This post is part of a partnership with OpenTable but all opinions and reviews are 100% honest (as always!)
Dreamy beaches, turquoise waters and idyllic weather….
When you think of the Caribbean, the first thing that springs to mind likely isn’t the food.
It’s not that Caribbean food isn’t great, of course. It’s just that the 700+ islands – including Antigua, Dominica and Jamaica – that make up the region have so much else to offer that food isn’t usually at the forefront.
Vegan food, then, is probably even further down the list.
However, after visiting Jam Delish, a pop-up vegan restaurant in London that serves plant-based versions of Caribbean classics, that may all change for you.
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Bringing Caribbean flavours (and fun!) to Soho
As far as restaurant names go, Jam Delish has to be up there as one of my favourites.
The name of Soho’s latest pop-up restaurant is unpretentious, it’s jovial, and it conjures up images of big portions and a relaxed atmosphere that pompous venues frequented by ‘foodies’ often lack.
You have to ask yourself – would you be friends with the restaurant you’re going to? If you can’t relax around them then probably not, but, with a name like Jam Delish I would hedge my bets that we would have a good laugh together. And we definitely wouldn’t hold back on the prosecco.
A concept that began back in 2020, the vegan Caribbean restaurant has made a name for itself since opening its pop-up restaurant in the Sun & 13 Cantons pub in Soho in February 2022.
And it’s easy to see why: its menu is fully plant-based and offers gluten-free options, so everyone can experience one of the world’s best travel destinations without travelling far from home.
With only a few weeks until it closes its set to close its doors, we thought we better get a move on and see what the fuss was about.
Click here to check out more restaurants in Soho.
The Pop-Up Restaurant
Given the limited availability, it’s not always easy to get a table at some of the best pop-up restaurants in London.
However, reserving a table – and the chance to savour some vegan Caribbean dishes – at Jam Delish couldn’t have been easier.
By using OpenTable, we were able to book a time and date that suited us. And, while our preferred date was already taken by the time we were ready to commit, it was easy to choose an alternative.
Once we booked, I received a confirmation email and then we simply had to show up. No phone calls, no waiting – just a quick time selection and an almost immediate confirmation.
On arrival, we were ushered past the other guests and into a well-lit and cosy feeling restaurant.
If you had any doubt that you were in the right place, your nose would immediately put you at ease – one sniff and my stomach was expanding.
We sat down at a table set for two, however, it seemed small (this isn’t a restaurant where you want to scrimp on table space if you’re planning on sampling the menu) so we moved to a larger booth.
Vegan Caribbean Food
As a vegetarian, I’m not bothered about whether vegan versions of dishes that typically contain meat look like the real deal. In fact, sometimes I can find it a little off-putting.
However, the idea of BBQ ‘chicken’ wings – complete with a fake bone inside – fascinated me when I first saw it on the Jam Delish menu. After all, who wouldn’t be curious about vegan chicken wings?
So, the first thing we shared were the BBQ “chicken” wings. Had I not known I was eating at a fully vegan restaurant, I would have questioned whether they’d brought me the right dish – and perhaps been a little hesitant to take a bite.
Safe in the knowledge that Jam Delish is 100% plant-based, you can take that bite with peace of mind. And, once you take the first bite, you’ll quickly be taking more! The chicken wings were full of flavour and had a sort of melt-in-the-mouth quality that was irresistible.
The ‘cheesy bacon fries’ were also a hit. Once again, if I hadn’t known that they were vegan, I would have bet money on the bacon being real bacon!
Although they could have done with slightly more sauce – the menu described them as ‘slathered’ but felt like a bit of an overstatement, and the sauce was incredible! – they made for the perfect side.
We were recommended the ‘curry goat’ by our waiter, who said it was the most popular main dish on the menu. Paired with rice and peas typical of Caribbean cuisine, it was the star of the show.
Not only was it delicious, but it tasted healthy too. I sometimes find that I can enjoy a curry in the moment only to feel bloated and lethargic afterwards. This wasn’t the case with Jam Delish!
The only letdown was the mac and cheese. Usually, I prefer vegan mac and cheese over the dairy version but on this occasion, it was a bit bland and could have used a little more flavour. That said, it’s probably not what you go to a vegan Caribbean restaurant for!
Why Jam Delish is a must-visit London restaurant
Washed down with an Aperol spritz, we left our vegan Caribbean feast feeling full and satisfied.
More than anything, it’s nice to see vegan-friendly versions of a cuisine that usually depends so much on meat and fish. True to its Soho location, Jam Delish is innovative, fun and not afraid to spice things up in this way.
Jam Delish is for you if you’re looking for a pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff and hearty but healthy vegan food.
Here’s hoping they decide to open permanently… for now, book fast!
Want to see more of their incredible vegan Caribbean creations? Check out their Instagram.