If you are in Montego Bay and you want to get some good old Jamaican food, you won’t be disappointed with our list of the best Jamaican food restaurants in Montego Bay. (They are NOT categorised in order of preference.) There are some tried and true options that will have you going back for more. Are you craving heaps of fried chicken, escovitch fish, jerk chicken and pork, curried goat, oxtail, ackee and saltfish and more?
It would not be Jamaica, if you didn’t include Montego Bay’s most famous jerk spot. Located close to the Holiday Inn in Coral Gardens and also in the Fairview Town Centre, this is the place for simple, comfort food, in a laid back, rustic, outdoor setting. The smell is mesmerising! Try everything!
With a bar and deck built around a big beautiful tree, this cool spot is the epitome of Jamaica’s rustic charm. Chef Bernard “Peppa” Morrison puts his spin on a range of local and international favourites. The lobster, curried mutton and home-style burger are definite must-haves!
Another local favourite, Pier 1 offers open air dining by the sea throughout the week, and on Friday nights it transforms into a nightclub! The expansive bar is the heart of this spot and it is a great place to catch up with friends. Crab-night on Sundays is always a hit.
This family-owned and operated restaurant on Montego Bay’s Hip Strip (Jimmy Cliff Boulevard) serves traditional Jamaican dishes and international favourites since 1964. Also known for its old-school soda bar and the best milkshakes in town! I also recommend their Jamaican breakfast!
Under a Mango Tree, across from Jamaica National Bank, is what locals refer to as Poor-man Pelican. The name suggests it is less fancy and more affordable when compared with the previous restaurant, but it is by no mean less tasty! The fried chicken and curried goat are crowd pleasers here.
Set on a historic site, this beautiful venue is a popular choice for weddings and events. Enjoy al fresco dining against a captivating cut stone backdrop, while restaurant owner and head chef, Robbie Joseph, whips up some good old favourites. The lobster is always a winner for me.
Sweet Spice made its name as a number 1 spot for local dishes in Negril before it opened its doors in Montego Bay, where it continued the trend. Conveniently located in Fairview, they have a ready-to-go lunch menu of Jamaican specialties and a more extensive done-to-order menu for those who are dining. The fried chicken and peppered steak with their home-made limeade are always winners!
Another long-standing jerk centre located on Montego Bay’s Hip Strip (Jimmy Cliff Boulevard), this is another rustic outdoor dining spot with array of sides to compliment your choice of jerk.
With various branches and outlets throughout the town, the most convenient location is probably its branch in the Fairview Shopping Centre. A wide variety of delicious crusty patties, porridges and soups are sure to hit the spot.
Located on Barnett Street, near to the Westgate Shopping Centre, Tastee patties has been making Jamaican patties since . Although it is closer to downtown Montego Bay, its drive-through and large parking lot make it quite easy to stock up on an assortment of beef, chicken, seafood or veggie patties with fresh cocoa bread for a timeless combination.
Although KFC is not specifically Jamaican, ask any Jamaican who has lived abroad and they will tell you that Jamaican KFC chicken is 100 times better than it is overseas. Nobody knows the answer to why this is so, but the long lines in the drive-throughs around the clock, 7 days a week, are a testament to it’s finger lickin’ goodness!
We are always eager to discover new local food spots. Let us know which Jamaican food restaurants are your favourite.
To learn more about life in Montego Bay, check out our comprehensive city guide.
