Flambo Caribbean Restaurant Reviews

I see why they are loved, they try their best to please their customers and always asking what they can do to make it better.

I heard about this place from a lady in passing. I asked her about it as she was mentioning her trying some curry goat. I have bow visited twice in the past week or so and will definitely be a regular. We had the oxtails and curry shrimp bust up shot the first time my daughter and I went. Kevin was very personable and welcoming. That made me feel good and like I was with family. Service was very attentive. I did ask for the pepper sauce which was amazing. I just left here with my hubby who had the curry shrimp entree and I had the curry shrimp bust up shot again. We also had the Flambo wings, cinnamon plantains and cassava. I usually have to drive back to Brooklyn for food this authentic. Now I don’t have to travel so far and even have a place to bring family visiting from out of town. I would definitely recommend.

Having a taste for Caribbean food, a friend and I stopped by Flambo Caribbean Restaurant after being disappointed with the ambiance of another restaurant boasting of similar cuisine. OMG! We were soooo glad we did. From the tasteful storefront to the modestly elegant interior accented with Carnival music and red and white satin decorated tables and chairs, we had a good feeling from our first step inside. It got better. The waiter was friendly and inviting, second only to his charming father -- who happens to be the owner/chef. The man -- Anthony, knows what he's doing in the kitchen. From my Escovitch Snapper with island vegetables and the most delectable plantains I have ever tasted, to my friend's oxtails in brown sauce, we were in Trinidadian heaven! The flavor of each dish came more alive with each mouthful. We immediately knew we would be putting Flambo on our schedule for monthly dining, but honestly, with its reasonably priced menu, we'll have to resist making this BYOB a weekly stop. YUM-YUM!

We looked for a restaurant near The Met as we go to shows there often. To begin with, we were really excited to go to Flambo, and had studied the menu before going. There were three things I had set my sights on; buss shot shrimp, roti and callaloo. None of them were on the menu! I asked the waiter why, and he said that the menu is limited on days that there are Met shows. He told me that the first thing they took off the menu is roti (and therefore, buss up shot) because it takes too much time with the rush of people that come in. I’m sorry, but this is crazy. I would think that when you have one of a very few restaurants in the area of a major draw to a depressed area of Philly, you’d want to put your best foot forward on days when the draw is in session. I would have no reason to go there, other than when we go to The Met. There are too many other better restaurants in Philly. The food on the limited menu wasnt bad; it was OK and just wasnt what we looked forward to eating. There has to be some kind of work around, like putting more staff on to accommodate the crowds on Met days (and it wasnt all that crowded). I took deeper look at the reviews after we went, and this seems to be a common issue. Either that, or let people know on their website that there is a limited menu on Met days, and post that menu. The limited menu had about half of the usual offerings. While I would otherwise be eager to return to Flambo if they had the really interesting things on the menu that they removed for Met shows, it’s unlikely that I will if they dont.

Unexperienced staff bought us the wrong order… in fact tables surrounding had the same problem.We questioned our order and the waiter (poor guy) didn’t know what the dish was that he served us. We were gracious towards him as he was obviously having a bad night. He said today was his 3rd day working at Flambo. The food itself was just ok., nice taste , lamb chops overdone and everything seemed like it was cooked in a hurry. My drink “The Don” was very good. When you FUMBLE you huddle up and get it right.. that’s the play call. I hope the best for Flambo.

My supervisor who is originally from Trinidad took a few co-workers and I to celebrate the up coming holidays. I am a rather picky eater, but welcomed the new cuisine. The corn soup was excellent and probably my favorite thing I had. I also enjoyed the chicken, rice and salad greens. I am not a fan of curry, but tired the curried chick peas. We all had flan for dessert. I liked all but the curry, but again I have never been a fan of curry. Service was awesome. The food was outside my comfort zone and I liked it. Other members in the group including my supervisor had goat and they said is was wonderful. One even ordered more goat after dessert. On street metered parking. I parked right out front on a Wed at lunch time. Good time had by all! Thank you!

If you’re looking for a culinary experience that transports you straight to the heart of the Caribbean and Indian fusion, Flambo Caribbean/Indian Restaurant in Center City Philadelphia is a must-visit. From its vibrant flavors to its warm and inviting atmosphere, this hidden gem delivers an unforgettable dining experience that you’ll crave again and again. Located in the bustling heart of Center City, Flambo offers a cozy, vibrant setting that perfectly complements the rich, bold flavors on the menu. The service here is top-notch — attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, ensuring that each guest feels welcome and well-cared for. And what’s even more remarkable is that the prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality of the food and the prime location. It’s a rare find in a city where dining can often break the bank, but Flambo manages to deliver outstanding value. Start your meal with a must-try appetizer — the Mussels cooked in a spicy Trinidad curry sauce. These mussels are tender, perfectly cooked, and drenched in a sauce that’s rich with layers of aromatic spices. The curry itself is bold, with a kick of heat and a depth of flavor that will leave your taste buds dancing. Pairing the mussels with a side of Paratha “Buss-up-Shot” is a game-changer. This soft, layered roti is a masterpiece in itself. The dough is meticulously prepared, wrapped in layers, and cooked before being beaten to loosen the layers. The resulting texture is perfect for tearing apart and dipping into the luscious mussel sauce, creating a symphony of flavor in each bite. For a touch of sweetness, the fried Plantains are served to perfection — crispy on the outside, soft and tender inside, and dusted with just the right amount of cinnamon. The result is a satisfying contrast of sweet and savory that pairs beautifully with the rest of your meal. For your main course, don’t miss the Chinese Chicken, a standout dish that combines Caribbean and Indian influences with a touch of Chinese culinary finesse. The dark, boneless chicken legs are deep-fried to crispy perfection after being coated in a dry rub of spices that deliver a savory flavor that’s addictive. Accompanying the chicken are sautéed veggies, seasoned with a unique Trinidad Chinese seasoning that perfectly balances the spices, all served over a bed of fried rice. It’s a delightful fusion of textures and flavors — each bite bursting with freshness and complexity. Flambo Caribbean/Indian Restaurant is more than just a meal — it’s a celebration of bold, exotic flavors, vibrant cultures, and impeccable service. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Philadelphia, this spot is a must-try. With its flavorful dishes like the Trinidad curry mussels, Buss-up-Shot, fried plantains, and the mouthwatering Chinese Chicken, Flambo provides a dining experience you won’t soon forget. The perfect combination of exotic spices, unique cooking techniques, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it an unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more. Highly recommend!

Awesome place to eat and relax! We had a family get together and the service and food was awesome! I would highly recommend this place

True Trini food. I love the atmosphere, when you walk in, beside being greeted by a friendly hostess, you have a touch of Trinidad mardi gras lining the walls and the mannequin dressed for mardi gras. Calypso music playing softly in the background, although I felt like getting up and dance, but did so in my chair to the amusement of my friends. I ordered the corn soup first, which was very tasty and then my main course, buss up shot, with curry goat and curry chick peas. Ummmm. The buss up shot was hot and silky, the curry goat and chick peas well seasoned. I definitely will be returning and will be spreading the news about Flambo. Hats off to the management and staff.

I really wanted to like this place... but what a let down ...now I may be somewhat spoiled and a little biased because mother in law is from Trinidad and cooks for me everyday, and it’s slamming ,but I expected more... the food was bland and tasteless....the only really tasteful item we had were the wings which were rather expensive $9 for 6 medium sized wingettes ... it is a BYOB

I'm from Trinidad and went to this restaurant hoping to delight in some savory home-like flavors. What a disappointment: the food was bland (down to the soursop), lacked true passion, and nothing, absolutely nothing like what you would get home in quantity, tasty, and plating. Ugh, go away!

Food was delicious and your typical Philly price tag. There is a parking garage next door, but you must pay to park as to anywhere in Philadelphia. Hopefully by now they got some extra help as the waiter was doing everything himself the day I was in town,

So much food for a great price! The oxtail and pork appetizer was so good! Everything was good. The service was fantastic. Our waiter was so kind and always polite and smiling.

We made a pit stop here and the food is amazing. Whenever we visit this will be a must!!! The staff treated us with great respect!

This was a fun outing w/friends in Center City after work and it happened to be restaurant week as well! The space is small, but has a warm feel! There was an issue with the bathroom (horrible odor-we reported it sand was told that it is an ongoing issue that may be resolved by the next visit to the establishment). Our server was friendly and attentive. The restaurant week menu had many choices for the appetizer; starter; main course and dessert! We choose spring rolls; jerk wings; coconut shrimp; curry chicken; curry shrimp and carrot cake! The food came out quickly and I wish more time was spent heading the rice (my only complaint)—otherwise the curry shrimp and chicken; the jerk wings were seasoned very well and our meals were flavorful! I would return for Happy Hour to sample other dishes!

This restaurant is a gem. The food is better than some of the places in Trinidad. And the one guy that wanted roti, ridiculous, good roti takes time and if its not made on a Met night its because the chef do not want to disappoint, so maybe they pull it. I love the service and food. Highly recommend.

The food and ambience catered to both heritage and just overall great home cooked food. It brought back the feeling of family!

We had a Friday evening reservation. Seating was done quickly. The person serving as our wait person was friendly and she did a nice job of appearing when needed. Expectation vs reality is truly the way to sum up the food experience. Online Menu versus Restaurant Menu: The menu online and the menu we were given were starkly different. Honestly it felt like bait and switch. There was no Phoulourie on the menu. There were no Roti dishes or Buss Up Shut dishes (which equates to 10 missing items). There were 3 sides missing from the menu (Callaloo, Rice and Beans, and the Boiled and Fried Cassava). The menu had no drinks. I don't know if they actually had peanut punch or any of the others. I asked if they had sorrel tea and the wait person advised they would check because they weren't sure. They did have it. Sorrell Tea It was OK. A bit sweeter than others I have had. Corn Soup Quite tasty. Looks nothing like the photo online, this was more of a puree. Caribbean Salad I don't know how long it was sitting around. Mediocre at best. Veggies Medley Served room temperature. I am not sure why it wasn't served hot. The pumpkin puree was good. There were 3 green beans on the plate. The chickpea portion lacked flavor. I spent a lot of time pushing it around on the plate. The rice was edible. Chunky Vegetable Chow Mein Served cold. Overly sweetened sauce. Sweet Cinnamon Plantains Served cold. I have had these before elsewhere. Cinnamon is usually an enhancement not the overkill that existed here. Macaroni Pie It was good. Unfortunately, it was also served cold. Was the had chef off that day? I have to wonder if food is being made or if it is just sitting in hot plates not kept up to temperate. The it was quite a disappointing experience. I would expect the food to be served at temperature and have some flavor. We ate what we could because we had an event to go to and no opportunity to get anything else for the night. What I do know is that we won't be going back again. On another site where I left this review the owner responded saying that they had a limited menu and the server would have said so. NOPE didn't happen. He also said that they were fully booked. I was there, there were multiple empty tables. While they had reserved signs on them, nobody was at those tables. I'm sure they work hard at what they do, but my money won't be going there.

My husband and I visited Flambo several times since opening. The food is always been fresh, hot and full of flavor. The wait staff service is second to none. Wait time for food was minimal. Salad which accompanies your main course was fresh. The roti was soft and buttery!!! You can tell the owner Anthony is passionate about his craft. Thanks for a great experience.

This was our first time eating at Flambo, and we don't plan on returning. For starters, the place is generally in rough shape and our table was legitimately misshaped. The chicken curry was decent but the goat curry was almost all fat, so disappointing that we sent it back. To make it worse, they charged us for the replacement dish and the one we sent back! Not sure how this place is getting any 5 star reviews but my guess is that all the employees are leaving them. Steer clear!