I love jetting off to the Caribbean whenever I get a hankering for Jamaican ackee & salt fish, Trinidad-style roti, and Appleton rum. Okay, that’s a complete lie.

My budget is much smaller than my fantasy. I do walk to my neighbourhood Caribbean hangout, though, and am always happy with the consolation prize: The Reef.

Party Atmosphere (Even in the Rain)

As on the islands, the music at The Reef Caribbean restaurant starts early in the day and you groove through meals oblivious to the rain we sometimes get here on the west coast. With two locations in Vancouver–Main Street and Commercial Drive–one in Victoria and a franchise in Chilliwack, there are a lot of wet days that need some Caribbean influence.

No matter my mood, seeing the blue and green exterior, smiling faces on the street side patio, and the bright yellow and red paint inside always brings me back into harmony. The place just radiates coolness.

Great Caribbean Food & Prices

Most restaurants these days change their menus every day or week to keep diners coming back. The Reef doesn’t need to. Monthly specials are “inspired by” certain islands, but the basics stay the same: I know I can find my West Indian Curries ($9), Jamaican Jerk ($14), and Tobago Wrap ($12) on every visit.

And the prices always blow me away. If I order a full dinner of Island Crab Cakes, St. Bart’s Lamb Shank, and an Anguilla Reef Rum Punch cocktail, my bill comes to $30 (plus the dreaded H.S.T.).

West Coast Infusion

Owners Liz da Mata and Simon Cotton aren’t snobs of Caribbean cool, though. They know that west coasters are a particular breed and that travellers come to expect certain things from Vancouver.

So they have a veggie-friendly section of their brunch menu that offers all the favourites with a vegetarian alternative. The rest of the menu has options to substitute different meats with tofu, jerked or not, or the dishes come meat-free.

They even do Vancouver's politically correct thing and participate in the Ocean Wise program. This means that some of the fish on their menu (it’s always noted) are picked for their ocean-friendliness. Yet unlike other restaurants, you don’t pay extra for the privilege to eat sustainably.

Kids’ Grub

A lil’ nod to the kiddies menu. I don’t have children, but I would definitely bring them here to earn the award of Favourite Mom.

For “little pirates under 12,” try the “Robinson Crusoe Cheeseburger with My Man Friday’s plantation chips- you won’t get lost with this,” “Jack Sparrow’s Pasta Alfredo” or the “Long John Silvers Grilled Chicken Breast with white rice & vegetables.” All ring in between $6-$8.