Though I was a less than impressed with Montego Bay’s motto, “suck me, shuck me, eat me raw,” (one of the oldest, least original oyster jokes in the world), I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of this bustling seafood joint on Mandela Square.

Obviously, as the name implies, seafood is the main attraction, with oysters, seafood chowder, Falklands calamari, and garlic prawns being the most popular items. (Note: If you like prawns, this is the place to go: they are prepared a million different ways.) There are also several styles of kingklip, tuna tartare, salmon, and scallops, all served as either appetizers or main courses. Curry is also a hit: there are Durban-style prawn curries and Alaskan crab curries on the menu, among others. There are also poultry, meat,  pasta and sushi dishes as well.

I chose the salmon and wasabi mashed potatoes: the salmon was a bit undercooked (which was OK with me, but probably not to the liking of most diners), and the mash was delicious. The green salad appetizer was fresh and crunchy, and I can’t go without mentioning the complimentary brown bread, which was hearty and scrumptious.

Besides the prompt service and extensive wine list, one of Montego Bay’s best features is its location right on the square, where it has been since 1994. You can sit outdoors under the stars on nice evenings and enjoy the buzzy vibe.