Even though to most tourists any night in Negril is a special occasion, here are some favorite places that are just a bit more upscale, unusual, or just plain special.

Hungry Lion - The food is not traditionally Jamaican, but European/natural with a Jamaica flavor. The soups are incredible, as is the lentil shepherd's pie. Dishes to try are the thyme fish cakes and the penne with spicy marinara. You dine upstairs, in or out, in a chic space filled with local art.

Rockhouse is very nice for dinner. Excellent up scaled Jamaican and Euro cuisine. When people tell you this place is more expensive than most of the cliff restaurants, it's true, but it's still hardly wildly pricey by standards. Excellent cocktails. Sit in the big room under the high beamed ceiling, or better, on the terrace overlooking Pristine Cove. It's absolutely gorgeous all day, through sunset, into the night.

Kuyaba is another beautiful spot, this time on the beach. Walk through a torchlit bamboo corridor into a tropical paradise. The food is not spectacular but it is absolutely good. Any place on the beach will be more touristy and less Jamaican than a place on the cliffs, but Kuyaba's a good spot. Fun bar too, with swinging chairs.

Tensing Pen - Now that Tensing Pen has its own chef and cooks for guests, you can eat there as a non-guest if you reserve dinner before 4 pm. The food's great but only one entree choice per night - so, you'll want to call and ask. Tensing Pen has always been a favorite spot as the setting is quite lovely.

LTU - The food here can be patchy but it is THE hang for the expat community in the cliffs. Much simpler (plastic tables) than, say, Rockhouse, but LTU also has a great cove and water view, although it's more enclosed than Rockhouse. Same deal - Euro-influenced Jamaican food, or, should say, Jamaican food cooked for non-Jamaicans?

Sweet Spice - see Cheap Eats. Dinner here is a party any night, although it's just a down-home room all the way through town. Expect a wait for large parties. Bring your own alcohol.

Half Moon Beach - For a Romantic Dinner try Half Moon Beach, only 15 minutes drive from Negril towards Green Island. Specialities are Grilled Lobster, Curry Shrimp and Conch. Enjoy watching the sunset while you having your dinner right on the beach.