"Set directly above rocky low cliffs of Negril and lit at night by torches and candles, Rockhouse Restaurant provides the setting for an elegant and romantic evening. (The setting's pretty great during the day, too—breakfast, lunch, and dinnerare served in this open-sided palapa and patio.) The New Jamaican cuisinemeans a refined and more health-consciouspreparation of classic island recipes, withas many ingredients as possible from the hotel's small organic garden across the road. Among the notable dinner offerings are the blackened mahimahi with mango chutney, snapper steamed in a banana leaf, and coconut shrimp."

"Charming Italian Restaurant Youwon't be the first to fall in love with the candlelit brick setting of thisItalian restaurant, located on the ground floor of a renovated plantation great house and downstairs from an art gallery; the attentive service can make you feel like landed gentry. Be prepared to dig into your pockets to pay the bill, butthe inventive and delicious cuisine—strictly Italianandwrittenout ontwo large chalkboards every day—is worth every penny. Don't skip the desserts, especially the tiramisuand the chocolate profiteroles."

"HouseBoat Grill Hop on a small barge-ferryto bewhisked out to a larger boat for an unusual dinner on the water. Dine on the covered top deck, if you can snag a table, foran alfresco meal with a glittering night view of Montego Bay’s coast and the Caribbean. The menu is for seafood lovers but has options for everyone. The cozy, warmly litnautical interiorlends arelaxed and intimate vibe. Your fellow dinerswill most likely be locals, so you can feel like a Jamaica insider—previous passengers on the HouseBoat have included Steve McQueen, the Duchess of York, and the Beach Boys."

"Homemade Patties at Sonia's Despite the industrialized patty chain stores across Jamaica, the love for handmade patties continues in some parts of the island. Miss Sonia's entrée-size, crusty patties are served ata small roadside restaurant across from the beach in Negril. She offers traditionalfillings like beef or callaloo, as well asothers like lobster and conch that she introduced at the suggestion of her numerous return visitors to Jamaica . When you get your order, be sure to shakeon some ofthe secret spicy sauce—Miss Soniawon't tell you what's in it—and then dig in."

"Just Natural Just Natural’s rustic garden setting will reassure you about theauthenticity of its organic ethos. The small family-owned restaurantopened seven years ago, following an organic,farm-to-tableaesthetic andgrowingmanyof the herbs and fruits used in recipes. Anyone looking for a healthy, Ital vegetarian meal will enjoy the fare of bean and cheese burritos, callaloo and cheese pasta, and veggie burgers, among other picks. Breakfasts are popular, too, as are the fresh juices. The friendly atmosphere is as casual as a friend’s backyard."

"Scotchie's Cooked in an open pit over pimento wood, the jerk preparations here are all authentic and—according to most locals—the best on the island. Traditionally spiced chicken and pork, as well as a less fiery fish version, served in a tin container along with rice and peas and festival bread (akin to hush puppies). Getting your order to stay means eating while perched on wooden barrels, which certainly adds local flavor. While enjoying the delicious meal, you'll get to observe the seemingly endless line of customers, and perhaps get a ringside view of a lively and noisy game of dominoes."

"Diningat one of Negril's excellent cliffside restaurants ishighly recommended, andthe gorgeous settingof Ivan's Bar & Restaurant at Catcha Falling Starmakes ita very nice option. Thelongtime favoritehas one of the best views along the coastand serveslobster dinners and classic Jamaicancuisine with a bit of a modern twist. Guests are seated under an open-sided thatched roof or out under the stars at privatetables on a patio near the cliff's edge. Anotherfavoritechoice for romantic cliffside dining is the restaurant at Rockhouse Hotel. (If youwant more cocktails post-dinner, walk down to LTU Pub and mingle with the locals. Casual eateries and cliff bars along West End Road include 3 Dives and Sips & Bites.)"

"Start your night out in the trendy New Kingston neighborhood with dinner at Redbones. The warm wood interior is hung with photos of jazz and blues artists who have performed here. Several seating areas inside and out can suit a variety of moods. Tables are set ona breezy porchand out on a fairy-lit patio. Thekitchen serves a Caribbean fusion menu of sandwiches, seafood, pasta, and steaks. In addition to a regular schedule of musical performers, both local and international, Redboneshostspoetry nights, filmscreenings, and art exhibitions."

"Pick Your Catch Going to dinner at Little Ochie is as fun as it is delicious.Pick yourdinner—from a cooler of freshly caught fish—by speciesand by weight, then pickthe stylein which you'd like it cooked:jerk, grilled, escoveitch, and more. Pick a side of bammy,a thick round of cassava bread, to go with it. Your next decision is where to eat—head outside andchoose a picnic table under one of the thatched huts carved in the shape of a fisherman's canoe. The combination of beachy atmosphere and great fish makes this relaxed yet lively slice of Jamaica well worth the hour-long drive from Treasure Beach."

"Boston Bay Jerk Centre Located along a stretch of coastline that's sometimes called the birthplace of jerk cuisine, the Boston Bay Jerk Centre is hard to miss. Various meats are cook on open pits using a technique that may explain why jerk never tastes so good at home: Uncured pimento logs are placed over a bed of hot coals, and the meat is laid directly onthegreenlogs. The whole operation is then coveredup by asheet of corrugated zinc and cooked until it's black on the outside and tender underneath. You can place your order by the quarter, half, or full pound. Don’t forgetto add jerk sauce, which you canalso buy by the bottle as a souvenir."