Festive Menus to Try This Christmas in Jamaica

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As such, I’ve written many articles about Christmas in Jamaica, including one about our unique Christmas carols and another about the interesting phenomenon of Christmas breeze. Most of those articles were written in 2020 for Blogmas when I had had more time to spare. Nonetheless, I think it’s time for a sequel to my 2020 article on festive eats as so many other restaurants and bars have hopped on the seasonal menu bandwagon and I’m here for it!

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Culinary Delights on Jamaica’s North Coast

Although I seldom visit because I’m too busy discovering gems closer to home, Jamaica’s north coast is lovely! Our north coast has breathtaking white sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls cascading through lush rainforests and also a vibrant culinary scene. With a rich blend of flavours influenced by indigenous ingredients, our African heritage, European legacy and Asian fusion cuisines, the North Coast offers a gastronomic journey like no other. In this article, I’ll take you on a culinary tour of four restaurants on Jamaica’s North Coast. Each of these establishments brings a unique perspective to the island’s culinary offerings, celebrating local ingredients and traditions while also introducing innovative twists. The atmosphere at these four restaurants is also a treat.

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Feast & Fun: 10 Must-Visit Food Festivals in Jamaica

In recent years, Jamaica has been diversifying its tourism product by adding vibrant food and drink festivals to the annual line-up of events. Jamaica’s cuisine was influenced by our Amerindian ancestors, as well as the various ethnic groups which have made the island home for various reasons, namely the British, West Africans, Indians, Chinese and Lebanese. From spicy jerk chicken and sizzling curries to refreshing tropical fruits, Blue Mountain coffee and rum, Jamaica’s food scene is a sensory explosion that beckons food enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. In this article, we will dive into the tantalizing realm of ten Jamaican food & drink festivals where traditional recipes, international influences, lively music and infectious energy blend together to create an unforgettable gastronomic and cultural experience.

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5 Best Rooftop Restaurants & Bars in Kingston, Jamaica

Rooftop dining has grown in popularity recently and it’s here to stay! Rooftop restaurants and bars blend food and drink with the enchanting backdrop of twinkling cityscape, enhancing the entire dining experience. With the sun or moon casting its gentle glow, the open-air setting envelops you in a sense of freedom and tranquility. The tantalizing aromas of skillfully crafted dishes and hand-poured cocktails mingle with the fresh breeze, stimulating your senses and whetting your appetite. Whether you’re savoring a romantic dinner or relishing a lively gathering with friends, rooftop restaurants and bars offer an escape from the ordinary. This symphony of flavors and sights creates unforgettable memories that linger long after the last bite and sip are savored. With that said, here are my top picks for rooftop dining in Kingston, Jamaica.

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Top 8 Brunch Spots in Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica is known for its rich culture, vibrant music scene and delectable cuisine. One third of Jamaica’s population (roughly one million people) call Kingston home, so you can bet there are lots of entertainment options, and even free activities to check out in the city. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, one of the best ways to start your day in Kingston is with a delicious brunch at one of the city’s top restaurants. Here are eight of the best spots in Kingston for a mouth-watering brunch experience in 2025.

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10 Cuisines to Enjoy in Kingston, Jamaica

Do you want to travel the world but don’t have a lot of money to do so currently? Well, let me let you in on a secret. A good restaurant is like a vacation. Its food can transport you to another part of the world. I’m not discounting that the best place to eat authentic food is in the actual country of course, however it is still possible to get food close to the real thing nearer to home. That’s especially true in Jamaica which has a melting post of cultures– a legacy of our colonial past as well as a recent booming culture of expatriates and internationally trained chefs settling in Kingston. Here are ten international cuisines you can enjoy in Kingston without a passport, updated in 2025.

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Dine & Climb Waterfalls ‘Pretty Close’ to Kingston

Known as the Land of Wood and Water, Jamaica is home to rich biodiversity and over 100 rivers. These rivers create lovely recreational opportunities for swimming, fishing, bamboo rafting and riverside dining. Many Jamaicans enjoy cooking outdoors on woodfire or coal stoves as this old-fashioned means of preparing Jamaican dishes results in better taste. Cooking outdoors by the river is great but eating by or in the river is even better. Pretty Close 1876 offers an authentic Jamaican riverside kitchen and dining experience in Gordon Town, St. Andrew, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Here’s how to find it and what to expect in 2025.

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Close up of vegan food in Kingston Jamaica

Where to Get Vegan Food in Kingston, Jamaica

The traditional Jamaican diet is centered around meat, poultry and fish but there is a growing subculture of vegans and vegetarians across the island. Many persons choose to become vegan for health, environmental and ethical reasons, but others are driven by religious reasons. Seventh Day Adventists and Rastafarians are two such religious groups in Jamaica which adhere to a vegan diet. Whatever the persuasion, vegan restaurants have sprang up in response to the growing market for vegan cuisine in Jamaica. Here are nine eateries which cater to vegans in Kingston & St. Andrew, Jamaica. Some are strictly vegan while others are omnivorous with vegan-friendly options.

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Kingston Reggae Garden, Saint Andrew

I’m a city girl with a love for the country and thankfully in Jamaica, the country is never too far away. A short drive of fifteen minutes can land you in lush peaceful 360° greenery, seemingly far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Every time I visit the country and admire the slow laid-back pace of life, I can’t help but think that this is how we were meant to live. I’m happy to report that I’ve found a new chill spot near the capital city of Kingston, Jamaica for us nature-lovers to unwind and reset. Kingston Reggae Garden is a restaurant, bar and oasis in Golden Spring, St. Andrew which opened in May 2021.

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Best Cafes for Coffee Lovers in Jamaica

Coffee culture is the collection of traditions and behaviours surrounding the consumption of coffee, which includes the social acceptance of caffeine as a stimulant. Many people cannot start the morning without a brew, and as such, cafes give these coffee lovers their fix of lattes, espressos, cappuccinos and the like. However, cafes offer more than just coffee. They offer spaces for work, meetings, socialization and even meals, as most serve light meals and pastries alongside coffee and tea. European and North American culture strongly influences trends in the Caribbean so it was just a matter of time before their café culture trickled down to us. Most Jamaicans start their morning with a hot beverage as inherited from our British colonizers. Thus, it isn’t surprising that coffee culture has caught on in Jamaica. We have the right audience for it.

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