Whether you fly, cruise, inclusive package, or chill with relatives in Jamaica, street food is a priority for your holiday.
Street food is the fuel of Jamaica, whether it be a schoolboy like Sprat Morrison picking up a patty on the way home from school, government workers grabbing a red pea soup for lunch, or revelers tucking into jerk pork on the way home from a night out.
Don’t miss out on some of the world’s finest street food by visiting these 7 great street food destinations in Jamaica.
7 Best Street Food Destinations in Jamaica
If you’re traveling to JA, check out these recommendations for tasty and authentic street food.
These are the places you go with a relative where you won’t get conned with ‘boiled’ jerk chicken like I was a few years back when I was on a cruise.
So check out these spots and don’t forget to bring your appetite:
7. Harbourview Roundabout, Kingston
This unofficial street food stop has put itself on the map, due to its daring vendors who have so far evaded the police.
Jamaicans who eat here will pick up crowd-pleasers like jerk pork, festival, and roast breadfruit, and run for the hills.
There is even a chef that cooks international cuisine if you need a flavorful alternative to jerk.
6. Crab Corner, Heroes Circle, Kingston
Crab Corner is the destination for one of the most delicious crab boils on the island.
Enjoy the down-home flavor of boiled spicy land crabs, cooked to perfection with corn and potatoes by skilled street food vendors.
You can find other Jamaican favorites like chicken foot soup, and even cow skin.
5. Friendship Gap, St Mary
Yaaass!! This rather mundane-looking junction in St Mary Parish is home to some of the best food from yard you’ve ever eaten.
You know the types of food that your parents loved growing up like cow skin soup and pig foot, pig tail, and other delights. Just ask fi Mama Bev!
4. Hellshire, St Catherine
If you love fry fish, make it a PRIORITY to find yourself in Hellshire, St Catherine.
My, my the freshly caught snapper is amazing! Be sure to stop off at Hellshire Beach in Portmore St Catherine.
I’ll be honest, it is pricey, but man, the lobster, fried chicken, and festival washed down with Kola Champagne is a feast not to be missed.
3. Melrose Yam Park, Manchester
This is another spot for down-home cooking with a range of eateries that have been constructed in the remains of a mining district with the support of JA rum barons J Wray & Nephew.
The area is famous for its roasted yam and saltfish sold by a variety of vendors. Apparently, a new complex with a jerk center is on the way…
2. Border, St Elizabeth/Westmoreland
This spot brings back childhood memories of stuffing myself silly on the peppa shrimp the lady is carrying.
You can’t get this stuff outside of JA, so I feel sad thinking about it. However, stay your appetite because it is so easy to overindulge and have fiery chili coming out the other end!
1. Port Henderson, Portmore
Can I just say the people in this gorgeous part of Jamaica are just lovely, real nice.
You’ll also enjoy the most delicious jerk chicken and pork on Jerk Vendor Lane and fried fish in the island’s southeast.
If you have self-catering accommodation, try your hand at grilling or steaming some of the fantastic fresh fish sold by the ‘fish mamas’ of Back Road.
Best Street Food Destinations in Jamaica FAQ
What is the prettiest area in Jamaica?
Negril is, by far, the prettiest area in Jamaica. Its Seven Mile Beach has classic white sand beaches, crystal turquoise waters, and romantic coves and shallow bays that are perfect for a couple’s getaway. It is incredibly peaceful and has fewer attractions than you’ll find in Ochie (Ocho Rios and Montego Bay). One Negril gem I return to whenever I’m in JA is Barney’s Flower & Hummingbird Garden, a delightful botanical garden featuring native flowers, plants and trees, and sweet hummingbirds.
What is the prettiest town in Jamaica?
Port Antonio is one of Jamaica’s most underrated coastal spots which has important historical sites like the ruins of Folly Mansion. This small, uncommercialized fishing village in Portland Parish has some outstanding natural scenery including nearby waterfalls, rich vegetation, and the breathtaking Blue Lagoon.
What food is Montego Bay known for?
Montego Bay is a street-food haven, and one of the best places in Jamaica to pick up authentic jerk chicken cooked to perfection on an oil drum grill. You’ll also find plenty of vendors and outlets serving perfectly flaky patties, that you can eat JA style between two coco breads!
What is the most popular drink in Jamaica?
Guinness punch is a Jamaican’s favorite, but it is little known outside Jamaica. It is made with Guinness stout, but drunk liberally as a non-alcoholic beverage that even children can have. In my family, Guinness punch is made by blending Guinness with condensed milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla ice cream. Apparently, Guinness is good for your health!
Why is Montego Bay so popular?
Montego Bay is Jamaica’s #1 tourist destination with the food, entertainment, and amenities that tourists love. It also helps that Mo Bay has a cruise ship port providing access to great beaches like Doctor’s Cave Beach, golf, shopping, and attractions like Martha Brae River, and Animal Farm and Nature Reserve.
What is the most popular breakfast in Jamaica?
Nuttin betta den a fry dumplin’ wi ackee and saltfish, perhaps wi a little callaloo and fry plantain. Perfection on a plate!
What is Jamaica’s national dish?
Jamaica’s national dish is ackee and saltfish, featuring the ackee, Jamaica’s national fruit. Ackee and saltfish are prepared with salted flaked cod, onions, chilies, and tomatoes. Note: you cannot eat raw ackee as it is poisonous!
Rounding Up
Wow wow wow! I’m hungry just thinking about the delicious street foods I have had the pleasure of enjoying in Jamaica.
Jamaica is a champion of street food and outdoor cooking and no trip to JA is complete with mingling and jingling with locals while tucking into this authentic island cuisine!
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