Hot Coffee Spots of Jamaica

Jamaican coffee is world renowned for its quality and purity. Nowadays, it is one of the country's most universal products and one of its best gastronomy attractions. That's why we travel all over the island to know where to try a tasty cup of coffee, all the while learning more about its characteristics and history.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

The geography

The Blue Mountains have become synonymous with perfect coffee growing conditions. After a centuries-long journey from Abyssinia, the coffee bean has found a deserving home on the green hills of Jamaica. The Blue Mountains are often wrapped in a steady blanket of fog, which slows the growth of the coffee plant, producing the characteristic rich sweetness of Jamaican coffee. This results in a full and balanced cup, rich and never insipid, and without the acidity or burnt taste of lesser coffees.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Blue Mountain Coffee

Nowadays, the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica ensures the quality of the coffee that comes from the Blue Mountains. Coffee lovers around the world know Jamaica as the place to buy high-end java, and there is a variety of cafes and hidden corners on the island to sip that perfect cup of Blue Mountain joe, whether it be espresso, drip brew or an ice-cold coffee cocktail.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Kingston

Kingston is chock-full of cafes and relaxing spots to take in a cup of coffee. On the corner of Trafalgar and Hope Road sits Devon House,  a mixture of Creole and Georgian styles and adorned with Jamaican, Caribbean, English and French antiques. There is a classy, whitewashed terrace and quiet courtyards for coffee sippers. And nestled at the food of the Blue Mountains, Café Blue  at Irish Town offers visitors a cozy atmosphere to enjoy genuine Blue Mountain coffee straight from the source, while others can rest under the trees next to an outdoor art market at Grosvenor Café.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Ocho ríos

Bistros and outdoor spaces in Ocho Rios tempt coffee sippers and diners all along the beach, as well as inland. An undisputed highlight is Island Village , a shopper’ haven that features Island Coffees Café, where premium Strawberry Hill coffee is served. There are also signature hot and cold coffee cocktails and a range of other coffee-based products like soap and syrups. On the wooden gallery, take in a fresh cup made in the rarely used “pour over” brewing method.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Montego Bay

In über-popular Montego Bay, coffee drinkers find plenty of choices to get their caffeine buzz. For example, the small Coffee n’ Crème café in Whitter Village consistently pours some of the best espresso in Jamaica. The stylish Native Bar and Restaurant offers exquisite seafood and meats, but take in the tropical colonial feel of the terrace over a cup of Jamaican brew.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Falmouth

One of the busiest ports in Jamaica 200 years ago, the village of Falmouth on the north coast still holds some old colonial buildings, perfect ambience for enjoying the local Jamaican coffee. At Uchuma Café, an 18th century Georgian era house provides porch space and a cozy terrace for coffee sippers, who drink out of ceramic cups handmade by a local potter. Travelers can also sip a cup of java on a patio next to the waters of the bay behind Bush Cay, which glow at night with green phosphorescent algae. The historic Falmouth Cruise Port is an ideal place to sample some Blue Mountain coffee, and then take some beans home.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Negril

Known for its turquoise waters and the famous Seven Mile Beach, Negril also offers palm leaf-thatched roofs and candle-lit tables, and cliff-side views with the sound of crashing waves against the rocks: fantastic vantage points of the purple glow of a Caribbean sunset. The exhilarating views of Negril complement that subdued cup of Jamaican coffee. Look for manicured tropical gardens and flowered arches and find that perfect table for a drink from your demitasse.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Rick's Cafe

The ideal coastal location of Rick’s Café has been drawing travelers (and revelers) since 1974. One of the most famous hotspots in Jamaica, the bustling restaurant and terrace claims some of the best cliffside real estate on the island, making it a spectacular place to catch an otherworldly Caribbean sunset. With a live band and a youthful animated atmosphere, the visitors know this as the place to be, no matter what drink you choose to sip.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017

Black River

A center of Jamaica’s environmental tourism, Black River’s mangroves teem with birds, crabs, fishes, frogs and crocodiles. Many sugar and lumber warehouses have been converted to restaurants and cafes, adorned with sash windows, jalousies and intricate fretwork, making it a draw for history buffs and cultural explorers. Many of the merchant town houses of Jamaica’s golden age are now quiet guesthouses that preserve their Georgian and British Colonial architectural styles. Their wide porches and balconies are perfect places for that fresh-brewed cup of Blue Mountain.

SHAWN MOKSVOLD I 16/06/2017