Restaurants

Kingston's restaurant scene runs from quick breakfast spots and hotel dining rooms to fondue, Lebanese, Indian, Chinese and Japanese kitchens, with many of them clustered in New Kingston and along Hope Road. Whether you live here, are in town on business or are visiting, a good meal starts with a place that takes food safety seriously. This guide explains what Jamaica's public health rules require of restaurants, what you can look for as a diner, what anyone opening a restaurant needs to know, and the restaurants listed on BrawtaList.

How restaurants are licensed in Jamaica

Every restaurant needs a licence from the public health authorities. The Southern Regional Health Authority's guide for restaurants says the operator must apply to the Medical Officer (Health) in the parish where the restaurant is located. The application involves filling out the prescribed form, paying a fee that depends on the type of establishment, and submitting a floor plan showing the layout of the equipment.

The North East Regional Health Authority sets out what happens next. A Public Health Inspector inspects the premises within two weeks of the application. If the place meets the requirements it is recommended right away; if not, the operator gets a work plan and a timeline to fix the problems, followed by a re-visit. There is a maximum of three inspections or three months from application, whichever comes first, after which the applicant may be asked to re-apply.

The licence is valid for one year from the date it is issued, and the Southern authority says reapplication must be done 30 days before it expires. The licence must be displayed conspicuously in the establishment, and it can be revoked or suspended if there are breaches.

Food handler's permits

The people who cook and serve your food need their own permit. The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) explains that everyone preparing to work in a food-handling establishment is required by law to have a food handler's permit before they start, regardless of their role. Students in hospitality and catering programmes who handle food as part of their course need permits too.

To get one, applicants bring valid identification (a passport, driver's licence or national ID) and pay a fee at the regional health authority. New applicants also submit two passport-sized photos stamped and signed by a Justice of the Peace, a Superintendent of Police or a Minister of Religion. They attend a training session led by a public health officer and then take a test. Graduates of recognised culinary programmes and people who already have the required training can skip the session but must still take the test. Permits are valid for one year, and renewal follows the same steps.

What the health rules say about food and premises

The regional health authorities publish the standards inspectors check. Some of the ones a diner can appreciate:

• Temperatures. Storage must keep cold food at 4.4°C, frozen food at -18°C and hot food at 63°C, and potentially hazardous food must be held at those temperatures during display, service and transport.
• Reheating. Thorough reheating means every part of the food reaches at least 70°C.
• Leftovers. Leftovers of potentially hazardous foods must not be re-served unless they are pre-packaged.
• Washing. All raw foods must be washed before use.
• Handwashing. There must be at least one handwashing station for every 40 m² of floor space in each area where food is prepared, stored or served.
• Toilets. Toilets must be provided for employees and customers of each sex, conveniently located, accessible and in good condition.
• Animals. No animals should be allowed inside a food handling establishment.

Choosing a restaurant

• Look for the licence. Since it has to be displayed conspicuously, a licence on the wall is a quick sign the place has been inspected.
• Check the basics. Clean toilets, handwashing facilities and hot food that is actually hot all line up with what inspectors look for.
• Match the place to the occasion. Some listed restaurants are breakfast spots, some are in hotels and some host parties and events, so check the listing before you go.

Opening a restaurant

If you plan to open one, budget time for the licence process: the application, a floor plan, an inspection within two weeks and up to three months to meet any requirements. Make sure every member of staff who will handle food has a valid food handler's permit before they start, and keep a record of them, since the health department expects that documentation to be in place. Diarise the renewal date so you reapply 30 days before the licence runs out.

Restaurants on BrawtaList

These restaurants are listed in this category. All of the ones with addresses are in Kingston and St Andrew.

New Kingston

• Blue Window Restaurant on Knutsford Boulevard.
• Melting Pot Restaurant & Lounge at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Chelsea Avenue, serving fondue with pots of cheese, chocolate or broth.
• China Garden Restaurant and 7 Spices Indian Restaurant, both on Dominica Drive.
• C & C South Beach Restaurant on Brompton Road, a restaurant, sports bar and event venue.
• Mr. Breakfast on Holborn Road, a breakfast restaurant and lounge.

Hope Road, Devon House and Kings House area

• The Steak House on The Verandah at Devon House.
• Jade Garden Restaurant at the Sovereign Centre.
• Cafe Hibiscus on East Kings House Road.
• Julie Mango Restaurant at the May Fair Hotel.

Elsewhere in Kingston and St Andrew

• Brunch 4 the Busy on Lilford Avenue off Lady Musgrave Road, with American and Jamaican breakfasts.
• Chez Maria Ltd on Lady Musgrave Road, serving Lebanese and Italian dishes.
• Little Tokyo Restaurant on Half Way Tree Road, a Japanese restaurant.
• Comfitanya Lounge And Restaurant on Mountain View Avenue, with local, vegetarian and seafood dishes and events with karaoke and a live band.

Other listings

• Bistro 23 Kingston, Tamarind Indian Cuisine, CHILLIN' Restaurant and Bar and Sir Henry Morgan Angling Association (Di Ole Marina) Restaurant and Bar. Open each listing for its details.