicious. Always a treat.
(4)Christian Y.
This place is outstanding, I convinced my parents who were going to Santa Fe to go out of their way to go there, they did and also agreed! The food is great, the service is great and very friendly, the menu is deliciously original, the location kinda lame but whatever, not worth removing a star
(5)Kim C.
YUM! Love the unique blend of spices and huge selection of options. Not a lot of truly unique eateries in a town simply awash in restaurants.
(4)Francesca M.
We love Jambo! Nothing fancy here but delicious, unusual food at a great price. We went during a week night and there was no wait but every table was full. A nice change of pace. Thank you Jambo.
(5)Pwnya P.
Wins best in Santa Fe several years in a row for a reason. Highly recommended.
(5)Ellen G.
Chef is a master! Food to die for & no kidding....Melts in your mouth! He's so very friends & can't wait for him to write his cookbook. Chutney was spectacular and their plantain phyllo dessert was extraordinary. I've been very spoiled living in SF Bay Area & this menu was totally impressive! I wanted almost everything on it- Wish they were closer to my home!
(5)Susan M.
Our family was spending one day in Santa Fe and chose Jambo cafe for lunch! Best decision. I loved everything about this place! The decor, ambiance, server, and of course the food! We're all still talking about how good it is! We all chose something different and then shared! Here's what we had: lamb stew, coconut chicken curry, beef kabobs, butternut squash soup, pecan pie, cobbler, and a really delish starter made with phyllo dough, olives, tomatoes, feta, pomegranate sauce and more...incredible. All of it! You have to go to Jambo! You will be so glad you did! And Jambo....please come to ATL! Thanks for such a great meal!
(5)Laura N.
Not to be missed: charming decor, highest IQ crowd, even live music singer with acoustic guitar. But, the food is what it's all about and you won't be let down. We started with the coconut tiger shrimp with lime cilantro sauce: crispy but delicate subtle flavors. My husband had the chicken, peanut, coconut stew with a hint of curry. I had the special pecan and pistachio encrusted swordfish with Tamarind sauce, basmati rice with sweet potato and stir fried brocolini, all cooked to a turn. Don't be scared off by the thought of alien cuisine-nothing too spicy or strange. It is Kenyan with an addition of Caribbean flavors. We finished with a mango cobbler. I had never had it before, but wondered why because it's a natural. A true delight of a place! Almost forgot-cheapest we've eaten all week!
(5)Charmaine K.
I wish this place is in Denver! My friend recommended it when he heard I'm heading down to Santa Fe. We went in still a bit skeptical but man we're glad we went! The place isn't very big so get there early to get a seat. The decorations gave the place a nice atmosphere. The staff were nice and attentive. We were happy before the food was here so we were just hoping the food is good too. My boyfriend had the combo and I had their special of the day, trout with avocado cream salsa and dirty rice. Our food came quickly and we can't wait to eat. I don't even eat lamb but the lamb stew looked so good I had to try. Then I did more than trying and my bf started yelling at me for eating half his food. My fish was awesome, the sides were a bit crispy and the meat were nice and moist. the cream salsa was interesting, different, but good different. The creamed corn on the side was awesome also. The portions were good, we ate till we're full and then we ate some more. We'll definitely go back again when we go back to Santa Fe next time.
(5)Giuseppe Q.
Friendly staff and great food make this a wonderful place to eat. Don't let the strip-mall exterior fool you, this is great Caribean cuisine at fair prices. The owner, who is always there, and the staff all add to the feeling of welcome and that they are all eager for this lovely place to thrive. Try it and help a local small business succed!, you'll become a regular.
(5)Cecily M.
The moment I walk into this restaurant I am filled with happiness. The cooks really know how to use their spices. Fresh ingredients, creative cooking, and friendly customer service. I can't compliment this restaurant enough. It is a definite favorite of mine. I just wish I could afford to eat here more often!
(5)B H.
We're from Colorado Springs, and DD&D is one of my favorite shows....it wasn't all hype...I had the combination plate with flat bread. My friend had the goat stew, also with flat bread...we finished off the meal with the Mango cobbler ala mode, and some great house coffee....wine and a Roswell Alien beer were decimated during the event...I eat Birria in Mexico, so I'm familiar with the flavor nuances with goat...this was not gamey at all !! The soft texture was mingled with a flavorful, rich gravy, and separated from the bones easily...a little work, a great return for your effort. The chicken curry was creamy, with a flavor that hinted at curry, not a strong, pungent Madras tendency...and the lentils were a bold surprise that, although I personally thought could have had a bit more liquid in them, were still a third taste bud tangent that made the main entrée an adventure that I had not experienced before...the flat bread closely resembles an Indian naan...though not as fluffy as naan, nor does it appear to be baked in an oven. It's more like a big burrito tortilla...but it accompanies the rest of the meal well. The rice was a soft, longer grain, and had a flavor that made me think Basmati. The cobbler was fresh, and the crust was somewhat buttery... the coffee was rich with a robust flavor that made me think it was an import...all in all, it was a great meal, in a great place, with an owner who is warm, inviting, and a damn hard worker...we got there the day after their anniversary, where he said they served over 800 meals on Sunday...they were expecting 300. THAT should tell you something! Go !!! I can hardly wait to come back. :o)
(5)Jim L.
I love this place! I found it on Yelp and so glad I read the reviews and went there. Even though it was crowded on a Thursday night, I found the staff warm and welcoming. I ate at the bar and the service was outstanding. The menu was enticing with so many fun choices that it was hard to choose. I had the house salad, then crabcakes with habanero sauce, followed by mango pudding. Wow, the flavors and servings were amazing. I may have to go back to Santa Fe JUST so I can eat at Jambo Cafe again.
(5)Jesseca T.
Review # 250!!! The problem with reading Yelp before you go to a new place is that (for me anyway) I always order what everyone else said was great, so my review sounds like everyone else's. Consider yourself forewarned. Went for lunch today with a girlfriend. Total cost with tip was $52 We had: Hummus- with tomatoes, olives and fresh fluffy pitas- chunky but yummy Lentil/coconut soup (either rice or roti) - this was amazing, I never order soup but am really glad I did this time- I had leftovers too, very generous Sweet potato fries with curry aioli- YUM- hard to miss with these guys two glasses Torrantes (argentinian white wine)- great price for a solid glass of wine- $6 Services was excellent at 11:45 - place was full by 1 (only seats 50 people)- don't take resys unless you're over 7 people- this was a very good experience, I'd like to take my husband here to try out the lamb and goat dishes, which I hear are also great.
(4)Jordan J.
I am visiting from Austin Texas and decided to try this hyped place and it's definitely hyped for a good reason. We started the meal with the sweet potatoe fries with the curry sauce and a cup of black bean and sweet potatoe soup. Incredible my grandpa and I licked the bowl of soup clean and some of the best sweet potatoe fries I've ever had that sauce was delicious. After a very satisfying appetizer we split a combo plate which we thoroughly enjoyed. The goat was cooked to perfection be weary of bones though my grandpa got a couple loose ones, the chicken in the chicken curry was so juicy (ive had so many chicken curries where the chicken is dry so I was pleased with that), and the coconut lentils I didn't like them alone but mixed in with the goat stew or chicken curry they add to the meats and make them taste even better. Isn't spicy at all (I like a little more spice to my curry usually so I added a little hot sauce and that fixed that). We ended the meal with a flan. Too much vanilla for me but my grandpa thought it was perfect. Great meal, the waitress was attentive and sweet, and the food came out as fast as a fast food restaurant everytime we ordered 2 minutes later there was our food great restaurant with a great system!
(5)Alexandra Z.
My second time eating African food. I thought it was pretty good, but I was not a fan of the roti bread. Personally, I like the spongey Moroccan bread a lot better. I got the combination platter, and the goat was wonderful! I also liked the cassava.
(4)Clay D.
Great place! Atmosphere is great! The lights on the ceiling works unlike other places that try to pull that off. The music is a different . . . Well I don't know how to explain it but it matches the atmosphere. Smell is good considering the crazy items they cook. Service was fast and friendly. Different food. Not your typical menu! I had the Lamb and it was delicious!! The cumin fries are also very good. I will definitely be coming back here in the near future.
(4)Dennis M.
Hadn't been in since I moved out of a near-by neighborhood and I forgot how good the food is. Love the salmon salad!! The expansion looks great and the servers are casual, yet attentive. Sign me up!
(5)Kyle H.
Jambo is a very interesting Jamaican/African fusion place tucked away in a strip mall. It is quite a hidden gem on a road flooded by Mexican/New Mexican eateries. The portions here are quite large for the price, and the food is very well done. One downside is the lack of vegetarian options with only a couple to pick from, but at least they are good options. I went with the coconut lentil soup which was very flavorful and filling. I like that they have actual hot sauces at the tables (a scotch bonnet and a habanero sauce). This type of food is meant to be hot, though the scotch bonnet sauce was surprisingly mild... but nothing is perfect. The flat bread was very good, but the side of the rice was pretty small and nothing special. The service was quite good... nothing extraordinary, but friendly. The waiter did sort of vanish for a while, which isn't easy to do in such a tiny restaurant. The beer selection is a bit meh, but I suppose I'm a bit spoiled being from Denver. Overall, a pretty interesting and unexpected find in Santa Fe.
(4)Vin M.
My friends and I absolutely love this place. The food and service is always fantastic! My personal favorite dish that is the perfect comfort food is the Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew. If you can't decide from the menu, you won't go wrong with that.
(5)Andrew L.
morrocan lamb stew was amazing ! we had the combination and the lamb stew and both were excellent. the roti bread is a great addition to their dishes. they get fairly busy during the holiday season so make sure to get reservations. Their service was very prompt. Highly recommend
(5)Liz C.
This was a delightful lunch stop for us during our stay in Santa Fe. They were pretty busy so service was a little slow, but well worth it. The jerk chicken and roti were phenomenal. The staff seemed focused and were as friendly as they could be under the circumstances. The atmosphere was lovely and the beer selection was very nice. Definitely give them a go if you're in Santa Fe! They have certainly earned all of their best of awards.
(5)Alison F.
This was a good place, definitely outside of the downtown area. It's one that I wouldn't have found if it wasn't for Yelp. The inside of the restaurant is well decorated, cozy and has nice lighting. The waiter was helpful and funny. The food was tasty and interesting and included vegetarian options, while thoroughly satisfying a meat eater. The chai was yummy. They were cool about us hanging out there until the place got full. Amazingly, it was nearly full by 5:30 PM. (Though it was emptier in the mid-afternoon). The cardamom flan was lovely.
(4)Leahi M.
Ahmed knows what he's doing! I've seen this place transform from a tiny little spot to a bigger and more badass joint! The food is fantastic and the people love working for Ahmed, the owner, which makes for happy employees and great service! I love everything on the menu...especially the chicken curry!
(5)Peter N.
I'm pretty sure there isn't anything on the menu here that isn't good. We've been coming since not long after they opened, and it's the place we take anybody that doesn't mind a little bit of a squeeze and noise. I'm particularly fond of the Jerk Chicken, whether it's the sandwich (with sweet potato fries) or the plate (with fried plantains). Another personal favorite is the curried chicken wrap, made with a big puffy roti. Unless you're famished, these sandwiches are often enough for a second meal. I recommend showing up between mealtimes for a better chance at a table. They are full up almost every day, as far as I can tell.
(5)Natasha Y.
Excellent East African food with North African and Caribbean influences. My special favorite is their goat stew. Their rum pecan pie is sinfully rich. In fact I have yet to have anything from them I haven't liked.
(5)Elizabeth R.
Amazing use of spices, fresh foods creating a delightful dining experience. Jambo Cafe is the best. Full review and photos: examiner.com/santa-fe-in…
(5)Colleen Cassandra D.
Best food I've had in a while! Chef is so warm and friendly and comes out to check on everybody.
(5)Chrissy K.
This place is so great. I love it, my husband loved it, my one year old loved. Maybe a little cramped, but still very good. Our waiter was so very nice, our hummus was to die for, the jerk chicken was so great with the perfect amount of spice. Dessert was even better, would highly recommend.
(5)Susan O.
Another wonderful lunch with clients at Jambos. Chicken jerk salad, yummy! The best staff. So glad they expanded.
(5)Jill B.
Great food great prices and nice people
(5)Lauren E.
Amazing, tantalizing food, but only 2 stars for service.
(4)Dan F.
Incredible! Visiting my mom and stepdad in Santa Fe and they took me here to eat and I almost died of happiness. Great service and some of the best food I've had in a while! I will be coming back again before I leave.
(5)Jabba T.
Wow. Great food, nice people. Location and dining room leave something to be desired, but the food is so good, I still give 5 stars. Also- I haven't seen a restaurant so universally loved in a long time. EVERYONE I know loves this place! Recommended!
(5)Tony Y.
My wife and I love trying new cuisines, and we've never been to Jambo before. We tried the combination plate and the grilled beef kabob. We also got the cinnamon plantains and roti. The plantains were a nice surprise, the sweet smell of cinnamon mixed with the the doughiness of the plantains. The combo plate wasn't as impressive, as the curries seemed to be a milder version of Indian or Thai curry. This may just be due to our lack of experience with this ethnic cuisine, however. The kabob was done to perfection. The only one really negative experience here was our waiter. He seemed absent-minded and took forever to do anything. It was 15 minutes after we were seated before we were even acknowledged. The same lack of attention occured after the meal, when we waited quite a while to be brought the check. To be fair though, I think this was just this one waiter, as all the other waitstaff seemed pretty on top of it. We will stop by to try other entrees next time.
(3)Bob D.
Very nicely done. Service was outstanding. The goat cheese, curry, pistachio dumpling over the salad was superb. Red curry was flavorful, though mild. Goat stew was excellent, with the bread for dipping. Prices were reasonable.
(5)T. H.
it doesn't seem that jambo really needs me to write this review, but I'm doing it anyway. run, don't walk. don't let the strip mall locale fool you, this is truly tasty cuisine. we ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer, pili pili shrimp entree, blackened chicken salad and then the cinnamon plantains for dessert. ALL SUBLIME. the only knock is that we ordered take-out and were told it would be 15 minutes. it took 35 minutes. but everyone was so pleasant and we ordered a coconut (water to drink and meat to scoop and eat) while we waited. yes. yes. yes.
(5)Farwah R.
I recently visited this restaurant with three other people on a weekday night. The place was busy, and there was a twenty minute wait for a seat. After we ordered, the food arrived quickly. First the phyllo appetizer. The price was 7.95 and the serving was small for the price. It was filled with raisins, olives, feta cheese, bell peppers and it was heavily salted. We also ordered the hot and cold chai, and mango ginger lemonade. The chai was good, and it had the taste of cardomon, and cinnamon. However, the mango ginger lemonade was too sour, and filled with more ginger than mango. We ordered the goat curry, salmon, and shrimp curry. The goat curry came is a heaping serving accompanied by rice. My friend complained that the goat was too fatty, and had too many tendons. The salmon was dry, and lacked seasoning. My friend ordered pita because they couldn't eat the salmon on its own. Me and my other friend had the shrimp entree. The shrimp was overcooked and rubbery. The rice was cooked but watery and the dish was full of carbohydrates. I wanted to take a nap afterwards. At the end we ordered a banana coconut pie. The pie was made of banana, and seemingly graham crackers. There was no coconut taste, and there was no custard in the pie. The service was okay, but the waiter was not accommodating with our requests. We had to ask more than once for the same thing. If we came back to Santa Fe, we wouldn't try this restaurant again.
(1)Allison R.
Some of the best food in Santa Fe, very popular with locals. You'll be hooked by the scent of exotic spices the minute you walk in. Friendly staff, good service, quite a few vegan options. Faves: blackened tofu + roasted vegetables over salad greens, black bean stew.
(4)Sherry C.
I like the starter cumin french fries. The combination plate was a lot, with wonderful lamb stew, curry chicken and beans. The decoration in restaurant was cool. Apr. 25th
(5)Sam R.
Simply amazing. Honestly one of the best meals I have ever eaten. This was my family's first real experience with African cuisine...I had seen East African food on TV several times and wanted to try it badly. I was delighted when I found this place on Yelp while planning restaurants for our vacation to New Mexico. Thank you, Yelp, for helping us find this place, because it is the best place we have gone on the trip so far and will likely stay that way. The ambiance of the place was very calming and it was very pretty inside. Everything was on theme and the place was very busy for a Tuesday night. The service was also good. The food was STRIKING. Every time I tried a new bite of something, I would exclaim "oh wow, that's good!" I ordered the tilapia with pomegranate sauce, spinach, and coconut basmati rice. Every bite was amazing. The sauce on the fish was indescribable. After finishing the dish, I concluded it was the best fish I have ever had, anywhere or of any type of food. My mom ordered the Kenyan kabobs, which were also excellent and had a completely different pomegranate sauce. My dad tried the combination plate, and every item on it was delicious. The roti was also good, even if a little greasy. If I lived in Santa Fe, I would be back. I would be back as much as possible. It was a bit pricy, but for food of this quality, it was completely worth it. If you are visiting Santa Fe, you absolutely MUST GO HERE!!!
(5)Victoria G.
Hands down the best restaurant in Santa Fe. I've been through this city 3 times and have tried several restaurants. But this place was recommended to me 3 years ago on my first pass-through by a local. I've been coming back ever since! Everything is delicious and consistent and the environment is fun and eclectic. I love the pistachio-curry encrusted goat cheese salad, the lentils, the mahi-mahi, the tilapia, the curry, the roti... it's all wonderful. Clean space and friendly staff. Go here!
(5)Steph G.
It's not too often that I get to have African cuisine like this, so of course I took advantage. I am often intrigued by this type of cooking because of the types of spices and flavors that are paired that I would never be creative enough to think of in my own cooking ventures. Enter African cuisine. We started off with the jerk chicken wings, which were amazing and fall-off-the-bone-tender! I have never had wings so incredibly tender. And the jerk seasoning? Out of this world. A little sweet, a little spicy, and yes very savory. We also got a bowl of soup: shrimp chowder. Home run again! Lots of warm spices, perfectly cooked shrimp, and sweet corn. MMM yes. My love got the lamb burger, which probably doesn't sound too exciting but it was absolutely delightful. Served on a ciabatta roll with feta and a tomato chutney, it was heaven on a bun and so flavorful. Reminiscent of a greek burger, but had the taste of those awesome spices again. Forgive me, my palette is not yet developed for differentiating all those spices- yet! My entree was the mahi mahi over black wild rice. Sadly, this was the least flavorful of all the dishes and my fish was a bit overcooked. I'm not sure if it's because the rest of our meal was so bold in flavor? Oh well, 3 out of 4 is good for me. I'd definitely return if I'm back in Santa Fe.
(4)Jeff S.
Jambo is tucked into a strip mall, and from the street does not appear like much. Don't be fooled, however, this restaurant is a gem. They serve a mixture of authentic East African and Caribbean cuisine (not fused). We sat outside, cutting down the wait to be seated to immediate. The outdoor seating is very limited, three tables with umbrellas placed along the sidewalk out front, but it works. Our table ordered the cinnamon-dusted plantains, which came out quickly and disappeared quickly. Our server went to get us separate plates for splitting the app amongst our party of six, but we had devoured the gooey goodness before he could return. For the main entrée, I had the Kenyan-style Beef Kebabs. The meat was tender, well-seasoned; overall, pretty delicious. It came served overtop potatoes and green beans. The other dishes ordered in my party also looked tasty. The goat stew was thick and looked ideal for a drizzly day (not that Santa Fe experiences many of these). Service was quick and friendly despite the Friday night crowd. I'd recommend.
(4)Kip K.
Visited here with family about two weeks ago. The food was awesome. If we're ever back in Sante Fe we're definitely eating here again.
(5)Anye F.
The last few times we were in town we tried to come for dinner and couldn't brave the lines so this time we made lunch reservations. Good call. They had a table waiting when we arrived. Our waiter Abdul was kind enough to bring my dad a sample of the curry so he could determine if it was too spicy for him (it wasn't), which was super nice. The food was excellent. I had a jonesing to try one of their soups this time and the watermelon mint gazpacho sounded good so I went with the curried chicken salad wrap with a sub of the soup. We all shared an appetizer of the cinnamon dusted plantains which were a hit. I don't normally order sandwiches and wraps but this one was amazing. It was served on roti rather than pita which was delicious and the chicken salad was perfection. The wrap was about twice as much as I could eat. I liked the gazpacho too, it was unique. I wouldn't say it was a "must order" but I'm glad I tried it. My grumpy pre-teen who didn't even want to be there admitted he really enjoyed his spice rubbed lamb wrap and by the end of the meal was dipping my dad's extra roti in my elder son's curry. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu.
(5)Joanna L.
I was visiting Santa Fe and looking for a good local restaurant. I wanted something other than Mexican food, so I came to Jambo because it was nearby and highly recommended on yelp. We shared the following items: the combination plate, jerk chicken wings, and sauteed spinach with garlic. - Combination plate (chicken curry, goat stew and coconut lentils with rice and roti): nothing stood out in particular, but it's a good way to try different flavors - Jerk chicken wings: great seasoning. The side sauce reminded me of a honey mustard cream sauce. - Sauteed spinach with garlic: Perfectly done. Ironically, when I asked the waiter about other vegetable options, he said "we don't do vegetables here." Haha. The service is friendly and personal. All the waitresses were very helpful. We asked one for travel recommendations in Santa Fe, and she wrote them down for us. The place is decorated with a bright and fun character. This place is packed and crowded, and it's easy to see why.
(5)Amy R.
Wow!!! Our eating extravaganza continues and Jambo Cafe lived up to my high expectations. Have you checked out the menu? Go check it out now...I'll wait. Really unique and all sounds amazing, huh? Well, I'm here to tell you...it delivered. We shared a cup of the Watermelon Gazpacho. Trust me, make this the next thing you consume if you are less than 100 miles away. I cannot remember a more delicious soup in my lifetime. It was a daily special so hurry before it's too late. Feel free to send me a Yelp message to rave about this transcendent experience. The ingredients were captured in their most perfect ripe and sweet state. And, on a hot day, it was sublime. We also loved the crab cake appetizer which was a serious meaty portion for ten bucks. We rounded out the meal with the entree special of the day...Ono with quinoa and sautéed Swiss chard. The sauce made this dish. I hate to say it, but the fish was a tiny bit overbooked. We still licked our plate so not complaining. Thanks, Yelpers for turning us on to another gem!!!
(5)Salem A.
I loved the food it was really delicious, if you're like me who likes little bit of sweetness in your food you'll love this place, oh and I had the moroccan lamb stew.
(5)Shyann C.
AMAZING. Everything was delicious, I would've eaten the whole menu if possible. My group of 3 had combo platter, cinnamon dusted fried plantain, banana wrapped island spiced mahi mahi with mango coconut sauce, black bean sweet potato soup special, spiced rubbed lamb sandwich, and mango cobbler. I would come here every night. We met Ahmed the owner, very friendly and nice. Our server Azael was funny, informative, and very helpful.
(5)Timmy T.
This food is edible, but not much more. 4 times in a row I have found that eating this food is hard work. It is the only "African" restaurant in Santa Fe and from the reviews I am seeing, these humans have NEVER EATEN AT A REAL AFRICAN RESTAURANT....... I keep waiting on it to be "good" or "great" or something, but it isn't. "Hands down the best restaurant in Santa fe"??!!!!! LAUGHABLE....No way in hell. NOT EVEN CLOSE. This is definitely one of the most over rated restaurants in Santa Fe though. I am stumped by all the great reviews. Everything I have ever had here is bland, dry and overcooked. The seasonings are without true expression. Seems like the chef has been doing the same exact thing for 10 years and has become bored, jaded and also bored. Chef: revamp the menu, go on a long hike in the mountains and come up with something inspired. MEDIOCRITY REIGNS HERE....Cripes.
(2)Roxanna S.
Good God this place is delicious. I stopped in here based on the Yelp reviews and I was not disappointed. Incongruous location in a strip mall notwithstanding, the atmosphere inside was fun and inviting. Love the way it's decorated, and the service is superb and the prices very reasonable. I've been back at least three times since I first tried it and will recommend it to anyone!
(5)Dara M.
When you think of Santa Fe, it's probably not African/Caribbean food that comes to mind...but it should! I was only in Santa Fe for 24 hours, and felt guilty about trying a place that did not feature the local cuisine, but I was so glad I did. The prices are very reasonable, the servings are generous, and the food is delicious. I was tempted by all of the specials, but opted for the lentil stew. I got the kids' serving and still couldn't finish it--it's hearty and well seasoned, rich from the coconut milk, and super filling. My husband ordered the lamb sandwich and declared it to be the best lamb he's ever had. The chef/owner came out to check on us mid-way through our meal. I wish there had been more people in our party so we couldn't tried more--everything I saw being brought out to the tables around us looked delicious, and all the patrons seemed to be enjoying their meals.
(5)Nelson M.
Came to Jambo Cafe during Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Love it or hate it, but no one can say that their food lacks taste. Eveything was very good! I really loved the reggae music! Since we're not accustomed to spicy foods, I can't give it 5 stars, but will definitely come back!
(4)M H.
Traveling and the RV park told us about the food and it was excellent will have to go again while in Santa Fe I had the salmon salad and my wife had the lamb then we had the Mango cobbler with ice cream
(5)Keith B.
Huuuuuge Portions Jambo's is an extremely popular place in Santa Fe. It is not in the historic center, but rather a bland shopping center about 3 miles out. Food style is Caribbean/African. We had a reservation and the hostess (who looked like she had been out partying for the last several nights and greeted us in a fog) told us that our table wasn't ready and we could have a seat at the bar. So we did and waited and ordered some wine and waited and studied the menu and waited. The hostess appeared to have forgotten us and we went back to check. We were told that our table still wasn't ready. A couple of servers had approached us to ask if we were going to eat at the bar so we finally agreed. The food was all very good, but the portions were excessively large. Since we were traveling, it wasn't really feasible for us to take home the leftovers. We started with sharing the "coconut shrimp" appetizer which was very good. Then we shared the "Encrusted Curry-Pistachio Goat Cheese Salad". It is served on a bed of greens and roasted vegetables. It was fantastic. For entrees we had the "Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew". It was very tasty but a huge portion and it is very dense. It would have been helped by some fresh greens or onions. A little acid would have cut the heaviness. We also had the Kenyan Beef Kebabs which were very good. The atmosphere is fun and the prices reasonable.
(4)Becky R.
The food is delicious and the service was excellent! Anytime I'm in Santa Fe this will be my 1st stop!
(5)Sara B.
My husband and I came here on recommendation from some friends when we were in Santa Fe for our honeymoon. Neither of us had ever had African food before, so we were both really excited. We were not disappointed! We came in for lunch after shopping in the main square in Santa Fe. We were shown to our table right away and the waitress was very welcoming. When we told her it was our first time trying the cuisine, she guided us through the menu and made some recommendations. We shared an order of the Moroccan lamb stew and the goat stew. Neither of us had tried goat before, so we were a little hesitant at first. It was delicious! Yes, there were lots of bones to deal with, but I didn't mind at all. The lamb stew was also delicious and I was obsessed with the cous cous. If I lived in NM, I would definitely be visiting this place more often!
(4)Kim J.
Excellent service, even more excellent food. Absolutely must try the black bean sweet potato curry soup. Could have ordered another just for a solid meal. Combo platter is enough for two meals and offers popular favs. Jerk was very good, lentils and we'll as rice and beans top notch. So much food we had to get our three desserts to go. Good value and great location.
(5)David B.
I was really impressed with the quality of food at this resturant. I was not surprised because any place with 5 stars on Yelp with over 300 reviews has always been great from my experience. I really liked the special they were serving tonight (Hawaiian Curry Moon Fish) but the rest of my party's food was just good not great. Our server also kept me from rating this place higher. He wasn't ugly, just overly sarcastic and not timely responsive to common table needs (replenishing drinks, extra napkins, bringing the check w/o even asking if we wanted anything else like coffee towards the end of our meal). This service almost cause me to drop my rating to just a 3 star honestly. Still, I would come back to this unique local favorite joint in the future.
(4)Jennifer O.
5 stars when the chef is in the kitchen, 3-4 stars when he's not. I LOVE Jambo Cafe. It has been one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe since I've been living here, and I used to go here frequently by myself and with groups of people in town. However, since expanding to twice its original size, the food is less reliably fantastic than it used to be. Just for examples, sometimes the sweet potato black bean soup is watery or too gingery; sometimes that goat is overcooked/tough; sometimes the chicken curry (not the peanut) is bland. It makes me sad, and I'm wary of going except for in the evenings when it's likely that Chef Obo will be present, because whenever he's there an asks me how the food is, it's fantastic, and I haven't yet found a way to tell him that when he's away the flavors in the kitchen go out to play. When prepared as they should be, I don't think that I've every had anything bad on the menu, and my favorites include: DRINKS: tamarind juice, ginger mango lemonade, and the CHAI (best chai in Santa Fe, and they refill it if you somehow get to the bottom of the large mugs) APPETIZERS: jerk chicken wings, plaintains with curry mayo dipping sauce SALADS (Definitely large enough to eat as a lighter meal): The toasted brie and anything with roasted vegetables is yummy ENTREES: goat stew, peanut chicken curry, jerk chicken platter with rice and red beans, sweet potato black bean soup (bowl is cheap and plenty big for an entree), and any seafood stew special
(5)Ian M.
Just came back from the most delicious dinner at Jambo Cafe! I ordered the special. It was mahimahi with a peanut crust in a mango coconut sauce. The sauce was really wonderful, and the creaminess of the coconut really matched well with the peanuts. Just the right amount of spice, too! I really can't say enough good things about this dish! Also, I had Ras al-Hanout soup to start. The artichoke and chicken came out so wonderfully together. I wish I had another bowl of this! This is really a gem in Santa Fe and I'm really glad that I checked Yelp for something African.
(5)Esmeralda R.
This restaurant reminds me of Cady's desperate attempt to fit in a new high school. "Jambo!" But instead of eating a stale sandwich in a bathroom stall, I ended up feasting on amazing Kenyan/fusion cuisine in a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. (Also, not sure how many people understand that reference. Two thumbs up to those who do.) I ordered the combination plate ($15) in order to sample a few different dishes. It comes with rice, coconut lentils, chicken curry and goat stew. Not to mention a giant tortilla-looking thing called roti which was amazing! The food was very filling but not overwhelming. It's a great option during a cold windy day and could easily become delicious comfort food. The staff is friendly and professional. Would definitely stop by again if I was ever in the area.
(5)Sharan N.
The combination plate is must try along with jerk wings and banana coconut pie. The service is fantastic and huge food portions. The ambiance is wonderful and this is the only best afraid food you can try around
(4)Javier G.
4.5 stars, it was amazing. It tasted amazing, that is. It's a BIT pricier than I would like. Shave ~$2 or add some more portion size to everything, and this would be a 5 star restaurant in my books.
(4)Xiao G.
You must try the lamb stew, the meat is very tender and the soup is just perfect for rice.
(4)Jason B.
What a great place-so much win here. I had the lamb stew with cous cous, and chutney. Wow-wow-wow. Big flavors all over the place. Service was good, and we the owner/manager stopped by for a quick visit too. I'd recommend.
(5)Samantha C.
Excellent food, attentive service, unique concept. Don't let the strip mall deter you- this restaurant had some of the best flavors I've had in a long time. Such a fun change of pace from the usual tex-mex and modern fusion spots in the area. I got the pita sandwich which came on light, fluffy pita and was piled high with veggies and creamy goat cheese. My friend got the banana- wrapped mahi mahi in a sweet chutney sauce. Don't miss the phyllo appetizer with cranberry sauce!
(5)Jay H.
This was damn near a religious experience for me. After disappointing meals during our Santa Fe stay this was a gift from God himself. Everything we had was delicious. Absolutely perfect balance of flavors and spices in every bite. I had tears in my eyes. This may all sound like hyperbole. But I don't joke about great food that goes above and beyond the usual. The staff was extremely helpful with the menu and very kind to us. Made us feel very welcome to be there. Do your heart, mouth and soul a favor and eat here.
(5)Sarah M.
I don't really understand why everyone raves about this restaurant. I think that the food is okay, and pricier than I expected. I ordered crab cakes which were fine, nothing extraordinary. My husband ordered the goat stew which he absolutely loved (I wasn't as impressed as he was). I think maybe I didn't order the right thing. As I only hear rave reviews about this restaurant. I'm willing to give it another try, we may have just gone on an off day.
(3)Sonny W.
Very delicious my wife brought me here and the food was great! I had the beef kabob plate with veggies. Medium well and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was friendly and the lunch crowd was talkative to say the least. The prices were reasonable and desert was great!
(4)J. L.
Update: I am adding another star because my four star was for a four star lunch item I had there, a lamb sandwich on pita and fries, was just so so. However, after reading everyone's reviews it occurred to me that I should have been a little more exact about what is so wonderful about Jambo, Service: Five Stars all the way. Being new to Santa Fe via a few large, hip, cities, I sometimes think the only time I see anyone under 60+ is as servers at restaurants or as students at the school I work at (I have mostly lived in cities alive with youth culture and miss the energy and fashion, even though I am far past my salad days!) I like to be reminded that there is actually some cool youth culture here, and Jambo is one place that reminds me of that. They are sweet, cute, and fun. The decor: Casual but appealing, not standard or boring by any means, and the lighting is nice. Sometimes there is a guitar player milling around, the place is cute and quirky. I think the adorable and sweet humored staff adds to the aesthetic, not that all staff should be judged on their potential to appear in a short film about attractive, hip 20-somethings, but most hear probably could. The Food: Not every dish I have tried is equal in its fabulousness, and despite my squeamishness about eating goats (I used to have them as pets) the goat stew is AMAZING, my favorite dish so far in Santa Fe. Also, they have this chewy flat bread as an option other than rice, again: amazing. There is no food like this in SF, and if you aren't from here and you don't want to eat at a Taco Bell clone with a New Mexico angle, or a so/so New Mexican restaurant that drenches their food in cheese and green chile, the food at and price at Jambo are considered affordable by local standards. I just had a bowl of Pho a few storefronts down that was the most expensive, and least delicious pho I have had and it was on par with the cost of this delicious goat stew at Jambo but nowhere near as tasty. If you are looking for a welcoming place to eat, without needing to wear your fancy pants or paying upwards of fifty bucks for a meal for three (not including booze), Jamba is a great choices.
(5)Dan D.
My wife and I did a road trip around the country and this is still the restaurant that we talk about. It doesn't look that impressive from its location, but don't let that fool you. The food here is absolutely delicious! The balance of spice and flavor is perfect and they have the best flourless chocolate cake I have ever had. If you are in Santa Fe it is well worth the visit.
(5)Erica L.
As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The place smells richly of spices. I had the Moroccan lamb stew with couscous and chutney, and everything blended together perfectly. He stew was very tomatoey, the lamb was melt in my mouth tender, the chutney added to the flavor (which I have rarely found to be the case with chutney generally), and it paired well with a South African Syrah. There is a small but good selection of affordable South African wines. Quite affordable too. Id definitely come back!
(5)Elizabeth B.
This is some seriously good food! The peanut coconut chicken stew was comfort food at its best. The Kenyan style steak kabobs were deliciously sweet. Even the side of beans and rice was great (think cajun red beans and rice, only fewer red beans, but still very well seasoned)! Their drinks are interesting and delicious. And, the staff is genuinely warm and inviting. They chat, laugh, play with your toddler...you feel like you're a regular on your first visit. Dining in Santa Fe, I've learned that New Mexican food isn't my thing (give me SoCal Mexican food any day). But, sweet Kenyan kabobs, I've found my new favorite place!
(5)mark k.
Excellent, reasonably priced dinner. Unique food and laid back atmosphere in unassuming location. We had hummus, snapper special and sampler. All great.
(5)GT W.
Type. . . . . . . . . . ..African Restaurant Location. . . . . . . ..Outside Santa Fe, Strip Mall Prices. . . . . . . . . ..Normal Beer Selection. . ...Small, Tusker Lager Food Level. . . . ....High Staff. . . . . . . . . . ..Friendly, Prompt Noise Level. . . . ...Lively Décor. . . . . . . . . ..Homely, Local Artwork, Forgettable Good for Kids. . ...Yes Parking. . . . . . . ...Private Lot Cash Only. . . . . ..No Recommended. ...Yes Comments: Authentic East African food with cassava, goat stew, ugali, and the like. Great flavors and hearty portions. Mahi and jerk chicken were also enjoyed by our group. A unique place to go in Santa Fe if you want to get a break from traditional Southwestern US food.
(4)Autumn W.
I loved it! You're not expecting such a hustle- bustle before you've experienced it. From the exterior- strip mall dining. But once you're inside it is not. Cute and busy and great food and also cool waitstaff. I'm in!!
(5)Jessica C.
I've eaten dinner here 3 nights in a row. I can't get enough of the delicious spices, meats and veggies. The flavors here are unique and varied. I've tried several dishes that are excellent - the stuffed phyllo app, lamb stew with cous cous, baklava, and Jerk salad were all delicious. My boyfriend likes the cinnamon plantains, the lentils and roti, and goat stew. Wonderful food at a reasonable price.
(5)Eric And Jennifer R.
We ate here based on a recommendation from a friend in Albuquerque. She also mentioned that the food is excellent when the owner is cooking. The owner was not cooking the night we ate there. The greeter was helpful and friendly. The cook was accommodating. I got the combo plate and substituted the chicken curry with jerk chicken. My husband got the Morrocan chicken kabob. The goat stew sauce was excellent. The meat was a little chewy. It required at least 30 minutes in the pressure cooker or an hour on the stove then it would have been tender. The lentil was flavorful with a hint of sweetness probably from the coconut. The jerk chicken had a good flavor but the chicken was dry. The hibiscus iced tea was unique and delicious. The flourless chocolate cake was lovely. We will give them another chance. We will probably call ahead to see if the owner is cooking.
(3)Casey C.
Such a delight! My husband and I are both picky and we were really impressed! The jerk chicken wings were so flavorful and fell off the bone. I got the Moroccan lamb stew and I loved it. My husband thought it was a little sweet, but I thought it was perfect. He got the goat stew and he liked it a lot. The roti is a must! I have had roti in Trinidad and liked this better honestly. So add it to your order!!!!
(5)Tim A.
What a tremendous meal!! The phyllo and plantains to start were awesome as were the lamb stew and chicken curry! Great restaurant and great owner / chef who personally came around and made sure everyone's meal was top notch. Will definitely eat here next time we're in Santa Fe!
(5)Jenna E.
For some reason I put off trying this place despite the awesome reviews and several recommendations from friends. Boy, am I sad I did- this is an awesome Santa Fe gem! I really didn't know what to expect since I have zero knowledge about African food. I was pleasantly surprised- from the cinnamon plantains to the jerk chicken (spicy deliciousness!) to the coconut curry- holy cow! Everything was flavorful and a fiesta on a plate! The plantains and the dip they come with was out of this world- savory but a touch sweet, very complex. I think I could just eat those and be a happy camper! The atmosphere was fun, energetic, but comfortable. Service was great too. Wish the beer selection was better but it wasn't too bad. I'd definitely go back- there were so many other things I wanted to try. Don't be scared like I was, just GO.
(5)K K.
I'm only visiting Santa Fe for the summer, so I wish there was a Jambo in my home town! We started with the Phyllo - Delicious! I ordered the Moroccan style a chicken kebabs with the feta and forget the sauce. Also Delicious. My friend ordered the curry with tofu. The portions were Huge! And we finished off with Rum Pecan Pie. I will definitely be going back!!!
(5)Clare M.
I visited Ethiopia last year for a month and had previously never had true Ethiopian food. When I returned I was much more curious to try Jambo as I'd already heard so many raving reviews of it. Come to find out, all the raves were legit. This place is legit. It's authentic, it's delicious and it will fill you for days on end. If you hesitate and think you don't like "African" food...chances are you have no idea what it is. There are curries, stews as well as simple chicken, shrimp and dishes for a more american palate. For the person really wanting to dive in, try the Goat Stew. The atmosphere is easy and calm...ignore the fact it's in a strip mall. Go inside, soak up the smells and eat your heart out!
(5)Elizebeth O.
If we lived in Santa Fe, we would be regulars. This food was spectacular. Crab cakes for an appetizer came first. They were crisp outside and soft and flavorful inside. I had tilapia with spinach and chutney on a bed of red chili powder spiced rice. My husband had goat stew. Both had depth of flavor that made us stop to enjoy before taking another bite. We finished off with a coconut cardamom flan. We were going to share but got another after the first couple of bites. Coffee came in huge soup mugs and was the perfect flavor to accompany the flan. Our waiter Salvador made the meal a delight and gave me a hug to go. Warm people and good food make this a place to remember.
(5)Kat C.
Get the combo plate to try everything. The goat curry was delicious. It's what I order every time. They were kind enough to give me a taster of tamarind juice which was so good I ordered it. Plus, plantains with cinnamon and flourless chocolate cake. Yum. I have enjoyed every meal here and it's a little "something different" with all the southwestern / New Mexican food around. The line to get a table starts promptly at 5:30 so either get there early or come late when all the families and older couples have headed home.
(4)Amber S.
This place was nice! I had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It was way too spicy, even though I do love spicy food. But it does taste delicious. And I loved the sweet potato fries. My friends had the goat stew. If you like to eat goat or lamb, try this one or the combination. And don't forget to try their Kenya beer:)
(5)Lou M.
Best food EVER! We are from Texas but when we came to Santa Fe the locals were raving about Jambo. Okay, we have never had "real" African or "Caribbean" food unless the Disney World African restaurant was authentic. Anyhow, we get there and it was busy. The couple in front of us were locals and ensured us it was worth the wait. While waiting they were going over the menu with me and my 18 year old daughter. Oh my, there is so much to choose from... So, when we were seated we ordered. We ordered a LOT. There was NOTHING that was "okay", EVERYTHING was to die for. You have no idea how much we wished we weren't travelling that day because we wanted to take all the leftovers and eat 24/7 until it was gone! I wish we didn't live so far away. If you are trying to figure out where to eat, you found it!!!! Try something new, you won't regret it!
(5)Lora S.
Excellent flavor and service. We highly recommend seeking out one of the best places in the Santa Fe area.
(5)Gaby R.
this place is defiantly one of our favorite date nights in Santa Fe, the first time we went we didn't expect much being at a strip mall location but then you step inside and the atmosphere is elegant and cool, It has a young people vibe (which is important & rare in santa fe) then the menu is full of yummy yummy goodness! even down to the drink list. they have a good selection of vegetarian food but you cant really beat the slow cooked goat or lamb stew. The owner is often there and he is a friendly man that gives off good vibe to make you feel good about spending your money there. the service also seem happy to work there. definitely take your sweetheart on a date here
(5)Renae M.
No words, only love. Dreaming of the goat cheese salad right now :)
(5)Retta G.
We came here because everyone raved about it. It was ok (if not less than ok). Don't know what all the hype is or was about. We have definitely had better African/Caribbean food. Maybe it was just an off night, but--- will most likely not be back, at least not any time real soon.
(2)Jill H.
Man, who would've thought one of the best meals in Santa Fe would be African?! But it was amazing! Got the combination platter and the island spice coconut peanut chicken stew. OMG, both were incredible. The peanut is very apparent in the stew, but great! The side of roti (fried tortilla-like bread) was so good! I would recommend reservations if it's a weekend dinner.
(5)Kristina K.
Love this place! Everything is tasty and perfect every single time. I often get food to go after work, the to go boxes are sturdy.
(5)M H.
Wonderful home-style, brilliantly executed Carribean and African food. A real treat.
(4)Noam F.
Wow! Coming from Philadelphia I never expect a city to have a food scene I respect on the level of philly. I was super excited to come to Santa Fe for the culture and walk-ability, but never did I expect it to be a food haven! Janbo is the leader of the pack. It was suggested to us by a fellow chef for a interesting and cultured experience. Boy did it exceed expectations. The young coconut and mango, ginger lemonade was a great start to the meal. Jess stated, "I would come here everyday for a coconut!" I had the jerk chicken and roti bread. The jerk chicken had a beautiful blend of spices and was complimented by the sweet plantains and rice and beans. We had to try the mango cobbler to finish off our meal as its one dessert I have never had. It was not on the same level as the main courses, but still pretty darn tasty and different. The service was friendly and made us feel extremely comfortable. I don't say this much, but Janbo will go down as one of my favorite restaurants!
(5)Lesmag H.
My wife wasn't too sure about trying a strip-mall restaurant that didn't serve fill-in-the-blank smothered in green chilis on our NM vacation. Now she gets all gleamy eyed when we talk about Jambo. So good.
(5)Jen A.
I did get the overhype as my friend swears the food is really good. I ordered the jerk chicken with rice & beans with planatins. The jerk chicken doesn't taste that authentic to me though in fairness the taste is decent. My pal ordered an appetizer made out of phyllo dough which I like better due to the interesting mix of taste and texture. It has a fusion spin to it. Overall, it's ok to eat here again especially since food is not pricey but no round 2 for a Santa Fe visitor like me.
(3)Vic T.
The first thing you notice when you walk in is the backhand to the face from the spicey aromas in the restaurant! We've just got into Santa Fe after a long day of driving and Jaimacan seemed like a good idea for a hearty meal. We ordered: Jerk chicken wings - they should call these "ridiculous melt in you mouth wings with tears of baby jesus dipping sauce"! 'Nuf said Combination platter - this had chicken curry, goat stew, lentil curry with rice and roti. Pretty good, but the goat stew wasnt completely heated up, still good. Roti is a little different, was the flaky type but went well with the curries. The rest of the dish was just as you'd expect, like a heart meal at grandmas. Mango cobbler - homemade baked fruits topped with guey ice cream... Yum! Hot and cold always hits the spot! serving size was great. Service was great, waiter always checked up on us without being intrusive, just the way I like it. Glad we tried out this place
(4)Jay D.
After hiking all day in the mountains above Santa Fe, I had a big appetite worked up for my first visit to Jambo Café. I arrived at about 4:45 before the dinner rush on a Thursday and decided to eat at the bar. The restaurant tables were starting to fill up as I was leaving at about 5:30. I was originally going to order an appetizer, but I'm happy the bartender helped my decision by mentioning how much food came with the main course. Boy, was she correct! I ordered the combination plate which came with the goat stew, chicken curry, lentils, and roti. The stew and curry were quite good and I made sure to sop up all of the juices with the roti. The lentils, I wasn't as big a fan of, but I ate almost all of them as well. All washed down with a Mango Ginger Ice Tea, it made a great, filling meal to top off a great day in the Sangre de Cristo's.
(5)Matthew R.
The locals secret to amazing eating! Do you want great ambiance, and local pricing for exceptional food? Or do you want tourist prices for sub-par food? Well, if you want the later go get it downtown. But, if you want the former head to a strip mall in the middle of town. Jambo is amazing and is a perfect date spot!
(5)Mandy M.
Moroccan lamb stew with chutney. Delicious. The flavor of the raisins and sweet potatoes balanced well with the lamb. Hearty and warming to the soul. Giant portion. Don't miss this gem in Santa Fe when you have had enough chili.
(5)Ellen L.
The restaurant decor is kinda funky, but the food is unbelievable. We started with the stuffed phyllo which was exquisite. The pastry was pan fried, so the crust was delicate and flaky. The pomegranate sauce made a delicious for the organic greens. This was just one of many vegetarian options. Next we tried the jerk chicken wings. They were moist with just the right amount of spice. The creamy mustard sauce was a perfect compliment. Finally we had the spice rubbed leg of lamb sandwich. The lamb was flavorful but a little dry. Next time I would try the lamb burger. This place is definitely worth the drive. I have never had such good food in such an unpretentious setting.
(5)Andrew P.
Spectacular food. My wife and I love supporting the local joints and this is, by far, one of the better eats in Santa Fe. Their stews are savory and their cooked meats are spiced well too. My wife loves the homemade lemonade, I like the hibiscus tea. Only catch, the place is really small and often crowded leaving the waitstaff looking stressed and, more often than not, preoccupied.
(4)Valencia D.
Jambo Café is a must when visiting Santa Fe. Recommend going for dinner as the atmosphere is much more lively and higher chances for live music. Hummus plate is a must and def try the lamb burger with cumin fries. No juice on the menu for little ones / kiddos so bring your own. Beef kabobs were just OK. Felt like they were lacking in any flavoring whatsoever. There can be a wait for a table, so prepare for that. There is patio seating but it is small.
(4)Cathy S.
Read the Yelp reviews before my daughter suggested this wonderful place. Did not disappoint on any level. The ambience, the music, the decor were like a journey to another exotic land. And the food was beyond fantastic. Our server Aziel was just as wonderful as the rest of the experience. We all ordered different things and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. A clear winner of a dining experience.
(5)Ashley D.
Definitely a Santa Fean favorite! If you need a break from all the great New Mexican food in the area, Jambo is perfect. Actually come to think of it Jambo is perfect all the time. Everyday. Everything I've had here is amazing. The flavors are all wonderful and complex. A lot of chutney and a lot of curries going on up in here. I love starting out with an appetizer of plantains. Sweet cinnamon and fried just perfectly. I've also ordered the fresh young coconut a number of times and that's always fun and tasty too. Drink the coconut water then scrape out the coconut meat with the spoon. So cool and so refreshing. The specials they offer are always good and amazing but you honestly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I unfortunately never got a chance to try any of the soups offered, but the chef/owner Ahmed Obo has won tons of awards at the "Souper Bowl" with so many of these guys. Jambo has also been on at the top of "The Best of Santa Fe" for years so you know they not messing around. On top of everything it's a warm and friendly atmosphere that is fun to hangout and enjoy good company :)
(5)Cecilia F.
I am pretty conservative with my stars, but this place is amazing! So I will most definitely give it the full five stars! I came here on a Wednesday night (around 8pm) after getting out of an event in Santa Fe. We are from Albuquerque, so we weren't sure where to go...and as a good Yelper, I went ahead and typed "food" nearby and Jambo Cafe came up. I looked at the reviews and I knew I had to trust my fellow yelpers, and I did. As soon as we walked in and the explosion of delicious smells hit my nose, I knew my fellow yelpers hadn't let me down. I sat down with an unbelievable hunger and couldn't do anything else but stare at the menu that was beautifully overwhelming. I ordered the Jerk Chicken, which came on top of the best beans and rice ever!! So perfectly cooked, the chicken just fell of the bone...still savoring it right now! The fried plantains sent my mouth into an overload of deliciousness. The portion was rightly sized for the price. and the ambiance was great. My friends and I also decided to share a MANGO cobbler, and it was super, super amazing!! Fast service, amazing food, amazing DESSERT!! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!!
(5)David W.
Sorry, came here with recommendations from friends, it did not live up to the hype. The place was extremely packed, but had a very friendly atmosphere We tried the sweet potato fries, jerk chicken wings, goat stew, jerk chicken, chicken curry. Sorry, all the food was just mediocre, I didn't think that any specific thing was better than the standard goat curry / wings / sweet potato fries.
(3)Adam J. V.
If you are looking for authentic African/Caribbean cuisine.......this is not it. I tried to enjoy the dried out jerk chicken, but could not force it down. The goat stew and chicken curry would've been great had I been expecting dishes made from a calendar recipe. The chef appeared to be a very nice man........in the wrong business.
(1)Marc M.
Tried this place for the first time and I was very surprised! From the outside it looks small and boring. Once I walked inside it was completely different. The African/Caribbean vibe and decor had me pretty amazed. My wife and I were seated at the bar. We started by getting crab cakes a Santa Fe Pale Ale and Mango Ginger Lemonade. For dinner we had the spiced lamb burger and the grilled organic jerk chicken. Everything was excellent! The service was even better! Can't wait to go back! This is a hidden gem. Check it out!
(5)Margaret G.
Ok, so I am basing my rating (almost) solely on the quality of the chai. The lovely cardamon infused milky tea drink which sustains me through my evening shifts. It's hands down the best in town in my opinion. But, in order to enjoy, you must be a fan of cardamon. Anyhow, aside from the chai, I've enjoyed very tasty (mostly carryout) meals from Jambo. My kids love the ginger lemonade and hibiscus drink. They love the plantains. It's a great establishment and atmosphere and wish I had time to dine-in more often.
(5)Kelly U.
I seriously could never get enough of Jambo. I think I've had almost everything on their menu and I felt like it was about time I should write a review. I've ordered out here for work, dined for lunch and dinner and can say that the service as always been excellent. They are friendly and always accommodating if anything isn't up to par...but it always is. The soups are the kind that taste delicious and yes, warm the soul. So you can never go wrong with the soup of the day. The Fried Cornmeal Plantain Crab Cakes are my favorite appetizer and are also a good light meal. You can never go wrong with the Encrusted Curry-pistachio Goat Cheese salad always fresh and full of flavor. The Lamb Burger is one of my favorites in all of Santa Fe, however they season it is perfection. Whatever you do, don't leave this place without trying the plantains or the fresh baby coconut drink that comes in the coconut so you can scoop out all the delicious coconut meat after drinking it all.
(5)Jana D.
Amazing!!! Flavored and spices that take you to a different continent! The place is small & can be busy and loud but food is worth it!!! Moroccan lamb stew omg so delish, coco curry chicken and coco juice in the coconut!! Go eat be merry!!
(5)John O.
Yelpers really hyped this place up....... Came here after a very long day of adventure in New Mexico, famished, ready to gobble down some good Jambo! Apparently food is not cheap in Santa Fe (I was visiting from out of town). When I opened up the menu, I was a bit shocked......it was really expensive! The ingredients aren't unique -- again, I was a bit surprised at the prices. The seating is not intimate at all -- the restaurant is just two rooms with booths and tables. We were seated at a table in the middle of other patrons eating their meals. I wasn't that keen on the layout......but I decided to stick around. Friend ordered the salmon salad and I ordered the jerk chicken w/ fries. Her salad looked quite good - fair portion size for salmon. The jerk chicken served in a pita bread was delicious - great use of seasoning - but the sweet potato fries were not perfect. They were a bit on the soggier side. Fries should be made to perfection -- it's not hard to mess up fries......... Our water was awesome. Great service. Friendly and very helpful. Would I go here again? I'd probably try another restaurant in the area before coming back.
(4)Corinne C.
Their jerk chicken is remarkably spicy and all about flavor ! "Bland" is how I would characterize the lentil stew. I would eat there once a week if I lived in Santa Fe.
(4)Tay L.
It's interesting eating in a strip mall, this spot is tucked away in this typical American strip mall. However, the ambiance is nothing near a strip mall, once inside I felt I was somewhere in the New York west village neighborhood. The colors, fabrics, the music and art were all well played. The service was slower than I am use to, but once I received the jerk chicken I immediately looked over the snail service and had one of the best meals during my visit to Santa Fe.
(4)Ashwin D.
This was an impossible find for me, since I wasn't looking for an african fusion place in Santa Fe. The food was unimaginably good. Their wings are to dye for. They have special flavors in their food which are exclusive to their cuisine. This place is truly a hidden gem.
(5)Mike D.
Have eaten at this outstanding café since hearing about it on Triple D and dropping by on our way home from Colorado 3 years ago. The strip mall it is located in made it a bit intriguing to find the first time, but it was well worth "the search." Have been there 2 more times since then and have NEVER been disappointed. The appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts are all spot-on. We head to Santa Fe in December for skiing/boarding and we are staying on Cerrillos because of its proximity to the ski area and because it is the path to the culinary delight known as Jambo Café. They have wine and beer. My son fell in love with the Tusker Beer on our last trip in March. Great stuff. The house wines are complementary as well. So, is there anything bad to say about Jambo from this Texans standpoint? Nope. Nada. Nuttin'. Zippo. Yes, the Café is close quarters, but that's what Cafés are....close. Too close. Nope. Just right. Great waitstaff. Great food selection. Great flavors and yep, GREAT Prices. Jambo, I miss you. See you in December..
(5)brianne c.
Wonderful calming atmosphere. The food are usually spicy, so keep your eyes peeled! Great vegetarian selections.. Try their jerk chicken sandwich! Also, their sweet potato fries and aioliis out of this world!!!!! Yum
(5)Jason C.
Went here because I saw it on "Diners, Drive-in, and dives". It was worth it. I had the coconut curry chicken with a mango ginger lemonade. I went during lunch and prepare for a short wait but it's worth it.
(5)Susan M.
Yum! We were in town and needed a break from green chiles (gasp). What a delightful find! Everything was tasty (savory phyllo, moon fish special, coconut lentil stew, mango cobbler) and the service was friendly and fast. Not sure when I'll be back in Santa Fe but will make it a point to eat here again.
(5)Julia O.
One of the best ethnic restaurants in town. It has good food, good portions, reasonable prices, and friendly staff!
(5)Kris K.
Food is absolutely delicious. Have been here twice since I don't live in Santa Fe, only visit, and both times could not have been happier with the quality of food and the level of service. The location is unassuming and you might think that it's some sort of greasy spoon, but there is a reason that this place gets mostly four and five stars reviews here on yelp. If you get the chance, go check it out. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Lyla A.
The staff was nice and the place was clean but the food was unfortunately just so so. We had the sampler, which gave us curried goat, chicken stew, and coconut lentils, and the Mahi Mahi dish. We also ordered the mango cobbler a La mode. It was all just OK. I'd give the overall meal a B-. Diners Drive ins, and Dives way overhyped this place.
(3)Rodney P.
Just had a great meal here. Beef Kabobs was my choice, and Jan had a soup and Hummus Pita. Good service, nice atmosphere and sizable portions.
(4)Brigitte M.
Jambo Cafe was such a delight! For starters I brought my African roomates here for lunch and they were absolutely in love! For starters, the service was great. And we could see our server helping other customers who weren't so familiar with the food try and find something on the menu that they would enjoy. As a vegetarian they have a wide range of vegetarian options available, I had the coconut lentil stew with roti and it was delicious. Some of the other dishes we ordered included the jerk chicken and rice, the fried shrimp appetizer and the goat and everyone left full and happy. The dishes were a little pricey, but the portion sizes are very big, enough to take home for dinner. Only regret was not having room for dessert!!!
(5)Jazmin R.
I have never had great curry until I came here! Plantains, roti and everything was excellent, the service was great and the ambient was nice!
(4)Erin L.
I've visited Jambo Cafe twice, and both times the food was a winner. The jerk chicken is the essence of comforting soul food: a well-seasoned, tender chicken thigh reigning over a pile of beans and rice with fried plantains perched on the top of the pyramid. The Kenyan beef kabobs are nicely charred and set off well by the sweet, light sauce on the haricots verts. The cumin fries are not the crispest, but they're tasty. Portions are large, and the prices are comparable to what you might pay at a worse Santa Fe restaurant. The jerk tofu, vegetarian sandwich, and coconut lentils are solid, generously portioned options for vegetarian diners. Service is neither fast nor slow. The servers are friendly and laid-back. When one over-inquisitive member of my party asked a server where he was from, he deadpanned, "Originally? My mother's womb." The ambience is also laid-back--the space is your typical strip mall restaurant with tile ceilings, but scarves cover the fluorescents and windows to soften the light, and the walls are heavily decorated with an ever-changing array of art. The ambient music often consists of Bob Marley classics. Dinner time can get crowded, but the staff doesn't make you feel rushed, and a weekend lunch was leisurely with the restaurant only half full. Overall, the Jambo Cafe is a comfortable place with comforting food. Be sure to stop by the adjacent shop to check out the many crafts and textiles for sale as well as an array of fresh spices, including the cafe's jerk seasoning blend.
(5)Sharon M.
We found this place through trip advisor when we were traveling to New Mexico. We wanted to try something different and this is where we finally decided on. Don't let the word 'cafe' throw you off as it sometimes does to me but this place was truly classy. We loved this place. Food was great. It was a lot like Indian food but my husband said it's common. The food was flavorful and love the ambiance. It was decorated with a lot of African deco, it was just nice.
(5)James W.
Jambo Cafe is an interesting and pleasant find in Santa Fe. Among all the green and red chili dishes of the southwest, this Caribbean/African restaurant is holding their ground and paving new ones in introducing such delicacies. Their curries are quite excellent, and the spices all around are generally very good. I was a little disappointed with the staple of Jerk Chicken. I had hoped for more spices, but realized that it may have been catered for the clientele in Santa Fe. The chicken was moist and well prepared, but just lacked the kick of of some authenticity. The crab cakes we ordered was a delight, and we ended our meal with a Mango Crumble that was simply delectable. Thank you Jambo Cafe for a wonderful meal, and thank you Chef Obo for coming out to greet us.
(4)Mehdi S.
This place is badass - that's all you need to know - I ordered the organic Jerk Chicken and had a black bean/sweet potato soup... so good - great quality food - great cooking - make sure you get the Cold Chai - so refreshing. one of those places i wish i had where i lived! enjoy :)
(4)Gary S.
Was visiting Santa Fe and just happened to stumble on this place, in a strip mall not far from our hotel. It is a really outstanding find! Great African/Caribean food. Nice atmosphere, good service - a really fun place. We were even able to find something acceptable to our three year old. It has been a while since we were there but I remember I had Kenyan-style beef kebobs that were delicious, and my wife had a curry that she also loved. If you are in Santa Fe and want some unusual food - and a break from the many great Mexican options, this is your spot.
(4)Tio N.
Walked in and they were playin' Tarrus Riley...feelin at home... What's playin as I type this..."Murder She Wrote"...AWESOME!
(5)Angela H.
Jambo is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe, because it offers a different kind of cuisine than most of the region and the flavors and spices are amazing. The dishes are creative and fresh and the staff is warm and welcoming. My favorite things on the menu are, for appetizers--the fried plantains, sweet potato fries, jerk chicken wings and the curry dipping sauce is to die for; entrees--mahi wrapped in banana leaf with black sticky rice, and i have had some amazing specials here as well. The fish and jerk chicken is what I would go for. Drinks--mango ginger lemonade and the fresh coconuts. Love it.
(5)Brent S.
Coconut chicken curry is to die for. It is a dish that never fails. Wait staff quite helpful and professional.
(5)Jordan A.
Food was amazing. Ambiance is very nice, really great for a lunch type place. Service was fine, wish the servers had been a little more friendly though. Definitely worth the money spent. (:
(4)Jen G.
This is now my favorite restaurant in Santa Fe. Seriously good food. I ended up getting the Jerk Chicken Sandwich, which I would highly recommend to anyone. I'm actually not a fan of spicy so I was surprised when I took my first bite. But the jerk chicken is incredibly flavorful. The sandwich looks like the photo on the Jambo Cafe website. It's jerk chicken on a fluffy pita, and I got mine with sweet potato fries (though I could have chosen the cumin fries instead). The fries were just as good as the sandwich, especially with the sauce on the side. I saved those fries for last, since they helped tame the fire in my mouth after eating the chicken. I actually ate the "sandwich" with a fork and knife, since I would have made a complete mess if I attempted to eat it like a sandwich. Some leaves separated the pita from the jerk chicken concoction, which was great so that the pita didn't get soggy too fast. My friend was the one brought me here and even comes here for lunch alone, because the food is just that good. She recommends the stews and always gets the hot chai (but recommends getting the chai after the meal, since the chai is pretty filling). This place not only gets 5 stars for the food, but 5 stars for customer service and being well run. My water glass was kept full, waiter was attentive, and the food came out pretty quick even though the cafe was busy for lunch. The staff is well-trained and seemed to have a good rapport with each other. Decor in the restaurant is nice, with cloth covering the overhead lights (so they're not too bright) and strings of flower lights contributed to the ambiance. Parking was really easy in the lot outside. I got a spot right in front! If you're visiting Santa Fe, make sure you stop by Jambo!
(5)Richard B.
I'm not going to go on and on. Plenty of others here have described the dishes and everyone who gave Jambo either four or five stars described the food accurately; everyone who rated it less are wrong. All I'm going to say is that I love this place, from the ambiance to the last morsel of food. It's fresh, exotic and delicious. Whatever you order is going to be good. I love green chile but it's nice to have a dinner without it now and then. I will be back and I hope to see you there. PS - Expect to have to wait for a table in the evenings. Very popular with locals.
(5)Michele L.
We have been here before giving it another chance. Food is amazing. Customer service is horrible. Won't go back. Why is Santa fe so bad on customer service??????
(2)Jenny V.
Every time I'm in Santa Fe for business, I have to get my dose of Jambo. Small restaurant with eclectic decor and great food!
(5)Misha U.
There are so many things that look amazing on the menu, and I don't think that you can go wrong. The jerk chicken is tender and flavorful.
(5)Eric S.
Food is amazing. Make a reservation just in case (45m-wait one time and empty the other). The manager dude who seems high and chats up your table with a sense of humor is awesome. Don't pass on the wings or plantain appetizers. Pro tip: bring a dart. If you're not sure what to order, throw your dart at the menu. Order that. Pro tip II (warning edition): there is an exotic-sounding African (I think) beer on the menu that costs more than the others. It's pretty boring and unremarkable - not worth the extra money.
(5)Charles J.
First thing I have to say is I have never had a bad meal or experience here! I've tried at least half the menu and eaten here a couple of dozen times! The food is great and you can tell a lot of care goes into making it. The only thing that might be better than the food is the service, gracious and welcoming. Everything I have eaten has been great, but the goat stew and lamb sandwich are my favorites and my girlfriend's favorite is the sweet potato and black bean soup... Eat here!!
(5)christine h.
I have only been once with 6 people and everyone was happy with their food. If you like spicy, then the shrimp dish was awesome.
(4)Bobbie M.
The dining experience for me is a disaster. I just find every single menu item distasteful. I did however appreciate the ginger lemonade. And as such, appropriately, swing by the strip mall for a cold beverage if you are in fact forced to enter the Southside of Santa Fe.
(1)You-Cyuan J.
I tried their Moroccan lamb stew. It looks like a chili soup, but the taste is awesome. A little spicy though. The meat is well cooked and I like the combination with chick peas, beans and potato.
(5)David S.
I love, love, love the food. My favorite is the jerk chicken. However, the goat stew is bomb too. However, we have a 2 year old and both work. As you could imagine we don't get out much. Maybe every couple of months we get take out. As one could imagine this is a pretty big treat for us all and we're looking for things to go smoothly. Tonight, for the third time in a row, we had our take-out order screwed up. My wife went back and was told it was her fault because the cashier had showed her the order on the screen. As she pointed out she does not work in a restaurant and is not familiar with how the screen appears. It is not on us to determine if the order is correct. In any other city this kind of mistake making and behavior would be weeded out through competition, but not in the City Different. As excellent as the food is in this little backwater we'll be patronizing places that value our dollars and our loyalty.
(1)Jess K.
Best recommendation I can give you: make a reservation. There was as much activity around the hostess stand and outside the restaurant as there was inside, a bit of a wait, but everyone was friendly, so we waited. 45 minutes for 2, but on a Friday night so take it with a grain of salt. We sat down, our servers were very nice, made good recommendations and were attentive despite how busy it was. We ordered the jerk chicken wings as an app, they were not good. Tasted wet and without much flavor, not crispy at all. But our entrees were excellent. The goat stew, served with roti, was flavorful, rich, and meat was tender, fell off the bone. The coconut chicken curry is a must, sweet and mildly spicy, I enjoyed all of it. Served with rice, it was delicious to mix in with the extra sauce. This place is definitely a local favorite.
(4)Brian O.
On our way to Taos, we stopped in Santa Fe for lunch at the Jambo Café. My wife had the salmon salad and I had the Lamb burger and the cumin fries. Both meals were delicious. For dessert, we shared a mango cobbler with ice cream. It was also delicious. Service was very good.
(4)Ivy A.
We LOVED Jambo it was sooo tasty We had jerk chicken fell off the bone Christiana was a great server made our evening special highly recomend
(5)Mark L.
So great except for no salt? Why? Everything was under seasoned which I'm shocked by at an African cafe. We had to add salt to every dish we tried - once we did this the food was amazing Maybe because they are so popular and busy the chef has stopped tasting the food before he sends it out
(3)Lauren H.
I liked Jambo not only for the cool vibe and friendly feeling, but also for the deliciously different, super-tasty spin they give their food. We ordered a variety of things when I went with my family, and it was all very flavorful and good. The jerk chicken especially, served with red beans, rice, and sweet cooked plantains Coconut shrimp and the crab cakes on the appetizer menu were both great starters.
(5)Farmer T.
Right when we walked in, we were greeted nicely and sat promptly. Wait staff was very friendly and accommodating. Food menu was extensive with plenty of dishes to choose from. The jerk chicken was excellent as was the mango ginger lemonade was also amazing and really hit the spot. The decor was friendly, inviting and not very loud at all. Overall it was a great experience and will for sure be back again.
(5)Patron X.
Diverse menu with great options for any diet. The specials are creative and I find myself having trouble picking from the plentiful delicious options so we always end up ordering several items and end up with more than we can eat but the leftovers never go to waste. The place is popular and therefore always crammed and a wait for a table is expected. If your looking for super traditional East African food this isn't the place, but the creative Afro-Caribbean fusion is tasty and fun. It's a pretty casual joint tucked into a strip mall, but the ambiance is lively making it a good place for a tasty and hearty meal with friends.
(4)Carrie H.
We drove from New Jersey to Arizona and came through Santa Fe specifically for the goat stew. It's delicious - a flavor your mouth will not believe! Also got the island spice chicken stew, and I think I liked that even more! Now I just need an excuse to go back...
(5)David G.
Fantastic!. We are from San Diego and have eaten in a number of African and Kenyan restaurants but none remotely as good as Jambo. We had their crab cakes and their Jamican Jerk chicken salad apetizer which wer fabulous. Our main dishes were also both great but we so often love our apetizers best that we realy should order them as main dishes, especially when the salads are big enough to be a meal. The owner came by our table to ask if we were happy and I asked if he will be writing a cookbook to which he said hopefully within a year. His story of how he got to where he is, is also very interesting and satisfying. I will be donating to his nonprofit to help his village.
(5)Ryan H.
Best vibe in Santa Fe. They make you feel like family. DON'T fear the strip mall! Must tries are the goat and the lentils. Made a point to visit there every trip to Santa Fe. Will be back on my next trip.
(5)Arlene S.
This restaurant is fake, the jerk chicken is no where close to Caribbean jerk chicken, then again you got africans trying to make caribbean food... Also not sure why they were playing bob marley, thought i was in a keynian restaurant, i would love to hear their music. If you are going to this place for jerk chicken skip it, the african food might be good however..
(1)steve d.
A great tasting alternative to other Santa Fe restaurants. The coconut/peanut chicken stew and the curry chicken stew are taste treats. The mahi mahi was a bit over cooked. The talapia is nicely seasoned, sometimes the portions are not consistent. The combo with the goat stew is excellent however as others have mentioned, eat cautiously because of small and sharp bone flakes. Avoid at all cost the following: The appetizer coconut shrimp and the appetizer crab cakes lack taste and freshness, are over cooked and blanketed in a coarse coat of corn meal? The jerk chicken just OK. The mango dessert and the pecan pie are quite delectable.....
(4)Melissa F.
The food is delicious here, the sweet potato fries with curry dipping sauce. Yum yum yum. And then got an order of their Caribbean goat stew, the goat is so tender and the flavor perfect! Service was great too, the staff was helpful and very friendly. An all around good joint.
(5)Jennifer S.
I have only been here once, and I plan on coming again! I got the lentil stew and the fried plantains. The plantains were to die for, and there was quite a few of them. The lentil soup was thick and delicious. The wait staff was friendly, and I could figure out which customers were the "regulars" by how the wait staff interacted with them. The environment is very welcoming. There was a little placard on the table that told about the island in Kenya the owner had come from. Kenyan food at its finest.
(5)Colin S.
For me, Jambo Cafe was as good as a restaurant can possibly be and I don't say that lightly. Not only was the food amazing, but the service was fast, courteous and efficient. Did I mention this was an extremely busy Friday night? I even saw the chef/owner out busing a table and making sure the customers were satisfied. I told him thank you and shook his hand, as you don't often see the owner out on the floor cleaning dirty dishes to keep everything running smoothly. He seemed genuinely happy that I was there and was very humble. I really, really wish Jambo Cafe was here in Boise!
(5)Sam S.
Unique restaurant for this town. Give it a try. Friendly staff!
(5)Allison S.
Excellent dishes with delicious flavor combinations. I recommend the Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew!
(5)Kendra P.
Don't be fooled by this restaurant's humble exterior. The only thing off about this quaint restaurant is the fact that it's located in a strip mall. The second you walk in the door you'll understand why this place is so great. Fun African decor extends even to the bathroom! The food is second to none - a wide variety of scrumptious meals that are sure to delight any palate. I don't live in Santa Fe but if I did I'd eat here all the time!!!!
(5)Elliot M.
Great food. Extensive menu. Very reasonable prices. Great service. In a mall set back so we passed it by on our first try, but found it quickly. I had a great Morroccan stew full of delicious flavors.
(5)David N.
Food ranges from okay to quite good, although the dishes tend more towards the Caribbean side than African. My biggest issue is the price - a lot of the dishes are probably 20-30% more expensive than I'd expect for what you get. They do serve up something that's not like anything else in town though, so I suppose they can command a higher price given there's little to no competition for this kind of cuisine in Santa Fe. The Kenyan Beef Kebobs are quite flavorful - it's a favorite of myself and several others I know who have eaten here. I'm not as much of a fan of the jerk chicken though, although I may have just gotten a mediocre batch that was on the dry side and not as spiced as I'd like.
(4)Maggie D.
I would never have picked an African food place to eat in Santa Fe, but my friend took me there for lunch, and I'm so grateful!!! The coconut pili pili shrimp was amazing! Spice was perfect, shrimp was tender , rice was tasty, and the sauteed spinach was just right.
(5)Anne L.
Holy cow! Eventually it was well worth it, and by that I mean the wait was a bit long and we recommended they get a paging system since the waiting area is small and it's in a strip mall, so it only makes sense to walk around and we got passed up. But on to the food! YUMMMMMMY! Butternut squash curry soup, curry chicken with rice, fresh coconut juice!!! ALL yummy!!! My travel buddies got jerked chicken and jerked chicken salad and heard no complaints! The sauce to the sweet potato fries was delish! If they weren't closed today, we'd probably be back there...with reservations please!
(5)Candice C.
I am a creature of habit, so I was really going out of my comfort zone by going in... never had this "type" of food before, but son wasn't hungry, so I figured we'd go somewhere MOM wanted to try for a change. 2:30pm on a Saturday afternoon and we were greeted and seated within 2 minutes. The prices were so reasonable, and I'd heard soooo many good things about their soup... so I splurged on the jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and a cup of sweet potato-black bean curry. Even though my son wasn't hungry, we ordered the grilled cheese on pita and french fries for him. The curry was ah-maze-ing! The waiter told me it would be "medium heat", and I'd never had a curry base before, I thought I would bite the bullet and try. Perfect heat! The main course came out before I was finished, very timely... and I would be amiss to my son if I didn't mention they gave him a LARGE side of ketchup, which won him over immediately lol. The jerk chicken had a kick, but just enough not to completely kill the tastebuds. Sweet potato fries are hard to keep from going soft, and these were cooked to perfection! I would say the only downfall is no "commercial" soda pop, but there's the creature of habit sneaking back in, lol We were both impressed with the ambience (laid back, SLACKR radio in the background, no loud talkers, just enough decor to keep the eyes busy, but not overwhelm). I get the feeling I will most definitely be back! I think this would be an impressive restaurant for date night, family night, or to bring any out of towners tired of the 'chili-cheese-something-so-hot-it-kills-your-Âtaste-buds' scene.
(5)KT R.
Just a couple of things to say about this place....YUM....OMG.....THE BEST!.... Gotta go check it out if you have not been!
(5)Scarlett H.
Really good food. Definitely worth trying out and definitely better looking inside than the strip mall location would lead you to believe. Although we just ordered take out, the service was great. The coconut curry could have been a little more flavorful, but the goat cheese/veg salad was fantastic as was the veggie sandwich. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Jay K.
I don't know how this place could get anything less than 5 stars. The staff is welcoming, helpful, efficient and kind. The place is easy to get to, nicely decorated, comfortable and clean. The menu is variations of lovely spiced foods. My partner has the Spinach stuffed Phyllo and Hummus plate -- he loved it. I had the Jerked Tofu entree very good indeed, with a glass of nice France Pinot Noir. I have been there so many times (I can't believe I haven't written a review yet for Jambo) and it is ALWAYS great. I am so glad they expanded and the place is still perfectly full (not empty but no lines either). Keep up the good work, team Jambo.
(5)Joe M.
Such a relief to have something different in the Southwest. I've had Caribbean food that is as good and better though to have a solid through and through meal in this area is suweeet! I had the combo plate and all was good including the roti. Also a good way to get me out of the downtown area while visiting.
(4)Bryan H.
Loved this place. Authentic cuisine with friendly, helpful staff. A real gem on a street full of strip mall chains.
(5)S C.
Get there early. The place is small but the food is outstanding. Get the young coconut and the chicken/goat combo plate. Add a red stripe and you're set.
(4)Evangeline O.
Easily one of my favorite places to grab a bite with friends. Only caution, it gets uncomfortable sometimes during the summer. I'm not sure if it is a problem with their AC unit or if they have humidifiers running in the back but regardless you can acclimate and it is worth it IMO
(5)Mark N.
Ate here many times since they opened, one of my favorite places in Santa Fe.. The owner/chef is from an island on the coast of Kenya; but live in New York City for awhile before coming to Santa Fe; along the way he learned about some other forms of cooking.. The menu includes east African, Jamaican, and middle eastern style foods.. The quality of the food prepared here is very high.. Some good desserts too! A good selection of beers and the short wine list has some very quite good stuff like Portuguese vinho verde (not a common find in New Mexico restaurants!) I am a fan of goat stew. I am a fan of pretty much everything on the menu, I have tried pretty much everything.. The phyllo appetizer is great! This is a very small place and you may have to wait for awhile for a table, particularly if you are with a large group, while admiring the Payless Shoe Store or nail salon nextdoor in the strip mall where the place is located ...Service can be a little slow sometimes, there seems to be a high turnover rate amongst the waitstaff.. But the food is awesome!! This place is so popular that I suspect someday they will move to a bigger location.
(5)Jeff B.
my first disappointment in jambo! as usual wonderful chicken coconut curry....but the crabcakes were terrible! no taste of crab at all, tasted just a big gob of deep fried breadcrumbs and they were burnt too. no one came around to ask how everything was, no refills of water or iced tea. must be a new waiter, didn't seem to know much about the food..he's the muscle guy that wears the tight shirts. i told the waiter and he didn't offer us anything, just said thanks for letting him know. my favorite place in santa fe, is now my least favorite! :( just thought i'd let you know. :( ....
(2)Shalene M.
Such a great place! Wonderful owners and great service! Must try the sweet potato and the cumin fries-so yummy and the pecan pie! Great find in Santa Fe where there is an over abundance of food options! Don't miss out!
(5)Melinda S.
I was shocked and appalled by a recent visit to Jambo Cafe. I had eaten there once before and enjoyed the food enough that I chose to go back for a business lunch. We arrived at 11:30 to avoid the crowds and we each ordered a full meal and drinks. Throughout the meal we were continually rushed by various staff members of the cafe, which could have been overlooked. However, the meal culminated, at 12:30 (only one hour after our arrival, before we had even finished our drinks) when a waiter removed our unfinished drinks and told us to leave. I have never been treated so poorly in a restaurant in over 40 years of eating out.
(1)Dominique N.
Tucked away in a non-descript strip mall, I wouldn't have thought to stop here had it not been for the awesome yelp reviews and the mention in the New York Times. We went on a Monday night and it was packed even at 8pm. After some fairly heavy Tex-Mex meals, the light lentil and coconut curry was the perfect anecdote. The mango-ginger lemonade was fantastic as well and is a great non-alcoholic option. Overall a great find, particularly if you need a break from the Tex-Mex or want to get off the tourist track.
(4)Steve M.
Outstanding place at a mind bogglingly low price. Hummus was just good but the Jerk chicken and lamb stew were out of this world---followed by the excellent guava sorbet. Wait staff was incredibly friendly, ambiance is comfortable and spot on as well. Particularly given the price, which I had a double take about how low it was, this place gets my highest recommendation. I'll being going back as soon as possible.
(5)Norman G.
Oh wow! Jambo is now one of our top 5 favorites in Santa Fe. It collected 3 visits on our last visit to this magical town. So far, everything we've tried has been great, but the Chicken Curry it probably at the top of the list for our tastes. Mango cobbler for desert is nice -- not as sweet as I expected.
(5)Thomas K.
Jambo Cafe's food is back up to their standards. Their sauces are amazing. I always order the cinnamon dusted plantains. Friendly service. They serve throughout the day, so if you like to eat in the afternoon, you are set! Dinner is often crowded; if you don't want to wait, you might eat a bit early. Quite affordable, especially by Santa Fe standards.
(5)David S.
I had eaten here about a year ago with friends and remembered loving it so I came back to see if my memory served me well. It was every bit as good as I remember it. And since I was here last, I think they did a lot to fix the decor, as I remember it being a lot hotter and cramped when I first ate here. At any rate, the food was just as good, if not better than I remembered it being. We had the coconut peanut chicken kabobs as an appetizer and they were excellent, they came with a really nice cole slaw. The chicken pieces were huge and moist and perfectly seasoned. I ordered the tilapia, which had spinach and chutney on a bed of spicy rice, and it was amazing. There was a perfect amount of sweet and spicy so that nothing was overpowering. The person I ate with had the lamb sandwich on pita with sweet potato fries. I tried both and both were incredible. The sandwich had probably the best lamb I've ever had. The price tag, $36.60, was pretty good considering the quality of the food and the portion size. I actually love this restaurant and would eat here weekly if I could afford it.
(5)jennifer b.
this place was getting ready to open when i left santa fe last summer, and i kept watching it and watching it because i was really craving some african food. alas, it didn't open before i left. but the first day i was back in santa fe last week, i went straight there for a late lunch. it was 3:30 on a saturday, and it was PACKED. seriously. i was like, whaaa??? there was a huge group of hip students, which made me really happy. also other locals and one real african man. whoa. this place has a african-caribbean influenced menu, and the chef is from an island off the coast of kenya. this was my first experience with food from this region, so i don't really know if the menu truly is the fusion it appeared to be, or if it is authentic. i strongly suspect it's fusion. it reminded me mostly of caribbean food--lots of curry, coconut & roti. i got the coconut curry chicken ($10) which comes with rice, but i ordered fufu on the side since i've been obsessing about it forever. the fufu was tasty, especially since i've been craving it for so long, but it seemed to have formed a little skin on it--not hard, exactly, but also apparent that it sat there for a bit on the plate before it came out to me. the curry itself was delicious. the rice had a strange woody texture i wasn't crazy about, but i had fufu anyway. i was so incredibly happy as sat fumbling with my fufu. i will definitely be going back with friends.
(4)Andrew F.
A gem, a true find. Imaginative, tasty food, kind wait staff, charming folks in the kitchen. There is nothing like this near me at home. Would get 4 stars at twice the price, but the value is amazing. Very reasonable prices for what you get.
(5)L B.
Loved it and will go back!
(5)alby t.
this may have been the best meal i've ever had in santa fe, which is a place that's known for great food...the place itself was pleasant, the service was prompt and very friendly, and the food was just wonderful...i had one of the specials: grilled spice rubbed lamb chops with some kind of pomegranate sauce over a delicious cous cous...wow!...perfectly grilled lamb and the sauce was tart-sweet and flavorful...my family had goat stew, which was delicious, and jamaican jerk chicken salad which was also just delicious...for dessert, we all had the espresso cardamom flan; don't even think about it - just get it!...it tastes as good as it sounds...all in all, jambo provided us a wonderful dining experience...
(5)Zak M.
BEST Lamb sandwich I've ever had! The lamb was perfectly tender and flavorful. The jerk chicken sandwich was okay, but I will be back for the lamb. (Update), had incredible jerk chicken with pita a third time I went and a an interesting/ delicious dinner for my fifth visit. The soups are super!
(5)Sam A.
Another word-of-mouth hidden find in Santa Fe! I had been hearing about how great this place is for a couple of months, and since it's been around for less than half a year, I had been meaning to check it out. Pretty outstanding food, and a dedicated clientel from what I can see... I got there at five PM, ordered my food as take-out, and by the time I paid and left the place had quadrupled in hungry eaters! I decided to play it safe and odered the chicken curry and the gumbo entree that was the special. The gumbo could have been a little bit more spicy and chunky, but was better than any other place in town. The chicken curry was also above par if you try it against most of the thai places in the area... The service was nonstop top of the line. This is definately one of my new favorite hot spot restaurants. Kudos for not playing reggae music, because reggae is totally dated and old.
(4)Jonathan J.
what a local gem! my girlfriend and i went there for dinner from a recommendation from a local and we couldn't be more pleased. the food is basic, light, but very rich in flavor. the service was spot on and the chef was personable and charming. he took time out to visit every table in the restaurant. definitely, one of the great finds in town. i had the beef kabob with veggies and she had the special lamb kabob with cous cous. the mango cobbler was the perfect finish to a great meal. just pure joy.
(5)N A.
Wow. Yes, I agree with everyone who gave 5 stars to this place. The food is excellent, the service is outstanding, and it's clean and well decorated. Don't let the strip-mall location fool you! Anyway, I was assuming that African food would be spicy, but everything was pretty mild. Whether you like spicy food or not, the food has excellent tastes and is presented very neatly on cool dishes.
(5)Patrick I.
The absolute best ethnic food in Santa Fe! The most friendly chef/owner I've ever come across. The coolest website =) Love it! Love it!
(5)Debbie R.
A group of us were in New Mexico for business last week. Since we had folks in our group who travel the world and have spent extended time in Kenya, we thought Jambo Cafe would be fun to try. As you can see it got five stars from all 12 of us! Thanks to all who recommended this fun place to eat with wonderful food, outstanding service and a good dollar value! We will be back the next time we are in the area. If you are even close to Santa Fe be sure to make sure you are there around meal time. You will not be disappointed!!
(5)Christina B.
The food was delicious and the prices were extremely reasonable. The atmosphere is very casual. We ordered the island spiced coconut seafood stew, which was pleasantly spicy and flavorful. A surprise favorite was the phyllo pocket appetizer- not your usual spinach and feta. For dinner, I got the combination plate, which provides you with a portion of the goat stew, lentil stew, and chicken curry; all were very good. My companion ordered the jerk chicken, which was phenomenal. It was spicy- not that run of the mill watered down jerk seasoning. Total (along with an iced tea) came to $42. The only reason it didn't get the full 5 starts was the service. The waiters/waitresses were friendly but very inattentive. We went there on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was full but there was no wait. Great place and I would (and will) go there again.
(4)Chase G.
WOW! Absolutly amazing! No other way to describe it. Gotta get here. Chase out
(5)Margo G.
This is one of those places you dream about--tucked away in a strip mall, but secretly (or not so secretly) fantastic. I heard about this place on my last trip to Santa Fe, but it is sadly closed on Sundays, so when my boyfriend and I came up on a Saturday, I knew we had to try it. This place does not disappoint! I had the chicken coconut curry, and it was so good I wanted to lick the bowl (my boyfriend practically did it for me, because the portions were generous, so I couldn't quite finish mine--even though I really wanted to!) My boyfriend had the combo plate, which also came with the chicken. The lentils were very good, and my boyfriend seemed to love and devour the goat stew. We were warned that the hibiscus tea was not for the faint of heart, but the bf got it anyway and really enjoyed it. It wasn't so much for me--tasted to me like chilled mulled wine--but it certainly wasn't bad. They also have a nice selection of beer and wine. Will definitely be back!
(5)Raven C.
Ok...im changing my review. Five stars: i cant change stars. You guys have really stepped things up and keep up the good work. Goat cheese salad was to die for. Trout and salmon were amazing. Im impressed. And the staff especially manager owner was really sweet.
(5)Amanda G.
I love their Sweet Potato Fries with curry aioli and their Lentil Soup. Delicious!
(4)sandy a.
Went here because of the reviews and was not disappointed. The staff was terrific. The food was delicious, and a nice change from the other options in Santa Fe. Especially good was the salad I started off with, best salad I've had in a while. Wish I was in town long enough to go back there.
(4)Susan S.
Absolutely loved the food in this place! Unique and tasty menu. Yes, it's a bit crowded, but everyone was happy to be there and in a good mood and we could still hold a normal conversation without yelling. I agree with those who said they wish it were in Denver (or Boulder). I would travle to Santa Fe just to eat there again.
(5)kathryn h.
I was recently in Santa Fe and had the good fortune to pick up the local rag where this wonderful place as profiled. I agree with the patron who said don't let the strip mall location put you off. I haven't had Jamaican food this good since I lived in Toronto where they are prevalent. You can taste the love in every bite-great soups, fresh spices-the curried goat was tender and flavourful as well as the chicken dishes, red lentils and homemade sorbet. I ate my meal and even took the combination plate to go as I was taking off on my road trip and couldn't stand the thought of "road house junk food" after this great meal. I wish I could have taken this man back to San Francisco with me as his jerk chicken is far and away better than anything I have had in the Bay area (and it's pretty tough to get a "bad' meal in SF)
(5)Rebel Y.
Very impressive eating; don't let the small strip-mall location fool you. Nice kids' menu, something for everyone. I have tried the sweet potato fries everywhere in Santa Fe, & these are the very best, served with a thick yellow dipping sauce that contains traditional African spices. Same sauce makes a great enhancement to the cinnamon-spice-dusted plantains. $2.95, they're both crispy & chewy. Just excellent! Also amazing is the hummus. It's delicious and special. The dishes to really flip over, though, are the East African Coconut Lentils Stew (you will soon be telling all your friends) and the goat stew! Also red snapper in a pool of savory sauce, or spice-rubbed salmon on top of an organic baby green salad -- generous portions & great taste. This is not an iceberg lettuce kind of place, the chef uses a nice assortment of fresh organic mixed greens. Daily specials tend to be very interesting & have included a saffron-artichoke soup -- it was delicious! Desserts: A rum-rice pudding served warm, such a big portion I had to take some home but fortunately it was amazing & delicious chilled, too. Once ordered the organic coconut lime sorbet with a friend, thinking it was just a simple, no-fuss, conservative dessert choice, but actually it rocked our socks. Plus it's big enough to share! Locally made (on Marcy Street at a gelatto place, I hear) and remarkably good.
(5)Cheyenne S.
the first time i ate here i was blown away. it was as good as it gets and i couldn't get enough. i kept going back for more, wanted to try everything on the menu and brought all my friends. as i kept returning, i realized that my favorite dish, the jerk chicken, is inconsistent. one time it will be "to die for", and the next time, just so-so. sometimes it's mild, sometimes it's spicy, sometimes it's tender and sometimes it's not. when it's at it's best, the meat just falls off the bone and it is the tastiest thing you could ever eat, garnished with fried ripe plantains. the portion is enough for a second meal if you take it home. last time i wen there the jerk chicken tasted like a grilled chicken breast with jerk sauce over it. i was very disappointed. the deserts are just ok, the atmosphere is great with low volume reggae music in the background; a nice accent to this Afro- Caribbean food. The Stuffed Phyllo appetizer is fantastic, the fried plantains dusted with cinnamon are delicious, the beverages are authentic Caribbean, and the soups are amazing. My only complaint is that I can't count on the Jerk Chicken to taste the same each time I go, and I have been disappointed by it. By the way, Jambo Cafe has now expanded. They tore down a wall from whatever was next door, and the place is now twice as big. Ahmed the owner is a wonderful man, and a great chef, and if you are reading this Ahmed, please train your staff to make the Jerk Chicken the same way you do. Last time it was like a grilled boneless breast (dry, as grilled breasts are), covered with sauce.
(4)John H.
I have been here three times. The food is consistently tasty and the service is quick and friendly. The portions are not huge, but the stews are filling.. A pair of stews and a pair of chai teas left my wife and I stuffed, with a tab of $24 (before tip). This is a small place so it tends to fill up in the evening. I have not been for lunch, but I suspect it is the same.
(5)Iryna S.
Absolutely amazing food, people and atmosphere. LOVE IT!
(5)Iryna S.
Absolutely amazing food, people and atmosphere. LOVE IT!
(5)Cathy F.
If there were more stars I would give them to Jambo! Our meal was delicious . Service was top notch. I will say the best wait staff in Santa Fe! You do not see anyone standing around. The goat stew is a must. The roti is amazing. Flavors are outstanding. We look forward to our next meal there .
(5)Kellen C.
This is the best East African spot I have had, and the best African Vegetarian place I have ever had, really maybe the best Vegetarian place ever it is up there with anything in Cali, Portland, or Seattle. The Kenyan Chef has something special at this place the atmosphere is tight because it's always packed.
(5)Tc H.
I saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and couldn't wait to try it out. I wasn't disappointed. Everything on the menu looked so yummy but had to pace myself. I took a group of friends and we all ordered something different to try the dishes. It's always packed and the service has always been good to us. Santa Fe is lucky to have a restaurant that is different and isn't just another traditional restaurants that we have so many of. Thanks, Jambo Cafe!!! Maybe open a location in Albuquerque???
(5)andrea a.
What a FANTASTIC restaurant. Great food, great service, great smells everything was great. It was so good we tried to talk the Chef into opening a restaurant in Northern California. This is a must do when in Santa Fe. Be sure to check out the store as well. We look forward to purchasing his cookbook once he gets it finished.
(5)Jim V.
Wonderful jerk chicken great location to learn about a new culture of food and how fantastic the food is I will defiantly come back to jumbo
(5)Kitty J.
The cinnamon-dusted plantains are incredible. The plantains are cooked perfectly and that sauce! Wow. And the owner... he is super cute. Sooo glad I came here.
(5)Jon A.
Incredible jerk chicken! The homemade chai is awesome. What makes it is the exotic and delicious african food in a shopping mall surrounded by a sea of red and green chili.. The owner always stops and chats. This place is awesome.
(5)Nancy M.
Mighty tasty! The kabobs and shrimp were delicious and that pecan pie was so tasty, with melting ice cream, that I think about it all the time. Super yum!
(4)Matissa Y.
Wow Wow. That's all I can say. How come these reviewers are here saying this place is good? I had very good service from a pretty waitress, but that's about it. The food is neither authentic nor delicious. My husband and I had fried okra soup, Mahi mahi with black rice, Fufu with goat stew and Tilapia. Every dish was mediocre at best. Taste was not flavorful enough and rather blunt. Trust me, people who are giving five stars are those who really do not know what the real African / Jamaican food is. The server was very attentive but I wont go back to drop another $50 from my pocket while I can cook better African food at home.
(2)Mary M.
The food was simply amazing. Glad that we stumbled upon this restaurant on our vacation.
(5)L B.
When you get tired of eating Mexican food stop in at Jambo! Yes, the strip mall seems strange, but the food is excellent. We had a large group that included vegans, meat-atarians and general food snobs...ALL were satisfied with the quality and price of the meal. We had a gorgeous server who handled our large table impeccably. I am a BIG fan of reggae music and let me say the playlist they had on was dynamite... nice blend of classic dancehall favourites and sunshine feel goods. Make a reservation :)
(5)A. M.
Jambo is one of my go-to eateries. The food is lovely and the service is actually good, considering we're in Santa Fe, notoriously known for poor service in almost all areas. To be honest, I can't pull myself away from the goat and lamb. I haven't sampled much of the menu because these items are so spectacular. Take that into consideration. :-) Yes, this is located in a strip mall which tends to deplete my energy level. Yes, it's ALWAYS busy during mealtime, which also puts a slant on the enjoyability. If you can put on your blue hair and settle for dinner around 5:00, you'll beat the crowd and easily get a table. I've learned to do it that way. And, I look hot with blue hair.
(5)Heather T.
Gleeful Experience. Jambo! We were staying at the El Rey Inn and decided to have cocktails in town at Secreto (Hotel St Francis) followed by dinner here, closer to our hotel. Best plan ever. Hidden gem of a place, in a nondescript strip mall location with creatively lit interior archways & brightly colored walls, adorned with African art. From the beginning, it was abundantly clear that the servers were cool, calm & happy, and this made us happy. Happiness shined from the kitchen also. Sound weird? It wasn't. The whole place had a warm vibe to it. I must confess that the servers were so cute, I could just eat them up. Not in a drunken Cougar like way, but you know, they were just beautiful people. :) We walked in close to 8:30 and they closed at 9, so we were sensitive to that & ordered quickly. They were welcoming and oh so laid back (not outwardly worried about closing soon at all!) and we just melted into the place. We started with a Kenyan Tusker lager (for him), iced chai (for me, as two Secreto cocktails were already too many), special black bean ginger/coconut soup with fresh warm pita + coconut shrimp, followed by their pecan encrusted salmon special & cinnamon fried plantains. Sharing all of this was plenty filling, and we had to get the plantains to go. The soup was possibly the best balanced/spiced/textured soup I've had in my life! Maybe it was the prior Secreto cocktails talking, or the cute servers, or the amazing food, but man, this dinner was bliss. The shrimp were flattened, tender, fried and served with a mango yogurt sauce? Salmon was a wild caught looking nice red with a crispy & nutty outer layer (perfectly done for me), on a bed of quinoa, bok choy & cranberry, in yet another delicious sauce. The plantains were a generous portion with yet another great sauce. We surrendered our forks because it was time to roll us outta this place. On the way to the bathroom, Bob Marley appeared six or seven times. In the form of framed photos. His presence seemed fitting, for this was a peaceful place making great things happen. Jambo had us doing the mambo, and we will be back on a future trip.
(5)Abe J.
A menu that competes with all of the fine dining places in Santa Fe, but with out the pretentiousness that comes with Santa Fe at other establishments. Also, this blows Anapurna out of the water. That being said the Blackbean soup was always amazing! The salmon salad was my favorite, and their jerk chicken recipe is killer. Young coconuts are served there as well. Thematically solid, on par service, and amazing food! Don't often give the 5 put this place earned it.
(5)Randy S.
Lime coconut soup with soft pita. Jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and curry dip. Sound like the perfect lunch to you? I wish I lived here just so I could eat at Jambo Cafe! Everything had perfect seasoning, and was obviously made with fresh ingredients and passion. Kudos to the kitchen!
(5)Rick D.
We loved this place the atmosphere was excellent. We tried the goat stew it was great and also tried the mahi mahi it was fantastic and the service was nice and it was amazing wish there was one my town. If we come again to Santa Fe we would come back.
(5)Hight F.
Great coconut, guava lime soup. The combination plate is a good choice for sampling both jerk chicken and goat stew!
(5)Davina D.
There are some thing folks don't do. like eat at strip malls. ....... my man prefers not to eat at restaurant with pictures of food posted above the counter/kitchen (I disagree. some places are rather goodddddddddddddddd) but then Jambo, with a major uplift, comes rolling around and they sure do stick around. and they stay consistently busy. "Did you make reservations?" I pout my face and shake my head no in disgust "No...............But I came all the way from NYC", pity pitch. It worked especially for the fact we went at 615pm and it was still a bit early, yet already crowded. Pale Ale and coconut curry chicken please with nan. The aroma while waiting got me fidgeting and biting my man's arms. The food is on point, that curry chicken with an additional sprinkle of hot sauce (already on the table) and I'm floating awayyyyyyyyyy into the real Caribbean islands. I'll talk about the special (steak) my dude got but let's not....that coconut chicken curry is all you need to focus on. How do you do this? It sure beats a lot of places in Brooklyn and in the city, dang. Yum.
(5)Amaryl P.
Wonderful atmosphere! It was laid back, like Santa Fe is, but with a different flair to it. The greenery, the lights, the bongo drum....it felt festive and Jamaican. We had the lamu coconut pili pili shrimp over rice and the combo plate, which included chicken curry, lentils, and goat soup. The chicken curry was SO GOOD! It was way too much food, but we ate it all anyway. Go. Drive away from downtown. Enjoy the ambiance! Enjoy the fabo food!!!
(5)Steve S.
Camouflaged in an anonymous strip center a little north of Jackalope on the freshly finished asphalt of Cerillos (thank God) , you can drive south of town to get a double dip of the best Santa Fe has to offer for eclectic shopping and unique ethnic chow. Jambo is a delight to the eye, ear, nose, and palate, walking through the front door. Happy ethnic music, colorful decorations, heavenly scents of spice wafting through the air, and excellent servers all enhance the extraordinary yum yums served here. We shared the fish special of the day and squash bisque, both a marvelous marriage or spices, balanced perfectly and prepared flawlessly. The mango ginger lemonade was a perfect foil for the rich deliciousness of the food, and we left feeling joyous inside and out. An outstanding change of pace when you're feeling "chilied out"- drive here, enjoy, and spread the word. This place is divine.
(5)Jesse C.
Been here twice now. Loved it both times. Great service and reasonable price. The food is authentic and local and very tasty.
(5)Tim V.
This place impressed all around. What I liked most was the obvious committment to quality and freshness. The flavors were unique and didn't require a pound of salt to stand out. While the food had the attention and quality of higher-end cuisine, the restaurant and staff seemed very down-to-earth. Oh, and moderate prices too. I can see why Jambo Cafe has garnered so much attention and love. People living and vacationing in Santa Fe know good food. Jambo Cafe is good food.
(5)Jeff A.
Jambo was amazing. Food., atmosphere and service all great. 4of us had meals drinks and 1 dessert. $92. Can't beat .chicken falls off the bone. Great taste . Warm mango cobbler with vanilla ice cream to die for. Best calling for reservations.. They are busy at dinner. Jeff
(5)Jeremy S.
Jambo Cafe lived up to the hype. Wings and Jerk chicken were amazing. My wife said Plantains were best she ever had. I agree. Mango cobbler was fantastic too. Highly recommended.
(5)Jordi G.
SO GOOD. so so so good. My friend was house sitting and so we made a night trip to hit the town in Sante Fe. By the time I got there I was hangry to say the least (angry from hunger) and was ready to just go find a Wendy's. My friend said that we had to try Jambo because it had been the talk of the town. When we got there at 7:30 we realized we should have made a reservation because there was a 35 minute wait. The little hungry demon inside of me was freaking out but my friend said it was worth the wait and it was! We decided to get a few plates to share amongst the three of us and it was just the right amount. We started with the Stuffed Phyllo - pastries filled with spinach, black Moroccan olives, organic feta, roasted red peppers and chickpeas, over organic field greens, drizzled with pomegranate sauce. I was sold with that alone. For our main dishes we got the special of the day (chicken stuffed with feta... and other treats I'm forgetting), sweet potato fries and the combination plate (Chicken curry, goat stew and coconut lentils with rice and roti). The goat meat was all my hopes and dreams. I'm a carnivore girl and that meat just won me over. I will definitely going back and exploring the menu more!
(5)Chris C.
Jambo: Swahili for hello. As such a welcoming place should be named; don't be fooled by its humble strip mall location, the ambiance is warm and friendly. Youre immediately comfortable and at home inside. The food is amazing. Wonderful flavors and textures of food, a menu that is full of tasty eats! The chicken peanut stew is amazing. I never get tired of eating here. Unpretentious and completely satisfying. The whole place radiates goodness, light, and love!
(5)M M.
I can't even begin to describe how incredibly delicious this place is. I am visiting Santa Fe for a week and had made a deal with my traveling companions that we wouldn't eat at the same place twice...... that deal has gone out the window. There is no way that I am leaving Santa Fe without eating here again. If at all possible, make a reservation.
(5)Kate L.
Food was good but server made an obvious mistake (she never wrote anything down) with our order and never showed any urgency to correct the wrong. Second entry showed up 15 minutes later.
(3)Eric H.
Good food is only part of the experience of eating out. Otherwise, I could just as easily cook at home. The food here is good and I enjoyed what I ate, but a few things made the experience less than satisfying. My wife and I had dinner during Restaurant Week so the menu was a bit more limited than the regular dinner menu. We had a three course meal from a choice of two appetizers, three entrees and two desserts. Unfortunately, the soup and our entree tasted a bit too similar, as if they used the same coconut curry sauce for both. The entree was also a bit too spicy, even for me, and I like spicy food. When the heat detracts from the flavor of the food, then perhaps there's too much. There was nothing here that had that five-star wow factor. Ultimately, it was the service that ruined my experience. We ordered a bottle of South African wine and the wine service was entirely wrong. First, our waitress, Christiana, brought out the wine and didn't show me the bottle. Then she couldn't manage to twist off the cap and left to get help. Finally, she returned and poured the wine for my wife and then myself without even allowing me to taste it first or see the label. After she left and we tasted the wine, were we able to see the label and realized that it was the wrong wine. When we were finally able to get her attention toward the end of our entree, we told her the wine was not the one we ordered. She left to find out more and returned to tell us they had run out of the wine on the menu and this was the substitute. She did offer to let us order something different, but by then we were nearly finished with our meal. I told her that this may have been avoided if she would have shown me the label before she opened the bottle. It was apparent that she knew almost nothing about wine service. And the fact that she never returned to check on us makes me wonder if she was new to this line of work. I can spot newbie wait staff by how inefficient they are when going back and forth to the kitchen: their hands are empty. All in all, the food was four-stars, but the wait staff was inexperienced and detracted from the dining experience, hence the three-star rating. I would suggest some wine education for the staff.
(3)Karen M.
While visiting Santa Fe we decided to try Jambo Cafe. Upon entering we were greeted by the attentive staff and happy music. The restaurant has a unique and vibe. Above all the food was delicious. I ordered the Kenyan beef kabobs that came with a variety of greens and a perfect sweet sauce.
(4)Marco B.
Awesome goat stew, attentive waiting and not the norm for the area. Win, win, win if you ask me. Would go again if I'm in the area. Pretty much a pointless review because it seems everyone else agrees with me!
(4)Mark K.
The food is amazingly delicious and unique. The moment you walk in and smell the aroma of the food your appetite "doubles." I had the organic jerked chicken which was fall off the bone good. It came on a bed of delicious red beans and rice with a side of tasty fried plantains. All of it was stick to your ribs delicious.
(5)Maggie N.
Delicious! Our server was a little off, but the food was great and the chef came by to make sure it was great.
(5)Tania I.
Our friends in Boulder, CO said "you MUST eat at Jambo Cafe while you're in Santa Fe". So, we did and LOVED it. Went in on a rainy Friday afternoon for a late lunch. My husband had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Black Bean Sweet Potato Curry Soup. I had the Coconut Grilled Tilapia. It was served on a bed of rice, topped with garlic spinach, chutney and dried fruit. Never before had my taste buds been tantalized like this. We ate every morsel. Not wanting the delicious experience to end, we decided to get dessert despite being stuffed. As I eat gluten-free, we had the flour-less chocolate cake with whip cream. That was THE best flour-less chocolate cake I have ever experienced. It was soft, moist and light. Topped with their home made whip cream that was thick, smooth and sweet. Now I understand why and how this place gets rave reviews/referrals from people out-of-state. I highly recommend checking out Jambo's Cafe while in Santa Fe.
(5)Tia R.
The roti is worth four stars alone. I'm a frequent traveler to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and New Mexico in general. ONCE in a while, I do get tired of New Mexican food and I venture out to try something different. The last few times, I dined at Jambo Cafe, (twice in one day, actually). Their service is friendly and their food is always satisfying. I have had their curries, stews, and the jerk chicken. You can't really go wrong with anything. Their apps and desserts are wonderful. I have not tried their goat because I don't do goat. I grew up with a culture that had goat for special occasions. The smell throws me off and the furthest I have gone is lamb, which I don't even truly enjoy (too gamey for me). It is a bit expensive, but you do get a lot, so plan on eating plenty or taking it home.
(4)Rand R.
I had been wanting to try Jambo Cafe for a long time. On a recent trip to Santa Fe, I got the chance to have lunch there. What a treat!! Located in an old strip mall at Cerrillos and St. Michael's, this place may otherwise go unnoticed unless you are looking for it. But once inside, you know you have arrived to someplace special. Nicely decorated, tables full, staff busily attending to customers, Jambo is hopping -- and for a reason: the food is AMAZING!!! Featuring African and Caribbean cuisine, there are many wonderful options. On this first visit, I had the jerk chicken sandwich with the combo of cumin spiced and sweet potato fries. It was all delicious. The chicken was so flavorful and moist. The fries crispy and perfectly seasons served with a wonderful, unique dipping sauce. I can't wait to get back and try more! The staff was so helpful, attentive and friendly.
(5)Nate L.
I've been here twice now and both times the food was great. The food is consistent and the jerk chicken wings are awesome!
(4)Joshua M.
Santa Fe is a place with lot's of food options so it is no small feat to shine .. Jambo Café shines, one of the most easy going casual yet attentive and caring service standards experienced in town, the food choice provides a very nice variety to predominant local flavors and the result is delicious, my friend had the sampler plate with the goat and the chicken curry and did not leave a thing, I had the chicken in coconut & peanut sauce it was absolutely delicious !! also the drinks offer a great variety, loved the delicious lemonade with ginger and mango overtones and the tamarind was delicious, highly recommend a visit
(4)Annie S.
I love Jambo! I love the coconut chicken curry dish and their sweet potato fries. Every time I have gone, it's crowded yet I've never had to wait for a table. Service is quick and the staff are friendly. This restaurant is a must-try.
(5)RN Juan-Xiao W.
Tried this place with a few friends this evening. Everything we tried was delicious. The coconut chicken curry, goat stew, lentil soup, kabobs.
(5)Jane D.
The real deal! Goat stew, Jerk Chicken, plaintains ------ YUMMO
(5)Sameer N.
The place is fantastic. Don't let the mall environment fool you. We ordered the combination plate and chicken curry with rice. The food was tasty and just right. More than of the servers stopped by many times to take care of us. Decor is awesome. Definitely a must visit on your trip to Santa Fe.
(5)Stephen W.
We loved this place! After eating green chiles for seemingly 100 meals in a row we needed a break. We searched Yelp and found this place. A bit hard to find as it's situated at the back end of a strip mall, but once we figured it out (after calling) we found it. We arrived on a Friday night around 6:30-6:45. There was already a line so we had to wait quite a while to be seated. When we were seated it was at the bar. The aroma from the restaurant is intoxicating so standing in line was not so bad. The food was absolutely wonderful. I got the coconut chicken curry and the wife got the combo with lentils, chicken curry, and goat stew. We both loved what we got. We started with the ginger butternut squash soup--it was absolutely divine. The service was warm and helpful. This is simply a great restaurant. I would return in a heartbeat.
(5)Chris M.
Excellent food. Sweet potato fries were marvelous and the jerk chicken was very good. Service was ok. Kind of rushed me and was not that helpful on the menu.
(4)Paula H.
Love Jambo! High quality and delicious food prepared by a kind staff. Reasonable prices and they are always expanding and getting better. So proud to see this venture grow so successfully over the years. Try the soup... You won't be sorry.
(5)Sheila S.
Thanks to Yelp I found this amazing restaurant--and its sister store selling African art and spices, all in the same strip mall. The prices, unlike downtown Santa Fe, are reasonable and the food is creative and good. I will come back!
(5)DA W.
Worth the drive when staying in Santa Fe. Wanted a break from SW food and our meals were excellent. Great vegetarian options, too...I had a cup of the East African Coconut Lentil Stew (called a kiddie portion) which came with basmati rice on the side and was delicious. Then the Curry Encrusted-Pistachio Goat Cheese over roasted vegetables with a pomegranate vinaigrette which was amazing. My dining companion raved about the Moroccan Lamb Stew. Save room for dessert. Our fantastic waitress recommended the Coconut Cardamom Flan and we were tempted to lick the plate.
(5)Leza M.
Unbelievable restaurant, DELICIOUS food, GREAT service. Incredible North African food that is not Middle Easter and completely different from Ethiopian or Nigerian. Looking forward in returning and trying some new. I had the lamb and couscous along with baked plantains.
(5)Shane B.
Fresh and delicious. Try a soup! I had East African coconut lentil stew and it was savory and hearty with roti (similar to naan but thinner and flakier) and a side of cumin French fries mixed with sweet potato fries dressed with curry mayo which is insanely good. Christy had a veggie sandwich which consisted of marinated artichokes chickpeas olives goat cheese green peppers organic mixed greens piled onto a toasted pita with a side of fries. The sandwich was tangy and savory, just the right amount of salt. Service was prompt and friendly and as is the case with many of the restaurants we've visited, the atmosphere was lively and original local art was hanging on the walls. We were also fortunate enough to meet owner Chef Ahmed Obo who was engaging and friendly and interested in who we were. Overall a great meal and excellent experience.
(5)Tania S.
What a relief that this place exists in Santa Fe--home of a million tourist-friendly, expensive-yet-mediocre Italian and sushi places. Yawn. The food at Jambo is flavorful and unique. I have not tried it all, but I love love love the beef kebabs. They are super-tender (not stiff or chewy) and served on a bed of potatoes and spinach with a sweet-ish, tart-ish pomegranate reduction. OMG, yum. The lamb stew and curry-pistachio encrusted goat cheese salad are also very tasty dishes. Also, an important thing to note in Santa Fe: these dishes have been *consistently* delish. None of the sometimes-on-sometimes-off bullshit that Santa Feans have to deal with all the time, everywhere. I knocked off one star only because I've had some stuff here that was just okay, like the combination plate w/chicken curry, goat stew, and lentils. I didn't particularly love any of those dishes, but didn't hate them either.
(4)David P.
This is one of my all time favorite places to eat in Santa Fe. I've had most of the items on the menu and never been disappointed.
(5)Albert S.
It's hard to believe but the best restaurant in Santa Fe is in a strip mall on the outskirts of town and it's not New Mexican food, it's African. My favorite dishes are the goat stew and jerk chicken and save room for the baklava and pecan pie. This place is an incredible value.
(5)Lydia S.
SO GOOD! I have eaten almost everything on the menu, and I have never had anything that was less than fantastic. The chai tea is my favorite in town, cinnamon dusted plantains are a must-have, and the soups and stews are across the board amazing. The atmosphere is laid back and interesting. Lots of beautiful things straight from Africa. There is really nothing like it in Santa Fe!
(5)Natalie V.
Delicious!!. Ordered the coconut lentil soup goat curry, and beef kabobs. A friend got the Moroccan lamb stew and everything was great!! We ordered fresh coconuts which I thought was just awesome (I miss it). Will go back for sure.
(5)Amy M.
Man, I wanted this place to be so much better than it was! This is going to be harsh, and if it offends you, you can ignore it, and keep eating. First, we called up to make a reservation for our party of 6 only to be told that they only take them for parties LARGER than 6. From my understanding, the number goes up with the popularity of this overrated hole in the wall. Regardless, a party of 6 came in immediate after us, with a reservation. They "knew the owner". Left a bad taste in our mouths as we waited, sardined in the front of the restaurant, for a couple of mismatched tables to open up that we could push together. Listen, I get it. You Santa Fe dwellers probably crave departure from Christmas everything. I would too. But the variety in local restaurants simply has to have better offerings than this. The fries. Hey, those were good! Our meal started off on the right foot, with me thinking that the sweet potato and cumin fries were a harbinger of good things to come. The dipping sauce was to DIE for. But as tasty as they were, when it comes down to it, they were normal french fries tossed in a coating. Nothing innovative there. Man Candy and I split a bowl of the peanut coconut chicken soup, as well as the lamb stew with couscous. At first bite, the soup was delicious. Subsequent tastings, however, proved it to be bland and lacking in seasoning. It cried out for some lime, for some salt. Something to help cure the pervasive coating of peanuty-coconut that plagued my taste buds. The lamb stew was like dressed up dinty moore. Maybe that sounds harsh. The cornstarch thickened broth filled with previously-frozen vegetables that now lacked any sort of texture, small pieces of what may well have been lamb lacked the kind of gusto I expect from Moroccan-style cuisine. The couscous was simply instant. Not the time-intensive Moroccan couscous with the beautiful texture you only get from intense attention to detail. All in all, this restaurant was a letdown to the senses. From the party of 6 who had a reservation when we were denied the same, to the run-of-the-mill french fries, the feckless soup, and the artificially thickened stew, each course offered a unique chance to realize how much better eating at home may have been.
(2)Frances L.
Fantastic food and attentive service even when they are busy. I tried the combo plate which is a good way to get a taste of everything. However, the goat stew does have some large bones that are big enough to not choke on when you see them in the meat. my fiancé loved his Morracan Lamb stew. The roti was hot and awesome.
(5)Angela S.
This was the first time that both my bf and I tried African food... OMG--we are in love! I got the jerked tofu sandwich with sweet potato fries, and he got the combination plate. We shared both our dinners with one another for the most part and loved everything. Staff was friendly, knowledgeable & helpful. Decor was nice. Can't wait to go back when I'm in New Mexico again!
(5)Abby K.
As another reviewer said, "don't let the strip mall location fool you." This place is a must visit if you are a foodie. great decor inside, reminds me of my travels to Africa. Food is good. The appetizer of fried plantains was so yummy and enough to feed 5 people! The stew (goat and chicken peanut) were both tasty and big portions. Also ordered 2 fish dishes which were good, but portions were small.
(5)Brandon W.
Food was incredible. You must try the cinnamon dusted plantains and beef kebabs. I have never had something so delicious.
(5)Linda A.
Found this restaurant on Yelp. The meal was orgasmic! Great food, service and ambiance. Our server Christiana was prompt, attentive and really friendly. As you can probably tell, I highly recommend. Don't forget dessert -- the mango cobbler will make your eyes roll back in your head.
(5)Brandon S.
Excellent food and service. Very unique menu. Try the lamb pita sandwich. Also try the crushed bonnet pepper sauce on the table, it's pretty spicy, but the flavor is excellent. I wish this place was in Huntington Beach!
(5)Kelly K.
Jambo is everything Santa Fe needs in a restaurant - bustling atmosphere that caters to locals (ie, it's off the tourist routes), high quality ingredients prepared and presented with flair, and a menu that sets your mouth watering as soon as you read it. My favorites include the crab cakes/salad appetizer (don't order as an entree, it's too small), the herb crusted salmon salad with capers and a zippy dressing. My husband loves the goat stew and we're both fans of the jerk chicken. 5 very big stars.
(5)Lauren S.
best food in New Mexico! Get the plantains!
(5)Alisson S.
Great- I hate writing negative reviews and it takes quite a poor experience to result in a review like this one. I ate at Jambo. I sat at the little bar, had a glass of white wine and ordered a goat and rice dish. Every single bite of the bowl of goat stew had bones. I was absolutely turned off and sickened by the goat bones and distinct smell of body odor that filled the restaurant. I truly gave it everything I had- but it was terrible. When the server asked if I wasn't going to finish, I was disgusted that he dare ask.
(1)Jane D.
I had their food at a house party.. Everyone agreed that everything was delish!!
(5)Karen K.
The dinner special of Yellow Fin on a bed of mixed mashed potatoes with guava sauce and asparagus was delicious and we savored every bite. The fish was cooked perfectly and our meal was served after a short wait. Our mango cobbler was also very good. 5 stars for the food. The service did not meet the same standards as the food. The wait staff were courteous but inattentive. Although there seemed to be plenty of wait staff, and few diners as it was late afternoon/early evening, they primarily occupied themselves by visiting with each other, eating, cutting fabric (!), and being generally distracted. We had to flag down someone to refill our water, to bring us a clean glass (lipstick), and to ask for the dessert menu. We were very disappointed in the lack of service. 1.5 - 2 stars for service. We will return to Jambo in the future as we like the food and appreciate that they help their community in Kenya. Overall 4 star rating.
(4)Sam W.
This place has earned my first every 5 star....My partner and I have traveled the world and this place has amazing flavors that can not be found any where else....I must admit the location is interesting, but it is a slice of worldly happiness in the middle of a strip center...The service was awesome, the beer was great, the food was Phenomenal. I had the roswell alien ale, the hummas and roti to start....I have been to trinidad and this roti was the best I have ever had... Main course I had the Marinated Beef Kabobs...The flavors were amazing...they were medium cooked....tender and on a bed of newed potatoes, green beans, grill onions and veggies, bedded on spring mix... 9 out of 10 for flavor...also great presentation My partner had the Lamb Stew and Couscous...he also gave it rave reviews...I had a bite and it has an amazing african flavor... Tips: Come early or later to get a table with no wait.... Not good for large groups unless you are willing to split up...Be open minded...it is African Fusion...You cannot find that every day. If you are narrow minded and not willing to eat in a strip center or stand to wait a few minutes...I am sorry that you will miss out....There is a fast turn over so if you have to wait it looked like tables were being sat in a reasonable time....I am here for a week and will be back at least one more time
(5)Dorothy F.
This is a very different restaurant. The food is exceptional.....carefully prepared by a chef who is dedicated to his profession! The way our orders were plated showed care and attention to detail. I especially liked that the different foods were divided with rice....keeping the flavors of each item from mingling. We definitely plan a return visit!
(5)Rada Y.
Love this place! Great service, exotic, delicious food, unusual atmosphere. Don't let the strip mall exterior fool you! I've had fish there several times...always a winner! This time had the jerk chicken...so good!
(5)Ted R.
Food was unique and Excellent. Service was great. Tables were crowded. Call for reservation.
(4)cory b.
One of the best lamb burgers I've had in my life. Decent service, too.
(5)Maritza K.
Yes, I also know Caribbean food :) Lived in Puerto Rico, I am 1/2 Puerto Rican, South America (Ok not the same but close in 'savor'=taste), Miami and other good food places. I wished it was larger, but if you go early, which I like anyways, you don't have to wait. Weekdays are best, no reservations, so you better be there early, because the smells will make you ultra hungry while you wait.....Tasty, very tasty, prepared with love, and attention to detail, makes me feel that someone in this town has some 'mojo' going...I am sooooooo tired of Mexican food. And yet I have not found the 'ONE' Mexican restaurant either! ;( Don't wait, go GO Now.... DO IT :))
(5)Tamara W.
Awesome food! ! Super friendly, accommodating staff! ! I had mahi mahi baked in banana leaf, with amazing sauce w mango, tamarind, and coconut. So tasty! ! If your visiting SF, it's off beaten path, well worth it
(5)april C.
I ate the lamb burger. And then I ate the lam burger the next day. And then I tried to go the NEXT day to eat the lamb burger, but they were closed, so I obviously went the day after that. WHAT UP, MEDIUM-RARE lamb burger.
(5)Jen K.
Jambo is simply the best! I love the wonderful eclectic African food, salads, ambiance, art, music, care & kindness of the welcoming staff. The place is always packed with creative, mystical wonderful people. I recommend treating yourself to Jambo... and try their catering services, for something really delicious!
(5)Ashia S.
Delicious. Always a treat.
(4)Christian Y.
This place is outstanding, I convinced my parents who were going to Santa Fe to go out of their way to go there, they did and also agreed! The food is great, the service is great and very friendly, the menu is deliciously original, the location kinda lame but whatever, not worth removing a star
(5)Kim C.
YUM! Love the unique blend of spices and huge selection of options. Not a lot of truly unique eateries in a town simply awash in restaurants.
(4)Francesca M.
We love Jambo! Nothing fancy here but delicious, unusual food at a great price. We went during a week night and there was no wait but every table was full. A nice change of pace. Thank you Jambo.
(5)Pwnya P.
Wins best in Santa Fe several years in a row for a reason. Highly recommended.
(5)Ellen G.
Chef is a master! Food to die for & no kidding....Melts in your mouth! He's so very friends & can't wait for him to write his cookbook. Chutney was spectacular and their plantain phyllo dessert was extraordinary. I've been very spoiled living in SF Bay Area & this menu was totally impressive! I wanted almost everything on it- Wish they were closer to my home!
(5)Susan M.
Our family was spending one day in Santa Fe and chose Jambo cafe for lunch! Best decision. I loved everything about this place! The decor, ambiance, server, and of course the food! We're all still talking about how good it is! We all chose something different and then shared! Here's what we had: lamb stew, coconut chicken curry, beef kabobs, butternut squash soup, pecan pie, cobbler, and a really delish starter made with phyllo dough, olives, tomatoes, feta, pomegranate sauce and more...incredible. All of it! You have to go to Jambo! You will be so glad you did! And Jambo....please come to ATL! Thanks for such a great meal!
(5)Laura N.
Not to be missed: charming decor, highest IQ crowd, even live music singer with acoustic guitar. But, the food is what it's all about and you won't be let down. We started with the coconut tiger shrimp with lime cilantro sauce: crispy but delicate subtle flavors. My husband had the chicken, peanut, coconut stew with a hint of curry. I had the special pecan and pistachio encrusted swordfish with Tamarind sauce, basmati rice with sweet potato and stir fried brocolini, all cooked to a turn. Don't be scared off by the thought of alien cuisine-nothing too spicy or strange. It is Kenyan with an addition of Caribbean flavors. We finished with a mango cobbler. I had never had it before, but wondered why because it's a natural. A true delight of a place! Almost forgot-cheapest we've eaten all week!
(5)Charmaine K.
I wish this place is in Denver! My friend recommended it when he heard I'm heading down to Santa Fe. We went in still a bit skeptical but man we're glad we went! The place isn't very big so get there early to get a seat. The decorations gave the place a nice atmosphere. The staff were nice and attentive. We were happy before the food was here so we were just hoping the food is good too. My boyfriend had the combo and I had their special of the day, trout with avocado cream salsa and dirty rice. Our food came quickly and we can't wait to eat. I don't even eat lamb but the lamb stew looked so good I had to try. Then I did more than trying and my bf started yelling at me for eating half his food. My fish was awesome, the sides were a bit crispy and the meat were nice and moist. the cream salsa was interesting, different, but good different. The creamed corn on the side was awesome also. The portions were good, we ate till we're full and then we ate some more. We'll definitely go back again when we go back to Santa Fe next time.
(5)B H.
We're from Colorado Springs, and DD&D is one of my favorite shows....it wasn't all hype...I had the combination plate with flat bread. My friend had the goat stew, also with flat bread...we finished off the meal with the Mango cobbler ala mode, and some great house coffee....wine and a Roswell Alien beer were decimated during the event...I eat Birria in Mexico, so I'm familiar with the flavor nuances with goat...this was not gamey at all !! The soft texture was mingled with a flavorful, rich gravy, and separated from the bones easily...a little work, a great return for your effort. The chicken curry was creamy, with a flavor that hinted at curry, not a strong, pungent Madras tendency...and the lentils were a bold surprise that, although I personally thought could have had a bit more liquid in them, were still a third taste bud tangent that made the main entrée an adventure that I had not experienced before...the flat bread closely resembles an Indian naan...though not as fluffy as naan, nor does it appear to be baked in an oven. It's more like a big burrito tortilla...but it accompanies the rest of the meal well. The rice was a soft, longer grain, and had a flavor that made me think Basmati. The cobbler was fresh, and the crust was somewhat buttery... the coffee was rich with a robust flavor that made me think it was an import...all in all, it was a great meal, in a great place, with an owner who is warm, inviting, and a damn hard worker...we got there the day after their anniversary, where he said they served over 800 meals on Sunday...they were expecting 300. THAT should tell you something! Go !!! I can hardly wait to come back. :o)
(5)Jim L.
I love this place! I found it on Yelp and so glad I read the reviews and went there. Even though it was crowded on a Thursday night, I found the staff warm and welcoming. I ate at the bar and the service was outstanding. The menu was enticing with so many fun choices that it was hard to choose. I had the house salad, then crabcakes with habanero sauce, followed by mango pudding. Wow, the flavors and servings were amazing. I may have to go back to Santa Fe JUST so I can eat at Jambo Cafe again.
(5)Jesseca T.
Review # 250!!! The problem with reading Yelp before you go to a new place is that (for me anyway) I always order what everyone else said was great, so my review sounds like everyone else's. Consider yourself forewarned. Went for lunch today with a girlfriend. Total cost with tip was $52 We had: Hummus- with tomatoes, olives and fresh fluffy pitas- chunky but yummy Lentil/coconut soup (either rice or roti) - this was amazing, I never order soup but am really glad I did this time- I had leftovers too, very generous Sweet potato fries with curry aioli- YUM- hard to miss with these guys two glasses Torrantes (argentinian white wine)- great price for a solid glass of wine- $6 Services was excellent at 11:45 - place was full by 1 (only seats 50 people)- don't take resys unless you're over 7 people- this was a very good experience, I'd like to take my husband here to try out the lamb and goat dishes, which I hear are also great.
(4)Jordan J.
I am visiting from Austin Texas and decided to try this hyped place and it's definitely hyped for a good reason. We started the meal with the sweet potatoe fries with the curry sauce and a cup of black bean and sweet potatoe soup. Incredible my grandpa and I licked the bowl of soup clean and some of the best sweet potatoe fries I've ever had that sauce was delicious. After a very satisfying appetizer we split a combo plate which we thoroughly enjoyed. The goat was cooked to perfection be weary of bones though my grandpa got a couple loose ones, the chicken in the chicken curry was so juicy (ive had so many chicken curries where the chicken is dry so I was pleased with that), and the coconut lentils I didn't like them alone but mixed in with the goat stew or chicken curry they add to the meats and make them taste even better. Isn't spicy at all (I like a little more spice to my curry usually so I added a little hot sauce and that fixed that). We ended the meal with a flan. Too much vanilla for me but my grandpa thought it was perfect. Great meal, the waitress was attentive and sweet, and the food came out as fast as a fast food restaurant everytime we ordered 2 minutes later there was our food great restaurant with a great system!
(5)Alexandra Z.
My second time eating African food. I thought it was pretty good, but I was not a fan of the roti bread. Personally, I like the spongey Moroccan bread a lot better. I got the combination platter, and the goat was wonderful! I also liked the cassava.
(4)Clay D.
Great place! Atmosphere is great! The lights on the ceiling works unlike other places that try to pull that off. The music is a different . . . Well I don't know how to explain it but it matches the atmosphere. Smell is good considering the crazy items they cook. Service was fast and friendly. Different food. Not your typical menu! I had the Lamb and it was delicious!! The cumin fries are also very good. I will definitely be coming back here in the near future.
(4)Dennis M.
Hadn't been in since I moved out of a near-by neighborhood and I forgot how good the food is. Love the salmon salad!! The expansion looks great and the servers are casual, yet attentive. Sign me up!
(5)Kyle H.
Jambo is a very interesting Jamaican/African fusion place tucked away in a strip mall. It is quite a hidden gem on a road flooded by Mexican/New Mexican eateries. The portions here are quite large for the price, and the food is very well done. One downside is the lack of vegetarian options with only a couple to pick from, but at least they are good options. I went with the coconut lentil soup which was very flavorful and filling. I like that they have actual hot sauces at the tables (a scotch bonnet and a habanero sauce). This type of food is meant to be hot, though the scotch bonnet sauce was surprisingly mild... but nothing is perfect. The flat bread was very good, but the side of the rice was pretty small and nothing special. The service was quite good... nothing extraordinary, but friendly. The waiter did sort of vanish for a while, which isn't easy to do in such a tiny restaurant. The beer selection is a bit meh, but I suppose I'm a bit spoiled being from Denver. Overall, a pretty interesting and unexpected find in Santa Fe.
(4)Giuseppe Q.
Friendly staff and great food make this a wonderful place to eat. Don't let the strip-mall exterior fool you, this is great Caribean cuisine at fair prices. The owner, who is always there, and the staff all add to the feeling of welcome and that they are all eager for this lovely place to thrive. Try it and help a local small business succed!, you'll become a regular.
(5)Cecily M.
The moment I walk into this restaurant I am filled with happiness. The cooks really know how to use their spices. Fresh ingredients, creative cooking, and friendly customer service. I can't compliment this restaurant enough. It is a definite favorite of mine. I just wish I could afford to eat here more often!
(5)Vin M.
My friends and I absolutely love this place. The food and service is always fantastic! My personal favorite dish that is the perfect comfort food is the Island Spice Coconut Peanut Chicken Stew. If you can't decide from the menu, you won't go wrong with that.
(5)Andrew L.
morrocan lamb stew was amazing ! we had the combination and the lamb stew and both were excellent. the roti bread is a great addition to their dishes. they get fairly busy during the holiday season so make sure to get reservations. Their service was very prompt. Highly recommend
(5)Liz C.
This was a delightful lunch stop for us during our stay in Santa Fe. They were pretty busy so service was a little slow, but well worth it. The jerk chicken and roti were phenomenal. The staff seemed focused and were as friendly as they could be under the circumstances. The atmosphere was lovely and the beer selection was very nice. Definitely give them a go if you're in Santa Fe! They have certainly earned all of their best of awards.
(5)Alison F.
This was a good place, definitely outside of the downtown area. It's one that I wouldn't have found if it wasn't for Yelp. The inside of the restaurant is well decorated, cozy and has nice lighting. The waiter was helpful and funny. The food was tasty and interesting and included vegetarian options, while thoroughly satisfying a meat eater. The chai was yummy. They were cool about us hanging out there until the place got full. Amazingly, it was nearly full by 5:30 PM. (Though it was emptier in the mid-afternoon). The cardamom flan was lovely.
(4)Leahi M.
Ahmed knows what he's doing! I've seen this place transform from a tiny little spot to a bigger and more badass joint! The food is fantastic and the people love working for Ahmed, the owner, which makes for happy employees and great service! I love everything on the menu...especially the chicken curry!
(5)Peter N.
I'm pretty sure there isn't anything on the menu here that isn't good. We've been coming since not long after they opened, and it's the place we take anybody that doesn't mind a little bit of a squeeze and noise. I'm particularly fond of the Jerk Chicken, whether it's the sandwich (with sweet potato fries) or the plate (with fried plantains). Another personal favorite is the curried chicken wrap, made with a big puffy roti. Unless you're famished, these sandwiches are often enough for a second meal. I recommend showing up between mealtimes for a better chance at a table. They are full up almost every day, as far as I can tell.
(5)Natasha Y.
Excellent East African food with North African and Caribbean influences. My special favorite is their goat stew. Their rum pecan pie is sinfully rich. In fact I have yet to have anything from them I haven't liked.
(5)Elizabeth R.
Amazing use of spices, fresh foods creating a delightful dining experience. Jambo Cafe is the best. Full review and photos: examiner.com/santa-fe-in…
(5)Colleen Cassandra D.
Best food I've had in a while! Chef is so warm and friendly and comes out to check on everybody.
(5)Chrissy K.
This place is so great. I love it, my husband loved it, my one year old loved. Maybe a little cramped, but still very good. Our waiter was so very nice, our hummus was to die for, the jerk chicken was so great with the perfect amount of spice. Dessert was even better, would highly recommend.
(5)Susan O.
Another wonderful lunch with clients at Jambos. Chicken jerk salad, yummy! The best staff. So glad they expanded.
(5)Jill B.
Great food great prices and nice people
(5)Lauren E.
Amazing, tantalizing food, but only 2 stars for service.
(4)Dan F.
Incredible! Visiting my mom and stepdad in Santa Fe and they took me here to eat and I almost died of happiness. Great service and some of the best food I've had in a while! I will be coming back again before I leave.
(5)Jabba T.
Wow. Great food, nice people. Location and dining room leave something to be desired, but the food is so good, I still give 5 stars. Also- I haven't seen a restaurant so universally loved in a long time. EVERYONE I know loves this place! Recommended!
(5)Tony Y.
My wife and I love trying new cuisines, and we've never been to Jambo before. We tried the combination plate and the grilled beef kabob. We also got the cinnamon plantains and roti. The plantains were a nice surprise, the sweet smell of cinnamon mixed with the the doughiness of the plantains. The combo plate wasn't as impressive, as the curries seemed to be a milder version of Indian or Thai curry. This may just be due to our lack of experience with this ethnic cuisine, however. The kabob was done to perfection. The only one really negative experience here was our waiter. He seemed absent-minded and took forever to do anything. It was 15 minutes after we were seated before we were even acknowledged. The same lack of attention occured after the meal, when we waited quite a while to be brought the check. To be fair though, I think this was just this one waiter, as all the other waitstaff seemed pretty on top of it. We will stop by to try other entrees next time.
(3)Bob D.
Very nicely done. Service was outstanding. The goat cheese, curry, pistachio dumpling over the salad was superb. Red curry was flavorful, though mild. Goat stew was excellent, with the bread for dipping. Prices were reasonable.
(5)Matthew L.
I find it a bit ironic that the name of the restaurant "Jambo" means hello in Swahilli given the fact that upon entering this establishment not one of the staff bothered to say hello in English or Swahilli! The young man that waited on us was at best indifferent and the only way I could identify him as a waiter was that he was taking plates of food from the kitchen to the customers at the tables. My friend's 10 year old son is wheelchair bound and when they dine there, the staff act like it's a huge inconvenience to accommodate him. Granted the place is small, but would it kill them to smile and be a bit more accommodating? This place is not wheelchair friendly and judging by their actions, I don't think it's going to change anytime soon. I suppose it's cool and hip to be indifferent and aloof to your customers at some hip up scale restaurants and bistros, but at this place? Come on people...your restaurant is located in a strip mall next to a Hobby Lobby!! The food was very good but not good enough to compel me to go back to be treated rudely. Mr. Obo...please teach your servers to be friendly and warm...like your food is!
(2)Nicholas S.
It was 15 till 9pm on a Thursday and these guys were packed. I'm used to going to more bare bones Caribbean/African place, cheap flooring, simple low cost tables, no real decor. But these guys have done a great job making the place nice and comfortable. So I rush in just before their closing time expecting to have a hard time getting food. I open the doors and am shocked that every table is full up, good thing I'm getting it to go. Everyone there was very helpful and pleasant. I ordered the Jerk Chicken (kind of have to) and the vegetarian sandwich. Both of which had amazing flavor and was well put together. You can tell that Jambo Cafe takes pride in their food and it looks as if the abundance of customers knows that as well. Sadly this place is a days drive away from home so I may never be back... *snifff*
(5)josephine L.
loved this place. after paying a lot of money for an average dinner at one of santa fe's premier locations i was ready for some delicious honest food. this place delvers at good price. interesting wines. i will go next time i visit sf.
(5)Ben T.
Great place. The food is excellent, the service is friendly, the atmosphere is hip. This is the kind of place that would fit into any major city. The waitstaff have personality and often tattoos and the music they play makes you feel like you're still cool even if you showed up for dinner at 430 PM with your wife and a baby (hypothetical example). I recommend starting out with the sampler plate so that you can taste the chicken curry as well as the goat stew--I know, I know. It's goat and it's great and you should eat it. Get the roti--the rice is great but the roti is better. Also, definitely get the young coconut to drink, and once you're done with the juice, ask the waiter to have the chef cut it in half so you can scoop out the sweet coconut inside.
(5)Holly D.
Went to Jambo for my birthday last night, taken by my little family who had great things to say about it (also, everyone I work with, everyone my husband works with, etc.). Now, I don't like curry, and my husband hates curry. He also hates saffron, and isn't a fan of cumin. I had suspicions that it would be one of those "we politely picked at our food, but didn't enjoy it" evenings. But we liked what we received! I had the lamb sandwich (reminded me of some tasty gyros I've had). Very basic ingredients, but they did a great job in my opinion. Pretty tender, I liked the dill in the cucumber-yogurt dressing, not too many onions, tasty. My husband had the chicken kabobs and was really happy with them! The meat was tender, it came with chutney (which he praised) and the couscous/green bean bed it came on was excellent. I ordered a Chai tea and immediately fretted on my decision. I am such an American who likes my Chai milky, semi-sweet and not spicy...but when we got it, I sighed relief that they cater to pansies like me - tasty iced chai. My mama had hot Chai tea - same as my drink but warm and equally good. Mango cobbler w/ vanilla bean ice cream (and they sang to me) was good, the pecan pie was good too. In the end, the wait staff and the food were pleasant. Perhaps it wasn't 5 stars because it didn't COMPLETELY BLOW MY MIND, but I certainly enjoyed my experience. Thanks Jambo!
(4)Lindsey B.
Chicken curry is amazing and I love the plantains. The chef almost always comes out of the kitchen to say hello. There is a lot of love in this restaurant and it is evident in the food.
(5)James N.
All I can say is I had the goat stew and it was awful. Everything else might be wonderful, so this is NOT a real review of the restaurant. I just know I have not been back because there are too many good places to go (or places that I like, let's say) to give it another try. Not that I would not, if somebody really wanted to go there, but I am in no hurry. For me it joins the ranks of Maria's Tomasita's, Geronimo's, Rio Chama (the actual restaurant, not the bar) that everybody ssmes to say are the greatest places in Santa Fe and I would have about zero interest in returning to any of them. NOT THAT THEY SUCK. That is not it. They are just rated and ranked SO much higher than my experiences there...but that is just one guy, and this is probably more about preferences than anything else, which is true of just about ALL reviews of things....
(2)Meekam B.
Enjoyed eating outside.
(2)Constant C.
Despite the strip mall location, which actually makes parking easier, this place has great atmosphere. Upon entering the building, you are met with an intoxicating olfactory experience. Nothing overwhelming, but seriously sumptuous. The decor is tasteful and they have used a lot of creativity to create an intimate eatery. The food is amazing! All the flavors and spices are perfectly blended so nothing dominates or overwhelms. Lots of flavor and just enough heat. Great selection and good service. One of the most enjoyable meals I've had out. Will have to try more selections to improve my rating, but so far, so good.
(5)Lynn C.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was inventive and well prepared. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful in ordering the unusual menu items. We were given many excellent recommendations for food and drink. If you are looking for a change of pace, this restaurant is definitely worth the visit.
(5)Emily H.
After hearing great word of mouth, we decided to take the opportunity for a nice night out and check out Jambo Cafe with our family. We were pleasantly surprised- the service was excellent, the menu had interesting variety, and there was an awesome kids menu for those whose children have yet to venture over to the spicy side. Our boys had chicken fingers, fries, and the rasta pasta, all of which were worthy of an adult palate. I had the Caribbean jerk chicken- delicious and generous portion, with perfectly seasoned rice and beans accompaniment. My husband had the coconut chicken curry and it was also delicious. We each enjoyed a young coconut- so yummy, and we shared an order of the sweet potato fries. I think the sauce that went with the fries was a mixture of mayo and curry spices, but it was incredible. Definitely beat out ketchup for flavor. For families, this restaurant can't be beat. Go early, take advantage of the well priced kid menu while you enjoy flavors you may not normally include in your own cooking. We'll definitely be returning to Jambo Cafe again and again.
(5)Ralph B.
My wife and I ate at the Jambo Cafe three times while on vacation in Santa Fe in 2010. We ordered the plantain appetizer, goat stew, grilled tilapia.. The quality of food was far above average and the prices were very reasonable. On two occasions the service was outstanding, and on one occasion it was inattentive.
(4)Peter C.
***** UPDATE ***** Bumping it up to 5 stars on second visit. ***** UPDATE ***** In a word, yum! I used to love to sample the African cuisine at Camden Market, and I've missed that - so glad we have this cuisine available to us in Santa Fe! The service was good, and friendly. The prices just right. And the food delicious. I will be back, many times.
(5)Leland T.
So Amazing! I had not been back in a while and was excited to see they expanded their operation now Jambo has a great environment as well as great food. I had the Jerk Chicken salad and was blown away! With a Salad! Wow that is all I can say. Keep up the good work and great quality!
(5)Ben S.
Love the food and the atmosphere, kind of a low-key hole-in-the-wall, tucked away in a strip mall, nice alternative to the oppressive sameness of downtown Santa Fe restaurants. I'd describe the food as Afro-Caribbean comfort food, nothing too fancy but interesting combinations of flavors and very filling. Everything I've tried here has been delicious.
(4)Soupy T.
The best, most original restaurant in SF
(5)Corey J.
Jambo Café is all style and very little substance. They offer very little value for money, and their food is hit and miss at best. I tried the Beef Skewers, which came with roasted new potatoes, green beans, and a pomegranate/onion sauce. The price was $10.95. What I received was 3-4 oz. of overcooked (on the north side of well done, when ordered at medium rare), sinewy beef on skewers, and a cloying, oversweet pomegranate sauce that created a puddle on my plate. It was reduced to the point of a sort of pomegranate molasses, which spread everywhere. At the cost of the food, one would expect better-quality beef. Potatoes were either cold or lukewarm, and the green beans had no flavor, except for the bleed-over from the pomegranate sauce. On the positive, the fried plantains were fantastic, if a little oily and under-crisp, and my girlfriend quite enjoyed her Jerk Chicken (as did I, from a few samplings), but unfortunately the red beans and rice that came with it had very little actual flavor, from my samplings. It seems like the restaurant's chef has several great ideas, but consistency in the kitchen is vital to the continued success of this venture. Currently, their prime selling point seems to be the uniqueness and trendiness of their food, but this cannot sustain a restaurant forever--especially in a town as fickle as Santa Fe.
(2)Angela P.
This place was great. Casual and fun vibe. Great food and really good service which is apparently rare in Santa Fe. It was the best service we had in our four day stay in town. I will definitely be back next year.
(5)Paul B.
A friend and I arrived early for lunch on March 24th and we had no trouble getting seats. I liked the atmosphere immediately and the staff was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. I had the goat stew with flatbread and loved it (be prepared to pick out small bones). My friend had the curried chicken with rice and he also raved about the flavor. Others have complained about it being too small and hot, but I found it adequate, especially for lunch and not hot at all. The quality of the food and ambiance are wonderful. My compliments. Update. I went back today with a friend of mine and had the Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries. It was simply delicious. If you are going for lunch, get there early!
(5)Michael R.
All I can say is amazing. Yes it's crowded, yes there'll be a wait. It was worth it. Service was quick and attentive and very friendly. The owner/chef was seen making rounds and checking in with his patrons. The food was so very good... Really unusual flavors that were blended to perfection. I had the lamb curry and my partner had the beef kabobs. We also on recommendation from others split an order of sweet potatoe fries with curry aoli. Soooo glad we did. Side note...while waiting outside for a table we ran into a couple of friends from back home whom I haven't seen or spoken to in 12 years and 1000 miles away. Is this place magic or what. And all in a strip mall. Who'd expect?
(5)Regina R.
What a pleasure! The food is wonderfully delicious and creative. Prices are very reasonable, probably too reasonable. But that's part of how pleasurable eating at Jambo Cafe is.
(5)Nancy D.
Charming, lovely experience. Don't be scared by the location, tucked in the corner of a non-nondescript strip mall. We came here to celebrate my birthday during a recent trip to Santa Fe. It was recommended to us by a shop owner as a no-fail experience. Indeed. This restaurant is tiny (although rumored to be expanding soon, hopefully not at the expense of charm) so we had to wait for a table. No problem, they have a nice heater outside. After a brief wait, we were sent to our table. There were two individuals team-waiting the room. The woman was absolutely charming and spot-on with her recommendations. Hubby had the jerk chicken, which was a good solid dish. At the waitress' recommendation, I changed my selection to the combo plate. HELLO! It looks like a cafeteria plate with 3 individual compartments, but no that is rice dividing 3 pie-shaped wedges of yumminess, each swimming in a complex "sauce". It gave the perfect overview of the restaurant's reach. Goat, lentils, and chicken curry. Yum, yum, and yum. When asked where the restrooms were located, I was sent through the kitchen. Really. This afforded the opportunity to meet the chef/owner, ogle over the other dishes being cooked, and really savor the care going into the food. He couldn't have been more friendly, as if welcoming me to his home. It added a wonderfully charming and personal (albeit a bit odd) footnote to the evening. These 5 stars aren't awarded lightly but are well earned by a delicious culinary evening of amazing value ($35 tab for 2 beers and 2 entrees, Santa Fe on a Friday night).
(5)David S.
Loved it. All delicious, low key and priced well.
(5)Alex F.
Excellent food, great service. Highly recommend. The chef owner personally checked on our table and served us dessert. The food was exotic, flavorful, rich and delicious. If you are in Santa Fe, don't let the strip mall location fool you, jambo is a must eat stop.
(5)J M.
Ate here once, was seriously disappointed (some combo plate with goat--worst goat I'd ever had--and chicken and lentils). The table was kinda sticky/dirty. But, went back anyway several months later--could have died it was so good. Some soup of the day and Morrocan-style curry?! Um, incredible. So tasty, actually made me feel nourished and relaxed. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now!
(4)Daniel C.
I love the food. Soups are to die for. I know little about real African cuisine and many of the dishes remind me or are like Caribbean in nature. Wonderful warm spices. It is a little crowded, at least when I have been there, and if there is a short wait it's worth it.
(4)Candice C.
I am a creature of habit, so I was really going out of my comfort zone by going in... never had this "type" of food before, but son wasn't hungry, so I figured we'd go somewhere MOM wanted to try for a change. 2:30pm on a Saturday afternoon and we were greeted and seated within 2 minutes. The prices were so reasonable, and I'd heard soooo many good things about their soup... so I splurged on the jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries and a cup of sweet potato-black bean curry. Even though my son wasn't hungry, we ordered the grilled cheese on pita and french fries for him. The curry was ah-maze-ing! The waiter told me it would be "medium heat", and I'd never had a curry base before, I thought I would bite the bullet and try. Perfect heat! The main course came out before I was finished, very timely... and I would be amiss to my son if I didn't mention they gave him a LARGE side of ketchup, which won him over immediately lol. The jerk chicken had a kick, but just enough not to completely kill the tastebuds. Sweet potato fries are hard to keep from going soft, and these were cooked to perfection! I would say the only downfall is no "commercial" soda pop, but there's the creature of habit sneaking back in, lol We were both impressed with the ambience (laid back, SLACKR radio in the background, no loud talkers, just enough decor to keep the eyes busy, but not overwhelm). I get the feeling I will most definitely be back! I think this would be an impressive restaurant for date night, family night, or to bring any out of towners tired of the 'chili-cheese-something-so-hot-it-kills-your-Âtaste-buds' scene.
(5)KT R.
Just a couple of things to say about this place....YUM....OMG.....THE BEST!.... Gotta go check it out if you have not been!
(5)Scarlett H.
Really good food. Definitely worth trying out and definitely better looking inside than the strip mall location would lead you to believe. Although we just ordered take out, the service was great. The coconut curry could have been a little more flavorful, but the goat cheese/veg salad was fantastic as was the veggie sandwich. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Jay K.
I don't know how this place could get anything less than 5 stars. The staff is welcoming, helpful, efficient and kind. The place is easy to get to, nicely decorated, comfortable and clean. The menu is variations of lovely spiced foods. My partner has the Spinach stuffed Phyllo and Hummus plate -- he loved it. I had the Jerked Tofu entree very good indeed, with a glass of nice France Pinot Noir. I have been there so many times (I can't believe I haven't written a review yet for Jambo) and it is ALWAYS great. I am so glad they expanded and the place is still perfectly full (not empty but no lines either). Keep up the good work, team Jambo.
(5)Joe M.
Such a relief to have something different in the Southwest. I've had Caribbean food that is as good and better though to have a solid through and through meal in this area is suweeet! I had the combo plate and all was good including the roti. Also a good way to get me out of the downtown area while visiting.
(4)Paras G.
Loved eating here. The service was superb, as was the food. Even though this place was packed, and I guess that is the case every day, the waiters/staff were down to earth without any pretention about their rave reviews and awards. They accommodated our party of 10 at short notice. Everyone in our group loved the dishes they ordered.
(4)Pierre G.
Food was excellent, we would have never found this little gem without yelp. Only thing is that they close at 9PM which is about 1h too early.
(4)Bryan H.
Loved this place. Authentic cuisine with friendly, helpful staff. A real gem on a street full of strip mall chains.
(5)S C.
Get there early. The place is small but the food is outstanding. Get the young coconut and the chicken/goat combo plate. Add a red stripe and you're set.
(4)Evangeline O.
Easily one of my favorite places to grab a bite with friends. Only caution, it gets uncomfortable sometimes during the summer. I'm not sure if it is a problem with their AC unit or if they have humidifiers running in the back but regardless you can acclimate and it is worth it IMO
(5)Steve M.
Outstanding place at a mind bogglingly low price. Hummus was just good but the Jerk chicken and lamb stew were out of this world---followed by the excellent guava sorbet. Wait staff was incredibly friendly, ambiance is comfortable and spot on as well. Particularly given the price, which I had a double take about how low it was, this place gets my highest recommendation. I'll being going back as soon as possible.
(5)Norman G.
Oh wow! Jambo is now one of our top 5 favorites in Santa Fe. It collected 3 visits on our last visit to this magical town. So far, everything we've tried has been great, but the Chicken Curry it probably at the top of the list for our tastes. Mango cobbler for desert is nice -- not as sweet as I expected.
(5)Mark N.
Ate here many times since they opened, one of my favorite places in Santa Fe.. The owner/chef is from an island on the coast of Kenya; but live in New York City for awhile before coming to Santa Fe; along the way he learned about some other forms of cooking.. The menu includes east African, Jamaican, and middle eastern style foods.. The quality of the food prepared here is very high.. Some good desserts too! A good selection of beers and the short wine list has some very quite good stuff like Portuguese vinho verde (not a common find in New Mexico restaurants!) I am a fan of goat stew. I am a fan of pretty much everything on the menu, I have tried pretty much everything.. The phyllo appetizer is great! This is a very small place and you may have to wait for awhile for a table, particularly if you are with a large group, while admiring the Payless Shoe Store or nail salon nextdoor in the strip mall where the place is located ...Service can be a little slow sometimes, there seems to be a high turnover rate amongst the waitstaff.. But the food is awesome!! This place is so popular that I suspect someday they will move to a bigger location.
(5)Jeff B.
my first disappointment in jambo! as usual wonderful chicken coconut curry....but the crabcakes were terrible! no taste of crab at all, tasted just a big gob of deep fried breadcrumbs and they were burnt too. no one came around to ask how everything was, no refills of water or iced tea. must be a new waiter, didn't seem to know much about the food..he's the muscle guy that wears the tight shirts. i told the waiter and he didn't offer us anything, just said thanks for letting him know. my favorite place in santa fe, is now my least favorite! :( just thought i'd let you know. :( ....
(2)Shalene M.
Such a great place! Wonderful owners and great service! Must try the sweet potato and the cumin fries-so yummy and the pecan pie! Great find in Santa Fe where there is an over abundance of food options! Don't miss out!
(5)Melinda S.
I was shocked and appalled by a recent visit to Jambo Cafe. I had eaten there once before and enjoyed the food enough that I chose to go back for a business lunch. We arrived at 11:30 to avoid the crowds and we each ordered a full meal and drinks. Throughout the meal we were continually rushed by various staff members of the cafe, which could have been overlooked. However, the meal culminated, at 12:30 (only one hour after our arrival, before we had even finished our drinks) when a waiter removed our unfinished drinks and told us to leave. I have never been treated so poorly in a restaurant in over 40 years of eating out.
(1)Dominique N.
Tucked away in a non-descript strip mall, I wouldn't have thought to stop here had it not been for the awesome yelp reviews and the mention in the New York Times. We went on a Monday night and it was packed even at 8pm. After some fairly heavy Tex-Mex meals, the light lentil and coconut curry was the perfect anecdote. The mango-ginger lemonade was fantastic as well and is a great non-alcoholic option. Overall a great find, particularly if you need a break from the Tex-Mex or want to get off the tourist track.
(4)Thomas K.
Jambo Cafe's food is back up to their standards. Their sauces are amazing. I always order the cinnamon dusted plantains. Friendly service. They serve throughout the day, so if you like to eat in the afternoon, you are set! Dinner is often crowded; if you don't want to wait, you might eat a bit early. Quite affordable, especially by Santa Fe standards.
(5)David S.
I had eaten here about a year ago with friends and remembered loving it so I came back to see if my memory served me well. It was every bit as good as I remember it. And since I was here last, I think they did a lot to fix the decor, as I remember it being a lot hotter and cramped when I first ate here. At any rate, the food was just as good, if not better than I remembered it being. We had the coconut peanut chicken kabobs as an appetizer and they were excellent, they came with a really nice cole slaw. The chicken pieces were huge and moist and perfectly seasoned. I ordered the tilapia, which had spinach and chutney on a bed of spicy rice, and it was amazing. There was a perfect amount of sweet and spicy so that nothing was overpowering. The person I ate with had the lamb sandwich on pita with sweet potato fries. I tried both and both were incredible. The sandwich had probably the best lamb I've ever had. The price tag, $36.60, was pretty good considering the quality of the food and the portion size. I actually love this restaurant and would eat here weekly if I could afford it.
(5)jennifer b.
this place was getting ready to open when i left santa fe last summer, and i kept watching it and watching it because i was really craving some african food. alas, it didn't open before i left. but the first day i was back in santa fe last week, i went straight there for a late lunch. it was 3:30 on a saturday, and it was PACKED. seriously. i was like, whaaa??? there was a huge group of hip students, which made me really happy. also other locals and one real african man. whoa. this place has a african-caribbean influenced menu, and the chef is from an island off the coast of kenya. this was my first experience with food from this region, so i don't really know if the menu truly is the fusion it appeared to be, or if it is authentic. i strongly suspect it's fusion. it reminded me mostly of caribbean food--lots of curry, coconut & roti. i got the coconut curry chicken ($10) which comes with rice, but i ordered fufu on the side since i've been obsessing about it forever. the fufu was tasty, especially since i've been craving it for so long, but it seemed to have formed a little skin on it--not hard, exactly, but also apparent that it sat there for a bit on the plate before it came out to me. the curry itself was delicious. the rice had a strange woody texture i wasn't crazy about, but i had fufu anyway. i was so incredibly happy as sat fumbling with my fufu. i will definitely be going back with friends.
(4)Andrew F.
A gem, a true find. Imaginative, tasty food, kind wait staff, charming folks in the kitchen. There is nothing like this near me at home. Would get 4 stars at twice the price, but the value is amazing. Very reasonable prices for what you get.
(5)L B.
Loved it and will go back!
(5)alby t.
this may have been the best meal i've ever had in santa fe, which is a place that's known for great food...the place itself was pleasant, the service was prompt and very friendly, and the food was just wonderful...i had one of the specials: grilled spice rubbed lamb chops with some kind of pomegranate sauce over a delicious cous cous...wow!...perfectly grilled lamb and the sauce was tart-sweet and flavorful...my family had goat stew, which was delicious, and jamaican jerk chicken salad which was also just delicious...for dessert, we all had the espresso cardamom flan; don't even think about it - just get it!...it tastes as good as it sounds...all in all, jambo provided us a wonderful dining experience...
(5)Zak M.
BEST Lamb sandwich I've ever had! The lamb was perfectly tender and flavorful. The jerk chicken sandwich was okay, but I will be back for the lamb. (Update), had incredible jerk chicken with pita a third time I went and a an interesting/ delicious dinner for my fifth visit. The soups are super!
(5)Sam A.
Another word-of-mouth hidden find in Santa Fe! I had been hearing about how great this place is for a couple of months, and since it's been around for less than half a year, I had been meaning to check it out. Pretty outstanding food, and a dedicated clientel from what I can see... I got there at five PM, ordered my food as take-out, and by the time I paid and left the place had quadrupled in hungry eaters! I decided to play it safe and odered the chicken curry and the gumbo entree that was the special. The gumbo could have been a little bit more spicy and chunky, but was better than any other place in town. The chicken curry was also above par if you try it against most of the thai places in the area... The service was nonstop top of the line. This is definately one of my new favorite hot spot restaurants. Kudos for not playing reggae music, because reggae is totally dated and old.
(4)Jonathan J.
what a local gem! my girlfriend and i went there for dinner from a recommendation from a local and we couldn't be more pleased. the food is basic, light, but very rich in flavor. the service was spot on and the chef was personable and charming. he took time out to visit every table in the restaurant. definitely, one of the great finds in town. i had the beef kabob with veggies and she had the special lamb kabob with cous cous. the mango cobbler was the perfect finish to a great meal. just pure joy.
(5)N A.
Wow. Yes, I agree with everyone who gave 5 stars to this place. The food is excellent, the service is outstanding, and it's clean and well decorated. Don't let the strip-mall location fool you! Anyway, I was assuming that African food would be spicy, but everything was pretty mild. Whether you like spicy food or not, the food has excellent tastes and is presented very neatly on cool dishes.
(5)Patrick I.
The absolute best ethnic food in Santa Fe! The most friendly chef/owner I've ever come across. The coolest website =) Love it! Love it!
(5)Debbie R.
A group of us were in New Mexico for business last week. Since we had folks in our group who travel the world and have spent extended time in Kenya, we thought Jambo Cafe would be fun to try. As you can see it got five stars from all 12 of us! Thanks to all who recommended this fun place to eat with wonderful food, outstanding service and a good dollar value! We will be back the next time we are in the area. If you are even close to Santa Fe be sure to make sure you are there around meal time. You will not be disappointed!!
(5)Christina B.
The food was delicious and the prices were extremely reasonable. The atmosphere is very casual. We ordered the island spiced coconut seafood stew, which was pleasantly spicy and flavorful. A surprise favorite was the phyllo pocket appetizer- not your usual spinach and feta. For dinner, I got the combination plate, which provides you with a portion of the goat stew, lentil stew, and chicken curry; all were very good. My companion ordered the jerk chicken, which was phenomenal. It was spicy- not that run of the mill watered down jerk seasoning. Total (along with an iced tea) came to $42. The only reason it didn't get the full 5 starts was the service. The waiters/waitresses were friendly but very inattentive. We went there on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was full but there was no wait. Great place and I would (and will) go there again.
(4)Chase G.
WOW! Absolutly amazing! No other way to describe it. Gotta get here. Chase out
(5)Margo G.
This is one of those places you dream about--tucked away in a strip mall, but secretly (or not so secretly) fantastic. I heard about this place on my last trip to Santa Fe, but it is sadly closed on Sundays, so when my boyfriend and I came up on a Saturday, I knew we had to try it. This place does not disappoint! I had the chicken coconut curry, and it was so good I wanted to lick the bowl (my boyfriend practically did it for me, because the portions were generous, so I couldn't quite finish mine--even though I really wanted to!) My boyfriend had the combo plate, which also came with the chicken. The lentils were very good, and my boyfriend seemed to love and devour the goat stew. We were warned that the hibiscus tea was not for the faint of heart, but the bf got it anyway and really enjoyed it. It wasn't so much for me--tasted to me like chilled mulled wine--but it certainly wasn't bad. They also have a nice selection of beer and wine. Will definitely be back!
(5)Raven C.
Ok...im changing my review. Five stars: i cant change stars. You guys have really stepped things up and keep up the good work. Goat cheese salad was to die for. Trout and salmon were amazing. Im impressed. And the staff especially manager owner was really sweet.
(5)Amanda G.
I love their Sweet Potato Fries with curry aioli and their Lentil Soup. Delicious!
(4)sandy a.
Went here because of the reviews and was not disappointed. The staff was terrific. The food was delicious, and a nice change from the other options in Santa Fe. Especially good was the salad I started off with, best salad I've had in a while. Wish I was in town long enough to go back there.
(4)Susan S.
Absolutely loved the food in this place! Unique and tasty menu. Yes, it's a bit crowded, but everyone was happy to be there and in a good mood and we could still hold a normal conversation without yelling. I agree with those who said they wish it were in Denver (or Boulder). I would travle to Santa Fe just to eat there again.
(5)kathryn h.
I was recently in Santa Fe and had the good fortune to pick up the local rag where this wonderful place as profiled. I agree with the patron who said don't let the strip mall location put you off. I haven't had Jamaican food this good since I lived in Toronto where they are prevalent. You can taste the love in every bite-great soups, fresh spices-the curried goat was tender and flavourful as well as the chicken dishes, red lentils and homemade sorbet. I ate my meal and even took the combination plate to go as I was taking off on my road trip and couldn't stand the thought of "road house junk food" after this great meal. I wish I could have taken this man back to San Francisco with me as his jerk chicken is far and away better than anything I have had in the Bay area (and it's pretty tough to get a "bad' meal in SF)
(5)Rebel Y.
Very impressive eating; don't let the small strip-mall location fool you. Nice kids' menu, something for everyone. I have tried the sweet potato fries everywhere in Santa Fe, & these are the very best, served with a thick yellow dipping sauce that contains traditional African spices. Same sauce makes a great enhancement to the cinnamon-spice-dusted plantains. $2.95, they're both crispy & chewy. Just excellent! Also amazing is the hummus. It's delicious and special. The dishes to really flip over, though, are the East African Coconut Lentils Stew (you will soon be telling all your friends) and the goat stew! Also red snapper in a pool of savory sauce, or spice-rubbed salmon on top of an organic baby green salad -- generous portions & great taste. This is not an iceberg lettuce kind of place, the chef uses a nice assortment of fresh organic mixed greens. Daily specials tend to be very interesting & have included a saffron-artichoke soup -- it was delicious! Desserts: A rum-rice pudding served warm, such a big portion I had to take some home but fortunately it was amazing & delicious chilled, too. Once ordered the organic coconut lime sorbet with a friend, thinking it was just a simple, no-fuss, conservative dessert choice, but actually it rocked our socks. Plus it's big enough to share! Locally made (on Marcy Street at a gelatto place, I hear) and remarkably good.
(5)Cheyenne S.
the first time i ate here i was blown away. it was as good as it gets and i couldn't get enough. i kept going back for more, wanted to try everything on the menu and brought all my friends. as i kept returning, i realized that my favorite dish, the jerk chicken, is inconsistent. one time it will be "to die for", and the next time, just so-so. sometimes it's mild, sometimes it's spicy, sometimes it's tender and sometimes it's not. when it's at it's best, the meat just falls off the bone and it is the tastiest thing you could ever eat, garnished with fried ripe plantains. the portion is enough for a second meal if you take it home. last time i wen there the jerk chicken tasted like a grilled chicken breast with jerk sauce over it. i was very disappointed. the deserts are just ok, the atmosphere is great with low volume reggae music in the background; a nice accent to this Afro- Caribbean food. The Stuffed Phyllo appetizer is fantastic, the fried plantains dusted with cinnamon are delicious, the beverages are authentic Caribbean, and the soups are amazing. My only complaint is that I can't count on the Jerk Chicken to taste the same each time I go, and I have been disappointed by it. By the way, Jambo Cafe has now expanded. They tore down a wall from whatever was next door, and the place is now twice as big. Ahmed the owner is a wonderful man, and a great chef, and if you are reading this Ahmed, please train your staff to make the Jerk Chicken the same way you do. Last time it was like a grilled boneless breast (dry, as grilled breasts are), covered with sauce.
(4)John H.
I have been here three times. The food is consistently tasty and the service is quick and friendly. The portions are not huge, but the stews are filling.. A pair of stews and a pair of chai teas left my wife and I stuffed, with a tab of $24 (before tip). This is a small place so it tends to fill up in the evening. I have not been for lunch, but I suspect it is the same.
(5)