Caribbean NYC, in one place — the way the community actually lives it.
IslandVibes.nyc is a Caribbean culture directory for New York City. Food, nightlife, DJs, businesses, events, radio — curated by people who grew up in this community, for people who live it.
Why this exists
Brooklyn's Caribbean community is one of the largest outside the islands themselves. From Flatbush roti shops to Crown Heights soca nights to Queens chutney parties, the culture is everywhere — but a lot of it lives in word-of-mouth, Instagram stories, and flyers passed hand to hand. If you don't already know where to go, good luck finding it online.
We're building the map the community has always needed: a single place to discover authentic Caribbean food, book Caribbean DJs for events, find Caribbean-owned businesses, and actually know what's happening in NYC this weekend.
Make it impossible to live in NYC and miss out on Caribbean culture — while putting money directly into the hands of Caribbean business owners.
Meet the founder
Lamont has spent 16+ years building community in Brooklyn. He founded We Will Survive Cancer (WWSH), a nonprofit serving families affected by cancer, and has served as President of the Albany Avenue Block Association since 2022.
IslandVibes.nyc grew out of his everyday reality: being a Caribbean New Yorker who knows where the good food, music, and community is — and watching friends, neighbors, and visitors miss it simply because nobody had put it in one place.
His rule for the platform: if it's not authentic, it doesn't get listed. Every featured spot is one we'd actually send family to.
What we stand for
Free listings for small Caribbean-owned businesses. Always. Paid tiers exist for growth, not gatekeeping.
Brooklyn-based team. We know the neighborhoods because we live in them. No outsourced editorial.
Every listing is a real, operating business. We do the verification work so you don't click through to a closed restaurant.
We exist to grow the Caribbean economy in NYC, not to mine it. Revenue flows back to the community.
By the numbers
Get involved
IslandVibes.nyc is a community project, not a corporate platform. Three ways to be part of it:
Born from the block. Built for the culture.
“If it's not authentic, it doesn't get listed.”