Quick Bites: Hut Negril - Best Weekend Lunch in Greenwich

Apr 15

4 min read

Tucked away in the most unassuming part of Greenwich is a true hidden gem I had to share in this Quick Bites. We’d planned a casual day out—walk up to the observatory, take in the sights, enjoy the sunshine—but what we didn’t expect was to stumble across an authentic Jamaican barbecue grill set up in the car park of a church.

We had no intention of stopping for food just yet, having only eaten light breakfasts to prepare for the day ahead. But as our bus rolled through Greenwich, something stopped us in our tracks—an unmistakable aroma of jerk chicken drifting through the air. From the top deck, we spotted smoke curling from an oil-drum grill and the Jamaican flag fluttering above it. My girlfriend and I immediately looked at each other—we didn’t need to say a word. We were off that bus in seconds and heading straight for the source.

The Hut Negril food truck stationed in Christchurch car park, serving authentic Jamaican street food.

That’s how we found Hut Negril, a street food van serving Caribbean flavours with serious heart. At the truck, we were welcomed by Chef Gino, whose energy and passion were infectious. He proudly introduced us to the menu and the high-quality ingredients he’d sourced for his jerk chicken. If the scent of the barbecue hadn’t already sealed the deal, Gino’s warmth and pride in his craft certainly did.

Jerk Chicken That’s Worth the Stop!

A vibrant quarter jerk chicken meal from Hut Negril with rice and peas, homemade coleslaw, and rich gravy, served in a colourful takeaway box.

Everything at Hut Negril is made from scratch using high-quality, organic ingredients. Even the coleslaw is vegan. Naturally, we ordered the jerk chicken meal, which came generously packed with rice and peas, a serving of vegan coleslaw, and a quarter of jerk chicken—all topped with the most incredible jerk gravy.

It’s everything you want from Caribbean street food: fresh, flavourful, and most importantly, cooked with love. The coleslaw—a chunky mix of cabbage, onions, and carrots—had a surprising hint of sweetness that paired beautifully with the heat of the chicken. The jerk chicken itself was spot-on. The skin was crisp with a smoky char from the barbecue, while the meat underneath was tender, juicy, and infused with that sweet-spicy kick from habanero chillies.

But what really took things up a notch was the jerk gravy—thick, rich, and laced with sweet and spicy undertones. It brought the whole dish together, especially when poured over the rice, soaking into every bite.

Succulent jerk chicken wings from Hut Negril, covered in spicy gravy and served in a compact takeaway box.

As we were finishing the last spoonfuls of rice, Chef Gino lifted the lid of the barbecue drum, revealing a fresh batch of jerk chicken wings. We couldn’t resist. Despite already being full, we ordered a portion—plus more gravy. The wings had even more flavour than the quarter chicken, thanks to the extra skin and char and the flavour was unbelievable. We tossed the leftover rice in the extra sauce and finished every bite.

Pro tip: If there are two of you, I’d highly recommend ordering the jerk chicken meal and a portion of wings to share. It’s more than enough for two and easily ranks among the best weekend lunch spots in Greenwich.

A moist slice of rum cake cut in half, gifted by the owner of Hut Negril, rich in flavour and sweetness.

Just as we were finishing up, Chef Gino returned with a surprise—two slices of his homemade rum cake, as a thank you for taking the time to visit. I’d never tried rum cake before, but this was something else. Sticky, rich, and almost brownie-like in texture, it packed a punch of warm, sweet rum flavour. It felt festive, indulgent, and would be a perfect substitute for a Christmas pudding. It’s a boozy and flavour-packed treat that I have not stopped thinking about since.

The Best Weekend Lunch in Greenwich?

Hut Negril is the epitome of what the Quick Bites series is all about—an unexpected gem serving incredible, home-cooked food found entirely by chance. While it sits in the Christ Church car park, along a main road into town, it's easy to overlook. There are many restaurants, pubs and cafes located immediately outside the National Maritime Museum and North Greenwich station which again can lead visitors astray. But if you invest the time in making the short 10 minute walk to Chef Gino and Hut Negril, you really will reward yourself with an incredible treat.

Hut Negril's outdoor jerk BBQ pit, seen through the Jamaican flag waving above, capturing authentic island vibes.

Chef Gino’s passion is what makes the experience truly memorable. From the flavour-packed jerk chicken to the warm hospitality and surprise slice of rum cake, everything here is rooted in love for Caribbean cooking. There’s no seating and no frills—it’s pure, authentic street food that delivers big on taste and value. We paid just £16 and left completely full and smiling. As one local joked while walking past, living nearby is “dangerous” because you’ll want to eat here every weekend.

So if you’re heading to Greenwich, skip the tourist-heavy markets and the predictable cafés. Take a short stroll down Christchurch Way, follow the scent of jerk spice in the air, and find Chef Gino smiling behind the grill. If you’re lucky, you might even catch him at Notting Hill Carnival later this year, serving that same unbeatable jerk chicken in Oxford Gardens. This isn’t just a quick lunch—it might just be the best weekend lunch in Greenwich.