Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Pauline Edie reviews Cabarita Restaurant and Grill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imagine dining outdoors on the restaurant patio with a breathtaking view of Cabarita Island in the Caribbean Sea and the golden sands of Pagee Beach, or in the garden-stoned courtyard surrounded by tropical bamboo privacy screens, black shade sails, palm trees and a relaxing outdoor bar that gets a warm string-light glow at night. Now think of indoor dining open to the same views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Cabarita Restaurant and Grill! Located at 5 Main Street, Port Maria, St Mary, and named by Kina Chung, wife of owner/operator Wayne Chung, after one of the most iconic spots in the parish, Cabarita Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabarita Restaurant and Grill, described as one of the best restaurants on the north coast, takes modern al fresco dining to St Mary. Since its opening in the last week of December 2024, owners and operators, father-son duo Wayne and Christopher Chung said they have received nothing but love from their customers and the surrounding community of Pagee. They have since hosted birthday parties, graduation dinners and honour student ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having done breakfast at Porchlight and Pimento, lunch at Captain Morgan’s Buccaneer Jerk Centre, it was time for dinner. And, for me, the best dinner-dining experience is with family. So, on Friday, May 29, I hosted my immediate and extended family for dinner at Cabarita. In tow was Monica Ottar (mother and 2018/2019 recipient of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards in the category of A Celebration of Community for Baileys Vale, St Mary); Keneisha Hunter (sister-in-law), Rikai “Kai” Ottar (nephew), Rickwaun Menzie (nephew), Keleisha Hunter (sister-in-law), Jasmine Hunter (mother-in-law) and Javaun Commock (family friend).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the main course, I opted for the creamy shrimp alfredo pasta, and trust me they didn’t skimp on the shrimp and a liberal amount of Pinot Grigio (Barefoot) but enough to drive safely. The others opted for burgers and fries, described by Javaun as the best he’s had; fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth BBQ pork ribs, succulent jerk platter with chicken, pork and sausage, fresh from the sea escoveitch red snapper fish with vegetables and mouth-watering parsley-infused mashed potatoes, festivals, and shrimp salad. Our table was regularly served with glasses of plain and refreshing othaeti apple-infused water — not to mention tropical daiquiris mango and strawberry, cabarita breeze (one of the signature drinks) and shaken but not stirred margarita.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I opted out of dessert but the others, where space allowed, chose ice cream and almond brownies. Other menu items include their infamous sea food boil, oxtail, bammy, sweet potato fries, fresh fish done in any style and curried goat, which are must-haves, according to repeat visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, Cabarita is great for family meals, lunch dates or date nights, seafood lovers, and cocktails. The food is excellent and the staff is warm, friendly and professional. In fact, the community praises it for its great workers, excellent service and relaxed, super dope, clean and sexy atmosphere/ambiance. They offer both dine-in and take-out services and also special events such as Seafood Friday (with discounts), Friday Happy Hour (with food and drinks and live events and/or DJ with background music starting at 5:00 pm), yearly Galentine’s Night (ladies only Valentine’s special with drinks and live DJ and Easter Sunday Brunch/Dinner (special menu, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Menu items are reasonably priced. Our table, with five adults, two children, a baby and takeout averaged more or less $5,500.00 (tip included). For a scenic and photogenic outdoor sea view vibe in Port Maria, lively and welcoming atmosphere, or if you are celebrating a special event, do visit Cabarita Restaurant and Grill.