About
Welcome to Da Taste, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Newcastle, Ontario. Located at 361 King Ave E, this restaurant is a haven for food lovers, particularly those craving authentic Caribbean flavors. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, Da Taste not only tantalizes your taste buds but also ensures a memorable dining experience.
As soon as you step inside, you’ll notice the cleanliness and tidiness of the space, which adds to its welcoming vibe. The service is equally notable, with friendly staff who are eager to accommodate your requests. Customers have lauded the attentiveness of the hosts, who foster an inviting ambiance that makes dining here feel like a home away from home.
One of the standout features of Da Taste is its exceptional menu that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Caribbean cuisine. Patrons have raved about dishes like jerk chicken, expertly seasoned and beautifully plated, served with rice and peas, coleslaw, and delicious fried ripe plantains. You can also indulge in the highly praised oxtail, which has received rave reviews for being tender and packed with flavor. One diner even humorously noted that the dish was so good, her husband expressed a desire to “marry the plate.”
For those with diverse palates, Da Taste offers a variety of options to cater to all ages. The kids' menu is well-curated and has been a hit among even the pickiest eaters. From mouthwatering chicken fingers to irresistibly creamy mac and cheese, the little ones will find something to love. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in dishes like curry goat, which reminded one customer of their mother's cooking, showcasing the home-style touch that Da Taste embodies.
Another highlight is the vibrant community atmosphere, complete with live DJ entertainment on Fridays, making it a perfect spot for a lively night out. The music enhances the dining experience, complemented by the hearty portions that offer great value for your meal. You can expect to dine well without breaking the bank, making it accessible for families and friends alike.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert, as Da Taste also offers an assortment of sweet delights. Guests have expressed their delight at receiving unexpected treats, which reflect the thoughtful service and attention to detail that Da Taste prides itself on.
In summary, Da Taste is more than just a restaurant—it's a celebration of flavor, community, and warmth. With rave reviews from satisfied customers, each visit promises to exceed expectations. Whether you’re craving a taste of the Caribbean or simply looking for a welcoming place to dine, make sure to visit Da Taste—you won’t be disappointed!
“ I went to this restaurant with my family and we loved it. When we first entered the restaurant the first thing we noticed was how clean and tidy this place was. Overall, the waitress was friendly and the food was exquisite. We had jerk chicken, with rice and peas, coleslaw, steamed vegetables, fried ripe plantains, and Mac-n-Cheese. It was delicious! ”
“ I took my family to this spot for brunch on Sunday. We drove in from Toronto and it took us just over a hour. Let me tell you, it was well worth the drive and way beyond my expectations. My children are picky eaters and they were well hungry when we arrived and I was worried they would not have anything that would satisfy them but to my surprise they had a well rounded kids menu and something my two little ones really liked. The food was AMAZING! and the service, the service was outstanding. We were greeted right away and seated promptly. The hostess even switched us to a larger table once another large party left, so we could be more comfortable eating (were a big family). She was warm and welcoming and accommodated our every request (and we had ALOT) without ever once growing tired of us asking for so many things. She gave us both the breakfast and lunch/dinner menus and we ended up ordering from both. We started with the spring rolls, which were absolutely mouthwatering. My picky children "box dem off" (ate them all). My husband had the fish soup, which was full of provisions and was just extremely flavourful. We ended up sharing it, because it was delicious. We also had the Ackee and Saltfish and fried dumpling and fried plantain. The ackee was cooked perfectly and dumplings were light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, just the right consistency and the plantain was sweet and soft. My youngest children had the chicken fingers with fries and the other with mac and cheese. my picked eaters ate every bite. The mac and cheese was irresistibly good. My husband started eating some and I had to make him stop or else he would of ate it all. My oldest child had the curry goat and rice and peas, not everyone can cook goat meat, but this curry goat reminded me of my mom's goat, so you already know, mom's cooking is always the best. My daughter had no complaints. This dish was an 12 out of 10. It was that good. My compliments to the chef. My husband had the oxtail and white rice and vegetables. LISTEN, this dish had no manners, because the way it sweet my husband, I thought he wanted to marry the plate. It was, in his words, "one of the best oxtail he ever had" and he's hard to please when it comes to oxtail. I had the spicy shrimp with rice and peas and vegetables. This dish was amazing. It had just the right amount of heat and was flavourful. The plating was done beautifully as well. My only issue with this dish was I wanted more when I was done. KMT. And the service was fast. We waited about 15 minutes for our food after ordering and then the food just kept on rolling out, one after the other. Overall, this restaurant blew us away. We will definitely be back. We even found out that they have a dessert side to the business and do cakes and other things. My compliments to the chef Mike and Adina our hostess and the other young lady who helped serve us ( I didn't get her name). If you are ever in Newcastle, then please check out the Da Taste. You will not be disappointed. ”
“ Today is my birthday and need your delicious oxtail for my dinner. I called and placed my order and mentioned that it was my birthday. Well, I was very surprised when I was told that I got a large oxtail with a discount. The lovely lady on the phone also wished me many blessings My stepson came home with dinner and I opened the bag and what was in there to my surprise. A piece of cheese cake. It was a lovely surprise. Thank you to the ladies at Da Taste and the chef who makes the food. I’m going to Jamaica next month and loved eating Jamaican food before we go ”
“ Amazing atmosphere and food. Come down here when I come to visit my cousin. Adina helped my cousins and I order, was very welcoming from the jump. We got 2 jerk chicken combos with oxtail along with cornmeal porridge. Well done to them ! ”
“ We had a perfect experience at Da Taste and you will too! My wife and I were looking for somewhere local to eat. We heard some incredible music playing and followed our ears to Da Taste. We learned that there is a DJ playing every Friday. We were greeted and seated quickly. The service was absolutely perfect in every way. We both ordered jerk chicken entrees. I got mine with rice and peas and coleslaw and my wife enjoyed hers with steamed vegetables. This was an incredible meal with perfect portion sizes. Everything was clearly made in house and was absolutely delicious. It was probably a medium spice level. At the suggestion of our waitress, we got the jerk gravy on the side so we could better control the spiciness. Honestly, the flavours were incredible and the spice wasn't overwhelming. For the two of us to eat, our bill was less than 50. As I mentioned previously, the portions were great and we both found that the quality and amount of food for the price was great! This was a quality meal at an affordable price. I am sure that adding alcoholic drinks and dessert, etc would raise you bill but dinner for 2 at a restaurant for what we paid was definitely affordable. The atmosphere. The food. The value. The people. The music. Just absolutely everything was perfect at Da Taste. Robyn (our waitress and new friend) was amazing and had my wife up dancing! This was a great local find and we will definitely be going back!! I could not recommend them enough. Enjoy! ”
“ My mother and I stopped in this evening, and I just have to say that they have amazing food, amazing service, and an amazing atmosphere. Robin was our server for the evening and she was incredibly kind and helpful. Antoinette is lovely as well! The food was incredible, and the service was very quick. We will certainly be going back, and we will be recommending Da Taste to our friends and family. Thank you for a wonderful experience, we appreciate it! ”
“ What a great place! Delicious food, incredible service, atmosphere is great and an amazing experience The owner Mike and his beautiful wife were super friendly. We recommend the BBQ chicken and jersey BBQ chicken. I heard the fried chicken is pretty good too We will definitely be back ”
“ Amazing food, great service and great music (though a tad too loud for our liking, which is why the atmosphere is 4 stars). I got the curry chicken roti & it was delicious. Not spicy at all (if spice is a concern for some)! And the value for price was amazing! My husband got the jerk chicken & it was also delicious (and more on the spicy side for those spice lovers)! We definitely will be returning. The staff is also very friendly and accomodating! ”