Good Eats in Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston has no shortage of excellent dining options to fit every palette and just about every budget. From fast food to Chinese to Indian, Kingston’s dining is as diverse as our people are. There is something to suit everyone. After careful consideration, a selection of some of my all time faves was chosen. Bon appetit! 1.  Indies Pub and Grill A favorite of locals and foreigners alike, Indies offers a very relaxed sitting-in-my-garden type ambiance that keeps patrons coming back for more. The menu is diverse and features a combination of local and International cuisine that includes burgers, kebabs and pizzas. They also prepare a fish and chips dish that will melt in your mouth. Beverages are also available in alcoholic or non-alcoholic as is desired along with the usual sodas and fruit juices. Indies, located at 8 Holborn Road, Kingston represents a one of a kind dining experience. The staff is very accommodating and eager to please and most important of all, the food is great! Try an Indies pizza, you will not regret it.

2. A healthier spin on fast food, Island Grill is locally owned and operated. The restaurant is growing in popularity and as such can be found Island wide but my favorite is one of the Kingston outlets, in Twin Gates Plaza. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day and is beautifully designed with two floors and brightly colored décor. They serve up a wide array of tasty local fare such as callaloo rice, roasted fish and jerked chicken served with a must try festival. No trip to Jamaica would be complete without eating at the very least, one festival! The portions are manageable and the best part about the entire meal is the cost. Visit Island Grill in Twin Gates Plaza for an affordable taste sensation that will please your palette without breaking your wallet.

3.  Norma’s on the Terrace Norma’s on the Terrace is located on the Devon House property. The menu is as eclectic as Norma herself, once referred to by Vogue magazine as, “the Caribbean’s Julia Child”. The menu features a combination of Caribbean and International dishes. Natural fruit juices are also available, as well as, a variety of vegetarian dishes and local desserts. Try the Jerked Chicken Penne; the marinara sauce is to die for! The prices are affordable and the portions reminiscent of Granny plating a meal for her favorite grandchild [a whole lot of food]. Visit Norma’s on the terrace today and see for yourself.

4.  The Rib Kage on Constant Spring Road has made the claim that they serve, “the best baby back ribs in the Caribbean”! Well, if they are not the best, they come pretty darn close! The Rib Kage’s laid-back décor and comfortable atmosphere makes patrons feel at home. It is a place where you can just chill-ax as you chow down on a big, juicy Porterhouse steak. [Getting hungry just thinking about it!] The prices are manageable and you may need to loosen up some buttons baby after you gorge on those ribs. Customer service is wonderful which is a gem in Jamaica; in fact, the service is almost as good as the steak! Try a Porterhouse when you drop by the Rib Kage at 149 Constant Spring Road. 5. For great Chinese food in Kingston, try Golden Bowl at 7 Cargill Avenue. It is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the country! They offer an excellent take-out service so if you are at home or work, they will deliver within the corporate area whenever you get a hankering for some Chop Suey or some Sweet and Sour chicken. The portions are quite large and the prices are very reasonable. The dining area is spacious, with room enough for a wheelchair and they offer catering services for weddings and parties. Do not leave until you try the Sweet and Sour chicken and the fried rice. Yummy! 6. Chelsea Jerk Centre has been a local favorite since my childhood and it still maintains its reputation for excellent jerk chicken, pork and even lobster. Located on Chelsea Avenue, you smell it long before you see it. The fragrant pimento wood can be smelled for miles down the road. The décor is simple enough and the herbs and spices perfume the restaurant, which is fine. When food tastes this good, patrons do not require an over zealous décor. Try just about any and everything on the menu. At those prices, you just might be able to! The jerk chicken is an all time favorite because the spices are not over powering and the heat is just right. Try Chelsea Jerk Centre for the best jerk on the island!