Identifies as Black-owned
Yes
Top Taste in Kingston
Categories
Location on the map
Kingston, Ulster County, New York, US
From the business
Service options
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Offerings
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Crowd
Tourists
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
Credit cards
Yes
Phone: +1 917-915-1310
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:11AM–8PM
- Wednesday:11AM–8PM
- Thursday:11AM–8PM
- Friday:11AM–8PM
- Saturday:11AM–8PM
- Sunday:Closed
Comments (199)
I love living so close to this place. I almost never want to move because I’d hate to not be walking distance from them anymore. The food is comforting, truly feels as if a friend has made you a meal. I highly recommended all their fish dishes! They buy them from the city fresh every morning!
I love the authentic Jamaican food. It reminded me of the time I spent in Ocho Rios. The workers are friendly, professional, and make you feel like family. I highly recommend it.
There are simply no words to describe how good this food is. We got the jerk chicken, stew chicken, fried chicken, goat, and ox tail (each dish comes with fantastic rice, cabbage, and plantains I would kill for). The service was lovely and fast, everything was fresh, and it was a great price especially considering how good everything is.This was absolutely one of the best meals I’ve ever had and I think I might need to move from MD to Kingston solely for this restaurant.I can not stress enough how highly I recommend this place and hope that the angels who run it have nothing but happiness in their lives.
Tried Top Taste while vacationing this weekend. We got the curry goat, oxtails, and jerk chicken. They were all AMAZING! This is a must visit.
The food is sooooo good and the owners are friendly and welcoming. Theyve made a lifelong customer out of me!
Wonderful fish dishes. Excellent ox tail and curried goat. James Beard nominee.
Been eating here for years yhe number one best Jamaican food around 😋 Kingston ny 😋
My first stop but definitely not my last. The Jamaican jerk chicken was fabulous. Great service authentic Jamaican food with aromas that fill the place. Dont let the outside appearance fool you where this place lacks in size it makes up for in flavor.
Very authentic Jamaican food. Has food items you cant find anywhere else in the area, like goat or oxtail. The service is friendly and the food is amazing. A total hole in the wall place but has the best Jamaican food in Ulster County. Would recommend the curry goat if you dont mind spice, and the jerk chicken, which is much milder. Great place to hang out and even better for take out. Give it a try!
One of the CANT MISS restaurants in Kingston. The food is SO GOOD that it will have you on a beach in Jamaica in no time. The jerk chicken has an incredible flavor and is tender, juicy and crispy (HOW?? How do they do this?? It’s a delicious human mystery). The Mac and cheese is so flavorful and Rich. I’ve had the King Fish, the Red Snapper and the Jerk Chicken. I will keep coming back every month, once a month, because I LOVE this food.Highly recommended from a Caribbean gal missing home.
I had the Goat Curry and its fantastic, quite a few people I know love this place and its their favorite.
So we saw the reviews and wanted to try Top Taste for ourselves.So we loaded up the kids in our car and drove two and half hour to Kingston NY from queens NY.Even though there are plenty of Jamaican restaurants in the 5 boroughs I have to say Top Taste is second to The Door Jamaican restaurant when, it comes to authentic good tasting Jamaican food.The oxtail was well seasoned and fall off the bone delicious.The jerk chicken was seasoned to the bone.I really did not enjoyed the fry chicken as much as my kids did.And portions are more than generous.One thing I must admit that I have not experienced at any other Jamaican restaurants in the 5 boroughs are exceptional customer service.The husband and wife combination customer service they present is exceptional.The drive was well worth it.
Generous portions. Chicken is super tender and falls off the bone while being very flavorful. Tastes very authentic as well since everything isnt as sweet. Fried plantains are delicious.
Amazing jerk chicken. Great flavor and spice. Jamaican Patties were flaky and delicious. Owner was so patient with us bringing 5 kids to eat inside.
Best food, nicest people. Do not miss out!
So delicious! Yummy bold flavors, tender meat, well seasoned. Its like going to your favorite aunties house for some great comfort food. Staff is so sweet. The red snapper and oxtail were perfect to warm us up. We had beef patties to start and then took some for the road. Thank you for lunch, i really recommend this neighborhood gem !
My wife & I had driven by here many times & always said we should give it a try. Once we did, we were blown away. Since then, weve been here several times & never been disappointed. Our kids ask for it all the time. In our house, its a treat for good report cards & special occasions. Their jerk chicken is THE BEST. For $10 you get a LOT of food. We feed a family of 7 with 3 meals. Sammy & his wife are the sweetest people. If youve had a bad experience here, no offense, but its probably you.
Top Taste and Ms. Melinda is out here blessing folx with some phenomenal flavors! The oxtail, goat, Red Snapper, King Fish! Listen come to Kingston, New York and try it YOURSELF! This that type of James Beard award winning food that just waiting to be discovered! But if James don’t come don’t worry the rest of us will!!!
Great food and great people own this place. if you want great authentic food I recommend giving them a try. you wont be disappointed at all. the jerk chick is the best I town and the owners genuinely care about the quality of the food they make for the customers. really great prices too!! win win
Sam and Melinda cook with Jamaican Love. Great people and authentic Jamaican foods.
Crazy-good food! The owners are fantastic people and the feel of this place is unique. Would make this a must have stop!
James Beard award nominated chef. This place my not be fancy looking but if you want good food this is the place. Love the ox tail, jerky chicken, just give it a try.
Got here just before Top Taste closed and lucked out with the last red snapper. Along with the jerk chicken, chicken stew, peas and rice and platanos, my family and I are full and happy. DELICIOUS. Worth the trip from wherever you are❤❤
Rich and savory. I’m delighted with my meal. Big portion and speedy preparation (most of the food is made and heated beforehand). My only issue is I ate too much. :p
Its a small space. But the food is sooo good! I ordered the stewed chicken. The meals come with rice and beans and cabbage. You can have plantains too. Well seasoned and a good price for the small plate. Like almost $8 with tax. Its definitely on my repeat list!
Today is the second time I eat food from this restaurant, I went there with my Jamaican friend, oh my God their food is so goooddd I had goat for myself and oxtail for an other friend let me tell you I could not decided what to eat between my food and my friends one, everything they have there is good even their water have a better taste, for my haitian people you can adopt this Jamaican restaurant the food is similar to ours, taste decilicious and well cook like ours. Nou pap regret si nou al mangé Nan restaurant sa. Iam 200% satisfied 😌
The food is out of this world. The people who run Top Taste are genuine and kind. Its one of those places that when you eat the food, you regret not going there sooner.
Smells amazing as soon as you step in! Really flavorful food and solid portions! Jerk chicken was tender, smoky, and spicy. Mac and cheese was gooey and creamy yet peppery, with a slab of cheesy crust. Super friendly service thats well connected with the local neighborhood.Cant wait to come back next time Im in the area!
Went for my very first time today. Excellent food. I got the curry chicken and it came with rice and beans, veggies, and plantains. Huge portions and decently priced. The owners are sweet and pleasant. Definitely my new obsession!
The food here is simply amazing!! I had the stew chicken while my husband had the oxtails and it is to die for. We also got some Mac&cheese to share and i should have gotten us each our own. The owners were super nice as well. The establishment is a little small, however that doesnt matter considering how good the food and customer service is. The place is filled with love and good vibes. Will definitely be coming back whenever im out that way
I celebrated my birthday earlier this evening in this excellent restaurant. Well it was a wonderful evening and the venue was evidently one of the reasons for that happy celebration. The waiters cooperated in a very nice style, the food was yummy and my guests were very joyful. We shall no dout come back again for more events. thanks very much.
Top Taste is hands down one of the best restaurants/take out spots in the entire Hudson Valley. A small family owned, Caribbean food joint that serves their customers with warm greetings and a huge smile. Try the mac n cheese (if it doesnt sell out too fast) and try the rum cake for dessert. My favorite dish is the curry goat with all the fixings. SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS, you will not regret it at all.
In middle of eating my oxtail and I needed to pause and post. This is DELICIOUS! I had some of my husbands jerk pork and it is crazy delicious too. Knockout flavors...tender perfectly cooked meat. Big portions, fair prices. New fav spot. 💖
Great food and great portions! I absolutely love Jamaican food and i am always looking to try new places here and there to widen my options. I tried the food here for the first time and it is delicious. They do not cheap out on portions either. I also told the cook if I liked her pickled pepper (spicy), I would let her know if she should package it and sell it (lol who really am I??) and its a yes! Absolutely start selling it.
Had the Oxtail, Curry goat, and Jerk Chicken. The flavors were perfect and the portions were hearty. My 4 yr old enjoyed the oxtail and their rice as much as the grown-ups. We will definitely be visiting this hidden gem often.
Bonafide best Jamaican food around go here usually once a week large portions reasonably priced stewed chicken curry shrimp all deliciousMake you feel like it took a little trip to JamaicaNuff respectPraise be to God Jehovah Jesus ChristBless up
Ive been here on few occasions and the staff were so friendly, polite, and welcome. The food is great!Im new to the area and was pleasantly surprised to find Caribbean food here with great service. Keep up the good work!
This restaurant has great authentic food and even better customer service. I accidentally called on his day off and he still took the time to answer the phone and talk to me about coming in tomorrow. It’s nice to see real genuine people making amazing food right here in Kingston.
My family and I just love this place, reminds me of being back home in Brooklyn. Food is great, store is clean and food is fresh when served. Friendly staff.
10/10 as soon as i walked I knew that this was going to be awesome. The food was amazing and the experience was even better. The amount of food were were given was insane. Will be returning soon!
I love the curry chicken from here. Its price very reasonable. The married couple are truly awesome
True Jerk chicken, authentic rice & peas, oxtail and curried goat rock. If youre looking for haute cuisine or ambience, dont waste your time. If you are, however, looking for killer Jamaican food, this is the spot. Prices are great, food is spectacular, owners are friendly... highly recommend Top Taste! A true hidden gem...
Best food in the area hands down!! Very kind owners. Highly recommend the curry goat. Always look forward to coming here.
This place is the midtown secret gem. Top taste kills it in the flavor category. The jerk chicken will bring you back again and again. The curry goat and oxtail are not to be missed either. Good home style Jamaican food made by the friendliest people. Im hungry again just thinking about it.
Ive never left a review for a restaurant before but this is the best food Ive had in a very long time. The owners are also really sweet!
Staff is very warm and friendly always welcoming. Food is excellent a real taste of Jamaica, the culture and vibes of island life is in this Restaurant. Real Jamaican food, music,and people is proudly represented. Will recommend eating at TOP TASTE Restaurant Kingston NY to anyone who wants some Island Flavor.
Food was excellent! Had the snapper. Prepare yourself for a wait...be patient...the food was worth it. We plan to head back to sample other fare. Not much sitting room...really a grab and go I would say. But the food was fiyah!
I best curry chicken in kingston! I love your food Top Taste!!
Best Patties in town!! Owners are onsite... extremely friendly and genuinely care about the quality and service they provide!!! Great spot ! Amazing staff ! Delicious food ! Definitely stop there if your over in midtown.
Delicious oxtails and jerk chicken. Wish the jerk was spicier but the flavors were on point. The hot sauce that was given to me on the side was AMAZING and actually spicy and needs to be bottled and sold separately!
If you found this review helpfully please leave a likeThe small family run location that is too taste has a decent menu filled with Caribbean food. Its delicious and priced well with large positions
The best jamaican food Ive ever had hands down. I visited from West Philly and theres tons of good jamaican restaurants there, but none compare to this. Just wow
Absolutely the finest West Indian food in the area. Very polite service and friendly environment. Im a Bajan and this place reminds me of home. I travel well over 20 miles to get my food fix from this establishment.
New customer today. Smelled amazing before even in the store. Better inside. And tasted incredible. Im a fan of spicy. The the jerk chicken. Just heaven.
Excellent food ! A great little restaurant with authentic Jamaican cuisine. Perfect Jerk Chicken and Curried Chicken, roti and all the fixings.... The owners are very nice and helpful. Pricing is excellent - ! A must....
We arrived at this spot for dinner. This spot was recommended to us by a friend. Well, it was very successful. we were warmly welcomed by the staff and we had a great feeling. The food was just great. We loved this spot very much and we will visit this place again. Warmly recommended.
The best West Indian food in the Hudson Valley. Im from NYC where Caribbean good is abundant. Upstate NY lacks the Caribbean food experience, yet Top Taste in Kingston NY, kept me close to my roots when Im in need.
The staff is amazing. The food is HEAVEN ON EARTH if you are looking for a authentic Caribbean taste close to home this is the place for you!!! The jerk chicken is the food of the gods and the curry is a force to be reckoned with.
Omg my daughter and I tried them. Outstanding!!! Authentic Jamaican food made with love! Can wait to see you all again.
My family (and friends) Love this place. This is the best food EVER. I truly love the owners and the food is made with love and expertise! I dont think I could ever move from Kingston. I would miss them too much.
I order food, wait 40 mins for them to tell me when I get there that I didn’t say what I wanted on the phone ?? The guy had me repeat it atleast 3 times. Very unprofessional they’re going downhill the husband is always confused. Never consistent.
Great food and great people. Hot beef patties everyday, and a delicious selection of authentic Jamaican cuisine. Be sure to try the jerk pork!
The food is constantly well prepared and yummy, staff members hands out good customer service. I loved how neat it is and vibes. Will come back again.
I definitely recommend this place. The food is amazing. The owners were very welcoming and extremely friendly. The prices are very fair and the portions are large.
James beard award and so be it! Jerk chicken was out of this world and the slaw that came with the dish was a perfect side dish!
They offer a large range of delicious food. I loved eating here. The employees are always very friendly, prices are reasonable and the place is always neat.
This was the most delicious takeout I’ve had from anywhere in Kingston in a long time. Very authentic and delicious. Can’t wait to go back!
Always good food, great service and so friendly. You can tell they make their food with love ❤️❤️
I had a wonderful experience in this spot. We loved the nice ambience and the food. The staff were super attentive. I am content we eventually managed to try this place.
Quite simply the best jamaican restaurant in this county and possibly the whole of upstate. A little bit of money gets you a lot of jerk chicken paradise. Try the oxtail or curry goat!!
Always flavorful and delicious, love the curry chicken and coconut rice and beans! Great prices and great service. As a matter of fact I am stopping by today :-)
Food is amazing. So yummy. The servings are very generous as well.
The food is delicious and the service is excellent. Best Caribbean food in the area by far!
Best Jamaican food ever!. When I dont feel like cooking, Top taste (Sammy) is the solution.
Authentic Caribbean flavor, good service. Besides home this is the only place in Kingston that I can get boiled groung provisions that I so dearly love., yam, green banana, dumplin
Awesome and fresh food, I love the mood the spot has, and the staff members were helpful. I will surely visit here again.
The jerk pork is unreal. Beef patties also very good!
Ive been here five or six times and these guys can really cook. Just fantastic jerk and curry chicken rice and peas and plantains! Nice people too
This is hands down the best Jamaican food Ive had in the states. Homemade, authentic, nice people!
Really love this place! The food is just top top authentic and always super tasteful. The guy who works there is nice and friendly too :)
One of my favorite spots to grab something to eat. fantastic location, well kept, and awesome service. Very good job!
Friendly owners and the food is delicious with great prices for larger portions.
Would certainly recommend trying this spot. Fantastic atmosphere, tasty food, great service. Keep up the good work.
I love this place. Its a bit of a dive, but it is always worth it. Great for a rainy day. I recommend the curry goat or the ox tail.
The best food Ive had for the longest while, I drive for over an hour just to get there. ..the fish is amazing!!!
The oxtail was good!well seasoned, also the rice and beans
Delicious food and the owners are just as amazing...it was very nice to meet you both and Ill def be back very soon! 😀
So so yummy. Highly recommend the ox tail and jerk chicken. Really sweet ppl too.
Delicious jamaican cuisine and A1 customer service. I absolutely love this place and the people that run it!
What a Gem! Awesome food, awesome service. This palce is owned by the most wonderful couple. I love, love it!
Very pleasant, personal atmosphere. Food was wonderful. Recommend trying it. Youll love the experience.
Is very laid back and the food is really good and Im a big fan of there spicy Jamaican beef patties.
The jerk chicken and rum cake were to die for. True soul food, will be coming back soon!
Great fresh food, real nice people
The food tastes as good as it smells. Highly reccomend the jerk chicken!
Great food, cozy place with very nice owners. If you cannot get to Kingston, Jamaica, this place is a great alternative!
Service is good people are really nice and the food was delicious have to go there
Generous portions cooked with love; some of the best food in and around Kingston, in my opinion
Spicey Jamican cutie gots was very good and highly recommended. Best Jamaican food in the area.
Its a small eatery but the taste of the food is amazing. Their hospitality is unmatched in this area.
Love their food
WOW!!!! Red Snapper meal is mouth watering. Definitely ready to taste the menu!!!!!
Food is good always, hot and fresh. Would recommend if youre tired of the same ol sandwiches, pizza, and fast food lol
Authentic Jamaican food. Genuine kind people work here. Always clean, always stocked.
SUCH good food.. always fresh, flavorful carribean vibe.. clean..but extremely small inside
Excellent and authentic Jamaican food. Highly recommended. Also friendly service.
This spot is excellent! Convenient rates, big portions and the staff members are regularly friendly.
Hey foody, you must go! Reasonable price and kind staff
Great placeWe order every time we come to my doctors out here 45 minsKeep doing a great jobFood is amazing
Amazing food!!!! Like seriously.wow. great drink selection and extremely clean!!
This place hits a spot in my stomach that no other can hit, amazing food, fair portions,and nice people.
By far some of the best food in Kingston
I love this place I travel from New Jersey all the time just to eat this food some of the best food Ive ever had
Great food! Friendly staff. Will return at a later date.
Delicious! Super friendly and easy going. Like youre a guest in their house.
Great fried chicken. If the skin was crispier, Id give it 5 stars.
Fantastic food great prices great people
Amazing food. Friendly people. Give it a try, youll agree!
This food is DELICIOUS! And the folks are friendly.
Wonderful food & friendly service. Very sweet owners.
Love the jerk chicken. Portions are very generous
Tasty Jamaican food
Food is amazing! Best Jerk chicken! Friendly service!
Absolutely delicious.Big portions.Very nice people.
Started off great but the last meal I had there was even better.
The food was very good. Come and try it for your self.
Platains are great! The fish is highly recommended also.
Convenient hours - Great food - Great price - Great service.Sammy is the best.
Good real nutritious home made food with friendly proprietors.
Great food and the beef patties are my favorite!
Small place but good food good friendly Caribbean service
Hidden gem in kingston! Best Carribean food in the area and lovely owners
The food was very good I will be going back for more
Great food from back a yard😊😋
Authentic Caribbean food,good prices and portions.
Amazing curried chicken and Mac and cheese! I will be back for sure!
Great place to eat..owners are very friendly..
Legitimately home cook west Indian food 😋
The taste is good .friendly management cool little setting .
Delicious food a variety of drinks and good prices!
Best caribbean food in Ulster county
Great food
Best food ever!!!! jerk chicken is delish
Delicious food. Good people. Always on point
Best Jamaican food in Ulster county
Best chicken
Excellent Food and great ppl.
Good food with great taste and great people.
Great food and good customer service
Great people awesome food
Kingston offers no rivals at all in this category that can compete with this places service, pricing, and quality.
Amazing food. Great service
Rice peas oxtail and Platains delicious.
Amazing Food And Great Service !!
Ammmaaazzziinngg Jamaican cuisine.
Real people, real food. All love once u enter the door....
Best food
Great food and conversation as always
Excellent food and very pleasant service
Totally awesome Jamaican food
So so good!!!
Delicious food. Extremely nice.
Have gotten better. Call first for fish.
Great food and very inexpensive
Great food and great value
Love this place. Lucky to work so close to it.
Amazing food and pleasant staff
This is deliciousness at its core.
Awesome food nice people
The curry goat is finger licking good
Ok, good service !
Food was very delicous....
Good food. Respectful people
The cashier makes sure everything goes right
My go to place!
Love this place the owners are awesome 😊
Very very tasty!
Clean place great food
So good
Good food
Good food
Am OBSESSED with their jerk chicken!!!!
Anything and everything is great!!
Jerk chicken was great!
Simply amazing food.
Excellent
Awesome Jamaican food
Great oxtail
Dont remember much about it
Total reviews rating 4.8
199 Reviews for Top Taste 2023:
Review №1
2021-12-31We just had one of the best meals ever at Top Taste. You can smell the grill from the outside and once inside, the smells of the food are incredibly mouthwatering. We ordered the jerk chicken, curry chicken, beef patty, and jerk pork. The jerk chicken was hands down the best we have ever had, grilled to perfection with an amazing blend of spices. The curry chicken was so flavorful and tender. The patty was crisp on the outside with a delicious filling of beef. The jerk pork was so fatty and saucy, it was so good. We ended up ordering two more orders just to bring home with us. Don’t forget to ask for the home made hot sauce, it is FIRE in every way. The owners and chefs were so lovely. We can’t wait to go back!
Review №2
2022-05-28Sensational Jamaican cuisine. Really friendly owners and staff. Its a tiny little place, only a couple tables inside and on the patio, and it got decently busy for lunch. One of those small locally owned hole-in-the-wall restaurants thats authentic and not to be missed. So glad we came here.
Review №3
2022-03-25WOW. Wow..thats all I can say. Excellent food. Some of the best Ive had in the NYC/HRV area. Wow. We are Brooklyn foodies and world travelers and this place is fantastic. We had the jerk chicken and died of happiness.
Review №4
2022-06-23Great little diamond in the rough! I had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken and beef patty! It’s as great as everyone says it is. The owners are so friendly
Review №5
2020-07-31One of the best hidden jems I have found! I have had this place saved as recommended from a local foodie and driving back down from the Catskills to the city I am so glad we stopped. We ordered one meal with curry goat and one with their oxtail. AMAZING. and for only $10 a plate to go which comes with rice, plantains and cabbage. It was difficult to finish the whole meal but the meats were so tender and the sides were too delicious to leave over! The owners were very friendly as well.. This place is a must try!
Review №6
2021-02-23Quality food, quality service. Generous portions. Great location. Price is right. Only thing I regret is taking so long to walk in here. I had the oxtail with rice & peas & the steamed veggies. Poppin! Looking forward to trying the jerk chicken next time. Thanks Top taste!
Review №7
2018-10-04Love love LOVE this place. Got a large fried chicken and beef patty with a can of iced tea for lunch - $14!! My coworker got the whole red snapper for $12. Each entree came with rice & beans, sweet plaintains and veggies. So much food, I have enough left over for dinner AND breakfast lol
Review №8
2022-01-12Beat Jamaican food hands down. After having food from another place yesterday, I had to redeem my taste buds and go to TopTaste today. The couple behind the counter are always pleasant, the food is fresh and authentic.
Review №9
2021-12-14Best Jamaican food north of Mount Kisco. The Owners are just the sweetest and it literally brightens my day to go there. The Mac n cheese is life changing and the curry chicken is outrageous. Always piping hot and super tender. I can’t get enough of this place!
Review №10
2022-02-15The food is great and so are the portions. The workers are very nice and welcoming. I plan to eat there a lot more.