Festival | Island Inspired Fare Introduce
For New Yorkers with a taste for the sun-soaked flavors of the Caribbean, Festival | Island Inspired Fare offers a casual and inviting spot right in Long Island City. Located at 42-25 Vernon Blvd Unit C, Long Island City, NY 11101, this establishment is a Black-owned restaurant that aims to bring a slice of the islands to the urban landscape. It’s a place designed for a quick and easy meal, whether you're grabbing a bite during your lunch break, having a laid-back dinner, or just looking for a spot to dine alone.
The restaurant's focus is on "Island Inspired Fare," a culinary approach that blends traditional Caribbean elements with modern interpretations. The menu is built around comfort food and small plates, which are great for sharing or for creating a diverse meal for one. The atmosphere is deliberately casual, creating a relaxed and unpretentious environment where you can enjoy your food without any fuss. The inclusive nature of the restaurant is also a notable feature, as it is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly.
While the culinary experience may be a matter of personal taste, the intent behind Festival | Island Inspired Fare is clear: to provide accessible and flavorful food in a welcoming space. The restaurant caters to various dining needs and is equipped to handle everything from a solo visit to a family meal. Its presence on Vernon Boulevard contributes to the diverse and evolving dining scene of Long Island City.
Festival | Island Inspired Fare is situated at 42-25 Vernon Blvd Unit C, Long Island City, NY 11101. This part of Long Island City has transformed into a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of residential buildings, small businesses, and a growing culinary scene. The restaurant's location on Vernon Boulevard places it in a prime spot to serve local residents and visitors alike.
Accessibility is a key feature of the establishment, with a wheelchair accessible entrance ensuring that everyone can easily access the restaurant. For New Yorkers using public transit, the location is a short walk from the Vernon Blvd-Jackson Ave station, which serves the 7 train, providing a direct link to Manhattan and other parts of Queens. The area is also well-served by buses and is easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle, making it a convenient stop for a meal.
The surrounding neighborhood has a lively, friendly feel that complements the restaurant's casual atmosphere, making it a great destination for a spontaneous outing. The mix of old and new buildings in Long Island City provides an interesting backdrop for enjoying a meal.
- Dine-in Service: The restaurant provides a casual, seated dining experience where you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed environment.
- Delivery and Takeout: For those who prefer to eat at home, Festival | Island Inspired Fare offers both convenient delivery and takeout options. This includes no-contact delivery, which provides a safe and easy way to receive your food.
- Catering: The restaurant offers catering services, making it a potential option for events, parties, and office lunches.
- Flexible Dining Times: The menu is available for both lunch and dinner, and they also offer late-night food, catering to the varied schedules of New Yorkers.
- Accommodations: The restaurant is good for kids and accepts both credit cards and debit cards, making it a convenient option for all types of patrons.
- Island-Inspired Fare: The restaurant's main highlight is its focus on "island-inspired" cuisine, offering a creative take on Caribbean flavors. The menu includes classic dishes and unique interpretations.
- Healthy and Vegetarian Options: Festival | Island Inspired Fare offers healthy options and vegetarian options, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences. This makes it a great choice for groups with diverse needs.
- Black-Owned Business: The restaurant proudly identifies as a Black-owned business, which is a key part of its identity and a reason many New Yorkers choose to support it.
- Casual and Welcoming Atmosphere: The casual atmosphere and status as an LGBTQ+ friendly establishment create a comfortable and inclusive space for all.
- Small Plates and Quick Bites: The availability of small plates and a focus on quick bites makes it an ideal spot for a light meal or for trying several different items.
Address: 42-25 Vernon Blvd Unit C, Long Island City, NY 11101
In a crowded and competitive food scene like New York's, Festival | Island Inspired Fare is worth choosing for its specific niche and its community-focused identity. For New Yorkers in Long Island City, it provides a convenient and accessible option for Caribbean-inspired cuisine. The restaurant's status as a Black-owned business adds another layer of value, allowing patrons to support a local, minority-owned establishment.
The menu's emphasis on comfort food and small plates makes it a flexible dining option. Whether you are looking for a full, hearty meal or just a light snack, the menu has something to offer. The inclusion of vegetarian and healthy options is also a significant plus, demonstrating a commitment to serving a diverse clientele with varying dietary needs. The availability of late-night food is a practical benefit that serves the needs of a city that never sleeps.
While some customer reviews may express strong opinions on the authenticity or flavor of the food, it is important to remember that culinary tastes are subjective. The restaurant's core mission is to provide an island-inspired experience in a casual and inclusive setting. For those seeking a relaxed and friendly environment to try new dishes, Festival | Island Inspired Fare provides a solid and accessible option in the Long Island City neighborhood. Its dedication to providing delivery and takeout services also makes it a practical choice for a New Yorker's busy lifestyle.
Festival | Island Inspired Fare Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
Service options
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Festival | Island Inspired Fare Photos




Festival | Island Inspired Fare Location
Festival | Island Inspired Fare
42-25 Vernon Blvd Unit C, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Festival | Island Inspired Fare Reviews
jamaican foodrice and peasshrimpoxtailpeppersaltcurry goatjerk
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This was legit the worst food I’ve ever received. I ordered because it was the only “Jamaican” restaurant that would deliver to me. I wish I didn’t. The food was terrible. Almost $80 to be completely disappointed. I ordered * Mac and cheese that they didn’t even bother to sprinkle a dash of pepper or salt on but sprinkled some breadcrumbs * curry goat with rice and peas, a coconut kale salad and plantains…. Nothing was flavored how it was supposed to be. I grew up on Jamaican food and none of this even tickled the spot. They added raisins to the coconut kale salad WHY?! The rice and peas did not even have a sprig of thyme so I KNOW they didn’t make it correctly. The curry goat was awful. That entire plate was awful. I ordered my husband the oxtail and he was also disappointed. No flavor no browning and he said it tasted sweet! Idk who they got their recipes from but they need to get an AUTHENTIC JAMAICAN to cook their food because this was NOT IT.
October 01 · Ariel WilliamsDon’t bother. Seriously I don’t know how they’re still in business. This is the worst attempt of Jamaican inspired food I have ever tasted; there is nothing modern about this twist. Please stop mocking Caribbean cuisine like this. This ain’t it. Your chef needs to go back to the drawing board. The rice and peas was more like a mashed mess. I ordered jerk shrimp and got shrimp with salt and pepper sprinkled on it. Everything was so bland. I feel like I’ve been pranked. This literally cannot be real life.
December 25 · M'selle RanhiaFood was horrible! I hate to exaggerate but this is by far the worst “so called” Jamaican food I’ve tasted. If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I order a beef patty that tasted and looked nothing like a Jamaican beef patty. The rice & peas was too soggy to consume. I order shrimp on the side but they mixed it all up with the curry goat. No flavor, no presentation. This place is definitely false advertising and should not be in business. STAY CLEAR!!
October 31 · Loni BThe Jerk chicken was great and so was the Jerk Shrimp which had a great taste as well. My first time being here was great and even ordering on delivery apps as well was a great option as they even left there number for customer service on Uber East which is the only restaurant I see doing this. Overall food was great and I would recommend anyone to give this a try. Support black businesses more often people and be careful with what you rate the restaurants to as they are MUCH better then what the rating provides.
June 26 · Isaac AThis was the WORST customer service I’ve experienced. The young lady Peggy who answered the phone was absolutely rude and hung up on me several times, after my order was placed on Uber Eats and didn’t arrive. I came into the restaurant after being disrespected via phone and I was STILL met with resistance and MORE disrespect in person. Sadly I will never support this black owned business who failed to respect the customer. I would advise, customers beware.
June 14 · satara bispham
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