Jamaica’s Best Restaurants • Where to Eat in Jamaica

This guide is for travelers looking for Jamaica’s best restaurants and where to eat on this idyllic Caribbean island. 

Jamaican food is influenced by many different cultures and cooking methods, and there are plenty of Caribbean and authentic Jamaican options on the island. You can also grab a bite at restaurants serving international cuisines.

From casual beachfront cafes to high-end restaurants and everything in between, there are tons of options, so we made a list of the best places to eat to help you decide.

Check out: Jamaica Travel Guide • Plan Your Trip to Jamaica

10 Best Restaurants in Jamaica 

Check out the restaurants to dine and drink in Jamaica!

Article Guide

• Scotchies
• Rockhouse Restaurant
• Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio
• Just Natural
• Ivan's Bar and Restaurant
• Miss T’s Kitchen
• Fireman’s Lobster Pit
• Juici Patties
• Devon House I-Scream
• Smurfs Cafe

Jamaican Food: Your Guide to Jamaica’s Cuisine 

Get familiar with Jamaican food. There's nothing like the herbs and spices-infused food from Jamaica, so eat to your heart’s content while you’re on this Caribbean island. 

Jerk cuisine—whether it's chicken, lobster, fish, or pork—is world-famous and originated in Jamaica. 

The mix of sweet and savoury spices on the meat for every palate is irresistible. Jamaicans are also known for their Ital cuisine which promotes fresh fruits and vegetables developed by Rastafarians to encourage a healthy lifestyle. 

You can also try the Jamaican patties which are flaky pastry with fillings like meat, vegetables and cheese. 

Other Jamaican dishes to check out are curried goat, coconut shrimp, rice and peas, and a vegetable dish called callaloo made with amaranth, taro or Xanthosoma. 

#1. Scotchies

You can't leave the island without eating jerk chicken, pork, or fish at Scotchies. Locals recommend it if you want to have an authentic dining experience on the island.

The mouth-watering aroma of freshly grilled food from the open pit welcomes diners. Having a bite of their savoury and smoky jerk food is traditionally spiced and served with side dishes. Then make your food spicy with their homemade sauce created with scotch bonnet peppers. 

Enjoy the jerked meat of your choice with coconut-infused rice and peas, roast breadfruit, or the mildly sweet and crispy festival bread. 

Neighbourhood: Ocho Rios and Montego Bay

Type: Authentic Jamaican cuisine

Best for: Friends or family looking for local cuisine

#2. Rockhouse Restaurant

With great sunset, cliffs, and the Caribbean Sea view, fine dining at Rockhouse Restaurant is wonderful for an energy-filling breakfast or romantic dinner.

Their menu is refined with ingredients from Rockhouse’s garden. Some of the best dishes they serve include the fresh-tasting coconut shrimp or a rich coconut chicken, blackened mahi-mahi with mango chutney, and snapper steamed in a banana leaf.

Neighbourhood: West End Road, Negril

Type: Caribbean, Jamaican, Seafood cuisine

Best for: Couples or friends 

#3. Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio

Farm-to-table cooking at Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio is a must-try for foodies who want an immersive dining experience. Take a look at their beautiful garden room or have a farm tour while in the mountains. The chefs prepare your meal in front of you and they have little facts about the food and ingredients they use. 

Every bit of their black bean stuffed samosa, a hot bowl of pumpkin soup, and banana coconut sushi tastes fresh and delicious. But there’s more in their menu so explore your options from their organic choices.

Neighbourhood: Canaan Mountain, Negril

Type: Caribbean, Jamaican, International cuisine

Best for: Families with children or vegetarians

#4. Just Natural

Come and relax at Just Natural. Eat organic and seafood dishes while surrounded by a rustic yet charming garden with herbs and fruits used in their menu. 

Sit by an intimate spot with mismatched recycled tables and chairs. Hearty meals like their smooth and soft lobster meat or the healthy callaloo omelet. Other popular choices for breakfast or lunch are vegan burrito or fish and pasta.

You're paying for the food and ambiance at an affordable price, making this restaurant one of the best values in Jamaica.

Neighbourhood: Hylton Avenue, Negril

Type: Caribbean, Jamaican, healthy cuisine with vegetarian-friendly options

Best for: Vegetarians, healthy-conscious foodies

#5. Ivan's Bar and Restaurant

Taste Jamaican cuisine with a modern twist plus a scenic view while dining at Ivan's Bar and Restaurant.

Treat yourself to fresh lobster dinners while seated at an open-sided thatched roof or any private tables near the cliff's edge. These romantic settings are perfect for romantic meals under the stars. 

Get a tasty and hot mango chicken or the creamy jerk chicken penne which has a balanced spicy jerk flavouring. Then wrap your meal up with a luscious triple chocolate cake or cheesecake.

Neighbourhood: West End Road, Negril

Type: Caribbean, Jamaican, American cuisine

Best for: Couples or group of friends

 #6. Miss T’s Kitchen

Miss T's Kitchen welcomes their diners with an open and colourful setting. Listen to reggae beats while savouring authentic Jamaican food.

Drink a rum concoction and match it with one of their best dishes like oxtail stew seasoned with herbs and spices. Their thick and creamy curried goat with savoury flavour is something to try, too. For a spicy meal, try their fish escovitch served with pickled carrots; onions, and fiery scotch bonnet pepper.

Neighbourhood: Main Street, Ocho Rios

Type: Jamaican/Caribbean

Best for: Group of friends, solo travellers

#7. Fireman’s Lobster Pit

Looking for a seafood place? Fireman's Lobster Pit is loved by locals and tourists for its fresh seafood menu. The laidback outdoor seating with a relaxing ocean view is perfect dining at any time of the day. 

Don't miss out on their mouth-watering lobsters and king crabs that are grilled over pimento wood. These perfectly seasoned and smothered garlic butter seafood meals taste even better when paired with an ice-cold Red Stripe beer.

Neighbourhood: Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril 

Type: Seafood

Best for: Seafood lovers, families, groups

#8. Juici Patties

Nothing can beat an authentic Jamaican patty, so try one at Juici Patties. It’s the largest fast-food chain in Jamaica with over 60 branches. 

Their tasty, hot, and inexpensive patties have different fillings like chicken, beef, cheese, shrimp, ackee, and soy. Heavier meal options include ackee and saltfish, callaloo and saltfish, chicken and chips, and soups. 

The fast and quick service despite the long line makes it even better for those who are in a rush for their next destination. 

Neighbourhood: St. James, Montego Bay; Falmouth, Trelawny Parish; Newline St, Ocho Rios, and more

Type: Fast-food, Jamaican

Best for: Any type of traveler

#9. Devon House I-Scream

Dessert lovers line up at Devon House I-Scream. This ice cream parlour serves the best sweet treat after your outdoor activities.

Enjoy a scoop or two from the selection of sweet and creamy ice cream flavours while strolling around for sightseeing. Try out the creamy coffee ice cream, silky pistachio, classic grape nut, or their new ginger-based ice cream packed with intense spice flavour and salted caramel flavour. 

Neighbourhood: Hope Road, Kingston

Type: Dessert

Best for: Sweet tooth, families with kids, solo travellers, friends

#10. Smurfs Cafe

Looking for a place to enjoy your breakfast or lunch? Smurfs Cafe serves up fresh, hot, and delicious food perfect for budget-conscious travellers.

Their must-try dishes include ackee and saltfish and callaloo omelet. Eat these up while enjoying a cup of freshly roasted coffee to start your day. 

Neighbourhood: Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Type: Caribbean, Cafe, Jamaican

Best for: Travelers on a budget, families, solo tourists