Negril

Address: 132 Brixton Hill SW2 1RS

Website: http://negrilonline.co.uk/

Nearest tube station: Brixton

Hidden behind shabby shops, a budget tyre outlet and car forecourt, you could easily walk straight past Negril. The restaurant itself doesn't shout come in, either. But do. If you like tasty home-cooked Caribbean food that is.

But before that make sure you nip to one of the plethora of shops for your drinks. There is a Sainsbury's local ­– as well as real local shops – selling beer, wine and rum (if you really want to get into the spirit) on the walk up from Brixton. Plus a Tesco Express the other side of Negril.

Waiting for our friends to arrive, from Sierra Leone – cue ebola jokes – but too hungry to be polite, we ordered saltfish fritters and plantain with fire sauce to start. The fire sauce really is fiery so if you've got delicate tastebuds, like my husband, beware! Needless to say the nibbles were completely polished off before our dinner guests turned up. Oh well, we just ordered some more!

Many of our group went for the goat curry (with a choice of side – although the overwhelming preference was for the pretty delicious festival bread). And with little more than slurping, chomping and satisfied groans all round I can only assume it was good.

I went for the less adventurous but still jolly tasty jerk chicken roti wrap, with more plantain on the side (pictured), while the husband went for the ribs combo with festival and coleslaw. He went home with sauce on his white shirt and a very full tummy but a very happy boy! Especially given we spent under £40 between the two of us – for drinks and a lot of very good food.

For the six of us (five drinkers), who got through three starters, six mains and a handful of soft drinks, the bill came to £107. That includes corkage at £2.50 per drinker, no matter how much one drinks.

The only criticism was the slow service. Two of us didn't get our food until the others had almost finished. But when it came, it was definitely worth it.

So next time you're in Brixton, don't walk past – go in!

Update (29 November 2014) - Negril now has an alcohol licence and so is no longer BYO! But we still reckon you should give it a go.