Kingston

Can you hear the music? Between the Blue Mountains and a sweeping natural harbor, Kingston is the seething heart and soul of Jamaica. Not only is this the business and government capital, it’s a cultural powerhouse with no end of art galleries, heritage houses, diverse restaurants and iconic recording studios – Reggae music was born in its ghettoes. Picnic in the city’s lush public parks by day, delve into its dancehalls after dark. Many travelers skip the capital and head north to manicured beach resorts, but Kingston gets you into the rhythm of real Jamaican life. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Spicy ‘n’ smoky is the name of the game for much classic Jamaican cuisine, with rainbow-bright Scotch bonnet peppers firing up everything from jerk chicken to curried goat. Throw in the national dish of ackee and saltfish, piping hot patties and aromatic Blue Mountain coffee, and you can see why Jamaicans are so passionate about mealtimes. Big on flavor and short on pretention, some of the best bites in the capital are found at no-frills joints (if you're looking for quintessential things to do in Kingston, digging in at a jerk shop should top your list). For a different experience, enjoy a languid lunch at one of the picturesque colonial properties overlooking the city, where fresh tropical produce is taken to new heights. Kickstart your culinary adventure now with our pick of the best restaurants in Kingston.