Get Your Fill Of Authentic Jamaican Flavors At These Negril Restaurants

Jamaica is one of the most popular Caribbean vacation destinations. As this island is rich in culture and so many other aspects, you can expect to find lots of delicious food options. As you explore the local culinary scene, you’ll find that Jamaican cuisine has numerous outside influences, including African, English, Portuguese, Indian, and Middle Eastern.

If you want to try some of the top restaurants in Jamaica, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril are terrific places to start. The restaurants in these areas range from simple cafes to five-star dining establishments. We went ahead and compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in Negril with the goal of sharing some dining inspiration. Negril is a hot spot for traditional food in Jamaica, and we hope that this list will help you to enjoy some of the best dining on the island.

Good to know: Negril is located on the western side of Jamaica. It is home to the beautiful Seven Mile Beach and quite a few restaurants, bars, and some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.

The 10 best restaurants in Negril, Jamaica

1. Ivan’s Bar & Restaurant

At the Catcha Falling Star Resort in Jamaica, you'll find Ivan's Restaurant and Bar. This is one of the best choices for dining in the Negril area. This oceanfront restaurant in Jamaica is perfect for dinner with a view and you can often catch amazing sunsets. Dinner by candlelight on the patio at Ivan's with spectacular cliffside views is a must.

Ivan’s has a romantic ambiance and offers a modern take on traditional Caribbean fare. Popular dishes include jerk chicken and grilled lobster. The jerk chicken penne spaghetti, crab cakes, seafood linguine, and mango chicken are also highly recommended. Ivan’s is a favorite hangout for both native Jamaicans and curious visitors thanks to its lively atmosphere, a constant stream of reggae tunes and 80s music, and helpful staff. Ivan’s is ideal for a beachside lunch or dinner.

2. Rockhouse Restaurant

The Rockhouse Restaurant in Negril is perched on a clifftop above the breathtaking Pristine Cove. This restaurant is great if you want to eat authentic Caribbean cuisine cooked up with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. You can eat at the Rockhouse Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Delicious food, a wide selection of drinks, and stunning ocean views have made this restaurant quite popular in Jamaica.

The Rockhouse Restaurant is located at Rockhouse Hotel in Negril. If you decide to dine here while in Jamaica, you can look forward to enjoying a romantic ambiance and great views. The reviews for service here are quite good. Though the food here may not be as authentic as some of the other Jamaican restaurants on the island, you can get some Jamaican staples like jerk chicken and Jamaican rancheros. You can also try their crispy whole snapper, crispy tofu, slow-cooked pork, or smoked marlin sandwich. A full vegetarian menu, freshly squeezed juices, cocktails, and wine are also available.

Rockhouse Restaurant offers outdoor dining which really makes it possible to take in some of the beauty of this area. A quiet afternoon spent at Rockhouse culminating in a breathtaking sunset is the perfect way to experience this restaurant’s seductive vibe.

Expert tip: If you love Italian food, you have to visit Cucina Romana. This restaurant is known for authentic Italian dishes using only the freshest ingredients. Here, you’ll find some familiar favorite dishes mixed in with an authentic taste of Italy. Some of our favorite dishes include Fettuccine Alfredo, Gamberoni Cotti in Padella, Pesce del Giorno, and Spaghetti alla Bolognese.

This restaurant is only available for guests of Sandals Negril. The best part? Cucina Romana’s exceptional food and drinks are included (and unlimited) as part of Sandals’ all-inclusive vacation package.

3. Murphy’s West End Restaurant

Murphy’s West End Restaurant in Negril is a must-visit if you’re looking for delicious and unique menu selections. This is a family-run establishment that serves cooked-to-order Jamaican cuisine made with fresh island ingredients. The food is expertly seasoned, so you can expect a flavor blast as you eat.

Though the atmosphere of Murphy’s West End Restaurant is casual, the service is everything but. The staff here is attentive and kind, which guests appreciate. In terms of the food, some of the most popular dishes here include grilled lobster, garlic shrimp, curry fish, and oxtail. The seafood and chicken pasta are also tasty and any dish you order can be enjoyed with a beer, glass of wine, or a refreshing drink from the bar.

Murphy’s West End Restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere which makes it a good option for a laid-back lunch or dinner. This restaurant does not accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay with cash if you plan on eating here.

Insider tip: If you want easy access to some of the best restaurants in Negril, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort. Negril also has some of Jamaica’s best beaches and a variety of fun activities for couples to enjoy together.

4. Zimbali’s Mountain Cooking Studio

Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio allows you to experience much more than just a good meal in Jamaica. This is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that includes a delicious meal, as well as a four-hour culinary tour.

You have the option of coming here for lunch or dinner. A full-course meal and a bottle of wine per couple are included in both their lunch and dinner packages. To customize your meal, select from fish, chicken, or shrimp. You can also specify if you prefer gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options.

The food tour offered by Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio is both educational and entertaining. The Zimbali chef can always be counted on to create something wonderful and share a wealth of knowledge. Aside from the food and drinks available, sightseeing is also enjoyable in this area. Since this food tour fills up quickly, you should make your booking as soon as possible. Each tour has a maximum of 20 participants.

5. Fireman’s Lobster Pit

Fireman’s Lobster Pit is located in Negril’s Boardwalk Village on Norman Manley Boulevard. This is one of Negril’s best casual seafood restaurants, and the service is good. Fresh grilled fish and lobster are available here, and they go great with the local Red Stripe Beer. If you order lobster, you will be able to select your own, which will then be prepared. Coconut shrimp, curry shrimp, and grilled shrimp are also popular options at this restaurant. For side dishes, garlic bread and rice are among the available options.

The views from Fireman’s Lobster Pit are equally as appealing as the delicious seafood. You’ll be able to admire the turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and lush island foliage as you look out. You can visit this restaurant at any time of day for a memorable experience, but dining here at night or around sunset is the best. A variety of drinks are on offer here that you can pair with your meal.

Good to know: Fireman’s Lobster Pit is great for a quick lunch and provides easy access to the popular Seven Mile Beach.

6. Just Natural

Just Natural is a casual family-owned and operated restaurant that specializes in vegetarian and seafood dishes. This restaurant is great for vacationers looking for something unique and healthy to eat while in Jamaica.

Finding restaurants in Jamaica that are consistent in their healthy food offerings and have a variety of enticing options can be difficult, but Just Natural makes it simple. Fruit smoothies, veggie burgers, fried dumplings, conch salad, and a variety of meals rich in veggies can be found on the menu at this location. Just Natural is “Rasta-Friendly,” which indicates its products are fresh and free of harmful additives. The Just Natural crew is incredibly pleased with this accomplishment and is eager to share it with guests.

7. Ciao Jamaica

If you’re planning to go to Ciao Jamaica to eat during your vacation, it will be best to go with a hungry belly. There are so many delicious options on the menu at this restaurant that there’s a high possibility you’re going to want to try quite a few things. From jerk chicken alfredo to scotch bonnet snapper, the menu here is as unique as it is inspiring.

Ciao Jamaica is well known for pizza and flatbreads. This is one of the best places where you’ll be able to find these items on the west side of Jamaica. One of the most popular toppings for pizza here is jerk chicken and this option really gives you a taste of Jamaica. Other than the pizza, you can enjoy classic Jamaican dishes and international cuisine as well as tasty desserts like ice cream and key lime pie.

Ciao Jamaica is located beachside and the service is good. Expect beautiful views and easy access to the beach. A wide range of cocktails, juices, beers, and other drinks are available here. Blue Mountain Coffee, one of the highest-rated coffee brands in the world, is also served at this Jamaican eatery.

8. Kuyaba Restaurant

Kuyaba Restaurant is a seaside restaurant and bar just off Seven Mile Beach. This family-owned restaurant offers ‘island-style dining’ in a lush, tropical setting. This is a laid-back restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the menu, you’ll find everything from seafood to steak to pasta to poultry.

Kuyaba Restaurant takes pride in using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. If you’re not sure what to order, you can ask the friendly and accommodating staff for suggestions. For breakfast, you can try the Jamaican-style breakfast or traditional eggs, omelets, pancakes & bacon. For lunch, fresh salads, sandwiches, and burgers as well as full meals are available. Overall, based on guest reviews, lobster thermidor and saltfish are two of the most popular dishes at this restaurant.

If you plan on dining at Kuyaba Restaurant and want great views, book a seat in the Gazebo Tower, which offers a bird’s eye view of the Caribbean Sea. Kuyaba has a diverse selection of wines and other beverages to complement your meal.

9. The Lodge Restaurant

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the Negril area of Jamaica, the Lodge Restaurant is a good option. This restaurant is located at the Tensing Pen Hotel in Negril and serves a range of international cuisines as well as traditional island fare. Service is good here, and the drinks are plentiful.

If you opt to dine at the Lodge Restaurant while in Jamaica, you should try some of the popular dishes, such as the Ackee Crostini, Fresh Snapper or Grouper, and Jerk Pork. The fried plantains are very popular with visitors. This establishment serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended. If you want a more romantic ambiance, you can also book a private dining experience at this restaurant.

10. Flag City

Flag City restaurant is located on the beachfront near Seven Mile Beach in Negril. This is primarily a seafood restaurant but it is possible to enjoy some other tasty island favorites at this location as well. At Flag City, you can have your meal right on the beach while admiring the amazing views of the Caribbean Sea. Before or after your meal, you might want to take a dip in the glistening blue waters which will just be a few feet away!

Some of the popular dishes at this eatery include lobster, which visitors say “melts in your mouth”. Also on offer are red snapper and jerk chicken which are cooked right on the spot. The staff here is accommodating and kind, adding something positive to the experience. While enjoying a freshly cooked and delicious meal here, you’ll certainly appreciate the breezy vibes and the ocean views.

Expert tip: There are a variety of food and drink options you might want to try while in Jamaica. That list includes some popular Caribbean beers like the local Red Stripe Beer and Blue Mountain Coffee.

Iconic Jamaican cuisine to try

There's so much delicious food available in Jamaica, that you might not know where to start. We’ve listed some of the signature dishes of this island that you won't want to miss out on during your vacation:

• Jerk Chicken: Jerk spiced chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, scotch bonnet pepper, and pimento. After soaking in the flavor for a while, the meat is slow-cooked on an open grill, often over hot coals. Jerk chicken meals in Jamaica are often served with rice and peas, bread, or festival (a sweet fried dumpling) on the side.
  

• Oxtail: Oxtail seasoned with herbs and spices before being fried and slow-cooked. This can take several hours on low heat or in a pressure cooker. When prepared correctly, this meal is hearty and delicious especially when served with rice and peas.
  

• Curry Goat: This south Asian-inspired stew combines goat meat, garlic, onions, ginger, hot peppers, and lots of Jamaican curries. If you’ve never tried goat meat, the flavor is similar to lamb. Curried goat is often stewed with potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs and served with peas and rice on the side.
  

• Brown Stew Chicken: Popular on many Caribbean islands, brown stew chicken is one of Jamaica’s most popular dishes. To prepare this dish, the chicken is lightly fried before being slow-cooked with vegetables and spices. The flavorful and rich gravy is one of the best parts of this meal, which is frequently served with rice and peas.
  

• Run Down: A classic Jamaican fish stew that is typically made with large chunks of fish, primarily mackerel but occasionally cod, slow-cooked in coconut milk along with other ingredients including garlic, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and spices. The dish can be eaten at any meal and it is typically accompanied by Jamaican-style dumplings and boiled green bananas.
  

• Pepper Pot Soup: Callaloo, which is a vegetable akin to spinach, is combined with okra, and other ingredients in Jamaican pepper pot soup. The addition of coconut milk to this particular recipe gives the soup a creamier texture. Pepperpot is quite filling and sometimes it is made without coconut milk.
  

• Jamaican Corn Soup: Like the rest of the Americas and the Caribbean islands, corn plays a significant role in Jamaican cuisine. One of the most well-known recipes with Rastafarian influences is the hearty corn soup. For this soup, corn is combined with vegetables like split peas, pumpkin, and potatoes.
  

• Fried Plantains: Plantains are the tropical equivalent of sweet potatoes. In Jamaica, they're usually fried and then topped with butter, salt, and pepper. They’re most commonly found on dinner/lunch menus, as a sweet accompaniment to savory dishes like ackee and saltfish.

Expert tip: Want to learn how to cook Jamaican cuisine? You can start with this Jamaican jerk chicken recipe and our Sandals’ secret jerk marinade recipe.

Restaurants in Negril: Experience the best Jamaican food during your stay

Negril is the perfect place to experience the wide range of flavors that make up Jamaican cuisine. As you can see from the listing above, there is a wide variety of Jamaican restaurants to choose from in this area. Before venturing out, though, you should give some thought to exactly what it is you’re craving.

With eight restaurants to choose from and an array of cuisines to try, guests of Sandals resorts in Negril need not travel any further than their resort to experience some of the best dining Jamaica has to offer - and it's all included!

Staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts in Negril is the best option if you want to have access to a variety of restaurants without leaving your resort. Guests at Sandals Negril have access to multiple on-property restaurants, most of which specialize in fine dining. Casual dining options are also available. As the food is included in your vacation package at this resort, you’ll be able to fill up on the island’s finest cuisine without breaking the bank!

Expert tip: Not sure which island you want to vacation on? Have a look at the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean which might help you to decide!