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Name: Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine
Address: 4869 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118
Telephone: (206) 329-1202
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.99

Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine

4869 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118

(206) 329-1202
Store is closed

Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine Menu

Regular Menu

Sweet Plantains

Tostones

BBQ or Jerk

Calypso or Habanero Wings

Jerk Wings

Jamaican Patties

Seafood Fritters

Festival

Habanero Prawns

Little Islands

Island Soul Taco's

Caribbean Jerk

Island Soul BBQ

Island Soul Curry

Island Soul's Famous Oxtail Stew

Bayou Gumbo

Southern Fried Half Hens

Whole Fried Tilapia

Southern Fried Catfish

Vatapa

Sweet Plantains

Tostones

BBQ or Jerk

Calypso or Habanero Wings

Jerk Wings

Jamaican Patties

Seafood Fritters

Festival

Habanero Prawns

Little Islands

Island Soul Taco's

Caribbean Jerk

Island Soul BBQ

Island Soul Curry

Island Soul's Famous Oxtail Stew

Bayou Gumbo

Southern Fried Half Hens

Whole Fried Tilapia

Southern Fried Catfish

Vatapa
Happy Hours Main Menu

Chicken & Buttermilk Waffles

Classic 1/2lb Cheeseburger & Fries

BBB Burger & Fries

Manila Clams

Island Curry Mussels

BBQ Rib Tips

Fish Tacos

Habanero Wings

Jerk Chicken Wings

Sauteed Habanero Prawns

Seafood Fritters

Sweet Calypso Wings

Basmati Rice

Collard Greens

Cuban Black Beans

Festivals (Jamaica Hushpuppies)

Fries

Mac & Cheese

Mashed Yams

Mini Organic Salad

Rice & Peas (Red Beans)

Soul Slaw (Gluten free)

Chicken & Buttermilk Waffles

Classic 1/2lb Cheeseburger & Fries

BBB Burger & Fries

Manila Clams

Island Curry Mussels

BBQ Rib Tips

Fish Tacos

Habanero Wings

Jerk Chicken Wings

Sauteed Habanero Prawns

Seafood Fritters

Sweet Calypso Wings

Basmati Rice

Collard Greens

Cuban Black Beans

Festivals (Jamaica Hushpuppies)

Fries

Mac & Cheese

Mashed Yams

Mini Organic Salad

Rice & Peas (Red Beans)

Soul Slaw (Gluten free)

Healthy Meal suggestions for Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine

Regular Menu

Sweet Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ or Jerk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calypso or Habanero Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerk Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Patties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Festival [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habanero Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Islands [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul Taco's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caribbean Jerk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul BBQ [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul's Famous Oxtail Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bayou Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southern Fried Half Hens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Fried Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southern Fried Catfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vatapa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ or Jerk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calypso or Habanero Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerk Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Patties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Festival [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habanero Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Islands [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul Taco's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caribbean Jerk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul BBQ [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Soul's Famous Oxtail Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bayou Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southern Fried Half Hens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Fried Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southern Fried Catfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vatapa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Happy Hours Main Menu

Chicken & Buttermilk Waffles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic 1/2lb Cheeseburger & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBB Burger & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Manila Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Curry Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Rib Tips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habanero Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerk Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Habanero Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Calypso Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basmati Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuban Black Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Festivals (Jamaica Hushpuppies) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mashed Yams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Organic Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice & Peas (Red Beans) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Slaw (Gluten free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken & Buttermilk Waffles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic 1/2lb Cheeseburger & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBB Burger & Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Manila Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Island Curry Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Rib Tips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habanero Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jerk Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Habanero Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Calypso Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basmati Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuban Black Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Festivals (Jamaica Hushpuppies) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mashed Yams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Organic Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice & Peas (Red Beans) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soul Slaw (Gluten free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Emily R.

I have given this place so many chances, and it does have some positive aspects, and I have liked it several times, but some staff are absolutely atrocious. I have had 2 really bad experiences here with poor service that I did not yelp previously, but after how staff treated my friend yesterday, I feel like the community and management need to know how serious the problem is so it will be addressed. A friend and I took another friend here for her birthday on a Wednesday night earlier this year. We were one of two tables in the restaurant and the server forgot 1 of our drinks, then one appetizer and then one entree, none of which she caught or remembered; we had to remind her each time. So two of have our food, but the birthday girl does not, and as food does take a really long time here, she has to wait another 15 minutes for her food. The appetizer we ordered never did arrive, and when we asked about it the second time the server just looked confused and apologized and it became clear she never even put the order in. All of us having worked in the industry, we are patient, forgiving and gracious guests, but it was almost a joke, as by the time our order was in, we were the only people in the place, so how hard is it? Next bad experience was on my brother's birthday for brunch. We arrived, were sat and order taken in a reasonable amount of time. We ordered two entrees and were just drinking water. There restaurant was half full, and lots of staff congregated and chatting by the kitchen. After 45 minutes of not getting our food, seeing 2 tables who sat after us get food, and not having our server come and check on us once, we walked out. (We went to Geraldine's and were sat and had our food within 10 minutes, had a very warm welcome from the staff with birthday greetings, and the manager bought my brother's meal, to contrast experiences.) So in the mean time I have been in for drinks several times, as I am understanding and not going to quit going to a place altogether when service mistakes happen. But my friend's interaction with staff when I went in to use the restroom last week was absolutely inexcusable, and I will not be back. I went in and asked to use the restroom while my friend and I were waiting for a ride. Staff jokingly said no, and then said that I could of course use it. They were friendly and nice. When our ride came, my friend came to get me and as she approached the bathrooms, she was rudely barked at by a male staff member. When she tried to explain she was just trying to come retrieve me, several female staff members began yelling at her. As she kept trying to explain herself, they all started laughing at her, and then walked away as she was speaking. WHAT THE FUCK?? WHO DOES THAT? Send your staff back to middle school where they belong and learn how to treat people with common decency!
(1)
Robert V.

Based on the service: 5 stars, based on the collards...2 stars. My jerk chicken was awesome and the coconut biscuits were rockin'. I had only been here for happy hour previously, which is doped with pimpin' prices and drink specials, and this time, being my first dinner experience, it met my expectations. The Dark and Stormy is my favorite drink, but hit it during happy hour prices, otherwise it'll be $8. I can't wait to go back for more coconut biscuits and another helping of bread pudding!
(4)
Joel V.

AMAZING!!!!! (note the 5 exclamation points to emphasize the 5-stars).
(5)
BJ H.

Let me start off by saying I love to try new places and cuisines which led me to Island Soul. The interior is warm and inviting and the food/drinks are decent (had the oxtail stew and rum punch). However, the service was slow and disinterested. It took 20 minutes to get our drinks and another 30 minutes past that to get our food. The only time the waitress showed up was to bring us our orders and give us our bill (overpriced, might I add). Bottom line, no matter how good the food is, bad service will ruin my meal/experience everytime. Why would I want to return to a place that clearly doesn't care if I return? SERVICE IS IMPORTANT. Stop by on your customers once in a while and they may order some more drinks so you don't have to boost your bottom line by charging such high prices. If I want to drink in a corner and be left alone I'll go to a crappy dive bar. I will not be back here which is too bad because the food has the makings for a good spot. Reading the other reviews it seems there is a pattern of slow service and expensive pricing. Hope the owner reads this and takes steps to remedy this as his/her business will only reap the benefits.
(2)
Katy H.

I know when I think of the word 'jerk' it's usually negative. But when it comes to Island Soul, it's very, very positive. The menu has jerk ribs and jerk chicken, and they are no joke! Additionally they have curried goat, and oxtail, and a whole slew of other animals and parts of animals that taste great. Carla (who so graciously greeted me at the door) mentioned her favorite dishes including these amazing coconut cornbread muffins and sweet plantains. Every suggestion was perfect and I loved that she took a seat with us at the table to talk about the menu and everything we needed to sample. I also loved that they had hibiscus tea! This is my absolute favorite drink on the planet and they made it perfectly. The entire time we dined I could overhear Carla warmly welcoming guests, offering suggestions, saying hi to regulars and making everyone feel special. This is exactly what Yelp is all about! This restaurant is a true gem and while there are lots of great restaurants popping up in Columbia City, this one takes the cake on unique cuisine. I haven't found a place in the entire city that makes food with so much soul in it! I've only been once and I already feel like family.
(5)
Erin A.

The favorite items here I've tried are the coconut corn muffin and jambalaya! Tasttty! I also ordered the chicken curry... which was good... but not what I was expecting. For starters, when I think of curry, I think of a pasty sauce, and this was more meat than sauce. Nonetheless, the chicken was pretty soft and tender! They give good sizes. If I would come back, I'd eat the corn bread! =) I ate the left overs for breakfast the next day!
(4)
Nina T.

What a fantastic place!! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven after eating the catfish which was PERFECT. What a nice staff, too. We will be returning. Often.
(5)
Justin C.

Sometimes nothing goes right in a night except for the food that fills you up. That was certainly the case for me on the night I attempted to dine at Island Soul, and thanks to some really kind employees I was spared a completely miserable attempt. For one, this isn't exactly close to the city center, and required a 30+ minute bus ride in order to reach. This put me at the restaurant at about 9:10, which unbeknownst to me closed at 9:00PM (believe me, I check habitually now whenever traveling). Fortunately the girl working up front, Pudchaa, convinced the cooks in the back to make me up a plate to go, so my journey wouldn't be in vain. Unfortunately my woes didn't end there, as I took another bus back (getting a cab out there is nearly impossible) and it decided to go out of service early, ending its route about a mile from my hotel. I had already worked out earlier that night (hence why I was eating so late), so the mile walk uphill was a massive pain in the ass, and resulted in barely warm food by the time I got back to the hotel. All of that is to say that in spite of an disastrous amount of wasted time to acquire this food it still turned out pretty damn spectacular, a real testament to the flavors they imbued. I began with the seafood fritters, a mixture of chopped red snapper and prawns that have a light batter on them and come with a little side salad. This was the one true casualty of the excessive delay in getting home to eat, as the texture became much less appealing due to cooling down. The flavor though was still really good, without being overly fishy, and the dipping sauce on the side had a good balance of sweet and heat. For only $8 you got 3 fairly large ( yelp.com/biz_photos/IsWMâ€¦ ) fritters, not just little balls like many other places...I would really have loved to taste these fresh. The real gem here though is the Soul in a Bowl ( flickr.com/photos/wedoitâ€¦ ) sampler, which features a trio of their most popular meats and two sides of your choice, and you get all this for just $18. If you really want a taste of Caribbean cuisine then this is a good entry level primer. The rice and beans side was pretty good, but these collards are really legit, some of the best I've had anywhere. The meat portions are pretty generous once you get it all piled out, and although the jerk flavor wasn't very strong in the chicken it was still tender, the curried goat was great, and the oxtail was absolutely perfect, with just the right amount of fatty goodness hanging onto the bones. It all comes with a wonderful habanero sauce on the side that's slightly sweet but with a very slow, subtle burn that creeps up on you and suddenly slaps you silly. It's a bit of a hike to get to, but on my next trip out to Seattle I am definitely making Island Soul a must-do meal, because I have to taste this stuff fresh and hot. DC used to be filled to the brim with Caribbean restaurants but they're sadly disappearing, and this was a wonderful replacement in their stead.
(5)
Som P.

Food delicious. Atmosphere friendly and welcoming. Interior decor was modern and spaced out well but you will be sitting close enough to hear your neighbor diners chit-chat.
(4)
Toa B.

I don't know what the hype is with this restaurant. All the 4-5 stars from other yelper surely means this place is a can't miss spot, right? Boy was I mistake, the service was not that great nor was the food. We came here on a sunday night and there was a party of 15 people there for a birthday party. The place wasn't packed so we were seated promptly. The waiter wasn't rude by any means but the service was slowed. 20 mins to get our drinks, when we ordered beer on tap. Over an hour from the time we ordered the food to actually getting it. Is service always this slow? The food was a disappointment to say the least. I don't think the chef even tasted his own cooking. Everything was way too salty. We ordered 2 appetizers and 4 entrees and I couldn't understand why the appetizers had to be brought out at the same time as the entrees. Isn't it customary to have appetizers followed by the entrees. Skip this restaurant!
(2)
Diego m.

This place is amazing. It's my favorite restaurant in Columbia City and well worth a visit. From tasty but strong drinks to a reasonably priced happy hour menu, you get a good amount for your money. Even the "tapas" portions are bigger than I expected. The food is amazing and flavorful without being overly sauced or mostly bones (ribs and such). I've even come here to watch sports and they tend to get a pretty decent atmosphere going.
(5)
Alison T.

Soooooo good. Was so happy with the friendly service, amazing food, and lively and warm atmosphere. If I were around these parts more often, Island Soul would be a top pick for me. The plantains were just sweet enough and pan fried to perfection - I love that they were creamy and crispy and sweet all at the same time. I had the jerk pork sandwich and the bread was actually soft and lovely despite looking like it was going to bruise the top of my mouth! The spicy kick was great, and the pork was tender and moist. The plate was finished off with a nice salad, which was also the case for my dining companions as well. And the coconut corn muffins? WHERE IS THE RECIPE? I would like to duplicate these at home, they were so delish. And the great thing? Our server was very friendly and offered to let us try the jerk sauce before we ordered so I'd know how hot it was. And how hot was it? Pretty dag nab hot! Like the kind that hits you later on in the throat and stays on your lips. Mmmmm hmmmm. Authentic. The hubs liked it ... In short, when we visit Seattle again, Island Soul will be on our list of places to hit!
(5)
Kay N.

We came here on a Friday night and it was pretty packed. For appetizers, We got the sweet plantains in mango sauce. It was the right amount of sweet and was tasty. The bf and I ordered the jerk chicken and the jerk pork ribs. My pork ribs was moist and easily fell off the bones. Yum. The sauce was tasty, but Omg was it spicy!!! Oh my. We kept asking for water refills. The dishes came with rice and beans and kept us feeling full. The desserts looked good, so next time we shall try it. I have never tried Caribbean food before and this was a positive experience. The place is really loud and they had great live music throughout the night so I don't know if this would be great for kids. The servers were friendly and the boss came over and asked how everything was. Ps. If your bill is over 50 bucks and you paid in cash, you could get some free coconut corn muffins.
(4)
Naurry K.

My planning incompetence knows no bounds... I planned a Cuban sandwich outing at a nearby restaurant in Columbia City and with my tragic universal misfortune they were not open for lunch during the Memorial Day Weekend. Luckily Ron M. had a wonderful suggestion in trying out Island Soul. Not only did it sate our hunger but turned out to be a wonderful substitute. I essentially ordered every item on the happy hour menu and when the food trickled in it went something like this: Server: The jerk rib tips? Me: Mine. Server: Coconut shrimp? Me: Mine. Server: Wings? Me: Mine. Server: Yam fries? Me: Mine. Server: I'll be back with more food. Me: (I hope so.) Everything was really, really, really good. Try everything on the menu but if you're not a glutton order the Jerk chicken or rib tips. (And ask for the habanero sauce - it goes with _everything_!)
(4)
Brian E.

Check in with Yelp and get a free Coconut Corn Muffin. Then before you finish eating it order a couple more, then a dozen for the road 'cause they are EF*ing GOOD. Ox-tail stew. Ribs. Finger-sticky-delicious.
(4)
Erika H.

I am a brunch fanatic, through and through. For some time, I've heard super good things about Geraldine's Counter. This morning, we rounded up 5 friends to brave the Mercer Mess to finally check it out. Unfortunately, we decided that we couldn't stomach the 45 minute wait, and were thrilled to find Island Soul across the street with no wait. Yessssss. 4 of us were seated immediately and ordered coffee and tea while we waited for our 5th. The drinks came out pretty quickly, and had a refill before the last person in our group met us. We ordered a couple minutes after he arrived, and were super excited to try some Caribbean breakfast. 3 entrees came out after 20 minutes or so. Reminded the server that we were waiting on a missing waffle and 2 entrees. The bus girl came back over after 5 or so minutes, and we reminded her about the missing food. Server came back over to re-take the order for missing food. One entree came out 5 or so minutes later with sunny side up eggs that had totally raw whites on top. Reminded the server that last entree (one waffle), and another waffle, were still missing. 10 minutes later one waffle finally came out - totally cold with a giant hair on it. Meanwhile, we watched food going out to all the other tables. 10 minutes later, he came back with the final waffle. At this point, everyone had been finished with their food for some time, so we sent it back and said we just needed the check. The waiter apologized for the mix-up after he brought the check, but that was the only acknowledgement of any issue. I can totally deal with bad service or food, but when you have both, it's a deal breaker. I've never left a negative yelp review, but this was literally the worst brunch experience I've ever had. The food itself was tasty to fine (my bf's jerk chicken scramble was actually pretty awesome) but everything else sucked to an unparalleled level. Seattleites, consider yourselves warned, just wait for Geraldine's.
(1)
Alice C.

Oi vey Yelp... Usually you're pretty good at letting me know if a place is legit!!! Kinda ticked you lied to me! My mom and I stopped in for what we were planning to be a quick bite to eat before we headed south. We ordered a hot tea, a ginger beer, and 5 appetizers (tostones, coconut prawns, the "Little Islands", Calypso wings, and the app size rib tips) during their lunch time happy hour. Pro's: -Ginger beer was tasty, although flat. All ginger beer I've had was carbonated- maybe its different here? -The jerk beef tips were tasty, and the appetizer portion generous (in comparison to the laughable, tiny sizes of the other plates). The sauce didn't have any hint of spice though, and was too sweet for my taste, which makes me believe we got the barbecue sauce instead of the requested jerk. -Appetizer prices for our plates were $5 instead the normal $8.50-$9. This was a pro, because the amount of food we got was nowhere near enough to justify the price. Cons: -Our order was taken quickly, but it took 15 minutes for a cup of earl grey tea and a ginger beer to arrive, and the tea was lukewarm when it arrived. People who came in after and ordered drinks got theirs before we did. - It took 30 minutes for four (five were ordered) apps to come out. One, the Little Islands, was forgotten, and our waitress was scarce, so we weren't able to bring it to her attention till she dropped off the bill. Our forgotten item was left on the bill, but she did take it off once we told her she forgot it. I've worked in kitchens, and what we got couldn't have taken more than 5 minutes to drop into a deep fryer and cook or dish up with sauce and send out. - The food itself was unremarkable, and if I had to pay the full non happy hour prices, I'd have felt it wasn't worth it. The one flavor note I can remember being overwhelmingly present was sweetness: everything was glazed or accompanied by an incredibly sweet sauce. I wouldn't bring someone who was diabetic here. - Only time I saw or waitress was when she took our order, dropped off our food, and dropped off the check. The owner could sense I wasn't satisfied when I brought up the check and gave me a $5 coupon and said she would like me to come back. Her offer was sincere, although it was too little too late- I made eye contact with her numerous times to try and get her attention and she never asked how things were going until we were itching to leave.
(3)
Mike L.

Not from here but was staying over night in Lynwood so decided to stop by here on the way home, got there right when it opened at noon first one there but 5 min later the place was pretty packed, tried to order the oxtail but they hadn't gotten I in yet, so I got the gumbo it was very good could have been spicier though. Also got the greens and Mac n cheese both were good but were a different style/taste than I'm used to in them. The food I had was good probably 4 1/2 stars but what made it 5 stars were the waitresses they were really nice n helped out a lot with all my questions. Be sure to tip :)
(5)
Ingvarda B.

Dee-lishious! I forgot how sweet some caribbean dishes are, go here on an empty stomach. My favorite was the sweet potato side. MMMMM! It's a dessert! The drinks were incredible, especially if you love rum. The only downside was the heat with little ventilation (no AC on an incredibly hot night). Otherwise amazing restaurant!
(4)
Greg B.

Island Soul, like breathing in through a honey-scented oxygen tank.
(5)
Sarah F.

I wanted to REALLY like this place, I truly did. My experience however, wasn't much above average. Pros? -Great appetizers and sides -Delicious drinks -Fun atmosphere -Authentic food -Live music -Coconut corn muffins Cons? -I went there with a part of 6 and a reservation I'd made long in advance. We still had to wait 40 minutes to sit which was bad planning on their part. The reason I gave it a chance? They had a huge party to accommodate that night, and I know they couldn't just kick people out -Slightly overpriced -The main dishes weren't all that amazing -Small and busy Tips? -Make a reservation, or go with a small group -If you pay with cash, you get 6 free coconut corn muffins (shh)
(3)
Elizabeth S.

Super yummy! We especially loved the seafood fritters! I love the fact that all of their food is veg friendly and super good. Cocktails were great. One of the best old fashions!
(4)
Melissa T.

I cannot emphasize enough just how awesome this restaurant was. I've been in Seattle for almost a month and I thought it was the best place I've gone to (and I've definitely yelped my way through a ton of Seattle restaurants). I came here on a Wednesday afternoon, around 3 so right after lunch rush. Everyone seemed very busy taking care of receipts and to-go boxes, but I had a book so I didn't really mind. Whenever I asked for something, I would be given the warmest response and a huge smile. I ordered a coconut corn muffin and the BBQ Rib plate. The muffin - SOOO good. The ribs were cooked so tender that the meat just fell off the bone. I wish I could take the BBQ sauce and use it for everything I ever eat. My total bill was $10.44 and for a second, I thought they had made a mistake - it was so cheap! The restaurant itself has a very warm and inviting atmosphere. I love the lighting and the colors. It seems like a great place to come, either with one other person or even a large group. Or even by yourself, as I did! Since I came in so late, I ended up being the only person in the restaurant. I started talking to Theo and Carla (the manager) and they were soooo nice. Eating here was the highlight of my day and a fond memory of Seattle that I'll carry for a long time. The next time I'm in Seattle, I will definitely be stopping by to try out their more extensive dinner menu. My only complaint is that the meal made me too full to try out other bites in Columbia City. But that is a very happy complaint.
(5)
D L.

Nice staff, good home made ginger beer, and the coconut corn muffins are worth the drive from the East Side... CRACKIN'...
(5)
vichik J.

The food here is great, ample portions, and delicious drinks. The Mac n Cheese and Collard greens are my fav sides, next to the coconut corn muffins. The only downside is that they do not serve bread with their clams and that's such a bummer because the clam sauce is so tasty. Num,num num!
(5)
Julie A.

I can't stop going here. The Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas is one of the most delicious things I've ever ordered at any restaurant. Not an exaggeration. The chicken is tender and falls off the bone and it rests in a spicy savory sauce perfect for dipping. The rice and peas contain the goodness of coconut milk, beans, and fluffy rice. Though the chicken stands on it's own, I think I order it just so I can drown the rice and peas in it's Jerk sauce. Hmm. That sounds wrong. Friday and Saturday nights have live music. Loud but fun. If you don't want to order big plates just order a few appetizers and some Rice and Peas. The Beef Patties and collards are to die for. My only gripe is that the owner unscrupulously tries to upsell anytime you place an order for anything. I'll take the Jerk Chicken plate and a side of collards. Oh really? Can I interest you in a homemade coconut corn muffin? No thank you. I'll take the check now. Oh, well before I bring you the check how about a nice big slice of coconut cream pie? Um, no thanks. Just the check. I'll take a glass of water. Water? How about an icy cold Red Stripe in a frosted glass? (That, I usually fall for.) I don't care though. The food is just so damn good.
(5)
Felicia C.

The atmosphere is festive and the staff is friendly. I recommend the melt in your mouth ribs and plantains, but not the gumbo (too salty) although it did had really big chunks of crab in it.
(4)
Saurav C.

Awesome food. Love their goat curry.
(5)
Casey P.

This place is fun! I came in on a friday night to a live one man band doing reggae cover songs, the whole restaurant was into it! I'm sure I heard more than a few singing a long. It's cozy, bar is kind of tiny but workable. So the main negative aspect of my visit was the time it took to get my (take out) dinner. I'm sure I came at the most inopportune time, but I still thought the nearly 45 minute wait was too long. But it's a small place, it gets busy, that's just how it goes sometimes. I got the island curry, mac & cheese and cuban beans as sides, along with coconut corn muffins. The mac and cheese IS very cheesy as others have mentioned. And good. The beans were also pretty good, super garlicy. The disappointing dish was the island curry...it was a yellow curry with coconut milk and it didn't really have anything to stand out. Just a standard curry, not very spicy - in either the hot or flavorful definition. I think I'll have to try something more popular liked the jerk and revisit. Those coconut cornbread muffins though! Sweet! Like dessert, those were really good and interesting. Definitely try them when you come. Side note-I'm not sure why that http link is showing up in there...I can't get rid of it!
(3)
Alice B.

Really, the best Bayou Gumbo I've had anywhere. Plenty of meat and crab balanced with the right amount of stew and rice on the side. Very tasty and with many flavorful nuances. I don't even like coconut, but the coconut cornbread muffins were great! Even my 3 year old had a great meal here with a side of Mac N Cheese and they even gave her a free cornbread muffin. I'll have to remember to come back again soon!
(4)
Zachary Sam Z.

I can sum up my experience at Island Soul with just one word. Saucy. After my group sat down, we ordered our food and a couple appetizers. A short while later, we were brought *free* seafood fritters. The waitress said it was a mistake, so they were on the house. After we devoured these delicious morsels with flaky chunks of red snapper, I confided in the waitress that they were the best mistake ever. She replied, "Really, you didn't mind? And you'll eat my mistake any time?" Saucy! I tried the Island Soul in [Five] Bowl[s], and of course that was pure, saucy goodness. The oxtails were my favorite, followed by the jerk chicken and the collard greens. The goat curry was definitely fun, but by the time I got around to it I couldn't finish it all. My one issue is that I tend to have difficulties with lots of tiny bones. Next time, I think I might stick to the ribs, where there's less chance that I'll almost eat one in my rush to eat everything. At the end of our meal, I packed up my leftovers in their to go box and tried for what must have been 5 minutes to close it up. My friends were all laughing at me, but trust me when I say it's hard to get that latch to work!! But apparently not that hard, because our waitress was able to stop at our table for 2 seconds, close the box, and walk away, leaving me defenseless as my friends made fun of me some more. Saucy.
(5)
Melissa L.

I LOVE this place. The only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is because the portions have slowly shrank over time. I know it comes with the times, but still, it makes me and my tummy sad :(. Their cornbread muffins are amazingggggg. their greens are wonderful. go for the OXTAIL and the curry goat - wow. Service is always hospitable and warm.
(4)
Aaron F.

Very special place. Fantastic food, great atmosphere, and live music on some nights (check their website). Had dinner on a Friday night. There was good live music, and the place was hopping. The food was outstanding. Ordered a caribbean sampler with jerk chicken, goat, oxtail, and rice & beans. We also ordered a few appetizers which were outstanding, especially the fried plantains. I'm not one to order chicken in a restaurant, but the jerk chicken is out of this world. Good lunch option too - lunch specials are under $10.
(5)
nicole b.

I had been hearing about this place for some time on the radio so I got a "groupon" type deal for this restaurant. I had very good service. The food was tasty. I didn't like the yams because I prefer chunks in a very sugary syrup but the fish and muffins were delicious. My dad loved the mashed yams.
(5)
Karen U.

We stopped by Island Soul last night for drinks and appetizers, and I have to say the food and drinks were excellent. We haven't been in for a while (maybe not since they reopened several years ago) and my memory is that the food was good but the service pretty slow. Seems like we should have made our way back sooner! Everything was flavorful and the service was top-notch. We had little islands (small masa patties with black beans, feta, avocado, etc.), house-cut yam fries, and tostones (fried plantains). Their habanero hot sauce is homemade and delicious. Looking forward to our next meal there!
(5)
Meghan F.

You must eat here! Island Soul only get's 4 Stars because they were out of the Curried Goat, but the food really was pretty amazing. We checked out the reviews on Yelp and decided to give it a try since it comes highly recommended. We were NOT disappointed! We were promptly seated at a table by the window, great people watching on Rainer. Our server was super friendly and helpful. We started our meal off with an Ethiopian Beer and a Mojito, with the Little Islands which were so delicious. They are sweet and savory all at the same time! The Black Beans have such good flavor. For the main course we attempted to order the Island Soul in a Bowl and the Curried Goat-but because they were all out of Goat we switched it up to the Island Vatapa and the Curried Chicken. Both were excellent, although I'd say the Curried Goat took the winning spot between the two. We also had a side of the Collard Greens and the Coconut Corn Muffins which were AMAZING. I'd say the only "con" of Island Soul is the price, some of the menu items I felt were a bit over priced, for example the Vatapa is over $18 and only comes with 1 muscle, 2 prawns, and 1 small piece of fish. Seemed like the $13-$15 price range would have been more reasonable. Our total bill was $70, which was a big higher that we generally will spend for a casual Saturday night dinner... BUT-I would definitely go back, service was excellent, and all of the food was super delicious!!
(4)
Benjon P.

had the coconut com muffin....mmm that was awesome. tried the sweet tea, dang that was good! pork ribs were just ok for me. my wife had the gumbo and that was awesome. mac and cheese is just ok, and collard greens were good. service was pretty awesome, but i think this place might be a little overhyped.
(4)
Kristal K.

so good! coconut corn muffins are awesome!!!
(4)
Pipi L.

I don't know why this place gets bad reviews. The food is good, although I often receive my catfish piping hot, the rice and peas(beans) is room temperature. Fix that please. It's weird. I do get the same food every time I go there. The catfish is too good to pass up, and a side order of greens is a necessity. I went there recently, and they have made a change that brought me to write here You have to spend $60 and pay cash to receive the free corn bread muffins. What? We spent over $80 not including the 20 percent tip we left, but we didn't have enough cash on hand, so we left without our muffins. Major disappointment. Really? We can't spend over $80 for four people and get free muffins. The same muffins that came as we were eating our meal for the years I have been going there? That sucks, and the rule needs to change. I will think twice before going there again. cornbread muffins were part of the lure.
(3)
Wesh W.

Good vittles. Slowish service, but as a former resident of the blessed Caribbean I can report the chow here is more than just reminiscent of the food I used to eat a de ilan. Pam's Trinidadian Cuisine in the U District serves more the sort of roadside food I used to get, but Island Soul applies a modern, American sensibility to common Caribbean recipes/ingredients. Good eatin'.
(4)
Dana W.

I wish this place was a bit closer to downtown so I could head here for happy hour after work! My friends and I feasted here. I think we spent 4 hours holding court at a table in Island Soul, enjoying our food and drinks! We arrived for happy hour and munched and sipped our way through dinner. Island Soul's happy hour is a good deal. Drinks are delightfully strong and super cheap. My friend's vodka tonic was $3! There are two specialty cocktails on the happy hour menu: a Dark & Stormy (dark rum & HOME-BREWED ginger beer!) and a delicious Caribbean fruit punch with rum. These both earned our stamp of approval for tastiness and alcohol strength. Happy hour food is decent. Small plates are $5. Each plate isn't a ton of food, but the plates aren't skimpy by any means. We ordered the yam fries, seafood fritters, coconut shrimp, and sweet plantains. The fritters were my favorite by far. Since I'm a banana-hater, I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the plantains. They came covered in a sweet syrup. Definitely a dessert-like dish. After happy hour, we sat and digested while sipping our drinks. Then it was time for dinner. I couldn't decide which meat dish I wanted, so I opted for the "Island Soul in a Bowl": a combo meal featuring small portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, and goat along with a small bowl of rice. The meats were all delicious, but the tender oxtail was my favorite. At $19, this entree was a bit pricey, though I did get quite a bit of food. Next time, I'll opt for an entree with only one type of meat for around $15, and maybe get some of the delicious collard greens on the side. If you try the hot sauce here, beware! It's SUPER HOT! (But very flavorful and good, according to my hot-sauce loving friend). Service here is very friendly, but a bit slow. Our waitress was very sweet and seemed to have an uncanny ability to convince us to order more food. She would saunter by while delivering food to other tables and stop to ask if we wanted anything else...while holding a tantalizing dish right before our eyes! Island Soul is a great deal for happy hour. Dinner is a bit more expensive, but still worth the price. I'd recommend this place for a special occasion like a birthday dinner (they have an awesome birthday song they sing to guests) or other celebration. The cuisine is flavorful, interesting, and definitely different from typical Seattle fare. I'd say Island Soul is a great reason to make the trip out to Columbia City.
(4)
Shy A.

I was really looking forward to checking this place out and was glad to see that we arrived during HH. Their HH had discounted drinks and $5 apps. Excited to see such great reviews about their food we settled with five different plates off apps and excitedly waited for the deliciousness that everyone raved about. On the table: Seafood Fritters, Little Islands, Jamaican Patties and jerk chicken. Overall the meal was fairly good but lacked that punch that I hoped for. We also tried the Tuskers beer and also their mojitos which was pretty good. The service was great but I suppose after reading such spectacular reviews we expected a little more. A good place to check out but I found their tastes on the more conservative and tame side of Caribbean cooking when I wanted to be knocked outta of my seat.
(3)
Lori M.

Thank you strangerMart for bringing this gem to my attention. And thank you Yelpers for letting me know this place was worth trying! I came here Saturday evening with three friends around 7:40p. We didn't have reservations, but we were seated right away since there were several open tables available. The place looks bright and clean, and the atmosphere feels happy. Food was great. The oxtail was quite tasty, and I LOVED the rice, collards, and coconut corn muffins. They also make this DELICIOUS fiery hot sauce that is crazy flavorful, but also quite potent. Make sure you get some to try! (btw, you will probably fall in love with the coconut corn muffins. So remember, if you pay your bill in cash, you get 1/2 a dozen to take home! BOOYAH!). Main dishes were priced around $13-18. The jerk chicken was good (especially with the fiery hot sauce), but if you're only getting one dish I would recommend the oxtail. Our server was so awesome and friendly. She gave my friend (who insisted on using a knife and fork to eat ribs) a lesson in rib eating, which was frickin' hilarious. She also completely sold us on the sweet potato pie (a recipe from her grandmother). The chef even came out to say 'hi' and ask us how we were doing. By the time we left, it felt like we were part of the 'Island Soul' restaurant family as our server hugged me goodbye. This restaurant is the type you want to find - the kind you want to support. It has good food, good atmosphere, and people who make this world a better place. Come here to be happy!
(5)
Dayna M.

Excellent ambiance + service. Reasonable prices ($45 for two cocktails, three tapas, and an appetizer). Oddly, the southern food items are way better than the Caribbean ones. Great gumbo, weird jerk chicken, for instance.
(3)
Lisa C.

Good food, great staff! I loved the sweet potato fries.
(4)
Nayo J.

The bartender was friendly, however, the drinks could have been less gritty. The hostess who took our order was prompt, but when I told her what I wanted she argued with me and told me not to order that entree. I decided that I would just pay for my drinks and leave, but she said " sorry your order is already in". I told the kitchen to stop the gumbo myself and that I would take my check. She never looked at me after that. And I'm not going back.
(1)
Heather S.

I've been here 3 or 4 times since moving to south Seattle. Service is always friendly, food is delicious, drinks are good, and they've got a damn good happy hour menu.
(5)
Benjamin K C.

Used the Yelp Deal for this visit. I am not an expert of Southern and Caribbean food, but boy, I know they are the best in Town. The restaurant is vibrant, staffs are friendly, and most importantly, the food were amazing. I had the Jerk Chicken, the Seafood Gumbo, and Coconut Corn Muffins as the sides Gotta say, it changed my views on carribean food. I especially like the Gumbo with crabs and shrimps and sauage... Savory to the MAX! We went on a Friday and they had live music there. Pretty nice atmosphere for a weekend starter in a cute neighborhood.
(4)
Sara L.

I came here for my 25th birthday/New Year's Eve 2009, and it was one of the best birthday meals I have ever had. The Food: 1. Collard greens, perfectly seasoned. 2. Jerk chicken, perfectly tender, perfectly spicy. 3. Coconut corn muffins (basically cake) 4. Coconut prawns, fried plantains 5. Perfectly sour/sweet mojitos I think I used the word perfect enough. The flavors were all unusual and different and perfectly balanced -- I've never had food like this before! I think I should go to the Caribbean! The Service: 1. Before the meal even started, the waitress hugged me and wished me happy birthday. Super smiley -- I love it when people seem actually happy to be doing their jobs. 2. After the meal, the waitress and chef came out and sang happy birthday to me -- and I got two more hugs, one from each. Basically, this restaurant made my 25th birthday one of the best food days I had in the entirety of 2009. Thanks Island Soul, I'll be back!
(5)
Christopher G.

The oxtails are to die for!
(5)
Kaz M.

I'm going to keep this short. YOU MUST EAT HERE! Any place that can get me to eat something with coconut in it...it must be good.
(5)
Micah S.

The food here is excellent, and so are the cocktails. The Jerk Chicken was very good, but was really more of a southern barbeque chicken. The Tamale Azteca however, was truly inspired, as were all of the side dishes we tried.
(4)
Curtis L.

I went here for lunch with a coworker based on the reviews on yelp. This place lived up to the reviews. We were promptly greeted and seated. The restaurant was about half full when we arrived. They are known for their jerk so we ordered the jerk chicken and jerk ribs along with the calypso wings as an app. The entrÃ©e portions were perfect and the price of $8 was good for what you get. You get 4 wings for $5 that tasted great but wished we had a few more wings. The food was fabulous. Lots of island flavor without being to spicy or salty. Our waters were always topped off and bill came in a timely manner. I recommend this place for lunch. To me, dinner may be on the pricey side for most so stick with lunch or happy hour.
(4)
Fridaypeach H.

They are only getting a 3 star...not because of the food or the service. Both are excellent. The food is amazing the collard greens are to die for. I had the ribs and all I can say is YUMMY! It is also a good portion for the cost. They are getting a 3 star due to a inane policy. I understand no split checks in regards to credit cards because as a restaurant you get charged for each card you swipe. No worries there. But if I want to give you a $20 bill (no change) and have you put the rest on my credit card...that should not be a problem. I am not asking you to split the check or give me back change. I am giving you partial cash and the rest on my debit card. It is not going to cost you more. And frankly the more time you stood there telling me the policy you could have just done it. I went here using a stranger gift card and I have a second one left. I gave it to a friend as I won't go back until I am not pissed about the lame policy.
(3)
Dylan I.

I went here for lunch since I only work a couple of blocks away. All I really have to stress on is get yourself to this place and order anything on the menu. I had the Caribbean Jerk Chicken which came with rice and beans and a side salad. Let's start with the salad, whatever dressing it was it was awesome. The rice and beans were amazing, not heavy at all like most rice and beans combinations can get. The Chicken was the best jerk chicken I've ever had. The chicken was a nice juicy leg/thigh combo that had the slightest kick to it without being too over powering. This portion of meal was only $7.99 for lunch. I had to get the collard greens because my friend said it's like "crack". HANDS DOWN THESE ARE THE BEST COLLARD GREENS AROUND. They were sure tasty given the fact that there are no meat products mixed in. Even if you're not a fan of collard greens I would suggest you try the ones from Island Soul. One order is enough for two people but I would suggest each person getting their own order. The place is clean and the service is excellent. We found out how small this world is when we found out our server is a customer of my coworker's wife and he knew my friend's family. The lunch crowd was in full effect, one server, and not once did he look stressed or rushed. Must be that island thing. With this place and Jones BBQ being by my work I can tell you lunches are going to be very dangerous, so much good food in Columbia City now. Damn, I almost forgot!!! Don't be a fool and leave this place without getting an order of the coconut corn muffins. Fresh and warm, oh yeah. My friend was saying the collard greens were like "crack", the muffins are to die for. So split the order of collard greens with a friend and save room for the muffins.
(5)
Melissa J.

Wow! I want to give Island Soul a terrible review so no one will go and we can continue to get a table quickly. But I also want them to stay in business, and I really like them...so I won't lie. This place rocks. Everything is good. Everything. The drinks, the small plates, the desserts. Goat, chicken, tofu--it's all good. Friendly service, mellow vibe. Outstanding. Get the coconut cake. You won't be sorry. A side note: baby friendly. Warm smile and welcome for the little one--bonus points!
(5)
Chris N.

Great flavors, unique food and a nice change of pace. We tried many items. The jerk chicken was spicy, but just right, and melted in my mouth. We had some fritters that had curry in them, super good. Influences of Jamaica and India everywhere, true Caribbean dishes. The iced tea was out of this world also. My husband ate the collard greens so fast I only got 2 bites. The black beans were fantastic. We came in on the weekend and there was live music, a man playing steel drum. I felt like I was back in St. Thomas. Wished there was a dance floor and some sand. The place was packed and we liked it, I would rather be at a busy place than one where it is empty. Love the large paintings on the wall. Fun time. Wished they had more space. Friendly staff. Again, VERY good food. Pleasantly surprised. Some people in the kitchen need a hug.
(4)
Denise E.

So-ooo good! I was thinking about going back after my friend left and ordering more to scarf down in the car. We were wandering around Columbia City reading all of the window menu's and waiting for something to draw us in. Imagine what can happen if you just cross the street. Island Soul is just waiting to welcome you inside. Our server was Pacha (sp?). She was so friendly. Her smile lit up her entire face, you just wanted her to sit down with you and join in the fun. It was so hard to choose from the menu. It all sounded so good, but I'm such a wuss, I've never had greens or catfish(yikes). I know I have some color, but surprisingly knowing your soul food was not a prerequisite to having soul in you. hahaha So, I ordered the seafood fritters and a salad. One of my friends ordered the jerk chicken, the other ordered the catfish. Let me just tell you that the seafood fritters and the spicy mayo they serve it with, oh man. I could eat more than a plate of those. The jerk chicken had an amazing amount of flavor and just enough spice to ask for more water. The owner came out just as we finished our meal to say hello. What a tasty and inviting spot to sneak into on a Saturday night. They also have Sunday brunch. I cannot imagine what kind of island surprises would welcome you then. I'm definitely eating here again. Triple dog dare me to try the greens :)
(5)
Jennifer C.

The last time I went to Island Soul, it was still in Judkins Park...after eating at the Columbia City venue last Friday, I realize I stayed away much too long. Everything about our experience was fantastic! I love the new space, which is roomier and brighter than the JP location. Vibrant island-themed art decorates the walls, some of which are brick a la the former Wellington. Everybody who was working at Island Soul during our visit seemed genuinely happy to be there, and multiple staff greeted us and said good bye. Our server was sweet as can be, and none of our waits were unreasonable. As for the food...amazing. Better than I remembered, in fact. I had the stewed oxtails, and if you can get over any, "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm eating a cow's tail" hang-ups, you may just be surprised at how good oxtails are...succulent and meaty. My Dad opted for the "Island Soul in a Bowl" conglomerate, which features small portions of jerk chicken, oxtails, and curried goat. If you can get over any, "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm eating a goat' hang-ups, Island Soul's curried goat is pretty darn tasty. Dad was impressed! Be prepared for a bit of fire of you order the jerk chicken, as it packed more of a wallop than we were expecting. Sides of "rice and peas" (peas translating to beans for those of us not from the islands) are a tasty companion, and the sensational collard greens almost steal the show from the entrees. Not to be overlooked are the sweet, delightful coconut corn muffins which are almost more of a dessert than a dinner side dish. My Mom went with the Bayou Gumbo, and she was the only one at the table a bit underwhelmed...frankly, I think she was jealous of our oxtails and goat. The crab legs in her gumbo (king crab, no less!) proved to be a touch problematic as they were slippery in gumbo sauce and thus hard to crack, so I think that may have been part of the problem. Island Soul's prices were a bit higher than I might have expected, with entrees getting up into the $18 range. That said, the portions are generous and combined with the excellent service, I don't think the fees are unreasonable. If you haven't been before, give this place a try...and don't be afraid to get adventurous with the proteins!
(5)
Kristina L.

DELICIOUS! I came here because it was recommended by a friend, and YELP had some great reviews and I was not disappointed. The service was great. Our server was very attentive and one of the back of the house guys came out and talked to us for a while about his habanero sauce. It was a friendly atmosphere. The service was only exceeded by the food. We ordered a small plate of fish 'n yam fries. The cod was hand battered and fried, it was perfectly done - not too crunchy, not too soggy. It came with the habanero sauce, an "Island style tarter" and something our server equated to a spicy mayo. The hab. sauce was delicious. For entrees we had the Gumbo and I had the jerk ribs with greens and rice/beans. The greens didn't have bacon and were in my opinion perfectly cooked - it seems to me that a lot of places over cook the greens, they did it great! Our entrees were served with coconut cornbread muffins - which were SO GOOD-light and fluffy with a slightly crunchy top. I almost forgot one of the best parts SWEET TEA - with the citrus addition. It was a little piece of heaven in every sip. I was completely pleased with Island Soul and look forward to returning!
(5)
Ken G.

Unique, tasty and wonderful service.
(5)
Jeffrey G.

While in the neighborhood we grabbed a quickie at Columbia City Ale House. Feeling a little peckish, we took a stroll around the hood and noticing this place for the first time, we stopped in for a bite Rarely have I been so completely blown away by place / service / menu. Admittedly I fell in love with the waitress (Carla) , But the sweats were probably induced by the awesome Scotch Bonnet hot sauce Ordered a bunch of apps looking for the chink in the armor. However everything was awesome. When Carla knew how much we liked the food, she called out the owner and I think we made him blush with our accolades. This is my new home in the south end
(4)
Sara M.

The coconut corn muffins are amazing! We love the little boat appetizer and their drinks are always so tasty. The staff is super friendly and make us feel like home. I specifically love that they have Kenyan beer (having spent a brief bit of time in Kenya). The food is always tasty and this is one of our favorites!
(4)
Crystal B.

This place is uh-mazing. I LOVE Island Soul...the food, the staff, the music...the whole experience is great. Fabulous!
(5)
W H.

Great food, staff and prices!! I want to hug them all and eat everything on the menu!! Went for lunch with my Mom and two teenagers. So, we had lots of plates to try and swap. There was nothing less then amazing on our plates! The Ginger beer and other specialty drinks will set you on your butt though. Be warned! Fun to try, but get some water too!! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Ben L.

All fine people, i'm sure, but their service/kitchen is terrible. Went for brunch, waited 15 to be waited on (two other tables occupied) and then they lost our ticket. How do I know they lost it? I had to ask at the 45 minute mark about the food. They didn't even come to the table to notify or apologize. Great food takes time, I get that, but service is simple and they fall down more than they exceed. Made the mistake too many times on this place and won't make it again, which is too bad, because when you actually get your food, it is usually pretty great.
(2)
S C.

We arrived on a Saturday at 5:30pm & got the last table. We ordered the jerk chicken, chicken curry, greens, mac & cheese, corn muffins, & the meat patties. The jerk chicken was spicy but yummy. (You can order the dark spicy sauce on the side. My husband dipped every food item into this sauce.) & the meat was tender & smoky. Lots of meat, not too many bones. The curry was ok - completely boneless. Contrasted w/ the jerk, not very flavorful & not my preferred version of curry. (I tasted it later, at home, thinking my taste buds were numbed by the jerk spices. Nope - still subtle.) GREENS are a must! Not like most southern greens I've ever had, & w/o the fatty pig parts. Vinegary & salty - sounds gross but it's amazing. The mac & cheese is "meh," but I'm glad I ordered it, as it helped soothe the sting of the jerk (sauce - not husband :0) The corn muffins were very sweet & a bit addictive when warm. Eat them quickly - as they turn to hockey pucks when cold. (But they do freeze & microwave beautifully.) The (2) meat patties were tasty - if not a bit small for the price. The service was prompt & friendly. We ordered a side of muffins, got them quickly, & tore into them like we hadn't eaten in days. Did someone in the kitchen see us? Perhaps they took pity - as another order appeared on our table, gratis! (Wha?) Our waitress told us the housemade hot sauce was available for sale (We bought a bottle.) & that if we paid in cash, we'd get free muffins. (More free muffins?) My stomache did a little happy dance, as we reached for our cash, & 6 magical muffins appeared.
(4)
Evelyn F.

Slow service. The ginger beer is delicious, if you're into that (my bf was not a fan). It's seriously the best I've ever had. Leaves a wonderful burning sensation in your throat and just the right amount of sweetness. My partner got the chicken and waffles, such a treat. My chicken Island Soul BBQ was pretty good with the vegetable side. I got the corn muffins, tasted yummy but overhyped.. definitely not as impressive as I thought they'd be.
(3)
Mary S.

We had an early dinner 4:00 pm. The dining room was completely full, We were seated in the empty bar (same room). Five minutes later a server brought us menus, after 10-15 minutes He returned and took our order and Drink orders. He and other staff had been chatting a few feet From our table. Another 15 minutes pass as we watch them chat, count their Tips etc..my companion asked if we should just leave. I flagged down a girl bussing tables and Said that we'd been waiting for our drinks- no one Was tending bar, still only a few people in bar, staff still chatting. Another waiter brought our drinks. When the food finally arrived, my Jerk chicken breast was over cooked, hard, dry. The salad wasn't dressed, 2 containers of vinaigrette were served on the plate. The sauce On the chicken had nice flavors but was still a bit bland. The smashed Yam and rice were fine- unseasoned. The gumbo had nice flavors. The woman (again not our server) who had served our food brought our bill. The busser cleared our plates & asked how our meal was. I told her that we'd had to wait too long for every aspect of service. She Apologized & said they'd been so busy- NOT in the bar- the staffs Laziness or in attentive service was the cause. Overall- mediocre food, poor service. Not terrible- just not worth the price And time wasted. I have two culinary degrees, I could've Executed the dishes better myself.
(2)
Valerie L.

Island Soul is one of Seattle's best restaurants. Really it is, where it made the best of list, which a friend and foodie forwarded me. For a few weeks now, I've been going down the list and trying out one restaurant every Friday. My review is "I agree with the voters." The habanero sauce packs the heat and comes with a lot flavor. It had me tearing up a bit, but also wanting more, a pain worth enduring. The sauce, I thought it went well with my Red Snapper, and seafood fritters which are highly recommended. Wear loose pants, because the portions are decent and you want to make sure you have room for the coconut corn muffin. If this doesn't come with your meal, it's worth ordering as an extra side dish which is $1.50 more. This is what the review read with updated link to their actual site: BEST CARIBBEAN: Island Soul It is impossible to walk away from Theo Martin's pan-Caribbean restaurant feeling snubbed (either by your neighbors or the waitstaff), SAD-afflicted (the yellow on those walls is potent), or starved (don't miss the seafood fritters and curry goat). 4869 Rainier Ave. S., 329-1202, islandsoulrestaurant.net This is what I had and suspect you won't be disappointed with anything on the menu: Red Snapper - Normally I like to order Jerk Chicken, a habit from going to ChaChaCha's in San Francisco but was glad I didn't after seeing this filet on my plate. Yummy! My mouth is watering as I'm reminiscing on the flavors. It was just perfect. Island Soul Coconut Corn Muffins - Warm and delicious with a pleasant coconut taste. Sweet but just the right kind of sweet that compliments the corn meal. Collard Greens - I have never had collard greens like this before. There were no meat products. The greens had a coconut taste which I wouldn't expect to go with greens. I think kids who are veggie-shy would open up for this bite to eat. Service: Outstanding!! I felt like I regular customer, though it was my first time. The waitress was super friendly with a smile ear to ear. When we mentioned it was our first time, she was very open to make great recommendations. I don't think there was a time where my drink was not refilled, nor did I feel the need to ask for anything because it was already on the table or offered proactively. I really enjoyed the atmosphere which felt like home. Imagine Cliff walking into Cheers. The location is kind of far from downtown and main attractions which is unfortunate for my out of town friends, but if you're in the area it's worth the cab ride, if you're looking for a casual dining experience with some Carribean heat.
(5)
Shirley Y.

It was good, but not 5-stars good. I thought the prices were a little expensive, but at least the portions were generous. We ordered the seafood gumbo and jerk ribs. The gumbo came out lukewarm and the ribs came out COLD! Nope, not exaggerating. The server and chef apologized profusely and didn't have a problem re-doing our order. The coconut cornbread was good, but it would've been better if it was served warm too.
(3)
Keriche C.

What am I missing? This place has 4.5 stars on yelp and I was more than excited to try it out. It's near my home and I love Caribbean food! My 2 friends and I came here for dinner and ordered the following: bbq chicken, bbq ribs, and curry chicken. Typically I only review my own food but since I tasted and asked about my friends' I'll talk about all three. My bbq chicken had a tangy sweet and savory sauce which was great but the chicken itself was dry and hard to swallow. The rice and peas lacked flavor. The curry sauce was really good but the chicken was full of gristle and fat. The ribs were nothing special. I hear they bring coconut muffins with your meals but we wouldn't know because ours didn't come with the muffins. We all said, "Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes?" But, there shouldn't be "wrong" dishes at a restaurant. If it's on the menu it should be great! The rum punch was the highlight of the meal and it was good enough to order a second round which we asked for twice and still waited another 15 minutes to get. Our server was friendly but slightly inattentive which I'll chalk up to a busy night. All in all the whole experience lacked anything special enough to come back for.
(2)
Chris L.

My wife and I came here for happy hour and left with mixed feelings. We love Columbia City and the atmosphere. After hearing and reading awesome things about Island Soul, the bar was set. The service was spectacular and the owner/chef even met us which made the visit worthwhile. The food/bill though was not what we expected. We ordered jerk chicken, Yam fries, seafood fritters, and calypso wings, but somehow sweet plantains arrived on our table. No biggie. We loved the seafood fritters, but all others - it just didn't land the plane. We will come here again because it may have been an aberration, but it's not really high on the list.
(4)
Adine L.

GOOD GOD this place is the SHIZZLE! can i say that although i am no expert on southern food, this has to be the BEST collard greens i've had in my life (and i've had some!) I ordered the red snapper and oh WOW... every person in our party loved their dish, and we each ordered something different. the spices are so right on, the yam fries and their special dipping sauce is to die for, and when we told the waitress that we found them on yelp, she nearly did a CHEER! she literally jumped and screamed. it was rad. i will go back for sure!!!
(5)
John M.

Let's just get this out of the way first. I don't easily hand out 5 stars. Now this isn't a white table cloth restaurant...and it's not suppose to be. But for what is is and what it does, they do it GREAT. Had the jerk chicken and it was great.
(5)
Shan C.

this is the place for the most divine taste in jamaican caribbean cuisine, live music! professional staff punctual and very responsive to your needs island soul cuisine rocks! in columbia city 4869 rainier avenue south great eating...
(5)
Evan M.

Soooooooo close to 5 stars. If they'd used dark meat chicken for their jerk, they'd have totally made it. Otherwise, this place was fantastic. The staff and chef were incredibly friendly (see rib eating lesson below!). My oxtails were tender, flavorful, and bone sucking delicious. Mmm, vertebrae. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Will T.

Friendly staff, delicious food, cold beer...what could go wrong? Here? Not much. They pretty much nailed it. I and 4 friends decided to try this place out after looking for an eatery that we hoped legitimately represented Caribbean cuisine. None of us are Caribbean, so who knows if we got the Epcot Center version, but it doesn't matter, the grubbin' was good. We started off with a few apps. Tostones with a mango salsa and "Little Islands", which were these small wraps of black beans and feta. Delicious. We were off to a great start. I and a few other guys had the jerk chicken, figuring that's a pretty standard sort of dish. It comes, like most entrees, with rice and collard greens, which I just discovered I enjoy. The chicken was spicy and spiced, but not hardcore. It's not the most appealing looking dish, as you can't really tell which part of the chicken you're eating and it's all covered in a dark brown sauce, but it was definitely tasty. Other dishes had at the table were the gumbo (he ate every bit, so it must have been good) and the "soul in a bowl" which is actually served in 5 little bowls. It was essentially a sampler plate, with some jerk chicken, curried goat and other items from other entrees (including the ever present collard greens). Prices were approaching high, with the jerk chicken coming in around 14 and it being one of the cheaper entrees. The only negative was that it took a long time to get the check, but otherwise, if you're after something a little different for dinner in a nice, clean, friendly place, you could do worse than Island Soul.
(4)
Tammy C.

Being West Indian, I was very excited on moving to Seattle to hear about this restaurant because I just didn't expect to find much Caribbean food out here. So when I heard of this place with the great jerk chicken, I just had to try it! I will have to say I am glad I tried it because now I can add it to my list of places to never eat from again. The service was slow, and as another reviewer put it-disinterested. The food was the biggest disappointment of all. Their jerk chicken while not bad tasted nothing like jerk chicken is supposed to taste. Neither did their oxtail. Worse of all the curried goat was so salty my guest could not eat it. Now I gave them two stars because when we brought this over salted goat to their attention, they offered to exchange it for another item, and after about 40 minutes they brought the replacement item. This is while the meat was sitting there without being cleared away for 30 of those 45 minutes. They did comp it which was good and were apologetic but overall this was a mediocre dining experience and the food was subpar. I have definitely had better, more authentic jerk chicken off a food truck in Connecticut. Like I said earlier, it was good to go just to see if the hype was worth it, but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth in more ways than one.
(2)
A B.

Jerk Ribs Wow! Go eat them... it's the only way.
(5)
S N.

I have been craving Caribbean food for some time and my daughter suggested this place. In short, the food was awesome!! Anyone who has never had Caribbean food can be assured that this is authentic. It really hit the spot. Having said that, I must add that I wish their Tostones, (fried banana chips) were a little crispier and the jerk pork ribs were slow cooked a little longer. Oh, they were done and great, but, I cook ribs myself, and I have been doing it for thirty years and I am good at it, so it is not their fault that they don't measure up to mine. The collard greens were excellent!! Next time it will be the jerk chicken. This is like home cooking and the staff is very friendly, accommodating and cordial. This is a fun place and a must try for y'all.
(4)
k v.

I could not wait to Yelp this place with all my love. Everything about Island Soul is awesome: - Sassy, friendly service with a smile - Authentic, delicious Caribbean food: Seafood Fritters Peas & Rice Street-side Prawns Tostones the dang Coconut Muffins! Sweet tea (so good it made me feel like I was back in the south), ... and the zippy homemade Ginger Beer! YUM. I cannot WAIT to go back to this place! The other Caribbean food places in Seattle (Pam's = great; Casuelita's = overpriced casualty) can't hold a candle to Island Soul.
(5)
Quynh T.

So the inspiration to try this place came Bob Marley came blasting with iTunes set on "random" and my dining companion and I realized that neither of us have really tried Jamaican food. So while running errands, I called up my driving direction lifeline to steer us to the closet jamacian restaurant. ::Here:: We ambled in during Happy Hour, which turned out to be all day event here on Monday (score), where all but two items on their menu of appetizers were $5. We sampled a couple, and there were a couple of hits and misses. The grilled meats (where you could choose either sweet barbeque or spicy Jerk) were good. The beef was super tender and had that kick at the end, but the chicken breast was a touch on the dry side, but that could be easily remedied by drowning it in more barbeque sauce. The coconut shrimp, while good, was just two little shrimp on skewers with some bottled sweet and spicy sauce and a coleslaw...which is dubiously price at happy hour, and definitely not worth the full price (maybe their happy hour portions are smaller?) And $3 for a cup of white rice? Really? But that house punch...man, I was breathing rum after a sip, it was pretty strong..and yummy. All in all, the flavors were there, but the prices are questionable. and we have yet to try the really "authentic" dishes that were recommended to us (the gumbo and the stew) cause it was a little too hot to try it...We'll probably come back to try that and their fish...(apparently Escovitch is where it's at)
(3)
Lynn C.

Loved it. We came for a friend's birthday dinner and they seated all 15 or so of us at a long table in the middle of the restaurant. Because several of us had ordered similar dishes, we were served family style. My favorites: the oxtail, curry goat, the fried catfish, jerk chicken, and the bbq ribs (read: go with a group and get served family style so you can try everything!). And the coconut cornbread muffins are a meal on their own. Delicious. The service is excellent, they treat you like family. And try the Dark and Stormy cocktail - very ginger-y! I am definitely coming back and I am definitely bringing an army.
(4)
Darth V.

Life is full of instances where you're forced to do things you don't necessarily want. I wanted to be a pod racer, mom wanted me to be a Jedi. I wanted a Probot attack droid so I could beat up people who wanted to make fun of my haircut, but all I got was some stupid language droid who wouldn't shut up. I wanted Jessica Alba, but George Lucas gave me Natalie Portman. Actually, I guess that last one wasn't SO bad...though the followup of "I wanted an authentic, um, "scene", and all I got was her wearing a fat suit to simulate kids" thing has to go along with it. What a rip-off. Anyhow, add another: I wanted a number of other things on the menu when I recently stopped to Island Soul, but the quest to review the 100 dishes on the Foodie 100 required me to get the Soul in a Bowl. On with it; this is one of those newfangled "gentrified" stores over in Columbia City. Its decor is strictly standard fare, for better or worse. Was fairly empty when the Lady Vader and I stopped by, but it was off-hours due to the unusual scheduling requirements of overlording. The Soul in a Bowl is actually 4 dishes - goat curry, jerk chicken, oxtail stew, and rice 'n peas. The goat was actually quite good, if one could get past the fact that the bowl and the goatmeat was just littered with bone fragments and shards, which frankly killed the dish for me. Oxtail is a hard item to do properly, and even when done well is not the most luscious of foods. This stew was made well for the most part, but it didn't exactly inspire The Force to give me a foodgasm. The jerk chicken was perhaps the weakest of the dishes. I can honestly say I had to label it mystery meat for the duration of my meal, as we just couldn't figure out what it was, and no longer had a menu to look it up. It mighta been chicken, it mighta been Bantha. Hell, it might have been braised Wookie. Just wasn't possible to tell. It didn't taste like much of anything and it was rubbery. The peas and rice were, you know, peas and rice. The real star of the meal was their coconut cornbread. THIS should be the real item on the Foodie 100 list. Seriously, this stuff was a revelation. I ended up Force Choking half the staff trying to get them to give me the recipe before Lady Vader just stated she'd figure it out at home. Women, always coming up with a simpler solution after you've killed half a dozen people. Coming just behind that would be the homemade hot sauce, which they refer to as "Bobernaro". OK, I can go along with that. Be warned, a little goes a really long way. I get that sometimes the goal of a list is to get people to step outside of their comfort zones, and in that regard, this list item succeeds. How often do you do goat curry or oxtail stew? But I think this thing really fell flat overall, which is only exacerbated by the fact that it's the most expensive item on the menu. And seriously, get the bone shards out of the goat curry. It's not fun being stabbed by a sharp one that finds its way into your mouth, or having to pick some out of your mouth every bite. It's all a real pity, because I think this place probably has a lot of potential judging from what else I saw, but I have to rate it based on what I've had. The cornbread was EASILY a 5-worthy. Some of the other dishes looked quite authentic and probably would have been delicious. The Soul in a Bowl is more of a 2. Service was incredibly friendly. You never see these guys without a smile, so there is that. On balance though, I'm going to have to put this score right down the middle on the weakness of the Bowl (which does not belong on the Foodie 100, in my opinion), the price, and the lingering anger I have over never having that, um, "scene" with Amidala. 3 Deathstars.
(3)
Diana L.

Once upon a time I loved me some reggae music....and I loved me some ganja. And I was 18 with not a whole lot to do, so I tagged my little white, overprivileged ass down to Montego Bay and got my Sun Splash on. When one is busily loving the ganja in Jamaica, one tends to eat a lot. And so I did. Mostly jerk chicken and fries cause I was 18 and what the hell did I know? Next to nothing, that's what. If I had known better I would have been eating curried goat until I began to actually bleet like one; at the time I was a little disturbed that the cute little buggers were walking around all over the place while simultaneously appearing on every menu I saw. Kids are idiots, and I was no exception. I am so grateful that, in my old age, I have adopted the belief that cute little animals are delicious because I just had one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Right here in the ghetto. The Bowls of Soul blew my old, white, overprivileged mind; curried goat so flavorful and tender, stewed oxtail with lovely fava beans and jerk chicken with the most amazing collards I have ever had and corn muffins that made me moan. Seriously - I moaned, it was spiked with freaking palm de cocoa and was so utterly moist and delicious I wanted to order a dozen more and stuff them into my fat little face. But instead, Katie and I had the Haitian Bread Pudding and the Banana Bread Coffee Cake. That was the best bread pudding I have EVER had- I was ready to shank the bitch for the last bite, and I'm not a fan of the violence. We got to talk with Theo, the owner, and hear about the love that is the foundation of this place, the family affair that it is and I had a big old "I FUCKING LOVE PEOPLE" moment, which is a rarity. I REALLY can't wait to go back and have more. It was all I could do not to snatch the plates coming out of the kitchen right out of the hands of our amazing server (and real estate agent to the owner). Go. Really - it's worth the drive from Ballard. The ghetto ain't gonna kill y'all.
(5)
Kath U.

Okay Mon...can't help it cause I lived in the Caribbean & this is the place to get food that at least comes very close to the great food I had while living there. Not exactly like it but close enough. This place needs some rastafarian to eat with to make it perfect or maybe a spliff desert menu would be nice! Anthony B is an okay substitute as the entertainment and I had the coconut cake instead. It was great....as was the Island Soul Bar b que & Island Soul Curry. Some dishes better than others but still good Prices are okay and the service good. I give them 5 stars again because each time I have gone it has been a great meal with great service. AND it brings back memories for me.... Good atmosphere and a good mix of the locals. Live music on the weekends which is great... I don't eat goat so can't comment on that... For what this place is it is 5 stars away from the Caribbean but just for a moment I thought I was back there again
(5)
Justin P.

It's true. Island Soul is about as good as it gets for homemade Caribbean Cuisine in Seattle. Super awesome food, down-to earth friendly service (and they are really attentive) and a great vibe. So lets talk about the food. I had the Island "soul in a bowl" which was a wonderful sampling of 5 of their popular dishes (ox tail, goat, chicken, collard greens, rice and beans). Each was amazing, but the ox tail and collard greens really stood out. Each entree comes with a coconut cornbread muffin w/ habanero dipping sauce (these little muffins reached finger-lickin' good status in my book....that's not an easy feat : ) I washed it all down with a crisp Kenyan lager and coconut bread pudding for desert. Yes, as you can see I ate a TON of food here but it couldn't be stopped....it was that good.
(5)
Amy K.

We were going to attend a friend's birthday in Columbia City last night and wanted to grab dinner beforehand. I've been wanting to try Island Soul so a couple of us met up there for some dinner. The interior isn't anything special, it looks like it could have been a Mexican restaurant in it's past...pretty bland, but the food takes your mind off the fact that there really isn't any ambiance. Our initial server was friendly, had great recommendations and kept the waters full. We started with the fried yams (our friend really wanted those and loved them) and some sort of turnover filled with chicken and a spicy sauce that was delish. Two of us ordered the "small" side salad and it was anything but small. For entrees JP ordered the gumbo which came filled with large crab legs to crack open. I ordered the Jerk Chicken (which was served with rice and yummy greens) and our friend had the Island Vatapa which had a really nice, mild flavor. Everything we tried was delish. I was a bit surprised at the prices though but again, maybe it's because the decor doesn't seem to say, "hi, we have $19 entrees." Our initial server was allowed to go home early and the person who took over was not nearly as friendly or attentive, but luckily we were done at that point and just needed some stuff boxed up and our check. Oh yea...and the corn muffins are da bomb!! It even has some coconut in it. YUM!
(4)
Amanda R.

Really good! You won't be disappointed if you're looking for delicious Caribbean food. Happy hour is great too. All appetizers are $5 I believe and Red Stripe is only $4. You can't beat that! The coconut corn muffins are a must as are the tostones. Prepare to spend the evening alone though as they are heaped with garlic and onions, which I love. I have tried several dishes here but my favorite has been the tamal Azteca. So cheesy and decadent with veggies and a yummy bbq flavored sauce on top. This is definitely a favorite place for me.
(5)
George M.

Damn! I cleaned my plate like it was Mom's cooking! Ordered the oxtails, rice, collards and their bomb a$$ coconut cornbread muffins. I'd been past here a bunch of times, they're a few doors down from Bob's Quality Meats in Columbia City, I finally sat down last night and everything I had last night was top-notch, definitely going to try more!!!
(4)
Golden Kori D.

Pleased that my hubby brought home lunch from this place today. I had the best catfish po'boy. Crispy and flavorful fish, on a super soft roll with a nice aioli (jerk mayo). OMG, I'll be back. Smashed yams didn't disappoint. I also discovered a sorrel drink. The website described it as hibiscus tea, but sorrel is a different flower. It definitely had the sweet/tang flavor like hibiscus. Also got hints of ginger. Super sweet. The more I drank it, the more it started to taste like tamarind. yummers! Tastes of the Jamaican patties (beef) and jerk chicken were delicious, but spicy. Whoo! I'm a wuss, but I appreciate that they don't substitute spice for flavor.
(5)
Janice N.

I wish I could eat here everyday! Before I get to the food, first I have to say the atmosphere and decor of this place is so perfect. Loud colors and beautiful paintings in just the right amount. I couldn't stop looking around and just wishing I was actually sitting on the beach in the Caribbean! And then came the food and I knew I was in love! I had jerk chicken with rice and beans and my boyfriend had the jerk ribs. So unbelievably good! Our server made sure we ordered some corn bread and I now know why! Its coconut corn bread and is so sweet that its a perfect compliment to the spicy food. We even ordered more! I just wish this place was next door to my house and not in Seattle!
(5)
Al S.

This is our new favorite place. I'm not going to write a lot because the people who gave the 5 stars seemed to nail it. In short, EVERYTHING WE ORDERED WAS GOOOOOD! I've been looking for a place that serves ox tail for the past 5 years [its not an easy dish to find but when cooked right, its worth the search] so upon reading about this place on Yelp I decided to try it. While there, I noticed they also had a goat plate which I haven't had in ages so I took a gamble and ordered both. My girlfriend is a vegetarian so she ordered the vegetables and tofu curry--topped off with some plantain and yam fries. We drove in from Downtown Seattle so it was a bit of a trip for us, but two bites into our meal she looked at me from across the table and asked, "How do you like it?" I said, "It's AMAZING," she replied, "I'm glad because mine is good too and I'll definitely want to come back again." Since we've moved to Seattle we've started trying new places to eat but haven't found too many worth driving to on a regular basis (we found some great delivery services I'll mention another time). It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so we were one of two couples in there so the waitresses were great and the cook even came out and asked how I wanted the side dishes served (because I had 3 dinner plates for two people) which I I thought was nice. To make a long story short, it's reasonably priced and well worth the money. I can't wait to go back and try the other dishes. Oh, and don't forget to order the corn bread!
(5)
David J.

I have the pleasure of dining at Island Soul about two times a week, and must say "I enjoy each experience". The food is always, fresh, tasty, creative, and CONSISTENT and the service is always supreme!!! My favorite is the catfish!!! I'm in sales, and serve all day, so when I dine out, I demand (in a nice way) :-) good, courteous service. I like the flavor Theo has brought to Columbia City through Island Soul and his goal to make all of his customers dining experience comfortable, enjoyable and special!
(5)
Landra D.

A few nights ago, 3 of my friends were starving after moving them into their new place, so we yelped the zip code and saw Island Soul. We got to the restaurant and it was really nice and open and clean, very warm relaxed feeling. We were greeted with a smile, and we decided to try the Tusker beer and some yam fries. They were both delicious. :) There was a little fumble, but no biggie and quickly resolved and compensated for. And the food WELLLLLL made up for anything. YUM. One friend got the red snapper, which I tried and am definitely going to order next time. My other friend got the Island Something? Seafood one, the one at the top of the menu, and it was really delicious and flavorful. Another friend got the Soul in a Bowl, and thought it was also very good. I ordered the Side Street Prawns and it was so flavorful, I cant even say. Very good shrimp. The sauce is to die for. The rice is cooked perfectly, and the collard greens... you dont even need to say anything about em. They're the best. Coconut Cornbread??? What!!! I think I ate like 6 of them. And I cant wait to go do it all over again. We yelled thank yous to the chef and he came out to meet us and say hello to the other people at the tables nearby as well, all the staff made everyone feel right at home. Really so friendly and cheerful. We all felt like this place gave us the royal treatment. I highly reccomend it! Thanks so much!!
(5)
Amy B.

Island Soul provided me with one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Wow. The BBQ Chicken sandwich was full of flavor, tender, moist, and perfect served on a poh'boy and along with a delightful salad - I was thrilled. The service is not the speediest - but the food is fresh, so what do you expect? I did find it charming that they chased a lady out the door when she started talking on her cell phone. They really mean NO CELL PHONES! My only complaint is that they charge a 0.75 check splitting fee. This is particularly challenging if you are in a group. They said that they are working on a better system - but until then, I'd suggest bringing cash.
(4)
T B.

As a local, it took me way too long to finally get in to try Columbia City's newest claim to local culinary fame. Of course, I didn't realize that until I took my first bite of "Soul in a Bowl" - actually it's four bowls - and then I was like (smacks forehead) "How could I have passed this place by for the last six months?" I thought I had better sense than that. Island Soul joins Verve and La Medusa as the neighborhood favorites that I never hesitate to recommend to anyone driving from any other part of Seattle or the east side. It's worth the trip from another county.
(5)
Athena B.

omg i kept passing this place close by my new home and wanting to try it and tonight was the night....the coconut cornbread muffins r breath taking, the BBQ is scumptious, the jerk is tasty, i had the rasta sampler with sweet plantains, little islands, jerk chicken, and calypso wings all great and a good portion of everything i even ate the coleslaw decor...my bf had the island soul BBQ pok ribs and my son had the BBQ rib tips, everything we had here was sooo good!!! i will be coming here on a regular basis, and the staff were so friendly and they started having live music as we were finishing our meal... what a gem in seattle...if you want something different and delicious you gotta try this place
(5)
steve c.

I'm a fan! Yay! (although they could do a couple of things to raise this from a 3.76 to a 5!) I went here the other night, was quite excited because their other location, over on Judkins, was closed when I tried to visit them a couple of months ago. Walking in, it's a really nice, if not joy inspiring place (bright walls/colors). Looking at the menu, I wanted to try everything (check out their website and menu, you'll see what I mean). I opted for the chicken, greens and rice and beans....very good, all very flavorful (chicken slow-cooked w/ bbq sauce, rice and beans not too dry and very flavorful, and the greens were cooked just right). My girlfriend had sweet plantains and greens and enjoyed them both (oh, the coconut corn muffins are gooood!) So, why not 5 stars? One, because the service isn't 5 star. I'd say the service was slightly better than average; waitress was pleasant, but not attentive (and didn't pass the water test, cuz!) The other 'problem' I had was with the price. Most of the entrees are 15-17.95 each-it was good food, but not THAT good-about $5/entree overpriced, me thinks...otherwise, superb, island soul!
(4)
Alexander S.

Gumbo was a bit of a bust...tasty but far too much $$. Service was great until the bill came, only 2 cards and mandatory gratuity for 6+ seemed a bit ridiculous especially given our servers attitude. The tamal Azteca was fantastic and the tostones and spare ribs and collard greens were outstanding. It would be hard to find a better mojito than Island City's and the wine was good and reasonably priced. Overall I'd go back but would save some $$ first, 90 bucks was a bit steep for 2 people.
(3)
Sara H.

Oh lord god! Order the curry then the sweet plantains and some coconut corn muffins and then eat them all together, go on. Great Ginger brew tew! WHEEEEW
(5)
Sabiha D.

Yipee! Island Soul is again open for lunch - my favorite place to eat curried goat, collard greens, oxtails, the freshest salad in town, and wash it down with ginger tea. All food is fresh and well seasoned, like home. Great for family, business, taking just yourself out to eat. Their new design and bar elevated them from a 4 to a 5 for me. The owners are present and friendly they personally check in with every guest. I do not like their trademark muffins but they always have a nice substitute bread from Columbia city bakery. If not I am sure Theo or Carla wld run next door and get me some.
(5)
Jen T.

I was just visiting from San Francisco, and my friends (who live in Seattle) brought me here. The lady was super friendly and introduced us to the happy hour menu. Most appetizers were $5 so we ended up getting the yam fries and the jerk chicken chop-up (the sauce was awesome). Main dishes that you should try are the curry goat (if you don't mind a little gaminess) and the oxtail. And last but definitely not least, you HAVE to get the coconut corn muffins (my friend doesn't like coconut, but she LOVES these) and the coconut cake (which was a little too much coconut for her). I love coconut, so it was GREAT. They need to open one in San Francisco.
(5)
Jeff T.

Authentic Jamaican Food in the Pacific Northwest! Doesn't get any better than this!
(4)
Oleg K.

Island Soul was a disappointment, and only the Ox Tail dish as able to bring the rating up to 3 stars. Here's what happened: The service was slow. Half of the restaurant was sectioned off for a birthday celebration, but even before anyone from that party had shown up, there were still long delays before any of the waiters would come by to check up on us. At one point I had to wait for 10 minutes to get a refill on the water. We ordered a coconut muffin and the plantains for an appetizer. It was an ordinary muffin, only with coconut flakes and extra sugar--a better desert than an appetizer. The plantain was crunchy and sweet, as if topped with a sugary syrup. (I prefer chewy plantains.) The Soul Sampler we ordered contained ox tail, an outstanding dish (worth coming back for); an okay goat curry (I prefer curries Indian restaurants), and 1 piece of Jerk Chicken, with good Jerk sauce but otherwise unremarkable. And while the prawn, mussel, and snapper dish in coconut curry sauce was delicious, it tasted like a curry straight out of a Thai Restaurant. A bit too sweet, and with only 2 prawns and 1 mussel. I understand that Jamaican cuisine has had many influences, but when paying over fifteen dollars per entrÃ©e, I'd like to get something that I can't order in other restaurants for less.
(3)
Maria Cristina B.

OMG... So great to have a wonderful change from the norm... They have a fabulous veggie menu to choose from and regular BBQ and meat goodies too. I had the veggie lasagna with a wonderful BBQ sauce. Like I said OMG! The wine list had great wines at reasonable prices. This is a must try!
(5)
Belinda J.

I have been to island soul many times and can't express how disappointed I am with not only the new pricing for the food but also the quality has diminished. I can make equally good bbq chicken and collard greens as they do. I found nothing special in the food I ate today. I also was very disappointed at the new service. Instead of the previous 1 person there is now 4. Since more staff=less money to put into the quality of the food. The bbq sauce tasted like stuff you buy at safeway. NOTHING SPECIAL~! And after I have previously loved Island Soul I will not be going back there again after today. What previously was BBQ chicken, collard greens, a muffin and rice is now...BBQ chicken and rice...all else is extra! Very sad!
(1)
Rosalind B.

It's been a full 24 hours since I had my first taste of Island Soul and I'm STILL thinking about the delicious food. This is one of the best eating experiences I've had in months. The restaurant owner served us personally and I felt like I got the VIP treatment. The BBQ ribs were so tender and juicy and the sauce was the perfect mix of hearty and spice. We got to sample just about every drink on the menu and I highly recommend both the Ginger Beer and the Sweet Tea (so sweet your lips will pucker). We went for lunch and there was plenty of tables ...but that won't last long. This place is RED HOT!
(5)
Jodine S.

Island Soul is very disappointing. I've been twice, and both times, I left unhappy, though today was even more disappointing than the last time, about a year and a half ago. First of all, no substitutions? Not even for a charge? What's so hard about leaving the salad off a plate if someone doesn't want salad? Secondly, I've never heard of mayo being used on a BBQ sandwich. I ordered a BBQ tofu sandwich, which was coated in mayo, diced tomatoes (not sliced?) and onions. The tomatoes and onions were identical to the ones on my salad. I also had to ask for no parmesan on my salad, because the thought of parmesan and BBQ together sounds pretty gruesome. I think if a place is going to do something so unconventional as to put mayo (not even aioli) on a BBQ sandwich, it should at least say so on the menu. The only reason I didn't send my sandwich back was because I was starving, at a lunch meeting, and figured I'd be receiving my social security checks by the time a second sandwich would arrive. The service is good, but there is one server who is a little too into herself. I also heard her checking the person's ID behind me, and she made fun of the guy's name. What the...? The only reason I'm giving this a second star, is because the plantains are decent. Save your pennies. I hear there's a McDonald's down the street.
(2)
Marcie C.

I LOVE coming here for Happy Hour! The staff is so incredibly friendly and helpful! My friend and I meet here every so often for the yummy drinks and appetizers. Last night, we ordered the Plantains with Mango Sauce (Unbelievably delish), seafood fritters (always good), yam fries (the dipping sauce is beyond words) and the Little Islands (which are also great). I love that it's easy to order vegetarian or meat apps. And the atmosphere is so relaxing. The staff never rush you or make you feel like you're a burden to them (like some restaurants do).
(4)
A. B.

One of my favorite spots in Seattle. The jerk chicken is outa this world, sea food fritters, & sweet chicken are a must! I'm a Lil biased in my opinion of this place but that's my prerogative!
(4)
Sovannary S.

Only had drinks here, but the four star is for the service. Our server was just amazing! My friend ordered a Stella and because it wasn't cold yet she chucked one in the freezer, and gave him a free beer while he waited for his stella! nice.
(4)
Meredith K.

This Casuelita's is nothing like the one downtown. I love them both, but this one is so nice and relaxed. It's located in the residential neighborhood by Judkins Park. The food was delicious and the service was friendly and casual. I had a prawn dish and hubby had the jerk ribs. Both were tasty. And those corn coconut muffins? I'm getting hungry just thinking about them. We ordered a couple of the more obscure beers on the menu and they happened to be out of both of them. No prob... we're not picky as long as there is SOME kinda beer you can give us. The prices were very reasonable. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying out the rest of the menu.
(4)
Megan R.

I'd been having a craving for a good food adventure... so I grabbed a friend of mine, told her we were going on an adventure and 20 minutes later we ended up at Island Soul. I forget how much of a pain parking is in Columbia City... but we finally found a spot and headed in. The place has such a warm and sunny feel to it, and the service was great. Always asking if we were doing ok, did we need anything etc. ect. Their wine prices by the bottle are very reasonable, and with the help of our server, we were recommended a bottle that went perfectly with our dinners. I just was underwhelmed by my food. I had heard such great things and was SO excited to try the goat... but the flavors of the curry just missed the mark. My friend got the prawns, which I actually don't even see listed on the menu anymore (and perhaps for good reason.) They were overcooked and not very flavorful. I guess I wasn't as blown away by this place as the other reviewers... it was ok, but I don't necessarily think it was worth the drive.
(3)
Ryan D.

Four of us got together for dinner at Island Soul tonight, having been inspired by the many favorable reviews. We were not disappointed! The casual atmosphere fits the food perfectly, and the servers make you feel at home. With so many tasty looking options, they offered very helpful menu advice. We started with a tostones appetizer (friend plantains with lots of garlic and onions) that was very unique. Three of us had the snapper dinner, and it was awesome! Perfectly fried snapper covered with sauteed onions, peppers, garlic and a spicy (but slightly sweet) sauce. It was served with a generous portion of collard greens and rice flecked with beans. The West Indies chicken curry was also very good. I'm not sure it was the best we've ever had in Seattle, but it was still well above average. Perhaps the most impressive item on the menu was a simple, unassuming coconut corn muffin. It was incredible.
(5)
Jason S.

Reminded me of my honeymoon, which is a VERY good thing.
(5)
Adam A.

I went back to Island Soul tonight, and they had done some redecorating and the restaurant looks a lot better. The food was amazing as usual. There was still only one waitress working the entire place, which made her busy and made the service a little slow, but I've been to restaurants with legions of servers and had worse service. This is just a great place to eat.
(5)
Josh B.

I was down in Columbia City last night visiting a friend and we headed over to Island Soul for dinner. The food was excellent, and even if the flavors here aren't necessarily your thing, everything tastes so freshly prepared that you can't really be disappointed. What really amazes though is the friendliness of the staff; at one point the owner came out of the back to basically shout Happy Birthday and then flirt with all of the women in the restaraunt (non-sketchily). I can safely recommend this place as a good stop in Columbia City!
(4)
Becka L.

Casuelita's is one of those small, unassuming restaurants where you always feel at home and part of the family - and I've only been there twice! The first time I went, early on a Friday evening, the restaurant was practically empty. I ordered the BBQ rib dinner, while my friend ordered the BBQ chicken dinner. Most if not all of the dinners come with rice & peas (which I think in other restaurants is labeled red beans & rice) and collard greens & onions. Oh yes, and the coconut corn muffins. You heard me right folks - coconut corn muffins. I'm not sure exactly how they make these, but they are hands-down the best corn muffins I have ever tasted. Sweet with a yummy crustiness around the edge, golden and nutty with strands of coconut throughout. The ribs were great - I wouldn't say that they measured up to Jones BBQ ribs, but these were tasty and meaty and the sauce was very flavorful and sweetly tangy. The rice - perfectly cooked, and loved the "peas"! I'm not a huge fan of collard greens, but they tasted exactly as I remembered. My friend had mashed yams instead of collard greens with her meal and they tasted like they'd been laced with honey - mm-hmm! The second time I went, I was accompanied by my husband and my brother, who were a little dubious as we drove...and drove...and drove down MLK. Once we got inside and got a whiff of the food, that all changed. I ordered the Catfish dinner, my husband ordered the Brazilian Vatapa, and my brother ordered the "Bowl of Soul". The Catfish dinner was allright - I think next time I will try the Oxtail dinner or the Vatapa. The rice, mashed yams, and corn muffin were just as good as I remembered. The catfish was good, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood for that particular flavor when I went. Or maybe it was because the Bowl of Soul and Vatapa pretty much blew it out of the water. The Bowl of Soul included bowls of curried goat, jerk chicken, and oxtail stew. Need I say more? My brother just stared at it in disbelief when it first arrived. The jerk chicken was so spicy I started sweating immediately after a small taste, the marrow that I sucked out of a bone from the curried goat was like rich spiced butter, and the oxtail stew was divine - all gooey and sumptuous. The Brazilian Vatapa, although I didn't try much more than a bite of snapper, looked amazing. The seafood - four plump mussels, a bevy of prawns, snapper and other yumminess - was dressed with a lovely light coconut cream sauce. I think the fact that the plate got cleaned off with a flourish is testament to how good it was! The bite of snapper I had was moist and tender and the sauce complemented it well. The highlight of the evening was when one of the owners (?) got up and had everyone sing "Happy Birthday" Stevie Wonder-style to a customer.
(4)
Libby C.

Mmm. My first bite of "little islands" and I said to my dining companion "mmmm, this place is sooo good". I've been before, but this place gets the same reaction from my tastebuds every single time. There are so many descriptions of the food already on Yelp, I'll leave that out, except to say, "yes, I agree - flippin' fantastic". The staff are super nice, beyond compare. I was in food & bev for 11 years, and I was never that nice... It makes me a little nervous that Columbia City has two tasty Carribean restaurants - I hope they both thrive. I alternate between the two - I'll be at Kallaloo on Thursday, so I'll get their review up soon.
(5)
Sheila L.

OMG I wish I knew about this place earlier because it is soo damn good! Let me start by saying that I never had collard greens in my life and have always heard stories that it can be tough or way too dry to eat. But when I had it at Island Soul its one of the best veggie side dish I have ever tasted in my life! Mix it with a little hot sauce and I can eat it everyday! Me and my bf came here after wanting to try it for a while and finally we had the time and effort to come out and eat here. They don't take reservations under 6 ppl so getting to beat the crowd can be hard since this place is so packed! We only waited for about 15 mins before seating and right away we started to figure out which we wanted. We ordered the seafood fritters for appetizer and for main dish- I ordered the oxtail and my bf ordered the Island Soul in a bowl which was a little bit of everything - oxtail, jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and beans and collard greens. Our waitress also asked if we wanted some hot sauce which of course we said "yes!" and she came back with three different kinds which two were bottled but one was a small dish with one small dollop of this orange sauce. She told us it was homemade by the chef and to use just a tiny bit because it builds up the heat in your mouth. Well she was definitely right! I tasted one tiny bit and right away you feel it! My bf and I were so addicted to it we couldn't stop eating that sauce and kept sweating and drinking lots of water to cool our mouths. :P The waitress laughed and said "i told you so" and was very nice on making sure our water glasses were filled at all times. My oxtail was so tasty and the seafood fritter was good but couldn't really taste the seafood inside but mixed with their sweet chili sauce it was yummy! My bf really liked the jerk chicken from the Island Soul in a bowl and said the others was not bad. Our food also came with a side of cornbread which had shredded coconut flakes in it, ironically both me and my bf hates coconut flakes but decided to give it a taste since we didn't want to waste it.. we both were amazed how the coconut made the cornbread sweet and we couldn't stop eating it! We still hate coconut flakes but we will tolerate it with Island Soul's cornbread. :)
(5)
Miranda B.

I have driven past Island Soul several times and finally decided to stop in. The coconut corn muffins are absolutely delicious. I have never tasted anything so sweet and satisfying. The prices are a little spendy, but during happy hour the appetizers are only $5 (when you order a drink). The staff was very friendly as well, and made menu suggestions based on their expertise. I have heard this place was good, and it definitely lived up to the hype.
(4)
Chau L.

The food is great, however the price per portion isn't so great.
(4)
Darren P.

The food was so yummy. My friend and I both eat mostly vegetarian things and they had a number of really tasty options. The service was attentive (we even got free sweet potato fries because they made an extra batch and thought we ordered them). They had great live music on Saturday night when we were there. Very nice homey atmosphere with a fun crowd.
(4)
Chau D.

I have been here a few times now and have been slacking on my drafted review for this place. Originally we were supposed to go across the street to Rookies to watch the World Cup but they were packed. Not a seat in the house and for me I get irritated quickly and need to come up with a solution before I just get annoyed and not want to do anything. I then remembered that Island Soul was across the street and they had TV's. Got to Island Soul and found out they would be showing the game. Excellent news for me and my party. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share like the Jamaican Patties, Seafood Fritters, Rib Tips, Habanero Wings, Hush Puppies and Sweet Plantains. Everything was great. My usual favorites are the Rib Tips and the Jamaican Patties though. Can't ever go wrong with those two. I ordered a mimosa to drink. Told the bartender "All Champagne with a splash of OJ" and he did just that. He came out with these huge glasses of mimosa's and a little glass of OJ should I decide that my mimosa needed more juice. I drowned my sorrows in my mimosa's as I watched Team USA lose but was loving some Cristiano Ronaldo on the T.V. screen. I've come back a few more times after this visit for HH and the food is still on par but man the service gets slower and slower. I don't know why but it's like you need to track someone down every time. And if you're coming here on a hot Seattle day, be sure to wear shorts and a tank top. There is NO A/C up in here and you'll start sweating. I have straight hair and with no A/C in this place, my bangs were starting to curl. WTH? Don't say I didn't warn you.
(4)
Michelle B.

I am still fairly a new resident in the state of WA and always looking for good soul food restaurants. Well, I struck gold when visiting this one! My husband and I ordered the whole Hen (fried chicken) which is plenty enough chicken to share; our sides were smashed yams, collard greens, and mac & cheese. We also ordered the coconut corn muffins. The chicken was fried and seasoned to perfection (not greasy) but still moist on the inside and the right amount of crispiness on the outside; the yams tasted fresh and not syrupy sweet; the greens were seasoned well with a smoked turkey taste and not overcooked; the mac & cheese was creamy and not dried out, and the muffins were moist with just a hint of sweetness from the coconut. Need I say more? Everything was simply DELICIOUS! I should also mention that the service was excellent. You may have to wait a little bit for the food, but that's because it's cooked to order. We all know that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Coming from Philadelphia, PA where there are many great Caribbean soul food restaurants, Island Soul is definitely in my top 5! After a bad experience at one of the competitors not far from here, THANK YOU Island Soul for getting it right!
(5)
Matthew S.

Came here this evening with two friends, were very much looking forward to it, as we had seen the reviews here on Yelp. Got seated reasonably quickly, our waitress was very friendly, knowledgable, and attentive despite being very busy. Best thing we had were the seafood fritters, and the chicken/waffles was extremely good. After tons of food and drinks, total bill with tip was about $35 per person, which was worth it. Will be back again.
(4)
Nina W.

DO NOT COME HERE. EVER. SERIOUSLY. STAY AWAY. ESPECIALLY DURING WEEKDAYS FROM 3-7. Hoping my ALLCAPS warning wards everyone off, so I can continue to enjoy what I feel to be the best happy hour in Columbia City. Every dish I have tried- The Jerk wings, The Calypso wings, the Mac n Cheese, The festivals, the Curry mussels, the Coconut corn muffins, the bbq rib tips, and the beans and rice, have all been smack yo mama good. The hh prices are goddamn amazing, especially on beverages. Beer on tap is 3 bucks a pint, and they recently had BABA Organic Black Lager on tap. Incredible. You know how you visit somewhere for the first time and have an amazing experience and you worry the second time and after are not going to be as good? Not here. It was just as amazing the second time around, and I will make it a regular stop for sure. Their regular menu touts some delicious craveworthy things as well and I love that the hh menu doesn't mirror the dinner menu, that it actually has some unique to hh dishes and a huge variety! The main reason NOT to go to Island Soul is because of the collard greens. Because I am a greedy bish and want them all to myself. They are perfectly cooked, and seasoned with a vinegar brine. I could seriously eat them every day and even after I have finished them contemplate another serving every time because they are just amazing. I wish I knew how they made them, seriously! The atmosphere in the bar is always friendly, stellar service, and the patrons are a melting pot of the people who live in the neighborhood, all pretty chill and sociable. I goddamn love it. But I have terrible taste and you will probably hate it, so just stay away! ;-) P.S. Just kidding, get there now!
(5)
Nett G.

I'll give this place a 3 only because I swear they just mimicked the menu from Casuelitas (originally in belltown) I've had authentic Jamaican food and this is ok especially for the happy hour prices and the location (they definitely capitalized on that) smart . So for those that's had authentic Jamaican food you understand what I mean... For those that haven't tried before this is a cool place! I would just go to a Aunthenric Jamaican Restaurant you'll see what I mean! Other than that the.Ambiance is nice and great for happy hour! It can get kind of crowded as well. But worth the wait if your hungry and looking to try something different! Waiters are young and attentive too!
(3)
Bill S.

For a quality meal at a reasonable price, it's hard to beat Island Soul in Columbia City. The happy hour menu has items priced from $2 to $10, with serious discounts on drinks (dark and stormy's anyone?). The chicken and waffles at $10 are the most expensive and biggest item on this menu and very popular. I'm a fan of the fish tacos, black beans, Mac & cheese and the Festivals, which are Jamaican hush puppies.
(4)
Heidi P.

I love this place! Great oxtail soup. Delicious Mac and cheese, collard greens, coconut corn muffins and delicious drinks!
(4)
Vik M.

This rum bar is very much alive during happy hour! 4p-7p every day! I ordered the Spur Tree (white rum, elderflower liqueur, cranberry) and was STRONG. I believe this place has some stiff beverages for your consumption. My boyfriend had a Dark and Stormy, which was also strong, but according to him made a tasty drink. Alternatively, a friend ordered a raspberry mojito (very delicious- called seasonal mojito because it changes every couple of weeks). The happy hour menu also has some amazing food! I ordered the fried chicken and waffle (of course.) and mac and cheese. Both were very satisfying. The chicken and waffle was $10 during happy hour and consisted of a very small half chicken fried and a cinnamon-y waffle. The chicken was pretty good (breading could use a little salt and pepper), but the waffle was enough to make me begin writing this review right when I got home. So delicious. It was sweet and spicy (from cinnamon- sort of like pumpkin pie is spicy). The mac and cheese was made of penne pasta with some pretty delicious cheese combo. My friend ordered the BBB burger which looked so amazing and it took Zeus' strength to keep me from reaching across the table to eat it for her. It contained a burger, Bob's hot link sausage (butcher next door-ish), bacon, fried egg, and other yum-ness. Overall, this is a great place to visit during a visit to Columbia City and I intend on exploring this venue during brunch hours.... mango mimosa? I'm in!!!
(4)
Ryan H.

Me and my buddy decided to stop in here for lunch on a Saturday. The place wasn't busy at all, but our food took forever. Like 35 minutes for 6 tacos.
(1)
John L.

Excellent food, excellent service. The coconut corn muffins are amazing! The tostones are some of the best I've had as well. Definitely coming back again!
(4)
Bruce M.

Chicken with waffles takes on a new meaning when a half of fried Cornish game hen is served with a tasty waffle. Excella not cocktails and a great happy hour.
(5)
Tiffany J.

The sides were really tasty, especially the southern ones like the collards and Mac n cheese....but honestly I made better jerk chicken on my first try. The sauce wasn't flavorful enough and the chicken was just simmered in it, and not even for long enough. We also got a small portion of fried fish....the portion was a bit measly and dry. It was all a bit pricy for was it was, as well. Not really interested in going back.
(3)
Spoon G.

On my top 5 list of favorite restaurants in Seattle. As a vegetarian who also loves soul food it can be tricky to eat out and enjoy Cuban black beans and collard greens that are cooked sans ham bone. Island soul does all this and more without sacrificing flavor. Their coconut corn muffins are delicious and they serve up some of the best Mac that I've ever had at a restaurant. They make amazing festivals and all my meat eating homies seemed to be very pleased. The drinks are delightfully stiff- try a dark and stormy with homemade ginger beer! Also house made habanero hot sauce!!!! Go during happy hour for the best deals. Or don't, you might take my seat.
(5)
Joseph M.

My girlfriend was so excited to take me here and it was the worst dinning experience we've had in a long time. We stopped in for lunch at 1 pm but they serve breakfast until 2 pm. Their breakfast menu wasn't anything special or Caribbean. We waited 20 minutes for our server to stop and just take our drink orders. We waited another 20 minutes because the bartender wasn't there and then watched our drinks sit at the bar for another 10 minutes. It took 50 minutes for our food to arrive and our orders weren't right. They remade our food extremely fast but it was not good at all. I ordered the breakfast burger, it was a frozen beef patty that was burnt with an egg and hot link on it, nothing else ($13). All in all, it took over two hours for us to have breakfast. From the look of the other reviews on here it seems like my experience is rare but it was bad enough to keep me from going back.
(1)
F N.

Waited 30+min for food and drinks.....AGAIN Second time I've been here and had horrible service. Food is really really good, but you should probably eat a little before you come in, because you might be waiting awhile before you get your food and/or drinks. Tonight I waited 30+min for my first drink and the food actually came before my drink arrived. We also ordered the moment we sat down. The woman next to us sat down at the EXACT same time and had her food, beverage and paid her check before we even got our drinks and food. We will not be coming back. The food really was quite amazing, but not worth the service or wait time. Prices are good, drinks are good, just the service is extremely poor.
(1)
Crystal D.

Went with my family & tried the seafood gumbo.... Oh my gosh! SO GOOD. Later the cute manager tried to tempt us with a coconut cake... I wish I could've tried it but we were delightfully full. Next time! The staff were all great too.
(5)
Austin A.

The service here is absolute shit, but I keep coming back because the happy hour menu is solid and the food really is good. On that note, it really is only worth coming here, value-wise, during happy hour. Times outside of that, though, well, god knows there are too many other places in Seattle where you can wait 20 minutes for an appetizer. Highlights are: The BBB Burger, Jerk chicken (get it with a side of rice for a makeshift rice and sauce jawn) collard greens, and the house ginger beer.
(4)
Sienna M.

The food is incredible and the staff is great. Stopped in for take out on a business trip. Best decision all day. The corn bread was perfect and straight from the oven. The jerk pork ribs fell apart in the most delicious way. The fried catfish was again, the model of perfection, and the Goat Curry would be a favorite dish of mine if I were local. We will definitely come back every time we are in town. Really everything was perfect.
(5)
Alanna M.

The space is vibrant and well decorated with Caribbean art. The music is upbeat. The food is comforting. Definitely a fun place to check out. I'd say this would be a good first date spot or outting with friends because it's reasonably priced and non-pretentious. FOOD: Beverages: The ginger beer is a must try. Spicy, sweet and homemade makes it the perfect non alcoholic beverage to accompany your meal. BONUS: ginger is really good for you. The fruit punch was refreshing too. For those who want an adult drink, they've got a variety of rum cocktails that all looked very intriguing. Their bar is a tad on the small side, but their rum selection looked extensive. And if you are sitting in the dining room who cares how big or small the bar is unless of course you go on a very busy night and want to chill and have a drink while you wait for a table. So OK there's that... Starters: I'm a huge fan of plantains and theirs was just right for my liking. BBQ rib tips (sweet, not spicy) were finger licking good. They were actually quite tender and saucy. Coconut corn muffins were a little too sweet for my taste. Seems those muffins are quite a popular item. They came with a nice crusty top and moist center. Main dishes: The fried catfish was crisp on the outside and flakey inside. However, the aoili that accompanied the fish needed a little pazzazz. I'm sorry to say, but it tasted like mayonnaise out of a jar. It needs some kind of kick to give it a little something something. The gumbo had some soul to it though. My friend is from Florida and grew up eating a lot of Caribbean cuisine and gave it two thumbs up. The oxtail was tender, flavorful and perfect with hot sauce. Sides: We ordered the mac n cheese, coconut rice and beans, black beans and collared greens. They add a spice to the mac n cheese that I can't seem to pinpoint but like. Gave the mac a nice dimension without being too over powering. All pretty good across the board. SERVICE: My only complaint was our server. She was nice and friendly, but wasn't very attentive. She forgot our coconut corn muffins and she didn't come back to check on us after dropping off our food. I had wanted to order something else and attempted to wave her down a few times. She brought us hot sauce, but not the house made hot sauce. Maybe she thought we couldn't handle the heat? I tried to get her attention, but she never looked up. By the time we were able to grab her again most of the food was consumed. Had we waited our food would have gotten cold. Definitely a first world problem. I would have been more understanding had the restaurant been busy and packed but it wasn't that busy at all. Another waitress ended up cleaning off our table, bringing over our check and giving us boxes for our left overs. With that said, I'll still return again. Maybe or hopefully next time we'll have another waitress who is more attentive & experienced; otherwise, I hope the same young lady that served us will be better trained the next time around.
(4)
Julie Marcellina V.

This restaurant is delicious if you're craving for some island soul food. Goodness that sweet bbq chicken fell right off the bone. I will be back and the vibe is great.
(5)
Mimi D.

5 stars for chicken and waffles and the corn bread . How ever 1 start for the service provided to me , my daughter and girlfriends today . We waited for about an hour for a table which was fine , we understood it was busy . Food .. We waited and waited . We again understood it was busy . However if you are going to have us wait for our food I would expect to get everything out properly . My friend never got her cheesy grits and she still tried to charge us . The waitress would have known this if she ever came to check up on us or give us more water . I ordered the seafood bowl , which did not match the description what so ever . They gave me a plate like bowl with potatoes cheese and a few well seasoned shrimp on top and my eggs . . Waited for her to bring our tab for quite some time . And after she brought it we must have waited a good 25 minutes for her to come grab the payments . We just wanted to walk out of there . We were there for 3 hour.. . We were having brunch , a quick bite . If my daughter wasn't so in love with the chicken and waffles I would probably hesitate on going there for brunch again . It would have been nice to hear an apology for the wait or the mess up on the food but it's cool.
(3)
Ruth B.

Easily one of my favorite neighborhoods! Just finished a book about Jamaica for my NY publisher and was very much craving some Caribbean food! Island Soul's kitchen put forth a decent meal. Not the best, but forgiveably we are a long way from Jamaica! However the service was outstandingly the rudest service I have ever encountered! If you have a thick skin and a lot of patience, venture forth, otherwise, Buyer beware!
(1)
Shweta J.

Great drinks, food, service, and atmosphere. I had had a ginger mojito and shared chicken wings and the jerk pork ribs with mac n cheese and collard greens. All were delicious, though I would probably go with the jerk chicken instead next time. Food also came out fast!
(5)
Tiffany J.

My experience at Island Soul: Got here right when they opened around 5 with one other friend. There was no one else in the restaurant expect a couple of two and two other people at the bar. Perfect timing. Very friendly waiter came over a few times took our drink orders as well as happy hour and everything was great BUT THEN this place runs around like chickens with their head cut off when they get 20 more people in the restaurant. About 6 o clock with about 30 people in the restaurant the waiter came by our table ONCE within a 45 minute time span. UNACCEPTABLE. ALSO, my friend had ordered wings to go before we left which took an extra 35 MINUTES to get...35 MINUTES FOR 6 WINGS? UNACCEPTABLE. Pros: - the food is good not fantastic in my opinion. had the habanero wings, spicy just like i like them. The mac & cheese is decent but nothing to rave about as well as the jerk rib tips, nothing special. -I would say go to happy hour as i think everything else is overpriced while happy hour as good deals on snack items. Cons: - After alot of people get in the restaurant don't expect much customer service. They act like they have never seen a crowd of people before. They need to have at least one or two more servers to keep up with demand because 2 SERVERS WITH A RESTAURANT FULL OF PEOPLE is not gonna work unless you like to receive complaints everyday. BOTTOMLINE: Good decent food, NEED BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE.
(3)
Kim G.

Just wow! Happy to have stumbled upon this place. Growing up in FL, Caribbean/West Indian is a staple food next to Cuban/Puerto Rican. We ordered the collard greens (needs salt), mac n cheese, coconut muffins (which help if you get anything hot), habinero spicy wings - these are not for the faint of heart (when the muffins came in real handy, they are heavenly) and jerk chicken (probably the only thing we weren't wowed by; the sauce was just bland). We also got the Little Islands which are polenta-esque cones filed with blackbean salad; a refreshing lighter option to balance out all the other carb loaded and spicy things you'll want to indulge in. The bar had a fair amount of island, fruity cocktails, with their version of known favorites like an old fashioned with dark rum. I decided to try a fresh raspberry mojito and was not disappointed, friend ordered the rum punch and wasn't too impressed, but hey, you can't win em all, right? I'd eat here weekly if I could! It's a small place so get there before prime dinner time if you want a seat.
(5)
Clinton B.

The oxtail stew and cornbread are quite delicious.
(5)
Vishal S.

I wanted to give this place a 5 star but here is what transpired. I ordered the ox tail meal with red bean/rice and yams . When the food came out the oxtail was awesome the yams were good but the red beans and rice was terrible . I told the waitress and she talked to the manager and she said too bad. With that type of attitude I wanted to give the place a 1/2 star. But my waitress offered to pay for my meal out of her pocket!!! The stars are for the waitress! Go to the place I'm posting a picture of if you want great food and service
(2)
Andres C.

Great happy hour! Tasty food! Friendly staff! Handsome bartender! Nice place! I completely go back.
(5)
Kim H.

This is truly the best food in Seattle the bartenders are so professional and make the best drinks I ever had I love their food I love their service I love I was so
(5)
Kelz K.

Very friendly ambiance. Staff was friendly and prompt to take my order. Unfortunately I was ordering take out so I was unable to sit in and experience the full service, However the service I did receive I was well pleased. The customers dining seemed very happy with the service and food, and indeed was I. I ordered the Jamaican run with coconut corn muffins, which were superb. I odered half of the sides menu and was pleased with the textures and tastes of the food. Cooked to perfect with the right amount of spice and the perfect amount of soul.
(5)
Raechelle G.

First time here and not impressed at all. Wanted to see the hype and honestly I won't come back. First it took 5 minutes for us to get seated and acknowledged and the table wasn't ready. I ordered the gumbo and my husbands is a lot better. The catfish was actually good, however who can't fry fish, the clams were disgusting, tasted like they just got them from Alki, harbenero prawns they gave us 5 and were tasteless. Thanks but no thanks. I'll rather eat my husbands cooking any day!!!
(1)
Ishea B.

We started our night with dinner reservations for 12 at this quaint Columbia City eatery. In hindsight this probably wasn't the best choice for 12 people, as the restaurant is small and difficult to accommodate large parties, but the food was pretty good. I ordered the tapas size pork ribs, side of collard greens and hush puppies. The ribs were great! So tender and delicious. The greens were pretty good, but I didn't care for the hush puppies. Our reservations were for 8p and we weren't seated until around 820p. A few of the people in our party were running late, so this wasn't the biggest deal... still, having reservations for 8p and walking in to realize the people at our table were still eating was a tad bit disappointing. Another thing, the service was friendly but painstakingly slow. The process of getting beverages took at least another 15-20 mins. No joke. The other downside... appetizers that were ordered by the group didn't come out until the entrees... defeated the purpose of ordering an app. Overall the food is a solid 4, but the service and overall ambiance wavering between a 2.5-3. Would I go back? Yes... but with a few caveats: 1) A small party no larger than 4 people 2) No plans afterwards, so the slow service isn't a big deal (we had a comedy show at 10p and didn't add a buffer of time in to account for slow service.)
(3)
LaShonnu B.

This place is AMAZING! Theo and his crew know how to serve up some tasty Caribbean grub! I've been going here for years and have never been disappointed! I had a good friend come in from MD to visit and I took her here and she loved it! We had tasty yam fries, awesome greens (made vegan style), curried chicken, shrimp, great drinks and the ever famous coconut cornbread muffins! The service is awesome - there were two parties of at least 10 people there in addition to tables of two and meticulous attention was paid to all! Get here!
(5)
Pai P.

Food is great here. Some dishes are amazingly good. Love their jerk. Would drink that sauce out of a straw if they offered one. Their collard greens is vegan, which is surprisingly good for vegan. Personally, I think it needs pig in there. Price is reasonable. Highly recommended.
(4)
Jamal G.

The gumbo is my favorite. All the stuff I love: crab, shrimp, chicken & sausage. But the oxtail is delicious too. I have a tough time deciding which to get every time. One thing I always know I'm going to get is the coconut corn muffins though. This place make me want to try everything on the menu, just can't go wrong.
(5)
Wan Q.

The food was great, especially the gumbo; had a good balance of flavor and variety of ingredients. Service was great and friendly. Also, the presentation of the food was very creative; I don't remember what the dishes were called, but we sat practically next to the kitchen and we saw all the food that was being brought out. Definitely a good place to dine with some friends or with a date.
(4)
c y.

This place made for a really fun dinner. They had live reggae on the night we went so it was pretty loud but the music was great so it was nice to just sit back and enjoy it. We ordered the jerk ribs and the chicken curry and both were great. The ribs were really really spicy so if you can't handle the heat try something else. The portions were pretty huge for two skinny white girls but were probably just right for a guy or a gal who wants to get her eat on. My one complaint may be that they only had one waitress going for the whole restaurant, but she worked really hard to make sure everyone was happy.
(4)
Denise M.

This has to be one of my favorite places to eat! :) The service is great, the staff is super friendly, and the food is fabulous! The cornbread... OMG!!!!! Parking could be a pain, but i've always had pretty good luck with parking when I come here... and even if I didn't get pretty good parking, it's totally worth it. The oxtails are hella BOMB! Kudos... :)
(5)
Sarah S.

Just stopped in for lunch after visiting the new NW African American History Museum. Our four eyes were way bigger than our two stomachs, so we ordered the following: 1. coconut cornbread muffins, 2. Sweet Plantains (plantains drenched in a sweet delicious syrup), 3. Tostones (served with chopped garlic and red onions on a bed of lettuce), 4. Island Pockets (pockets of dough toasted and fried and filled with black beans, feta cheese, and topped with avocados), 5. Prawn salad (shrimp on a bed of lettuce with an amazingly delicious vinagarette dressing and topped with skewers of pineapple, red, orange, and yellow peppers). Our server was this beautiful woman who just laughed at us while we tried to rearrange the plates on the table to make more room. We both left with to-go boxes filled with the equivalent of another meal- and we both paid $17 bucks total. I'd also highly recommend using them to cater meetings and events. I've gotten rave reviews and probably generated a ton of business for them along the way. They do boxed lunches (for more than 10) and also a full-service deal. Just give them your budget and Theo works with you to create the menu. DO IT!
(5)
Lani A.

Yes, you should eat here. The food is delicious, the service is warm and friendly, and the ginger beer is to die for! Seriously, get the Island Soul in a bowl if you're a first timer, or take my word and get the jerk chicken or the oxtail stew (more flavorful than the bbq ribs) and don't forget the coconut muffins! Dark and stormy's are a must try here.
(5)
Tyisha C.

1) Beware! You may be turned away after waiting for some time Me Vexed! And I say that with a West Indian emphasis! I was "kicked out of " or rather not seated at Island Soul today because they seated a big party before me. After waiting 10 mins. the hostess told me that they would not be attending to any other parties for the day well before the 2pm closing time. Meanwhile, there were empty tables (about 5 or 6) all over. Being West Indian and from New York (suffering from serious withdrawal from Caribbean food), I was very disappointed to be turned away, especially when they seated someone after me. Although, I really wanted to support my people, I will not being trekking (45mins) only to get turned away. STAY CLEAR! Update: I received an email that cursed me out upon posting this review from a restaurant employee.
(1)
David L.

After success with their Belltown location, Theo Martin and his wife now man this outpost of flavor and hospitality in a mostly residential neighborhood. Highlights of the menu were the ribs and the catfish. Dine-in, take-out and catering! (More on this review later...)
(5)
Jamie R.

I've been wantin' to check out Island Soul for quite some time. Yesterday was the day I finally got to go! Thank the good Lord above I finally got me some mmm mmm good Jerk Chicken and Collard Greens. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the Coconut Cornbread Muffins! Service from the lovely Carla J was fantab! The place was nice and relaxing too, just like a week away in the islands. We loved the yellow walls and the paintings were fabulous! You want yourself some spicey down home cookin? Skip Alligator Soul up north and travel south to Island Soul!
(5)
Lala L.

My husband and I have been trying to get in on some real Caribbean food since we left the east coast, and I believe, we have found it!! Something about the weather being hot, and no A/C made us feel like we were vacationing and dinning in a hidden spot on the islands. We weren't too hungry, so we shared the sweet plantains as an appetizer. YUMMO!! Whatever they put on the plantains and mango took my husband to the moon! For our entree, we had the Bowl of Soul (curried goal, ox tail, and jerk chicken, rice and beans, and collards) and a side of yams. This gave us an opportunity to try a little of everything and boy was it good! We also had a few cocktails and the Haitian Bread Pudding which was pretty good. The owners and staff were great as well, and were super friendly. I cannot wait to come back!
(5)
Singto K.

This place is bomb.com , very good stuff man! They should bottle up their home made Habanero Hot Sauce and sell it. This is the best of the few Caribbean restaurants we have in Seattle. "No One Cyaan Test"!
(4)
Leah S.

The seafood fritters are fabulous. Service is very warm and welcoming.
(4)
Jason E.

Casuelita's Island Sould is so off the beaten path that my wife and I forget about it all the time...and we live only a few short blocks southeast of here. Now I know what you're thinking, "How could he forget the place if he's giving it 5 starts?" and, perhaps more importantly, "Why on earth would I go to a place this guy forgets?" Well, when you go searching for Casuelita's you will understand. It's not exactly where you would think a restaurant would be located, let alone one that has wonderful food. When you do find it you may be underwhelmed. It's bright and a bit unrefined aesthetically but it's not a dive by any stretch. The 3 times we've been in, there are a few tables pushed together in the middle of the restaurant where regulars seem to come and go. They're talking, laughing, smiling, hugging, kissing and generally imbuing the dining area with a warmth that is hard to come by in this sometimes cold, impersonal city. It feels like you're in someone's home... Getting on to the food. In short, It's fantastic. We haven't been enough to know the menu inside out but what I've had has been delightful. My wife has the jerk chicken every time and I usually have something different but love the Gumbo. The cornbread is so good my wife always steals mine before I can finish it and I have to order more, of which she manages to steal some more. Then we usually get a couple of pieces to take home and only about half of it makes it home...did I mention we only live a few blocks away? Many restaurants in Seattle serve superb food that you can eat too much of and with almost all of them you leave just feeling stuffed thinking "I ate too much, but it was so good". With Casuelita's it's a little different, it's health food for the soul. You might leave stuffed to the gills, but you feel at ease with it. Therein lies the magic of soul food. Even when you're stuffed, you still want more. A final note, like many have already said, do yourself a favor and seek out Casuelita's Island Soul. Casuelita's on Judkins has better food and a more comfortable feel. I feel at home when I'm here...I don't feel anywhere at home in Belltown.
(5)
Sarah S.

I'm no pro when it comes to Caribbean cuisine, but any way you slice it I had a DELICIOUS meal here last night. I had the jerk chicken with really tasty collard greens and a slice of heaven, i.e. a coconut cornbread muffin. The staff was extremely welcoming and the atmosphere is warm. My only hesitation is that it's a tad spendy, but I think it was worth it!
(4)
Chenyi L.

What a great find! We're visiting from CA, glad we had this as our first meal in town. Theo greeted us warmly and seated us immediately. We started our lunch with yam fries, Calypso wings & beef patties - all of which were delicious (including the slaw). We opted for family style entrees: Island Soul BBQ ribs, Caribbean jerk chicken & Island Soul curry chicken. Everything was tasty, including their own "Bobby-nero" habanero infused hot sauce. Although we didn't have room for dessert, we managed to squeeze in a few bites of the coconut corn muffin - yum!! Carla, the manager and Theo, the owner spent time talking to us and gave us that friendly Caribbean spirit and made us feel like regulars. We even got to experience Theo singing happy birthday, Caribbean style, to another patron. We highly recommend the restaurant and can't wait to return and experience the calypso and steel drum entertainment on weekends. Our family walked out of there with big smiles on our face for the delicious meal and the positive experience.
(5)
Meka H.

I wanted to make sure I was fair with my reviews so I went twice to this place. I am Jamaican so I know what authentic Jamaican food taste like. I am surprised at the GREAT ratings for this place, but then again most of the people doing the rating don't seem to be from the Islands. First thing, OVERPRICED, way too expensive, 2 small patties was $8.50, our bill came to $60 in the blink of an eye! My table kept rocking the whole time, my waiter was nice but seem annoyed at me asking him questions about the menu etc (this is his job), and my chicken was HUGE, like seriously for that price don't give us the fully hormone grown chicken! My boyfriend was like how come the breast is so big? I've had better jerk chicken by far, in fact I think I've made better jerk chicken myself. The coconut muffin was awesome though and the cole slaw and hot sauce did kinda make up for the bad experience. The second time I came was a couple days ago (after driving 6 miles and fighting for parking) and again since I liked the patties I wanted more just to find out they had a buffet that was $30 a head. All I wanted was an $8.50 patty and maybe a drink for me and my boyfriend to chill, but NO, we had to spend $30 on a buffet and no other option, huh? We just made a U-turn! Worth a try though if you want to taste a bit of the Islands, but know that this is by far NOT the best out there. Enjoy!
(3)
Howard M.

Very impressed. From the get-go I told the owner I grew up in FL surrounded by Jamaican neighbors. I underestimated the place as it was cool inside with some really nice Caribbean art on the walls. Very clean as well. I ordered the Jerk Chicken and was very happy with it. 3 glasses of water later to help offset the habernero in the sauce, I was very satisfied and would love to come back. BTW, we ordered the plantains as an app and they were fresh and well cooked. Friendly service too.
(4)
David R.

I'm thrilled that they've got the Rainier Ave location in Columbia City now. The foot traffic that must bring business to their door is well deserved. I've been twice now for dinner and certainly intend to go back...in greater numbers! Although the first time service was a little slower than I might have liked at the beginning (getting water, for example), the pace got better and the server was very helpful. Chef Theo came out to greet guests toward the end of the night, at which point we congratulated him on the new restaurant and delicious food. The people operating Island Soul are long time Seattl[e]ites and, in my opinion, have a really good operation going. I wish them all the best. For the second visit, my partner and I brought two friends. We walked in the door to an incredible aroma, were greeted promptly with smiles, and shortly shown to a table that had just opened up. All tables were then full at about 8:00pm on a Friday. Water, this time, was brought quickly, our drink order was taken just after, and we were given exuberant recommendations for a few menu items. I personally love the tostones and the oxtail. A friend's red snapper was perfect. For a first time visit, try the Island Soul in a Bowl. It's a reasonably priced sampler of some of the menu's highlights. One problem I've had here is that my eyes are bigger than my stomach. One of my friends was stuffed after finishing his jerk ribs; I had to restrain myself from finishing his greens. Coconut prawns were nice, but not nearly as tasty as the coconut cornbread, which nicely complements the piquant flavors in some of the dishes. Very good food and friendly staff!
(4)
Nina N.

wanted to go... went.. waited.... forgot the appetizer... still gave it to us.... still charged us ( I get it margins ).. then don't forget it... nestea mixed sweeet tea ( no good ).... gumbo: good flavors not enough okra and really watery.. oxtail dinner decent....... not mind blowing....... tostones : finally coming at the end of dinner and it wasn't sweet with garlic? maybe it would have been better if it came at the time it was suppose to. bill : almost $100 really? peesh posh applesauce observation : everyone else has a better experience than us, and it bothers me because I have been wanting to come here, and it was a restaurant I probably won't try again because it truly is too far away for me to try again :( sorry no go for me.
(3)
Jeremy J.

WOW, i never thought i would rate a place this bad, but i actually had to finally create an account to voice my experience. First of all the food was great, great Caribbean cuisine, we had the jerk chicken and jerk pork, as well as yam fries (yum). now to the bad. My order was wrong, she forgot the drinks, never came back to check on us, I added a salad after i ordered, made sure i was heard, and it never showed up. no it wasnt on the bill but how do you plain forget an order? i left honestly mad at the service there and won't be back.
(1)
Kal A.

awesome! great yelp find. everything was amazing. and they have tusker beer from kenya.
(5)
Linda H.

As Andrea noted, Casuelita's has indeed moved to Rainier. I submitted an update request for the address, but it's waiting to be approved. Until that happens, you should all know that it is now located at 4869 Rainier Ave S, right in the heart of Columbia City. Living close to Columbia City, I'm quite happy that Casuelita's has moved even closer to me. I stopped here the other night for some curried chicken take-out. I had previously tried the curried goat and had a craving for some, but the waitress said that she preferred the chicken over the goat, so I went with her choice. I wasn't sorry. It was all that I remembered with the curried goat, but with chicken. Can't beat consistency of taste. I do wish that there had been consistency with other things though...during my previous visits, I had been allowed to substitute yams for the collard greens in the entree. Since collard greens don't really make my taste buds sing, I was quite happy about this as the yams are delicious. This visit, I was told that I couldn't make that substitution. Instead, I ordered a side of yams and requested extra rice instead of collard greens, which was approved. In addition to the chicken and yams, I of course also had to have an order of corn bread. One (included with the meal) just isn't enough because they are full of yummy coconut goodness. I received my meal after 15-20 minutes and hurried home to eat it while it was hot. Unfortunately, I got home only to find that my extra order of cornbread was no where to be found. I was torn between just accepting the loss and going back for it. Can you guess which won? Yes, I went back for the cornbread! The waitress was quite surprised that I had come all the way back for two pieces of missing cornbread, but she appreciated my efforts and tossed in an extra one for my troubles. And, I went back home and ate it all. Alright, I saved some cornbread for the next morning....
(5)
Frankie G.

The service was slow; my companion and I ordered a dessert to share, took one bite and asked to order something different; I thought it was bad policy to charge us for BOTH desserts, but worse than that, we weren't offered the first dessert to bring away with us (in the event we found someone who preferred it). I am not accustomed to sending back food, but even less accustomed to being charged for something we didn't consume.
(2)
MiChin L.

The recent changes at Island Soul have me really bummed because this used to be a neighborhood favorite of ours. Meals now only come with rice and you have to order sides seperately. Prices went up. Coconut corn muffins no longer come with the meal, you have to order them and pay extra. Portions look smaller. We were told that they're expanding the bar...guess that's why they need more cash. When we asked about the changes our server told us that because of all the waste they stopped serving sides with entrees. If that's the case, then why not just let people choose their sides but still include them with the meal? Doesn't make sense to me, just like raising prices during a recession doesn't make sense either, especially when your prices were already a bit high to begin with. We probably won't be going back--too many changes all at once with little regard to customer preferences.
(2)
Rassamee H.

Okay quick update, went to Island Soul with our Kent friends for dinner. Two of us had Island Soul in a Bowl, one had the Gumbo, and one had the Curry Chicken. All of us were immensely impressed and in love with our meals. If you order Island Soul in a Bowl, the server will make you repeat after her what is in each bowl (there are 5). So you will say, "Oxtail... Curried Goat... Jerk Chicken." They assume you know what rice and beans and collard greens look like (and you should). Then the server will make you repeat after her, "Island Soul in the Bowl" and if you don't do it right, she will make you say it louder. The place was jammed packed but the service was outstanding, someone had reserved a table but never showed so they accommodated us right away. They sing a rousing rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" for those birthday folks. And they make you join in LOUDLY!
(5)
Elsa B.

Ok I'll be honest. I discovered that I don't really like jerk seasoning so I can't in good conscience give 5 stars, and the BBQ sauce was too sweet for me. But this place is so special. I loved it! The coconut shrimp was tasty. The coconut cornbread muffins were more what I call dessert, but that in no way diminished their tastiness. And I am sure my hubby will love the goat & oxtail. So I will be back. I think I will get the jerk chicken without sauce next time because it was so moist and smoky under that sauce. I simply must give these good people another chance to wow me. They are just so friendly and warm!
(4)
Julia C.

I want to retry this place on a night when they're not offering a limited, special menu. I ordered lobster and it was inedible. My companion's steak was full of gristle. I don't know, I'll give them one more chance. Just one.
(3)
Zarkle B.

This place is so awesome! Everything I have had here is so tasty and there are so many good things on the menu I have to keep coming back to try more! plantains, coconut shrimp, gumbo, red snapper, curry goat, shrimp salad.. and their coconut corn muffins are so sweet and tasty! I definitely recommend this place to anyone, but they are family run so can be slow on busy nights... but they even supply toys for the little ones. I always see big groups having gatherings here and they even have the whole restaurant sing you a carribean happy birthday if it's your birthday!
(5)
Rachel S.

This place is always one of my favorites. I loved it in the old location and I love it in the new one. The jerk ribs are always tasty, but I especially love the curried goat. I've tried most things on the menu over the years (with the exception of the gumbo) and I can't recall anything being less than excellent. If you've ever been to a Caribbean location the coconut muffins will bring you back. The place is a tad on the pricey side but well worth it. The owner is always super-nice and remembers us even though we only go every couple months. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because sometimes the service is a bit on the slow side. Not every time, but a few times we have waited a fairly long time for our food or couldn't flag anyone down to get our check. It's still worth it though.
(4)
Alex B.

Amazing food, great environment. The owner is very friendly and there is always great music playing. I've only had the jerk chicken, whole red snapper, and coconut cornbread muffins, but I'm sure everything on the menu is delicious. Don't miss out on some great Caribbean food!
(5)
Taylor S.

I'm not going to try to convince you to go to Casuelitas with a vivid description of the food, decor or service because it wouldn't do it justice. Casualitas IS the best food in Seattle. So get out of your computer chair, take off your carpal tunnel typing gloves, and drive yourself down to Casualitas. And don't think that you can be lazy and go to the one downtown instead of going all the way out to the CD. Its not the same.
(5)
Casey H.

This is the best restaurant you have never heard of. Island Soul is everything I love about going out to eat: good food (that you could never make yourself) and great service. The food is Caribbean BBQ with a southern twist - think jerk chicken, fried fish, curried goat and oxtail soup with a smattering of greens, cornbread and black-eyed peas. The setting is very casual - you don't come here for the ambience - but comfortable nonetheless. Try the curried chicken or BBQ ribs and you won't be disappointed. The cornbread is the best I have ever had (it's more like cake). Prices range from $10-20 and portions are very generous.
(5)
Lorie B.

Everything I've had here has been good. I highly recommend the jerk chicken, Jamaican patties, little islands and coconut corn muffins. My only complaint is the prices. There is no entree for less than $15 now. They have been raising the prices and cutting down on the portions as of late. For instance, you get ONE lousy Jamaican patty for happy hour (you used to get a couple for the same price!). You are better off ordering off the regular menu. You get twice the amount of an identical dish but cheaper! I didn't appreciate the attempt to squeeze a few lousy bucks from us. For this kind of money I'm going to Casuelitas where the location and ambience is better.
(3)
Kimberley D.

Delicious cornbread, vegetarian options, southern food like catfish & collard greens, friendly service and a neighborhood vibe. Reasonably priced too. Worth the trek!
(4)
dave b.

Amazing hush puppies, tasty tostones, and solid collards (even if they're vegetarian). I'd pass on bbq ribs next time, but they're not awful. Curry at table next to us looked good. Rum version of old fashioned was decent, and I bet the monitors are even better. Low key scene. Friendly attentive staff. Very affordable for a casual dinner out.
(4)
Tom N.

after a 6 hour of massive gaming. me and my boys decided to hit up this place? why? we never tried Caribbean cuisine before and it's highly rated on yelp. as we entered, the people were so welcome and friendly, especially Jesse our waitress. as we looked at the menu, apparently Jesse said we looked lost and offered some recommendations on the food. i took her advice and got the coconut muffin, i hate coconut for a passion, but for some reason this coconut muffin was so delicious, i didn't care there was coconuts in this sweet, soft and chewy muffin. however, if i didn't like it she said i don't have to pay for it! how sweet is that?! also, i asked about the tea and she gave me a sample, who does free samples on tea?! i didn't like it, but she was happy to take it back, no charge whatsoever! i ordered the special trio, ox tails, jerk chicken and goat curry which she also recommended and no regrets. i finished everything on the plate and was stuffed. we also ordered yam fries which was good and fresh and the sauce made it better. it was closing time for them and they didn't bother kicking us out until the game was over. the employees seem like a big happy family and they even sing happy birthday to some of the guests there. we parted out ways and don't forget to ask for Jesse, the best waitress i've ever had! (she said it was okay for me to put her on blast as long as it's a good review :D)
(5)
Ella L.

We went here last night and clearly choose the perfect time (just after 8) The friendly waitress and hostess were busy clearing up from the slew full of hungry diners. We were greeted by a really nice women who was excited to help us figure out what we wanted to order. They have a great assortment of Beers from not only the Islands but other Global stops my friend went with the Classic Red Stripe. We started with the Yam Fries which were top notch you can tell they fresh cut and not frozen FSA product the dipping sauce was flavorful but not needed as the yam tasted like perfection we considered ordering another appetizer to try out more of the menu but our honest server told us it may be too much food and we could always come back...I really appreciate that she wasn't trying to upsell. I picked the Aztec Tamal which is very similar to an enchilida it is made with tortillas and is layered they compare it to Lasagna which I can see that too as far the layers and cheeses but the sauce is what makes this dish!!! My friend had the Jerk Chicken with rice and greens one word...WOW and in case its not hot enough they will bring out a side of more hotness then I think anyone can handle. I was so impressed with this new found jewel and want to go back soon to try Soul in the Bowl the waitress was encouraging us to get it but I wasn't quite ready for it on my first visit. The highlight of the night was the Owner/Chef came out to see how we enjoyed the meal all I can say is GO!
(5)
Meredith S.

Three words. Coconut Corn Muffins. Do not leave without having one of these. One more word. Greens! Amazing. Everything on the menu is top notch. And it's healthy! They don't add salt or oils to their dishes. They taste homemade. I love love love this place.
(5)
Renah S.

The first time I saw the sign for this place, it made me do a double take, because it seems such an odd place for a restaurant. After months of curiosity I finally went there for dinner with a few friends. The menu is full of things that sound appetizing, which made deciding one dish very difficult. I ended up getting the Island Soul in a Bowl and a ginger beer. The food came out in a few little dishes, it would be a great thing to order and share. The soul in a bowl was 3 bowls of meat and one bowl of collard greens. The chicken and beef were delicious, but the goat was not for me. I tried one bite and had to have some ginger beer and decided not to eat the rest. The ginger beer is definitely home brewed and very good. If you don't mind a very strong ginger flavor, I recommend it. This place is out of the way for some people, but is worth a try if you are into the kind of food they serve.
(3)
Nikki S.

Within walking distance from where I live, naturally had to try it. That is how I fell in love with the seafood fritters. Not particularly healthy, they are fried seafood cakes that come with this amazing sauce... Can I have the rest of the sauce to take home in a box, please?? I've tried the jerk chicken and ribs, coconut prawns, and casuelitas, all full of flavor and just amazing. If you want something lighter try the salads. Portions here are big and you get free coconut cornbread, so order cautiously! Also a nice selection of international beers.
(5)
M A.

Went here for the first time during cold winter day, and our dinner hits the spot. We were warmly greeted by a lady who explained a great deal about the cuisine, even brought some jerk sauce for us to taste. It was waay too hot for me, but not for my husband. I ordered the fish, he ordered the jerk rib, along with coconut prawns appetizer. The prawns were tiny (were they prawns or just shrimp?) but they were tasty, not overcooked & the coconut coating were crispy. The sauce & the coleslaw were also fabulous & tasted fresh. A tad too overpriced but tasty nonetheless. The entree portions were generous, served with two coconut muffins on the side (which were way too sweet for my taste). The fish was fresh, the sauce was tangy & spicy. The jerk rib was flavorful, juicy, and tender. We especially enjoyed the greens that came with each entree. We were too full for dessert. Overall it was a nice dinner, service was very friendly and attentive, without being too intrusive. Definitely will go back & try some more items.
(4)
Jason A.

Awesome. Full of flavor, spices, and texture- I'm just stunned at how good it was, and how reasonably priced everything was. The coconut cornbread is just unreal!
(5)
Jessy D.

Does this restaurant really need my review? with already 445 mostly positive reviews, mine will be redundant, but anyhoo, there it is. No I don't claim to know authentic Jamaican cuisine, I just like amazing food, and this place is it. I had the best collard greens I have ever tasted. Better than anything I've had in New York, California and Georgia, whether restaurant or homemade. The texture, color and taste was heaven. We ordered jerk chicken, Jamaican patties, sweet plaintains, rice. Everything was exquisitely done. Their sorrel drink was delish. I am a fan.
(5)
A.T. P.

I tried ISCC for the first time a month ago per Yelp's recommendation. I must have been unusually hungry because I remember gorging myself like a pig and complementing the food non-stop. However at the end when I was really full I started debating whether the food is good or not. I am now quite confused about the experience but I did remember a few things clearly. I and a friend shared the seafood fritters and Island Soul in a Bowl. Everything tasted better than I expected, except for the jerk chicken, the oxtail, the corn bread and the collard green. I never had jerk chicken before but somehow I thought it should have tasted better. The oxtail was not flavorful enough. The corn coconut bread was moist and good but left an aftertaste that I don't have a word for. The collard green was flavorful but a little salty. The 4 star is due to these misses and corresponds to the level of welcome that we felt from the staff.
(4)
Sean H.

REAL Caribbean food with lots of spice! The oxtail is to die for! Give it a try you will love it...the soul bowl is great it's got a lot of everything!
(5)
Piao Piao L.

Oh shoot, don't tell me I have to write another dissenting opinion, I'll come off like a wet blanket. Ok but really, my admittedly single visit here didn't come off very well. So, arrived in the rain, cold, and initial impression is like walking into an oasis. Warm, inviting, pleasant staff. So far so good. Ordered the jerk ribs and a seafood gumbo. The first bite of ribs was heavenly. Heart pounding, have I hit the jackpot?? Second rib seemed somewhat off. Third rib definitely off, not sure what was going on, but just didn't taste right. Maybe undercooked, maybe the jerk sauce just took a while to fully hit me. Anyway, I ended up leaving the better part of a couple ribs on the plate, which was a shame, since I really wanted to like it (I even tried to hide the fact that I hadn't finished the ribs under some hastily arranged piles of rice, such a softy). The seafood gumbo was lackluster. I thought I'd save the day by ordering the highly praised bread pudding. Yes, it was good, but not really that good. Kind of felt like it was a waste of precious empty calories. Sorry folks, but got to be honest and give it a three star review (ducking head to avoid the tomatoes).
(3)
Alex S.

Yum. The best Caribbean food in town, bar none. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices. One of our favorites!
(5)
Kaitlin P.

The food is easily 4-5 stars but the service was awful. We waited over 50 mins after we ordered to get our food. Even our drinks were slow and I had to ask for coffee refills. The were unable to greet people coming in & a lot of people left while we were waiting. They were running around but not actually doing anything. Complete lack of organization which is a shame since the food was so good.
(2)
JN K.

Make sure you show up well before 2:00 for their 10:00-2:00 brunch menu. We stood at the door with a mostly empty restaurant right now (1:40ish) and sat ourselves which was apparently rude to the male host. At 1:50 he took away the brunch menu and said it's over. We showed him it wasn't 2:00 yet but he wasn't hearing it. Maybe we'll try again.
(1)
Krystal S.

I want to give this place 5 starts because the food itself was delish, but we had a few issues with the service. My family and I along with some friends went here on a Saturday night. The place was very busy which was to be expected, especially with a live steel drum player (more about that later). We got a nice table in the bar and started to peruse the menu. There were so many menu items that sounded amazing I was having a hard time choosing. We settled on some appetizers - 2 orders of the Jamaican patties, one chicken, one beef, the "Little Islands" a stuffed corn muffin of sorts. Our waiter then came back to inform us that he only had one order of patties left but didn't bring back a menu to let us choose from something else. Eventually I asked for a menu and we settled on the seafood fritters. All of the appetizers were fantastic in taste and texture. I would suggest the beef patties over the chicken and the seafood fritters were not only big, but very fresh and great for sharing. For the main course I chose the old standard of Jerk chicken with the belief that you can judge a Jamaican restaurant by their jerk more than anything else. I was pleasantly surprised with a fairly large serving of dark, moist chicken came out with proper "rice & peas" on the side. The jerk was hot, but not so hot that you were unable to taste the other flavors in the seasoning. Around the table we had the jerk pork ribs, the island curry, the gumbo and the tasting platter of goat, oxtail and chicken (although intially we were told they may have already run out of the goat). Everyone commented on how great the food was and since everyone at the table was a seasoned Jamaican visitor I trust that the opinions are valid. For dessert we ordered 2 4-layer coconut cakes. We were then told that they only had one order of cake left, but there was a fresh peach cobbler coming out of the oven. When the desserts arrived we were told that our piece of cake should have been much bigger (slightly disappointing), but to make up for it they supplemented a few coconut corn muffins (to die for!!!). All in all the food was great, but it always baffles me how a restaurant can run out of stuff on a Saturday night. One last note on the music; they offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights and when we went there was a guy playing the steel drums. Initially, I was looking forward to the authentic music but was disappointed to realize that all he was really doing was playing steel drum versions of washed up pop songs with a silly sounding beat machine accompanying the drums. I would much prefer authentic songs or proper reggae any day of the week over a poor rendition of "The Circle of Life" carribean-style. I am looking forward to going back for Happy Hour and hoping that I have a slightly better experience wherein I will want to log back into Yelp and change my 3-star rating to a 5.
(3)
Alexis M.

First we went during happy hour. Best choice. We got to try the different plates. Which were all yummy. The food was sooo great and filling. We are still talking about the place. Each dish was as good as the next. I really enjoyed the seafood fritter and the sweet wings. Sweet wings are the thing to try. Also the service was great. The girl was sweet and didn't rush us. Very nice. The only thing I didn't like was that it was loud. Like I felt like I had to yell across the table from my husband. But overall. It was Dynamite!!
(5)
C B.

(This review applies for their brunch offerings only) We went there for brunch recently, and we were both underwhelmed. I ordered an orange mimosa, coffee, the fried chicken and waffles. The mimosa barely had any champagne in it, the coffee tasted like something mass-produced that you would get from the supermarket (think Folger's), the waffle half of my meal tasted like it came from a mix - not homemade! - and I was given some sort of corn-based syrup instead of maple; for it's part, the chicken batter was bland. I was truly disappointed in that you would expect a place that specialized in Caribbean cuisine to incorporate some of those bold flavors into all of their dishes, not just the ones they serve at lunch and dinner.
(2)
Karissa S.

I came here for the first time last weekend and loved the jerk chicken! My boyfriend and I split the entree and the sides and it was more than enough for both of is! The mac and cheese was the best I have ever had and the flavor of the sauce/spices on the chicken were awesome! Spicy, sweet, and earthy! I will definately be back to try the oxtail!
(5)
Joyce L.

Went here for a quick solo dinner on a cold rainy Saturday night, and this place was a treat! I sat at the bar and the bartender took such great care of me, I felt right at home. Just the right amount of friendly chatter while also letting you enjoy your meal in peace - it's a tricky balance to strike! I ordered a hot ginger tea to warm up (super gingery, and so good with a splash of lime) and the jerk chicken w/mac & cheese and collards. I was warned that the collard greens were very vinegary, and they were not kidding around. It was just right with the rich mac and cheese and jerk chicken though. The jerk chicken was a bit of a letdown as it was overcooked and dry in places, but I would love to come back and try some other things. This felt like a true neighborhood kind of spot and I loved the vibe.
(3)
Bao-Yen T.

Island Soul is one of the many restaurants located in Columbia City. I've always driven past it but never gave it much thought. I finally came here with a group of friends and we ordered a variety of items. I ordered the jerk chicken, mac n cheese, collard greens and habanero wings. PROS: Ambiance: Very cozy establishment with fun decor. Service: Our waitress was nice and friendly. Food: The wings-my favorite item! The wings were super juicy and covered in a delicious habanero sauce. The sauce was on point, sweet and savory but not too spicy. Top 5 wings. The mac n cheese was perfect. Not overly cheesy and not too dry. The collard green was vegetarian, this is my first time trying collard greens without any meat in it so I was sort of hesitant to order it. I actually enjoyed it very much. The greens were cooked perfectly and seasoned very nicely. The chicken was moist and smothered in a jerk sauce. The only that I wasn't satisfied was that the sauce was a little bland and had sort of a bitter after taste to it. I expected more of a kick it to. I probably wouldn't order it again. My friend ordered the fried chicken. I only had a bite and wished that I had ordered that instead. The chicken was very tender and extremely moist. The batter wasn't overly heavy or greasy. They had some items that I wanted to try but only available during happy hour. I will surely come back for HH! Portion: HUGE portion sizes! My meal could have easily feed two people. CONS: Wait Time: Limited seating in the bar area. Small establishment so there can be a long wait.
(4)
Kat A.

We've lived in CC for over 2 years and every time we walk by Island Soul, we look in and say something like "we really need to go there." But somehow it took until last weekend for us to actually get through the door. I am so disappointed we've been missing out on this place for this long! I had the french toast with poached eggs, cheesy grits, and bacon with a mango mimosa. I loved every single bite, too bad it was more food than I could possibly eat. The bf had the shrimp and grits with a side of eggs and ate every bite. I was a little sad that I didn't order the coffee with rum chate, especially once I tried the bfs. Next time I might just get eggs with cheesy grits and several rum chate coffees. I can't believe this place doesn't have a line longer than Geraldines, another CC staple that I love from the bottom of my heart.
(5)
shami s.

The bartender was a sweet heart the food was amazing! We got the curry muscles the jerk chicken and the fritters. All so frigging delicious!!!! Yummmmmmm
(5)
Darlene M.

Caribbean food isn't usually my thing, I think it's because I never really had it and from what people have told me that Caribbean food is spicy. I can't handle a lot of spice so I just never shown interest. Boy, I've been missing out big time! I went to Seattle for a little vacation to visit my cousins who live here. They took my husband and I to this place. We waited for 20 minutes and I was starving!! I checked in on Yelp and received my free famous corn muffin! Holy canoli! That was delicious. It was light and delicate. It also had a hint of coconut. After eating that corn muffin, I ordered a couple more! We ordered the Jamaican parties, an order of chicken and an order of beef. Man! That put my mouth on fire! It was so spicy. Good, but spicy. It's just not for me.. My main entree, I ordered the oxtail stew with a side of Mac & Cheese and a side of rice. The oxtail was so tender that it just fell off the bone! The rice with the stew had a ton of great flavors. Great combination! As for the Mac & Cheese, what can go wrong? It's Mac & Cheese!!
(4)
Rob P.

No joke, one of the best places for Happy Hour food in the US. Service...A+. Food is simply great! It's a place that isn't large, but your seat will be worth it. There is nothing average on the menu.
(5)
Susie M.

There is some great food and drink in Columbia City, and this place is among the best the neighborhood has to offer! Ambiance is super fun, a good level of noisy and low lighting. Perfect for a night out with friends. Great waitstaff, super friendly. Excellent drinks (my dark and stormy was perfection). We got the catfish, the half hen, plantains, curry and jerk chicken. All were delicious. Definitely go for the black beans and corn muffin sides, both are excellent. Top notch, we will definitely go again.
(5)
Latifa S.

Curry goat galore mon!! That is all. This place is my go to for all the Caribbean/ Jamaican food withdrawals. Theo is amazing. He knows how to cook his food. There was a period where I came here almost every other day just for that curry! Well, it was after my Jamaica trip. But still. What's good? Curry goat of course! It is a perfect version you'll find in Seattle. Almost a dry style curry with meat falling off the bone. I stumbled upon this place in 2012 and that was it. Had my first bite and I've been a fan ever since. Fried whole tilapia is pretty tasty too. It comes with 2 sides. You also get a free corn muffin with your check in. Who can say no to that? I certainly didn't :D On weekends, they have fried chicken and waffles for brunch. It was pretty amazing. Besides the curry goat and tilapia, that's my absolute favorite. It is super filling though. Overall, I love this place. it is always super packed! Super busy! And if you come late, you get the bottom of the barrel goat which is either love or hate. I prefer to have mine bright and early. They've also added a ton of new things on the menu since my very first visit. The prices went up as well but it is worth it. Curry goat- that is all! If you are a fanatic or just love Caribbean cuisine, this is the palce for you. Plus, it's in that super cute 2 blocks radius of Columbia city. Come here, eat your curry/waffles. Go have some coffee next door and baked good next door at Columbia bakery! And enjoy that food coma for a whole dayyyyy :D
(4)
Cher F.

So love this place!! Another new FAV Place to eat!! Great service, friendly staff. And the food.....where do I start?!! It is all so good and to die for. Must try!!
(5)
Marisa C.

Definitely show up a bit early for their happy hour since it is only in the bar area. My friend & I ordered the mac & cheese, collard greens , sweet calyso wings, chicken & waffles, garlic fries, coconut corn bread (free if you check-in on yelp and show your waiter/server), fish tacos...and to drink I ordered the something Rum - forgot exactly what it was called and my friend ordered the soothing southern cocktail. Out of the bunch of food we ordered, I loved the wings and the waffles ^_^ definitely want to go back for those. I would love to come back and try out their brunch menu over the weekend.
(4)
Angela W.

Great food! Be careful b/c it gets really crowded on the weekends for brunch and trying to call for reservations during this time is a struggled. That being said, the staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. The food is great and the atmosphere is intimate. I got the catfish and cheese grits and thoroughly enjoyed! Parking: Not bad in this area at all.
(4)
Eileen D.

Good comfort food with funky tunes. Love that soccer is always on. My three fave activities: good music, food and soccer. I usually get the shrimp and cheesy grits with sweet tea. After brunch, the calypso wings are delish - crispy with honey glaze. Only con is service wavers during peak times but that's normal.
(5)
Tan Lo S.

Island Soul is the spice I've always longed for in my life haha. I enjoy flavors of all cultures and I also love tasting new flavors in which ignite my palette. It was a busy weekday we came around 630 I believe. They have awesome HH in the bar area for deals on food too. Because we had minors in our party , we sat in the non bar side. Nonetheless, it was pleasant. Nice glass bottle to hold our self serving water. We ordered the rib tips ($9) and they were deliciously tender amd so moist and juicy. I love eating rib tips and it was so good. You know it was slow cooked. Their jerk sauce was bomb! I was trying to break down the heat spices and I think it's the Jamaican peppers and habenero. Loved it tho. It tickled your tongue and mouth but was not overpowering at all. You have to tolerate spice tho because my brother rarelt eats spicy and he said it was way too spicy hahaha. I also ordered the oxtail stew with mac n cheese and collards. I will say the collards were okay. I prefer my ham hock greens with less vinegar. It was still tender tho and not mushy at all. The mac n cheese was so melt in your mouth tender and cheesy and oh so creamy. It's exactly how I like my creaminess in mac and cheese. Absolutely moist and cheesy. The oxtail is sooo succulent and tender omgosh. Either slow cooker or pressure cooker man, ot was really good. Melt in your mouth tender oxtail with juicy stew juices. Mmmm!! Definitely something I recommend. For $19 I think it's a little pricey but definitely worth the try. Their jerk chicken was also really juicy and tender. Probably the most moist and for $14 the 4 pieces is so worth it. Definitely like this one over the bbq ribs. Oh- their fish tacos are amazingggg too! Their aioli is sooo good it def makes the tacos!! Love love love! My only preference is that there's no dry rubs for jerk or bbq. It's saucy and juicy but I think I might like a sauce-less rub instead. Otherwise, I enjoyed this place. A little pricey bit would definitely return!
(4)
Inness P.

I visited Island Soul a couple of weeks ago for brunch, after I discovered their adorable Instagram account. They are really good at social media! Anyway, I was hankering for plantains, but unfortunately they don't offer them until 2 PM. I settled for pork belly and grits, even though I seriously considered the huevos rancheros with mango salsa. The grits were creamy and good, but the pork belly was not the best I've had (not bad, just not WOW). The homemade rum syrup was also good but it suffused the entire dish and made it a bit too sweet. Cheese was not advertised for my dish, but there was shredded cheddar cheese in the grits, and that didn't agree with the syrup. On the whole, it was good and I ate it all up, but it could have used a bit more balance. My friend adored her fried catfish (it's the good kind of fried fish, crunchy with cornmeal), but her grits (advertised as cheesy grits, came without cheese) were on the bland side. We got the free coconut corn muffins through the Yelp check-in. We were pretty full by then so they weren't too appealing, but I enjoyed one later. They are better with butter - on the blander side without. The brunch menu for Island Soul isn't very inspiring to me personally. It seemed more like your typical Southern Soul Food, not particular to Caribbean cuisine. It is definitely on the heavier side. I would love to see more items from the lunch/dinner menu incorporated into the brunch menu (especially plantains!). I am looking forward to trying their other menu someday soon!
(4)
Jim D.

Fantastic brunch option, with the Southern/Caribbean menu influence giving some nice options. (Pork belly and grits, snapper and eggs, yum!) Added booster is that there's no wait for a table, vs. the 30+ minutes (even in the rain!) at Columbia City's "G" diner across the street. Only complaint is needing to ask for butter for the toast or enough cream and sugar for the coffee.
(4)
Shenequa H.

The service was horrible! And it was packed so our group of seven had to wait almost a half hour to get a table it felt like. Then it took forever for us to get a cup of water.. And on too of that it took forever for the food to come out. The waffle I got was amazing!! It was super good. I also got some bowl thing because I was limited because I don't care for eggs and that was the only thing that didn't have eggs on it. I would say it wasnt super good it was whatever. The meat was seasoned really good though. But the waffle made the biggest highlight our waiter was super nice too....
(4)
Budy A.

Marcus made our experience as usual. He made one of the best margaritas I've ever had and was friendly and helpful. I started coming here because of the food, I continue to come because of the staff
(5)
Amanda N.

The bartender knows how to make a mojito, dangerous good! The wings are great. The grilled chicken salad was good, huge portion!
(4)
Philicia S.

Love this place, been here several times before and everytime I love it. Great service, great food. I had the oxtail stew thing and my husband had the bbg ribs, we had habanero shrimp and habanero wings to start. Very good there too. Only thing is I feel the habanero shrimp was overpriced for such small shrimp and it didnt taste very good quality shrimp, it tasted EXTRA farmed. It was a very unpleasant bite. Wish it was tiger prawns or something more better and fresher in texture. Ginger beer is not for everyone, try it first before ordering if you arent familiar. But man their sweet tea is good, a little tad too sweet for me but I enjoyed it after I poured some water in there. (my husband liked it the way it was though) Overall, we love it, it was good. Great service, great food in general.
(4)
Rona L.

I haven't actually eaten here yet. HOWEVER, I had just finished eating across the street when my roommates and I spotted this place and decided to pick up some cornbread to-go. I heard they were amazing and figured we might as well pick some up to accompany our dinner that night. The coconut cornbread did not disappoint at all! Soft, sweet...just completely scrumptious. No honey or butter needed. On top of that, the girls working behind the counter were really friendly. If the cornbread is any indication of what's to come, I can't wait to go back and actually try some of the food.
(5)
Ian D.

I'm from Florida and have had my fair share of island and soul food. That being said, my standards are fairly high. But this place did not disappoint. We did tapas style so we could try more dishes. This place was spot on with everything we had, meats and sides. We even purchased a bottle of their signature hot sauce. Great experience! We will be back.
(5)
Richard S.

Many bold, original flavors. Try the jerk chicken, with its deep unexpected spices. The goat curry is tasty and unique too, though the bones make it more effort than some people might have patience for. Try the collard greens, even if you don't think you'll like them: they are surprisingly tasty.
(5)
Susan C.

There is nothing about this place we didn't love. The atmosphere and decore is unique and very Caribbean like. The wait staff was wonderful despite how busy everybody was. The food was fantastic, the mixed drinks are unique and yummy. We had to wait for a table in this small place, but it was well worth the wait. This is a must see, must experience restaurant.
(5)
Matt K.

One of my fave Caribbean cuisine joints. The oxtail stew and goat curry is off the hook! The best part about it, they have sizes so you can order a little bit of everything. You have to get the coconut muffins as one of your side options.
(5)
Crystal N.

This place is amazing-both food and service. It's tough to just pick a favorite because everything is delicious. Staff is super friendly and helpful.
(5)
Sundiata C.

This place is amazing. The food was fantastic and so was the service. I had the BBQ chicken with Mac n cheese and collard greens as sides. All of it was tasty and seasoned well. Of course I had to try some of my families, so I also tasted the ox tails and yams. The yams reminded me of my moms and grandmas recipe; YUM. The ox tails are not my style but my wife and sister liked them. The drinks are also very good and strong, so be careful. At the end of your meal they serve you a small ginger beer, that will not get you drunk or buzzed, that refreshes your breath and helps with food digestion. The ginger beer was good and fun to drink.
(5)
Lauren T.

Yum! Came in for brunch and talk about great!!! I had catfish and grits and was very pleased. Great quality food at a great price. Everything was flavorful and just an enjoyable meal. If you're looking for Caribbean or soul food in Seattle this place is a winner. The manager/owner makes rounds to check in during the meal and the environment is warm and inviting.
(5)
A. C.

Seafood Fritters=yummy fried goodness, served appropriately with some sort of mayo sauce. Jerk Rib Tips=meh...OK. I've had better, had worse Baked macaroni=sub-par, it was like Kraft mac-n-cheese dressed up a bit...no thanks. Calypso Wings=pretty tasty, good flavor...these and the fritters were the two decent parts of the experience. Mojito=umm...don't these usually have rum in them? Just sayin. Service=ABSOLUTELY AWFUL I wish I would have taken the warning from all the other Yelpers that wrote about the bad service...they weren't lying! My favorite pastime is going out to eat in this town, so I've got some experience under my belt (and a few extra pounds too)...the idea of this place is way better than the actual place. Pretty disappointing.
(2)
Evan S.

Want to wait 60 minutes for your food to appear while a fully staffed Island Soul laugh and mingle as if they're at a party? Decent 3 star food brought down by an aloof, insensitive, unapologetic crew made worse by deafening acoustics and blaring surround sound commercials. This was a horrible experience and I don't dish out 1-star reviews. I have no axe to grind, Island Soul. You earned this all on your own and you have a lot of work to do.
(1)
Maggie M.

35 minutes and still waiting for a drink, maybe the stars will go up after I try the food
(2)
Willard J.

The food here was very delicious and the service was wonderful. I enjoyed every bit of it. I went in looking for something in particular in terms to food and taste and came out with much more and that being said, "Island Soul, I will definitely be back!"
(4)
Scott M.

My girlfriend & I discovered Island Soul one cloudy Sunday when we were checking out Columbia City. We love Caribbean so this was an easy pick. The atmosphere is relaxed and colorful. We were initially concerned about the service as the hostess was a bit terse but whatever the issue was it seemed to be resolved as she got warmer as the night wore on. Our only issue was the music which was some odd techno mix. Drinks were well made and not overly strong. Nothing to write home about but well executed. The food comes in two sizes. A smaller tapas size and a entree size. We went with 3 tapas. Gumbo, fritters & goat curry. Each was wonderful. Just the right amount of spice with the curry. Only complaint was the crab in the gumbo was still in the shell. A bit messy. Thankfully additional napkins and wet ones were provided! The seafood fritters were good and come with two sauces, a sweet chili and a tarter. If you get the gumbo try dipping the fritters in the gumbo. Yummy.
(4)
chris D.

Maybe we picked an "Off" day. I decided to meet a friend there for brunch. What a mistake that was. We got in right away since we showed up at 10:30. Both of us being Caribbean we had very high expectations and none were met. The coffee was watery and BITTER, I was very shocked to not see a traditional Jamaican breakfast of Ackee and Saltfish on the menu. What Jamaican restaurant doesn't have the "national dish" on the menu? Toast came with our dishes but the toast took a good 15 minutes. It is toast come on! We had to ask our waiter where our toast was and then 5 minutes after that we asked someone else. The chef actually brought it out to us and was apologetic but honestly by that time we were so far into our meals that it was garnish. the Cheese grits were very good(yay) I know for a fact that I am not ever going to do brunch here again.
(1)
Anthony N.

I came here for a friends birthday and there were about 15 of us and service was really good. They were very attentive and friendly even though it was a pretty small place. Food wise, things were pretty good. We got a little of everything and it was all good. We also got the cornbread and yes, it was pretty amazing!
(4)
Rachel P.

4 stars for food 2 stars for service - not nearly enough waitstaff! I've been here 4 or 5 times this past year and while the food is particularly good the service is always difficult. The servers themselves are generally friendly but clearly overstretched. I've been here in a party of two, or a party of four and no matter how many people are at our table, we have always had to wait for more than 10 minutes to initially get our drink order in, let alone anything else. Adding more waitstaff is HIGHLY recommended. Aside from that, the food is quite good, but having to wait so long deters me from suggesting this place to friends.
(3)
T D.

I've been here a few times for brunch. My last and final visit, we arrived for Saturday brunch at 1:45. According to signage, brunch ended at 2; however, we were given dinner menus BEFORE 2. When we asked for brunch menus, we were told "brunch is over" by the server. Confused, we asked the same question of the "hostess," who reiterated brunch was over because the kitchen had already transitioned the menu. Unfortunately after reading other reviews, this seems to be their MO. Tip to restaurant: don't promise that which you're not willing to deliver. Like other reviewers, we waited for almost an hour for food AND drinks. Ironically, while we waited, everyone around us were served brunch menu items, including a table that ordered as we patiently waited for our order to be taken! Eventually, we were served our afternoon dinner. The catfish was good, the greens decent, but everything else we had was meh, at best - particularly the jerk chicken, mac n cheese and yams, which were disappointing. With that said, perhaps had the customer service been better, we probably would have returned again FOR BRUNCH. But after spending almost 3x as much we would have paid for the brunch we wanted, we felt kinda hustled and definitely dismissed as customers. It's a wrap for us!
(2)
Keith C.

Everything was great We have the Jerk chicken, waffles and fried chicken, spicy shrimp, and the salmon. The only bummer was that they were out of rib tips. Its a must eat Bartender was slow
(4)
Wayne B.

customer service going down hill. poor customer service allows potentially loyal customers to slip away. rude and incompetent staff members are the most costly expense a business can incur. Good customer service goes a long ways and it is as equally rewarding for the customer as it is for the business' bottom line. *Message to the owner.* It's 6 to 7 times more expensive to acquire a new customer than to keep an old one.
(2)
Jenny K.

Gumbo. So good. Coconut corn muffins. So good. No wait when hungry? Awesome. Service? Spot on. Ambiance? Fun, casual and festive. Will I be back? Yes! Looking forward to trying the brunch menu next.
(4)
Shantanu L.

This is one those times I truly felt giving out 6stars out of 5 for this restaurant. The food was so good, I just wanted to remain silent as I devoured the food and enjoyed every morsel of food. Now to the details...... For appetizer we had the chicken wings. I highly recommend a blend of the Calypso and Habanero sauces. Me and my wife can handle some serious spice but trust me the blend was enough to blow us up (in a good way). So, in short, order the Habanero chicken wings if you are a brave soul. We ordered the Tapa (8 oz) sized portions for Carribean Jerk Chicken and Island Soul Curry (with goat meat). The Carribean Jerk sauce was unlike anything we have had before. It was just unique with and explosion of flavors. I will go back for this with the ribs. The Island Soul Curry was just perfect - a blend of curry flavors and Indian spices! Last but not the least, if you want some extra explosion of taste buds in your mouth, ask for the house hot sauce - it's yellow and looks innocuous but it potent! And it will blow away your palette ..... With some extreme flavors of course.
(5)
Katherine J.

Exciting menu, delicious food. I considered giving four stars instead of five because they forgot to bring out our free coconut cornbread things until we reminded them, but we were there are an odd time between lunch and dinner and am I really going to complain about food that was free? It was great.
(5)
Todd L.

Very cool location, incredibly friendly people, delicious signature drinks. My jerk chicken had wonderful flavor with great spiciness but the meat was a bit dry. The collard greens also had fantastic flavor but were too salty for my taste. The coconut cornbread muffins are like a dessert. My son had the seafood fritters, which were yummy although I'm not a fan of the slightly 'muddy' taste of catfish or talapia. Otherwise, everything was great and I will return to try the gumbo or goat curry next.
(4)
Gina G.

Holy poop. I went here for brunch with my dad on a whim, and it was easily the best breakfast I have ever eaten. Ever. Completely five-star quality food with an amazing price. Seriously, I can't believe how nice the price is considering the quality of the food. I haven't eaten any of their non-brunch food, but I would not doubt that it is just as amazing. I would absolutely 100% recommend eating here if you're ever around the area. I got the porkbelly hash and it was soooo good.
(5)
Avian N.

Braised oxtail 5/5, even when you take it home and reheat it twice. Habanero chicken 5/5, properly spicy and finger-lickin' good. Smashed yams 6/5, holy cow I don't know what's in it but it is spectacular. Abandoned my diet to devour the whole thing of this. Collard greens 2/5, I'm not a big fan of these to begin with. Jerk chicken 3/5, my serving had chicken meat that was too dry. After the oxtail and habanero, it was a let down. Mac n cheese 3/5, I warn you, it's good but extremely rich. A stronger cheese. Service was accommodating, prices are friendly and reasonable, will be coming back.
(4)
Danielle C.

This restaurant is located on that main street in Columbia City, so it's in a great location. I came here with a group of friends on a hot summer day. There didn't seem to be an air conditioning, and the doors were open, so it was reall hot that day. I tried the fried chicken small portion. The fried chicken skin was rather tasty and crispy. I was pleasantly surprised. The chicken that they give you seem to be small hens so if you need to eat a lot of food, don't order the small portion alone. Their cornbread muffins were tasty albeit a little expensive. I got a free one thanks to the Yelp check-in though! It tasted of coconut cream. I might come back to try other foods although I wasn't particularly feeling the other menu items.
(3)
Heddie L.

I have been here on date night multiple times and have never received less than five star quality food, service and beverages. First, the most recent time I visited Island Soul we ordered just about half the menu and everything was exceptional (I recommend the clams which were some of the best I've had). Though the food takes time to come out it is well worth it and for under $60 my date and I were completely stuffed (plus leftovers) and pleasantly buzzed from the drinks. Which brings me to their amazing beverage menu; as a bartender I can say honestly these are well balanced, creative drinks which don't skimp on the booze but certainly aren't over-poured. And not least I love the service I get here. Nobody does that super-plastered-give-me-your-tips b.s. but because they are all genuinely kind people you can have a laugh and feel comfortable. Also everyone on staff is gorgeous which adds a great vibe to this cozy spot. In conclusion, whether I've sat at the bar or in the restaurant I've never had anything less than a wonderful time and assure you, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Nick H.

I LOVED IT HERE! Me and family came to eat here and really enjoyed ourselves. I ordered the cat fish with Yams and greens. Amazing!!!! Yams tasted like sweet potato pie with out the crust. Alcohol drinks were also great!! After everything is done they give you a ginger beer shot to settle you're stomach, that worked great and tastes great! I highly recommend it!! You will enjoy it.
(5)
Katharina P.

I haven't been here since they were located in the central district when I was in middle school. So 7 years later (which was yesterday) I decide to go to the new location in Columbia city and brought my boyfriend there for his first time. I ordered the oxtail stew, greens and the mac&cheese. He ordered the jerked ribs. Not a thing has changed w/ the food everything was amazing. It's not a salt & pepper restaurant. You don't have to add a thing to your meal! The flavor is perfection. You must also have to try their punch & coconut corn muffins, they're everything! It is a family restaurant & they're super friendly & welcoming from when I used to go to the Judkins location. This place has never & will never be a disappointment, I absolutely love it there!
(5)
Joe B.

One of the hottest days of the year and we are sweating in our seats at island Soul but it's all good because I'm eating one of the best pieces of fried poultry I've ever had! Yep, not only is the Fried Game Hen fab but it comes with a pretty damn good waffle as well! That's how my brunch went this weekend. The Wife, The Youngest and I ventured out to Columbia City to get some island flavor and with that heat wave, we got it. The Chicken and Waffle was split with The Youngest with my Shrimp and Grits. There are better places for Shrimp and Grits (Hudson!) but they weren't light on the shrimp. It was just that the grits didn't really have much flavor until you poured hot sauce over the whole thing. Flavor was NOT an issue with that game hen though! Man, the coating is flaky and crisp and the flavor? Oh my. The Youngest says that her friends rave about the Oxtail Stew so next trip.....
(4)
Dimitra D.

Well well, waa recommended thru a friend, and actually heard great reviews thru others. However my experiment was a joke. Was giving a toal bill of $131.00 maybe some change however told STUPID waitress in beginning we were a partu of 4 and other 2 people on their own. THESE STUPID people split the bill in half from rest of party and add gratuity to our bill where orginal bill has no gratuity. ..so why now and i was able to get one fry at happy hour and 2 others at full price..These make no sense when my two girls got fries at same time, so waitress explains she did me a favor by giving me one at happy hour...Broad are you serious you needed the $2.00 please add it and no never again. WORD to Large parties ask about grauity adhead of time and Theo is manager I will be Back to speak to him.
(3)
Mac M.

Food is good, service is horrible. We have been going here for years and the service continues to slide downward. The latest time we went they completely forgot to put in one persons order, just said oh sorry we forgot your order, it will be another 25 minutes. Then they mixed up everyone else's orders... Didn't offer any compensation or care that one person didn't get to eat. Probably won't be back!
(2)
Angelica R.

We decided to try this place before going to see a movie down the street. The place was packed, but the wait was not long. Our group ordered a number of items including the jerk chicken dinner, tostones, meat patty (like an empanada), chicken tacos, and the coconut cornbread muffins. Everything was delicious and well prepared, tasty and done just right. The muffins were exceptional, and made a delicious desert. I tried to order the ginger mojito because it sounded delicious but they were out of the ginger juice. I ended up with a regular mojito which was very good. There was initially and awkward relocation of our table from bar area because they incorrectly assumed our 20 year old son was 21 - so make sure you're at least 21 if seated there, otherwise they'll move you. Otherwise this was a great experience, and our server Marcus was very gracious and attentive. He even brought us a sample of ginger beer and hibiscus juice at the end to make up for the musical tables. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
John A.

The music was great. If you don't know the food be careful. We may not know caribbean food well enough, but we were somewhat disappointed. The oxtail "stew" was served with little liquid. Oxtail bones in a bowl. There were no lima beans to be seen! The gumbo was very good but I like mine severed with rice (my bad?). I learned to eat collard greens in Alabama where there is always some bacon in them. They were tender but lack familiar flavor. The flavors were excellent for everything but the Tostones. These were more or less overcooked tough hockey pucks. They were NOT crisp as stated. Loved the corn muffins and black beans.
(3)
Derek O.

What can I say...this place is fantastic. I would sleep on their floor to be there when they open for their tasty goodness. It is amazing food.
(4)
Amanda E.

I live close to Columbia City and was really looking forward to trying this restaurant. I left very disappointed. I ordered the Bayou Gumbo. It had great flavor however is was primarily broth. There were 3 small crab legs, 2 pieces of shrimp, one bite of chicken and one bit of sausage. I thought for sure there would be more sausage and chicken and was really taken aback that there was only a bite of each. Luckily I ordered rice as a side and was able to dump it into my bowl of broth. It definitely wasn't worth the $21. The menu was large but didn't have any kid friendly items on the menu. They didn't have a child's menu either. I asked if my son could have the cheeseburger that was on their happy hour menu and Veronica said "No, that's only available in the bar." The bar area was literally 5 steps away with a small partition that separated it from the rest of the restaurant. I told her it was for my son and that he really wouldn't eat anything else that was on their normal menu. I even offered to pay extra. She told me no again so I asked her to ask her manager. Her response was "I'll ask but I ask all the time and the answer is always no." That's not a very polite thing to say to a customer. She then comes back and says that I can have the $8 happy hour hamburger for $14.95. I offered to pay extra but didn't think that they would charge me nearly double to price for a hamburger that was for my child. I had to choice but to pay as he needed to eat dinner. This place really needs to work on their customer service skills and should also be more kid friendly. Also if they are going to charge $21 for gumbo they should have more then 7 bites of meat in it. After they way they treated me and my son I will never go back.
(1)
K H.

OMG the food here is ridiculously good! We had the catfish and jerk chicken and loved every bite! Cute space, nice staff and killer food!
(5)
L H.

Pretty good! The jerk and the BBQ are where it's at (not the tilapia!). The chicken was just a tad dry, but I'd order it again and see if it wasn't just a one time thing. The corn muffins are amazing. The mac and cheese is good, as are the greens. Only complaint is we ordered a couple drinks, and asked for less ginger beer in one, or to make it a double, since we prefer drinks less sweet. Instead the drink came watered down. I can't imagine a bartender ever, in any situation, watering a drink down. Bizarre. They were quick to make it right, and it may have been a miscommunication between our server and the bartender, but still odd!
(3)
Joey F.

We each tried to get something different so we could taste as much as possible. To sum it up, we had: red snapper, BBQ chicken, curry chicken, gumbo, oxtail, and Jamaican jerk. The smoky flavor of the chicken and jerk was outstanding. The curry was so full of flavor. I am not a big fan of gumbo so I won't comment on it. The red snapper was outstanding! It was delicious. The oxtail stew was tasty and very tender. For sides, the black beans and coconut corn muffins were amazing! The mac and cheese was a bit bland but the collard greens was awesome! I will return to try more!
(4)
Rochelle M.

The only thing that was good about my meal was the collard greens. Do yourself a favor and cook at home. I should say that the service was fine and the mojito was rockn; this was on a Monday night btw. Turn up the flavor people
(2)
Kelly K.

We had to return a rental car to the airport this evening and picked out a place in Columbia city to check out - I'd be willing to take the bus/train back out just to eat at Island Soul again. We were able to take advantage of the happy hour specials and tried several dishes. -jerk rib tips: perfect texture, tasty; good but the weakest of what we ordered -chicken patties: yummy, flavorful sauce -habanero shrimp: o m g. Fantastic. Cooked perfectly (too often shrimp is so overlooked) and the sauce was divine. Spicy but great flavor. The chef makes it in house and we ended up purchasing a bottle to take home. - little islands: masa "shot glasses" filled with black beans, feta cheese and avocado. Perfect balance to everything else. We had heard great things about the Mac 'n cheese and the coconut corn muffins, so we ended up taking an order to go. I just shared a muffin as a dessert and why oh why haven't I had one before?? Coming from the south I've had all kinds of cornbread but this is amazing. This place is a gem and I can't wait to go back. Oh I almost forgot- strong ridiculously tasty cocktails. I had a blueberry caipirinha. Mmmmmm.... Service was great, super friendly.
(5)
Nedra R.

We visited about 9:00 on a Saturday night and the place was super busy. We managed to snag the only available table. It took a while for our drinks and food to arrive, but the service was never lacking in a friendly personal touch. They were accommodating of the fact that we were trying to make it to a 10:00 film. The jerk chicken and barbecue pork were mouth-watering, especially the pork (the chicken was a little dry without the sauce). Both sauces were delicious and made me wish I'd ordered the cornbread so I could mop them up. The greens had a nice vinegary flavor and were cooked thoroughly without being overdone and limp. The rice and peas (beans) had a delicious coconut flavor and went perfectly with the meats. The hushpuppies were light, crunchy and delish! And the drinks, to be honest, I contemplated just skipping the film and having a few more of the dark ginger mojitos. To die for.
(5)
Amanda S.

This place reminded me of the caribbean restaurant you find in Florida- Authentic and cozy. The jerk chicken patties are a must. The place was not very crowded, so if you are in the neighborhood you should stop by.
(3)
Jay C.

Absolutely love it. It starts with the great food. Lots of delicious caribe selections, well executed. The weekend brunch is also great. Chicken and waffles anyone? And try the goat curry sometime. The servers are attentive and very efficient, the bartenders excellent and creative, and the place has that solid vibe of being the family run restaurant it is. Excellent specialty cocktails. Good happy hour food values too. Can't recommend this more strongly.
(5)
Chelsea J.

Ok so here's the deal. The food at Island Soul is very tasty and hearty and satisfying. The atmosphere is lively and fun and when they have live music the evening is that much more special. Service is warm and friendly. I've been here several times over the last few years. However, this visit over the weekend had a few disappointing aspects. My friend and I came for dinner on Saturday night. I had a daily deal voucher good for $30 of food. The big draw for me to come to Island Soul is the home brewed ginger beer and the coconut corn muffins. We ordered drinks. My friend ordered sweet tea and I ordered ginger beer. It was at least 10 minutes waiting for our drinks. We finally inquired about our drinks and the server acted surprised. Then a few mins later she told us that they were out of ginger beer and we could both have sweet tea. Ok, not a big deal. She also charged us for just 1 drink so that was good. I was disappointed they ran out of ginger beer though. They were very busy. Our server brought us 2 complimentary coconut corn muffins to atone for being out of the yams my friend ordered as a side with his meal. I know their goal is to sell out of everything everyday but having two items sold out was a little disappointing. We started with the Caribbean sweet wings. $9.50 I think. The wings were pretty good but sweet as the name states and not spicy at all. I'd probably opt for the spicy ones next time. I got my usual Jerk Chicken with macaroni and collard greens and it was delicious. The entree portion is SO MUCH FOOD! For $14.50 I think it's a great deal. You get 4-5 pieces of chicken slathered in sauce and the sides are hearty and good. My friend enjoyed his oxtail stew. The thing that was kind of bad was at the end when we paid. They have the pay via iPhone method where they swipe your card on the iPhone and then you select what % to tip and then sign. The paper receipt we got for the bill had auto gratuity of 18% and they also had the gratuity % option when we paid on the phone. My friend was being very courteous and wanted to make sure we tipped on the whole amount, not the discounted amount. He asked the server what the original amount was and said that he wanted to make sure to tip on the whole amount. She said "oh no, that's ok!" He looked at the original paper receipt and then at the iPhone and realized that there was an auto gratuity already charged on the bill. This rubbed us the wrong way. She should have just told him that the 18% was already included. He almost tipped a whole amount on top of that. It is possible that the server didn't know that it was already included in our bill but I'm not sure. She should have known since she gave us the bill. Overall, this is still a great place to eat with a fun atmosphere and I won't hesitate to go back. Just make sure to check your receipt for auto gratuity. I also thought it was strange to charge tip automatically when there were only two of us. I understand with a larger party. There was nothing on the voucher itself stating that auto-gratuity would be included in the bill so this was the restaurant's call.
(4)
Laarni F.

My friend and I came here for brunch during the super bowl weekend and it was delicious! Even though they only had the brunch menu out, the food was amazing shoo was their special green mimosas. The butter on the French toast was addicting. Next time I'll go for dinner to try out the rest of their menu!
(4)
Jazzy B.

Wow! Must try the coconut muffin! This place is friendly, inviting also filled with people for a Tuesday afternoon. There is only one server working the floor, the bar and seating. It is sunny today so I'm thinking it's usually slow on other days or maybe a worker is out etc.. something like that would usually bother me but she is doing a great job by herself. This place is great. I was born and raised in NYC and been to the west Indian parade in Brooklyn a few times and the food there was the reason to be there. If your like me, picky about food. This place is great. No complaints about the food. It was fantastic. The ambience is causual and the crowd is mixed (if your wondering) so if your an interracial couple like me and my white boyfriend you won't get "the looks" oh! We order the habenero wings BEWARE: they taste like flavor fire it will burn for about an hour. Burns so good.
(5)
Keshi N.

I ate at Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine couple of weeks ago and looking forward to going back. Had to wait few minutes for seating, but great tasting Island food and drinks...I had the goat curry and it was awesome. Service was great and all servers were very attentive and friendly.
(4)
Yumiko K.

Although the portion size is small, the food here is quite tasty. We ordered Little Islands, Red Snapper (requested to be pan-fried instead of deep-fried) along with mac and cheese (which was a bit runny for my liking) and mashed yams (sweet and creamy). Their vegan Cuban black beans on the Little Islands are absolutely tasty. I love the warm and relaxed decors as well as friendly and chirpy staff. Their brunch menu looks absolutely delectable. I just hope that they'd give me a heap (or a huge bowl) of Cuban black beans next time I visit them. *fingers crossed*
(4)
Anthony W.

Delicious! I thought the cocktails were too expensive but the food was worth every penny. I ordered the fried catfish with greens, rice and peas and a side of coconut corn muffins. The muffins were cooked perfect with just the right amount of coconut. The catfish was plentiful and seasoned and crispy golden fried. Rice and peas great... Everything great! Wonderful staff and cool ambiance. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu!
(5)
Rachel G.

Why did I wait so long to check this place out? When I walked into Island Soul I was transported. It didn't feel like I was in Seattle at all. Maybe it was the Bob Marley mural. Maybe it was the vibrant paint colors or the fact that the employees (owners?) were dancing around the restaurant to the live music. Whatever it was, the vibe alone is worth a visit. The live music on a Friday night makes it a great date place, although a tad on the loud side. I loved the one-man-band guy singing reggae versions of Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens in addition to some Bob Marley classics. The food and drinks were great although I don't remember what I ordered because I let our wonderful waiter, Charles, do the picking for me! Excellent service and a lot of fun. I definitely see myself becoming a regular.
(5)
Jilian R.

I didn't see many reviews here for brunch - so here goes: This is an awesome place to come in the morning; particularly a gloomy Seattle one. The walls are bright and colorful, and the windows along the front let in a lot of light from outside. The atmosphere instantly but subtly transports you to a sunnier more tropical place. It would have been even more awesome if my coffee had arrived at our table at any point during the 45 minutes (yes, 45 minutes) it took for our food to arrive after we ordered - despite both my friend and I repeatedly reminding our server. It wasn't busy, so there was no wait for a table - brunch win! - but interesting that the food took so long. We both got the chicken and waffles (because why would you order anything else when chicken & waffles are on the menu!?). Chicken was very good, but short of amazing, and well, the waffle was a waffle. But you have to hand it to them for being awesome enough to serve chicken & waffles in the first place. Despite the slow service and slight blandness, I'm hoping to go back for lunch or dinner sometime - I'm still dying to try the jerk chicken! - and the atmosphere & overall uniqueness of the experience won me over.
(4)
Linda H.

I waited a month to try this place out. The service was great despite the wait. I must say I was disappointed. Maybe I set my expectations too high. I overheard a gentleman raving about how great the grits and chicken and waffles were at a coffee shop, so I immediately looked them up at work on the web. Great looking menu and great reviews on Yelp. Waited 40 mins on a cold Friday night, thought another good sign. I had carribean jerk chicken, mac n cheese, and collard greens. Food on the plate was cold. I can eat room temp chicken and collard greens but NOT mac n cheese. I think I will wait some time before I go back and if I do I will try another day. Might get lucky and end up w/ the same cook that these other yelpers rated so highly. Best part was our waitress who was super nice.
(2)
Wenn C.

For breakfast- try the great catfish and YUMMY rum-chata! Service is always great here. I need to come here way more often!
(4)
Katherine C.

Had a great time here. Never saw this place before and decided to give it a go. I really loved the oxtail stew. This was a savory dish. You get 2 sides with any entrees. I chose collard greens and soul slaw. The soul slaw was really tart vinegar slaw. I loved the slaw! The friends asked for gumbo, chicken curry, and red snapper and shrimp. These dishes were really good. The shrimp was huge! The gumbo was great except that they used crab in the shell so you got messy peeling the crab. I checked in with Yelp and I got a free coconut corn muffin. This was really tasty!! The staff offered a half dozen free if we paid cash. We did and got some fresh from the oven. The food was great and we tried a variety of sides. The hush puppies were meh....the mac and cheese was tasty, but best of all, the sweet potato mash was so yummy it was like eating candy!
(4)
Marie L.

The food is delicious, and drinks are great. I would give this five stars if they would let you order off of the happy hour menu outside of the bar so that I could come with my family.
(4)
Jackson L.

We had the calypso wings, BBQ, jerk, and curry with chicken with collard greens, rice and sweet mashed yams. I liked the BBQ and jerk chicken the most followed by the wings and curry. The food had some kick, especially the jerk chicken, so the sweet mashed yams helped sweeten the deal. The bartender really went above and beyond to recommend dishes and his craft drinks. He brought us 4 different drinks/shots to try throughout our dinner. A must go to spot and gotta go back to try the sold-out gumbo!
(5)
Elvin G.

The oxtail, the catfish, the collard greens -- impressive, authentic, & incredible customer care: I will be back!
(5)
Tammy N.

we went here for lunch. we were greeted immediately and we sat ourselves at the bar side of the restaurant. the bartender came by and brought us water and menus. she didnt make any suggestions for drinks or appetizers. when she returned to take our order, she also didnt ask if we wanted anything else besides water. we started off with tostones. twice fried plantains with garlic, onions, and tomatos. they were kind of cakey and flavorless. they also smell very greasy. for entrees, i ordered a cup of gumbo with rice. it was amazing. they also threw in a crab claw into my gumbo. the sausages were really yummy too. we also ordered the catfish po'boy. it was served on a baguette type bread with either mayo or tartar and coleslaw. we ordered that with a side of collard greens. the collard greens were quite salty and also sweet. weird. our overall experience was mehhh. id like to come back though and try the oxtail soup! that looks amazing! this is a restaurant that definitely needs to be tried out. be prepared to wait for your food though. they dont make it until you order it. it states on the menu that your food will take a while because the cook it when you order.
(3)
Justina S.

Thumbs up!!
(4)
Jenifer L.

Much as I wanted to post a better rating, I just can't. I've been here several times, and was very underwhelmed. The food and service are just hit and miss, and there are too many other awesome places in the neighborhood. One time I came here for HH and was seated in the bar area. It was cozy, and the price on the HH menu was good. There were a couple of hiccups such as a long wait for a single item (it came towards the end of our visit and near the bottom of our beverages) and we also had some spotty sticky silverware. The ginger beer, and seafood fritters were good tho. Another time I came here with a couple of gal pals and their kiddos for brunch. I was super excited for chicken and waffles paired with a bloody mary. well, apparently they ran out of the "normal" chicken they use for this special... and I ended up with an improvisation that was ICCCCCKKKKK! when I asked about it, I was told that they kind of threw something together to complete my order. So disappointed! They offered to box it up so I could take it home, and didn't offer to comp it. Most times the servers didn't make any suggestions on food or beverages without directly being asked. That said... I maaaaaay give them another chance, but it's really hard to tell since my last two to three visits (out of half-dozen total visits) were less that stellar.
(2)
Liliana P.

Not coming back. I had the oxtail stew with Mac n cheese and corn muffins. It was good but the service is just sooooo awful.
(2)
Bigfoot ..

Amazing food and service. Great stiff drinks for breakfast!
(5)
Kevin Y.

The cocounut corn muffin was good and the bbq chicken was tasty. The enpanada was interesting. The rest of the food items were meh to ok. Service was friendly.
(4)
Leah M.

Hands down the worst service I have ever had. I thought we were on a hidden camera show about to be punked. I could spend hours listing out the details and everything that went wrong but I would rather not waste any more of my time on this place. It was atrocious!
(1)
Stef M.

Tender jerk chicken, crunchy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside seafood fritters (probably my favorite thing I tried here) with jerk dipping sauce, fried green plantains with salsa on top, what's not to love? We stopped here on the White Moustache food tour and got to meet the owner, an ex-Microsoftie who's clearly now found her true calling: delicious Carribbean food! I will definitely be back. The people here are so nice! And the food is so tasty.
(4)
Rossana Y.

I rarely ever come down to Columbia City, so I was super excited to finally try this place out after hearing so many glowing reviews. When we went inside, there was live Jamaican music playing! The people who were working there were very friendly. Although they normally don't take reservations for large groups, they were gracious enough to reserve a couple tables for the 8 of us. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers and entrees. If you get an entree, you will need to share it with someone. It's a lot of food! I shared the jerk chicken along with collared greens and yams. I enjoyed the unique Jamaican spices incorporated into the dishes which made everything taste so good and flavorful, especially the jerk chicken. I tried their ginger beer for the first time and it was pretty good (no it is not real beer). You also get a free coconut corn muffin when you pay with cash! By the end of the meal, we could barely move....but I kept eating cause it was just so good! I really enjoyed Island Soul and it is a great place for some flavorful Caribbean cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Trust me, this place is worth the drive to Columbia City.
(5)
LA S.

Great food, horrible service. We waited more than 5 minutes before a waiter even acknowledged our presence and offered us a table. Even then, he didn't give us menus, didn't bother to ask for our drink order, nothing. Then he walked away, brought food to other tables, spent 10 minutes mixing a drink while a photographer too pictures. After about 15 minutes, he strolled back in our direction and stopped short to bus a table without even bothering to look our way. He seemed surprised when we got up & walked out.
(1)
Tarheelfoodmonste R.

Reasons for a three: food was lukewarm, flavors were average, and service was slow. The jerk chicken, mac and cheese, and corn muffin are definitely with the visit and were delicious. Upbeat laid back atmosphere. Enjoyed the meal but won't rush back.
(3)
George C.

This place is awesome. The corn muffins are fantastic. I also really liked the jerk chicken. It was cooked perfectly. Service was a little unorganized because they brought out the wrong food at first but they got it right and it wasn't a big deal. Everyone was really nice. The seating is tight but that wouldn't stop me from going back.
(4)
Shykila E.

I finally came to try this restaurant out last Saturday night. I thought it would have been a good experience since I heard some good things about this place. I'll just keep it short. When I sat down I felt uncomfortable sitting right next to the table next to me, I felt like I was with the other party. Which the person I sat next to was very funny (I had no problem with that). I ordered a beverage it took 30-40 minutes just to receive that particular beverage which was pretty refreshing. One of the persons that were with my party order a beverage she didn't like that beverage and asked for a different beverage. We order our food and that took almost an hour just to receive. When I received the dish that I order which was the bbq rid tips, I thought it would have been very good. But it wasn't that good. I felt like the cook just slapped it together and poured bbq sauce over the rib tips, it just wasn't seasoned properly. I didn't order anything else from the menu because I would fear that I wouldn't like what was brought to the table (not much to choose from on the menu). After the food was brought to the table, the girl that was with my party who reorder a beverage just received the new beverage after the food was brought to us. By than we were already ready to leave due to how long it took to receive the food and how customer service level wasn't so high. The girl that was with my party told the waitress (which had a slight attitude) that she didn't want the drink anymore. The bill was brought to the table.... And the other person who was with my party asked to speak to a manager. The manager seemed like she didn't care and brushed it off. We paid the full bill and that was that. My experience wasn't what I thought I could have or should have been. I won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
Coral H.

Came here on a White Moustache foodie tour. Lovely decor. We came on the hottest day in Seattle. They don't have AC, but usually this would not be an issue. Our guide selected Jerk Chicken, tostones, and corn muffins. Large portions and all delicious. Great neighborhood.
(4)
Terrell E.

This is immediately one of my favorite places in Seattle. I don't have much cause to go down to Columbia City, but I will be back if only to come here. I want to get to the food, so I'll just say that the service was pretty good, though I'm not sure if there is much organization in the way of waiter sections - people just kept coming up and asking if they could get us things. I'm not sure if this is purposeful but it makes the place feel less establishmenty and more home-ish. The temperature was also, easily 10 degrees warmer than outside (like 80 to 70) which, again, i'm not sure was done on purpose but it goes with the Island theme and decor. Ok, food. I had the Oxtail with mac n' cheese and a mixed green - fried plantains as an app. My lady had the Jamaican Rundown; Collard Greens and Yams. Everything was great. The Oxtail was ridiculously fall-off-the-bone, tender. Mac n' Cheese was light and peppery, small salad had an excellent vinagrette. Maybe a slllightly less cooking on the plantains for me, but I think I'm in the minority. The tases and spices are pretty perfect. This place bottles its own homeade Habanero hot sauce. Just phenomenal, taste is really good but the heat is awesome, just comes on and on. Pretty hot even for people who dig spice. The guy who delivered the Rundown stayed to make sure the kitchen had put extra tilapia in the dish (since she ordered it without the prawns) joked about the hot sauce with me while I was getting a bit verklempt. There are at least, four more dishes I need to try here. Even though the menu is small, all the dishes seemed good. 5 stars for the food, the service and for not taking themselves too serviously.
(5)
B W.

The jerk chicken was very smokey, dry and way toned down for the American palate - basically no pepper heat at all. Service is pleasant enough but very uneven - not sure if this should be laid at the feed of the servers or the bar and kitchen. Here's a tip to the bar: when you get a large order, take care of it all at once. Having six drinks come out over a 25 minute period is not cool.
(3)
Ilya P.

Live music! Goat curry! Gumbo filled with giant shrimp, sausage, and other seafood bits! Food is flavorful, service is great, and prices are pretty good. "Jerked chicken, jerked beef, jerked pork! Is there any meat this man can't jerk" --Futurama
(5)
Jenny L.

I love the atmosphere of this place. Great song and ambivalence. The spicy shrimp and chicken wings are alarming hot! Be careful what you ask for if you are not into spicy food. I wasn't impressed with the foreign beer selection but the corn muffin was good and I generally dislike corn muffin. Service was great and attentive to our needs. I would recommend this place to friends in town for a divey getaway. Fans were used to cool down the hot temperatures of the spice and summer heat.
(5)
Elle B.

I really had high hopes that this place was going to be at least half decent. Blah, I had the jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese and corn muffins. --the mac and cheese is completely flavorless -- the jerk chicken tastes like baked chicken that's been briefly dipped in some sort of wanna be jerk sauce --the coconut muffins are nothing special... I don't know if there is a lunch menu but, for $14+ at lunch.... Soooooo disappointed!!!! I don't know what's up with the food scene in Seattle but, still waiting for that wow factor.
(1)
Kristi C.

Love love love this place! Great food...my favorite is the catfish. Great service and great music on Fridays!! Fun place to go and eat good food surrounded by good people!
(5)
Daniela R.

The food here is delicious! We went for an early dinner so the restaurant was pretty empty. I ordered the BBQ Chicken entree which came with your choice of 2 sides. I got a side of rice and the macaroni & cheese. My friend ordered the Jerk Chicken with a side of rice and a side of collard greens. We also ordered a side of coconut cornbread. I'm glad we did because the cornbread was to die for! It was so moist an I loved the coconut flakes! The reason I am not giving 5 stars is because the service was pretty bad. Our server took our drink order and disappeared but keep in mind the restaurant was not even busy. Our orders were taken by another girl and when the restaurant started to pick up we only saw our server when she delivered the food and when we asked another server to have her bring our bill. If they can pick it up on the customer experience than all would be great.
(4)
DeAnne E.

Dining at a Caribbean restaurant with snow falling outside...that's Seattle for ya. We didn't want to deal with street parking so we paid the $1 to park at the 39th & Ferdinand lot. We were greeted right when we walked in and were seated next to the window. I'm glad we were brought to that particular table because I love to people watch. Our server was very nice. She helped us decide which items to try since it was our first time there. Our entrees were presented family style since there were 4 of us and we all wanted to try the different dishes. The calypso chicken and peach cobbler were my favorites. Good food takes time to prepare so I wouldn't necessarily come here on a time constraint. The cuisine tends to be on the spicier side so if you're sensitive to spicy flavors it's better to ask your server for suggestions rather than getting something you'll dislike.
(4)
Cindy H.

At first walking in and looking at the menu I thought it was a little pricey, but after ordering the jerk chicken and burger I was so impressed. The flavoring of the food is to die for, and THE MAC AND CHEESE is a must have.
(4)
Caldwell T.

Excellent food! Perfection in Service, Quality and most importantly, PORTIONS!!! I can't wait to return.
(5)
Ken L.

I am quite saddened about today's visit. The quality of the goods this visit versus my first visit differed tremendously. I still maintain that the ox tail is still a favorite on my list with the calypso wings and the plantains though. This time the order contained catfish, oxtail and a extra side order of the collard greens. Catfish - not crispy and the fish tasted a bit "fishy". I guess after coming back from KC with their flaky, crispy delicious catfish I am spoiled. Oxtail - good as usual but seems like the portions were reduced from last time. Collard greens - cooked perfectly but really too tangy tasting. Rice and peas - the rice and peas came with both entrees and were not all that exciting either. I thought those corn muffins come with my meal and maybe they forgot? Wallet is now less $50 including tip.... When I got home, didn't feel too well. Won't be back anymore. Goodbye old friend, sniff sniff. =(
(3)
Clover A.

I don't expect much, just perfection. A theory of life that should lead to much disappointment, but in this case, it led me to Island Soul. Carla was ON IT, serving our giant group like it was no thang, bringing out dish after dish, drink after drink, the whole experience was like going over to someone's house, it felt so laid back and casual but only if your friends can cook like NOBODY'S Biz-ness! I had the yam fries, plantain and BBQ rib tips to start with, sharing with my fellow Yelpers of course. I also ordered both of the special rum drinks: the Caribbean rum punch and the dark and stormy. They were both good, I think I have to stick with the dark and story as the winner though, even though I like sweet, I do love that ginger beer. The fries were good, softer than most of the frozen sweet potato fries I'm used to, and that made for more of a fulfilling meal of them, the dipping sauce was perfect. The plantain was softly cooked, with sort of a brown -sugar type of finish from the sautÃ©ing, it was so good I am thinking about how to get back and get some immediately. The rib tips were really outstanding, you do have to be ready and willing to get through the bones but it was well worth it, the meat was tender and cooked perfectly, the BBQ sauce was just the right amount of spice/sweet and the portion size for the small plate? All I can say is what small plate, that looked really big to me. I later tasted a few other dishes: jerk chicken (yum), some other plantain dish that was crisper (also yum) and the mac and cheese (SUPER YUM)- being a non salad kind of gal, I didn't taste the Key West prawn salad but it was bigger than any salad I've evah seen and by the noises others were making, I'm guessing just as good. I live in the area and I feel like that commercial, hitting my forehead... 'Doh! I should have had Island Soul' Now, my sweet Carla, I will. You will know my family like they're your own soon.
(5)
Jolene R.

This place was great! Growing up in the area, I was always taught to stay away from Columbia City. I am happy to say, that atleast for this block, it looks clean, hip and a safe place to go for lunch! Island Soul is really a unique little place that I hope is able to survive there. Great atmosphere and the waitress was super friendly and helpful. I had the curry chicken, my husband had the oxtail stew. Both were good size portions and very good. The house makes their own hot sauce, "Bobinero" named after the chef Bob. We liked it so much, we bought a bottle and have it at home! We will go back.
(3)
Jingwen Y.

Corn muffins! Oooooh they are so good. If I close my eyes now I can still taste them. I love that they updated their interiors. It feels a lot more tropical and cozy. My friend ordered the curry chicken and I ordered the jerk chicken. We shared a side of collard greens and of course corn muffins. The chicken is so tender and cooked perfectly. Their food is a bit spicy but delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. Service was polite and friendly. We even got a surprise live performance of Bob Marley songs with the steel plate drum set. I felt like I was in the Caribbean instead of the cold Seattle.
(5)
Colleen R.

I ate here close to noon on a Saturday. I had the shrimp & cheesy grits. It was effing delicious. The shrimps were huge, tasty, fresh and cooked perfectly. The service was great and my food came out really fast. The only suggestion I would have is to offer more of the regular menu (as opposed to just the brunch menu) as it approaches lunch time on the weekends. I was looking forward to trying some of the side dishes but was only offered the brunch menu. I will def return to check out the dinner menu.
(4)
Nori M.

If you're looking for some yummy Caribbean food in the south end of Seattle, this is your spot! I like coming here for Happy Hour and a few of the bartenders are quite nice to look at while you're waiting... The wait time for food is longer than the average place in Columbia City, but the delicious food and friendly staff makes up for it. My favorite stuff on the menu includes: Seafood fritters (HH), Calypso wings (HH), Coconut Prawns, Chicken & Waffles, Oxtail stew, Caribbean jerk chicken, and Yams. Seriously, you can't go wrong with any item on the menu because it's all GOOD!
(4)
Cynthia L.

I don't know about you, but I use 3-stars on Yelp to say two things: "A-OK!" or "It's A-OK." Island Soul was a resounding "A-OK!" but now, I'm totally a fan of theirs. I finally did try their jerk chicken and it's really good! I was surprised by how large the tapa-sized portion was. The chicken was also in large cuts, which made it a little hard to eat with all the savory brown jerk sauce all over it, but since they give you little hand wipes when you order things like their jambalaya (which my friend ordered) it wasn't a problem for me get through it. The sauce has a subtle spice that seems to warm your tongue only after you've stopped eating--I liked it! And their homemade habanero sauce is delicious. They only serve you a little portion in a bottle at a time so as not to overdose. It's also available for sale. The long list of food I ordered for myself included the red beans and rice (always sung in my head my Sir Mix-a-Lot) collard greens, herbed mac and cheese, and the chicken empanadas. I loved the empanadas; soft, generously filled... As usual, I had their homemade ginger brew (!!) which still is as amazing as ever. I also had a complicated-sounding rum drink that reminded me of a an unsour Pisco Sour. If you like Pisco, then you may like it. One thing to note about their jambalaya--it includes whole Dungeness crab pieces that you have to crack yourself. If you find yourself in company with people that consider de-shelling crab as food surgery, then you may have to pick out the crab for them. What are friends for? The service is terrific here; the owners really invest in making sure they hire the right people to complement the jolly Caribbean theme.
(4)
Lydia N.

5 stars for food. 3 stars for service (~3 people serving the whole floor) and it was also loud. My friend and I came on a Friday night and the place looked promising since it was packed. It took about 20 min to get seated and then another 10 for someone to come and get our order. I felt a bit bad since everyone serving looked so tired...it looked like they were pretty much done trying for the rest of the night. Food thoughts: Mac and cheese - creamy with real cheese and slightly tangy from sour cream. A really good balance for everything that was salty. Like collard greens and gumbo Collard greens - well seasoned, a bit on the salty side but it was nice that it was chopped up into bite size pieces. Nothing quite so awkward as having really big leaves of cooked greens hanging out of one's mouth. Caribbean jerk chicken - smelled amazing! Tasted great! Super happy with this. Juicy and flavorful and essentially half a bird. Slightly spicy and well smoked, just a tad too salty for me but it also made great leftovers. Gumbo - full of flavor with a punch of spice. Full of sausage and shrimp. A bit salty though. Goes well with Mac and cheese or coconut cornbread Coconut cornbread muffins - take something already delicious and add a hint of something wonderfully tropical.. Coconut! It pretty much is the sum of its parts but coconut and cornbread are pretty awesome on their own but they are fantastic together. I didn't notice any dessert options here so the cornbread works well here (I might be a little biased because I was starving by the time the food arrived but I thought it was all really good):
(4)
Amy M.

I think that island soul deserves 3.5 stars. Everything was pretty good, from service to ambience, to food. The menu didn't seem to have a wide selection or room for substitutions. That can be good for the indecisive, but not for special diets and the adventurous. I was pleased with the vegetable curry. Sides were a bit small for the entree price upgrade. We also ordered chicken curry. I was saddened by the lack of variety in this dish- curry gravy and dark meat chicken. But hey, that might be someone else's cup of tea, right? The house "bobbanero" sauce was great! I think I used 1/2 the bottle :) Service was satisfactory. I liked our second waitress, she was friendly without being phony. One of our sides was missing, but quickly retrieved as soon as we pointed this error out. My complaint would be that the music choice and volume were unpleasant. Playing was a blend of slow, monotone, um... techno? I think they were trying to cover up the loud traffic outside. The door was opened for fresh air, I assume.
(3)
Crystal P.

My boyfriend is Jamaican and lives in Nebraska, where there is no Jamaican food. I looked at the reviews and decided to try this while he was here. I ordered the jerk chicken and he ordered the curry goat. He liked the curry goat, and said that for not being on the island, it was as good as it could probably get. The jerk chicken was decent. The chicken was baked and not BBQed so it was lacking the pimento wood flavor that you get with traditional jerk chicken. However, the jerk sauce that was used was really good. This too was basically as good as you can possibly get without it being BBQed. The rice and peas, coconut cornbread, plantains, and patties were all really good. I will definitely be back to try their happy hour as the cocktail I had was really good and my boyfriend loved that they had traditional fruit punch.
(4)
Ben N.

Wanted to try the Sunday brunch, sign outside said from 10-3pm.. But menu said 10-2pm. The owner should make a new or correct the sign. Then I asked one of the employee can we still order brunch since the sign said til 3pm, and she told me they ARE SOLD out of brunch items.. Are you serious??? IM GUESSING THEY probably just said it to shut me down. Also they could have been nicer about the situation... !!!!!THIS COMMENT WAS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!
(1)
Celeste T.

I wanted to love this but can only like it. The quality of the food was high but I was expecting WOW flavor...and only got meh. I had the jerk ribs and the hush puppies (the hush puppies were quite boring)... Definitely get their house made ginger beer or a dark & stormy - absolutely delicious! Service was nice, but not especially attentive. The atmosphere is quite loud, though we were there on a Friday night. I think they could use some sound dampening, perhaps. Don't forget to put your name on the list at the front if there's a line, otherwise you'll get passed over.
(3)
Todd W.

This place is awesome! The food here is unbelievably good. The workers are super nice and the place overall has a really good vibe. I can't wait to eat there again!
(5)
Jan S.

I though this place was a hole in the wall (each are usually good), but this was a trendy place with a great Southern and Caribbean soul food with a rum bar. This is a great combination that really works. The drinks are wonderful and the happy hour food menu allows for ordering several small plates to get a taste of everything. Our server was great, friendly and knowledgeable. She quickly corrected an incorrect order and was helpful when deciding what to order. I will definitely be back for more drinks and food items on the menu.
(4)
Julie F.

Mmmmmmm the BBQ chicken. I didn't love the jerk chicken without the sauce on it, but that's probably an individual thing. The mac n cheese is so good! My 3-year-old nephew liked it, even though it didn't look like normal mac n cheese (made with penne). I love having a Caribbean restaurant nearby! This is my first experience with it, and I will choose it over most restaurants in the hood. I would highly recommend the muffin! You can get a free one if you check in on yelp, and I've taken advantage.... twice.
(4)
Myranda M.

They are really stepping up thier happy hour menu. Came in with my sister to celebrate the World Cup in Brazil with caipirinhas. Just kidding.....we just came for the caipirinhas. We were shocked at the new and improved HH menu. Mac & Cheese for only $2 and chicken & waffles for $10. The mac was soooooo good. Creamy and cheesy that had me wanting to get extra orders. Dare I say it.... Best Happy Hour in Columbia City
(4)
Ashley L.

PLEASE READ. Last night was my first and final time in this restaurant. This was literally the worst service, actually I wouldn't even use the word service, the worst treatment I've ever received in my life, even outside a restaurant/ CUSTOMER SERVICE environment. We arrived at 6:40 with 5 of the 8 in our party. They were nice enough to sit us right away but did not come even to say hi until 7:02 (by then the rest of our party had been sitting for about 10 minutes). We figured they were waiting to greet us until after happy hour ended which I'm sure was exactly the case. Most restaurants at least have the courtesy to ask if we want to squeeze in a drink for happy hour. Anyway, we found that you had to be in the bar for happy hour which they regretted to inform us of. In fact, when we said something, our server says to our entire party "I just talked to this lady (pointing at my mom) and she thought you guys were getting happy hour, but you're not. Do you still want to stay?". We then continued to order appetizers (our mistake, we should have walked out at this point). A couple people in my party ordered appetizers, not all discussing exactly what who ordered figuring we would receive them and just share. The server came back with the Habanero shrimp instead of the wings we had ordered. Assuming someone in our party had ordered them, we ate them. When we figured out that he wings never showed, we made the connection that the server had brought the wrong thing. We let her know that there had been a miscommunication and we would love to still order the wings. She doesn't apologize or try to fix her mistake, she pipes back at us that "that's not what you ordered" and still charges us for the shrimp. When we asked why we were paying for the shrimp as it wasn't what we ordered, any normal CUSTOMER SERVICE establishment would comp the item, in fact they would have never dreamt of charging us in the first place. Once we said something about our bill, the server says in the snottiest of ways "for future reference.... If you receive something that is not yours, don't eat it!" At that point we made it blatantly clear would never be returning and felt we should not be lectured while paying to eat at a restaurant. We paid our bill and left, only to be followed out by the hostess stating that WE were the rude ones, continued to insult us, and ask us to not come back. Unbelievable!! By far the worst experience I've EVER or will ever have at a "restaurant". I'm still in shock.
(1)
Jason P.

My question is, why did every plate that was served looked sooooo good. It made me want to change my order. This is not your typical Caribbean whole in the wall. The decor was very nice and clean. I could have a business meeting there and feel comfortable bringing any client. The prices aren't cheap but are line with the quality and large portions they serve. I don't order oxtails in restaurants, I only eat them at home. But their oxtails were delicious. That stew was something to write home about. The black beans were seasoned to perfection. Lastly the southern sweet tea (which I ordered as a test...I am from the south) was darn good. Our meal was fresh and hot. The server was extremely nice! I wish the best to the owners.
(5)
Vega S.

Island soul is an apt name because the food was so delicious that it stirred something in my soul! Having been to Jamaica and Bermuda(not exactly caribbean but lot of influence) I can say that this food is authentic. One of the things that really stood out was the drink Dark and Stormy. This is the national drink of Bermuda and if made right can be deliciously addictive. It consists of ginger beer and dark rum. Island Soul makes their own ginger beer. I only know of two other places that do that in Seattle so this was a special treat! I recommend the habanero shrimp appetizer. But better put your big boy bib on for these because they definitely pack a punch! As far as entrees go, the jerk chicken and goat curry were amazing. Both very authentic to what you might find in Jamaica. Especially in terms of all the west Indian spices used. Sides included collared greens, yams and my favorite corn and coconut muffins. The wait staff was friendly without being pushy. Really embodies the island speed of life and warm hospitality. I can't wait to go back and try more things at Island soul!!
(5)
Ann W.

One of the best things about Island Soul is its consistency--no matter what I order or how many times I order it, the food is always good! My new favorite dish is the Bayou Gumbo, and the tapa size is just the right amount for me. It is savory and hearty with spicy sausage, shrimp, and crab (eat the crab last to let it soak up all the amazing flavors!). I have been getting the slaw as a side lately for some freshness (it is not a creamy slaw), but I would pair rice and peas with the gumbo next time. And of course, no meal is complete without a coconut corn muffin (free, thanks to the Yelp check-in offer)!
(5)
Sophia W.

I loooove this place!!! We decided to come here because I had a super craving for Jamaican patties! I used to eat them as a kid and really wanted some. The patties at Island Soul Caribbean is hands down the BEST patties I've ever had. It is rare that every single dish we order is excellent, but this is the case at Island Soul. We ordered the oxtail stew with rice and collards as side. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender and it was so flavorful. We also ordered the Jerk chicken and BBQ pork ribs (which was again both so so so tender and flavorful). AAAND since we checked-in on yelp, they gave us a free coconut corn muffin (which is also another MUST try, so moist and coconut-y). The staff was also super friendly and checked on us to make sure everything was perfect. I am definitely looking forward to another visit in the near future, even though I don't live anywhere close to Columbia City!!!!
(5)
David D.

Very, very tasty food. Festive atmosphere! Typically crowded on SAT night and service was a bit overwhelmed, but very honorable to comp our appetizers given the delay. Very reasonable prices and generous portions. Certainly worth the wait.
(4)
Josh T.

The name really says it all here, soul food with a Caribbean flair. A variety of fish, meat, and vegetarian friendly entrees, homebrewed drinks, delicious sides. I'll often go and skip an entree altogether and just get the greens, coconut corn muffins, and another side. Their habanero sauce is to die for, and you can take it home!
(4)
Angela D.

Good food, unfriendly customer service. The food is good- we had the curry chicken, jerky, fried chicken and bbq. The meats were tasty, the mac&cheese was good, the rice and peas is dry and not good. I ordered a strawberry mojito, which tasted like pure salt. I asked the waitress to take it back and get me a non-alcoholic beverage which she did. She failed to mention that they do not remove alcoholic beverages from the check until AFTER she brought the second drink. Why wouldn't you tell your customer that? We then asked her to split the checks. They charge $1.25 per person when you split the check. Again the server did not tell us about it, I found out by looking over my check and reading the surcharge, why wouldn't you tell your customer about that?? I then asked to combine two checks into one because my sister forgot her debit card, they charged us for TWO split checks. When she finally ran my card, I saw I was charged for a meal that wasn't mine, and also four dollars MORE than what I ordered. I decided that they were beyond incompetent and decided to just leave it as is. Why wouldn't you tell your customers about your unfriendly policies before charging them for everything?
(1)
AQuynh L.

Love this place for their hh menu! It gets busy very quick during hh but if the line isn't too long, it's definitely worth the wait. I also like their dinner option. I want to try their brunch, which looks pretty good, too. The service is a hit or a miss. Depends who is your waiter/waitress are and how busy they are. Its very hot in the summer since they do not have an AC. Parking can by a big challenging but its still worth it!
(4)
Angelica F.

It's been a while since I've been here but I still think about their gumbo! I really liked the vibe and the server was awesome. Will definitely be returning!
(4)
Debbie L.

I love the jerk chicken and the coconut cornbread muffins! But I might just be biased because I love jerk chicken and muffins... At any rate, these didn't disappoint! My dining companions also loved their oxtail stew and catfish dishes, other good signs. I felt the rice and beans were meh, but I pretty much always think that about all rice and beans, so I suppose I shouldn't hold it against Island Soul. And I won't. Also, they have a happy hour. And a super friendly owner. What's not to like? Well, except the prices, which prevent me from eating here as often as I'd like. They're definitely high, not crazily so, but still. This restaurant will likely only be an occasional treat for me, but I'll surely be coming back for more.
(5)
Austin M.

The chicken is amazing. Waffles and muffins are out of this world. Cat fish on par with Texas. If you want some soul in your belly this is where you should be.
(5)
C S.

Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in all of Seattle. No matter what you order it will be excellent. I have been here so many times I have tried almost everything. The mixed drinks and house made ginger beer are also excellent.
(5)
Rosida M.

Mmmmmm I freaking love their food here omgaaaaaah I haven't even tried everything on their menu but I plan to one day. i love their calypso wings, i always try to pay cash because i love those coconut corn muffins and would much rather have them for free of course, their carribean jerk chicken is yum, the bbq chicken- yum, and their gumbo, yum. Oh yeah and that mac and cheese omgah. Lol is it disgusting that I put their special habenero sauce on my mac and cheese? Cus that ish slappps idc lol if ur cravin soul food in the south end, you needa hit up this place. Their jerk chicken man though oh wow. Just eeerrrrthang ive had so far lol
(5)
Mia M.

One word, Gumbo! Amazing, omg I almost wish nobody knew about it so I could keep it to myself. Expensive but good food is good food, and is definitely worth it.
(5)
Rany S.

I'm a fan of this place! My friends and I shared a bunch of appetizers but my favorite was the Jamaican Patties. The beef ones were on point. The seafood fritters were quite good as well. We were there to watch World Cup and there was only one server on the floor so service was just a tad bit slow but again, there was only one server for the entire place and we were mostly occupied with the game so it wasn't that big of a deal. It was also a very hot day and A/C is either non-existent or it didn't work so that was a bit of a bummer. That will not stop me from returning though. Overall, great atmosphere and great food from what I've experienced so far. Their brunch menu looks amazing and I cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Tien N.

HH is bomb! Try their BBB burger and habanero wings (it'll toot your horn)! I also recommend the cornbread and Mac n cheese ($2). Maybe a beer also. The service is great. I know I'll come back eventually.
(4)
Corinne P.

I made a last-minute decision to visit with my fiance on a Saturday night around 7pm. Island Soul was *happening*! There was a person seated in almost every chair, and there was a small queue by the front door. The drinks were high-quality and delicious, with enough interesting-sounding house specials that I decided to try something new. The Dark and Stormy was an interesting take, made with house ginger beer that was sweet and strong but not bubbly. I'd order it again. I watched the bartender make the drinks and he took definite care, including rubbing the rim of my glass with freshly-cut lemon to add aromatic effect. We shared the "little islands" appetizer though it came out with our meal. They were little masa cups filled with black beans and a simple white cheese. They were a wonderful suggestion of the meal to come. I ordered sides as my meal - collard greens and black beans. My fiance had the catfish with coconut corn muffins. We were both happy with our meals, and the warm glow of drinks made it that much better! The booths are close enough that you'll get snippets of conversation from your neighbors, making for an interesting cross-talk or voyeur opportunity. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Chanel C.

Great staff! Casual atmosphere. I've tried their chicken and waffles which they used to serve with syrup made with captain Morgan but ever since they changed it to virgin syrup it's just not the same. The jerk chicken is delicious and spicy! And I ALWAYS get extra coconut corn muffins. Just the other day I so happen to be in the area and decided that I had to stop by and get the muffins to-go. An order comes with two and for 3 orders (6 muffins) it was just a little over $9 with tax. This place is affordable, great food and people. Quick service. A must when I'm in Columbia City.
(4)
Amanda E.

I absolutely love this place. The people are friendly but most importantly the CATFISH is UNFORGETTABLE! It reminds me of the first time I ever tried catfish 6 years ago in Jacksonville, FL. Truly the best restaurant style catfish just have ever tried. Now, don't get me started on the mac and cheese... Lol it is phenomenal! It is made with penne pasta (and I love when mac and cheese is not made with elbow lol) and it's thick and so flavorful! I just love mac and cheese in general and this place definitely does it justice. Overall I had a great time! For sure coming back as soon as I can!
(5)
Stefanie R.

For tapas dinner with my hubs and a friend: - BBQ chicken - delicious but would have preferred a bit less spicy - goat island curry - FREAKING AMAZING GET IT NOW - Caribbean jerk ribs - a bit spicy (as expected) but fantastic flavor - red snapper - really vinegary, my companions didn't like it so much, but I thought it was great! More for me!! :) - red beans and rice - perfect accompaniment to dinner - coconut corn muffins free for checking in with Yelp - YUMMMMM. Also, got the island corn masa thingies (can't remember what they're called), delicious alternative to traditional plantain or tostones appetizer. Recommended. BONUS POINTS - my friend was sick and asked for a hot toddy, and the bartender came back with a plate with a mug of hot water and rum, lemon slices, fresh chunks of ginger, a teabag of Earl Gray, a container with several different sweeteners including honey, and an extra shot of rum on the side. He took the time to explain everything he put on the plate. It left us all pretty impressed. I LOVE that I live only a couple blocks away. Will definitely be back!!!
(5)
Jessica C.

Not sure what the hype is. Maybe I don't know what to order but I tried a chicken dish and the chicken was the driest thing on Earth. My friend tried a breaded catfish dish and it was nothing special.
(1)
Garbiel A.

I loved this place. I loved my food and the lady that walked around singing. she was great. Also, our waitress was fantastic. My wife didn't love how fatty her dinner was, so we traded, and i LOVED HOW FATTY IT WAS. also, great hot sauce.
(4)
Cj M.

Great chicken wings, great service, great people! BUT, one time we took a chance and ordered their Jamaican Rundown with Shrimp and Snapper (recommended by the server)... WE LOVE RED SNAPPER, and whatever fish they gave us? Was not red snapper.. it tasted like cat fish, and I did not pay the price for Snapper to get a less quality fish. We still love them, just definitely going to be staying away from the snapper.
(4)
H C.

I came here with a friend and we had the jerk chicken with beans and the infamous coconut corn muffin. We started with the "little islands" as well. The food was surprisingly really good but the service needs work. The servers weren't very attentive and forgot a lot of our order.
(3)
Alex S.

The parents had been comng in here for the past year. I listened to them rave about the food, but I've been to Carribean/Jamaica and wasn't overly impressed by any of the food there. Here's the lesson...lissten to your parents! I got dragged down here becasue they insisted I try it (when they get obssessed, it's not unknown for them to patronize a place 3-4 days a week until they move on).OMG...they were so right-the food was amazing! We even did a "rum flight" which I HIGHLY recommend.They have some top level run from Haiti,and Trnidad and even some small Carribean island I've never heard off. It'll knock you on your ass. It is sipping rum, not the swig drinking sweet stuff we have here. So, that was the start... All the food is good. We started off with collared greeens (and I grimmaced-ewww, collard greens-just the name) Wrong again. They were sooooo good. I kept eating more. Then there were the plaintains-unusual, but done very well. Dad insisted on the coconut muffins too-and they were so moist. They put other muffins to shame.The owner actually bakes them fresh in the kitchen and they are one of his signature foods. They got some BBQ, and I got a curry, but what was outstanding was the meat-it was so tender,and so beautifully smokey it just melted in you're mouth.I didn't care if my hands got dirty with sauce-it was amazing.I've had BBQ before, but this was Carribean style-there was a spiciness to it that was approciable and exotic. Normally I hate, really hate hot things. But I could eat this-it was perfect. The drinks were good too-the Ginger Beer in particular. The hibiscus drink, made there, as a little overly sweet for my tast, but at least I tried hibiscus. Service wise-the first time it was great. We went for lunch, the owner even stopped by the table and chatted with us.The second time, it was a little busier, so the service a little slower, but still decent.
(5)
Tom B.

Clean, bright, festive-feeling dining room. They definitely step right up with the Caribeean themery, but they don't overdo it and it never feels like a put-on. They just want to set a tone and they do that. The food is interesting and can be a bit adventurous. Lots of seasonings from outside the American mainstream, lots of slow-cooked and/or stewed goodness. Friendly service from people who know how to do the job and are happy to do it well. Not expensive. Everything is to like about this place. I wish we had three places just like it in Seattle, for each culinary tradition in the world.
(5)
Madhumitha N.

Place looks very simple, but have awesome food. I was surprised that even vegetarians can really enjoy the food here. I never read the reviews before I went to this place, what a surprise my mouth explored different type of flavor. I was quite disappointed because they did not have choice to select dessert menu, I was looking forward to try bread pudding from this place. They had only coconut layer cake, not my fav but i can live with that i guess. For sure I will go to explore dessert menu, I hope they have choices then. PS: if your vegetarian, then this is the place they substitute meat with tofu.
(5)
Kate S.

The problem when coming to places like these is that I want to try a little bit of everything. What doesn't help is having company who wants to try everything too...and so that is what we basically did. Tapas style. Since we couldn't decide our table opted for the Jamaican patties, Ribs, Black Beans, mac & Cheese, the Red Snapper, the Goat Curry, Oxtail Stew and those ever famous Coconut Corn Muffins. I nabbed a dark and stormy as well. My drink was excellent -- super gingery and strong. Very much a slow sipper which I managed to do throughout the whole meal. The meal itself? I liked just about everything I shoved in my face. The patties were flaky and flavorful (and yes Chris, the beef was better), the black beans surprisingly good for not utilizing meat products, and the goat curry gamey and flavorful. The bbq sauce for the ribs was sweet -- something I just don't abide by (sweet and savory together) so I opted out of trying those. The mac & cheese was just "meh", and I sadly found myself not impressed with the oxtail. That was more than made up for with the red snapper though. YUM! So delicious. Lighted battered and fried, topped with a pickled slaw of carrots and peppers...I happy noshed away on that and left the oxtail to the others in our party. Oh, and the muffins. More a dessert than a side-- and damn freaking tasty. Our meal was a little pricey -- more than it should have been worth with how small the tapas style plates are. Next time a full entree will be ordered, and should balance out the price a bit. Still, I ate plenty of similar fair recently in Miami for much Much MUCH less, so the higher price tag was strange. I figure a combo of sourcing and just location of this cute little place might drive the fees up. Service is super friendly, if not a little slow. Which is fine -- food is made to order and im happy with fresh and hot noshing. The place itself is cute -- bright paintings, warm woods, pillows for your tushy on all the benches. A comfortable place to while away a chilly fall evening -- pretending perhaps for just a little bit you are someplace warmer.
(4)
Sarah M.

So, I will admit right away, that I have only had drinks at this place. But OMG, they were delicious! The bartender makes an amazing mojito. I was meeting friends there and they had dinner, and were raving about it, so I feel like I do need to get back there and try the food. The servers were all super friendly and personable too. They also have live entertainment. It's a fun place, definitely check it out.
(4)
Katie A.

Get outta (down) town... No really. Do it. Get your a** over to Island Soul and get the Jerk Ribs, greens, beans & rice, and the little coconut cake thingy. If you're lucky, it will be someone's birthday and Carla and Theo will sing to them. If you're really lucky, there will be two birthdays and they will sing twice. Last night was a jolly night at Island Soul. If you like good food, and great service, go. If you don't, fine... It just leaves more ribs and coconut cake thingies for me.
(5)
Julia C.

This place was very inviting the moment we walked in for dinner. Great live carribean music which started the night well. The food was good and the mojitos were some of the best mojitos in town and not to sweet just right. We ordered fish and plantains definetly great choices. If you want to pep up your night with a little tropics, check this place out!
(4)
George I.

Went there for a Friday night. I've learned about this place from Groupon from where i bought a coupon for 1/2 price. The place is located a little far from the downtown. You need a car to get there for sure, not a walking distance. The place was packed when we arrived around 8.30pm. I called earlier to make a reservation but i was told it's on first come first serve basis. The first impression was very good - live music, authentic and relaxing vibe was everywhere. We've got our table pretty fast (luckily) - waited about 5 minutes. Now about the menu and food. We started with Seafood stuffies, which were amazing - deep friend, seafood little pieces. Dip them into their home made sauce. Was delic. The waiter, who was really good and knew how to make us try different items on the menu suggested we try the red mojito, which turned out to be a great idea. 5 points for the waiter, really he knew how to make us feel great and enjoy most of the signature items in this restaurant. My main entree was the Caribbean jerk chicken, which comes with a steam kale salad on the side. We also had the tilapia plate, which is a pan fried whole piece tilapia fish. The reason why I'm giving 4 stars to this place is this - the main dishes. The jerk chicken was way to spicy, even though I said I want mild. The tilapia was good but nothing special. Loved the kale salad though. Parking could be a problem, but you can look in the back streets, where you can find some free spots. I parked next to the US Bank office, which is at the intersection right before the Caribbean restaurant, on the right side, when you come from downtown Seattle. Our total bill was about 88 including tip. For two people, i think it's not overly pricy considering the fact we had 2 drinks, 1 appetizer and 2 main entrees. I loved the ambiance and the live music in the restaurant. The service was great so i think it is totally worth the price. Just be careful with the spicy food, if you are not into the super spicy food.
(4)
Doug F.

This is the everlovin toes in the sand truth. Its all about the gumbo. I was besieged by my progeny and their associates with exclamations of "you gotta try the chicken and waffles". "You gotta try the jerk", "you gotta try the sweet tea" ad infinitum. No I don't. What I had to try was the gumbo. Thats the litmus test, thats high noon at the taste bud corral. See, I have to explain. Back in the Garden in the unfortunate event called the "Fall of Man", certain aspects of paradise were lost or seperated from our connection to the Divine. One of the most tragic losses was the essence of gumbo, which like good Pilsner beer used to course through our being unhindered or corrupted by sin. We all know what happened and heretofor only on rare moments of divine intervention are we blessed with the redemptive touch of the real "essence", once forever lost. The Good News is that the essence is present in the gumbo at Island Soul. That woulda gottem ten stars but Yelp is cheap with the amens.
(5)
Sam K.

Oh my, yes. Wound up here with my cousin and several of her friends when I dropped in to Seattle to visit my family. All of us were pretty serious foodies, and we were all impressed. So. First, drinks. The menu says they free pour, generously, and they aren't lying. I had two caipirinhas and they were some seriously stiff drinks. Some of my dining companions had wine and got what had to be at least 8-ounce pours. Score! Okay, appetizers. BBQ rib tips? Totally worth it so you can enjoy the taste of barbecue and save your entree for something you won't be able to get in many other places. Tostones: starchy plantains fried with garlic and red onions. Tasty! Entrees: they have the standard jerk chicken and ribs, BBQ chicken and ribs (see above about the rib tip appetizer though!), fried catfish, and a Cajun-style gumbo. They also have a Caribbean-style curry with goat, chicken, or veggies/tofu, and an oxtail stew with onions, garlic, peppers, and beans. I got the oxtail and it was really good. The meat fell apart with a fork, the stew was nicely flavored, and it came with rice and beans cooked in coconut milk (slightly sweet and a really good counterpoint to the savory stew). I had a side of slaw, which was tangy, crunchy, and refreshing, exactly what I needed with all that heavy food. I tried my cousin's catfish, and it was delicious -- spicy, crunchy cornmeal breading and moist, flaky fish. We also had two orders of the collard greens side to pass around; these were PHENOMENAL, and they weren't even cooked with bacon! I definitely want to go back here next time I'm in Seattle!
(4)
Marales Q.

It was the plantains that drew me in. The friendlinesss of all the staff and the manager who came over to thank us for coming in, that was great. Then, the capably mixed house cocktails, perfect. Gumbo and southern-style fied chicken, just the way they should be. Ribs done perfectly. Going back for the rib ends next time. IS has a tiny, open kitchen and a tiny bar that turn out consistently great food and drink.
(5)
Claudine H.

I was expecting to experience similar flavors like La Isla, but instead I found the food lacking in the flavor department. But this opinion is only based off of 1 dish which was the fried tilapia with rice & beans for $14.95. I'm too Filipino because I think the epitome of a tilapia dish is served with rice and soy sauce and buying it at the Asian store fried and ready to eat for $6. Also, I'm not into rice cooked in coconut milk because usually I don't like a sweetish side dish. I should have had the basmati rice instead. The meal altogether was still underseasoned except the skin of the tilapia which had all the flavor. We had a very aggressive server. She was the opposite of her title. She checked in at appropriate times, but she would be better served as a CEO. The woman who filled the water glasses and who brought out the meals was friendly and pleasant.
(2)
Ane P.

Absolutely delicious! We ate here after hearing numerous reviews of the place--and surprisingly didn't have to wait at all for a seat. To begin, I had a Dark & Stormy, while the hubs had a Shantytown. Shantytowns are Red Stripes, with some sorrel mixed in. In other words, the most delicious beer I've ever had...in my life. Appetizers consisted of garlicky tostones and island boats filled with beans, feta and avocado. They weren't stingy on the tostones either--it was heaped up in a big stack! But the entrees...oh, the entrees. The Island Soul bowl, which was curried goat, oxtail and chicken. Deeeelicious. A side of peas and rice as well as collard greens came with it. And mine--the Caribbean Jerk Chicken. Peas and rice (my fave), as well as collard greens on the side. We practically inhaled the table. And I haven't yet mentioned the hot sauce...the hot sauce which is made in-house, and is expected to hit bottles early 1st quarter. That is the best hot sauce I've had in a long time...super spicy, with a tiny tang--as if there's mango or something hidden in the ingredients. We'll be back for more--it's hard not to want to revisit already--our server was super friendly, and they have live music each first Friday of the month.
(5)
guine v.

I was on a bus to Columbia City on Friday and a guy sitting near me asked if I'd ever been to this restaurant as we passed by. He hadn't either, but had heard good things. The next night I went to a performance across the street, and afterwards decided to give it a whirl. We ordered a few appetizers (including the famous coconut corn muffins, which were indeed amazing), and closed the joint out. The food was fantastic but the staff was even better. I can't wait to go back and have a full dinner. Thank you Random Bus Dude!
(5)
Alison P.

Took my staff for a late lunch and staff meeting. Had the jerk chicken. It was pretty spicy but good. Also had the collard greens which were very tasty. Red beans & rice were just okay. We sat there for 3 hours talking. No one minded, but that was before the dinner crowd showed up.
(4)
Rachel P.

I just don't get all the high reviews on this place. I'm from the East coast and grew up eating a lot of really authentic Caribbean/West Indian food both traveling in the islands themselves and in Brooklyn, where there are tons of Jamaican and other island natives. Island Soul is pretty good, but people saying it's the best jerk chicken/Jamaican food they ever had obviously never had authentic stuff. It almost shocks me. The cocktails are great, but the whole menu is completely overpriced, especially since they made everything a la carte. I've eaten here a few times to be sure this was a fair review, since i really wanted to like it, and I feel confident that it is. Bonus points for cool live music in certain nights, and paintings that look like they came off the streets of Jamaica.
(3)
Sean B.

My wife and I stopped in on a whim and were very impressed. The service was warm and friendly, and the food was authentic. The curry goat was definitely the best I have had outside of Jamaica. The Jerk Chicken was a little different than I am used to, but was spicy and tasty. In Jamaica, the Jerk is grilled over charcoal. The menu said the chicken was smoked, and it tasted that way. The Jerk sauce was delicious. The goat was really the standout to me though. Rice and peas were simple and authentic. It was busy on a Saturday afternoon. The whole experience was fun and enjoyable. We ordered tapa portions and shared and it was great. I also had a rum based old fashioned that was very tasty and strong. Excellent experience, and highly recommended.
(5)
Richard U.

Feeling peckish for carribean style cooking? you should definitley check this place out. For some reason, I thought this place would be more of a hole in the wall place but to my suprise it was very modern and slick looking. The service was very friendly, even gave everyone a round of free salads when there was a delay on getting the food out. Also, birthday celebrants beware, they do like to do a group staff (and restaurant patrons) singing of happy birthday. The chef (maybe co-owner) also comes out and checks on everyone to make sure everything is going okay. Not being too terribly familiar with island cuisine I went with an appetizer of jerked rib tips and the island soul bowl sampler which had a little jerked chicken/collard greens/curried goat/braised oxtail and pigeon peas and rice. The highlight was definitley the oxtail which I might get as the main entree next time.
(4)
Howard C.

The service was great after we finally got seated. The place gets loud in the evenings, but the live music is great. He played a variety of music from Michael Jackson to Neil Diamond. While there aren't many caribbean restaurants in the area, the food was just average. We had the oxtail, ribs, greens, veggies, cornbread, etc. The flavors seemed muted and the ribs were just baked and coated with sauce... nothing worth coming back for, especially for 20bux an entree or what not.
(3)
Tashe D.

Oxtails!
(5)
Chaquana D.

OMG I don't know what to say beside this food ..that BBQ chicken.. those coconut prawns.. that Tropical storm drink.. those habenero prawns x_x.. that rice.. those chicken wings.. that water.. those brews.. that service.. WAS SO DARN GOOD! My Beau and I came for happy hour and we really didn't know how popular this place was and I still didn't know it was 224 reviews popular! Sheesh! I'm glad we checked this spot out. I hope ppl didn't get too annoyed having to wait for seating because nobody wants to leave! Even we kept ordering a number of small dishes. I kept inquiring about everything on the menu and the waiter s/o to CHUCK! I know he got tired of my questions, but he serviced us cool calm & collected. btw where is everyone parking? See you yelpers around because we will be regulars.
(5)
Calvin Y.

As Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie says, "I want to live where soul meets body." For me, it means I want to live at Island Soul because that's where their YUMMY soul food meets my body. Of course by body I mean my belly! I got their Jerk Ribs last night and it came with Collard Greens and Rice and Beans. The Jerk sauce was spicy enough, but not too spicy. It was so tasty that I made sure my rice and beans soaked up all the sauce before it met my mouth! At first when the food got here, it didn't look like that much, but it was surprisingly filling! As much as I wanted to try their desserts, I was too full to eat! I ended up settling with the Coconut Corn Muffin as my dessert and it was sweet enough to hit the spot. I love this place so much that eating here is like having "a [reggae] melody softly soaring through my atmosphere."
(5)
Nourisha W.

Being born and raised in the center of the country, I had little exposure to island food. I knew about jerk chicken and ox tails and meat patties but hadn't really experienced them in the wild except for a few times. I was at the Seattle bookfest and saw the island soul booth and decided to check it out. The menu at the booth was very limited so I took a walk to the actual restaurant around the corner. It was very close to stepping out of overcast Seattle and into the burning island sun. The bright yellow walls brought vibrancy to the place and the giant island portraits brought the sand and water to the dinner table. The vibe was all reggae and calypso with tunes serenading you in the background. I immediately sat down and relaxed. The menu was amazingly full. Chicken, ribs, goat, oxtails and seafood were all stables. It was hard to choose what to get and I wanted to try it all. I so need to find a gig as a food critic so I can have an excuse to sample the menu. I chose the chicken curry and meat patties. As soon as I took a bite there was a party in my mouth. I enjoyed every single bit of my meal. Well, except for the coconut corn muffins. I hate coconut and therefore could not finish the muffin. It had great flavor though! Next time you find yourself in Columbia City I suggest you stop on by. The staff will greet you with enthusiasm and cater to your every need. Good food and good service - it's a match made in culinary heaven.
(4)
shirley l.

The only downside about this place is that they are always slammed! Which isn't even a bad thing. I learned that if you can't make a reservation, just come at the earlier end of dinner and you should be able to grab a seat before the dinner rush. If you can't decide on what to get, I recommend the soul in a bowl (chicken, goat and oxtail with rice). If not, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the OXTAIL. Don't forget to order some cornbread and collard greens!
(5)
N M.

OMG! That should say plenty!!!
(5)
Tracy M.

The restaurant and the service is casual but the food is top notch! When we ate dinner there I think my husband got the BBQ instead of the Jerk he ordered but all the food was very good. Then a few days later we made a large order for a birthday party. Caitlyn the catering manager was very helpful and made the process very easy. Not only was the food really good, but it was very economical way to feed a large group. When we picked up the food it was ready on time and the restaurant staff packed it up nicely. We were very satisfied.
(4)
Anne N.

Someone in Jamaica once told me that authentic Jamaican jerk spice has over 20 ingredients in it....I only tasted 14 here (I kid!!). From the service to the food...it's always been a great experience every time we come here. I've tried the "Bowls of Soul" -- a sampler of 3 dishes: braised oxtail stew, curried goat, and jerk chicken. Looking past the disappointing size of each sample -- I had to admit that the flavors were ...pretty legit. My favorite was the oxtail stew. It was perfectly seasoned and deliciously tender. Least favorite was the curried goat (which had too many irregular small bones in it). My friend and I also shared a side of collard greens. I don't know why I agreed to that -- I bloody hate that dish. And yes, I hated it here too. *grumble grumble* Second time I came here, I went straight to the oxtail stew. $19 for a bowl of deliciousness. Slightly pricey but definitely worth it (especially on these colder days we're starting to have!)
(4)
Aleks V.

Service- 5 stars Drinks- 5 stars Food- 4 stars Overall- 4.5 stars I enjoyed most everything about my experience here. My only minor grouse is it is a little spendy, but in their defense all the food was fresh and very flavorful. I just recoiled a little at gumbo for $20! But it was very good, so I can't gripe too much! The rum punch was good and the dark and stormy was excellent. The waiter was one of the best I have ever had, polite/prompt without being in your face. He really made the entire experience great!
(4)
Sanobia H.

This place is really good but I would probably not visit on the weekends. The service was incredibly slow. We waited 20 minutes before the waitress took our orders and then waited another 25 minutes to get our food. I had the jumbo prawn omelette and it was great. I was also looking around to see what other customers ordered and their food looked amazing as well. I did not tip the waitress as well as I usually do only because the service was slow and she hardly came over to check on us. I could see myself coming here on a weekday mid day though.
(4)
Tonya W.

I got some ribs and greens to go (I was starving!) Cost me $20 after tip and when I got back to my workshop there were 2 ribs and a TINY thing of greens. It was all delicious but for crying out loud, who has ever eaten that little for dinner?
(1)
Michael J. Smith S.

This place is rocking in all ways, ambience, menu, food quality, and service! Being 1/2 Caribbean-Central American, I always have cravings for the food my mom made....especially oxtails. My mom left for the other world in 1988 and it had been that long since I had anything close to the oxtails she made until my wife and I went to Island Soul this past July 21. I visited once in 2006 and had a good experience, but this place was altogether different with a hip but not ostentatious make-over with the same "island" soul in the form of roots reggae music moving along nicely from the four speakers in every corner of the room. They also installed a bar with a big screen TV. We spoke at length with Theo (the owner) after we dined (super nice, super smart, high energy guy!) and found out that one of his parents was from Louisiana and the other from Caribbean thus the African American soul food and Afro-Caribbean cuisine found on the Island Soul menu. He is a master chef and his sons and daughters also cook and run various aspects of the restaurant. As if to amplify how serious this family is about their food, the big screen tv above the bar was showing Food Network programming! Out outstanding waiter Charles started us off with a salad (solid and better than average) and a generously portioned jerk chicken appetizer that was just out of this world with homeade jerk sauce poured over tender, grilled chicken. Tangy, spicy but not overpowering, this dish had a wonderful smokey taste that did not overpower the succulent chicken pieces (about 1/2 of a chicken!). My wife ordered some wonderful New Orleans style Creole (not Cajun!) gumbo with generous servings of large, succulent crab. I sampled a bite or two especially the sausage. It was extremely tasty in a very familiar but at the same time slightly different way. Rather than a roux base typically found in gumbo the owner uses other herbs and spices so the New Orleans integrity is there but in a much healthier form. And now to discuss the aforementioned heavenly oxtails!!!! So it is listed as "oxtail stew "and upon seeing this option I knew what I was going to order in 20 seconds. From the first meat-falling-of-the-bone bite I knew this was going to take me back to the dinner table of my youth as in pre-1988. They absolutely nailed this dish with wonderful red beans and lima beans mixed with a generous serving of oxtails garnished with yummy coconut milk rice. Took me back home for real, an absolutely transcendent experience for me and for my wife as well (she digs gumbo but really dug all the glorious fresh crab they use in this dish). This is real Caribbean food and that's coming from someone who has waited 23 years to find something close to his home cooked meals of yesteryear. Also the adjective "generous" comes up many times in this review because the servings are just short of enormous and priced appropriately (I've read some of the other reviews here in yelp! and could not disagree more.....you get everything you pay for at Island Soul and much more!). We will be making the Island Soul experience a part of every Seattle trip we make from here on out, meanwhile we begged the owner to set up a food cart in Portland, Oregon because we (or if I am completely honest...I) need some authentic Caribbean food here!
(5)
Brian A.

Went here based on the Yelp reviews and have to agree it was worth the trip. The food was very good -- especially the coconut corn muffins and collard greens. It's a lively (and loud) atmosphere. Ordered the BBQ chicken, which was moist and flavorful, with just a little bit of zest to it. Partner ordered the gumbo which he said was very good but the "entree" portion size was disappointing small -- especially compared to my chicken, which was enough for two people (fortunately). Also, the ginger beer is wonderful and fresh. The only disappointment was the service, which was friendly but slow and inattentive. It was 15 minutes before someone even came and took our order and another 30 before we saw our food. I would have chalked it up to a busy Saturday night but tables with different servers seemed to have no problem getting service. Still, the food was good enough that we will probably be back.
(4)
Liz O.

After careful and extensive research, a friend and I have determined that this place serves the best mojito around. See for ourself. They also now have Red Velvet cupcakes in addition to the other delectable house made desserts. Awesome!
(5)
Melissa N.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place after a long day of work. They always offer me Happy Hour prices which is a nice plus. I love that Columbia City treats the people that works in the area soo kindly. Anyways, everything on their menu from the house salad to the rib tips are delicious and full of flavor. Carla and the other bartenders make the most delicious drinks. They make it pretty stiff and you can savor every drop. The staff here are friendly and engaging but definitely not fake. This place gets packed pretty quick and most night they have live music. This is a bookmark for sure!!!
(5)
Kathleen N.

Delicious food! I'm a picky unadventurous eater so I was a little hesitant but I got tofu veggie curry with basmati rice and coconut corn muffins and LOVED it. Fun atmosphere with beautiful art, fast service, easy check out with a tablet. A little pricey but we'll definitely be back.
(5)
Rowena D.

The food at Island Soul is soooo goooood. And, dare I say this but I think the food is even better at this Columbia City location than it was at it's old Judkins location when it was Casuelita's. When we walked in the door we were greeted by a cheerful waitress who shows that she really loves her job. She was really enthusiastic about the food and cocktails. During my visit, my husband and I shared two appetizers and an entree. We started with the Seafood Fritters and Calypso Chicken Wings. Both of the appetizers were great! The fritters were generously filled with seafood and the chicken wings were lip smacking good. Our entree selection was the Jerk chicken and it was delicious too! The chicken was cooked to perfection and was served with rice and peas, collard greens and their yummy coconut corn bread. All of this food down was washed down with a glass of their refreshing sorrell punch (that is made in house). The only downside to Island Soul is their prices. The food is a little pricey but where else can you get deicious Caribbean food in Seattle? I noticed that they have happy hour now so that is definitely one way to save and still have their delicious food.
(4)
Larena H.

I've been here twice now. First time involved an actual sit down late lunch. Second time was a quick stop to get 3 of their coconut cornbread muffins. Tragically, one of the muffins didn't even make it to the car. It was so tasty! We tried the Soul in the Bowl since it was on the top 100 foodie list. It was prepared well, and the presentation was nice. 2 of the bowls weren't really my style. Also, the goat bowl still had the bones in it (intentionally). This sort of ruined it for me. It's always been a big pet peeve of mine to have to stick my fingers in a "soup" to pick off shells or bones. Service was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was charismatic and attentive. He highly recommended the coconut cornbread, and I have to say I am SO glad he did. That item belongs on the list instead of the soul in a bowl dish! I loved that bread so much I went home and did a google search to find a recipe. The recipe I found still needs a little bit of work, but it is quite tasty. After we visited, I found out they give you a free corn muffin if you pay for your bill with cash. So, I'll be bringing cash next time we stop by for a full meal. When I stopped by here for some cornbread muffins to go, the waiter was just as friendly the second time as he was the first visit. I asked for 3 of their crack in a corn muffins to go. He laughed so hard. He gets it. He KNOWS they are that good. See what I mean though? First one's free when you pay cash, but after that... He even brought me some that had just come out of the oven. They were still warm. Like I said before, one tragically did not even make it to the car. Noms. I'll be back.
(4)
Jennifer L.

Seattle trips every month has been my new trend since the New Year visiting my boyfriend & his family. Being a Cali girl I can only take weather as cold as 65 degrees (sad, I know), so of course I was always craving hot yummy meals especially soups. We arrived to a small, cozy, & dim litted setting which is also great for romance!!! I went with my bf & when we walked in there was a man playing Marvin Gaye on the steel metal drums..mood setter!!! The service was outstanding!! They talked me into trying a rum punch cocktail..not a big fan of rum (bad experience lol) but suprisingly it was magic in a glass!! It was nice, light ,sweet, and the rum was disguised which could be a good or bad thing haha I ordered the bayou gumbo which included a nice thick soup nicely spiced to perfection with pieces of sausage, chicken, prawn, & fresh crab!! OMG! I think by far the best meal I have had in so long. The seafood in Washington is just utterly amazing!! It definitely warmed up my soul. We also arrived for happy hour which included $2 or $3 off the appetizer price if you order any alcoholic drinks. We ordered the coconut prawn appetizer which was light & crispy. Then my bf ordered the jerk rib plate with rice & black beans that was also mouth watering. The meat just fell right off the bone & the jerk sauce definitely had a kick..good stuff for spicy lovers. We also got a side of collard greens ..this meal just kept getting better & better. Also if your bill is over $50 & you pay cash they give you a half dozen coconut corn muffins that go very nice with tea or coffee!!! Nice atmosphere, drinks, food, owners are so much fun...this place is addicting & a nice taste of the Carribean..making it a must stop every time I visit Seattle. next meal ..the sampler of every popular dish...should be exciting!!!!
(5)
Raz R.

The food is so delicious I didn't mind waiting 20minutes for a table, 20 minutes to get our order in, and another 30 minutes to get our food. I went on a Sunday so it was busy and honestly I didn't mind because that meant the food was good and this place is special. I feel bad because our waitress used a cracked iPhone to ring us up and I couldn't see a spot for tip...so I didn't tip! And Im sorry about that!
(5)
Pamela H.

Um, hello!!!!!! Island Soul recently opened on Sundays!!! On a recent Sunday we arrived craving one of their delicious sandwiches, not realizing they have a special Sunday menu. My disappointment quickly dissipated when the server arrived with a 1/4 fried chicken and a plate-size Belgian Waffle. For those of you who follow my reviews, you know that Marco Polo holds the title of Best Fried Chicken in Seattle (IMHO). This title...now belongs to Island Soul. Juicy but not greasy, the chicken is seasoned so perfectly, you can taste it down to the bone. Seriously. If you love fried chicken, get your butt in here next Sunday!
(5)
Denice R.

Yummy. I had the wonderful recommendation of the Side Street Tofu. Loved the greens and that secret Side Street sauce. Also enjoyed the flavorful hot sauce with a hint of coconut cream. Didn't have room for wine or dessert but next time I'm hoping to finish my dining experience with the banana coffee coconut cake and coffee. I had forgotten I had eaten at Casuelitas when it was in Judkins. This is a much better location for them. Theo, the owner, friendly guy. The service, outstanding. They'll be expanding their hours and incorporating Happy Hour to accommodate all of us boozlers. Woot Woot
(5)
Todd T.

Island Soul has been my goto spot for awhile now when I head to Seattle. Good staff, great food and good specials! Nice blend of Caribbean, soul food, and good ole American creativity. Try it you'll be back!
(5)
Lor B.

Ya Mon! Finally a carribean joint that is noteworthy. Came for an impromptu dinner last night and was floored by the braised oxtail... Seriously it's that good. The jerk chicken was just as good - spicy -n- flavorful! The goat stew was too goatty for me - but was fine if ur into that flavor. The Jamaican patties were good (both chicken n beef) the slaw it came with was amazing. The ginger beer was a little bitter for me but the hibiscus tea and Jamaican splash were both refreshing! We'll be back to try more of the grub. Carla our server was a doll. I didn't get to try the coconut cornbread muffins so I'll definitely be back!
(4)
S K.

I had the Jerk Chicken, Chicken Curry, black beans, veggies and coconut corn muffins. I was very hungry and ate it, but was not impressed and would not go back and would not recommend. Beans and muffins were good, but the rest was not something I would ever order again. Husband had the same review.
(2)
Peter K.

I should have written this review right after I went here because by now, I've forgotten exactly what I had ordered. (it was just over a month ago) In any case, what I do remember is that I really enjoyed the whole experience. The food was excellent. They had live Caribbean music with the wait staff dancing along. Waiters were extremely friendly and full of personality. The space itself was great--colorful and clean. Definitely a place you could bring your whole family to.
(4)
Mercedes L.

YUM. I love love LOVE Island Soul! I swear, dream about oxtails & the coconut shrimp every week. I definitely recommend Island Soul to anyone that is looking for some new flavor and spice to their palette. Oh and I can't write this without mentioning Carla! She's the best! :)
(5)
Nate W.

I took my daughter to Island Soul for her 9th Birthday as part of our (now) tradition of 'culinary adventures'. The waitress was fantastic and worked with us both to put together a custom sampler of food to accent the experience. She was attentive but not overly so, and hooked us up with happy hour prices. The best experience I've had with wait-staff in years. And the food. My daughter devoured the coconut muffin, and gobbled down the chicken patties. The jerk chicken was taste-changing awesome. The small fruit cocktail and ginger beer drinks were a perfect match with the colorful food. I'll be back as soon as humanly possible, otherwise my tastebuds may go on strike.
(5)
Brenda H.

We found this restaurant on Yelp, while we were driving nearby. based upon the 180 reviews, with the 4.5 stars, we thought we would give it a try.... the atmosphere was so relaxing, the service was good, food was fantastic, and the rum punch was wonderful! They also have many items (17+) that are listed on their menu as either gluten-free or available as gluten free. Amazing! i have a very close friend and a family member with allergies, so we will all be coming back! I am thankful for Yelp for the reviews of this wonderful place!
(5)
Jamie J.

Hello Coconut Corn Muffins. These are the best muffins I have ever had. Just crumble in your mouth, filled with moisture, and light coconut flakes. Yum. If the muffins are this good, imagine how their main dishes are... I got to try a chicken curry and a tofu veggie dish made with coconut milk. They were both delectable. But, the chicken was the star in a very BIG way. This chicken was so tender that it literally melted in my mouth like a nice pork belly would. It was amazing. The flavor was right on point, but the texture made it shine. I would say that the tofu was a tad under-salted, but still delicious. I also tried the collard greens and the yam fries. I couldn't be more complimentary. They make this in house spicy jerk mayo for the yam fries. They are a perfect match. The food is just extremely good here. I had a great experience with service, too. Our waitress was really funny and super friendly. We had like 5 take out boxes and she was sweet enough to tell us that if we brought the reusable boxes back with us we would get a little discount. How cute. It's the little things that do it for me. If your into cajun/caribbean/Jamaican you will love this place. Nice comfort food and nice service. If you're like me, you will need some salt. Other than that, this is a home-run! BOOM
(5)
Grace L.

Hubby and I were in the area and turned to trusty old Yelp for recommendation on where to eat. We decided to give this place a try due to the great reviews and I must say that Yelp failed us this time. I don't know if we just picked all the "misses" off the menu but that seems a little hard to believe. We got the Jamaican Patties (one chicken and one beef), Tapa Size Bone In Chicken Caribbean Jerk, Tapa Size Bayou Gumbo, Rice and Peas, Ginger Beer, and free Coconut Corn Bread (via Yelp check in). Let me review each dish. Jamaican Patties (one chicken and one beef): First off, I couldn't tell if I was eating chicken or beef. Maybe my palate just isn't that refined but i felt like you should be able to tell what you are eating. Second, the patties had that faint previously frozen taste that was super unappealing. I know restaurants freeze food all the time but i shouldn't be able to taste it! Tapa Size Bone In Chicken Caribbean Jerk: Our dish had a thigh and drumstick with lots of sauce. I was super excited to try it but was sadly disappointed with the sauce. Hubby said that it tasted like normal brown gravy and I second that except there was an added smokiness that tasted like a bit of smoke and watered down bbq sauce. Tapa Size Bayou Gumbo: I actually liked this dish a lot but then I've never had gumbo before so it isn't saying much. lol I thought it tasted almost like a chowder. I liked how it was pull of yumminess like sausage, crab, shrimp, etc. Having the pieces of crab in the gumbo was a nice touch but hubby didn't like the extra work of having to peel his own crab. One thing I didn't care for was a piece of chicken skin that because a bit gross and rubbery in the gumbo. Rice and Peas: Can't really complain but nothing to write home about. I didn't really care for the flavors and probably wouldn't order to eat on it's own but it's a nice complement to other dishes. Also, I thought $3 for a tiny portion was a bit much. Ginger Beer: I love ginger beer and was excited to see it on the menu and would probably get it again if I was in the area but wouldn't go searching for it since I could make it on my own with a little ginger, water and sugar boiled for a while. Also, it was a bit too sugary for my taste but that's a personal preference. Free Coconut Corn Bread: Super soft and buttery. However, I personally don't like coconut so that bread was a no go for me. Too coconut-y and sugary. Last but not least, our bill with tip came out to almost $40 for lunch. For that price, I would have thought that hubby and I would have left full but sadly, we were still hungry. Maybe we are two pigs but I would have expected bigger portions for the price.
(1)
Johnnie L.

I wanted to give this place more stars but I just can't do it. It was a full house, so I was excited to try this place, all these people can' be wrong, right? The place was cool, drinks were flowing and the live steel drummer was great for the vibe. Our server did a great job, but the food was not so. I had the jerk chicken. I love this dish but not so much here. The chicken didn't fall off the bone nor did it soak up the flavor like it should. It was basically pieces of boiled chicken with lots of sauce. The sauce wasn't bad but it doesn't make the dish. Maybe I've been spoiled with better. Even Bahama Breeze has better jerk chicken. Also had the plantains, they were more like plaintains. Just a few plantains with lots of chopped garlic and onions to attempt to give it flavor. I do give them a star for the vibe and service. Another star for the coconut corn bread but those should be complimentary to an entree not charged as an appetizer. Maybe I came on an off night. But I guess i'll never know cause I don't think I'm goin to give it another try.
(2)
V. A.

Best muffins ever tasted in my life. I tried the ribs and curry chicken. Delish....
(4)
Steffen W.

Fantastic food! Fantastic service... just ask to have the food described to you ;-)
(5)
N. W.

I was quite excited to have some Rundown with Tofu, but it was absolutely dreadful. Too sweet and with the super sweet coconut corn muffins it was difficult to even stomach it. However, the vive of the resturant is nice as is the staff.
(2)
Erica W.

I like the food here but it takes so long to prepare your food, so don't come if your stomach is already rumbling. I've been here a few times with my dad and once with a friend, and all times I never really found anything on the menu that I liked or that even sounded appealing. I did try the chicken and waffles on sunday morning once, the chicken is half of a cornish hen fried and a massive waffle (that was kinda gross) with this very thick molasses syrup...and no milk to drink. Sigh, how am I going to have waffles with no milk?! oh well, but the dinner time food is okay, its nice and spicy, the coconut cake was really good as was the little coconut cornbread balls (forgot the name) they offered. They have live music on Friday nights, and some folks actually get up and dance, but the issue is that there is no where to dance. So you've literally got random people and servers dancing next to you while you eat and music blaring in your ears. Its quite overpriced, most plates starting at like $15 so come with ample funds. Overall, try it out and see if you like it but it ain't really my cup of tea.
(3)
L H.

Had a late lunch here one random day and I really don't think i could have been more impressed. The service is warm and wonderful, and the food!!! We had the sampler with jerk chicken, goat, oxtail and rice and beans. Everyone of them filled with great flavor and came with the perfect and spicy homemade hot sauce; the oxtail was my favorite, meat fell right off the bone. I've never had oxtail in any other dish aside from in Chinese soups and stews - so i've found a whole new world here! We were asked a few times if we wanted to order some of their coconut corn muffins, but declined because we didn't want to spoil our appetite for dinner later. At the end of the meal, the cook came to us with a complimentary plate of it and said, "noticed you didn't order these"! Needless to say, we'll never deny the corn muffins again. I purchased a yelp deal offered shortly after my visit so now will be dragging everyone i know here, despite the far drive. The name Island Soul could not fit this place more perfectly.
(5)
H K.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! The owner is so nice and the food is amazing. It's always so happy and lively. If you go, you HAVE to get the coconut cornbread and the jerk chicken. Their Dark n Stormy drinks are delicous too. Also, happy hour is all day on Monday, score!! The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because the service, especially during happy hour, can be horribly SLOW. I mean, like 45 minutes till you get your food SLOW. Also, it can get pretty loud inside when it's full.
(4)
Kim C.

I took my boyfriend there to celebrate his birthday on a Monday evening. It was pretty quiet when we walked in at 7:30 but more people showed up soon after we placed our orders, probably because they have all day happy hour on Mondays ($5 appetizers). They were very attentive and open to letting us try their drinks and deservingly famous coconut corn muffin. Ginger drinks are their specialty but neither of us are really into ginger. They also have a terrific selection of rum; rum flights are available. I had a cold at the time and was getting cough attacks every now and then. The chef heard me and was so kind to make a hot ginger honey drink and personally delivered it. In terms of food and drinks, we loved their hibiscus tea/ juice, coconut corn muffin and curried goat. Their appetizer coconut prawns are also amazing. I loved that there's so much coconut infused food. I think we made a good decision in going with the Bowls of Soul (sampling of curried goat, oxtail, and jerk chicken, with rice and beans), gumbo (with real crab legs!), and a side of collard greens. I think they are all the best items on the menu, and it was a great way to try everything out. We loved how the curried goat was very flavorful, but we found the jerk chicken less spicy/ flavorful than we've had else where (which could be a good thing for those who find regular jerk chicken too spicy). We did manage to over-stuff ourselves with drinks, appetizers, 2 entrees and 1 coconut corn muffin that we forgot to ask about their offer for free half dozen of muffins to go! They were absolutely yummy; next time we must remember!
(5)
Chanelle F.

I went there 4 the 1st time with my husband, who is from Trinidad to check this place out. Where should I start.....we tried alot of things just to see what was good/bad....The bbq rib tips were very good, they gave us ALOT for an appetizer, the catfish was so good, not only did I eat that as my dinner, but I ordered some to go home, lol....I didn't care for the coconut muffins, but my husband liked them and I also didn't care for the smashed yams, I'm used to the regular cut up yams...the taste of the yams was good, just a tad bit too much butter I could taste, but overall good....the mac n cheese was not good in my opinion, tasted rushed.....my only big disappointment was the things I wanted to order they did not have ready, had to THEN start making and I was told would not even be ready by the time we left, even tho we sat and ate...we wanted the greens and they ran out and had to make more, we had to wait on the muffins, which came out after we ate our dinner......just was backwards and I feel as a restaurant you should be prepared with everything on your menu, not to tell the customer you may want to pick something else on everything I pick, lol.....pricing was ok.....overall, I would go back only for the bbq rib tips and catfish
(3)
Amanda R.

The food was so tasty the first time around and the service so good that I rated it 5 stars. Now that I've visited again and the service was terrible, and the food still pretty tasty I'll give it an average vote. Sadly, they forgot to bring the drinks we ordered at happy hour, ordering a 2nd round took too long, the food took 30-40 minutes to arrive, and then they forgot parts of the food order. We all ordered appetizers/small plates for happy hour, but they randomly brought out one full sized dinner and the waiter said he thought that's what the person had ordered, and still charged my friend full price. Bummer.
(3)
Liz M.

I kept seeing various dinner events posted on Wednesdays but my schedule and the location never quite managed to sync up. But when I saw that the next Flat Girls event was Caribbean food, I was determined to make it! The event deserves 5 stars just for the awesome people, interesting conversations, and all around fun times. But thanks to Carla and her excellent staff, the restaurant more than earned its 5 stars as well. Food - 5 stars! I loveloveloveLOVE yam fries and these were some of the best. They're chunky moreso than crispy, but not raw or gross in the middle. The rib tips come in either BBQ sauce which I didn't get a chance to try, or jerk sauce which is spiced to perfection. And the coconut corn muffins ought to be kept under lock and key to be carefully rationed lest I go into a muffin-eating frenzy. Drinks - 5 stars! I'd never heard of a dark & stormy, but when Carla described dark rum + ginger beer + lime, I knew it would be the first drink I ordered. The first taste of ginger nearly took the skin off my tongue, but once the drink mellowed a bit, I really enjoyed it. I followed up with a RedRum mojito which was a nice sweet contrast to the previous drink. Service - 5+++ stars! We had a big & fun group and I would have been completely sympathetic if the servers had taken one look at us and run for the hills. But they more than rose to the challenge, zipping about to bring us food and drink, refill water glasses, whisk away empty plates, and all the other usual activities one expects from good service. On top of that, Carla oozed friendliness and fun, making you feel like you were dining with a close friend you knew for all of two hours. Island Soul is a unique offering amongst the more typical restaurants one finds in Seattle, and it is well worth a visit.
(5)
Marie L.

My husband thought it would be nice to go to this place and watch the CONCACAF Champions League final between Real Salt Lake and Monterrey from Mexico. Since we have been to this place on many occasions and had good experiences as well as seen soccer playing on their TV's we figured coming here on a Wednesday evening was a win-win. Well, when we arrived we saw that both TVs were on a hockey game and when we asked the hostess about watching the soccer game she basically gave us an ultimatum by telling us that the TV's were staying on the hockey game and that we would decide to eat there or not. So, of course since there was absolutely no compromise on the business' part we left. The crazy part about the whole experience is that the hockey game had only a few minutes left before it was over so note to hostess you may want to pay closer attention to the timing of events. Not to mention there are 2 TVs. The restaurant was not packed and the majority of people there were not paying attention to the hockey game. Even it wasn't ending you would think that she might have offered to turn one of the TVs to the soccer game while the other was left on hockey. Completely disappointed in the lack of service here. Strangely enough the hostess looks very similar to the lady who is currently the ranking DUCHESS of this restaurant.
(1)
Kira I.

Ahh another boring Wednesday.... hump day and all. what to do, what to do..... oh wait...is that a bird?! no it's a plane....NO! It's FLATGIRLS INC! Shoot. Boring days have become slim since UYE's have become so popular. They are so IN right now... Island Soul was another place I had never heard about all the way down in Columbia City. Recommended by a few fabulous locals, and of course, staffed by the most awesome Yelper....(CARLA!!!) I walked in and was immediately enticed that the YELP crowd had about 3/4 of the available seating (tee hee)! And that there was an amazing presence of energy and excitement amongst all. I truly love meeting new people and hearing a little of everyone's story through good food, fun, drinks, and entertainment. I met a lot of infamous yelper's tonight and bonded a bit more with a few regular adventurers, which made the night already spectacular. And on to the food: + Key West Prawn salad- BIG and lots of lettuce/dressing/ HIDDEN shrimp hehe + tips of meat (who knows what kind) of deliciousness (smothered in BBQ sauce: always a tingling sensation for later....) + Caribbean jerk spiced chicken...only tried a bite....my taste-buds were left on the fork + some crazy fish dish = orgasmically cooked and mixed with sautÃ©ed veggies and spices to enhance the flavor...plus 500x for the presentation! + hot pocket? oh yes, another amazing venture. filled with meat and scallions I believe? + sweet plantains! EXACTLY what is promised! + black beans with avocado.....(minus the avocado I shoved into my mouth....nom nom nom) very vegetarian. Ask. Ian..... DO NOT TAKE MY PLATE AHHHHH! + tamal azteca.....delish....ze bite I had made me go crwazee for zeee zauce! And turned me a little bit Italian. + COCONUT CORN MUFFINS!?!?!! 'nuff said. It's like crack. I love this place. I love the homey down south feel (the CARIBBEAN south son!) I heart the bartender and CARLA and entire staff for keeping us happy all night (hard feat to accomplish for any man...cough cough...uh I mean person...) And I need to learn their birthday chant. it makes the night so much more enjoyable. Drink wise: cheap= great= order a dark n stormy here. It will blow. Your. Mind. Another success in not wasting a wednesday while enjoying new food with some unique people= The new definition of yelp.
(5)
Faith Y.

I'm giving 'em all 5 shiny stars because when its snowing, dang, their service is top-notch! The waitress sang the most liveliest rendition of happy birthday I've ever heard to the two tables there that braved the snowstorm to get their fixin' of ribs and coconut corn muffins. I barely needed my fork for the ribs as the meat just slid off very compliantly onto my plate and the spice factor of the jerk ribs was a slow, very tantalizing burn. And they have Ethiopian stout beer! The collard greens are actually recognizable as vegetables, not just a mash of greens and cheese and mmm mmm goooood.
(5)
Aliah D.

I love eating here on a Friday night. There is usually live music which helps create a "lounge" feel. The waitstaff is super friendly and the night that I dined it, they were also entertaining - dancing and chiming in with the performer. I love the decorations. Beautiful pictures, a couple of flat screens to enjoy the game and a wall drapped in "sunset" colors. Gorgeous. I tried the catfish for dinner. It was good. I paired it with the slaw and macaroni. I also took down 3 drinks! They were great. The only con is when it gets busy, you start to feel cramped. The place is relatively small, definitely a community restaurant. It is a lovely establishment.
(4)
Chavi H.

Fabulous place and one of the few spots in town one can get goat. Tis Awesome. Prepare yourself for spotty service but the food is so worth it that it overcomes any issues. The coconut muffins are to die for. The greens - yummy. On Friday night they have fabulous music. I so enjoy spending time with my friends at this fabulous spot in Columbia City!
(4)
J W.

Lovvve this place! Their food is amazing and I love the atmosphere! I always have fun and leave happy and full. Their strawberry mojitos are excellent!
(5)
S M.

Never again. I am from the Caribbean and my friends are Jamaican. I know what jamaican food should taste like. This is crap. It is overpriced first of all. I ordered the oxtails and rice. The oxtails had so much fat and very little meat it was disgusting. The rice and beans had no flavor at all. My husband had the curry. It was also bland. I could make better curry than that. My daughter had the ribs. It was all bone and hardly any meat. This restaurant should be ashamed to call themselves island soul. They need to learn how to cook island dishes better before they serve it to people. For someone who does not know how Caribbean food should taste they may think that this is it but trust me this is not good. Go to Pam's kitchen If you want some good curry.
(1)
The Church Lady M.

So after many trips to this Columbia City restaurant, I have discovered their secret. I kept getting fabulous meals followed by mediocre-meh ones. What gives? Turns out the chef with the know how is not the owner but a Jamaican guy named Bobby. He's also the guy who created the house hot sauce named after him "bobinero sauce" or something like that. Oh the nights or weekends I had blah food, this dude wasn't there. When the food as stellar, he was in the kitchen. I'll be calling ahead from now on. "Bobby on the stove?"
(4)
Jason P.

When it comes to soul food and Carribean food, Seattle doesn't have too many options but this is the place to go. It is good! It is habanero HOT, with amazing flavor, and warm hospitality. They certainly put a lot of thought and talent in every dish. We ordered the bowls of soul and got a small sampling of everything, oxtail, jerk chicken, goat stew, and a few others. All the flavors just teased your tongue, wanting more than just this small sampling. Their coconut cornbread is so satisfying! We also ordered their fried snapper, a pretty generous size fillet. Most impressive was their habanero sauce. The chef would not disclose what is in there except habanero. For us it was hardly off the chart hot, but the sweet tangy flavor was simply delicious! The surprise doesn't only come in their delicious food. They know how to throw a birthday surprise! For me I know only a few restaurants in Seattle that will sing a happy birthday. Here, they rally up the excitment of the restaurant and sing it the 'Island Soul way'. Awesome! This place has been on my to try list for a while and I am so glad I did. It was also my first time to visit the Columbia City neighborhood, somewhere I need to explore more. The staff are very warm and hospitable, great food, and prices reasonable. Love it!
(5)
Dominique P.

I love love love this food. I have occasional cravings, and not will suffice but the seafood fritters and coconut muffins. I ordered the BBQ spare ribs for my mom, looking forward to trying them out. It's always a friendly environment although I order to go, I don't mind the wait.
(5)
JungWoo L.

It was so nice restaurant. Good music, good food, good price and good service. Actually it was my first time to eat Caribbean Cuisine. It was a little bit hot. But I just addicted this hot taste.
(4)
Mike S.

This was a true gem of a find, and while we weren't planning on eating here, I am so glad we did. The house rum cocktails all sounded delicious. I ordered the dark-n-stormy and it was so spot on that I had to get two more. The staff here really know what they're doing, and they make you feel welcome.
(4)
Megan S.

My bro and I were down south for the grand re-opening of The Columbia City Theater and had plenty of time for dinner before the show started. We walked down the avenue and de Island Soul spoke to both of us. It just seemed inviting and you can't get much Caribbean in Ballard, let me tell you..just lutefisk... The server was an adorable young girl who was very attentive and just seemed very natural and sweet. The bro got the catfish which came with red beans and rice. Yum. I had trouble deciding. So many good choices. Goat, ribs...omg... My bro and I both love seafood and I figured I had to honor that love by getting the multi-seafood dish--mussels, shrimp and another kind of white fish in a cream sauce on basmati rice, sauteed with red and green peppers. I cannot tell you how much this dish rocked. I ate it all. Tee hee! We also got the coconut corn muffins and they were moist and totally delicious. Very good mixed in with the cream sauce of my dish. Oh yea! In fact, I remarked that my dish almost tasted Thai. I think the cream had hints of coconut to it. I definitely want to come back to try the jerk ribs. (drooling already) We were also lucky enough to have a birthday boy sitting a table over and the whole staff came out and sang Happy Birthday, the Stevie Wonder version. It was a party and we were all invited. The owner/chef of the joint even made a point of coming over to our table and making sure everything was to our liking. He pulled up a chair and his enthusiasm and friendliness made you feel very comfortable. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Tony G.

We were supposed to go to a Cuban Sandwich place close by. It was closed. We were going to kill our lunch planner, Naurry K. Then Ron M recommended this place and he saved the day. We came on a Saturday so they only offered the dinner menu. I ordered the Jerk Chicken that came with rice and beans and it was amazing! I hardly ever get excited about rice and beans but these were extremely flavorful. And the chicken...mouthwatering! The sauce they use wasn't super spicy, but had enough kick to make you say wow! They also have this little cup of habanero sauce that is fantastic. When our waitress put it on our table she said it was enough for a village. She was right. That stuff was spicy but also had a great flavor to it. They also told us that they are planning to bottle and sell the stuff soon. Sweet! Our waitress was like a crack dealer. She would come around and show us other great food that we want. She brought to our table corn muffins that were pretty damn good. If you bring cash they will give you some. Remind yourself and your friends to bring cash. There was also a cake she brought to our table that looked pretty good too, but we were so full we couldn't eat it. The best thing to do is to come with friends and try their dishes because just about everything was fantastic. Naurry (read his review) ordered just about everything on the happy hour menu and it was all damn good. I really liked the jerk rib tips. The next time I come I will probably get the jerk rib tips and a side of rice and beans because that is a meal itself. **Oh yeah...Quinn C was there** Zipzap Zubidy Bop!
(4)
Lili T.

If it wasn't for the Yelp Deal, I would not have thought to try this place. My friend and I came here for dinner one night and was greated by The Duchess (Carla). My friend had the BBQ Rib dinner ($15) and my fatty self had the "Island Soul in a Bowl" ($20ish). This dish came out on a platter with 4 separate bowls containing the following items: 1. Jerk chicken: beautifully seasoned with jerk spice (which actually contains over 20 types of seasoning in it), but it was unusually saucy. 2. Curried Goat: terrific flavors but there's a lot of small irregular shaped bones in this dish. 3. Oxtails: THE BEST OXTAILS I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. If you don't mind touching your food, this is the ONE dish you NEED to try. It's slightly fatty and full of great flavors. 4. Rice & Peas: are those really peas? I thought they were black beans. Whatever it was, it was pretty good. To share, we also had the collard greens which I didn't like very much (but to be fair, i don't usually order this dish) It was a terrific night and a terrific dinner...we'll definitely be back! Thanks for being a sweetheart Carla!
(4)
Daren D.

Holy crap! Such a homey, relaxing, chill, friendly and cool place for a ridiculously large group. We all gathered round her middle section and Carla took awesome care of us! Probably about ~20 of us I think. Great-great-great staff and frickin' awesome food... I'm just jealous I didn't try as much as the rest of our bunch did.... argh! pfft! gah! Although I did manage to try some bbq bits, yam fries, and some fish & rice dish. Tasty all of it; I frown at the multiple bits of cartilage in some bbq bits, though. Looking back, 1 thing I'd like at this great restaurant is better ventilation (quite warm during our dinner visit)... perhaps folding window sliders up front (similar to Verve down the street); some folks was sweatin' up a storm! haha. I'll have to come back and try a solid meal next time instead of a little bit of this-and-that. :) Thanks again Carla!
(4)
Adam W.

Meh. Overall pretty dismal experience. We walked in here on a late Sunday morning because there was too long of a wait at Geraldine's Counter across the street. Got a table right away, but it was down hill from there. The service and kitchen was exceedingly slow in all regards. For a restaurant where you can see all the tables from pretty much anywhere and the kitchen is behind a short wall just off the dining room it was amazing how long everything took. We ordered an omelet, breakfast skillet, and a waffle and it was 35 minutes before the food arrived, during which someone only came by once, about 30 minutes in, to tell our food would be "right out". The restaurant was about 1/2 full and had plenty of wait staff (easy to observe them standing around chatting), so the kitchen is either too small (likely considering the little space it's crammed into) or understaffed. This 30 minute drought of service included of course no refilling of water, checking on status, or any of the other normal things that happen when you're waiting. When the food arrived it was terribly uninspiring. I had a jerk chicken scramble, but I'll say I've had more authentic jerk chicken at the Cheesecake Factory. I'd describe this as cubed white chicken breast with some sort of sprinkled on seasoning. Both the chicken and the potatoes were cut way too large and topped with melted cheddar cheese. I'm hardly an expert on Island Soul cooking, but this is not what I was expecting. I'd say the closest analog I can think of is a skillet at Denny's. The side of bacon I got for my kids looked like Hormel from the local Safeway. Ditto on the omelet. One last item would be the check out process. They use square, which I'm fine with, but have modified the checkout screen to default tip levels of none, 15%, 20%, and 25%. To say nothing of my complete inability to image anyone wanting to leave a 25% tip at this restaurant, I didn't like not having an option to set something lower than 15%, which I felt was properly indicative of the actual level of service received. Evidently lots of people like this place. Perhaps their breakfast menu and service is just terrible (although I'm highly suspicious as it was after noon by the time we left).
(1)
Kelly P.

Tasty food and lots of options on the menu. Their black bean soup is amazing and so are any of their rice options. I've enjoyed anything I've ordered there and it's definitely always busy. Their drinks are really good, too.
(4)
Carl H.

This is my first visit but I will come back regularly if the food and the service continue to be as good as what I got today. Seattle doesn't have enough Caribbean flavor, so I hope this place stays open for a long time. I chose the smashed yams and coconut corn muffins with my entree-sized jerk chicken and the whole meal was great. The bone-in chicken pieces had a hint of sootiness on the skin, but given that a Seattle jerk house must cook their stuff on a kitchen grill, and considering I discard most of the skin anyway, it was not a thing for me. The chicken is tender and moist, and the jerk sauce is a perfect balance of heat and flavor. The yams are nicely cooked and flavored-- neither starchy, nor cooked to excessive sweetness. The coconut corn muffins seem to be a specialty of the house -- be sure to try them. Also: the bartender is friendly and likes to talk liquor. Sit at the small bar and enjoy that part of the experience if it suits you. The rum selection is larger than you will find at most other Seattle establishments, but if you are a rum connoisseur you will probably find only a few to interest you. They have a little extra space on their shelves they could fill with more rums.
(5)
Tina G.

When I first heard an advertisement for this restaurant, I couldn't wait to try it. I drove 20 miles from Federal Way to get there. What a disappointment; it was certainly not the best Caribbean food I have ever tasted. The jerk chicken tasted like barbecue chicken with a store-bought jerk sauce. The curried goat was ok, but I could have made it better myself. In fact, the only thing I really enjoyed were the mashed yams, but again, this is something I can easily whip up at home. To make matters worse, the service was questionable. Although the waitress was pleasant, don't even think about being comped for something you order and do not eat. I had to debate the manager over 2 $3.00 ginger beers, only to pay for them anyway. If you are looking for good, authentic Caribbean food with great service, I suggest going somewhere else!
(2)
Jeff E.

This is the best caribbean restaurant in seattle by far. How do I know? I'm from the caribbean that is how I know. And also I have tried all the other caribbean restaurants in seattle. Good food, cant go wrong with anything you order try it.
(5)
Andrea M.

Everything on the menu, and later on the table, looked and smelled amazing. I didn't have very much money on me, so I got a side of mac'n'cheese. Holy heart attack, Batman. It was the CHEESIEST, stringiest, cheese-filled mac'n'cheese with more cheese on top that I have ever eaten. Everyone at the table was murmuring "ohhhh girl I can't eat that, you're lucky you're young!" And that made it taste even better. I savored every bite. I definitely have to come back with a full wallet and an empty stomach! [Though, I will have to advise against the rice and beans. They were super dry and had no flavor. But, just avoid those and you'll be good!]
(5)
Kellen C.

This was some Great food, these can beat any tourist restaurant you might go to in Jamaica or St. Maarten. You have to go off the beaten path in many countries to find Freshness like this. I am so glad I can find in my new city of #Seattle. The place stays packed because it has certain business hrs but always open when they are listed. The restaurant is smaller than the people who want to eat so you may see a line outside but worth the wait. I had to wait 5mins with my two little ones and we were given good priority seating with a high chair so bring the babies there were at least two other infants in the building. With the infants feed them the sweet plantains and you will have no problem it was so good my 4yr old even tried the gumbo after I told her it was spicy and she had crab for the first time keep in mind 6 months ago I took a seashell from the ocean in Galevston Beach and a crab came out of its shell and scared her and her cousin half to life. Back to the restaurant quick service very professional exotic and beautiful. The owner has black, white, spanish, asian wait staff which is as diverse as the city and the Caribbean. The prices are fair and worth the price. I order seafood fritters awesome especially with their home made haberno sauce if you like hot this is the only place in Seattle thus far I have found to have a real hot sauce #NoTabesco. I also ordered a Tapa size of the gumbo awesome shrimp, chicken, links, real crab in the shell. Also got coconut corn muffins which were awesome. Ordered the mango mixed with pineapple drink for my 4yr old she stopped crying so you know its good and with all that all three of us were full, plenty of food no small servings.
(5)
Derek J.

I love this place. Homemade ginger beer (NA) has a real kick to it. Cornbread coconut muffins are excellent. Haven't tried a huge variety of the menu because I can't get past ordering anything beyond the jerked chicken. Good spice, smothered in gravy. Get ready for a nap afterward. Only issue I have is that it doesn't open for lunch until noon and I prefer lunch at 11:30.
(5)
Tim C.

The food was good but the poor service overrode everything. The order came out incomplete and my wife's food was cold before we could get their attention. I had to find silverware. It appears like this is a family run place. The Dad is the cook and when he came out I caught him to let him know. He took the cold food away to fix it but left his dirty kitchen rag on the table. No coffee refill. They need to get a good Denny's restaurant wait person to come in and train the staff on the basics of breakfast service. Some gesture, a free drink or something, would have been nice- nope just a $35.00 bill for breakfast. I normally tip 20-25%- This tip was $3.00.
(2)
Tina W.

A must-order, coconut corn bread! Everything else was a blur. I'm going back for the corn bread...
(3)
Jane D.

I came in with my daughter to try out some of the happyhour dishes, and left disappointed with the experience. 5 appetizerss were ordered, 4 made it out after a 30 minute wait, and we were still charged for all five items. It took 15 minutes for our drinks (an earl grey tea and a flat ginger beer) to make it to our table- people came in after us, ordred drinks, and got them before ours made it to our table. Everything was very expensive for non HH prices, and the portions were TINY. Our $25 bill would have been over $40 otherwise- NOT a good deal, especially for the small amount of food we got. We were essentially ignored. Honestly, I'm not a high-maintenance bitch. The art in the place is very colorful and bright. I'll try it again but not soon...
(2)
Rob W.

"Soul Caribbean" is the perfect complement to La Medusa's "Soul Sicilian" down the street. Columbia City is turning into a gourmet neighborhood! Island Soul's food leans towards a Louisiana/cajun menu, with jerk chicken, gumbo and oxtail soup. I had the catfish Po boy sandwich which was delicious. The black bean soup was more like a Thai Tom Ka Gai soup, with a coconut milk broth and lots of vegetables. My friends, who are vegetarian, were happy with the "little islands" appetizer, lightly fried corn meal cups filled with guacamole, cheese, tomato and onion. They make their own ginger beer, and have a wide selection of different rums if you're in the mood for a cocktail. Allow yourself to be in "island time" if you come here; they make everything to order! The best thing of all was a free coconut corn muffin with my Yelp check-in. Our waitress was excited to redeem my offer and the muffin was delicious!
(5)
Pamela K.

Pricey and not very impressed with the food. It might be okay if you have never had Caribbean cuisine. Rice & Beans were dry & bland. Tasted no coconut milk. UPDATE: Ordered a take out after a very long day with my toddler. Was so happy to get situated and sit while waiting for my food. As soon as I exhaled, a waitress was sweeping & asked if I could move. I did move, right out the door. Sweep when there are no customers next time or at least sweep around me. Moving with a stroller, bags and baby is not fun.
(2)
Teresa J.

Got me all nostalgic in Columbia City having good good soul food! Missed my neck of the woods! I am sooo happy to have had dinner here. Came in on a Thursday, seated as we walked in. I couldn't stop smiling while eating the best (soul) meal in a long long time. I had the ox tails, my mates had the gumbo. Great service, very nice atmosphere. We will be back soon.
(5)
Lee L.

Went there for the first time and was overwhelmed with great food, easy atmosphere and friendly service. My dinner-mates, including a Jamaican native raved about the authenticity of their menu. Sorrel, check; Escovitch fish, check; goat, , plantains, greens..check, check, check! I could go on and on. Ginger-beer! Okay I'll stop. Do not leave without experiencing their coconut corn muffins. Your taste buds will dance along with the laid-back reggae tunes. I love their vibe and best of all they offer many vegetarian options too!
(5)
Robert K.

I have a really mixed review of this place. Let me just start out that the food was pretty good, but we had a pretty dismal dining experience there. Last Saturday was my first trip to Island Soul. When we arrived, it was obviously pretty busy in the restaurant. It was 6pm, and the hostess said she could seat us now, but the table we were being placed at had a reservation at 7pm. We agreed that we were fine with the time restriction and we were seated. Next, the wait staff took their time in taking our orders... probably 10-15 minutes after we were seated. Not a huge deal on normal nights, but again, we were aware that the restaurant had a time constraint. Next... we didn't get our food until around 6:45 or 6:50 (yeah, we were checking our watches). During this time, we offered to move to another table, but our waiter assured us that everything would be fine and we didn't need to worry, and... our food should be out in a few minutes (it arrived about 20-25 minutes after we talked). Before our food arrived, I feel like our table was avoided. Someone only stopped by to refill our drinks once, at no point did we feel like we were being taken care of. An offer for some bread or an appetizer would be been nice, but besides the drink refill, nobody stopped by to ask us if we were okay or let us know what was going on. At 6:50 or so, our food finally arrived. We weren't being rushed by the waitstaff, which was good, but, the 7pm party started to arrive and were all hanging out by the door near our table. After our food was dropped off, nobody stopped by to see how the food was or how we were doing. We had to flag a server down to let them know they missed my wife's cornbread order. We finally left around 7:20. Now, the food... the food was pretty good. I had the gumbo, which was quite delicious. A plating / presentation issue though... I'm not sure how it's done authentically, but crab legs (with the shell mostly intact) in the soup is messy and totally inconvenient. Since the crab had been cooked in the stew, the crab cracker they provided me couldn't break the shell since it was too soft. Trying to extract the crab meat was messy and painful (the shell was pretty pointy), but delicious. I really hope the restaurant considers just shelling the crab meat for customers in the future. My wife and our friend had the ribs (island soul bbq and carribean jerk, respectively). Even though they both ordered the entree size, the plates were different portion sizes. I'm not sure this is normally supposed to be the case. The ribs were very good though. The ribs and the gumbo were not served with any sides, by default, which is a little odd considering the online menu says: "Main Meals are served with Rice & Peas (red beans & rice cooked in coconut milk, peppers, onions & spices) or Basmati Rice." and these plates are under the Main Meals section of the menu ( islandsoulrestaurant.netâ€¦ ). In the restaurant however, these were all served ala carte (for the same price as listed online) and each of us had to spend an additional $5 for two sides each. The ala carte food: the collard greens were fantastic, the black beans were great, the mac & cheese was good, and the cornbread muffins were good. All of that being said, the food was good, although inconsistently and oddly / highly priced. The service was poor, but to be fair to the restaurant, there was a giant birthday party on the other side of the restaurant, but we were almost completely ignored. After spending $60+ on the food, we would have expected some higher level of quality of service than what we got. The restaurant did warn us that we had an hour time window, but they screwed up the timing themselves. If they really didn't think they could have fit us in, then it's okay to say so and we would have tried again some other night. We might come back on a less busy night to give this place a second chance, but we're not sure...
(2)
Elaine K.

Thank-you Yelp, for not only guiding us to this awesome restaurant which we would've likely overlooked but also for the free coconut cornbread muffins we got for free for checking in!! Anyway, m'boy and I stopped by here for lunch as we wanted something with a bit of heat. We ordered the pork ribs (entree size), collard greens, and rice n beans (plus the free coconut cornbread) -- thoroughly enjoyed all of it. We encountered three different staff and all were warm, friendly, and generally enjoying life! The chef, Bobby, even popped by to say hello and tell us more about his special homemade hot sauce, Bobbanaro, which was amazingly delish. Oh, I didn't mention that the check came to $18 total - great deal for quality food, nice ambiance, and warm service. Will definitely come back for more good eats!!
(5)
Jens J.

We came here on Friday evening after Thanksgiving and were pleasantly surprised to see no wait for a table. The interior is open and inviting. Loved the exposed brick wall. A good selection of music, including reggae, played at just the right volume. I'm pretty sure this is a family-owned restaurant, with a brother and sister managing the dining room the night we were there. The appetizer menu is great at Island Soul, with a lot of variety. In fact, what I recommend is ordering entirely from the appetizer menu or selecting a small entree so that you can still order a couple of the appetizers. Let me cut to the chase - our favorite dishes were the tostones and the gumbo. The tostones were roasted sliced plaintains topped with slivers of red onion, garlic and diced tomato. The flavors were indescribably good! In fact, we placed a second order for the tostones. Also outstanding was the gumbo. Served with a crab leg, shrimp and sausage (and rice on the side), this dish was delicious! Mmm, mmm, mmm. The seafood fritters were good. We especially liked their dipping sauce. I ordered the oxtail stew for my entree and it was okay. At first, I was impressed that the meat melted right off the bone, but I soon realized that the stew had been sitting for a long time and the meat was overcooked and too soft. Even though the stew's flavor was muted, I frankly have to wonder if a certain flavor enhancer, more commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, was used in this dish. I sure hope not, but I still wonder.... The mac and cheese was okay, but heavy on the thyme. I liked that the cole slaw was light and fresh. It was funny because a couple a few tables down from us were considering ordering the coleslaw and their waiter asked me to describe the coleslaw to the couple. I felt like I had been asked to give an impromptu Yelp review of the slaw right there on the spot! Service was good and I appreciated the chilled carafe of ice water with a lemon wedge that was brought to our table to keep us slaked.
(4)
Nina S.

First time here, The food here was good, our server was great! This place reminded me of the Caribbean's, it makes me want to go back! I would definitely recommend this place. The wait was a little bit long only because there was one server, but we didn't mind. Because he was busy running around. Other than that, I pretty much liked everything about this place. It's such a Jamaican vibe, I love it (:
(4)
Linna S.

YUMMMMM to the coconut cornbread and oxtail stew. Their portions is slightly on the smaller size but still reallllly good.
(4)
Johnny W.

Well here's another long overdue review. It was perhaps a year or more ago that I met up with a large group of fellow Yelpers to do a Columbia City restaurant and bar crawl, with Island Soul as one of our pit stops, happy hours extended, courtesy of manager and fellow Yelper Carla. Of the dishes ordered that I can remember, I tried the yam fries, plantains, rib tips, cod fritters, and Jamaican patties, along with a dark and stormy for a drink. While the dark and stormy was a pretty weak drink, and the yam fries were just okay, the plantains and cod fritters were good, the rib tips were pretty awesome, and the Jamaican patties were amazing. It's a shame I didn't know about the place earlier, and that Columbia City was such a trek from Ballard, because I never made it out to the area again before I moved to SF. Well worth checking out though!
(4)
Alexis X.

Columbia City is alive and well with a growing selection of good eats! Island Soul is definitely a winner! Everyone who works there is friendly and the service is good. I've been there twice. The first time, they were super busy and they brought out complimentary salads as a goodwill gesture. I didn't really think it was necessary because the food came in a reasonable time. The oxtail was amazing! It was tender, flavorful and tasted like good ol' home cookin'! I ordered it both times I went, and ordered a side of rice and collard greens. The greens are sweet and tangy, and not overcooked and mushy. I'm not a vegetarian, but I loved the way they got such great flavor out of their greens without using a meat product! One of my friends ordered a fish and she enjoyed it. Another friend ordered a curry dish, and it was not her favorite. The curry looked thick and very yellow. Be sure to order the corn/coconut muffins! They are so delicious! Just the amount of sweet without being sugary.
(4)
Lan H.

Meh. I've always wanted to check this place out, and when I did I wasn't very impressed. My bf got the ribs and I got the fried catfish. We also shared a side of the wings. The only dish that we mutually agreed on were the wings. The other two entrees were...meh. Not too flavorful if you ask me. I don't mind paying for good food, but I thought the place was a bit pricey for mediocre food.
(2)
Travis V.

I had misconceptions of Caribbean food. Previously, all I knew was a McCormick jerk seasoning spice container and Bahama Breeze. After an episode of Anthony Bourdain I was inspired to try some Jamaican at-home cooking. I purchased real spices and herbs and began to develop some delicious meals. However, I was unsatisfied and still unconvienced I had ate anything authentic. When I began to research authentic restaurants, all roads and reviews led to Island Soul in Colombia City. I knew it was going to be a great experience when I called to make a reservation and the answering message said, "If we don't pick up we are closed or making oxtail soup". I ordered jerk chicken and oxtail soup. I came for the chicken, but stayed for the soup. Fresh vegetable curry, cocount corn mufficns, rice and macaroni and cheese were sampled and enjoyed. A spice container or Bahama Breeze does not allow you to suck marrow through a bovine's tail. And you don't want to live life without marrow.
(4)
Persephone M.

I love Caribbean food, but this place...not even worth it. I ordered some curry, and the waitress told me I get two sides with it. Being that it didn't say that, I had to look and decide....so she decides to walk away for another 15 minutes. What the devil do I need all that time for?! I'm easily persuaded...suggest a couple sides and let's be done with it! Food took a little while to come out, but I was in no rush, so I didn't care much. My sides were collard greens and corn muffins. Muffins were pretty damn good. The greens were so bland. No spice to them. It's great they had vegetarian collard greens, but good god. Vegetarians like spices, too! Random side note: Why do they serve fried chicken and mac-n-cheese? Island soul? Caribbean? No. Now the curry was good, but the only utensils I had was a big spoon that came with the curry. No rice. No roti. Not even a napkin. Who serves curry with no rice or roti?! Once she finally came back around, I asked for utensils and napkins. Pretty sure that's basic server stuff. The food wasn't amazing. I wouldn't pay that much for it again. Translation: Not going back. I much prefer Pam's in the University District. They have roti. And good service. Better yet, just go to Harlem or Brooklyn...amazing Caribbean food.
(1)
Angela m.

You can't get good like this anywhere but the Caribbean! They do it right! The oxtail is my favorite and they make great mojito's as well!
(5)
Madeline M.

I'm still scratching my head over this one. I do not drink alcohol and really only drink virgin mojitos, and when I ordered it the waitress said 'oh virgin? Why don't you get it with rum?' Well, I just don't drink alcohol. 'It will be the same price though' ($9) and I asked why that would ever be and she just answered that the bartender does not see the point in making it virgin because it is the same price. I was really confused and said I order this drink everywhere I go and she said well maybe we can make it $7...I said no no no I've never had it more than five dollars, so I will pass on that. I am still debating wether I should email the manager about the fact that after this (I admit I was peeved) she goes to the other employees and they were blatantly talking about it because they were in a circle and a few girls kept looking at my table. Also the music was way too loud and it seemed the employees were way too comfortable around there as I watched someone redo her hair in front of a mirror when she simply could have just gone into the restroom. They did not finish making up a table for a group and that group had to get a few chairs for themselves. All this made me not enjoy the food which was mediocre anyways, the vegetarian food was just alright but the carrots for sure were just from a bag. I found it a little silly that there were white guys cooking it all :) but...I will not be coming back. The restaurant has hope but really need an employee turnover to succeed.
(1)
Melissa F.

Dining here was my first Caribbean food experience and it was AWESOME. I had dinner here with my friends and I got the curry dish. It was so yummy! Much different from Thai and Japanese curry but SOOO GOOD. I also got to try the gumbo which was just as AWESOME! The best part of the meal was the coconut corn bread muffins...OMGGGG SO YUMMY! I wish I took pictures of everything we ate. It was all too good. I can't wait to go back and have more! What made the meal even better was getting the chance to speak to the owner's wife. I forgot her name but she was so sweet to me and my friends and very lovely to have as our server. Definitely made my first experience dining there a memorable one.
(5)
Naein C.

First time eating Caribbean food. Not bad at all. It was actually pretty good. Loved the macaroni. I had a chicken curry and my bf had the oxtail stew. The oxtail was like falling off the bone. Server was super nice!
(5)
Razel M.

Corn muffins = fantastic. Yelp check-in offer gets you a free one! But don't let that stop you from getting more. We got the jerk chicken, gumbo, appetizer clams, collard greens, soul slaw and yams. Everything had a bit of kick to it...okay, not gonna lie, a LOT of kick for my spice-sensitive self. However, sometimes food is just so awesome that you cannot stop eating even when your tongue is on fire. At that point, just eat more corn muffins! Ambience was great too. Bright colors, beautiful paintings, everything with a casual relaxed feel to it. Gray and rainy outside? Forget about it and chill to some reggae, pretend you're on a beach, it's not that hard! Service = very, very impressive. Carla could tell that her delicious food was deliciously killing my taste buds, so she left the pitcher of water with me. And as we were packing our to-go's (hurray for reusable containers for soupy stuff) and getting the bill, we asked her not to pack the soul slaw as we didn't like it that much -- it wasn't bad, no fault of the kitchen, just our personal preference. Well, she decided that since we didn't like it, we weren't gonna pay for it. Really? Who does that? I love my new neighborhood and I love Island Soul. =)
(5)
Dave L.

Just right. Good BBQ, solid jerk chicken and ribs, it's all fine. Nice servers. Nice drinks. It's a little pricey, but I like the neighborhood feel.
(3)
Janelle W.

I've been going to island Soul since it was on judkins!!! However my last experience was awful, the Red Snapper was full of vinegar and the Rice and Peas were a mixture of rice and Couscous, who does that?? The server was completely rude and forgetful, after this experience I doubt I will be going back ;(.
(2)
Samayyah C.

This place has amazing food and great music...
(4)
Kristine H.

This was another place that we visited during my cousin's visit to Seattle. We arrived to Columbia City and circled the area like a nurse shark. After a while I scored a spot directly across from the restaurant. Turned out yielding to the pedestrians running across the street was a good thing, the woman waved at me to take her spot when she left. Nice! The restaurant was brightly and inviting, that yellow was a nice break from the grey days during her visit. Our server greeted us quickly and so friendly. She asked us if we had been there before. None of us had been there but I'd had Jamaican food before and was quite familiar with the items on the menu. She offered to make suggestions or answer any questions if anyone had them. We ordered several appetizers before our drinks arrived and we were glad we did. They were made with a lovingly heavy hand and since no one had eaten for hours, we opted to nosh before slamming our alcohol (two Mojitos, a Blue Bermuda + a Caribbean) so we could entertain the idea of a second round. The apps we ordered were: - yam fries with a tasty dipping sauce - seafood fritters stuffed with Red Snapper, catfish + jumbo prawns - Jamaican meat patties - sweet plantains served with mango sauce - Little Islands - golden-fried little pastry shells filled with black beans, Feta cheese + avocado The four of us piggishly ate ALL of our appetizers and waited happily for our mains to arrive. We ordered: - curried goat served with Basmati rice + greens - two orders of Island Soul in a Bowl (curry goat, jerk chicken + oxtails), served with rice + peas and greens - Bayou gumbo with prawns, crab, smoked chicken, and beef hot links with Basmati rice The gumbo was mine and I loved it. It's been a long time since I had good gumbo and theirs excelled. My only complaint is a small one. I had difficultly trying to extract crab meat from the half leg that was submerged in my gumbo - or at least no neat way to do it. Our server brought a quartet of those dangerously good coconut corn muffins, three of which were gobbled up quickly. My boyfriend saved his for later but the moment we hit home, that little muffin was history. I'd like to go back to see if they garner a fifth star. I'll wager they can do it plus the upside is that I get to have more of their lovely food!
(4)
Fly_Gu Y.

I have lived in many areas and tried lots of Jamaican restaurants but I have yet to experience anything as divine as this place. I also was in Ocho Rios earlier this year where my wife and I ventured out to find where the locals go for authentic grub and still it has nothing on this place. Theo, the owner, is very personable and on every visit he always visit our table to say hello. Not that we are special because he visit other tables as well. He is a very humble man and regardless of how many times my wife and I praise his customer service, food, and staff, on every visit he continues to treat us as if we are visiting for the first time. We've tried: Shrimp & Grits Catfish Ox tails Jerk Chicken Hibiscus Tea Ginger Beer (homemade) ..............just to name a few.
(5)
Chris L.

You know those places where every time you go, you plan to try something new, but when it comes time to order, you get the same thing you always do? Spicy jerk (half chicken / half ribs) and a side of collard greens, please and thank you. There are other foods on the menu. They always look good. Other people I'm with swear they are worth eating. And I'd agree with them at order time, except for how tasty the jerk is! Tender and flavorful, pleasantly spicy without being crazy hot (which wouldn't be a bad thing, actually) - the jerk gets me every time. Last time I ate here I took kiddo along. They flubbed an order (their sweet/BBQ stuff had had jerk rub applied, so it was hotter than he would eat), but then brought him a ludicrous amount of things to make up for it, and he loved it all - a good baked mac & cheese, some chicken wings in a sweet glaze, and a coconut corn muffin. I don't eat sugary foods as a matter of course, but a nibble of the muffin confirmed the high praise Yelpers heap upon it. Island Soul scores high on other fronts too - the atmosphere is happy, the servers warm and inviting, the drinks well-crafted. Next time you crave a little bit of sunshine in the midst of this grey Seattle winter, drop in and see if you don't feel warmed up by the time you leave.
(4)
Miles J.

This place was just OK but the service was terrible. I'm not sure why the table next to us got much better service.
(2)
Jeff B.

Wow, this food was excellent! A wonderful & friendly restaurant with terrific authentic Caribbean cuisine. The scratch mojitos are great. The corn muffins are an absolute must. Their house hot sauce is only for fans of the very hot.
(4)
Jay S.

In my attempt to be fair to Island Soul, I actually seriously understated some prices and want to clarify while I stare at the receipt: Gumbo is $20, not $13, and a little steep at that price. Curried chicken is $14. It's a decent sized portion, but pedestrian and overpriced. Our bill was $280 without the automatic gratuity, $360 with. $40 per person. Too much. So - down a star because I'm remembering the bill more than the meal several days later.
(3)
Clementine R.

just mediocre. No real flavor bursted out at me...just plain and overcooked. They do have their own hot sauces, though, and those are fun. But for the price of a typical "hole in the wall", I'd not come back. I'm really giving this place one more star than I want, giving them the benefit of the doubt that I just didn't get "the right" things...I had no chicken or ribs. Maybe that's what the hipsters like here.
(2)
iwanna know h.

My hubby and I had a taste for some great caribbean food and since the options seem to be somewhat limited( in comparison to the abundance of carribbeans spots in the NYC metro) we turned to Yelp. We gave this place a shot because of the awesome reviews, but I have to say if you've had really amazing flavorful caribbean food you would also rate this spot average at best. The wait staff is very friendly and I dig the vibe of the spot, but I think the prices don't justify the quality of the food.
(3)
Sandie L.

Excellent! I came here one Friday evening during our hot days of "summer" with a friend for some eats and drinks. I love, love, love that there is live music on Friday evenings beginning at 7pm. Just like the music, inside is warm, upbeat, lively and friendly! My friend and I tried a few of their appetizer dishes. SMOKIN' HOT Jerk Chicken! Quite delicious. A great order. Great seasoning and cooked well. We also tried the plantains, which were also quite yummy. A nice sweetness with our spicy hot jerk! I was a little disappointed (only because I compared their dishes to other caribbean dishes in the Bay). Their prices are on the higher side, the quanity of their dishes is smaller, and no black beans served with the plantains. Overall, this place is still yummy and has a great warm enviornment! Service is AWESOME! Very attentive and helpful =D If you order alcoholic beverages, I was informed by the waitress that night they have a new bartender that is heavy on the alcohol... our house fruit rum drink was super strong... you could take shots of it!
(4)
Inna B.

My, my.. what great servers you have, Island Soul! I was greeted by a very enthusiastic waiter and he made sure to take care of me the whole time. I was told to try the mac & cheese and was thrilled when the waiter told me I should try it with their home-made hot sauce. I loved that a lot of the cheese was perfectly solidified on top and the noodles were not drowning in cheese below. Just the right amount and the hot sauce gave it an extra kick! I also love coleslaw, so I decided to give the Soul Slaw a go. I remember finding it to be fresh and include ingredients like carrots and something I can't remember, but noted that it was something I don't find in a boring ol' slaw. I don't know what else I can say about it, but I'm picky about my slaw and I really enjoyed the one at Island Soul. I guess the Coconut Corn Muffins are usually thrown in when you pay cash, which I didn't... but the waiter thought I absolutely needed to try one of theirs. Very tasty! It was great running in to Carla when I finished my meal and was feeling full, happy. Thanks, Island Soul! I'll have to come back with a group someday so I can try more menu items than I can ever manage on my own.
(5)
Regina D.

Friday nights- live music that is amazing and puts you in the Carribian! Fun waitstaff. Reasonably priced food. The goat is amazing. The gumbo could use rice and more soup. Definitely get the yam fries. Only go if you aren't in a rush. The food came out quickly but the staff are slow as they are also enjoying the night.
(4)
Rebecca S.

The jerk chicken at Island Soul is better than the jerk chicken I ate in Jamaica! Not only that, but Jamaica didn't have the crack corn muffins, the sweet plantains or Carla. The jerk chicken is simply amazing. It's flavorful with a kick to it, and the sauce is perfect on the sweet rice the meal comes with. The corn muffins are addicting, and if you pay in cash, you receive some complimentary muffins to go! The collared greens are also satisfying and the mac n cheese is to die for -- so cheesy and so rich! The service can be a bit slow at Island Soul but it definitely is friendly. Carla is always very warm and welcoming!
(4)

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Address : 4869 Rainier Ave S
Seattle, WA, 98118
Phone (206) 329-1202
Website https://www.islandsoulrestaurant.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :3:00 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine

4869 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118

Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine Menu

Regular Menu

Happy Hours Main Menu

Healthy Meal suggestions for Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine

Regular Menu

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