Negril Jamaican Eatery Reopens on Georgia Avenue
The Washington restaurant, operating since 1979, has reopened about two blocks north of its former location after being displaced by Howard University's Wonder Plaza redevelopment.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Negril Jamaican Eatery reopened at 2928 Georgia Ave. NW in Washington, D.C., with a ribbon-cutting held November 13, 2026. The restaurant had been forced from its longtime location at 2301 Georgia Ave. NW, where it served its last meal May 23, 2025.
Why it matters
The move followed Howard University's reclamation of the Wonder Plaza retail strip for a mixed-use project with student housing, academic space and retail. The relocation shows how institutional redevelopment can displace long-established small businesses in the District.
Negril has operated since 1979 and spent about 18 months between its last meal at 2301 Georgia Ave. NW on May 23, 2025, and its reopening, which was held roughly two blocks north of the old storefront. The extraction does not disclose the financial terms of the relocation or the restaurant's revenue.
The players
Howard University
Howard University is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., founded in 1867 and historically associated with educating Black students.
Muriel Bowser
Muriel Bowser is the mayor of Washington, D.C., who issued a citation welcoming Negril back to the District.
The details
Negril was founded in February 1979 by Earl Chinn and operates locations in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. The new building at 2928 Georgia Ave. NW previously housed NuVegan Cafe, and Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citation welcoming Negril back to the District, while the Embassy of Jamaica presented a letter of commendation.
Timeline
February 1979: Earl Chinn founds Negril.
May 23, 2025: Negril serves its last meal at 2301 Georgia Ave. NW.
November 13, 2026: Negril holds its ribbon-cutting at 2928 Georgia Ave. NW.
Market Landscape
Negril's displacement is a direct consequence of Howard University's Wonder Plaza redevelopment, which reclaimed the retail strip for a mixed-use project with student housing, academic space and retail. The episode illustrates how institution-led redevelopment on Georgia Avenue can push established tenants into new storefronts nearby.
Customers who knew Negril at its former Georgia Avenue address now need to visit 2928 Georgia Ave. NW, two blocks north. The restaurant's relocation keeps a long-standing Jamaican eatery available to Washington diners.
The takeaway
Long-running neighborhood businesses can be displaced by institutional redevelopment, but some are able to relocate nearby and keep serving their existing customers. Diners looking for Negril should check the new Georgia Avenue address rather than the former one.
Further reading
For more on restaurants opening and closing across the District, see Openings & Closings in Washington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South Florida Caribbean News.
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