The flavors of curry are spread over plates of goat, mutton and more at this simply appointed cafeteria-style meat-and-three in Norcross. Hit the counter and choose from several options — some of which stay strictly within traditional recipes, and others like the boneless sweet chicken, which lean into the tropical flavors made famous by island chefs. Other standouts here include curried beef, crispy conch fritter platters, and a pulled pork sandwich that incorporates Carolina-style barbecue sauce.

After gaining prominence in the kitchen at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ now-shuttered soul food restaurant Justin’s, Chef Rob opened his own restaurant in Sandy Springs. Part-lounge and part-restaurant, this Caribbean establishment is designed for good times. The mango chicken (one of the most popular menu items) is a large and comforting dish of savory seared poultry topped with sweet slices of fruit. For something more manageable, try the pina colada-glazed shrimp skewers, the cocktail-sized beef and chicken patties, or sautéed blue crab claws in white wine or creamy jerk sauce. Late night food offerings here also include those claws as well as crab cakes and a roasted jerk chicken plate. All can be paired with a tropical rum punch and other Caribbean cocktails.

Considering itself “Jamaican fusion”, Rodney’s includes several cultures that make the island rich in diversity. Fill up on curried shrimp, chicken, or goat roti, but also try the tamarind-glazed shrimp and grits, oxtails prepared as pepper steak, and inventive jerk-seasoned dishes, from chicken egg rolls and burgers to sea scallops and lamb stew. Don’t forget to order a slice of rum and butterscotch cake with vanilla ice cream.

Sun City in Stone Mountain offers patties in the expected formats (beef, chicken, coco), small and large portions of Jamaican classics, and a few specialties, including barbecued jerk ribs. However, it’s their weekly soup specials which separates Sun City from its Memorial Drive neighbors. On Thursdays, the restaurant serves a thick red pea soup. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s fish soup — referred to in Jamaica as “fish tea”. Breakfast here kicks off at 7 a.m. and includes jerk chicken and waffles, both oat and cornmeal porridge, and saltfish paired either with ackee or callaloo.

With hearty servings of jerk chicken cut into lean, chunky bites and perfectly prepared rice and peas, Irie Mon Cafe in Brookwood Hills seems to offer a true representation of Jamaican food on its menu. Bite into breakfast meals like porridge (cornmeal or plantain), ackee and saltfish with hoecakes, or the fried-plantain-topped callaloo and fried dumpling. The cafe also serves Halal curry goat, beautifully spiced braised oxtail, and even a fried chicken entree that challenges some of the city’s most famous establishments for crispy yardbird. Irie Mon Cafe includes a mural depicting JFK, President Obama, Nina Simone, and Usain Bolt painted together against a Jamaican flag centered around Bob Marley and one of his most famous lyrics.

Walkable from the North Avenue MARTA station in Midtown, Negril Village is where the dark-stained wood bar and surrounding ivory floors and walls create an easygoing yet upscale vibe. Expect to find dishes like rum-glazed jerk salmon with whipped sweet potatoes and sautéed asparagus here. The waffles that come with the jerk chicken combo are pineapple-infused. Negril Village calls its Jamaican patties “empanadas”. Most dishes incorporate warm spices like nutmeg with the addition of sorrel. Order a painkiller cocktail and enjoy.

Hit Mango’s, just east of Downtown, when the craving for jerked foods hits; especially in the wee hours of the morning between Thursday and Sunday. The restaurant isn’t heavily decorated, but it’s clean and appointed with plenty of seating. Enjoy ackee and saltfish (the national dish of Jamaica) here as well as callaloo (imagine a hybrid of greens and seaweed), vegetable plates, and “rasta pasta” for those on vegan diets. Other dishes to try include the kingfish and red snapper prepared either escovitch-style with peppers and vinegar, as a traditional brown stew, or with butter sauce.

It’s not hard to miss Foxx Original along this busy stretch of Edgewood Avenue with its prominent Jamaican flag storefront sign — a reminder that despite gentrification, the Old Fourth Ward still loves these Jamaican classic dishes. Foxx’s $25 escovitch red snapper is one of the stars on this menu; especially for those looking to try something beyond curry, jerk, or brown stew. The dish comes with enough sauce to fall just beneath the definition of soup, making the rice and peas that much more enjoyable. The restaurant is also a great spot for a quick roti or coco bread fix without having to travel to Stone Mountain.

What started out as a restaurant in the south downtown Atlanta area near the corner of MLK and Peachtree, Jamrock has spread its super saucy talents throughout Atlanta with multiple locations. The restaurant likely has one of the city’s best (and richest) curry shrimp dishes. Try one of Jamrock’s sandwiches delivered on wheat such as the “Hotty Hotty” jerked chicken and turkey bacon topped with peppers and onions. The rest of the menu is similarly playful in names and categories, from the “Yea Mon Specials” (try the jerk fish fried rice) to “Entrees to Cry For,” which include standard jerk, curry, and brown stewed meals. Prices are particularly inexpensive, including $2 patties.

This yellow-painted, no-wheels food trailer, parked near the corner of County Line Road in south Fulton County, has been satisfying souls for more than a decade. Whether picking up a carryout plate or hanging around in the screened-in outdoor seating area, Scotch Bonnett serves up a menu full of comforting flavors and spices. Definitely try the jerk chicken, but don’t skip the smoked jerk lamb and sautéed coconut salmon. This spot will also jerk a whole turkey for $100 with a week’s notice. If torn between menu options, go for the “heavy hitter” combo for $26 consisting of up to seven meats on the plate: jerk sausage, wings, pork, curry oxtails, sautéed snapper, salmon, and shrimp.

Located in a Henry County strip mall and combining American and Jamaican food styles, the Dutch Pot is a fast-casual cafeteria decorated with brick wallpaper and a rusted metal counter. Grab a carryout plate here of curry, jerk, or braised favorites as well as dishes like herb roasted chicken, ginger-glazed salmon, and garlic-curry shrimp. Dutch Pot also serves snapper prepared three ways: steamed, fried, and braised. Prices range between $8 and $17 for considerably hefty portions.