Awesome N Co — Review by Tastemade
Brooklyn, United States — Plant-based Caribbean
A visit to Awesome N Co in Flatbush, Brooklyn, a unique plant-based restaurant, retail shop, and community space. The reviewer and friends enjoyed signature dishes like the Tivoli Taco and Crying Ryan taco, praising both the flavor and the intentional, welcoming atmosphere created by the owners who are from the neighborhood.
What was great: Tivoli Taco with Beyond Beef seasoning, Crying Ryan taco with peanuts and spice, Wildflower salad with roasted purple cauliflower and raspberry vinaigrette, the combined retail-restaurant-coffee shop experience, welcoming atmosphere, intentional design, community-focused mission
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The menu at Awesome N Co celebrates plant-based Caribbean cuisine with creative, thoughtfully-named dishes. The Tivoli Taco, described as the flagship S-Class item, features Beyond Beef seasoning inspired by Jamaican beef patties, served on a tortilla. Named after Tivoli Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica, this plant-based creation delivers authentic Caribbean flavors that surprised the reviewer with its deliciousness. The Crying Ryan taco, named after the owners' nephew who cried frequently, features a peanut-based element with a spicy kick that earned high praise. The reviewer noted the peanuts were exceptionally good and added unexpected complexity to the taco. The Wildflower salad offers balance for those seeking lighter fare, combining roasted purple cauliflower, wild rice, and arugula with a raspberry vinaigrette. The vibrant purple cauliflower was chosen intentionally for both color and visual appeal on the plate. A ginger cucumber juice was also highlighted as an excellent morning drink option.
The Experience
Awesome N Co operates as a hybrid space combining a restaurant, coffee shop, and retail shop selling books, t-shirts, tote bags, and candles. The owners, who are from the neighborhood and still live nearby, designed the space to feel like a living room plus functional dining space. The color palette is tropical but softened, allowing customers to become the focal point rather than overwhelming bright Caribbean colors. The menu includes an inspirational message encouraging patrons to slow down, breathe, chew their food, and remember their humanity. The owners emphasized that everything in the space was built intentionally by those who operate it, creating an atmosphere of authenticity and welcome.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices were not mentioned in the transcript, the food portions and quality suggest reasonable pricing for the Brooklyn Flatbush location. The combination of retail experience, quality plant-based cuisine, and community-focused mission represents good value for the neighborhood.
Notable Moments
Take your time eating, remembering that you are human, not a machine for producing, grinding, posting, emailing, zooming, etc. Watch your breathing, still your mind, chew your food. You are alive and you are necessary.
Food is medicine, you know, and it's good for the soul. It makes you feel good.
The reviewer expressed pure joy while eating, repeatedly saying I don't want to stop eating this while enjoying the avocado element of one of the dishes.
The Verdict
Awesome N Co is a must-visit for anyone seeking plant-based Caribbean cuisine in Brooklyn. The restaurant succeeds in proving that plant-based food can be just as flavorful and satisfying as traditional versions. It's perfect for community members seeking a welcoming space to commune, people interested in Caribbean flavors, plant-based eaters, and anyone who appreciates intentional, thoughtfully-designed spaces. The hybrid retail-restaurant concept adds an extra layer of discovery and value to the visit.