Ocho Rios serves up a wide variety of cuisines. You won’t have any problems finding everything from French, Italian and Asian to Indian or Mexican, in addition to traditional Jamaican fare. However, if you want to know the best places, those where you’re certain to eat delicious food in a great ambiance, read on!
Evita’s, promoted as “the best little pasta house of Jamaica”, may be the best little pasta house anywhere. Evita’s serves Italian-Jamaican fare with a fabulous view of Ocho Rios’ town and sea. Look in the distance at night to see twinkling lights reminiscent of Monte Carlo. Photos of royalty and celebrities adorn the walls, but the real star is Evita’s Eva Myers, the bubbly culinary expert whose pasta recipes have a Jamaican twist. Spaghetti, fettuccini, linguine, penne and rigatoni are blended with tomato, olive oil, garlic, pesto, crème and meat sauces. Lasagna Rastafari, Shrimp in ‘Run Dung’ Sauce and Reggaetoni have a distinctive Jamaica flair. Finish with a Jamaican Bobsled, the house dessert. The dining experience at this award-winning restaurant must not be missed.
In Ocho Rios you’ll find plenty of pub options in case you just feel like having cheeseburger and fries. Stop at the popular Twisted Kilt irish pub, a restaurant and bar that offers tasty fish and chips, mouth-watering Shepard’s pie, juicy beef burgers, delicious chicken wings and Irish nachos while you watch your favorite game on flat-screen televisions. This is where everything is done Irish, with a twist.
While on the topic of delicious, unpretentious food, don’t miss the jerk chicken and pork found on family-run takeout stands away from the main streets. They are inexpensive, fast and authentically delicious. For adventurous diners try Faith’s Pen, which is located just outside of Ocho Rios. Here you’ll find a collection of competitive local cooks and self-taught chefs who operate out of stalls. For only a few dollars, you can order curried goat or spicy grilled fish and enjoy your meal on a picnic table.
There is no better way to get a taste of the varieties of pepper sauces and jerk seasonings that make Jamaican cuisine unique. Ask your Amstar representative at your hotel for more tips and ideas on where to eat!
Featured photo from Twisted Kilt.
