Negril, Jamaica
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009We recently came back from Negril, Jamaica. To my delight, there were several excellent vegetarian restaurants b/c of the large population of Rastafarians, who are all vegetarians. The “local” veg cuisine is ackee (sort of like scambled egg but is an african fruit), callaloo (much better than spinach), rice and peas, and several really tasty and unique breads: bun, bami (cassava flour pancake) and festival (sort of like a dense crunchy donut).
The vegetarian restaurants I would reccomend are Royal Kitchen (vegan with a set menu food made by Rastas $), The Hungry Lion (fancy restaurant with $$ sophistcated veg menu, reservations are a good idea) , and Jus Natural ($$) – try the kalalu melt, it was yummy. They were all located on the main road, 3 to 5 km south of downtown Negril. You can walk from your hotel or get a cab. The Hungry Lion will actually send a bus to pick you up at your hotel if you call them up.
For good veg options I would reccomend Kuyaba ($$), Irie on the beach (callaloo pasta was really tasty), Selina’s eatery, and Miss Sonia’s ( for patty’s – try the ackee one), these are all north of downtown, also accessible by foot or cab.
My favorite drink was the dirty banana, which was banana and rum, simple but delicious.
This link has a map with all the restaurants on it:
http://www.talkofthetownnegril.com/2008_Negril_Map.pdf
Hotels:
We stayed at the Beach House Villas, 1 or 2 bedroom suites on the ocean front with full kitchens. It was nice but did not have a pool. I definately reccomend staying at a local hotel rather than at an all inclusive. You will miss out on all the local culture and cuisine if you stay at an all inclusive. An important FYI, hotels south of town have cliff views (no sandy beach). Hotels north of town have sandy beaches for easy swimming. Both are really pretty but just keep in mind if you want to sit on the beach stay to the north of town or make sure to check with your hotel in advance and verify if it has a sandy beach.
Things to do:
Besides relaxing on the beach and drinking dirty bananas, trips to the Royal Palm Reserve and Mayfield Falls (an adventure) are a must. These are both accessible by Cab or a group tour. Renting a bike would be a great way to get around too, just make sure you get a lock.
anitasen