The “Real” Best Restaurants in Jamaica

Posted on August 4, 2008 - Filed Under Beach and Vacation Travel Tips and Help

I just saw a headline about the best restaurants in Jamaica. So, of course, I had to read the post, although I did so skeptically. I was right to be skeptical, since the post listed five restaurants that are only found in the major tourist areas.

Montego Bay: Day-O Plantation Restaurant

Just outside Montego Bay City, in a lush forest, you’ll find Day-O plantation restaurant. For years it has been the preferred restaurant for a romantic wedding. The restaurant offers both Jamaican and international cuisine. The restaurant is often a venue for special events and entertainment.

Price: not available

For more information go to Day-O Plantation Restaurant

Negril: Rockhouse Restaurant

The restaurant offers only Jamaican cuisine, at its very best. The dishes are lighter and represent a modern version of the classic Jamaican dishes. Items such as ackee and salt fish or jerk chicken spiced with a scotch bonnet sauce are accompanied by the finest wines. The restaurant is open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

There’s something magical about the restaurant’s location and it’s surely a lovely place for a romantic dinner.

Price: US$20-40

For more information go to Rockhouse Restaurant

Negril: Sea Splash Resort – Norma’s Restaurant

Norma Shirley is known as one of the best chefs in Jamaica and now she’s working her magic at the Sea Splash Resort. The cuisine at Norma’s Restaurant comprises the new wave of Jamaican dishes. She uses only local, fresh produce to come up with the most interesting and delicious dishes.

Prices: not available

For more information go to Norma’s Restaurant

Kingston: Redbones the Blues Café

Set in a Spanish colonial house, the restaurant is definitely one of the most elegant on the island. You can dine in one of the two elegant rooms, on the terrace or courtyard. There’s live music as well and you can ask in advance who will be singing when you plan to dine here. The cuisine is Jamaican and the dishes are spectacular.

Price: not available

For more information go to Redbones the Blues Café

Ocho Rios: Evita’s Italian Restaurant

Eva Myers (Evita) is quite a star in Jamaica. Her love for pasta is strong and half of her menu is devoted to different styles of pastas. You’ll find past dishes from all over Italy. Lasagna, penne, spaghetti, fettuccine, ravioli are served with fine Italian wines. In true Mediterranean style, the chicken and fish are present in the menu.

Its location recommends the restaurant as one of the most romantic places to dine in Ocho Rios.

Price: not available

For more information go to Evita’s Italian Restaurant

Now, I wouldn’t mind trying these places, but I can’t help but wonder how much they cater to tourists, and if they are really authentic. I’m not saying they aren’t. But I am always skeptical of resort restaurants.

Now, these places I have talked about before, but I’ll list them again. These are places I would like to try, they have great reviews, and they look very local.

Little Ochie Seafood
Little Ochie is one of those places that looks like a little rundown shack on the beach, but the reviews on it are amazing. I’d really like to visit this place and get some seafood.

The Reggae Cafe
This little place is on Norman Manley Blvd, across the road from Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. I really wanted to go here when I was supposed to, but didn’t get to, go to Jamaica last year. I can’t seem to find the website, and I was sure I had found it before, but I can’t now.

The Pelican Bar
At The Pelican Bar, you have to swim to the restaurant. You can actually fish for your own food, and grill it too. Now, I know that doesn’t sound like much of a restaurant, but it is a bar, not a real restaurant.

If you have been to Jamaica, and have a favorite place to eat and you think it should be talked about, put it in the comments.

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