We don’t get too much chance to try Caribbean food in Australia, but this type of food has a depth of vibrancy in its flavours that will set your taste buds alight. We’re glad to have found Rosie Campbell’s for an authentic Caribbean experience!

If you want a fun evening with live music and a huge menu of rum based cocktails that will surely see you had a mighty good time. Perfect for a catch up with friends or a party, and on the weekends they also have a bottomless brunch with 5 courses and bottomless daiquiris to keep you going.

Located on the corner of Crown and Campbell street in Surry Hills, you’ll spot the yellow and blue exterior and outdoor seating.

Though we recommend booking indoors to get a close table to the music! The indoor tropical vibes provides a taste of Jamaica with its on theme decor, pineapples, and palm trees and the live music, (reggae on Thursdays) further elevates the whole experience.

We like that the Carribbean food is so varied in its flavours, use of seafood, meat and veggies, drawing its influences from multiple migrants, creating a really multicultural and well rounded offering in its dishes.

The jerk chicken is a staple for the restaurant; a signature dish on their menu. It really packs a punch with its spicy and sweet glaze over the moist chicken thigh. A dish that had its origins in Jamaica, and the diverse flavours of this dish reflects the array of nations that settled on the nation over centuries. It is vibrant in appearance with the handfuls of spring onions and chilli topping the chicken. This is a must order.

They also have a goat curry, drawing it’s influence from the Indian migrants settling in Jamaica. The slow cooked meat perfectly falls apart in the sauce that has a depth of flavour to it, with small diced cuts of capsicum and potato. It’s served with a charred roti that is perfect to mop up the extra curry sauce.

Prawns are a popular choice here, and their Kingston coconut pepper prawns come served basking in a coconut sauce, with chimichurri, chilli, coriander, garlic and a coconut pita. Heaps of sauce that is so delicious, you’ll keep going back for more.

Another seafood choice is their Ocho Roos ceviche, made with tuna, passionfruit, chilli, coconut, lime and the plantain chips make a perfect match with this dish. We also had some jackfruit Patties, rice and ‘Jamaican festivals, cigar shaped sides made from fried flour and cornmeal dough with a spiced capsicum salsa.

Their cocktail menu is extensive, most of which are rum based. But there’s something for everyone, with sweet, sour concoctions and a few on the rocks. The cocktails are illustrated on the menu with its respective glass. They’ve also got a special old fashioned list and a a full rum list. We tried the Archane, a banana flavoured rum, straight up, and it was some hard stuff but super good.

The Jamaican Jungle came in a large parrot jug mixed with plantation dark rum, campari, pineapple, passionfruit, lime and cherry bitters. This one was a sweet and refreshing drink.

Another choice of ours, a really good banana flavoured drink, their Rummin Banana Milk punch came in a short glass with a cube of ice, made with arcane banana flambée, bacardi oro, sesame and cacao infuse orgeat, coconut water, lemon – milk washed. So smooth and we recommend this highly.

Staff were fun and friendly, very efficient and helpful. Ivana the host especially made it a memorable experience and was extremely hospitable.

It’s always full and on weekends, be sure to book and avoid disappointment. Check out their website to see the live entertainment schedule.

Rosie Campbell’s

320 Crown St

Surry Hills

Sydney

2010

Hours

tues-Thurs: 4pm-12am

Friday: 12pm-midnight

Sat and Sun: 1pm-midnight