Caribbean Culture in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Crown Heights is where Caribbean culture meets Brooklyn’s creative energy. Eastern Parkway — the route of the annual West Indian Day Parade — runs through the heart of the neighborhood, and the Caribbean influence is visible year-round in the restaurants, shops, and street life along Utica, Nostrand, and Franklin Avenues.
The neighborhood has a deep Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage, with newer waves of Guyanese and Haitian residents adding to the cultural mix. Crown Heights is also home to some of the best Caribbean nightlife in Brooklyn, with lounges and party venues that come alive every weekend.
What to Find in Crown Heights
- Roti shops — Authentic Trinidadian and Guyanese roti
- Rum bars and lounges — Caribbean cocktails and vibes
- Sound system culture — Outdoor parties and block jams
- Caribbean bakeries — Hard dough bread, bun and cheese, black cake
- Eastern Parkway — The parade route and cultural corridor
