Is This the Best All-Inclusive Restaurant in Jamaica?

By: - March 29th, 2024
zenith all-inclusive in jamaica
Zenith.

Its name is Zenith. It’s perched on the top floor of a stately, open-air white building with panoramic vistas of the aqua Caribbean below, hut-dotted white sand beaches below and pops of forest green mountains in the approachable distance.

It’s a landscape oft-found in the region, but there are oh-so-many factors in making this one of the most exclusive spots to dine in the Caribbean.

First and foremost, it’s nestled within the Excellence Oyster Bay at the end of a secluded, nearly mile-long peninsula. You’ll need to be a hotel guest to dine there. To set the landscape, the broader resort is a perfect mix of posh and “let’s unwind to the max,” with a massive spa and swan neck fountain-draped hydrotherapy area, 22,000 total square feet of pool spaces, poolside bingo games and, yes, a quaint jerk hut open round the clock with Jamaican patties and sauced delights.

zenith

Back to Zenith and adding another element to its exclusivity: To access it, you’ll need to purchase an Excellence Club level room on-property. Depending on the time of year and room availability, this runs a typical minimum of $100-ish plus a night extra and provides access to two private lounges with buffets and premium bars; private pools and beach areas; and an abundance of Bulgari toiletries, among numerous perks.

An Excellence Club booking provides access to two exclusive restaurants on-site, Magna and, yes, Zenith. Magna is a French-influenced concept that may also be found at Excellence’s properties throughout the region, inclusive of Playa Mujeres and Riviera Maya in Mexico and its El Carmen and Punta Cana properties in the Dominican Republic.

So, as the final element of exclusivity and translation: Excellence Oyster Bay is the only Excellence property on planet Earth you can find this restaurant.

zenith food

With all of this, what makes it so darn special? In a recent visit, it starts with a lengthy, palm-draped stroll on a private wooden boardwalk, culminating in an elegant stair climb to its confines. As with every turn within Excellence Oyster Bay, its staff is as friendly and genuine as it gets, inclusive of the restaurant and property’s sommelier, Javani, who extensively and charmingly guides you through each bottle of meticulously sourced red or white on the menu.

Speaking of the menu and in-line with the all-inclusive vibe property-wise, it’s an all-you-can-eat-a-thon, that you can order by the plate. Favorites include a perfectly seared lobster thermidor served with buttered zucchini, a Cajun-dashed tuna steak with a nice kick, and, for dessert, a caramelized banana-filled crepe.

The spot is also open for breakfast, where you can rise with the sun on its seaside patio. On that front, make sure to pair your waffle, eggs and/or charcuterie selection (yes, a charcuterie board for breakfast) with one of its healthy juice selections, like the “Anti-Aging” that’s loaded with pineapple, banana and papaya.

Zenith literally means “the high point.” And, with a dine at this spot, you feel like you’ve reached just that, not only at Excellence Oyster Bay, but well beyond.

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