If you haven’t been to Little Haiti lately, Garden of Eat’in is a good reason to visit soon. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for healthy foods, the restaurant’s combination of spicy Jamaican, Haitian and Guyanese food with a vegan flare– no dairy or eggs- is worth a try.

The place is hidden behind a grocery store on back of a parking lot (I heard there are chickens sometimes rummaging the parking lot, but it was probably too hot when I went because there were none).

Immanuel Tafari, a native of Guyana, has been managing the restaurant since 2006. She buys the vegetables, grains, beans and spices –all organic when available- every morning at local farmer markets and cooks from scratch what she calls inspirational food: a lot of stews, baked veggies, soups, tofu dishes and veggie fritters, all cooked Ital style. There is no menu, which is why you’ll never get bored of lunching here.

During my visit, I started off with a pumpkin and white bean soup with onions and herbs.

Then I went for a sample plate that included BQ Jerk “fish,” a spicy fish-looking soy fillet wrapped in seaweed, which actually had a fish texture and taste. It came with a serving of soy and raisins “meatloaf,” some brown stew tofu (a traditional Guyanese dish I must sadly admit was a little over-cooked that day), rosemary potatoes, pumpkins steamed in coconut milk and a carrot and bean stew. It was all served over rice and beans with a pleasant clover after taste.

I also had a delicious natural ginger juice that combined the perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.

I was hoping to try their vegan blueberry muffins, but the plate was too big and had to take some home. That’s ok, I plan to go back soon.

Note it’s not just food you are getting here; the restaurant serves as a hub of Rastafarian culture and healthy-eating activists. There are weekly workshops, film screenings, and discussions. They even have drum sessions every Saturday evening.

If you go:
Garden of Eat’in
136 NW 62nd St.
305-754-8050.
Opens Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.