Even with its shutters down before opening hours, Caribbean restaurant Jungle Bar & Grill makes its mark. Boasting a beautifully painted mural of a waterfall tucked between jungle flora, the venue stands out from its neighbours along Stockwell Road. And once the shutters are up, well, you’ll truly feel as though you’ve escaped London and stepped onto a Caribbean island for a few hours.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, the all-day Caribbean bar and grill serves up authentic Caribbean cuisine for lunch, weekend brunch and dinner, then later transforms into a lively bar on selected evenings. The decor is slick, making use of the rich colours indicative of the Caribbean landscape: think plush emerald green booths, and glittering gold plates and cutlery. Emblazoned on the wall in neon lights as you enter the main room, you’ll see “Welcome to the jungle”, and with the projectors rolling apt footage and foliage punctuating the walls, you know you’re in for a suitably tropical afternoon or evening.
Day times at Jungle Bar & Grill
The kitchen at Jungle Bar & Grill is open between 1pm–10pm, and you can stop by for lunchtime specials, afternoon grazing or full-on Caribbean feasts (dine in or takeaway). The menu is proper home cooking in an elevated setting, spanning curries, jerk chicken, and a whole lot of flavoursome sides. Here at Secret London, we highly recommend the sweet chilli chicken wings – the perfect balance of spice and sweetness, the coating is crunchy, yet the meat super soft. The jerk chicken packs some heat, so be sure to pair with some sweet, ripe plantain, while the curry goat and oxtail stew both go well with either the plain rice, or rice and peas (kidney beans, not green peas, for those unfamiliar with this Caribbean staple). All the meat here is very tender and well seasoned, almost sliding off the bone, so no matter which you go for, you’re in for a treat.
If fish is more your thing, fear not: delicious seafood awaits. From deliciously large and juicy prawns to pan fried seabass, we couldn’t get enough. Jungle Bar & Grill also host a dedicated Fish Friday, serving varying types of fish week to week. Add to your plate the homemade hot sauce (and boy, is it hot), and you’ve got yourself a match made in heaven.
Every month, Jungle Bar & Grill host a bottomless brunch with up to 90 minutes of free-flowing booze. While the bottomless drink changes with each brunch, the full menu of food is always available. And, although summer is now over (sob), if you venture under the floral arch into the outdoor area, you’ll spot a jerk pan, ready to cook authentic jerk meats once the weather suffices again.
Then comes evening
Once 10pm rolls around on a Friday and Saturday, the kitchen closes and the tables are cleared from the main downstairs area, making way for a dance floor. The chilled out acoustic vibes are swapped for more lively soca, bashment and RnB tunes; a live DJ takes to the decks. While you can grab a drink from the bar from opening time, of course, the evening is when it really takes off. Jungle Bar & Grill serve up a range of classic and signature cocktails, with the rum punch naturally being the best seller. If you’re after a good night out after lining your stomach with delectable dishes, this is the spot for you: the atmosphere is positively buzzing.
Should you wish, Jungle Bar & Grill take bookings for private events, be it office drinks, birthday parties, or any other celebration or club night. You can rent out the whole bottom floor, or a space in the main area.
Jungle Bar & Grill is a locally run business, owned by three friends. At its core, it is all about family and friends, who make up some of the team from bar staff to marketing – and as you enter, you feel undeniably welcomed, thanks to their excellent service. Keep up with the Jungle Bar & Grill as they grow on their Instagram page, or check out their website to find details on how to make a reservation.