Our Story

 

Kingston 5 didn’t begin when we opened our doors. The idea had been growing in my mind since 2016.

 

For years, friends and family encouraged me to open a restaurant because they believed the food I grew up cooking deserved to be shared. While living in downtown Orlando for five years, I even considered launching a lunch delivery concept to serve the downtown community. Instead, life took me in a different direction.

 

I partnered with Brad to help grow the branding company he founded. Over the next several years, I gained invaluable experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, customer service, and what it takes to build a company that lasts.

 

After the pandemic, life gave me a new perspective. In 2021, I found out I was pregnant with my son, and he was born in 2022. Becoming a mother changed the way I thought about business, legacy, and the opportunities I wanted to create for my child. It inspired us to explore new opportunities beyond the branding business, including launching a ghost kitchen. While the concept ultimately wasn’t successful, the experience taught us invaluable lessons that became the foundation for everything Kingston 5 is today.

 

When I decided to pursue the dream again, I knew I wanted to build something different.

 

I developed the Kingston 5 concept, created the renderings, prepared the proposal, and presented the vision for what would become our home in Lake Nona. After receiving approval, Kingston 5 officially came to life with one mission: to honor the flavors I grew up with while introducing a fresh, creative take on Jamaican cuisine.

 

Cooking and entrepreneurship have always been woven into my life.

 

My grandmother owned a restaurant in Jamaica before later accepting a position managing the household of one of the country’s most prominent families. After stepping away from routine restaurant operations, she continued building her own catering and baking business. Her work helped provide for our family, funded my private school education during my childhood, and showed me from an early age that food could do far more than feed people. It could create opportunity, provide stability, and change the trajectory of a family’s future.

 

My aunt was also an entrepreneur, owning an entire commercial plaza in Portmore, Jamaica. The plaza was home to Dermasons, the first pizzeria in Portmore, along with a bridal boutique and event center. It was there that I got my very first job, where I learned customer service, cashiering, management, and the day-to-day responsibilities of operating multiple successful businesses under one roof.

 

Growing up surrounded by these family businesses shaped the way I think about entrepreneurship. I learned that success isn’t just about serving great food. It’s about consistency, hospitality, leadership, attention to detail, and creating experiences that people remember. Those lessons continue to guide every decision I make at Kingston 5.

 

Many of the dishes we serve today are inspired by my family’s recipes, reimagined with my own approach. Our signature oxtail is a perfect example. Like my grandmother, I make our browning from scratch. The difference is that I stop the caramelization while it’s still naturally sweet instead of allowing it to become bitter. That sweeter flavor profile has become one of the defining characteristics of Kingston 5 and one of the reasons our guests continue to come back.

 

Today, Kingston 5 continues to grow month after month as we introduce more people to Jamaican fusion cuisine throughout Central Florida. We’re also expanding through our Corporate Lunch Experience, bringing the Kingston 5 experience directly to local businesses with experiences starting at $1,300.

 

My vision has always been bigger than one location. Kingston 5 is being built as a multi-unit brand rooted in authentic Jamaican flavors, thoughtful innovation, exceptional hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

 

While I lead Kingston 5 as Founder, CEO, and Managing Director, none of this would be possible without Brad, whose partnership, leadership, and unwavering commitment have played an essential role in Kingston 5’s growth and daily operations, or the incredible team that shares our passion for serving every guest with excellence.

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn our story. Whether you’re joining us for your first meal or your fiftieth, we’re honored to share a piece of our family’s heritage with you. We look forward to welcoming you and becoming part of your story, too.

 

Meika Davidson
Founder, CEO & Managing Director