Okay, two truths about this place called The Native in Montego Bay – first its the least “native” Jamaican place I’ve eaten and second this is the least “local” thing I’ve done in Jamaica. But I wanted to post about it anyways in case you’re feeling extravagant one night and want to spend $50 USD on dinner LOL.
To be honest, this restaurant was recommended to me by a Jamaican in the street in Mobay and I ate there with a friend in 2006. However, she paid the bill and I didn’t even look at it so had NO idea what she paid. All I knew was the coconut crusted fish I ate for lunch that day was TO DIE FOR!!!! One of the tastiest things I’ve eaten anywhere, not just Jamaica.
Coconut crusted fish at The Native restaurant
Well its funny how recommendations turn into more recommendations because two years later when I was in Mobay for Sumfest 2008, I recommended to my travel partner that we eat dinner at The Native because they have this awesome coconut fish. The restaurant is right on the strip in Mobay so it was easy to walk to from HOTEL GLORIANA. We went for dinner instead of lunch this time and I was hoping they still had the same menu 2 years later.
The ambiance of this place is totally great! The restaurant is open to the outside but covered, the tables are nicely set and the staff is fabulous…..friendly and willing to stand around and talk long after you want them to leave LOL! Love the atmosphere here though. We were there around 8:00 in the evening and this is the nightshot I took from our table. Its looking out onto the main strip in Mobay.
Guess what? They still had the coconut fish. And guess what else? The prices on the menu where WAAAY more than this “local” traveler wants to spend on anything! But I also have some pride and swallowed it to avoid the embarrassment of leaving. All in all we spent over $50 USD for two people. I had the coconut crusted fish and my friend found coconut crusted chicken on the menu. It was equally as scrumptious as the fish and the mashed potatoes she had looked pretty LOL (in the bowl on the left). I think I had a side of fries too.
Coconut crusted chicken at The Native restaurant
Would I recommend this place to eat? Most definitely!! Would I recommend it if you’re on a budget? NOT! But the food is consistently fabulous and really pretty as you can see!
6:06 pm on August 23rd, 2009
The pancakes at this place are wicked for breakfast!
9:52 am on August 24th, 2009
LOL @ pancakes. That’s probably the LAST thing I wanna eat for breakfast in Jamaica. I get plenty pancakes back home.
11:59 pm on November 8th, 2009
We waited over two hours to get served, over an hour to place a drink order. The wait people were completely oblivious to us and never came over to tell us anything about the delay. Our meal took a total of 3 1/2 hours. When it came time to pay the bill, it took them over 1/2 hour to figure out what we owed – and then presented us with a bill that included a 20% tip. The food was good but I would never patronize or recommend this place to anyone.
10:10 am on November 9th, 2009
Hmmmm sorry to hear that. I’ve been there twice and never had such bad service. I guess you win some and lose some.
8:35 pm on January 17th, 2010
HAHAHA @ pretty mashed potatoes. They are quite lovely. I’ll have to check this place out when I travel to the West coast and want a change of pace. Thanks!