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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.
Upscale Caribbean cuisine, stunning cliff-side dining, and romance make this one of the best places to eat on Negril's West End. Watch the spectacular sunset while enjoying a cocktail by the simple thatched bar and eatery, decorated with funky art. For a special, intimate dinner, you and a guest can dine in the private, candle-lit area. You can dress up or dine in casual wear.
After tropical drinks at the deck bar, you'll be ready to dig into the traditional Jamaican fare and Jamaican-influenced seafood dishes at this open-air restaurant located on Montego Bay's Pier 1 waterfront. Occasional party cruises leave from the marina, and on weekends and holidays the restaurant is mobbed by partying locals.
This restaurant's name perfectly describes its location: directly by the sea cliff, and with spectacular scenery and views. The menu features traditional Jamaican dinner dishes, as well as seafood dishes, soups, and salads. The open-air layout allows guests to enjoy the gentle breeze from the sea, and the dining room features rustic furniture. Guests are encouraged to call ahead with their order, as all meals are freshly prepared.
A Negril institution since the hippie days of the 1960s and 1970s, Rick's is one of the resort town's best-known landmarks and attracts busloads of revelers for sunset every evening. Love it or hate it, it's worth experiencing at least once on a trip to Negril. The live reggae band that performs several days per week for the sundown hours gets the party mood in full swing, and the local boys jumping off the nearby cliffs are often joined by high-spirited tourists. While the liquor flows you can also dine at the restaurant serving pasta, seafood dishes, and Jamaican desserts.
This restaurant is a must for dinner at least once while visiting Jamaica, as the menu features both traditional Jamaican cooking and Rockhouse's interpretation of "new Jamaican cuisine," inspired by the many cultures that have come to the island. The open-air dining area has huge comfy bamboo sofas where you can relax for an aperitif or after-dinner drink; tables are arranged near the cliff for sensational seaside dining. For special occasions, private tables for groups can be set up in a cabana, on an intimate terrace, or on a lower deck. The staff is friendly and attentive. Much of the food is organically grown right across the road.
Zimbali's isn't just a restaurant, it's a culinary experience as guests are taken on a tour of the restaurant's organic farm, before heading back for a delicious farm-to-table meal. The open-air dining space, nestled in the Negril hills, has stadium-style seating with the kitchen in the center, so guests can watch as the chefs prepare seafood and vegetarian meals. The adjoining common rooms are comfortable and spacious, and the drummers keep guests entertained.
Set on the roof of the R Hotel, this Caribbean-fusion restaurant helmed by renowned Jamaican chef Brian Lumley and offering expansive views of the Kingston skyline is an ideal spot to celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant features a small pool closed to guests during dining hours, and on weekend evenings, a DJ takes center stage, playing music until closing time.
This outpost of the Jamaican chain is the most modern in the country, while remaining true to the brand's casual dining and sports-bar ambience. Everything about the restaurant screams "Jamaican pride," from the Usain Bolt statue out front and the gift shop's exclusive Brand Bolt merchandise to the authentic Jamaican food, like jerk seafood, classic red peas soup, jerk chicken and pork, and delicious cocktails.
This thatched-roof restaurant on Seven Mile Beach draws crowds with its water trampolines, waterbeds, swing chairs, beach chairs, and umbrellas, and there's always some form of entertainment—often it's a live band. But the food is terrific, too, from fresh seafood to traditional Jamaican classics. There's also a coffeehouse and a gift shop.
Along with offering stunning cliffside views, the service here is fast and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Breakfast features classic Jamaican dishes, while lunch and dinner are a range of seafood and island favorites. Don't forget to bring your swimwear so you can explore the amazing caves underneath the restaurant.
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