MontegoBay travel guide

Jerk chicken

Jamaica's global culinary ambassador—chicken marinated in a scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, thyme and ginger rub, slow-smoked over pimento (allspice) wood until falling tender; Montego Bay's roadside jerk stands are legendary

Ackee and saltfish

Jamaica's national dish—sautéed ackee (a fruit with egg-like texture) with flaked salt cod, onions, tomatoes and scotch bonnet; a Montego Bay breakfast institution; the yellow ackee flesh is toxic if not fully ripe and opened naturally

Patties

Golden flaky pastry pockets filled with spiced ground beef, chicken, cheese or vegetables; widely available at Jamaica Patty shops nationwide; the beef patty inserted into a coco bread roll is Jamaica's definitive lunch

Red Stripe beer

Jamaica's iconic golden lager since 1928—crisp, tropical and best drunk ice cold at a beach bar while watching the sunset; the original Jamaican export before reggae went global; inseparably tied to beach, music and hot afternoons

Rum punch

Blended from Appleton Estate Jamaican rum, falernum, freshly squeezed lime juice, grenadine and fresh-grated nutmeg; every beach bar in Montego Bay has its secret ratio; the rum is produced in the nearby Black River Valley