The Top 8 Brunch Picks At A Jamaican Restaurant

When you’re on holiday in Jamaica, waking up late is part of the experience. The island’s natural rhythm immerses you in its relaxing vibe, allowing you to take it easy and sleep as long as you want.

This means you don’t have to wake early to enjoy breakfast; you can start the day right with brunch.

Brunch in Jamaica means you can enjoyJamaican food at a later time in the morning. The island’s staple breakfast dishes, which reflect the country’s fascinating history, are hearty and delicious, fueling you as you go about your day.

The good news is you don’t have to travel to the Caribbean to partake in scrumptious island-inspired breakfast dishes. You can indulge in Jamaican brunch staples and other food at a Jamaican restaurant.

Top Dishes to Enjoy for Brunch at a Jamaican Restaurant

If you’re having brunch in Dubai at a Jamaican restaurant for the first time, below are the best dishes you can find and indulge in:

1.     Gungo rice

If you’re looking for something heavy to start the day, you won’t go wrong with gungo rice.

Also called gungo peas and rice, this dish combines white rice with gungo or pigeon peas. The peas are cooked until tender and combined with the rice.

Both ingredients are then cooked in coconut milk, spices, and fresh seasonings to give the dish its unique island flavor. Although it doesn’t contain meat, it’s hearty and tastes great, even without any toppings, gravy or other sauces. 

Gungo rice is typically eaten as a side, which means you can pair it with other savory dishes.

2.     Oxtail and beans

Oxtail and beans is a traditional Jamaican dish that brings comfort and flavor to the table. The oxtail is slow-cooked until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.

While the oxtail is cooked, butter beans, also called broad beans, are added. They will then soak up the gravy, which is made of gelatin from the oxtail, aromatic herbs, garlic, and sometimes, scotch bonnet pepper for subtle heat.

The resulting dish boasts an incredible balance of tender meat, creamy beans, and robust island flavors.

You can enjoy this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or rice and gungo peas.

3.     Ital chickpea curry

Ital, a play on the word vital, was coined by Jamaicans. For them, it means organic, pure, and fresh. Ital chickpeas curry, therefore, is a dish made of natural, fresh ingredients.

This vegan dish highlights clean, natural, and nutritious food. It features chickpeas simmered in coconut milk infused with curry spices, thyme, garlic, and ginger.

The curry has a rich, earthy flavor, balanced by the sweetness of the coconut milk and the warmth of the spices. Carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and other root vegetables make it heartier and healthier.

Ital chickpea curry is often served with rice or roti.

4.     Callaloo

Callaloo is a traditional dish found in most Jamaican food menus. It’s a well-known traditional Jamaican dish made of leafy greens, usually amaranth or taro leaves, cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers. The greens are sautéed until tender and perfectly mixed with the other ingredients.

This dish has a slightly bitter, earthy taste, balanced by the sweetness of onions and tomatoes, while the scotch bonnet peppers give it a bit of heat.

These ingredients make callaloo healthy and hearty. It’s a versatile dish you can enjoy on its own or with boiled green bananas, roasted plantains, or fried dumplings.

5.     Jamaican patty

If you want pastry for brunch, you can satisfy your cravings with Jamaican patties.

This semicircular, yellow, flaky pastry is filled with seasoned ground beef, chicken, lamb, fish, or other seafood. It is mixed with onions, garlic, thyme, oregano, Scotch bonnet or chili peppers, and sometimes cheese.

The Jamaican patty is baked or fried. It is similar to a turnover but more savory.

Jamaicans usually eat a patty on its own or with coco bread. It’s a great light treat to indulge in for brunch.

6.     Barbecue wings

It’s never too early to indulge in delicious Jamaican barbecue wings, so pile them on your dishes when having brunch.

Jamaican barbecue wings are marinated in a mix of allspice, garlic, thyme, and other Jamaican spices. The marinade sometimes has a touch of scotch bonnet pepper for heat and a bit of brown sugar or honey for sweetness. The wings are then grilled or baked to perfection.

Once cooked, the wings are coated in a tangy, smoky barbecue sauce bursting with sweet and spicy flavors. The result is a wing that’s crispy and saucy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and totally addictive.

7.     Roasted plantains

Plantains are Jamaican staples, so you’ll want to have them for brunch.

These fruits belong to the banana family but are bigger, starchier, and have thicker skins than bananas. They are sliced and roasted until their edges are caramelized and golden brown. This particular cooking method brings out the natural sugars in these fruits, which makes them sweet and tender.

Roasted plantains are sometimes sprinkled with a pinch of salt to enhance their sweetness. They are also sometimes served as after-meal treats when they are drizzled with honey or cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor.

Savory roasted plantains are best enjoyed with jerk chicken and curry, completing the meal.

8.     Fresh fruits

Top off your meal or sneak bites of fresh fruits to have a refreshing component to your first Jamaican brunch experience.

Jamaican fresh fruits give you a taste of the island’s tropical bounty. You can make your own fruit platter with a selection of mangoes, papayas, pineapples, oranges, and guavas.

These fresh fruits are naturally sweet and bursting with flavor, making them a perfect palate cleanser after a savory meal. Moreover, they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, which is why you shouldn’t skip them during brunch.

Jamaican brunch wouldn’t be complete without a selection of Jamaican-inspired beverages. Pair your dishes with cocktails, beer, wine, or soda to complete the meal.

If you want to enjoy the ultimate Jamaican brunch, make sure the restaurant you choose serves these dishes. Check the restaurant’s ambiance and décor as well so you can immerse yourself in an authentic tropical dining experience.