Vintage blue and white dinnerware is the perfect canvas for the creations envisioned by the talented sister duo of Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau. Located at Harmony Hall — a former estate and national monument that dates back to the late 19th century — Summerhouse redefines modern heritage Caribbean dining in a picturesque setting. The building is a stunning marriage of Georgian and Jamaican architecture, with fretwork interwoven with the original stone walls. Dishes are a similarly delicate combination of recipes from Jamaica’s culinary traditions and the broader Caribbean region. An East Indian mezze platter features baigan (roasted eggplant) and pumpkin and coconut choka (both from Trinidad) served with roti and raita, alongside a redefined pickled herring flambeed in rum. Local sausages and a fancified version of pan chicken — a street corner staple that features chicken grilled in a steel drum pan — are notable proteins, alongside the citrus-infused catch of the day. Sunday brunch at Summerhouse is a celebratory affair, with well-dressed guests sipping on bubbly and sharing Scotch bonnet cornbread, chevre crusted with cassava, and creamy seafood risotto. There’s also a riff on lox with locally-smoked marlin, while fluffy crab cakes get a hit of sweetness from the accompanying plantain salsa. ($$$)

At Stush in the Bush, hidden in the hills of St. Ann, owners Lisa and Christopher Binns have brought magic to the local vegan landscape with thoughtful menus inspired by the seasons and a passion for sustainability. Vegetables, the bounty of Jamaica’s rich soil, are the main protagonists here. Lisa and Chris are as much storytellers as they are restaurateurs. Guests are welcomed with a personalized menu starting with hors d’oeuvres that can include crispy plantain with almond hummus, yam and pineapple croquettes, and a watermelon tartare. Lunch is a melody of in-season flavors: spicy arrabbiata with almond ricotta, black linguine and “meatballs,” open-flame grilled “Fyah” pizza, or nasturtium flowers stuffed with cashew ricotta, accompanied by a spread of homemade pepper sauces and dressings. Lisa passionately describes each dish to guests, while after lunch, Christopher leads them on an “Earth walk” through the farm, inviting visitors to establish an intimate connection with the food, and perhaps even plant a tree. Coffee, cinnamon rolls, rum raisin ice cream, and beignets with lemon curd are just some of the dessert options that may meet you after your walk; the only way to end an experience that may forever change the way you eat. ($$$$)

Following his love for reggae music, Kazumi Utoguchi, affectionately known as “Taka,” came to Jamaica in the 1990s. He has since built an empire of restaurants under the East Japanese umbrella, including East New Kingston, Annex East, and the most high-end concept, Majestic Sushi & Grill. At this chic location, you’ll find everything from sashimi and sushi platters, nigiri, sashimi, and hand rolls; to steaming ramen bowls, teppanyaki-style dishes, and more. It’s all situated within the intimate and lush surroundings of Stony Hill. Music is as integral a part of the East Japanese experience as the freshness of the seafood, whether it’s Beres Hammond playing through the speakers, or the crowd-favorite DJ Marie playing live on Friday nights. ($$$)

The plates that emerge from the tiny kitchen at EITS Café are helping define modern farm-to-table dining in Kingston. Run by the charismatic father-daughter team of Robyn and Michael Fox, the restaurant specializes in dishes like plump barrel-roasted chicken (literally chicken cooked slowly in an aged rum barrel) and savory crepes with coconut curry conch and mountain mango chutney. Then there’s that dreamy Goddess dressing, house-baked bread with Scotch bonnet butter — I can go on. ($$$)

If you are going to enjoy Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee, there is no better place to do it than the source. Café Blue, in Irish Town, is perched on the mountain’s edge, and offers coffees picked at their nearby Clifton Mountain Estate. Keep it simple with a cup of 100 percent Blue Mountain coffee, or if you’re game, order the Misty Blue, which calls on a shot of rum for an extra kick. There’s also a wide breakfast, sandwich, and pastries menu if you want to grab a cup and stay a while. Head to the outdoor deck, drink in the view, and indulge in the full bean-to-cup experience. ($-$$)

Plant-based diets are integral to Jamaican culture, thanks to the practices of Rastafarians, who adhere to a vegetarian-based diet (also known as ital) which is believed to bring you closer to the universal and natural life force. Food should be natural, organic, and from the earth — such is the guiding philosophy of Davion Edwards, the chef behind this vegan restaurant where daily specials are inspired by produce sourced directly from farms in Clarendon. Pumpkin takari (pumpkin stewed with coconut milk), lentil stew, and Pastafari (a creamy, dairy-free pasta) are among the frequent favorites. ($$)

What began as a simple wine bar has, over the last 10 years, led the charge in shifting the island’s appreciation and accessibility of wine. While the menu was initially intended as a collection of small snacks to accompany the vast selection of wines, it has morphed into a fully fledged restaurant, with impressive cheese and charcuterie platters, weekly specials, and innovative breakfast and brunch menus that feel both locally and internationally inspired. Still, this is first and foremost a wine bar, with one of the largest selections on the island. A second Kingston location on Constant Spring Road continues the mission of bringing great cheese, wine, and gourmet food to its neighborhood fans.  ($$$)

When Eleni Daperis and her husband Dmitri came to Jamaica from Montreal, it was not to open a bakery. But lack of access to fresh, minimally processed bread pushed the couple to open Eleni’s Bakery. It was an instant hit, and today the bake shop has expanded into a full restaurant, with an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, and a large selection of freshly baked sourdough breads, French pastries, and other desserts. This might be the best croissant in Jamaica, and the crowds that congregate early in the morning are a testament to this. Grab one with a cup of premium Marley brand coffee and while away the morning at one of the outdoor tables. ($-$$)

Marianna Farag, known as Nana, forges elaborate, creative vegan dishes that reflect her personal journey from the Middle East to the Caribbean, and the flavors and traditions she picked up along the way. Stepping into Miss Marianna’s Kitchen feels like stepping into her home, a place where the culinary-curious come to feast upon whatever local ingredients inspired her that morning, or even what soundtrack was playing the night before. Daily specials are described in detail — gluten-free, peanut-free, kelp-quinoa protein, summer rolls with sea minerals; daikon radishes, carrots, zucchini, purple cabbage, with a special sesame-based dipping sauce —  and are surrounded by a host of delicious supporting acts like stuffed grape leaves, gluten-free mujadara with mango-cucumber salsa, or fried “chicken” with salad. ($$)

A liter of margaritas is just the thing to go along with your JaMexican elote or jerk chicken tacos. This seamless melding of Mexican and Jamaican ingredients comes together in a laid back location — part repurposed container, part backyard bash — defined by easy-going service and relaxed vibes. ($$)

A menu that’s too broad can be a bad sign, but not at Tamarind Continental. A spin-off of its sister restaurant, Tamarind Indian, the Continental features three distinct menus — Indian, pan-Asian fusion, and French-Italian — offering something to suit all cravings. The result is a sophisticated smorgasbord of flavors. Spicy mughlai mutton with a side of buttery naan appears on the table alongside a meaty fillet of snapper brightened with herb-citrus butter. The butter chicken pizza is comforting and spicy, a surprisingly satisfying combination of two disparate traditions. ($$$)

Mediterranean vibes abound at this rooftop restaurant. Led by the young and talented chef Damion Stewart, his fresh approach to food is a welcome addition to the Kingston culinary scene. Small plates include grilled sprat skewers finished with a spicy Scotch bonnet chimichurri drizzle, seared sliced ahi tuna served with fresh greens, and duck breast bruschetta; larger plates showcase specialties from the land and sea. Craft cocktails also feature local flavors, like the lychee mule; a local take on the caipirinha  with fresh mango and gin; and a Jamaican riff on Long Island iced tea that features local ginger beer as the base. ($$$)

A pizzeria at a cannabis house just makes sense. Kaya Pizzeria doles out some of the island’s best wood-fired, thin-crust pizza, showcasing local ingredients as well as traditional Italian recipes. Whether cannabis is part of your meal or not, the deck at Kaya is a welcoming, open-air space perfect for all, complete with murals and retro artwork fitting for this Kingston location, which joins the Kaya family as the third outpost, following the success of its original location in Drax Hall (the first medical cannabis house in the Caribbean). ($$)

This simple creperie and tea shop began as a partnership between Carrie “Quizz ‘’ Sigurdson and her mother Maree, two Canadian expats with a dream to open a tea house. Today the café turns out beautifully light crêpes overflowing with a fun variety of fillings. There’s beef in béarnaise sauce;  the Big Blue, with more tenderloin and a handful of blue cheese and cheddar; and the bestseller, smoked marlin with cream cheese topped with pepper jelly. There are sweet crêpes, too, filled with Nutella, apple crumble, lemon curd, and s’mores filling. The menu now also includes one of the best eggs Benedicts on the island served on house-made English muffins. And yes, they do have tea, but for something stronger, there’s the potent Magic Mint Lemonade. ($$)

Indian and pan-Asian cooking are the focus of this elegant Kingston refuge. The team in the kitchen hails from Mumbai, and prepares a varied lineup of traditional Indian curries and juicy tandoor specialties, each artfully presented. It is one of a trio of restaurants run by restaurateur Jaya Chatani, who is deftly helping to diversify the island’s culinary scene. ($$$)

The linchpin in the Jamaican gastronomic center that is Devon House, Devon House Bakery makes Kingston’s most perfect patties. A cheffed-up version of Jamaica’s signature hand pies, these golden puff pastry creations encase unique fillings like curry goat or chicken, lobster, and shrimp. Sweet options include traditional pastries such as sweet potato pudding, bread pudding, and rum cake. And the only thing to follow up a patty from Devon House? A cone from the treasured Devon House Ice Cream. Locals gather on the Devon House lawn each Sunday for popular flavors like Grapenut, Devon Stout, and rum raisin. There are toppings, but these cones are best enjoyed on their own in their natural surroundings.

Christina Simonitsch is behind this self-described “little kiosk” takeout operation. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with an everchanging treasure trove of goodies like croissant-donuts (these sell out within hours), chocolate mousse, tiramisu, chicken liver pate, smoked marlin dip, vegan kale walnut pesto, ackee hummus, sorbetto, prosciutto pizza, and more, all made by Simonitsch, as well as a selection of other local vendors and artisans. You’ll want to try one of everything on this menu. ($$)

Rooftop views, loungey decor,  and an extensive drinks and bar food menu draw a stylish crowd to sample the Caribbean-inspired menu at District 5, with staples like ackee and saltfish (or curry chicken) spring rolls, saltfish fritters, and sweet-and-salty pigtail. Chef Brian Lumley is newly at the helm, and brings with him a smart mix of innovation and a respect for local traditions. ($$$)

The traditional Jamaican box lunch is simply a takeout lunch, usually of local dishes, served at lunch time, and usually for a reduced price. But at Chillin’, the boxed lunch is worth eating on site at the sleek location featuring a bright and breezy deck. The menu here features island-renowned curry goat from Murray’s Farm (the original location is in Clarendon, about an hour from Kingston), alongside a selection of other traditional dishes like stew peas with pigtail, fried chicken, and oxtail. ($$)

Once a truck stop,  the only vehicles you’ll find here today belong to diners who flock for delicious, homestyle food. Known for some of the best fried chicken (be sure to ask for it with curry gravy), red pea soup (a thick soup made from red peas and pigtail), cow foot and beans, and oxtail stew around, M10’s menu also features glitzier options like surf and turf and lobster thermidor. ($$)

This is the definition of a hidden gem. Situated way off the beaten path, inside someone’s home on the waterways of Portmore, Di Dragon is possibly the island’s best Chinese restaurant. Fans make the trek to indulge in the famed salt-and-pepper lobster, garlic crab, and ginger-scallion pork. Make sure to make a reservation, and if you can, place your order in advance to save yourself the warranted long wait. ($$)

For many Jamaicans, Gloria’s Seafood is the requisite first stop on the way home from the Norman Manley airport. From humble beginnings, Gloria Harris grew an empire that is now synonymous with fresh, wholesome Jamaican seafood. Perched on the water overlooking the infamous town of Port Royal, Gloria’s offers freshly caught fish, cooked whichever way you wish — in a rich brown stew; steamed with Excelsior water crackers; or fried with spicy escovitch sauce — as well as a slew of other dishes including curried and honey jerk shrimp or lobster. The wait on a Friday evening is worth it for the chance to see the small town come alive with street vendors. Make sure to visit the oyster man on your way in, serving up local Jamaican oysters with a variety of sweet and spicy sauces. A sister location downtown at Victoria Pier also serves up seafood specialties in a more central locale. ($$)