20 Best Restaurants in Jamaica

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.

One of the funkiest places to down a cold Red Stripe, this whimsical structure sits on stilts ½ mile (1 km) offshore between Treasure Beach and Black River, atop a small sandbar, and reachable only by boat. It has become a local legend and a mandatory stop for many visitors to the South Coast. The place serves platters of lobster and other fresh seafood for lunch and dinner. Floyde Forbes (who runs the bar) and local hotels can arrange boat transportation, but the short rides can be pricey.

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.

Like its sister properties in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Margaritaville Negril is usually packed with young partiers, though this outpost doesn't have waterslides, just a water trampoline to work off those calories. The traditional Margaritaville meals like nachos and cheeseburgers are joined by international fare like fajitas. There's a DJ playing reggae music and a gift shop selling souvenirs.

The location of this casual restaurant makes it popular for those journeying along the south coast—luckily, the food is good, too. As the name suggests, they serve plenty of fish and jerk dishes with a variety of sides at this open-air spot. On weekends and holidays, it can get crowded, but the music and scenery provide a great vibe. There's also a great bar and a dessert shop offering famous Devon House ice cream.

A sign on the wall of this friendly pizzeria reads: "You can't buy happiness but you can buy pizza, and that's kind of the same thing". Indeed, here you'll find the best pizza in the area, along with tasty pasta, seafood dishes, and burgers, and a good selection of wines. The chef tends to add a local twist to his daily Italian specials—look out for the ganja mahimahi or ganja lobster.

A grand piano and a well-stocked premium bar add to the upscale feeling at this restaurant, with stylish indoor seating and patio tables. The cuisine is a fusion of the foods from the many cultures that have settled in the Caribbean—from Africa, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Denmark, Great Britain, and, later, India and China—resulting in a mouthwatering melting pot of contemporary cuisine. There is also a vegetarian and vegan menu.

Perched on a hillside more than 3,000 feet up in Irish Town, Cafe Blue is one of the most stunning places to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of freshly baked cake. The hip hideaway for Kingstonians is also popular with Strawberry Hill Hotel guests because of the variety of beverages made from Blue Mountain coffee. Other café branches are in the Norman Manley Airport, Main Street Jamaica, Fairview Town Center in Montego Bay, and Super Valu Centre and the Sovereign Center, both in Kingston.

This lively restaurant and bar is the most popular spot in Kingston for tacos, quesadillas, and all things "JaMexican"—a tasty fusion of Jamaican and Mexican cooking. There's a relaxed atmosphere and great music, making it a good after-work chill spot for Kingstonians. It can, however, get pretty boisterous on weekends.

One of the trendiest casual fine dining restaurants in the reimagined Downtown neighborhood, F & B Downtown is where delicious food meets local art. The menu serves classic Jamaica meals with Asian and Italian touches, while the bar has a range of wines and spirits. On the last Friday of each month, the restaurant hosts a "creative meet-up" for local and international artists. The restaurant's location was once a Swiss Store; today there's still a Swiss Stores outlet inside the restaurant, as well as other jewelry, eyewear, and souvenir brands.

As Port Royal's number-one restaurant, regulars come here for the food and atmosphere. The rustic restaurant is right by the ocean, with a view of the Blue Mountains in the back, and the fishermen's boats docked by the seaside are evidence of the fresh fish, shrimp, lobster, and conch that are caught and prepared here. Dishes are served with traditional Jamaican sides like rice and peas, plantains, festival (long fried dumplings), and bammy (a thick flatbread made from cassava). Newer locations are in downtown Kingston and Ocho Rios.

This casual beachside eatery, a favorite with locals and travelers, is known for genuine Jamaican dishes focused on seafood, most of it supplied by fishermen just yards away. For those staying in Treasure Beach, a popular way to reach Little Ochie is by boat. Each year in the second week of July, the place comes alive with the Little Ochie Seafood Fest, a veritable paradise for seafood lovers featuring several stalls serving fresh seafood with all the trimmings, plus music and all-day entertainment. There's also another Little Ochie restaurant in Mandeville.

Located at Falmouth's port, Margaritaville is a top stop among cruise passengers. In true Margaritaville fashion, this colorful, pirate-style restaurant caters to families, with its hot tub and giant pool featuring a waterfall and swim-up bar. On the menu are classic American dishes with Caribbean accents, like the jerk barbecue chicken, island taco salad, and jerk barbecue cheeseburgers.

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.

The Ocho Rios branch of the longtime Montego Bay favorite has been lauded by international chefs for its excellent jerk. The plates of jerk chicken and pork and a variety of other dishes like sausage, fish, and ribs at this open-air restaurant are all accompanied by classic Jamaican side dishes such as festival and bammy. Be sure to step over to the kitchen to watch the preparation of the jerk over the pits.

As the name suggests, this restaurant is the premier dining destination in Ocho Rios for Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on kebabs. Paired with the signature Asian and Indian dishes and classic Jamaican meals are imported wines, local beers, and cocktails that are served at the wine bar. The restaurant boasts a modern and sleek style, decorated with red and white seating, low lights, and plants. Enjoy a relaxed experience inside; there is also a beautiful outdoor garden that serves as a dining area in the evenings.

This poolside restaurant has an à la carte menu that serves Jamaican favorites as well as international dishes. The Sunday breakfast is a Mandeville tradition; a lavish buffet includes all the local favorites. This is the perfect spot for intimate meals.

A no-frills eatery favored by locals, Pork Pit is an authentic, open-air Jamaican restaurant that serves the best of Jamaican jerk meats and seafood dishes. The restaurant is close to Doctor's Cave Beach and is surrounded by all the attractions of MoBay's Hip Strip. You can get food to go or eat at the picnic tables on the patio.

A favorite with locals traveling the North Coast Highway, this open-air eatery across from the Green Grotto Caves serves a variety of jerk dishes well as fish and traditional Jamaican side dishes. A separate bar—housed in a colorful rondavel (a round hut with a thatch roof)—serves beverages.