As with other cultures that celebrate Christmas, Jamaicans like to have a hearty family dinner on Christmas day. Here’s our list of the top 10 Jamaican Christmas dinner favourites.

1. Ham – for those who love pork, a traditional ham decorated with pineapple slices and red cherries is a must.
2. Gungo Peas & Rice – rice & red kidney beans takes a backseat during the weeks leading up to and after Christmas, as gungo peas & rice is the favourite at this time of year.
3. Christmas cake (pudding) – dark, fruity, rich and laced with rum. This dessert is loved by all.
4. Sorrel – no Christmas meal is complete without a glass of rum-laced sorrel drink to wash it all down.
5. Chicken – is a must, whether roasted, baked or fried.
6. Potato Salad – Irish potato salad is popular, and some do a sweet potato salad as well.
7. Curried Goat – as a second or third meat dish, curried goat is another favourite.
8. Manish water (goat head soup) – some families will preface the meal with a hot cup of this well-loved Jamaican soup.
9. Fried plantains – a favorite from the sides menu.
10. Roast Beef – possibly a carryover from our British colonial past.

If you’ve got suggestions, thoughts or feedback regarding our list of the top 10 Jamaican Christmas dinner favourites, please feel free to post them below.

Food is an important aspect of the Jamaican lifestyle and culture. Here’s our list of the top 10 traditional Jamaican foods.

1. Ackee & Saltfish – naturally, because it’s Jamaica’s national dish and you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
2. Curried Goat – a meal favorite that was imported here at the turn of the 20th century by way of Indian indentured labourers.
3. Mackerel Run Down – salted mackerel that’s cooked in a well seasoned coconut milk sauce and typically served with boiled green bananas and dumpings.
4. Cornmeal Pudding – dessert done right; hell a top, hell a bottom and halleluia inna di middle!
5. Beef Patty – Jamaica’s most popular lunch meal.
6. Bammy – cassava bread that is usually served with another dish, such as ackee & saltfish.
7. Rice & Peas and chicken (fried or BBQ) – a Sunday favorite for Jamaicans.
8. Toto – another traditional dessert or snack favorite.
9. Bulla – a favorite snack that is usually had with cheese or pear.
10. Dukunoo – although not as popular as it used to be, this traditional dessert which is made with either grated green bananas and/or cornmeal that’s wrapped and cooked in banana leaves, can still be found about the place.

If you’ve got suggestions, thoughts or feedback regarding our list of the Top 10 traditional Jamaican foods above, please feel free to post them below.