Island Fish Head on Albany Avenue is Downtown Hartford’s direct portal to the Caribbean, where Chef Morris serves up Jamaican classics so incredibly rich and seasoned they’ll make you feel like your own grandmother is holding out on you. It’s the only spot in town where you can smash a plate of slow-simmered oxtail, grab a tropical green smoothie at Jay’s bar to pretend you’re being healthy, and dive headfirst into a steamed whole red snapper all in one sitting. Just prepare your tastebuds for serious spice, because they certainly aren’t toning down the jerk chicken for the faint of heart.

Photos lovingly borrowed from Island Fish Head.