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Probably the most famous Jamaican dish is jerk pork—the ultimate island barbecue. The pork (purists cook a whole pig) is covered with a paste of Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento berries (also known as allspice), and other herbs, and cooked slowly over a coal fire. Many aficionados believe the best jerk comes from Boston Beach, near Port Antonio. Jerk chicken and fish are also seen on many menus. The ever-so-traditional rice and peas is similar to the moros y cristianos of Spanish-speaking islands: white rice cooked with red kidney beans, coconut milk, scallions, and seasonings.
The island's most famous soup—the fiery pepperpot—is a spicy mixture of salt pork, salt beef, okra, and the island green known as callaloo. Patties (spicy meat pies) elevate street food to new heights. Although patties actually originated in Haiti, Jamaicans excel at making them. Curried goat is another island standout: the young goat cooked with spices is tenderer and has a gentler flavor than the lamb for which immigrants from India substituted it. Salted fish was once the best that islanders could do between catches. Out of necessity, a breakfast staple (and the national dish of Jamaica) was invented. It joins seasonings with saltfish and ackee, a red fruit that grows on trees throughout the island. When cooked in this dish, ackee reminds most people of scrambled eggs.
There are fine restaurants in all the resort areas, many in Kingston and in the resorts themselves. Many restaurants outside the hotels in Mo'Bay and Ocho Rios will provide complimentary transportation.
What to Wear: Dinner dress is usually casual chic (or just plain casual at many local hangouts, especially in Negril). There are a few exceptions in Kingston and at the top resorts; some require semiformal wear (no shorts; collared shirts for men) in the evening during high season. People tend to dress up for dinner; men might be more comfortable in nice slacks, women in a sundress.
One of Kingston's best fine dining experiences, this restaurant is known for its intimate atmosphere and creative menu, which garner rave reviews for classic international dishes that incorporate local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is small, so it doesn't feel overwhelmingly crowded, and guests can choose to dine indoors or on the patio.
Located at the luxurious Geejam Hotel, Bushbar stays true to the property's reputation by offering a fine dining experience and stunning views of the surrounding jungle and Caribbean sea. The menu features savory Jamaican seafood and pasta dishes, with an international twist. When you're not eating, have some delicious cocktails, listen and dance to reggae tunes by the stage, relax by the stunning infinity pool, or shoot a game of pool.
The intimate atmosphere, classy decor, and top-notch liquor selection make this quaint restaurant a popular date-night spot. The menu reveals plenty of international influences—Korean barbecue ribs, Thai curried shrimp, and New Zealand lamb chops are among the favorites. On Wednesday evenings, Jamaican-style seafood is the specialty. On the north side of the city, it's one of Kingston's more upscale eateries, with a friendly staff and soft, relaxing background music.
Set in an 1860s gingerbread house fronted by an old convertible roadster, Evita's—an island institution and the self-proclaimed “Best Little Pasta House in Jamaica”—is a chic, charming restaurant. Its renowned pasta is a spicy mashup of the best of Italian and Jamaican cuisine. The friendly staff, and sometimes the proprietor herself (the effervescent Eva Myers, who still busily oversees everything to ensure perfection), will guide you through the many inventive meal choices.
The intimate ambience, varied menu, excellent service, and contemporary decor have made this one of the top restaurants in Kingston. The menu features mainly European dishes, but Caribbean influences are strong. Weekend brunch features delicious cocktails, gourmet pancakes, chicken and waffles, and other specialties. A second location, Fromage Brasserie, is located in Kingston's Marketplace village.
It's no surprise that this restaurant shares its home resort's bohemian style (it's the beachside dining spot at Jakes). The menu features jerk dishes, pizzas, and seafood, served with traditional Jamaican sides, and ice cream or pie for dessert. From the casual outdoor tables to the late-night dance-hall rhythm, it's a place to come and chill out. Tables are either shaded by trees or in the open-sided dining porch.
This quaint bistro in Mandeville, run by chef Lilee, feels a million miles away from the bustle of the city. Locals favor this spot for breakfast and lunch, where classic burgers, wraps, and delicious pastries highlight the menu. Pasta, steak, and shrimp dishes are served for dinner.
Named for the massive almond tree growing through the roof, this Ocho Rios restaurant is one of the most romantic restaurants in the resort town. The menu is a mixture of Jamaican and international dishes including seafood, a variety of chicken and beef, and other traditional Jamaican meals. For many, the evening starts with a drink at the terrace bar overlooking the sea followed by dinner alfresco (or in the dining room).
If you're looking for a cheeseburger in paradise and blended drinks, come to the familiar Margaritaville. Part of the popular chain (also in Montego Bay, Falmouth, and Negril), the restaurant features Caribbean dishes alongside American favorites, as well as its namesake drink, which comes in tropical flavors like mango, lime, and strawberry. There's a 100-foot waterslide and pool inside the restaurant and a hot tub on the second floor.
Although open only since 2020, this rustic, casual eatery in quiet Richmond has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants on Jamaica's north coast. The menu is divided into Jamaican, American, Asian, and vegetarian sections, and portions are hearty. Most nights a DJ entertains the crowds, and on Friday there's a live band.
The former Running Gut Sugar Estate near the Half Moon Resort Golf Course is the setting for this spot helmed by a top Jamaican chef and serving Caribbean dishes with Asian twists. Dine alfresco on a terrace by a 17th-century watermill, enjoying the signature dishes—seafood, international, or vegetarian—made with island spices; a well-stocked wine cellar complete the experiences. Dress at this romantic is smart casual.
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