Caribbean Fusion Restaurant Oula Brings Global Flavor to Carteret

A New Sound and Taste for Carteret

On a brisk evening in early spring, downtown Carteret hummed with anticipation. A ribbon of soft golden light spilled across Washington Avenue as a crowd gathered outside number 29. Inside, the rhythmic pulse of island music met the scent of jerk spices and seared lamb. Friends clinked glasses of rum punch while photographers jockeyed for position. This was the official opening of Oula, a Caribbean fusion restaurant that local officials would soon hail as a catalyst for the city’s cultural renaissance.

Oula isn’t merely another spot to eat. It’s a destination designed to transform how Carteret experiences food, art, and community. In a region often overshadowed by New York City’s culinary scene, Oula stands as proof that world-class flavor belongs right here in New Jersey.

Visionaries Behind the Flavor

The heartbeat of Oula is the partnership of Chef Claudy “Duke” Estime and Nagela “Naj” Duperval. Their story is both intimate and ambitious, a fusion of heritage and forward thinking that perfectly mirrors the menu.

Chef Duke Estime: Classical Training, Caribbean Soul

Duke Estime’s journey began in a Haitian household where food was language, culture, and celebration. After earning his degree at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, he sharpened his skills in some of Manhattan’s most demanding kitchens, including the famed Mark Hotel.

He even earned the rare honor of an invitation to cook at the James Beard House, a nod to his ability to marry technique with bold creativity.

“Caribbean cuisine is my foundation,” Estime says, “but I want to take it places it’s never been without losing the heartbeat of home.”

Nagela “Naj” Duperval: Entrepreneur and Community Builder

Nagela Duperval approaches hospitality as an act of empowerment. A successful real-estate investor and co-founder of The BLOC Society, she focuses on economic development in BIPOC communities. When she and Duke dreamed up Oula, she moved to Carteret to immerse herself in the very neighborhood she hoped to uplift.

“I don’t just want to operate a business here,” she explains. “I want to belong here, create a place where people feel celebrated and inspired.”

Their partnership is more than professional. It’s a shared mission to prove that Black-owned, women-led fine dining can thrive in suburban New Jersey, setting an example for the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.

From Dream to Downtown Destination

Oula officially opened its doors March 31, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting attended by Mayor Daniel J. Reiman and a slate of local leaders. The borough supported the venture with Urban Enterprise Zone grants totaling more than $100,000, underscoring Carteret’s commitment to cultural and economic growth.

The location is strategic: a short walk from the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center and the town’s revitalized waterfront. Visitors headed to a concert can stroll over for a pre-show cocktail, while locals have gained a sophisticated spot for date nights, birthdays, or just an indulgent weekday dinner.

“This is exactly the kind of restaurant we envisioned when we began our downtown redevelopment,” Mayor Reiman told reporters that night. “Fun, classy, and destined to draw people from across the region.”

Inside Oula: Atmosphere that Moves with the Music

Step through Oula’s doors and the city fades. Warm golden lights play off African-inspired murals and woven textures. Low beats of classic R&B and Caribbean rhythms drift from a DJ station tucked near the bar. On certain nights, a live jazz trio fills the room, adding a modern lounge vibe that feels equal parts Brooklyn loft and Port-au-Prince street festival.

Everything is intentional from the seating that encourages conversation to the playlist that crescendos with the dinner rush.

A Menu without Borders

The heart of Oula’s experience is, of course, the food. Estime and his team treat the menu like a canvas:

New Zealand Lamb Chops marinated in Haitian spices, seared to perfection, and served with truffle fries.
Colossal Crab Cake draped in zesty remoulade, balancing island heat with coastal elegance.
Filet Snapper with Crab that locals rave “tastes like vacation on a plate.”
Hand-crafted cocktails like the Exit 12 Rum Punch, named after Carteret’s Turnpike exit, that blend tropical fruits with just enough kick to start a dance floor.

Each dish is plated with the precision of haute cuisine but anchored in the soul of Caribbean home cooking. It’s a balance of innovation and authenticity, one reason diners regularly drive in from Jersey City, Elizabeth, and even Brooklyn.

The Challenges and the Community That Showed Up

Opening any restaurant is tough. Opening a fine-dining concept in a mid-sized Jersey town can feel impossible. There were delays in construction, a nationwide staffing shortage, and the usual permitting labyrinth. Yet Oula’s founders say the community never let them falter.

Neighbors volunteered during final build-outs. Local artists contributed pieces for the dining room walls. When the first soft-opening weekend sold out, Carteret residents proudly shared photos across social media, effectively turning the launch into a grass-roots marketing blitz.

“People wanted us here,” Duperval recalls. “They told us Carteret needed this and they showed up.”

Oula as Economic Engine

Within months, Oula created dozens of jobs, from kitchen staff to live-music performers. Nearby boutiques and bars have noticed more foot traffic, and the Carteret Performing Arts Center reports higher pre-show reservations. For city planners, Oula is tangible proof that cultural investment sparks economic growth.

And for young entrepreneurs of color watching from Newark, Paterson, or Plainfield, the message is clear: your vision can thrive in New Jersey.

A Gathering Place for the Gen-Z Era

While Oula attracts foodies of all ages, its social vibe resonates especially with Gen Z and young millennials the very audience HereForYouCentral serves.

The restaurant’s design practically begs for Reels and TikToks: neon accents, photogenic cocktails, and a DJ booth that becomes an impromptu dance floor after 10 p.m.

The team leans into this energy, reposting guest content and hosting themed nights that mix Haitian Kompa music with Afrobeats. Reservations often fill via Instagram DMs, and the comment threads read like a who’s-who of North Jersey’s creative set.

Black Culinary Excellence, Front and Center

Representation matters. Oula stands as a Black-owned, women-led fine-dining restaurant in a region where those remain rare. Chef Estime’s invitation to the James Beard House and Duperval’s leadership in The BLOC Society underscore a standard of excellence that breaks stereotypes.

“We’re showing that Caribbean flavors can stand on the world stage,” Estime says. “And that a Black team can build something refined, sustainable, and community-driven.”

Why HereForYouCentral Is Watching

At HereForYouCentral, our mission is to spotlight the people reshaping North Jersey culture from political changemakers to culinary innovators. Oula hits every note we love:

community impact
bold entrepreneurship
flavors that turn dinner into a story

Follow our social channels for behind-the-scenes footage from Oula’s kitchen and upcoming features on the next wave of Black-owned restaurants in the region.

Plan Your Night Out

Address: 29 Washington Avenue, Carteret, NJ
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday noon–10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday noon midnight; closed Tuesdays.
Reservations: Strongly encouraged book via their official site or Instagram DM.
Getting There: Steps from the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center and a quick ride off Exit 12 of the NJ Turnpike.

Conclusion

Craving something bigger than dinner?

Grab your crew.
Tag @HereForYouCentral and @OulaNJ when you post those cocktail shots.
Share your own North Jersey food story with us for a chance to be featured next.

Because Oula isn’t just a restaurant.

It’s proof that culture thrives where community invest ands that New Jersey’s next great night out is already here.