Top 10 Jamaican Local Dishes & Drinks
The enchanting Caribbean island nation of Jamaica is famous for lush rainforests, towering mountains, reef-dotted panoramic beaches, and for being the birthplace of reggae. But there's a lot more to Jamaica holidays than that, especially for foodies on their maiden plunge into this captivating place. Jamaica and food go hand-in-hand, with the primary focus being on bold flavours and fresh produce combined with potent seasonings. While there are countless foods in Jamaica to try, knowing what to eat and drink in Jamaica can go a long way in determining the quality of your trip.
For a truly gastronomical adventure, the best thing to do is try Jamaican food in Jamaica, inspired by not just Caribbean flavours, but also by Asia, Africa, and even parts of Europe. You can head to street markets to have a crack at the most celebrated traditional food in Jamaica, or pick fine dining spots for a more elaborate spread accompanied by customary Jamaican drinks.
But what do Jamaicans eat?
In answer to that, the following is a quick overview of the most popular and must-try Jamaican food dishes during your trip. You will also find a guide to learn about the best Jamaican drink and the trendiest places to eat in Jamaica on family holidays and solo adventures alike.
What to Eats and Drinks in Jamaica?
A brief outline of the most sought-after and delicious foods in Jamaica will help you figure out how to plan your meals better. Keep an eye out for names of these traditional Jamaican dishes in restaurant menus, ensuring you have an epic food adventure.
The Best 10 Traditional Jamaican Foods in Jamaica
1. Ackee and Codfish
Deemed as the Jamaican national food, Ackee and Saltfish is a must-try on holidays to
Jamaica. Loved by locals and visitors alike, this remarkable dish is made using Ackee
fruit, which was originally imported to Jamaica from Ghana. Paired with salted, stewed,
and sautéed codfish, this is among the most delicious traditional Jamaican dishes to
try. Expect a generous amount of herbs, vegetables, and spices in the dish.
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2. Jerk Chicken
What is the most famous food in Jamaica? Jerk chicken, of course! Although jerk meals
are super-popular worldwide, they originated here, making them an indelible part of the
renowned Jamaican cuisine. An integral part of Jamaican cultural food, jerk chicken
found here is unmatched in quality and taste. Marinated in a delectable fiery seasoning
and prepared over pimento wood, this mouthwatering chicken will fall apart the moment
you touch it.
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3. Oxtail
Although uncommon to some, oxtail is considered traditional food in Jamaica, and is
prepared in an elaborate process that can take a couple of hours. First, it is seasoned
with a wide array of spices and herbs, after which it is fried well. Finally, it is slow
cooked for a while (or put into a pressure cooker), and served typically with rice.
Among the most famous Jamaican dishes, it is an incredibly hearty meal.
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4.Fried Breadfruit
If you thought the name fried breadfruit meant it is one of the sugary Jamaican
dishes, you'd be mistaken. In truth, it is more of a starchy offering (sort of like
potatoes), fried and served all through the day. One of the most popular and common
foods in Jamaica, it is usually paired with piping hot dishes, regardless of the time of
day you eat.
5. Curry Goat/Chicken
Curries are inarguably the most traditional Jamaican meal, featuring a hearty and
warm flavour with potent spice combinations. A goat curry is the best Jamaican food, one
you'll find in most restaurants unfailingly. Usually cooked on the bone in a delicious
sauce for a couple of hours, it ensures the meat falls apart in a moment once cooked. It
is typically served alongside rice and a side of fresh sautéed vegetables.
6. Jamaican Beef Patty
If you love red meat, this is one traditional food in Jamaica you simply must try!
Jamaican beef patties constitute ground beef seasoned with hot peppers and a myriad of
spices filled in a flaky pastry dough. Typical of Jamaican cultural food, you will also
find vegetarian variations of these, filled with fresh vegetables. Cheese and seafood
variants are equally popular.
7. Fish Escovitch
This is the best Jamaican food for ardent seafood lovers to relish in Jamaica. It
features a deep-fried-until-golden-brown whole fish, most commonly a Red Snapper, which
is then topped with a wide array of equally delicious accompaniments. These include
pickled onions, carrots, garlic, pimentos, peppers, and chayote. It is generally paired
with Bammy, a tasty flatbread made of cassava, another of the top Jamaican food dishes.
8. Brown Stew Chicken
A fundamental part of the typical Jamaican diet, brown stew chicken is an
uber-delicious comfort food much loved in all of the Caribbean. It consists of fresh
chicken, which may or may not be fried before being stewed. Alongside the chicken, it
includes vegetables slow-cooked with a range of flavour-packed spices until the gravy
thickens. Among the best traditional Jamaican dishes, it will be the tastiest thing
you'll try on your Caribbean long haul holiday.
9. Mannish Water
If you're the adventurous sort and want to try the more eclectic parts of Jamaican
cuisine, Mannish water is right up your alley. Cherished more for its purported
properties of being an aphrodisiac rather than its taste, this popular broth-like soup
features goat's head, tripe, and other offal. It also includes coarsely chopped
vegetables, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers, among other unusual pairings. One of the
most famous foods in Jamaica, it is generally served alongside roasted yam.
10. Run Down (Run-Dun)
Another iconic Jamaican dish, Run Down is a delectable fish stew featuring cut-up
Mackerel (or Cod) with onions, hot peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and various spices. A
traditional Jamaican food, it is slow cooked in coconut milk and served with green
bananas and delicious dumplings. The creamy, thick stew is absolutely lip-smacking, and
the fish simply falls apart in your hands, indicating the perfection of the cook.
What to Drink in Jamaica?
Relishing Jamaican food in Jamaica is exciting indeed. But what can take this experience to a whole new level? Why, delightful Jamaican drinks, of course! There is a wide selection of heady drinks and blends to enjoy in Jamaica.But first,
What is the drinking age in Jamaica?
Anyone over the age of 18 can legally enjoy alcoholic drinks in Jamaica. Now, here’s what to drink in Jamaica on your trip.
● Red Stripe Beer
What is Jamaica's most popular drink? It’s Red Stripe Beer! Yes, you would most
certainly have come across this even in your home country, as it is widely sold in
various locations worldwide. It’s that famous! But enjoying this delicious chilled
Jamaica alcohol drink on a warm day by a scenic Caribbean beach is an experience unlike
any other. Look out for options like Red Stripe Bold, Red Stripe Light, and blends with
unique flavour combinations like sorrel and lemon.
● Jamaican Rum
What is the national drink of Jamaica? If you guessed Jamaican rum, you’d be right!
Almost always poured neat, Jamaican rum compliments every modern and traditional
Jamaican meal. It can also be enjoyed in a fruit punch or another mixer, with many
restaurants and bars using overproof white rum with a much higher alcohol content for a
more powerful kick. You can take a rum plantation tour for a more in-depth experience
during your Jamaica trip.
● Vodka and Ting
Ting is a popular grapefruit flavoured tropical soft drink loved across the entire
region. Use it as a base for cocktails, and you have the perfect blend to go with any
kind of Jamaican cuisine! Citrus vodka is the most common choice, and many servers add a
dash of lime and fresh mint to elevate the already delicious Jamaican drink. It is a
refreshing drink to enjoy on warm evenings during beach holidays in Jamaica.
● Bob Marley Cocktail
You cannot talk about Jamaica without a mention of Bob Marley! Unsurprisingly, among
the most popular Jamaican drinks is a cocktail named after the legendary Bob Marley. It
features the archetypical Rastafarian colours, red, green, and yellow, consisting of
multiple frozen layers with flavours of mango and daiquiri. Remarkably delicious, it
goes well with all foods in Jamaica.
● Sorrel Tea
Widely available mostly during festive seasons, Sorrel tea is a famous Jamaican drink
made from hibiscus plant sepals. Integral to the typical Jamaican diet, the slightly
sweet tea is made with a mix of spices like allspice, star anise, ginger, and cinnamon.
Boiled and cooled before serving, the tea is also often mixed with rum instead of water.
It pairs well with a lot of Jamaican dishes, particularly hot evening snacks, adding an
element of refreshing coolness.
Places to Eat and Drink in Jamaica
Learning where to eat and drink in Jamaica is key to finding the best foods in Jamaica. You can pick from a gamut of exciting open-air eateries, fine dining spots, and laidback street food joints serving the best of Jamaican cuisine.
While the ensuing list contains the best places to eat in Jamaica, it is advisable to check if they are open during your Jamaica holiday before heading out for a meal.
● The Houseboat Grill
This is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner on adults only holidays or a large family gathering, offering a cosy indoor dining room and vast open decks with plenty of seating. Anchored in the still waters of Montego Bay Marine Park Fish Sanctuary, it offers the finest waterside dining ever.
Meal-wise, you can find everything on the menu that makes up the typical Jamaican diet, besides a large spread of internationally-inspired food. A must-try here include grilled beef tenderloin and mahi mahi fillet.
● Bamboo Blu
Picture an upscale oceanfront fine-dining setting, complete with comfortable cabanas and lounge chairs on a private beach. That's what you'll get at Bamboo Blu, serving the best Jamaican food alongside innovative creations featuring mind-boggling ingredients.
Top dishes to try here include baked Bungo crab, grilled lobster, and honey jerk ribs. You can plan to visit on evenings that feature reggae music and bonfires. It’s a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner with your partner.
● Evita’s
Located in Ocho Rios and positioned in a uniquely Jamaican-style house dating back to the 1860s, Evita's has been serving an eclectic mix of Jamaican cuisine and Northern Italian flavours since the early 1980s. It has also hosted several celebrities over the years, and out of here have come some of the most famous Jamaican dishes.
These include Lasagna Rastafari, which is a unique vegetable lasagna emphasising catalo and ackee, and the renowned Jerk Spaghetti, featuring spicy jerk sausage in combination with marinara sauce, garlic, and onions.
● Black River Lounge at the Appleton Estate
The Appleton Estate is renowned for producing one of the best and most authentic ranges of Jamaican rums for over 250-plus years. Invariably, it is the oldest sugar estate and distillery on the island. Equally inspiring is its on-site Black River Lounge. Offering snug indoor and outdoor seating options, it is quite literally a jerk and bar pit-stop.
Pick your spot and sample a wide array of the most distinguished Jamaican rum varieties ever. Top options include the Luxurious 21-Year-Old, Rare Blend 12-Year-Old, and the classic Signature Blend by the estate. These go excellently with any Jamaican dish.
● Sugar Mill at the Half Moon Resort
An award-winning restaurant, Sugar Mill is found perched snugly in the 5-star Half Moon Resort. It serves the best of contemporary and traditional food in Jamaica, carefully fusing together a range of incredible flavours from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its location in a 17th-century estate embellished with a functional water wheel adds to the restaurant's historic surroundings.
Visit for a one-of-a-kind experience dining under the stars, whether with family, a partner, or by yourself. Relish unique delights, such as crayfish brandade, smoked marlin carpaccio, and tea-smoked duck breast with tempura okra and other accompaniments.
● Belinda’s Riverside Restaurant
One of the best places to eat at, this remarkable restaurant is stationed within a quaint and rustic bamboo hut. It is renowned for serving the most authentic Jamaican cuisine, and is a great place for a quick bite or an elaborate meal. The food tastes uniquely fantastic as everything here is made in a wood-fired grill.
The best Jamaican food to try here include crayfish curry, grilled parrotfish, and chicken fricassee, all made using fresh local ingredients. Expect equally delicious accompaniments, from fried plantain and roasted breadfruit to flavoured rice and dumplings.
● Dinner Terrace at the Jamaica Inn
For the best open-air dining experience in Jamaica, head over to Dinner Terrace located in the popular Jamaican Inn, Ocho Rios. It provides a luxury gourmet experience in an al fresco setting, ensuring guests of all ages have an extensive list of Jamaican dishes to choose from.
If you want a light lunch, you can enjoy pasta, sandwiches, or traditional Jamaican food such as grilled snapper or curry goat. Dinners can be more elaborate, beginning with a delicious pre-meal cocktail at the oceanfront bar followed by a range of local or international dishes marked with an island twist. Must-try famous dishes of Jamaican here include the Caribbean seafood ragout, goat cheese soup, and grilled lobster.
Tipping in Jamaica When Eating Out
Most places in Jamaica already include a service charge of about 10% on your bill when eating out. However, there is no need to tip for foods in Jamaica you enjoy in all inclusive holiday resorts. Either way, it helps to do some research on the latest tipping etiquettes before jetting off on your Jamaica holidays.
Therefore, you can have traditional food in Jamaica or opt for a more international fare, keeping all these details in mind.