Jamaican Food Movement
Inside the Jamaican Natural Food Movement
Embracing Ital and the bounty Earth provides.
Jamaica is known for its beautiful coastlines, friendly faces, and luxury villa vacations. These days, however, Jamaica is also making a name for itself in the world of cuisine. By embracing a balance between social and environmental needs and means, Jamaica is reviving the principles of Rastafarianism and Ital in ways that foodies will wholeheartedly enjoy.
What it’s All About
Visitors to Jamaica have likely heard of Rastafarianism, known for its laid-back, overtly-mellow lifestyle. The Jamaican food movement utilizes this softer way of life and combines it with principles of Ital, a wellness philosophy in which we strive to live as close to nature as possible. For the Jamaican culinary world, this means an elevated experience that perfectly merges fine-dining and a more balanced lifestyle by seeking locally-sourced ingredients, farm-to-table-fare, and eco-conscious options.
You Gotta Live It; Dive into the Jamaican Food Movement
Today, the movement is growing in both popularity and cuisine across Jamaica, and popular Jamaican restaurants like Stush in the Bush, an exciting farm-to-table restaurant, is leading the charge. Christopher Binns, co-founder of Stush in the Bush and renowned Rasta farmer says, “The idea is that everything is part of a cycle, and we are all connected. So to eat Ital is to honor life’s natural cycle.”
Typical Ital meals consist of curries and stews, filled to the brim with abundant local ingredients like callaloo, jackfruit, scotch bonnet peppers, okra, and more. Also gaining popularity, especially for visitors, are fresh juices and smoothies, which combine both local island fruits and more common tropical treats like papaya, bananas, or pineapple. The sky is the limit, and the options are endless with the Jamaican natural food movement.
Stay in Style While Enjoying the Flavors of Jamaica
If you’re a foodie, Jamaica is likely your paradise in more ways than one. Our world-class villas offer the best of both worlds – proximity to these natural resources fueling the natural food movement, as well as all the luxury amenities you could want (and more). Here are just a few of our incredible Jamaica villas that offer both location and access to the heart of the Jamaican food movement.
CANOE COVE
GREAT RIVER HOUSE
SEA SALT
Top Ital & Farm-to-Table Restaurants in Jamaica
Some of our favorite – and the most popular – Ital and farm-to-table restaurants are in close proximity to our stunning villas. If you’d prefer a night in, your villa’s personal chef will be happy to create a locally-sourced meal that will meet and exceed your every expectation. Here are a few of our favorite local restaurants that embrace the Jamaican food movement:
- Stush in the Bush – St. Ann
- Jake’s – Treasure Beach
- Zimbali’s Mountain Cooking Studio – Negril
- Just Natural – Negril
- Rasta Ade Refreshments - Negril