The insider’s guide to eating out in Jamaica

The word "Food" in Jamaica means breakfast: callaloo (like spinach), boiled green bananas, fried dumplings, and roasted breadfruit. "Food" is cheap and tasty and sets you up for a hard day at the beach. But where do you go in the evening? The First Post is here to help. Our top five restaurants have been chosen for atmosphere and good value as much as for good food. All have been nominated by people who live and work on the island.

The Houseboat GRILL Montego Bay Marine Park
Floating restaurant where you sip your Planter's Punch and watch the pelicans and egrets roosting in the mangroves at sunset. Choose from curried mussels, spicy conch fritters, and salmon sushi with sweet potato and ginger puree.
£15-£25. contact: +1 876 979 8845 thehouseboatgrill.com

Cafe Aubergine
Moneague, near Ocho Rios
An unexpected delight, this converted 18th-century tavern serves up delicious French and Mediterranean nosh. Bouillabaisse, stuffed crab with white wine sauce, lobster in tarragon: you'd be hard pressed to find better in France.
£20-£30. contact: +1 876 973 0527

Little OchieAlligator Pond, Manchester
Beach restaurant where you choose your own fresh fish from the ice chest and say how you want it prepared: jerked, roasted, baked. All served with bammy (cassava bread) and festivals (sweet dumplings). Finger lickin' good.
£10-£20. contact: +1 876 965 4450 littleochie.com

Boston Beach JerkNear Port Antonio
Birthplace of Jamaica's famous fiery seasoning. Meat, fish, chicken are marinated in a paste of pimento, Scotch Bonnet peppers, thyme, nutmeg and onions, then cooked over green pimento wood. Lots of vendors to choose from. Wash down with cold Red Stripe.
£5-£15

Red Bones Blues CafeNew Kingston
Tucked away in a corner of New Kingston, with an art gallery, regular live music and film shows, this is a convivial place where you'll to meet Jamaica's literati. Eat callaloo strudel, smoked marlin, lamb chops in spicy guava sauce.
£20. contact: +1 876 978 6091 redbonesbluescafe.com