The best restaurants Jamaica

Timetable

Restaurants may be closed on certain days, or they may be open every day, depending on the address (so be sure to check beforehand). Hotel restaurants are open every day for lunch and dinner with certainty.

Some local restaurants open between 6 and 7 am for breakfast, and often close at 6 pm. Other Jamaican and international restaurants close their kitchens between 9:30 and 10 p.m., but on the whole, Jamaicans eat a hearty breakfast, nibble at lunchtime and dine early.

Budget & Tips

A jerk chicken on the street will cost US$5, a burger in a small restaurant or a Jamaican dish between US$7 and US$10, fish or meat dishes more like US$15, in a chic restaurant US$20, lobsters from US$30, but dishes can go up to US$40 in upmarket restaurants. Cash, Jamaican dollars or US dollars are accepted in modest restaurants, but credit cards are accepted in fast-food outlets, hotel restaurants and tourist areas in general.

What costs extra

Taxes. In restaurants, prices are often quoted exclusive of tax. In addition to the General Consumption Charge (equivalent to our VAT) of 16.5%, another 10-12% must be added for service. It is therefore advisable to have prices specified and to read restaurant menus carefully.

A tip is always appreciated, but in the case of a service charge, it can be dispensed with.

The local way

In general, Jamaicans eat a hearty breakfast of ackee and saltfish(a local fruit cooked with salt cod), a light lunch at midday and an early dinner. Plates are hearty, but for jerk chicken, you choose the size (1/4 chicken, 1/2 chicken). Beware of spicy dishes! Ask for a mild dish if you're afraid it's too spicy.

To be avoided

It's common sense to eat dirty food, but you can get poisoned in Jamaica if you don't choose the right canteen. In this guide, we've selected a number of small, local restaurants that are highly recommended, but not all of them are.

Kids

Children are very welcome everywhere in Jamaica, and children's menus are available in all tourist hotels. In local restaurants, you'll have to make do with à la carte dishes.

Smokers

Restaurants are often outdoors in Jamaica, and smoking is generally tolerated. All you need to do is ask for an ashtray, or sometimes a dedicated smoking area. In luxury resorts, however, smoking is not permitted directly at the table.

Tourist traps

Restaurants and stores designed too much for American tourists, especially at the cruise ship terminals in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Overpriced, too expensive for their quality and lacking in authenticity, they are unavoidable in Jamaica.