Kingston

In a perfect world, we’d probably come to Kingston in Harlem every week just to get some juicy jerk chicken, drink a rum cocktail, and listen to loud reggae. And if you regularly sleep, work, or hang out near 116th Street, please live out this dream for us.

This casual Caribbean and Jamaican spot works perfectly for a Friday night meet-up with a friend, or whenever you get sick of the late-night crowds at Harlem Tavern down the block (on weekends, Kingston stays open until 2am). The food, like curry goat and braised oxtail, is all pretty good - but the jerk chicken is outstanding. Instead of a dry rub, it’s covered in a vinegar-y sauce, which makes it nice and juicy. Whether you sit at the long bar staring into the eyes of a Bob Marley portrait, or on the sidewalk patio with some friends, come to Kingston to drink rum, eat some jerk chicken, and get a little rowdy.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Noah Devereaux

Jerk Chicken

This smoky chicken comes with some cabbage and your choice of festival or rice with peas. The sides are fairly forgettable, but the chicken itself is excellent. The skin is peppery and charred, and the meat stays perfectly juicy and tangy. It’s our favorite thing here.

Oxtails

Our second favorite entree on the menu. These braised oxtails are tender and fatty, and come in an almost-sugary brown sauce.

Curry Goat

The curry goat isn’t as exciting as the chicken. The thick sauce tastes like the innermost soul of an onion, but the goat itself is a bit dry.

Plantains

These plantains will take up every square inch of your attention when you’re eating them. They’re sticky, gooey, and not too sweet. No meal here is complete without them on the side.