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Montego Bay has its fair share of swanky restaurants
alongside the more usual Jamaican eateries, though many
offer bland "international" fare or watered-down Jamaican
dishes at inflated prices. Pricier tourist restaurants
almost always offer special deals; look out for flyers
around town. Aside from notable exceptions such as The
Native, Jamaican food is at its best from small-scale
cook shops and restaurants. There are plenty of US-style
fast-food outlets around town.
Akbar
Gloucester Avenue
phone 876/979-0113. The sister of the renowned Kingston
purveyor of fine Indian cooking serves excellent curries in
an air-conditioned dining room with tasteful Indian décor.
Prices are moderate to expensive.
The Brewery
Miranda Ridge, Gloucester Avenue. Late-opening spot above
the strip. Extremely varied menu with daily specials, a big
burger selection, lots of salads and excellent fajitas. Good
value and pretty views over the bay.
Dragon Lounge
Kent Avenue, Whitehouse. Laid-back terrace under almond
trees specializes in fresh seafood, with some Chinese
dishes. Proximity to the airport makes it perfect for
plane-spotting, albeit somewhat noisy. Good mix of locals
and tourists.
Houseboat Grill
Freeport Road phone 876/979-8845. Fantastic, unique setting
in a beautifully converted houseboat moored on Bogue Lagoon;
you board by way of a rope-pulled launch, and a window in
the floor allows perusal of the marine life gliding
underneath. The menu is superlative and sophisticated,
mixing Jamaican cooking with international dishes; the
pepper shrimp with scotch bonnet beurre blanc is un-missable,
and the desserts are pure indulgence. Best choice in town.
Jen's Coffee Place
166 Gloucester Ave. Friendly breakfast café and ice-cream
parlor with reasonably priced pancakes, eggs and bacon and
club sandwiches.
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Margaritaville
Gloucester Avenue. The loudest place on the strip.
International menu with a Mexican flavor, and American-style
service with the emphasis on fun. Hidden behind an aquatic
wall mural, Marguerites (phone 876/952-4777) next
door has elegant décor, upscale atmosphere and a Continental
menu specializing in seafood; there's a flambé grill for
table-side cooking as well.
The Native
29 Gloucester Ave phone 876/979-2769. The best place on the
strip for a sit-down Jamaican meal - take advantage of
reduced-rate buffets and lunch specials. Try the "Boonoonoo's
Platter" of ackee, curry goat, jerk chicken and escovitched
fish, rice and peas and plantain.
The Pelican Gloucester
Avenue phone
876/952-3171. Long-established restaurant popular with
locals and tourists. Highlights include American/Jamaican
breakfast, the daily lunch specials, and the rum pudding and
coconut or banana cream pie for dessert.
PJ's
17 Kent Ave. Excellent open-air and inexpensive jerk centre,
serving delicious platters of curried lobster, steamed fish
and vegetables as well as jerk meats and all the trimmings.
Raine's
St James Place, Gloucester Avenue. Popular kiosk café
between Doctor's Cave and Cornwall beaches with all-day
breakfasts, burgers, and home-made cakes.
Sunset Restaurant and Bar
Gloucester Avenue. Tiny, easily missed place that's the only
really authentic Jamaican bar and restaurant along the
strip, as suggested by the local clientele. Recommended,
especially the home-made ginger beer.
Tapas
Corniche Road phone 876/952-2988. Innovative and delicious
Mediterranean food in a place that's upscale but affordable,
and blessedly detached from the strip; take the small road
to the left of Coral Cliff hotel.
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Jamaica
Travel Guide
Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril, Blue Mountains, Portland
Jamaica map
- Google Maps
Caribbean Travel Guide
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