Call or email for assistance planning your trip: +1 (212) 203-0064 | reservations@moonjamaica.com
Moby Dick Restaurant (9 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) is a landmark establishment owned by the McBeans since 1985 and the best place to grab lunch Downtown. The restaurant dates from the early 1900s, when it was opened by a Mr. Masterton to service his workers at the port.
Addie's Homestyle Cooking (6 a.m.–6 p.m. Thurs.–Sat.), opened by Adelina Wellington in 2009, serves up typical Jamaican fare like fried or brown stew chicken, curry goat, and oxtail (US$2.50–3.50).
Tatty's (29 4th St., Greenwich Farm, no phone) is open for lunch only. Tatty's makes a trip into one of Kingston's most notorious shantytowns worth it for the peanut juice (US$3 for a bottle) and delicious steamed fish (US$4.50–7).
Sweetwood Jerk Joint serves jerk pork, sausage, chicken, lamb, conch, and roast fish, prepared on a coal-fired pit smoked with sweetwood and seasoned with Scotch Bonnet peppers (11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. daily) .
Scotchies (11am-11pm daily, US$4-11) consistently preparing the best jerk pork and chicken in Jamaicaalso serves steam roast fish fillets, chicken sausage, pork sausage, and a soup of the day. Sides include breadfruit, festival, sweet potato, and yam.
Chelsea Jerk Center (7 Chelsea Ave., tel. 876/926-6322, 7–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 7 p.m.–1 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.) has decent fast-food-style jerk at affordable prices (US$3.50–6).
Yaad Vybz (downstairs courtyard, New Kingston Shopping Centre, tel. 876/435-1594, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) is a small cook shop run by Gregory McFarlane that serves Jamaican staples, like fried or brown stew chicken, curry goat, and oxtail accompanied by rice and peas and natural juices (US$3–5).
The Pantry (2 Dumphries Rd., tel. 876/929-6804 or 876/929-4149, thepantry52@yahoo.com) is a roadside cook shop (noon–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) that's a popular lunch spot, serving Jamaican staples like fried chicken, brown stew fish, and curry goat (US$3.50).
Indies Cafe & Grill (8 Holborn Rd., tel. 876/920-5913, 12:30 p.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Sat., 3 p.m.–midnight Sun.) is a popular local hangout with decent food. Entrées range from roast chicken (US$7) to steamed fish (US$16). The menu also includes pita pockets (US$8.50 chicken or US$10 veg) and pizzas (US$6–9.50 plain, plus US$2–3 for toppings).
Carlos Café is a Cuban-inspired bar with Martini Mondays (two for one 6–9 p.m.) and karaoke on Fridays (9:30 p.m.–1 a.m.). Prices range from US$1.50 for garlic bread to US$18.50 for lobster or filet mignon.
