Maria Caribbean Kitchen

The Verdict

Just around the corner from Toowong Village, Maria Caribbean Kitchen brings some seriously tropical vibes to the inner western suburb. Perfect for everything from group hangs with plenty of cocktails to chilled weeknight dinners with your closest pals, the venue is quite the looker, from the handmade wicker light hangings to the pastel pink wall and cane baskets adorning the bar at one end, with a vibrant mural taking pride of place across the back wall.

So just what is on the menu at a Caribbean restaurant? Inspired by the flavours and traditional recipes from the likes of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago, here you’ll want to start with an epic bowl of plantain chips and guacamole before moving on to crispy skinned pork belly and massive bowls of Jamaican-inspired boneless char-grilled jerk chicken, toasted coconut rice, Caribbean slaw and butter lime corn kernels, all while sipping on creative cocktails like the O-Hanami, with watermelon juice, cherry blossom syrup, vermouth, vanilla vodka and egg whites. You won’t have room left for dessert, though there is a hot churros mess that might take your fancy if you can bring yourself to keep eating.

Image credit: Ranyhyn Laine