Ocho Rios Restaurants

Tending the jerk pits at Scotchies Too

Evita's
Mantalent Inn, Eden Bower Rd.
This longtime favorite is enjoyed by travelers and locals alike for good Italian fare. Perched high over the city in a house over a century old, it is especially noted for its numerous varieties of pastas (don't miss the Rasta Pasta) and seafood dishes. Evita's has a long and illustrious history. Operated by Eva Myers from Venice, Italy, the restaurant has attracted many stellar guests including Michael Bolton, Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas, Meg Ryan, Alec Baldwin, Chris Blackwell, Princess Margaret, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones, Ali Campbell and the UB40 and more. The restaurant has also been featured in Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and other publications.

Jamaica Inn
Two miles east of Ocho Rios
This al fresco restaurant has been featured in Gourmet and Food and Wine magazines. The restaurant uses fresh local ingredients in the light cuisine which includes such specialties as poached fillet of snapper with a tomato and basil coulis and Jamaican chicken grilled with ginger sauce. A typical dinner menu starts with appetizers such as sautéed shrimp and conch in Bombay sauce or Parma ham and artichoke with a light mustard vinaigrette. Soups might include minestrone or cold avocado soup followed by a mixed green salad with coconut vinaigrette. On the night we visited, entrees ranged from grilled beef tenderloin topped with chicken liver compote to poached fillet of yellowtail with steamed mussels and tomato concasse to pineapple and honey glazed pork loin.

Ocho Rios Village Jerk Centre
DaCosta Drive
This open-air eatery looks like an all-American hamburger joint with its striped canopy and casual atmosphere, but take a whiff of that smoky jerk and you'll know this is no burger bar. Jamaican jerk is the star of the day here; try the pork, chicken, or fish.

The Ruins at the Falls
DaCosta Drive
This restaurant is perched right beside a waterfall. Tables sit at the base of a 40-foot cascade, a wonderfully romantic site for lunch or dinner. The menu here is diverse: Asian specialties such as lotus lily lobster and Far Eastern chicken, Jamaican specials, and even vegetarian dishes.

The legend of this site is almost as interesting as the restaurant itself. In 1831, Robert Rutherfort built a sugar factory near these falls, using their energy to grind the cane. Allegedly he married a local girl named Rose Dale and they moved into a great house near these falls. Later Rutherford returned to England on business and Rose fell in love with one of the plantation's overseers. When he returned home, he learned of his wife's indiscretions and began spending time in Montego Bay with Annie Palmer, better known as the "White Witch of Rose Hall" in Montego Bay. One night, after finding his wife with her lover, he took Rose and the lover to a cave between these falls, chained the couple to the walls, and sealed the cave with a boulder, leaving to later marry Annie Palmer.

Scotchie's Too
North Coast Hwy.
The Scotchie's restaurant on the east side of Montego Bay has been a longtime favorite in Jamaica; in 2006, this restaurant was added and is quickly garnering lots of attention. You'll find genuine Jamaican jerk here, all cooked over pimento logs and carefully tended by professional pitmasters. Look for jerl chicken, sausage, fish, ribs and pork; cool the burn with side dishes such as festival and bammy.

Toscanini Italian Restaurant
Harmony Hall
When you're ready to take a break from shopping at Harmony Hall, refuel with a stop at this authentic Italian restaurant open for lunch and dinner. The menu offers many classic Italian dishes, supplemented by ever-changing specials, dependent upon available fresh produce. The carefully selected wine list features vintages from around the world, while the fully stocked bar caters for all tastes.

Toscanini is popular with visitors and local residents. Its delightful setting makes it an ideal spot for lunch, light or long, and for a romantic candlelit dinner. A typical meal could consist of marinated marlin, home-made ravioli, or veal Duchessa di Parma, followed by tiramisu. Other dishes include such Italian favorites as carpaccio and gnocchi, while strong emphasis is placed on fresh lobster and seafood. Vegetarian dishes are also available.