Caribbean Culture in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is the undisputed capital of Caribbean culture in New York City. Walking down Flatbush Avenue or Church Avenue, you’re surrounded by the sounds, smells, and energy of the islands — jerk smoke from sidewalk grills, patty shops on every corner, hair braiding salons with reggae playing from the doorway, and Caribbean flags hanging from apartment windows.
Home to one of the largest Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Haitian communities in the United States, Flatbush has been the heartbeat of Caribbean Brooklyn since the 1960s. From the legendary Golden Krust on Nostrand Ave to the bustling produce stands on Church Ave, this neighborhood is where Caribbean culture thrives in its most authentic form.
What to Find in Flatbush
- Jamaican restaurants — Jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, ackee and saltfish
- Trinidadian doubles carts — Bara and channa on the go
- Haitian bakeries — Patties, pain patate, and dous makos
- Caribbean nightlife — Dancehall clubs and rum bars
- West Indian Day Parade route — The annual Labor Day celebration
Key Streets
Flatbush Avenue, Church Avenue, Nostrand Avenue, Newkirk Avenue, Cortelyou Road
