These great restaurants in Jamaica offer fresh seafood and grilled meat from the grill, as well as plenty of delights for vegans and vegetarians. If you adore flavourful, spicy dishes inspired by cuisines across the globe, this island might be your foodie paradise. Pair your meal with a Jamaican beer or craft cocktail and you'll get an excellent insight into the local culture.
So, where can you find the best local and Caribbean-inspired dishes in Jamaica? Whether you want a restaurant that cooks seafood caught the same day, a rooftop terrace in the capital, or a thatched cottage in the hills, Jamaica has you covered.
Where are the best places to eat in Jamaica?
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Devon House
Enjoy brunch on a historical compound
- Food
Devon House is a trendy brunch spot with a blend of Georgian and Caribbean architecture. Its signature puff pastry pie pairs well with local desserts, such as bread pudding, sweet potato pudding or rum cake.
Devon House has a large outdoor lawn that’s great for picnics. Treat yourself to a Devon House ice cream, which come in flavours like Devon Stout and rum raisin. The bakery opens until 10 pm every day. It's busiest around lunchtime most days so head there late in the afternoon if you want to avoid the crowds.
Location: 26 Hope Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 876-926-0815
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Miss T’s Kitchen
Traditional Jamaican cuisine in a tropical setting
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Miss T’s Kitchen is a cosy Jamaican restaurant near the coast, in the port town of Ocho Rios. You can try authentic dishes such as curried goat, grilled lobster, and honey-fried chicken. There are also plenty of flavourful alternatives for vegetarians and vegans.
Miss T’s Kitchen is a popular spot with the locals around early afternoons and lunch, though queues are relatively short. Try one of the restaurant’s freshly made juices for a refreshing treat after a day of exploring the island.
Location: 65 Main St, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Open: Daily from noon to 11 pm
Phone: +1 876-795-0099
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Scotchies
A local hotspot for Jamaican jerk chicken
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Scotchies is one of the most popular restaurants in Jamaica for authentic Jamaican jerk chicken. Other treats include roasted breadfruit and festivals, which are fried sweet dumplings. The meat-smoking method is said to be over 500 years old.
Scotchies has 3 outlets, with the most popular one located near Montego Bay. It’s usually at its busiest around dinnertime on Friday, though you can grab a table any time of the day without waiting for a long time.
Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 876-953-8041
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M10 Bar & Grill
Fresh Jamaican seafood dishes and an extensive drinks menu
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M10 Bar & Grill started as a truck stop, but it has grown to become one of the most popular hotspots for fresh Jamaican seafood on the island. If you want to splash out, you can dig into a lobster thermidor or a surf and turf. Other menu favourites include red pea soup, oxtail stew and cow foot with beans.
M10 Bar & Grill is in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, close to the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing. Monday tends to be the quietest day for the restaurant. If you enjoy a busier atmosphere, head there for dinner on Fridays.
Location: 6 Vineyard Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
Open: Monday 11 am to 5 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 am to 11 pm, Thursday–Saturday from 11 am to midnight, Sunday from 2 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 876-930-2112
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Lorna's Catering
A top-rated restaurant for Jamaican staples
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Lorna's Catering is a takeout spot in Kingston, serving meals such as curry goat, brown stew fish fillets, and oxtail and beans. Sides include cornmeal dumplings, macaroni salad and stir-fried pak choi. For a health boost, pair your meal with freshly made June plum natural juice.
Lorna’s Catering is well-known for its speedy service and authentic Jamaican food. It’s only open from 11 am to 3 pm, making it a popular place to have a late breakfast or lunch like a local.
Location: 189 Mountain View Ave, Kingston, Jamaica
Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 876-978-5865
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EITS Café
Jamaican and European inspired dishes with forest views
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At EITS Café, you can enjoy farm-to-table meals with views of the Blue Mountains. The menu is a fusion of European and Jamaican cuisine, and most ingredients are sourced from the restaurant's own organic garden. Popular meals include savoury crepes, mountain mango chutney, and barrel-roasted chicken. For something a little different, try one of the restaurant’s customisable salads.
Thanks to its location, EITS Café provides a break from the heat and bustle of Kingston. It’s about a 45-minute drive away from the city centre.
Location: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle, Jamaica
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 876-367-8191
Mapphoto by Nick Sherman (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Cooked-to-order traditional fish dishes
- Food
Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant & Bar occupies a thatched-roof beach shack in a quiet village called Alligator Pond. You can watch local fishers deliver their daily catch directly to the restaurant, making it an ideal place to sample cooked-to-order, fresh Jamaican seafood dishes.
Thanks to its location on Jamaica’s southern coast, it’s a great place to mix with the locals and absorb Jamaican culture. If you fancy trying to prepare your own seafood lunch, you’ll find a fish and lobster market just around the corner of Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant & Bar.
Location: Alligator Pond P.O, Alligator Pond Dist., Jamaica
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to midnight
Phone: +1 876-852-6430
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Summerhouse
A sophisticated gastropub with dishes perfect for sharing
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Summerhouse serves a fusion of Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine. Housed in a 19th-century building, this restaurant is ideal if you want to enjoy a special night with your better half. Citrus-infused seafood dishes, local sausages and plenty of grilled options make it popular with the locals. The East Indian mezze platter is great for sharing.
You might want to book ahead if you want a table during lunch or dinner over the weekend. If you'd rather avoid the queues, head to Summerhouse during the week when you won't usually need a reservation.
Location: Harmony Hall, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Open: Wednesday–Friday from 11 am to 7.30 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7.30 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2.30 pm
Phone: +1 876-858-0031
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Stush in the Bush
Jamaican vegetarian fare made from locally grown produce
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Stush in the Bush is an upscale restaurant that serves vegan dishes to promote sustainability in Jamaica. Standouts include black linguine with veggie meatballs, ricotta-stuffed nasturtium flowers, and spicy arrabbiata with almond ricotta. After lunch, you can go on a tour of the restaurant’s farm.
Stush in the Bush is in the hills of St. Ann, providing a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of Jamaica's main resort towns. The restaurant is just a short walk from notable landmarks such as the Nectar Valley Garden and Bezer Church of God.
Location: 111 Bamboo Way, Freehill, Jamaica
Phone: +1 876-895-2276
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Broken Plate Restaurant
Cocktails with a Jamaican twist on a rooftop terrace
- Food
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The Broken Plate Restaurant is a popular evening spot in Kingston, thanks to its rooftop terrace that offers views of the city. If you’re feeling peckish, you can try a small plate, such as grilled sprat skewers or duck breast bruschetta. Plenty of larger meals are on offer, too.
To soak up the local culture and unwind, pair your meal with a craft cocktail. The drinks menu is extensive, but we highly recommend the lychee mule, Jamaica’s answer to the caipirinha. It's a popular place, so you might want to book your table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Location: 24 Barbican Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
Open: Monday–Friday from noon to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm
Phone: +1 876 667 6891
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