Coolrunnings Bistro

We had an amazing time here for dinner, owners are extremely inviting and welcoming. Got to experience open mic and the music was very entertaining.would absolutely suggest this place to everyone!

This place is the best, the food is always fresh and tasty, the drinks are on point, the environment always has a good vibe and Wayne and Cordell are so nice and down to earth. They even stayed late to make us ox tail. We highly recommend taking the drive, you won’t be disappointed.

Second time going to Coolrunnings, great hosts, and was very accommodating preparing my vegetarian meal. They had the band playing, and while everyone was good, when Cordel joined in it just brought it all to the next level!

The food was exceptional the service was fabulous the atmosphere was amazing. Me and my thirteen year young son, look forward to going back

What a find this restaurant is. Came for a birthday party. The staff are so warm and welcoming. The food is great, especially the Jamaican beef stew. Band and DJ were fantastic. A fun time to be hard here. Will be back!

Fantastic food and atmosphere! Can’t wait to come back. The family that runs this restaurant just amazing people too.

This place exudes island vibes. The atmosphere is great, food is always fantastic and the dj and live music nights are awesome. I highly recommend it

Christmas work party was awesome at this place along with the live band. Love the food. Definitely a repeat.

I wish I had photos of the food and the overall atmosphere. This place takes me back to Jamaica. The music was bombastic! The food was irie! (Fantastic!). If you haven’t yet experience Coolrunnings Bistro. Add it to your bucket list. It’s a must try experience! They Most definitely will receive multiple repeats from me…

Visited Coolrunnings in Matsqui Village for the first time last night with friends. Food was fantastic! Service was friendly and accommodating. Just a happy place with a social Caribbean vibe. Will definitely return soon. Suggest you make reservations if you intend to visit. Very popular with the Caribbean ethnic community. Yes Man! Iriee J style.

My wife and I had the pleasure of discovering this little gem of a restaurant in Abbotsford's Matsqui Village area tonight. It's fantastic. We had the jerk chicken and pork combo platter which was delicious and had enough to feed three so we'll enjoy some leftovers for lunch. We had a couple of nice Jamaican rum cocktails which were great and finished off with some great desserts (check out the rum & pinapple float.yum!). The owners and staff are the absolute best and really make you feel like home. We will be back and hope to time a visit with one of the live music shows there too as that would be even more fun. Well done, Coolrunnings!

I’m sorry but the taste of island food here is something that I have not ever experienced.

Yes the atmosphere is nice.
I flew in for a private party but if I tell you that it just wasn’t the experience I was hoping for …. I ordered the chicken fricasse which was fricking cold, when I asked what would be done the server said “I will give you a new order” he returned minutes later with the same chicken Luke warm and the rice piping hot…

I’m sorry but whatever the other reviewers ate wasn’t served to this private party I attended.

Please use your own discretion!

Loved every minute.
Fabulous food! We'll definitely be back.
The family who runs it is so nice and friendly.
Great decor. I'd love to go on a night with Live music.

Ordered 2 lamb dosa, 1 spicy and 1 medium spicy. We got 1 lamb dosa at mild spice and a masala dosa. When we pointed out the error, the waitress appeared to be unimpressed at our ordering. My skills at ordering a meal in Malayan is impressive… but I ordered in English. The food is nothing to wax poetic about, the food is edible but not very tasty. Disappointed as we drove in from the valley to try the food.

Delicious Jamaican food, the jerk chicken and pork was fabulous. The location is setup for live music, so I wast to come back when health regulations permit that crowd. The owner was super friendly and accommodating. Thanks for a great evening.

This is a great little bit of Paradise in Matsqui British Columbia not far from Abbotsford. They only open in the evening hours may vary. If you love hot Jamaican food this is the place to be.

All the food is hot so if you're a light spicy eater like myself take this is warning.

Family run and they are very welcoming and accommodating they usually require a reservation cause its a small restaurant with limited seating but that doesn't stop you from going to this delightful place.

Depending on how the day goes they do run out of certain things so prepare yourself to be spontaneous dinners.

Great experience. Fair price. Had the stew beef which comes with a salad. Also ordered a small soup. The staff told me it was a callaloo with sweet potatoes. I'm Trini and this wasn't callaloo I've had before. I've also spent a fair bit of times in st Ann's Jamaica and this wasn't what they made there. Don't get me wrong it was tasty and had a hint of a taste of callaloo but it was more a broth with zucchini sweet potato and callaloo bush. I didn't get a sense of okra in it which should be prevalent in a callaloo. The salad was really good they use a light Greek dressing and oranges strawberries blueberries cucumber and tomatoes. Now onto the main dish. Was quite spicy not overly at all and it was cooked in. I'm someone to keeps pepper sauce in the car but I'm glad I didn't put any on this. The rice was nice and fresh the beef was also really good. But again this was not a traditional West Indian stew there was no hint of tomato this more tasted like an oxtail type base. Overall though for a city that lacks any west Indian food at a reasonable price or taste I will be back to try the curry chicken at a minium. My order was $23 and change and I'm totally satisfied with value for money. I would recommend this place to anyone just beware the stew beef is quite spicy.

It was fantastic! Best Caribbean food I have had! The awesome family that runs it are amazing. Great atmosphere can't wait for our next visit when the live Jamaican music is playing!

BEST PLACE EVER! The most delicious, flavourful food and drinks! The family that runs this restaurant are truly the greatest hosts of all time. Unlimited kindness and welcoming hospitality! Love you guys

Food was excellent. The atmosphere was amazing. We were lucky that the live music was on. When eating here, sit back relax and soak it all in. Cannot wait to go back.

Terrific food, awesome vibe, and great people. Roti was great, and the rum ball was the best I've had!

I went to this Jamaican restaurant and the food was sooooooooooooo gooood it was soooo amazing! I recommend this to anyone and I hope that the restaurant stays here for a while because I love really close and it’s now my new fav restaurant.

Great food. Great service. Great music. We didn't want to leave, even though it was closing time. Sorry guys.

Beautiful people, flavourful food, large portions, clean and great atmosphere. Band was amazing! Recommended, please check it out! Drinks were amazing! Rum punch, Bombu

Enjoyed our takeout meal immensely - fresh and full of flavour. Looking forward to dining in next time. Thank you!

This is one of my favorite places and I don't get to go often but when I do it's a good vibe every time. Don't be in a hurry when you go. If your in a hurry pre-order take out. Such a good, clean, and friendly environment. Make a Reservation!

Authentic, flavourful and made with love. Had the coconut bread, veggie roti, and jerk wings. So good I ordered a chicken roti to go. Can't wait until I can dine-in!

My mouth is watering just writing this review. 10/10

This place is family. Everytime is always great experience! If you checking it out, holla at me. Thank me later.

Great atmosphere, good music, and the waiter and owner were amazing! Great time and food was amazing!

Great food! I had a beef patty, they were delicious. I also had the ox tail dinner. It was sooo good. It was tender and flavourful. It does say that this usually has to be ordered in advance. The portions were large. I had the rum ball as well. They were a little bit strong but good too. I was pleasantly surprised by this little bistro and will definitely be back again.

Great family run restaurant. Amazing food and service, they really care about their customers and it shows! Can't not wait to go back.

If you want a very authentic jamaican place to eat come here. It's so modern and nice inside and clean, staff is friendly food and drinks are amazing. Come support these guys!

Absolutely delicious! Perfect flavours, you can tell this is the real thing. I often have trouble eating out and finding food that doesn't leave my stomach upset, but this is like getting a home cooked meal full of warmth and sunshine!

This food was so good it made me want to
Veggie patty came with such a delicious sauce and the soup and tea were so full of flavor too! There were other menu items to try next time and live music to come back for too? The owners are so sweet and cultural too. It is worth going here even if you're from cities far away.

This was our first time here and was recommended by a friend. The service was great and the food was amazing. The rum ball for desert was so good. When covid is over and they can have a live band playing this place will have people lined up to get in.

SECOND REVIEW. Is there a 6 Star rating? Lovely Lisa and I had another great meal at CoolRunnings Bistro yesterday. ROTI a chicken one and a beef which we shared to the delight of our taste buds.we started with a Marley coffee, then a soup (delicious) this is by far the best Jamaican restaurant outside of that tropical island, fresh ingredients and an experienced chef make this a MUST TRY LOCATION.
OUR 1st review
FIVE * STARS.to begin with i am very partial to Caribbean Cuisine.especially Jamaican food. When I discovered CoolRunnings BISTRO in Matsqui village. I drove over with my best friend and Jamaica traveller Lovely Lisa.forgot to check but Mondays they are closed.walked up to the door a Wayne answered saying they were closed today. I told him how thrilled we were to get some Island food in the weeks leading up to our trip this year, said he had a meeting and his lovely wife and chef Cordell came outside we explained our food addiction and she promptly said please wait here I was just making a fresh.pot of soup.well. 15 minutes later cup of soup in hand at No Charge. Lisa and I were heaven bound.such a perfect blend of yams veggies and spices No Charge (did i tell you that,) Her soup (sip) was to die for.so the very next week we made reservations and had a delicious late lunch jerk chicken.so good. Caliloo.
. Acker and salt fish.rice and peas.fried plantain so good our tummy once again happy. We even had a TING on ice to drink. Today we called and took out soup and a beef party.once again 5 star service and food. I kid you not this is authentic JAMAICAN FOOD.don't miss it go to web site make a reservation and see for yourself.you will not be disappointed.
Uncle Bob Woolsey

Tried the Bistro for the 1st time Oct. 31/20. Ordered online just before 5. Pick up was 65 mins, understand Saturday night/ Halloween. Got there to pu & food was not ready. It was another 20 mins. Seemed a very long time 1 hr 25mins for our order. The jerk chicken said on the menu came with side salad but when asked was told it was only dine in. They made excuses about how busy they were but really.almost 1 hr & a 1/2 for a dinner order. Never have we waited that long. They did give my husband a bowl of soup because he had to wait so long. We have only been supporting local owned eateries since March but unfortunately will not be back here.

First time at the restaurant. Great service, delicious food. We started with salsa and chips, the salsa was fresh and the chips had a lovely coating that had a nice bit to it. Dinner we had jerk chicken with rice and salad. Good portions and very tasty. House drink was a rum punch, no lack of "punch" there. Very good. Highly recommend this new restaurant. We could not stay later but on Saturdays they have a live band.

I ordered the Curry Goat and Jerk chicken with rice and peas along with Festival. I am from Jamaica so when I saw Cool Runnings I knew and expected a Jamaican menu. Both entree were very good, perfectly spiced - took me back to Jamaica. We will order again and planning to enjoy the live music one night. Happy to finally have Caribbean restaurant this close.

Wonderful service and SO delicious, cannot wait to eat there again.tomorrow maybe? I spoke with the owner on the phone close to closing time and he was happy to put a pick up order in for us and navigate ordering. The food is not just delicious but also really great quality, you can tell they are using quality ingredients. I also heard they host live music on Saturdays, so like I said, very excited to go back! Thank you so much!

Went there last night with my boyfriend and his friend. I wish I could give more than 5 stars! We had an amazing experience. We were just out for a drive and happened to pass by this cute little bistro, so we decided to check it out because they were still open! Probably the best decision ever. Wonderful people, so generous and kind. Music is just awesome! AMAZING food. We left so full and felt great after at the same time because it was quality food! We will most likely be there next Saturday too! Staff was just so wonderful, can’t express that enough. Overall, what a great experience that was. The vibe, aesthetic, energy throughout the place was all you’d ever want. Love

Here is a true family run establishment. All food obviously home cooked and the taste.oh my. The owners are very personable, very interesting and full of life, which cascades to their dishes as well as ambiance. Now the while my work colleague likes spicy, I do not. I was educated there that their food is “favourable”. No spicy. I had a lot of flavour.and immensely enjoyed it.

Amazing food, outstanding service. We sampled many of the dishes: patty, roti, soup, jerk.each as flavorful as the next. Really, you can taste the love in the pot. Warm, friendly, attentive service that makes you want to go back. The quaint, tastefully decorated Caribbean bistro offers many seating options, from bar, to tables, to comfy sofa. One of the very few live music venues in Abbotsford (on Saturdays I think), and the occasional jam session. Plenty of parking in the back. Our new fave in Abby.