Rosa Caleta has been one of Kreuzberg’s best kept secrets for the last seven years, and I’ve been coming back ever since my first visit. This cozy Jamaican restaurant offers some of the best cakes I’ve tasted in Germany. I had never thought that amazing cakes and tasty Jamaican food could coexist, especially in Berlin! Needless to say, they have traditional Jamaican dishes, too, but with a European twist. Stand-outs are the jerk chicken, spicy roasted pork with cornbread stuffing, and Jamaican fried chicken with mac and cheese. For vegans, there’s an amazing guava jerk tofu, a personal favorite. They also have one of Berlin’s best rum cocktail menus: highlights include “Make Me Young and Beautiful,“ as well as their “Creamy Emily” – it’s their strongest drink and will make you feel invincible after just a few sips. Last but not least, Kirk and Troy, the two fantastic guys running the restaurant, truly make the experience special. With advance notice, Troy can create special dishes for specific dietary requirements, like the amazing apple and strawberry crumble he made for my gluten-intolerant friend. The only warning: don’t come if you’re in a hurry. Things run on Jamaican time, which is just fine by me. (Text: Kim Benjamin / Photos: Rei Matsuoka)
Rosa Caleta, Muskauerstr.9, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg, map
Tue-Fri 11-1h, Sat 18-1h, Sun 14-1h
Kim Benjamin has lived in Berlin since 2010. She is a food fanatic currently writing for the online magazine Birds Never Bored, and, until recently, ran DJ booking agency Kimco Entertainment, based in New York and Berlin.
