When Rudie’s unveiled its deep green and gold exterior just north of Kingsland road, its name immediately exploded on to the east London food scene. After extensive research in Jamaica, Rudie’s mix of delicious Jamaican classics and playful creations still thrills Dalston regulars and visitors from across the city.

In the shadows of east London’s Canary Wharf exists a rare opportunity for elegantly dressed curry goat and rice ‘n‘ peas accompanied by piano and swooning live music. The family here has endeavoured to introduce a level of silver service not commonly found in the cuisine; for afters, the indulgent homemade rum cake is not to be missed.

Underneath the train tracks of south east London’s Deptford station and a few steps from the home of Deptford’s high street market, Buster Mantis is accommodated in a row of railway arches. Redefining what it means to be a Caribbean restaurant, many don’t even draw the conclusions until perusing the innovative menu filled with jackfruit burgers and saltfish fritters. For one of the best weekday outings in London, have dinner on a Wednesday and bring the dancing shoes for Afro-Jazz from Steam Down: it’s a party.

Brown Eagle located right across from White Hart Lane in the rapidly changing Tottenham high street has a log cabin type feel immediately reminiscent of the tropics. While the menu focuses on Caribbean latter-day mainstays like oxtail and brown stew, the eponymous special fish or chicken are an obvious choice; a “secret spicy seasoned” option not found anywhere else in London.

Beyond Hackney, options for a sit-down Caribbean meal grow more scarce the further east you travel. Open for twenty years now, Calabash has stood the test of time. Anybody expecting the likes of curry goat, jerk chicken or oxtail won’t be disappointed. However, on Sundays an homage to a mix of English and Caribbean culture is on full display, with a choice of lamb chops or a roast chicken accompanied by plantain and rice ‘n’ peas.

Many non-Caribbean Londoners’ first introduction to Caribbean food has been Negril, tucked away on Brixton Hill. The colourful platters featuring every facet of Caribbean cooking, from rice, plantain, and fritters to slaw with jerk chicken or curry, are a great way to dive in head first to foods of the island collective.

Fish, Wings and Ting is one of the only “Trini” dining restaurants not just in London, but in the entire country that is highlighting the region’s Indian heritage. Kaleidoscopic plates including chicken or fish with mango chutney and spicy purple slaw are a must. For those wanting to get hands-on, get all the aforementioned inside sumptuous homemade roti bread.

Named after a Bob Marley song, this café, boutique and rum bar celebrates the cuisine, music and talent of Jamaica. An extensive menu features some rare tropical gems including jerk chicken tacos or calamari with grilled pineapple, finished off with some banana pancakes.

Beyond his famed jerk chicken and sauce from Dragons’ Den, an assortment of Caribbean nibbles and street food-inspired entrées help to start the festivities at Levi Roots’ Caribbean Smokehouse. A largely Jamaican menu borrows inspiration from neighbouring islands, including Bajan fishcakes and Trinidadian roti.

Formerly a takeout spot, located next door to the legendary Roti Joupa in Clapham. Jamaican and Guyanese owned Savannah’s latest renovation has transformed the shop into a luxurious dining room, to experience the best the collective’s food has to offer.

Opened in 2014, Alchemy quickly became more than a restaurant and earned its place as a one stop for Caribbean culture in the area. By day a sumptuous £7.00 Caribbean buffet serves up choice cuts of jerk chicken and curry goat; by night a swinging nightclub rotates karaoke nights with lavish, bottle service suit and tie parties. Lucky revellers might get a surprise personal appearance from whichever reggae star is in town that week.