Jamaica Food & Drink Festival 2025

The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival returns to Kingston on November 13–16, 2025 for its 11th edition, delivering four days of inventive cuisine, cocktails, live music, and signature theme nights that showcase Jamaica’s culinary creativity. The official festival site confirms the November dates and outlines anchor experiences including a downtown Kingston tasting celebration, a multi‑concept “Decade 2.0” night with favorite past themes, the Meet Street & The Market street‑food showcase at Port Royal’s historic dockyard, and a festive brunch finale.

What the festival is

The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (JFDF) is a multi‑event culinary week that transforms Kingston with chef‑driven tastings, brand activations, and cultural performances, aiming to position the capital as the culinary heart of the Caribbean. The 2025 edition celebrates “Year 11,” building on a decade of programming that has blended local flavors with international influences and special guest chefs.

2025 dates and core venues

Organizers confirm JFDF 2025 runs Thursday through Sunday, November 13–16, with a spread of venues that connect the urban core and coastal heritage sites. Downtown Kingston’s Festival Marketplace hosts a reimagined Jamaican food night, Port Royal’s Naval Dockyard anchors the street‑food market, and additional events and brunch venues are announced as “TBD” as programming is finalized.

Signature events and themes

• Kuyah: A spotlight on “Jamaican food, reimagined” with bold flavor riffs, live music, and premium cocktails, staged downtown at the Festival Marketplace.
• Decade 2.0: A mash‑up of hit JFDF concepts including Crisp, Pork Palooza, Chopstix, and Picante, allowing guests to graze through beloved stations in one night.
• Meet Street & The Market: A pay‑as‑you‑go street‑food fair at the Port Royal Naval Dockyard featuring restaurants, bars, food trucks, artisans, and family‑friendly vibes.
• Brunch Finale: A celebratory brunch with creative menus, specialty cocktails, and a community‑forward atmosphere to close the weekend.

Chef’s Table pre‑event

A limited‑seat Chef’s Table on November 6 at The Kitchen pairs Miami chef José Mendín of Pubbelly Sushi with Montreal’s Mathieu Masson‑Duceppe of Food Network and Chopped Canada for an intimate fusion dinner. The collaboration sets a high‑caliber tone for festival week and underlines JFDF’s cross‑border culinary reach.

Why Kingston

JFDF’s mission is to make Kingston the Caribbean’s culinary capital by tying tastings to the city’s stories, music, and neighborhoods, from heritage waterfronts to buzzing downtown markets. The compact footprint lets visitors pair events with visits to cultural landmarks like Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum, and with strolls through Emancipation Park.

Ticketing and access

Events are individually ticketed with tiers that may include early entry, tasting bundles, or premium lounges depending on the night; Meet Street uses a pay‑as‑you‑go format on site. Organizers publish links via the official site and social channels, with limited pre‑sales promoted in partnership with Visa.

What to expect on each night

• Thursday: A chef‑led reinterpretation of Jamaican classics set to live music in a downtown setting with craft cocktails and rum features.
• Friday: The Decade 2.0 multi‑concept tasting night that brings back fan favorites under one roof for a high‑energy graze‑and‑groove experience.
• Saturday: Street food immersion at Port Royal with vendors, trucks, artisans, and family‑friendly entertainment in a historic harbor venue.
• Sunday: Brunch finale with a playful, island‑forward menu and bubbly cocktails to close the week.

Accolades and growth

JFDF marked its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has been recognized by international media and awards programs for elevating Jamaican cuisine through curated, high‑production events. Sponsor partnerships, including Visa’s multi‑year collaboration, reflect the festival’s scale and its role as a marquee culinary tourism driver.

Travel planning tips

• Book early: The mid‑November window is popular; lodging near New Kingston, Downtown, or the waterfront simplifies transfers between nights.
• Mix city and sea: Balance downtown tastings with the Port Royal market night to experience Kingston’s urban energy and coastal heritage in one weekend.
• Pace tastings: Eat lightly before evening sessions and hydrate between stations; plan cab or rideshare returns after late finishes.

Cultural flavor and music

Live bands and DJs are part of the vibe, linking tastings to Kingston’s music culture and creating a seamless party atmosphere through the evening. The Market night often features artisans and community performances, adding a cultural layer beyond the plate.

Family‑friendly options

Meet Street & The Market is the most accessible for families thanks to open spaces, pay‑as‑you‑go booths, and vendor variety that suits different tastes and budgets. Arriving earlier in the evening provides easier navigation and shorter lines before peak crowds.

How to get around

Rideshares and taxis are the most convenient between Downtown Kingston, New Kingston, and the Convention District areas; Port Royal sits across the harbor via the causeway. Event pages publish venue specifics, and some nights may offer shuttles or coordinated parking plans depending on capacity.

Sample 3‑day itinerary

• Friday: Fly in and check into New Kingston; hit Decade 2.0 for a curated greatest‑hits tasting night.
• Saturday: Explore Devon House and the Bob Marley Museum by day; head to Port Royal for Meet Street & The Market.
• Sunday: Sleep in and close with the Brunch Finale before an evening departure or extended Kingston stay.

Responsible enjoyment

Choose reusable water bottles, pace alcohol tastings with food, and use designated transport; support local artisans by purchasing crafts at the market. Following event staff guidance helps keep queues and flows smooth for all guests.

Where to watch for updates

The official JFDF website carries the authoritative schedule, chef announcements, venue confirmations, and ticket links, while Instagram posts tease pre‑sales and headliners. Third‑party event calendars also list the November dates, but always verify against the festival site as details finalize.

From downtown flavor riffs to a historic harbor street‑food night and a sun‑splashed brunch, the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival 2025 is a feast for all senses. Lock in the November 13–16 dates, secure tickets to favorite nights, and come ready to taste, sip, and groove through Kingston’s brightest culinary weekend.