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Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio, Negril, Westmoreland

Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio

4.7
4.7
233 Reviews
$50 and over
Farm-to-table

Make a booking

2 people
8:30 pm
  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Good for special occasions
Foodies Rise UP, This Tour is for you!
This 4 course (lunch) or 5 course (dinner) Farm to Table Cooking Show is more than a meal- it's an Experience!
This tour has been a Jamaican favorite for over 11 years. This is a small, Jamaican family run Business located in the hills about 30 minutes outside Negril. It's our pleasure to share with you a real slice/taste of Jamaican Mountain Life.
the Tour Includes:
* Welcome drink
* Farm Tour
* 5 course meal w/ cooking show
* Bottle of wine/couple.

Wednesdays and Fridays have African Drumming as well.
Choices of Fish, Shrimp, Chicken or Vegan/Vegetarian are available.

Roundtrip Transport is available from anywhere in Negril for $20/prsn and we pickup at 4pm...Just let us know where.

Hoping to see you soon:)
Blessings- Mark, Alecia, Kids & Crew

* The winner of the 17th Annual Jamaica Food Awards for "Gem of Westmoreland".
* Featured in Island Magazine "Top 10 things to do in Negril"

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Jamaican, Crossover
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (876) 252-3232
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Alecia Swainbank
  • Private party facilities
    Great for Private events. We have seating for 30+ for private events and can offer African Drumming entertainment as well.
  • Area
    Negril
  • Cross Street
    Please go to Little London then go North and turn in at Zimbali Bus stop.
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    No public transport. We offer roundtrip transport from anywhere in Negril for $20/prsn.
  • Entertainment
    Wednesday nights is our "African Drumming" night. The drumming creates an amazing atmoshere when coupled with Dining in the Mountains of Jamaica. The cost is $10/person more, but the experience is priceless :)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Kosher, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 233 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on all time ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Jamaica

    Most Booked

233 Reviews
  1. Ellen

    Pittsburgh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing dinner at Zimbali! The whole experience was seamless from pickup to drop off and the food was delicious. We also left with some honey from the farm. Our only regret was not having also signed up for the farm tour.

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  2. Elijah

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 5 October 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    We paid 105 dollars a person for mediocre food in the middle of nowhere Jamaica. The mosquitos feasted on us as well.

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  3. JacqieM

    Charlotte

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 26 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to have authentic healthy Jamaican food. The location is very unique and time well spent getting there and returning to see the country side of Jamaica. The farm is where they use fresh food to prepare and cook for guests! It’s a satisfying 5 course food experience and it truly gave me a greater appreciation for the foods we eat ! I have been twice!

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  4. MarieS

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 25 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible experience!! This was the highlight of our trip to Jamaica. An absolute oasis.

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  5. JudyC

    Austin

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 17 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have a gluten allergy and that was not an issue . We started off with a salad made of different local cabbages, shredded coconut, dressing with their local honey from the farm, green vegetable soup topped with coconut cream, lentils with curry, roasted plantain delicious, then snapper in a light coconut run down sauce, and finally local star fruit, banana topped with Jamaica white rum that he lit up with a flame also a bottle of wine included. Every item the chef made he explained what it was. Perfect setting in the cliffs, relaxed and nice pace. A lot of food that I had to slow down. If you want farm to table this is the place. Staff was extremely pleasant and welcoming

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 June 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Zimbali has become a tourist trap. You get a pile of cabbage, beans and a small fish filet for $105. The staff is apathetic to the point of being rude: having two seatings every day must have worn them out. "Are you going to garden tour or not?" was the impatient greeting we received as we waited in the reception for things to kick off. You won't learn any recipes or tricks. The food was pre-cooked and just plated in front of guests. When I asked about any ingredients I'd be told it's a "secret". I suspect that's because they use store-bought elements, like Maggi seasoning, which they don't want to flaunt. By the time the chaotic plating was done, it would arrive cold. Frankly, it was very average in taste. The value for money is also poor. The dishes were: chopped cabbage salad, blended pumpkin soup, canned black bean soup, a filet/prawns/chicken with some rice, and a sliver of rum cake (the supermarket variety) set on fire with cheap rum for dramatic effect. Nice, but not $105 nice. On top of all that, the staff was largely stoned and extremely impatient. When the waiter topped up my half-full glass with a completely different drink than I was having, and I protested, he shushed me saying: "It's what you're having". That was the vibe throughout. Shut up, eat and get out. It's all really a shame. The setting is spectacular. A beautiful forest farm with a tree-house-style hotel. But it has become a victim of its success. Do yourself a favour and take your time and money elsewhere.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 April 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So glad we chose Zimbali! What a unique and wonderful experience: exploring the Retreat, walking with staff on the Farm Tour, and enjoying a delicious dinner. Chef Alecia took us through ingredients of each course and we learned so much about culture and food of Jamaica. It was a very engaging evening and a beautiful serene setting. If you are not sure how to get there, I recommend contacting Mark at Zimbali and he will arrange taxi. We were picked up right on schedule at our resort. I would definitely take a taxi and take a back seat and enjoy the views on way to Zimbali.

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  8. mom2tristan

    Greater Boston

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on 12 April 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When we travel anywhere in the world I always try to find unique local experiences for us to try. This visit we discovered Zimbali Mountain Retreat, in the hills outside of Negril. Tucked away off a long slow rustic road, is a magical treehouse type kitchen overlooking an organic farm, from which meals are prepared. We enjoyed a 5 course chef’s tasting menu, live drummers, a farm tour, and lovely company. The food was exceptional. Alicia, the Chef, is a master level cook who infused her healthy food with love and care. (You can also stay there, as they have a small number of rooms, however we did not.) This restaurant is one I would return to again in a minute. We were given a fresh juice to start and had the option to purchase a beer or cocktail at the bar. Live music (drummers) started just after 5pm and were excellent. I have a serious shellfish allergy and chef Alicia easily accommodated me on our five course menu. Speaking of which, Alicia is spectacular. Beautiful calm energy, a real focus on eating for health and joy. I wish I could convince her to come open a restaurant in Boston - I would eat there weekly! First course was a spectacular salad with perhaps the best dressing I’ve ever had. Second course was a pumpkin soup that was light and incredibly delicious. Third course was a lentil and salsa dip with sweet potato chips. A hint of heat and delicious! The fourth course was what you ordered on arrival. I had the coconut chicken and my husband had the curried shrimp. Truthfully we were already quite full by this course and it didn’t have quite the same magic as the prior three courses as a result, but it was tasty and fresh. The final course was dessert and it was beyond words good. I’ll let you be surprised by that course! We utilized the offer of private transportation from our Negril hotel and a driver was prompt, courteous and got us there in about 55 minutes. Note there are some rough roads - totally safe, just slow going.

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  9. GinaH

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 April 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an incredible, authentic culinary experience! We happened upon this place a few years ago and have come back every year since bringing more friends and family each time. It is such a unique experience, and the location is so relaxed, the owners are so warm and friendly and the food is delicious! This is now an annual event, next time we will be staying at their place to take full advantage of their hospitalilty- such a great find. Thank you!

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  10. Chitown

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 13 March 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience not far from Negril. Would highly recommend!

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FAQs

Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio is rated 4.7 stars by 233 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
8:30 pm
Google Map for Zimbali's Mountain Cooking Studio

Caanan Mountain, Westmoreland Little London 11111, Negril, Westmoreland 00000

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Please go to Little London then go North and turn in at Zimbali Bus stop.
  • Area
    Negril
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Jamaican, Crossover
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    No public transport. We offer roundtrip transport from anywhere in Negril for $20/prsn.
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Alecia Swainbank
  • Entertainment
    Wednesday nights is our "African Drumming" night. The drumming creates an amazing atmoshere when coupled with Dining in the Mountains of Jamaica. The cost is $10/person more, but the experience is priceless :)
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Kosher, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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