8 Best Restaurants in Kingston, Jamaica

One of Kingston's best fine dining experiences, this restaurant is known for its intimate atmosphere and creative menu, which garner rave reviews for classic international dishes that incorporate local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is small, so it doesn't feel overwhelmingly crowded, and guests can choose to dine indoors or on the patio.

The intimate atmosphere, classy decor, and top-notch liquor selection make this quaint restaurant a popular date-night spot. The menu reveals plenty of international influences—Korean barbecue ribs, Thai curried shrimp, and New Zealand lamb chops are among the favorites. On Wednesday evenings, Jamaican-style seafood is the specialty. On the north side of the city, it's one of Kingston's more upscale eateries, with a friendly staff and soft, relaxing background music. 

The intimate ambience, varied menu, excellent service, and contemporary decor have made this one of the top restaurants in Kingston. The menu features mainly European dishes, but Caribbean influences are strong. Weekend brunch features delicious cocktails, gourmet pancakes, chicken and waffles, and other specialties. A second location, Fromage Brasserie, is located in Kingston's Marketplace village.

As part of the restoration of Downtown, Kingston's most beloved seafood restaurant opened a location at the Victoria Pier; the original location is still in Port Royal. The restaurant, designed with windows and glass doors to take in the water views, serves up classic Jamaican seafood dishes with sides like rice and peas, bammy (thick flatbread made from cassava), and crackers. The open-air third floor has a lively bar and a terrace overlooking Kingston Harbour.

This lively restaurant and bar is the most popular spot in Kingston for tacos, quesadillas, and all things "JaMexican"—a tasty fusion of Jamaican and Mexican cooking. There's a relaxed atmosphere and great music, making it a good after-work chill spot for Kingstonians. It can, however, get pretty boisterous on weekends.

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.

One of the trendiest casual fine dining restaurants in the reimagined Downtown neighborhood, F & B Downtown is where delicious food meets local art. The menu serves classic Jamaica meals with Asian and Italian touches, while the bar has a range of wines and spirits. On the last Friday of each month, the restaurant hosts a "creative meet-up" for local and international artists. The restaurant's location was once a Swiss Store; today there's still a Swiss Stores outlet inside the restaurant, as well as other jewelry, eyewear, and souvenir brands.

Located next to Emancipation Park, this jerk joint specializes in spicy jerk meats. It's the perfect spot to relax and dine after a busy day or to take food to go.