Naby’s Island Restaurant

A rule on Unilocal should be, you can’t eat somewhere three days in a row and not give it an awesome rating. Naby’s is great, it’s just that simple.
Whenever I find myself home on a weekday, I end up eating here. They’re about a block and a half away from me, but on some of the brutal winter days we had this past year, they came through with delivery.
I’m a big fan of their jerk chicken, but their default spiciness is for amateurs. I like the curried chicken in addition to the jerk version, but my hands down favorite is the brown stew chicken: juicy, flavorful, and hits the spot every time.
Besides the jerk items, the oxtail, and the various seafood offerings, I’m a huge fan of their Jamaican patties. One of my all time favorite foods is the Jamaican beef patty, Naby’s beef patty is good… but its not Golden Krust or NY pizzeria good. I never thought I’d see the day when I would advocate a vegetarian item over the meat offerings, but the veggie patty at Naby’s is awesome; it’s almost like a flakier, flatter samosa.
These guys are great, and I will continue to give them business as much as I can. In my opinion, Naby’s is far superior to Taste of Jamaica or Tropicana, they have excellent food, great service, and fill your belly for a very low price.

These guys will be catering my party because they can bring the heat! The jerk shrimp was just this side of heaven and the service was on point. I will be there again and again. No doubt about that. Well done guys!

Good food, good prices, quick delivery. Both the jerk chicken and the curried goat were excellent. I can only imagine the food is better when it hasn’t spent 10 minutes in styrofoam boxes, but walking by, the décor wasn’t particularly inviting.

Great, inexpensive place to start out a night on H Street. Naby’s Island isn’t much to look at and has a very utilitarian décor, but it serves good, solid Jamaican food. Asked if I wanted my jerk shrimp mild or spicey, I chose the latter and wasn’t disappointed; the spicey is not for the faint of heart! They also have a liquor license so you can get a Red Stripe or rum drink to wash down that coco bread and soothe your scotch-​bonnet scorched mouth.

So when do you deliver? Are you just teasing me?
I had this place once by delivery. It was just okay and could use more seasoning in all the dishes. And they forgot my soda.
I’ve tried to order delivery several times since. One time they weren’t delivering because it was snowing (I only live 8 blocks away on a parallel street). Another time they didn’t deliver because it was after 5pm. On another day I called around 1pm and they «weren’t delivering yet.» And then they’re closed on Sunday and Monday.
I give up.
Maybe business is so good for them that they don’t want my money, so I’ll find someplace that does.

Honestly, I don’t get what anyone is talking about with their reviews. This place is not good at all. It’s just your average bad Caribbean carry out in the area. I ordered the Jerk Chicken, and it was OK, but certainly nothing to rave about. Definitely not very spicy or flavorful.

Fish was phenomenal, spicy and just all around fantastic. Curry goat is on point too.

Verrrrrry tasty food !
Love the brown stew chicken with rice and beans, and a bottle of Ting.
Really friendly and attentive staff .
The place is very small, and clean. If you like dive bars, this place will make your eyeballs hurt.,].but your taste buds will sing.

Very good food, and high value. I had jerk chicken, curried goat and coco bread. Two «large» dishes were just over $ 20, and was enough food for four people. The owner is very friendly, and puts priority on keeping the food authentic. Highly recommended. Atmosphere is simple, but one of my favorite take-​out places in the area.

My first time here and I am definitely coming back. I ordered the jerk chicken (see picture) which came with rice and cabbage. It was all delicious! And the portions are great — I’m so excited to have leftovers!
The staff and other customers were very friendly and welcoming (I even got a free t-​shirt promoting the Budweiser Reggae Summer Fest).
I definitely want to try their Jamaican Rum Punch and some of their ice cream next time around!

Naby’s isn’t much to look at, but I had some the best curried goat I’ve ever had here. If you want really delicious Jamaican food, this is a great stop. If you need fancy décor, just get the take out. If the simplicity doesn’t bother you, it’s not a bad place to grab a beer and some oxtail while watching a game on their big plasma TV.

For cheap eats this place cannot be beat. The jerk chicken is excellent as were the fried plantains, and they don’t skimp on the portions. I also tried a new drink, and I can’t remember the name right now but it was delicious. The people are very friendly too! If you’re shopping around H street, which by the way is a great place to bargain shop (try Susan Fashion), you should definitely try Naby’s!

I’m not sure this is a destination restaurant, but if you’re hot and hungry and walking down H Street (as I was last week), you could do a whole lot worse.
Air conditioned. Great plantains. Rum punch. Big screen. Coco bread. … Dance of joy.
Jerked chicken was good. Rice and peas were pretty bland.
The other highlight was going to Granville Moore’s afterward and drinking my weight in Belgian beers. I recommend that too.