The Better of Jamaica Awards have at all times positioned sturdy emphasis on celebrating Jamaicans at dwelling — recognising the people, companies and experiences that outline Jamaica’s cultural, culinary and hospitality panorama.
Chosen by means of public nominations, these on-island honourees replicate actual experiences — meals loved, stays remembered, and moments that left lasting impressions on Jamaicans and guests alike. That collective voice provides the awards specific weight, grounding them in lived expertise and group belief.
At a time when Jamaica remains to be navigating restoration following Hurricane Melissa, this yr’s awardees symbolize the island’s resilience, consistency and the on a regular basis excellence that sustains native communities, helps tourism, and retains Jamaican tradition rooted and thriving.
From family-run eating places and iconic patty outlets to standout accommodations, villas and customer experiences, these awardees showcase the easiest of Jamaica — created, constructed and sustained on the island.
Greatest Jamaican Restaurant Awardees
Jamaican delicacies stays one of many island’s strongest cultural exports, and this yr’s awardees spotlight each custom and innovation.
3 Dives Jerk Centre – Negril, Westmoreland
Perched on the long-lasting West Finish cliffs of Negril, 3 Dives Restaurant has change into a must-visit vacation spot for genuine Jamaican delicacies and laid-back coastal eating. Recognized for its flavour-packed jerk hen and recent seafood, together with Caribbean lobster, the restaurant gives a quintessential Jamaican meals expertise with uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea.
Miss T’s Kitchen – Ocho Rios, St. Ann
Recognized for its vibrant décor and daring, flavour-forward menu, Miss T’s Kitchen delivers an immersive Jamaican eating expertise that blends meals, tradition and character. From its famed oxtail stew to expertly ready curry goat, fish and meats cooked steamed, escoveitch, brown stew or rundown, the menu celebrates rustic Jamaican nation cooking at its greatest.
The Pelican Grill – Montego Bay
A Montego Bay establishment, The Pelican Grill has been serving genuine Jamaican, home-style cooking for generations. Household-owned and operated because the Nineteen Sixties, the restaurant is understood for its persistently recent dishes, welcoming environment and central location alongside the Hip Strip overlooking the ocean. With favourites like jerk hen, oxtail, curried shrimp and recent seafood, The Pelican Grill continues to be a trusted eating selection for each locals and guests, valued for its custom, heat and enduring high quality.
Sonia’s Homestyle Cooking & Pure Juices – Kingston
From humble beginnings with a small cart on Camperdown Street, the multi award-winning Sonia’s Homestyle Cooking & Natural Juices has grown right into a Kingston staple celebrated for genuine Jamaican soul meals. Based by Sonia Thomas within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, the restaurant is understood for its wealthy, home-style flavours and unwavering dedication to high quality. With favourites reminiscent of oxtail, curried goat and stewed peas, Sonia’s continues to earn its fame as a trusted lunch and eating spot rooted in custom, consistency and heartfelt service.
Soldier Camp Bar & Grill – Port Antonio
Tucked simply exterior Port Antonio, Soldier Camp Bar & Grill is a country, relaxed eating spot identified for recent, thoughtfully ready Jamaican delicacies. Based by retired US Military serviceman Everold Daley, the restaurant focuses on pure substances and deep, genuine flavours, with seafood enjoying a starring position alongside well-loved hen and pork dishes. With favourites like crayfish and curried shrimp, a strong cocktail providing and a particular open-air setting, Soldier Camp has change into a trusted native favorite and a must-visit for guests looking for a memorable Port Antonio eating expertise.
Greatest Jamaican Inns & Villas
Jamaica’s tourism product continues to evolve, pushed by operators who prioritise service, authenticity and native connection.
The Blue Home Boutique Mattress & Breakfast
Famend for its personalised service and distinctive visitor expertise, The Blue House Boutique Bed & Breakfast gives an intimate, Jamaican-owned hospitality expertise rooted in care, consistency and satisfaction. This family-run Ocho Rios retreat has lengthy been a favorite amongst travellers looking for a relaxed, upscale keep that feels authentically Jamaican. Led by third-generation iChinese Jamaican innkeepers, visitors are welcomed like household and handled to thoughtfully ready native and worldwide delicacies, making a keep outlined by heat, connection and lasting reminiscences.
Sandals Ochi: Ocho Rios Beach Resort
As one of Jamaica’s flagship resorts, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort was recognised for delivering large-scale hospitality whereas sustaining service excellence and a powerful connection to Jamaican tradition. Positioned in Ocho Rios, the resort gives a various visitor expertise, from a energetic seashore membership environment to tranquil Butler Villas set inside expansive gardens. With an intensive vary of eating choices, bars and included actions, Sandals Ochi continues to face out as a vacation spot that captures the total spectrum of Jamaica’s vitality, leisure and hospitality.
Lodge Riu – Negril
Set alongside the white sands of Bloody Bay, Hotel Riu Negril is recognised for delivering a full-service resort expertise that blends consolation, selection and energetic leisure. With a variety of eating choices, a number of swimming pools, beachside actions and all-inclusive facilities, the resort caters to {couples}, households and teams alike. Its energetic environment, constant service and beachfront location have made it a well-liked selection for guests looking for a vibrant Negril getaway.
S Lodge – Montego Bay
Trendy and design-forward, S Hotel Montego Bay has change into a standout within the metropolis’s hospitality scene, mixing trendy consolation with genuine Jamaican aptitude. Recognized for its attentive service, vibrant environment and use of regionally sourced substances, the resort delivers a keep that feels each upscale and deeply related to the island. With its prime location and relaxed but energetic vibe, S Lodge continues to draw travellers looking for a refined Montego Bay expertise.
GeeJam Lodge – Port Antonio
Set between the rainforest and the ocean in Port Antonio, GeeJam Hotel gives a secluded, design-led retreat that blends pure magnificence with artistic vitality. Lengthy often known as a haven for artists, musicians and cultural tastemakers, the property pairs trendy lodging with a deeply relaxed, off-the-grid environment. With its intimate scale, distinctive music heritage and easy sense of place, GeeJam continues to face out as certainly one of Jamaica’s most original hospitality experiences.
Ocean Coral Spring – Trelawny
Positioned alongside the seafront in Trelawny, Ocean Coral Spring is a contemporary, five-star all-inclusive resort recognised for its expansive amenities and family-friendly enchantment. With modern rooms, a number of swimming pools, a lazy river and a variety of eating choices, the resort gives a full-service trip expertise. Its beachfront setting, wellness spa and various leisure programme proceed to make it a well-liked selection for travellers looking for consolation, selection and leisure.
Greatest Seaside in Jamaica
From cascading waterfalls to crystal-clear shores, Jamaica’s seashores will not be simply lovely however are a significant a part of our story, our reminiscences and our magic.
Dunn’s River Falls and Park – Ocho Rios
One in every of Jamaica’s most iconic pure sights, Dunn’s River Falls Beach stays a must-visit vacation spot for locals and guests alike. Well-known for its cascading travertine waterfalls that circulation immediately into the Caribbean Sea, the location gives a uncommon mix of journey and leisure. From climbing the falls to having fun with the seashore and pure swimming pools beneath, Dunn’s River Falls continues to embody the wonder, historical past and enduring enchantment of Jamaica’s panorama.
Greatest Patty and Jerk Spot Jamaica
No Jamaican meals dialog is full with out patties and jerk — pork, hen or fish. These two dishes are central to who we’re and the way Jamaican delicacies is understood worldwide, and everybody has their private favorite. These awardees rose to the highest as the final word fan favourites, recognised by the general public for persistently delivering the patties and jerk that individuals return to repeatedly.
Juici patties – Greatest Patty Store Jamaica
A real Jamaican establishment, Juici Patties has performed a defining position in placing the long-lasting Jamaican patty on the culinary map. With its flaky pastry, well-seasoned fillings and constant flavour that generations have come to like, Juici Patties has change into a staple for locals and guests alike. Its enduring reputation and nationwide fame replicate the deep affection Jamaicans have for this beloved nationwide favorite.
Border Jerk – Greatest Jerk Spot Jamaica
Positioned alongside the Hanover–Westmoreland border, Border Jerk is a legendary roadside cease celebrated for serving a few of the island’s most beloved jerk. Recognized for its smoky, pimento-wood flavour and completely seasoned jerk hen and pork, the spot has earned a loyal following amongst locals and guests alike. With its no-frills setting, daring flavours and unmistakably genuine style, Border Jerk continues to set the usual for true Jamaican jerk accomplished proper.
Greatest Attraction and Occasion Jamaica
Jamaica’s story is informed not solely by means of meals and hospitality, however by means of the locations we collect and the occasions that carry us collectively. From world-famous sights to signature cultural celebrations, these awardees replicate the experiences that proceed to outline Jamaica’s id.
Bob Marley Museum (Kingston) – Greatest Attraction Jamaica
Positioned within the former dwelling of reggae icon Bob Marley, the Bob Marley Museum stands as certainly one of Jamaica’s most vital cultural heritage websites. Preserved to replicate Marley’s life and legacy, the museum gives guided excursions by means of the primary home, exhibition areas and theatre, showcasing private artefacts, awards and music historical past. With its immersive expertise and deep cultural significance, the museum continues to honour the life, message and world influence of Jamaica’s most celebrated musician.
Reggae Sumfest – Greatest Occasion Jamaica
Extensively considered the crown jewel of Jamaican music festivals, Reggae Sumfest is a worldwide celebration of reggae and dancehall tradition held yearly in Montego Bay. Showcasing legendary icons alongside rising stars, the pageant brings collectively pulsating performances, vibrant vitality and a deep sense of cultural satisfaction. Past the music, Sumfest gives an immersive expertise of Jamaican delicacies, arts and group, drawing followers from world wide for an unforgettable expression of Jamaica’s musical legacy.
Chosen by the Folks, Rooted in Expertise
These Folks’s Alternative winners symbolize the easiest of Jamaica on the island, as chosen by the individuals who have skilled them firsthand. From meals shared and stays remembered to sights visited again and again, these companies and experiences have earned their place by means of consistency, high quality and real reference to their communities. Their recognition displays belief, loyalty and the true moments that form how Jamaica is lived, loved and remembered.
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