Eat · New Kingston

Hot Pot RestaurantHot Pot, New Kingston

A Jamaican home-cooking restaurant in New Kingston: ackee and saltfish, oxtail, curry goat and rice and peas at lunch on the tables, a 45 to 75 minute seated meal a short taxi or walk from the hotels (check the current address and hours).

last order: unknownchairsJamaicanNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: JMD 2,500–5,000; Jamaican
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: 11:30–14:00 weekdays; easiest window
Seating: chairs
Card: some places; carry cash
Getting there: Short walk or taxi from New Kingston hotels (check the street and the current address); 8 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Weekdays, lunch and early evening (check)

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

11:30–14:00 weekdays

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

JMD 2,500–5,0002026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

Jamaican home cooking
Ackee and saltfish
Near the hotels
Order: Ackee and saltfish or curry goat
Table seating
Walk-in window: 11:30–14:00 weekdays
Queue risk: Friday lunch
Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 10Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…Between clusters use a hotel-booked driver or a licensed …

Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
Jamaica ↗Check entry rules for your passport on Jamaica's Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) site before you fly.
Jamaica ↗Cannabis rules are limited and specific: possession above small amounts is illegal, and taking any cannabis out of Jamaica is a serious offence.
Jamaica ↗Use licensed taxis (red PPV number plates) or pre-booked transfers, not unmarked cars.
Jamaica ↗After Hurricane Melissa, confirm directly with hotels, tour operators and attractions in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Hanover, St James and Trelawny that they are open before you pay; some reopen only in late 2026.
Kingston and the Blue Mountains ↗Mountain roads are narrow and steep: use a driver who knows them, and start early because cloud and rain build by afternoon.
Kingston ↗Between clusters use a hotel-booked driver or a licensed taxi; do not walk between clusters, and do not use unmarked cars or minibuses as a visitor.
Kingston ↗Downtown is a morning stop by taxi to the door; leave before early afternoon.

Actions

Map & directions

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

11:30–14:00 weekdays: highFriday lunch: riskyevening: unknown

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

Sit-down restaurant with table service

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 17:00 (quiet).

11:00lightlittle or no wait
12:00heavyexpect a lineLunch
13:00heavyexpect a line
14:00lightlittle or no wait
17:00quietlittle or no wait
18:00lightlittle or no wait
19:00lightlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

1Take a table and ask for the menu of the day.

No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
Good morning	Good morning	greet first
What is up?	Wah gwaan?	wah GWAHN
How much is this?	How much fi dis?	how much fee dis
Not too spicy, please	Nuh too hot, please	noo too hot please
Thank you	Tanks	tanks

Portions and sharing

Order a main with rice and peas or vegetables; ask for the size.

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 10–15%, close to US habits.

Ask for the bill and check for service charge; tip about 10% if not included.
Ask about the portion size and the price of extras.
Cash (JMD) and cards at most tables (check).
Tipping: Check for a service charge; 10–15% otherwise, and round up taxi fares.
Cash is common at small stalls; carry small notes.

At the table

Choose busy places where food is hot and fresh.
Ask the price before it is cut or weighed.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Ackee and saltfishThe national dish.JMD 2,500–4,500order
Curry goat with rice and peasA classic.JMD 2,800–5,000order
Oxtail with beansSlow-cooked and rich.JMD 3,200–5,500if hungry
Escovitch fishSpiced vinegar sauce.JMD 3,000–5,500if hungry
Callaloo and vegetablesA lighter plate.JMD 1,800–3,500if hungry
Fresh juice or soda—JMD 500–1,200if hungry

2026 estimate, per dish; the menu changes daily.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Ackee and saltfishorder
JMD 2,500–4,500
0
Curry goat with rice and peasorder
JMD 2,800–5,000
0
Oxtail with beans
JMD 3,200–5,500
0
Escovitch fish
JMD 3,000–5,500
Contains (from menu notes, check): fish
0
Callaloo and vegetables
JMD 1,800–3,500
0
Fresh juice or soda
JMD 500–1,200
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 10–15%, close to US habits. Local custom: 10–15% if no service charge. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: About J$2,500–5,000 per person (2026 estimate)

Paying

Cashyes

Accepted; carry small notes.

Cardsome stalls

Cards accepted at many tables (check).

mobileno

Not typical.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianask
Limited: vegetable plates are possible.
Show: Mi nuh eat meat.
Veganask
Ask about oils and stock.
Halalask
Not certified (check).
Show: —
Gluten-freeask
Ask about sauces and dumplings.
Show: —
Nut allergyask
Show a written note.

What is in the dishes

Escovitch fishfish

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Kingston →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — Easy at lunch.

goodKids — Rice and chicken or fish are easy.

okStroller — Ground floor (check).

okGroups of 5+ — Call ahead.

checkWheelchair — Confirm step-free access.

How to book: Walk in at lunch; call ahead for groups.
How far ahead: Not needed
No-show / cancel fee: Not applicable
Dress code: Casual.

When	Status	Note
Sundays and public holidays	check before you go	Hours vary.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Restrooms: Restroom on site · accessible restroom: check
Air: Air-conditioned
Seating: Chairs at tables
Kids: kids' menu: no · stroller: ok · Plain rice and chicken for children
Access: step-free: partial · Confirm steps at the door

Hygiene

Ask for bottled water; ice is usually from safe sources in restaurants but check.
Busy lunch service keeps food fresh.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Walk-in at lunch; call ahead for a group.
Capabilities: food · toilet · seated_rest · ac
Getting there: Short walk or taxi from New Kingston hotels (check the street and the current address) · ~8 min walk

Cons

Closes earlier than a hotel restaurant: check evening hours.
Portions are large and dishes are meat-heavy.
Hours and menu change (check).

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Ackee	A fruit cooked like scrambled egg, served with saltfish.	Eaten cooked only; a national dish.
Escovitch	Fried fish topped with a spiced vinegar and onion sauce.	Served hot or cold.
Festival	A sweet fried dumpling served with fish or jerk.	A side, not a dessert.
Rice and peas	Rice cooked with red beans and coconut milk.	The usual side.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: A main with rice and peas is about J$2,500–4,500 (2026 estimate).
tourist price: Prices are the same for everyone; there is no bargaining.
rule: Ask about the portion size and the price of extras.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Is it good for ackee and saltfish?

Yes: it is a lunch dish.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Is it safe to eat?

Choose busy tables and hot food.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Do I need to book?

Not at lunch; call for groups.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Juici Patties (New Kingston), about 5 min on foot; no reservation needed.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.

All places to eat in Kingston, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Kingston in 4 days.

Sources

officialJamaica Tourist Board
secondaryWikivoyage — Kingston (eat)