From the simplest and searingly spicy to the most French-inspired! Jamaican cuisine is a fusion of spiciness, sweetness, spice and subtlety of flavor.

Try the local fruits: ugli (a hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine), oranik (a hybrid of orange and tangerine) and the fruit of the unique breadfruit tree.

Jamaican cuisine is said to be a colorful blend of Arawak, African, Spanish, Indian, Middle Eastern, British Isles and Chinese cooking traditions. The most typical breakfast in Jamaica is “ackee”, a growing fruit that unadornedly resembles the taste of good old scrambled eggs when cooked. During the day, it is easily snacked on with a well-spiced vegetable or meat pie. During the main meal, pork or goat meat is served, usually with curry seasoning and a side dish of beans and rice.

Also very popular are seafood, pickled and then fried with onions and blistered peppers. The most common and original dish in Jamaica is “jerk”, which is a specific Jamaican barbecue. Tea in Jamaica is called all sorts of hot, brewed beverage and it can consist of herbs with rum, milk, spices and even seafood.

Skyjus is the most favorite refreshing drink. It is prepared from ice crush and sweet syrup. They also drink coconut juice straight from the nut. The most popular alcoholic beverages are beer and rum in Jamaica. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is considered the most flavorful coffee in the world.

A short list of the best restaurants in Jamaica

  1. Ivan’s Bar & Restaurant At Catcha Falling Star Hotel, Negril. This restaurant in Negril is favored by most tourists for the very high quality of both food and service, very reasonable prices and the most diverse cuisine.
  2. Ciao Jamaica, Negril. Jamaican and Italian cuisine reigns here.
  3. Scotchie’s, Ocho Rios – universal cuisine.
  4. Toscanini’s Restaurant, Ocho Rios – Italian cuisine.
  5. Evita’s Italian Restaurant, Ocho Rios – Italian and Jamaican cuisine