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Montego
Bay Restaurants
Montego Bay or Mo
Bay is the first taste most visitors have of the island as it's
home of the north shore airport. The second largest city on the
island and the busiest cruise pier, you'll find travelers from
around the world coming and going in this bustling community year
around.
The name Montego is derived from "manteca," or lard
in Spanish. The reason is simple: the Spanish once shipped the
hogs they butchered up in the mountains from this port city.
Throughout the past century it has been tourists, not hogs, shipped
in and out of this port. In 1924 Jamaican tourism got its start
right here and there has been no looking back since then.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
Bali Hai, AI
Sandals Royal Caribbean
North Coast Highway
876/953-2231
Dress code: proper attire required. No beachwear, tank tops, dress
shorts, or bare feet. Collared shirts required.
Reservations: required
A meal at Bali Hai is truly an experience. It begins with a ride
aboard the 40-foot Wayang Doll launch for a quick cruise over
to the island. Two seatings per night are offered at 6 p.m. and
9 p.m. the menu is fixed and includes numerous courses, each served
with accompanying hot sauces (and we do mean hot!)
Diners begin with appetizers such as Lumpia Goreng, a spring roll
stuffed with cabbage, bamboo shoots and shrimp and Soto Ajam Djawa,
a Javanese-style chicken broth, garnished with chicken and spring
onion. Multiple entrees are served on hot bricks and include Tjap
Tjai (chicken with mixed vegetables), Daging Bali (spiced beef
cooked in soya sauce), Fkan Kuning (Trout fillet steamed in coconut
milk), Pergedel Djagung (Cornfritters), Ajam Pangang Pedis (spiced
roasted chicken), Sambal Goreng Kentang (spicy potato sticks),
Babi Ketjap (Porkloin simmered in a ginger sauce), Krupuk Udang
(Fried Prawncrackers) and Tumis Buncis (Stringbean stewed in coconut
milk). A dinner here is a memorable experience and one we'd highly
recommend.
Typical Dinner Menu
The menu at Bali Hai changes frequently but one thing remains
constant: this is one of the best restaurants at any of the island's
all-inclusive properties.
APPETIZER
Lumpia Goreng
Springroll stuffed with cabbage, bamboo shoots and shrimp
SOUP
Soto Ajam Djawa
Javanese-style chicken broth, garnished with chicken and spring
onion
ENTREE
Nasi Putih
White Rice
Tjap Tjai
Chicken with mixed vegetables
Daging Bali
Spiced beef cooked in soya sauce
Atjar Tjampur
Pickled mixed vegetables
Fkan Kuning
Trout fillet steamed in coconut milk
Pergedel Djagung
Cornfritters
Ajam Pangang Pedis
Spiced roasted chicken
Sambal Goreng Kentang
Spicy potato sticks
Babi Ketjap
Porkloin simmered in a ginger sauce
Krupuk Udang
Fried prawncrackers
Udang Saos Tiram
Shrimp and peppers in oyster sauce
Sambalans
Very hot condiments
Tumis Buncis
Stringbean stewed in coconut milk
Bellfield 1794,
$$$-$$$$
Barnett Estate
876/952-2382
Dress code: dressy
Reservations: required
This elegant restaurant, located on the 3,000-acre Barnett Estate
near Montego Bay, is operated by Elegant Resorts International.
The open-air restaurant features a view of the city lights and
a menu that combines a taste of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Select
from dishes including spicy ackee tomato salsa on smoked marlin,
plantation salad, jerk pork Bellfield, steamed fish Port Royal,
sweet potato pudding, and more. Follow with a taste of sweet potato
pudding, cheese cake with a tropical fruit chutney or a cup of
Blue Mountain coffee.
After a meal, enjoy a leisurely stroll over to the great house.
The restored historic house is open to visitors; guided tours
are available before or after dinner.
Day-O Plantation
Restaurant and Bay, $$-$$$
Fairfield
876/952-1825
Dress code: casually elegant or dressy
Reservations: required
Free pickup service from area resorts is included with dinner
at Day-O, a restaurant built with a plantation atmosphere. Owned
by Jamaican musician Paul Hurlock and his wife Jennifer, this
restaurant serves up Jamaican cuisine and seafood specialties.
Indoor and outdoor dining is available and after a meal the dance
floor opens with live music. Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner
only.
Il Giardina,
$$$
Half Moon Village
876/953-2211
Dress code: dressy
Reservations: suggested
Italian elegance is the order of the day here. Open for dinner
from 7pm, the menu features antipasti, pasta, fish, and meat dishes
accompanied by an extensive wine list. Open for dinner only.
Julia's, $$$$
Bogue Hill
876/952-1772
Dress code: dressy
Reservations: required
Look around at the many autographed celebrity photos mounted on
the restaurant walls and you'll see that Julia's has a star-studded
following. A taste of the offerings and it's easy to see why.
Italian dishes fill the menu and often the owner comes out to
sing.
Margueritaville
Caribbean Bar and Grill, $$
Gloucester Ave.
876/952-4777
Dress code: very casual
Reservations: no
You don't just visit Margueritaville for the food-- a stop here
is more for the party atmosphere. Casual dining is the order of
the day: American favorites like burgers and pizza top the list.
But the food is just an excuse to come use the extensive facilities:
a waterslide that plummets from the upstairs bar right into the
sea, giant TV screens, and more.
Marguerites,
$$$-$$$$
Gloucester Ave.
876/952-4777
Dress code: dressy or casually elegant
Reservations: suggested
For all the casualness of its next door neighbor, Margueritaville,
Marguerites is for those looking for something elegant and special.
The two eateries may be yards apart, but in atmosphere they might
as well be at opposite ends of the island. Check out the flambé
dishes that are the specialty of the house at the seaside restaurant
such as Tijuana shrimp flambéd in tequila and Grand Marnier.
The Native,
$-$$$
29 Gloucester Ave.
876/979-2769
Dress code: casual for lunch, casually elegant for dinner
Reservations: required for dinner
We came to The Native for a lunch buffet, an impressive spread
of salads, rice and peas, jerk chicken, snapper, and other island
delights. Offered every Friday and Sunday, this noon buffet is
popular with vacationers and locals alike. And if you can't make
it for the buffet, order up the Boonoonoonos Platter for a sample
of lots of local specialties.
The reasons for The Native's popularity are easy to see. Tucked
under a sprawling poinciana tree, the open air eatery is a wonderful
place to step away from the packaged fun of the resorts and watch
Montego Bay life roll by.
Norma at the Wharf
House, $$$
Reading, west of Montego Bay
876/979-2745
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: required for dinner
Norma's (like the Kingston restaurant of the same name) is known
for its nouvelle Jamaica cuisine, all served up in an historic
setting. The restaurant is the creation of Norma Shirley, a chef
whose talents have been recognized by Bon Appetit and Food and
Wine magazines.
The Oleander Room,
AI
Sandals Montego Bay
Kent Ave.
876/952-5510
Dress code: long pants, collared shirts
Reservations: required
This is the most elegant eatery at Sandals Montego Bay, a Georgian-style
restaurant that serves Jamaican cuisine with a gourmet twist,
all in an refined white-glove atmosphere. Seatings are 6 pm to
9pm. Diners begin with ackee and bacon galette served on an avocado
coulis, Middle Quarter peppered shrimp with a cool herb and lime
cream, Stamp and Go on papaya chutney, or Smoked Blue Marlin Tartare
dressed with marinated cucumber and acidulated dressing. Entrees
are equally elegant: Jamaican Salt Beef stuffed with callaloo
and sweet peppers on a light jerk sauce, Escoveitched Red Snapper
served with marinated vegetables and festival, or Jamaican Steamed
Fish with okra, carrot, cho-cho, and escallion garnished with
fried bammy. A meal here is a delight for couples.
The Oleander Room
Sample Dinner Menu
APPETIZERS
- Ackee and Bacon
Galette served on an avocado coulis
- Middle Quarter
Peppered Shrimp with a cool herb and lime cream
- Jamaican Salt Beef
Terrine served with a mango sauce
- Smoked Blue Marlin
Tartare dressed with marinated cucumber and acidulated dressing
- Stamp and Go Codfish
fritters set on a papaya chutney
SOUPS
- Jamaican Pepperpot
Soup
- Cream of Pumpkin
Soup
SALAD
- Medley of St. Elizabeth
Greens with an exotic guava-tamarind dressing
ENTREES
- Jerk Chicken Roulade
stuffed with callaloo and sweet peppers served on a light jerk
sauce
- Filet Old Harbour
Escoveitched Red Snapper served with marinated vegetables and
festival
- Pork Cutlet Grilled
with pimento seeds, served with rice and peas and candied onion
jus
- Jamaican Steamed
Fish with okra, carrot, cho-cho and escallion,
garnished with fried bammy
- Stew Beef with
local ground provisions and spinners
DESSERTS
- Caribbean Cream
with banana rum and raisin
- Blue Mountain Delice
of Coffee and Chocolate enriched with Tia Maria
- Medley of Tropical
local fruits Gratin
The Pelican, $-$$
Gloucester Ave.
876/952-3171
Dress code: casual
Reservations: no
This popular restaurant has attracted diners for over three decades
and many in the locals in the business community start their workday
with a traditional Jamaican breakfast right here. Jamaican dishes
appear on the lunch and dinner menu as well.
The Pork Pit,
$
27 Gloucester Ave.
876/952-1046
Dress code: casual
Reservations: no
Jerk chicken, spare ribs, steam roast fish, sweet potatoes, roast
yam, festival, and cold coconut water star at this fast-food eatery
that's a favorite with local diners. Order up a plate and then grab
a place at one of the picnic tables on the open patio for a real
Jamaican meal. The eatery is located across from Walter Fletcher
Beach.
Like the menu here, seating is simple and no frills. However, for
real Jamaican jerk, this is the place to go in Montego Bay.
Round Hill, $$$-$$$$
West of Montego Bay
876/956-7050
Dress code: jackets for men most evenings, jackets and ties on Saturday
nights
Reservations: required
Dining at Round Hill is an elegant occasion served by candlelight
under the stars. Dishes such as grilled mahi mahi with fennel and
orange salad, duck and sausage cassoulet, or crab salad with fresh
coconut are found on the menu which features fresh seafood nightly.
Saturday is the dressiest night at Round Hill; jacket and ties are
required. Mondays are casual with a beach barbecue and bonfire.
On Wednesdays, dinner is a la carte while Friday features a Jamaican
menu followed by a Jamaican folkloric performance. After dinner
on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, guests enjoy dancing
to Billy Cook's Jazz, the house band. See Grilled Swordfish Recipe
The Royal Stocks English
Pub and Steakhouse, $$-$$$
Half Moon Village
876/953-9770
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: suggested for dinner
When you've had enough jerk and rice and peas, here's something
a little different. You'll feel like you've stepped into an English
pub in this elegant eatery that features steaks, lobster and seafood.
The bar has a full selection of traditional ales. When you're ready
for fun, there's a sports bar (with darts and skittles). Call for
transportation if you're not staying on property.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant,
$$$-$$$$
Half Moon Village
North Coast Highway
876/953-9686
Dress code: dressy
Reservations: required
Proof of the many cuisines Jamaica offers, this restaurant features
hibachi grill-top cooking right at your table. With his flying knives,
the chef will prepare a meal of seafood, steak or chicken that's
as good as the show itself. Round trip transportation from your
local hotel to the restaurant is included.
Seagrape Terrace,
$$-$$$
Half Moon Hotel
North Coast Hwy.
876/953-2211
Dress code: casual for breakfast and lunch; casually elegant for
dinner
Reservations: suggested
This open air eatery is located right on the beach and serves up
Caribbean cuisine. Both buffet and a la carte service is offered
at lunch. In the evenings, the atmosphere is lively here with dancing
and floor shows. A Jamaican beach barbecue is offered on Monday
and Friday nights and you can come try local specialties then dance
to the sounds of a steel pan band.
Sugar Mill, $$$
Half Moon Hotel
North Coast Hwy.
876/953-2314
Dress code: dressy
Reservations: required
This elegant eatery serves up Jamaican and Caribbean dishes in an
elegant atmosphere. Open air and perched under almond trees located
on the Half Moon golf course, the restaurant is an excellent spot
for a quiet dinner served under the stars.
Town House, $$-$$$
16 Church Street
876/952-2660
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: required for dinner
Built in 1765, this restaurant and tavern, where brick walls are
decorated with local artwork, serves up red snapper papillot, spare
ribs, stuffed lobster, shrimp, steaks, pastas, and Jamaican dishes,
including many curried entrees. You can dine inside or on the verandah.
Open from Monday through Saturday for lunch and daily for dinner,
the restaurant offers free round trip transportation from local
hotels.
The Vineyard,
$$-$$$
Coyaba Beach Resort and Club
876/953-9150
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: suggested
This restaurant, decorated like a trellised garden, features Caribbean
and Continental dishes for breakfast and dinner.
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