Rasta Pasta

Where else in the world can you find Jamaican-Italian fusion cuisine? Yet, here it is - in Toronto, at Rasta Pasta. Discovered during an evening walk through Kensington Market, I returned on a sunny Friday afternoon. I loved the sign in the interior that read, "The Jamaican and Italian cultures are similar in their love of food and desire to share it with others." Words of truth. Pushing my own boundaries, I decided to try a dish that I never had the courage to try before: Ox tail. And it wasn't scary, it was delicious. The meat was tender, and it was "fall off the tail" good. The sauce had a nice tangy edge to it. For a first-timer with ox tail, I could not have been happier. The rice and beans which accompanied the ox tail had good texture, but was a little bland in taste - I was hoping for something with a bit more of a spicy, flavourful kick. Next time, I hope to try more of the fusion offerings - Rasta Pasta gnocchi with ackee and saltfish. The atmosphere on the patio, on Kensington Avenue near Baldwin was bustling - people, cars and carts all over the street. Shop keepers and customers all mingling and doing business in every direction. Rasta Pasta gave a front seat to it all - where else would you want to be on a sunny Friday afternoon? (Patio space is limited, so try to get in there and mix with it.)

When people talk about "made with love," this is exactly what they mean. A hidden gem serving up Caribbean comfort food that'll warm your soul, especially on a cold Toronto Monday. 💫 LUCKY TIMING: Found this spot open on a Monday (only their 2nd time ever!) and it felt like destiny. PRO TIP: Call ahead for Monday availability - you might get lucky! 🍽️ WHAT WE DEVOURED: 1. JERK CHICKEN (5/5) 🔥 Listen up, jerk chicken enthusiasts: • Tenderness level: Falling off the bone • Spice profile: Complex and perfectly balanced • Portion size: Generous • Comfort food rating: 11/10 PRO TIP: The sauce is everything - don't be shy about asking for extra! 2. OXTAILS (5/5) 🏆 HOLD UP. These oxtails are what dreams are made of: • Tenderness: Butter-like texture • Sauce: Rich, deep, complex flavors • Fall-off-the-bone factor: 💯 If you're new to oxtails, this is where you need to start your journey. 3. RICE AND BEANS (4.5/5) • Perfectly cooked • Soaks up all those amazing sauces • Authentic Caribbean-style preparation 4. BONUS VEGGIES & SLAW! When they realized they forgot our veggies, the owner personally brought them out. That's the kind of service that turns first-time visitors into regulars. 👥 SERVICE (5/5): • Family-run excellence • Genuine warmth and hospitality • Attentive to details • Quick to correct any oversights • Made us feel like part of the family 🏠 AMBIANCE (4/5): • Cozy, unpretentious setting • Christmas tree adding holiday cheer • Restaurant side dining available • Clean and welcoming • Perfect for both takeout or dine-in 💭 THE EXPERIENCE: This isn't just about the food (though the food is INCREDIBLE). It's about: • The family warmth that greets you • The pride they take in their cooking • The attention to detail in every dish • The genuine care for customer satisfaction 🎯 WHY YOU NEED TO VISIT: • Authentic Caribbean comfort food • Family-run hospitality • Generous portions • Incredible value for money • Those oxtails (seriously!) 💡 INSIDER TIPS: • Indoor seating available (ask for restaurant side) • Portions are generous - come hungry • Great for cold weather comfort food • Perfect for both lunch and dinner • Call ahead for Monday availability THE VERDICT: In a city full of Caribbean options, Rasta Pasta stands out not just for their incredible food, but for the genuine family atmosphere that makes you feel at home. This is comfort food that actually comforts - from the warm welcome to the last bite.

Tried the fried oxtail dumpling. The oxtail flavour was good. A bit too bready for my liking and wish there was a bit more gravy. I think these will be better when fresh but they were just sitting there in the heating oven. Will try the Mutton Curry next time.

It was a very friendly warm welcoming. Food was delicious the chicken was moist and juicy. Wonderful flavoring very mild spice. The oxtails were good and nice sizes small to medium. Will definitely be back.

The Jamaican food is delicious! Authentic flavors and selection. Cool setup for to go or dining in. Good service, just a great experience. We wanted to order more food after dining in to take home.

Highly recommend! The jerk chicken melted in your mouth and was perfectly cooked with the best jerk sauce! The provisions were also delicious. The service was great- when we got there, the owner took his time to explain that they had 2 shops, an Italian-Jamaican fusion and just a Jamaican resto. Next time in trying the fusion! Thank you!

Rasta Pasta with jerk chicken has a great taste. A mixture of the jerk flavors and Italian creamy Parmesan pasta. The outside seating/dinning was a bit sunny and noisy (it's inside the market, soo...). It's also tight and not very comfy. The Jamaican soft drinks are non-alcoholic and very tasty 😋 Service was good. Some menu items were not available though.

Average flavours on the meatball dish. The bread was good however because they packaged this anyhow most spilled and didn’t even wrap the dish properly. This made it quick to get cold whilst walking around and poor attitude from counter service.