Gourmet international cuisine is offered at a variety of establishments in exotic settings. Strictly local fare is also widely available. And if your taste runs to fresh seafood, you might recognize on your plate a grouper or a lobster spotted earlier from a glass bottomed boat.
Irish Rover (Very Highly Recommended) - Greenwich Park, Drax Hall, 573-4933 - Irish and Jamaican cuisine - You'll definitely need a car or taxi to get here. This is a very new place on the outskirts of town which is a true Irish Pub, and you'll think you're in Ireland when there. Winston Samuels, the owner, and his wife imported all of the wood and furnishings from Ireland, and they're doing a real bang-up job of having great food and service. They also have a live band playing most nights, and on St Patricks day (and weekend), expect all Irish happenings. The Irish Rover has an open kitchen where you can watch all of the cooking, and their menu and food are great! After only a short time being open, they're packed with locals and tourists all of the the time, which is a true testament to their quality and service.
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The Ruins at the Falls Restaurant (Highly Recommended)- 17 DaCosta Drive, 974-8888 or 4729. You will need a car or taxi to visit The Ruins (about 1-1/2 miles) *OR* call ahead and they may have a shuttle available to take you there and bring you home. At The Ruins, the surroundings are as spectacular as the food. While you feast on superb cuisine such as fresh Caribbean sea specialties and succulent meat entries, most with a Chinese/Jamaican 'twist', you'll enjoy the natural beauty of the locale. Dine beside a waterfall that tumbles 40 feet into a tropical pool amidst lush forests. It's an experience to be treasured. Also see The Ruins website
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Coconuts Cafe and Bar (Recommended) - 10 Main Street, 795-0064 or 4756 - within walking distance or a car or taxi if a 1 mile walk to too far - Coconuts is fairly new in the last few years, but it's gained the appreciation of tourists and locals alike. They've recently moved to the area where the Cruise Ships dock in an area best known as Fisherman's Point. Their new place is much better than the original, but the food hasn't changed and was very good from the beginning. However, the ambiance has changed to the better! Set in an area overlooking the Cruise Ship pier, there is always a nice tradewinds breeze to cool you down while you dine in the open air. My favourite is the Double Porkchop, and it's a large size cut, unlike many local restaurants which provide small portions. The menu is very varied, and there is certainly something for everyone.
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John Crows Sports Bar (Highly Recommended - Main Street 974-5895 - A close friend, Ravi Chatani, opened this great little sports bar early in 2006. Catering to locals and cruise ship passengers alike, it has a great menu with good prices and a 3 large flat screen TV's for a true sports bar feel, and probably the only one in Ocho Rios. Every appetizer and entree is truly delightful, and your wallet will appreciate you for the good local prices.
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Spring Garden Cafe' - Ocho Rios Bypass Road, 795-3149. Just a short 5 minute ride to the east of Ocho Rios is this excellent restaurant and where the best of local seafood may be had for a reasonable price. The dining area is under roof, or on a patio where you can enjoy the night air. Their menu consists of many different types of seafood and other food. If you like steamed fish, ask for the Extra Large size and be prepared for a HUGE steamed fish placed in front of you done to perfection!
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Evita's Italian Restaurant - Edan Bower Road, 974-2333 - You will need a car or taxi to get to Evita's. It is located to the west of town on the way to Dunns River Falls at a turn-off on the left going up the mountain. This is an authentic 1860 Gingerbread House overlooking the Ocho Rios area and Mallards Bay from the side of the mountain with outside verandah dining. Don't worry if inclement weather arrives since there is plenty of excellent seating arrangements under roof. Eva is your Italian hostess and also speaks German, French and Spanish. It is "The Best Little Pasta House in Jamaica" as their own advertisements say. And we can't agree more after dining here for many years. Evita's is famous for their excellent Northern Italian cuisine with superb pasta and seafood selections. For a special birthday, with one day's notice and proof of birth date, the birthday person receives a free dinner and free party cake. And for your wedding anniversary (also one day's notice), a free celebration cake for the whole party is provided. The only requirement (and a pleasant one) is that you are celebrating the event at Evita's.
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Ocho Rios Jerk Center - DaCosta Drive, 974-2549 - (No Credit or Charge Cards) - You will need a car or taxi to get to the Jerk Center. For the absolute best in Jerk Pork, Jerk Chicken, and Jerk Fish (including my favorite Jerk Conch), this is the place for the lunch before or after doing some shopping in town. One of our favorites is Jerk Fish where you are served up a beautifully cooked Red Snapper. The dress code is extremely casual and you will eat in the open air with local music and probably meet many other tourists and Jamaicans who know where to find some of the best Jerk food in town.
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The Almond Tree Restaurant - Hisbiscus Lodge, Main Street, 974-2676 - The Almond Tree is located right next door a few hundred feet walk to the west of Carib Ocho Rios (to the right as leaving). This relaxing restaurant is famed for its large menu of international cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for fondue bourguignon, Caribbean lobster prepared in any of several succulent ways, prime beef or fresh local seafood, the Almond Tree has it all. The Almond Tree sits above the Caribbean, where cool breezes and beautiful vistas delight you. Note that this is a very expensive restaurant, but usually, the cost is worth it.
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BiBiBips - Main Street, 974-1287. (No Credit or Charge Cards) This fairly new restaurant may be seen from the beach of Carib Ocho Rios. As you look to the left facing the water, a set of winding steps are built into the cliff leading up to a very nice restaurant. We have found their food to be good, local cuisine you should sample during your visit, and their prices are reasonable.
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Hong Kong International Restaurant - 50 Main Street, 974-0588. Serving Chinese, Mongolian, Thailandese, Jamaican and Continental food, this restaurant is one not to miss if you enjoy this international flair. The restaurant is on a second floor of a building in the center of town, and there is little if any view of the surrounding town. But the food is excellent. My favourite is Steamed Snapper with garlic, onion and vegetable toppings. They have two sizes, and the larger portion may suit two people, or one with a BIG appetite. All of the other oriental type foods are abundant and well prepared.
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Glenn's Restaurant and Pub - Tower Cloisters Tower, 975-4360. Glenns has excellent continental dishes, and is also a Jazz club. A famous Jamaican artiste who frequently plays there is Sonny Bradshaw. Glenn's is a 15 minute ride to the east, and if you do not have a car, they will send a driver to bring you to the restaurant, and take you 'home' after your fine meal.
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Michele's Pineapple Pizza - Pineapple Place, 974-6426 (no delivery). So you want a good pizza while in Jamaica? Look no further as this is the best in the area. They also have hamburgers and fried chicken. Their pizza is a complete meal with the best in pizza dough and toppings. This is a small place adjacent to the Pineapple Place Hotel and is inside dining. The "manager's special" is a very heavy and tasty pizza you won't soon forget. And don't forget to try their Hawaiin Pizza which also includes a tasty Canadian Bacon topping.
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Last Revised: Tuesday, April 01, 2008
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