Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar: Harlem's Black-Owned Caribbean Gem

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Located in the heart of Central Harlem,

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

stands as a culinary cornerstone, bringing the authentic, vibrant flavors of the Caribbean directly to New York. This is more than just a restaurant; it’s a community-focused establishment that prides itself on exceptional, homemade dishes and a welcoming environment. It is a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike who are seeking genuine island flavor right here in NYC.

The restaurant's core identity is deeply rooted in its ownership, as it

Identifies as Black-owned

Identifies as veteran-owned

, and

Identifies as women-owned

, offering a powerful sense of community and dedication. The menu is a celebration of Caribbean comfort food, featuring beloved classics alongside healthier options and fresh smoothies. Their reputation is built on dishes like the legendary

Oxtail

—with one local review raving about the

$10 lunch special for oxtails

as the

best deal

with

generous portions, perfectly seasoned, and fall-off-the-bone tender

From breakfast to late-night bites,

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

is positioned as a flexible dining option for the busy New Yorker. It’s highly popular for lunch and dinner, and is a comfortable spot for solo dining. The atmosphere is consistently

Casual

, and the establishment is intentionally

Family-friendly

LGBTQ+ friendly

, and designated as a

Transgender safespace

, ensuring everyone in the diverse New York crowd feels welcome. With a focus on flavor that is described as

bursting with flavor

and dishes

made with love

, this Harlem gem is essential eating.

Location and Accessibility

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

is ideally situated at

2492 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030, USA

. This prime Central Harlem address places it on a bustling, highly accessible corridor near the cultural heartbeat of Upper Manhattan.

The location offers excellent access via New York’s extensive public transit system. The restaurant is located very close to the 135th Street subway station, which provides access to the 2 and 3 express lines, facilitating a quick commute from various parts of the city. The proximity to major bus routes along Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd further enhances its convenience. For those using modern payment methods, the restaurant accepts

Credit cards

Debit cards

, and

NFC mobile payments

, streamlining the transaction process. The accessible location in the 10030 zip code ensures that authentic Caribbean cuisine is never far away for residents in the area.

Services Offered

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

provides a comprehensive suite of dining and convenience services, tailored for the New York community:

Dine-in Service: Offers a comfortable,
Casual
atmosphere for patrons who wish to enjoy their meal on-site.
Takeout Service: Quick and efficient service for customers grabbing a meal to-go.
Delivery Service: Provides standard
Delivery
and
No-contact delivery
options for maximum convenience and safety.
Full Meal Service: Serves
Breakfast
,
Lunch
, and
Dinner
, making it a great option throughout the entire day.
Dessert Options: Ensures a complete meal experience with available dessert selections.
Catering Services: Offers
Catering
for events and gatherings, bringing the island flavors to larger parties.
Payment Flexibility: Accepts various forms of payment, including
Credit cards
,
Debit cards
, and
NFC mobile payments
.

Features / Highlights

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

distinguishes itself with several key features that appeal directly to the New York market:

Signature Chicken Dishes: A variety of chicken preparations are available for a flat
$6.00
price point, including
Curry Chicken
,
Brown-Stew Chicken
,
Jerk Chicken
,
Fried Chicken
,
Sweet Chili Chicken
, and
Barbi-Pineapple Chicken
, demonstrating both quality and exceptional value.
Famous Oxtail: Known for its tender and flavorful
Oxtail
, an undeniable Caribbean favorite, frequently highlighted in customer reviews for its quality and seasoning.
Rasta Pasta Selection: Features creative, hearty pasta dishes like
Oxtail Rasta Pasta ($12.00)
,
Shrimp Rasta Pasta
,
Chicken Rasta Pasta
, and a
Veggie Rasta Pasta ($10.00)
, offering a unique fusion of Caribbean and Italian comfort food.
Diverse Ownership Status: The business is a source of pride, being explicitly recognized as
Black-owned
,
veteran-owned
, and
women-owned
.
Health and Wellness Offerings: Goes beyond typical takeout with options for
Healthy options
and
Organic dishes
, complementing the menu with a dedicated
Smoothie Bar
component.
Inclusivity and Atmosphere: The crowd is noted as
Family-friendly
,
LGBTQ+ friendly
, and a
Transgender safespace
, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming dining environment for the city’s diverse population.
Late-Night and Happy Hour: Provides essential
Late-night food
and
Happy hour food
, catering to the schedules of New Yorkers.
Vegetarian Options: A commitment to inclusivity is shown through specific
Vegetarian options
on the menu, such as the
Veggie Rasta Pasta ($10.00)
.

Contact Information

For residents and visitors looking to connect with

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

, here is the essential contact information:

Address:

2492 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030, USA

Phone:

(212) 234-6300

(This is the primary phone number for inquiries and orders.)

What is Worth Choosing

For a New Yorker looking for an authentic, convenient, and ethically conscious dining experience,

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

is a clear choice. What truly sets this establishment apart is its perfect blend of high-quality, authentic Caribbean cuisine and its dedication to community. The incredible value of the signature chicken dishes at just

$6.00

each, including the highly-praised

Jerk Chicken

—described in a customer review as

nicely seasoned, charred to perfection, juicy and the sauce was flavorful

—makes it an unbeatable daily go-to option.

Furthermore, the restaurant’s status as a

Black-owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned

business resonates with New Yorkers who prioritize supporting diverse local enterprises. The diverse menu caters to every need throughout the day, from the robust

Breakfast

offerings to the

Late-night food

selection. Whether you're indulging in the famous

Oxtail

, grabbing a quick and

Healthy option

smoothie from the dedicated bar, or needing

Catering

for a family event,

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

delivers. It is a welcoming, high-value, and consistently delicious Caribbean restaurant that has cemented its place as one of Central Harlem's best-kept culinary secrets, deserving of neighborhood support and patronage.

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Vibe

Meat. Menu
Oxtail
Curry Goat $8.00
Escovitch Fish $8.00

4chicken Menu
Curry Chicken $6.00
Brown-Stew Chicken $6.00
Jerk Chicken $6.00
Fried Chicken $6.00
Sweet Chili Chicken $6.00
Barbi-Pineapple Chicken

Rasta Pasta Men
Shrimp Rasta Pasta
Oxtail Rasta Pasta $12.00
Chicken Rasta Pasta
Veggie Rasta Pasta $10.00

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Details

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned
Identifies as veteran-owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Offerings
Comfort food
Happy hour food
Healthy options
Late-night food
Organic dishes
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert

Atmosphere
Casual

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Photos

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Picture 1

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Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Picture 3

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Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Picture 5

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Picture 6

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Picture 7

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Location

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar

New York New York County New York Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard

2492 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030, USA

Island Cuisine and Smoothie Bar Reviews

An average rating of ★2.7 from 27 user reviews.

oxtailpriceindustryheatcabbagerotipastaboneseasonedphone

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The $10 lunch special for oxtails is the best deal I’ve seen anywhere — generous portions, perfectly seasoned, and fall-off-the-bone tender. Honestly, it’s so good that I’ve been there every single day since I found out about it! hands-down one of Harlem’s best-kept secrets! The food is bursting with flavor, the atmosphere is welcoming, and you can tell every dish is made with love.
August 11 · michael polite
On a Friday afternoon I stopped in, the smoke from the jerk chicken on drum grill drew me in.I stated I wanted jerk chicken straight off the grill (as I was unsure whether they had others in a heat pan) the waitress informed me that all their jerk chicken was fresh daily, I heard and she further informed me that the chicken may be a little juicy as it wasn’t yet to the jerk chicken standard. As long as it was cooked, it was fine by me. She topped it with that jerk sauce and I was on my way.That jerk chicken was nicely seasoned, charred to perfection, juicy and the sauce was flavorful. Scrumptious!I hope they continue to strive in their business, develop in the areas that need improvement and continued success in the areas they’re great in. Bless Up 🤎
July 28 · Shaakira
I figured I'd give it a try despite the poor reviews.First problem: the woman handling the food wanted to argue with me when I asked her to change her gloves after she just finished handling raw chicken and then started preparing my and other people's food.Second problem: Her justification for not wanting to change her contaminated gloves was because she washed them with water (as they were still dripping wet).Third problem: Rather than kindly asking me to wait for a fresh batch of oxtail, I discovered when I got home that she only put two pieces of oxtail in my order.Fourth Problem: The cabbage is tasteless. The rest is not spectacular.Final problem: Not worth the price, in portion nor in taste.
August 01 · Josh
I've only decided to come here because of the app too good to go, some Lady with dreadlocks blond tips and grumpy attitude is almost always there. The app consists of getting a surprise bag yet somehow I know exactly what I'm getting every time. She literally only repeats the 2 same exact chickens with rice. I've ordered through the app over 20.times and thats what she gives all the time. Its pathetic honestly. Its sad that its the only close option near my house otherwise I know 50+ other places I would go to instead!!
August 07 · aneury rivera
I've ordered food from this place before through uber eats, and I ordered recently and was pretty appalled with the quality of the food that I couldn't even eat it. I had ordered a fish and chips meal, two of them actually, and noticed the food looked like it had been re-fried. (food made earlier that got cold or didn't sell and was re- fried) Firstly i'm disappointed that they could have the audacity to sell food to someone knowing it wasn't fresh. This is disgraceful and disrespectful to someone who has ordered food previously and knows you can do better.
December 24 · Danielle Newby