11. Aunts et Uncles
Right in the heart of Little Caribbean on Nostrand Avenue, Aunts et Uncles is a popular plant-based eatery with a casual and hip vibe. The cafe was opened by Nicole and Michael Nicholas in October 2020, gaining the attention of New York Times reviewer Pete Wells, who praised some of the dishes and said the restaurant’s name “suggests a caretaking angle to the hospitality and the cooking.” Michael Nicholas, whose parents have roots in St. Lucia, collaborated with his wife Nicole, whose family is from St. Vincent and Trinidad, on the plant-based concept, selling books and clothes (including their “Old Earth” collection) in addition to top-notch food. The interior is filled with plants and sunlight, in addition to a pink couch and sea-green chairs.
The eatery is known for dishes including bake and saltfish, which substitutes the fish for hearts of palm, stuffed inside a bake with tomato and peppers. Hearts of palm also feature in its lobster roll, prepared using a pretzel bun with vegan mayo and fresh dill. Mac and cheese is another popular dish, prepared with almond and coconut milk, cauliflower, and white truffle oil. Their Tivoli tacos are made with Beyond Meat, accompanied by pico de gallo, arugula, cilantro, and spicy mayo. The cafe’s logo also features on a selection of clothing sold inside.
12. The Rogers Garden
A newer addition to Little Caribbean, The Rogers Garden is a courtyard cocktail garden with a Caribbean-inspired food and beverage menu. The bar has hosted weekly culinary pop-ups, including island bowls and BBQ events. The Rogers Garden is owned by Garnett Phillip, a Brooklyn native of Ethiopian and Trinidadian descent who designed the space to mimic her childhood trips to Trinidad. Garnett previously owned ice cream parlor Candy Rush and sandwich shop Taste Buds. The island-inspired space features bright colors, raw wood, and corrugated metal, and the garden bar is lined with murals.
Cocktails include the Hellshire Painkiller, named after Hillshire Beach in Jamaica and featuring bounty rum, Hamilton pimento, and pineapple juice; the Rodney Bay Rum Punch inspired by St. Lucia; Dark ‘n’ Stormy, taking its name from Bermuda; and Brazil’s famed drink the caipirinha. The spot offers about 130 types of rum, from Guyanese El Dorado to Haitian Barbancourt to Martinican rhum. Food options include a jerk chicken panini, curry chicken quesadillas, and beef lentil soup.