"Kabawa comes from the Momofuku group, but it's very much its own thing. The restaurant took over the former Momofuku Ko space and flipped the script entirely, bringing Caribbean cooking to the forefront with a bold three-course menu."
"Carmichael himself has described the experience less like traditional fine dining and more like hosting—he even prefers 'master of ceremonies' to 'chef.'"
"What pushed Kabawa to the top, according to the awards, wasn't just technical skill—it was the sense of place, with input from hundreds."
Kabawa, located in the East Village, has been recognized as the best restaurant in the U.S. in Food & Wine's 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards. Opened last year, it offers a bold three-course Caribbean menu crafted by Chef Paul Carmichael. The restaurant emphasizes a lively atmosphere, with staff engaging energetically. Dishes include red pepper shrimp, jerk duck sausage, and slow-roasted goat shoulder. The drink menu features coconut cocktails and sorrel daiquiris. Bar Kabawa next door extends the experience with additional food and drinks, contributing to its unique sense of place.
Read at Time Out New York
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]