The Coconut Room is a Caribbean spot in Santa Maria with standout jerk dishes, live music and a relaxed vibe. Ideal for bold flavours and solid vegetarian options. Skip inconsistent cocktails, double-check any surcharges, and focus on the food that wins people over.
When you leave the main street on purpose
The Coconut Room isn’t somewhere you stumble into by accident. It’s far enough from Santa Maria’s centre that coming here is a deliberate choice. You’re here because someone mentioned spice, live music, or because you’re tired of menus designed not to offend anyone.
Most of the time, that choice pays off.
Caribbean food with a clear identity
This isn’t an “international” restaurant or a safe, generic option. It leans into Caribbean and Jamaican flavours, with properly seasoned dishes, a strong personality, and a menu that doesn’t try to please absolutely everyone.
It works especially well for people looking for something different: residents, repeat visitors, freelancers who like a relaxed vibe, or anyone who misses real heat. If you prefer mild, predictable food, this probably isn’t your place.
Clear winners, and one or two to avoid
Reviews agree on one thing: jerk dishes are the heart of the place. Jerk chicken and jerk fish show up again and again as the most reliable choices: boldly seasoned, full of flavour, and unapologetic.
Sides like coconut rice, fried plantain and vegetarian options tend to get good feedback too. On the other hand, dishes like lemon chicken or certain fish plates split opinion, sometimes because the seasoning goes a bit too far.
This kitchen has character. When it hits, it hooks you. When it doesn’t, you’ll notice.
Here, the music isn’t decoration
Live music isn’t an extra — it’s part of the plan. Reggae, afrobeat percussion and sets that give the room real energy. The vibe is warm and relaxed, and service is usually friendly and approachable.
That said, this is not a quiet place. If there’s music, the night has a pulse.
You don’t dine “with background music” here.
You dine with a gig.
Drinks and bills worth double-checking
The negative reviews cluster around two specific things: some cocktails that don’t match the food, and certain extra charges for entertainment or card payments that not everyone spots clearly.
It’s not a catastrophe, but it’s worth reading the menu carefully and asking before you order.
How to get the best out of it
Come for flavour, not subtlety. Order jerk, pair it with coconut rice or plantain, and treat cocktails as secondary. On live-music nights, arrive early and accept that the evening will be lively.
A place with personality (and that’s not for everyone)
The Coconut Room doesn’t try to win everyone over, and that’s exactly its strength. Proper seasoning, music that shows up, and an atmosphere that breaks from Santa Maria’s usual patterns.
It won’t be everyone’s favourite. But if it clicks, people tend to come back.
