Taste of Island Brings Cabo Verde Flavor to East Providence

What the ratings suggest

Taste of Island carries an unusually strong 4.9 Google rating from 106 reviews. Public feedback repeatedly emphasizes consistency, freshness and care rather than trendiness or elaborate presentation. Several diners describe returning regularly, while visitors from outside the area report taking a chance on the restaurant and being rewarded with a satisfying meal.

The available reviews frame it primarily as a food-first operation. One diner characterizes the space as more suited to takeout and notes that the atmosphere is limited, but still considers the meal worthwhile. That distinction is useful: Taste of Island appears best approached as a dependable place for freshly prepared Cabo Verdean and Portuguese-influenced comfort food, not as a destination built around an extended dining-room experience.

Food and daily specials

Daily specials are a major theme. Reviewers advise checking the restaurant’s Facebook posts or asking what is available, suggesting that some of the most memorable orders may not come from the regular menu. Curry goat receives particularly enthusiastic feedback for its rich, balanced Cabo Verde flavors. Other specials mentioned by returning customers include steak and shrimp, sticky pork nachos, shrimp and crab cakes, and quahogs.

Mozambique preparations also stand out across the comments. Diners mention both shrimp and chicken Mozambique, and another review refers simply to the Mozambique as a household favorite. The recurring praise makes this style of dish one of the clearest starting points for a first order.

Chicken earns positive attention beyond the Mozambique preparation. A half chicken with rice, fries and garlic butter sauce was described as arriving hot, freshly prepared and in a generous portion. Jerk chicken with beans and rice also receives strong approval. These comments point to well-seasoned, substantial plates rather than delicate portions.

Freshness, portions and consistency

Made-to-order cooking is one of the restaurant’s most consistent strengths in public feedback. A reported wait of 10 to 15 minutes for a half chicken was interpreted positively because the meal arrived hot and fresh. Longtime customers similarly stress that orders are prepared to order and that quality remains reliable across repeat visits.

Generous portions and cleanliness are also noted. More importantly, the praise covers a broad range of dishes, from poultry and seafood to goat and pork specials. That breadth supports the high overall rating and suggests the kitchen is not dependent on a single signature plate.

Who should try it

Taste of Island looks especially well suited to takeout diners, anyone seeking hearty Cabo Verdean flavors, and regulars who enjoy following a changing specials board. Those prioritizing atmosphere may find the setting modest, based on the limited public commentary about seating and ambience.

For a first visit, the strongest evidence points toward chicken or shrimp Mozambique, followed by whichever daily special is currently drawing attention. The combination of a 4.9 rating, more than 100 reviews and repeated claims of consistent, freshly made food gives Taste of Island a persuasive case as an East Providence restaurant worth trying.