Jerk chicken is the most famous Jamaican dish exported from the island. A mixture of herbs, spices, hot peppers, and pimento leaves, invented by the Jamaican Maroons, was used to cook animals they captured. These days, the dish is an integral part of Jamaican cuisine and a famous delicacy enjoyed by people everywhere in the world. But Jamaica, in particular, has the best chicken in the world. On GrillFAQ.com, you’ll find some of the best places to enjoy the famous dish in Jamaica. Here are some of those places:
Sweetwood Jerk Joint
This is the place where you can find mouth-watering meat of various types, whether it’s pork, chicken, sausages, lamb, fish or shellfish. Conveniently located next to Kingston’s Emancipation Park, Sweetwood Jerk Joint also offers a delightful side dishes that will most definitely satisfy anybody’s taste buds: sweet potatoes, yam, breadfruit, corn, are just some of them.
What: restaurant, jerk, quick bites, BBQ, Jamaican (takeout, outdoor seating, delivery, parking, lunch, dinner)
Where: 78 Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston Kingston, St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica.
When: Sun (1:00 pm – 9:00 pm); Mon – Wed (11:30 am – 9:00 pm); Thu (11:30 am – 11:00 pm); Fri-Sat (11:30 am – 12:00 am).
Phone: +18769064854
Ocho Rios Village Jerk Center
Want to try some real Jamaican traditional dinner? Well, the Ocho Rios Jerk Center is just the place! Apart from that, various chicken burgers, pork, curry, fish, and shellfish dishes here can be served right at your table! It’s a perfect open-air casual-style restaurant to relax, listen to some local music (not live though) and recall good times with a friend.
What: bar, restaurant, bar, jerk, BBQ, Caribbean (takeout, outdoor seating, vegetarian-friendly, lunch, dinner, late night)
Where: DaCosta Drive, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
When: Sun (11:00 am – 12:00 am); Mon-Sat (11:00 am – 1:00 am)
Phone: +18769742549
Boston Jerk Center
Now this one is for true gourmets and Jamaican chicken addicts. Why? Because this is where you can taste original jerk chicken! The taste is simply unforgettable and it will not leave you indifferent because here jerk chicken is made by men whose parents/grandparents were responsible for making it the world’s favorite. How about that? The world-famous Boston’s Jerk Center is located in Portland and is a place for traditional and authentic jerk meals. Keep that in mind. It is mainly focused around 7 jerk pits, but they also sell fresh juices, fruits, and even jewelry. So you can eat and leave the place looking all fancy There is even a local DJ to make your feasting really enjoyable.
What: bar, restaurant, jerk, Caribbean
Where: 4411 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30035-1214
When: Sun-Thu (10:00 am – 7:00 am); Fri-Sat (10:00 am – 10:00 pm)
Phone: +14042890600
Pepperwood Jerk Center
The Pepperwood Jerk Center was once called Scotchies Jerk Cente, and had the best spicy and smokey jerk chicken! And that didn’t change a bit! You can still go there and get addicted to that delicious chicken meat. However, if you can’t control yourself, you better avoid that place because there’s a chance you get yourself in trouble with overeating! Located in Kingston, Pepperwood is one of the most highly regarded jerk centers of the capital. The restaurant boasts a country-like setting with separate huts and a bar. You can enjoy the main dish there and have a great party with a few Red Stripes (iconic 4.7% ABV pale lager brewed in Jamaica). Just don’t eat too much!
What: casual restaurant; jerk, BBQ, Caribbean, Jamaican (delivery, reservations, lunch, dinner, late night)
Where: 2 Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston Kingston, St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica
When: Sun-Thu (11:30 am – 10:00 pm); Fri-Sat (11:30 am – 11:30 pm)
Phone: +18769060602
Jojo’s Jerk Pit
Great reggae music, karaoke (on Thursdays), comfortable atmosphere, friendly staff, and, of course, great widely varied menu with excellent-prepared food (jerk chicken, pork, lamb, and many more). But choose wisely because the price for certain dishes may bite (it’s a middle-upper class clients restaurant)! Also, you can win some beers for your table there and here some live music or good oldies on Saturdays! A perfect place to hang out and relax with your friends, while eating some well-cooked meat! They also have happy hour events every week! Visit them and absorb some great vibes!
What: casual restaurant, jerk, bar, BBQ, grill, seafood (lunch, dinner, late night)
Where: 12 Waterloo Road, Kingston, Jamaica
When: Sun (12:00 am – 11:00 pm); Mon-Sat (11:00 am – 11:00 pm);
Phone: +18769061509
Chateau 7 Gourmet Jerk Center
This one is a true hidden gem, a mix of superb laid back atmosphere, excellent food, and attentive staff to serve your family, friends, and coworkers. Many visitors call this place (formerly a gas station) the best for jerk chicken and jerk pork, or, should I say, Sexy Pork? Apart from amazing jerk chicken and pork (Jerk Wild Hog), you should definitely try their Sexy Seafood Soup (actually, all their soups are dazzling), jerk conch pasta, and pine ginger drinks. Wide music selection, as well as many parking lots, are at your service. If you are entering or leaving the country make sure to visit this pit stop on your way.
What: Caribbean, Jamaican, healthy, street food, soups, vegetarian-friendly, vegan options (lunch, dinner, brunch, drinks)
Where: Long Lane / Red Gal Ring, Stony Hill, Kingston, Jamaica
When: Sun (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM); Wed-Sat (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
Phone: +18766484327
3 Dives Restaurant
Apart from fantastic great jerk chicken, you can find fresh delicious lobsters, grilled shrimp, and seasonings with best greens here! And all this for a really good price! Don’t get bored while waiting for your order (it’s definitely worth it) because the restaurant is accompanied by a nice Cliff bar where you can order some really good beers and various spirits. The dish size and the views are impressive as well. The place has painted picnic tables and decorated with graffiti-style murals. Once you visit 3 Dives, it makes you want to come back again!
What: Jamaican, Caribbean, seafood, BBQ (vegan options, gluten-free options, vegetarian-friendly, lunch, dinner, late night, takeout, outdoor seating, parking)
Where: West End Road/just west of Extabi | West End, Negril, Jamaica
When: Sun (05:00 pm – 11 pm); Mon-Sat (01:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Phone: +18767829990
Scotchies
Here you get great marinated jerk chicken with the granny sauce, roasted potatoes, yams, steamed conch, fish, ribs, and soup. The place is really clean and nice, with wonderful views, though the service, as the previous place, is kind of slow. But not for jerk chicken appetizer, it’s always waiting ready for you! But if you are scared that waiting for other meals will ruin your experience, I can asure you it will not. Good stuff takes time, don’t forget that! When you see your large portion with an amazing high-quality meal, you will forget about everything. The flavor is just stunning! It makes you drool, no matter hungry or not. Go there by sundown and enjoy the sight!
What: local cuisine, Caribbean, BBQ, Jamaican (lunch, dinner, late night, takeout, outdoor seating, parking, full bar, table service)
Where: Falmouth Road, Montego Bay, Jamaica
When: 24/7
Phone: +18769538041
Ultimate Jerk Centre
Here, on the main highway on the way to Runaway Bay (now that’s a nice song there), you can find delicious goat meat in a variety of dishes, rice & beans, festival & breadfruit, stew chicken, festival, jerk pork or rabbit (tastes like chicken anyway). It’s a good place for a quick stop with a large company. Great prices here. Jamaicans recommend it! Tip: don’t have mercy upon sauce for smokey and spicy dishes!
What: local cuisine, quick bites, Jamaican, vegetarian-friendly, takeout, outdoor seating, parking, TV, dinner, brunch, lunch, full bar
Where: Main Street, across from Green Grotto Caves, Discovery Bay, Jamaica
When: Sun (9:00 am – 10:00 pm); Mon-Thu (9:00 am – 10:30 pm); Fri (9:00 am – 11:30 pm); Sat (9:00 am – 11:00 pm)
Phone: +18769732054
Chelsea Jerk Centre
This place is more like an emporium.. a very old place. Here you can find some traditional spicy, moist, succulent jerk chicken and awesome side dishes of hard dough bread and festival. You should also try their amazing “escaviche” and Manish water on Fridays. The service is pretty fast and the pepper sauce for meat is extremely hot. So beware! Get some beers there and check your dish because it may be a bit cold, ask for a hot one! The staff there is … “special” sometimes.
What: restaurant, jerk, Caribbean, Jamaican (breakfast, lunch, dinner, takeouts, parking lot with roosters roaming around)
Where: 7 Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston Kingston, St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica
When: Sun-Fri (11 am – 10 pm); Fri-Sat (11 am – 12 am)
Phone: +18769060602
Leave a reply