Category: Blog

What makes a great place for a birthday bashment? At Ting Irie, we have er’ting for the ultimate party at our birthday dinner restaurants. Our vibing venues are wall-to-wall fun. Our flavors are out of this world, with big and likkle tings to suit all your guests. And there’s the extras, too, like our special nights with DJs, comedy and more. 

Use this guide to plan yuh birthday celebrations at Ting Irie, the best birthday restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Di Ultimate Birthday Celebrations in the UAE 

Yuh invited to… 

Ting Irie, the Best Restaurant to Celebrate a Birthday in Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Ting Irie is the first and best Jamaican restaurant here in the UAE. We serve fresh, modern Caribbean food in our energetic and soulful venues. With DJs, comedy nights and happy hours, there’s always something happening at Ting Irie that’ll mean a party to remember. 

The name Ting Irie comes from Jamaican patois and means “everything’s alright”. So, on your birthday, soak up the party atmosphere, get down to all da riddims, and feast on the best Jamaican food in the UAE. Leave all the planning to us, cos er’tings gonna be ting irie! 

Ting Irie has restaurants in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Our Dubai restaurant is at Souk Al Manzil, Downtown Dubai, a classy central location that’s easy for your guests. In Abu Dhabi, we’re at Mamsha Al Saadiyat Cultural District, a vibrant beachfront spot. 

When?

Every night’s a great night at Ting Irie. But, you could plan yuh birthday bashment to coincide with one of our regular special experiences. Here are some ideas. 

Comedy Night

Every other Tuesday, the Ting Irie comedy night in Abu Dhabi hosts the hottest acts on the UAE comedy scene. Tickets include two free drinks. 

3 Likkle Birds Ladies’ Night

Wednesday night is Ting Irie ladies night at both Downtown Dubai and Mamsha Al Saadiyat. Gather up the gyals for bubbles, exotic tipples and special offers on food with the 3 Likkle Birds menu. 

Brunch

Saturday afternoon is brunch time, Jamaican-style. Experience the Ultimate Saturday brunch in Dubai or Jamrock Brunch in Abu Dhabi with party vibes and bangin riddims every week, starting at 2 p.m. 

Da Happi Hour

Start yuh party right. Ting Irie happy hour in Dubai runs from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. (7 p.m. for happy hour in Abu Dhabi) Sunday to Friday with 50% off selected drinks and likkle bites. 

Skankin’ Thursday

Catch the hottest reggae, RnB, hip hop and dancehall tunes at Ting Irie Dubai’s Skankin’ Thursday, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Grab yuh birthday crew for four hours of partying, Jamaican flavors and free-flowing drinks. 

Groove Pon Di Beach

Party from sunset to ‘70-’90s mixes every Friday night at Groove Pon Di Beach, Ting Irie Abu Dhabi. 

Bay Riddims Evening

Saturday night is Bay Riddims night at Ting Irie Abu Dhabi. Get your groove on to neo-soul, hip hop and reggae beats. 

The Menu

With bold flavors and generous plates, is there a better birthday celebration restaurant in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Let us take yuh on a culinary journey to the Caribbean. Here are some highlights from our Jamaican food menu that will help your birthday go with a bang.

Get the Party Started with di Likkle Tings

Our Likkle Tings menu is great for creating a sharing selection to kick off your meal or order as snacks with drinks. With dishes like likkle delicate Jamaican patties and topped crispy plantain, plates of flamin’ wings and jerk-seasoned chicken, seafood and falafel, you’ll have all tastes covered.  

Feed a Crowd with di Big Tings

Our meat, seafood and vegetarian options are all cooked in big flavors, Ting Irie’s offerings will have hearts and stomachs full. Choose from dishes like Curry Chicken, Jerk BBQ Glaze Ribs, Creole Seafood Stew, and Rasta Pasta.  Don’t forget to order some classic Jamaican sides like rice n peas and plantain chips. 

Round It Off with Some Sweet Tings

No birthday is complete without cake. Ting Irie has a selection of cheesecakes, tarts and puddings made with traditional Caribbean flavors like coconut, lime and banana. 

The Drinks

You and yuh birthday guests can explore Ting Irie’s diverse cocktails, many of which feature Caribbean tipples like rum and ingredients bursting with sunshine flavors, like coconut and pineapple.

For example, try the rum punch ‘Dis Be Our Signature Ting’, with authentic Jamaican rum Wray & Nephew, orange and pineapple, or the Buffalo Sour-Jer Whisk Up a Kick with whiskey, sour apple, banana and pineapple.

If cocktails aren’t your thing, then there’s a huge selection of drinks at the bar, plus water and sodas, and a fresh juice bar, too.

RSVP to Ting Irie, the Best Restaurant to Celebrate a Birthday in Dubai

At Ting Irie, you’re all set for the best birthday bashment ever! To book a table or organize a party at Ting Irie, the best restaurants to celebrate a birthday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, just get in touch. 

Give us a call on +971 4 557 5601 (Dubai) or +971 2 886 77 86 (Abu Dhabi), or drop us a line at info@tingirie.com.

Jamaica is known as the birthplace of reggae and Bob Marley, a pioneer and ambassador of the musical genre.

But this Caribbean country is also popular for another reason: Jamaican cuisine.

Jamaican food is a celebration of bold flavors and fresh ingredients that reflect the country’s fascinating cultural traditions. Its authentic dishes pack a flavorful punch with a mix of fiery and aromatic spices and fragrant herbs.

When you dine at the right restaurant, you’ll have a jammin’ time as you indulge in great eats while being enveloped in the unique Jamaican vibe. Jamaican food menus in Dubai also feature dishes with plantains, beans, peas, and other fresh produce that make the cuisine hearty and healthy. 

Ital Is VItal

We all know that Jamaican food is delicious, but did you know that there are healthy options too? Ital is a predominantly vegetarian food tradition. The word means ‘vItal’ and the cuisine is popular with the Island’s Rastafarians. The guiding force behind Ital is that food needs to be fresh, pure and sourced from the earth – free of preservatives and other artificial ingredients. 

Jamaican food culture,  therefore, features  Ital dishes that highlight natural plant-based ingredients and avoid additives, salt, and processed foods. They focus on fresh, natural ingredients, such as tropical fruits, leafy and root vegetables, and lean proteins packed with nutrients.

These include:

1. Callaloo

The callaloo is a green, leafy vegetable rich in vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. It is typically served as a breakfast and brunch side dish and added to soups and stews.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable loaded with vitamins A and C and fiber with a sweet, earthy flavor. It gives soups and stews a creamy texture and a subtle sweet taste. 

4. Plantain

Plantain is often served as a side dish in Jamaican cuisine, and contains vitamins A, C, and B-6, magnesium, and other minerals. When baked, plantains also make tasty, nutritious snacks.

5. Pineapple

Fresh pineapple is a nutritious fruit usually served as a side dish or as a sauce for Jamaican jerk chicken. It’s loaded with vitamins B6, C, and D, iron, and other essential minerals.

More Ital Tidbits

Some followers of the Ital way of life consider the consumption of fish to be permissible. Seafood is a staple in Jamaican cuisine, which is featured in dishes like steamed fish or pepper shrimp.  They contain protein, omega-3 fats, and other nutrients the body needs.

The emphasis on plant-based dishes makes Ital a wholesome option for those who want a healthier lifestyle.

Spicing Tings Up

One of the top facts about Jamaican food is that the local cuisine is rooted in a rich history of ingredients and influences from Africa, India, England, and Spain. The dishes are infused with herbs and spices from these countries, giving them distinctive flavors and aromas that make them irresistible and mouthwatering.

The incredible combination of these herbs and spices gives the dishes full-bodied flavors that combine savory, spicy, and sweet notes.

Some of the commonly used herbs and spices in Jamaican cuisine include:

1. Scotch bonnet pepper

Jamaican food is known for being hot and spicy. Scotch bonnet is the most commonly used ingredient that gives Jamaican dishes these delectable flavors.

Scotch bonnet pepper is known for its fiery heat and fruity undertones that give Jamaican jerk seasoning and dishes unique and robust flavors.

2. Allspice

Allspice, which is also called pimento and Jamaican pepper, is a dried, finely ground berry from the Pimenta dioica tree. It’s known for its unique combination of cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg flavors.

This versatile spice is used in both savory and sweet dishes and marinades.

3. Curry

Jamaicans have their own version of curry, which features their take on curry powder. It includes turmeric, allspice, coriander, and cumin. The resulting taste has a milder heat than the Indian version but still gives dishes a rich flavor and tempting aroma.

4. Thyme

Thyme is an herb with an earthy and slightly minty flavor that complements the spiciness of Scotch bonnet peppers. They are often used together as seasoning for soups and stews.

When used to marinade and season meat and fish, thyme gives these dishes an interesting herbaceous note.

5. Ginger

Ginger gives dishes a zesty and slightly sweet flavor with a touch of heat. It is often used in marinades for jerk chicken and added to ginger beer and sorrel drinks, which are popular Jamaican beverages.

This herb is often paired with garlic and thyme to enhance the flavors of soups and stews.

Other commonly used herbs and spices in Jamaican cooking include onion, garlic, rosemary, and basil.

Jamaican food is also bursting with flavor because it is prepared with well-chosen cooking techniques. For instance, jerking infuses meat with smoky, spicy goodness, while stewing creates dishes with rich, flavorful sauces.

The combination of these cooking methods and the use of spices makes Jamaican food delightfully craveable and flavorful.

No Half-Plate Ting

Jamaican dishes are famously hearty, intending to keep diners full and satisfied.

In addition to tasting good, Jamaican food leaves you feeling properly fueled. One of the Jamaican food facts you should know is that many traditional recipes reflect the island’s agricultural heritage, where people needed filling, nutrient-dense foods to power through physically demanding work.

Many dishes feature plantain, breadfruit, green bananas, cassava, and sweet potatoes, which are rich in complex carbohydrates that give the body long-lasting energy. A plate of rice and peas with jerk chicken or steamed fish served with yam and dumplings will leave you feeling full for hours.

Jamaican cooking also balances filling ingredients with delightful flavors, so you can enjoy every bite as you fill your tummy.

When you dine at a Jamaican restaurant, you’ll understand why people say the cuisine is both tasty and satisfying. You’ll indulge in true comfort food with a unique island flair.

Jamaican Food Hits the Mark

Jamaican food blends deliciousness with nutrition. The combination of fresh produce, lean proteins, and bold flavors lets you enjoy meals that are both nutritious and satisfying, making you want to say, “Di food yah tun up!”

Enjoy the best of Jamaican food at Ting Irie. 

Book a table and dine with us today!

Wah Gwaan! Want to know yuh fried chicken from yuh jerk chicken? Let’s explore two jammin cuisines that have a lot in common: Jamaican food and soul food.

At Ting Irie, we serve mouthwatering Jamaican food but we have a lot of respect for soul food, too. So, we’ll answer some pressing questions, like ‘Is Jamaican food soul food ?’ ‘What do the two have in common?’ and ‘What’s the difference?’.

We’ll tell yuh bout some irie food from Jamaica that has a lot of soul, too. Let’s begin.

What Is Jamaican Food?

No surprises here, but traditional Jamaican food is from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Jamaican food combines Caribbean ingredients like the local seafood, tropical fruits, and various herbs and spices with a lot of international influences.

Many Jamaican bredren have African heritage, so African flavors and cooking methods are a big influence in Jamaica. But there are other world influences, too, from periods of Spanish and British rule of Jamaica and from migrant populations of Chinese, Indian, and Middle-Eastern folk who arrived to live and work on the island.

We’d argue dat Jamaican cuisine takes the very best from all these influences to create some truly incredible flavors.

What Is Soul Food?

Soul food is a cuisine with origins in the African-American communities of Southern USA, going way back to over 100 years ago. These folk had to learn to blend their traditional African cooking techniques and some European recipes with local ingredients.

The results were a ton of amazing dishes we still know and love today, like mac n cheese, cornbread, fried chicken, and collard greens.

After the Great Migration of the 1960s and 70s, when many African-Americans left the Southern USA to seek better opportunities, ‘soul food’ was the name given to the recipes they took with them around the USA to places like New York and Chicago.

Soul food became a big food movement, sparking packed restaurants and long lines at food trucks, with its big flavors and nourishing portions.

So, Is Jamaican Food Considered Soul Food?

No, Jamaican food is not the same as soul food. But, the two cuisines have a lot of things in common. Here’s what:

Food Made with Heart

Search up #soulfood on Insta or TikTok and you’ll see that modern soul food often means food made with love, to fill hungry bellies and put a smile on bredren faces. Bold, unpretentious, and sustaining food inspired by the same sense of community and tradition that goes back to the 19th century Deep South of America.

Jamaican food is soulful, too. It’s flavoursome and warming, and perfect for feeding a family gathering or crowd at a skankin’ Jamaican party. Jamaican food brings joy and comfort, just like soul food.

In Jamaica, there’s a saying ‘Everything cook n curry’ which means everything is taken care of. In other words, a great meal solves everything in Jamaica.

A Melting Pot of Influences

Soul food and Jamaican food both blend influences from around the world. While soul food combines African and European-American techniques and ingredients, Jamaican cuisine also takes elements from Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern food.

Ingredients like chicken, rice, and beans feature in both Jamaican and soul food. However, their slightly different influences mean that Jamaican food can be spicier. Scotch bonnet peppers, curry powders, and garlic and ginger often lend a little more heat to dishes.

Rooted in Tradition

Both soul food and Jamaican food have a strong heritage.

Recipes are passed down through the generations, decades of grandmothers and mothers cooking up a feast of favorites each Sunday, children raised on the same wholesome family food as their parents were; these are things that can be said of both cuisines.

Soulful Jamaican Eats vs. Their Soul Food Equivalent

Let’s celebrate some similarities and differences between these two amazing cuisines with six incredible dishes.

Jerk Chicken vs. Fried Chicken

Chicken is a main player in both soul food and Jamaican cuisine. But different ways of preparing it result in quite different things.

Jamaican jerk chicken is big on flavor and heat, thanks to spending a lot of time marinating in a unique seasoning of chili peppers, herbs, and spices. Chicken is roasted up on a grill and then served in a lot of different ways, often with gravy, rice, and coleslaw.

Soul food’s fried chicken is marinated in buttermilk, coated in a mouthwatering seasoning, and fried to perfection giving its signature crunch and melt-in-the-mouth middle.

At Ting Irie, jerk seasoning is a core flavor; we love it in pasta, salads, likkle tings like patties, and even hummus.

Rice n Peas vs. Hoppin Johns

Both these dishes are a staple of their cuisines and are often on the table to fill up rumbling bellies at any gathering.

Jamaican rice n peas is a comforting side that compliments Ting Irie’s big tings meat and seafood dishes perfectly. The dish is made with rice plus kidney beans, cooked and served in the same pan. These two core ingredients are flavored with coconut milk, onion, herbs, and spices, especially allspice berries.

Soul food’s hoppin johns starts with the same two core ingredients, rice and beans. Black-eyed beans are the most popular choice. The rice and beans are cooked up with onions and sausage or chopped ham before being left to steam. Hoppin John’s is often served up as a one-pot meal.

Ackee and Saltfish vs. Catfish and Grits

Fish is important to both soul food and Jamaican food, but it’s cooked up in quite different ways.

Ackee and saltfish is another pride and joy of Ting Irie and it’s Jamaica’s national dish. Ackee is a fruit with a savory taste. It’s got an unusual flavor that works perfectly with saltfish, especially when they are mixed up with tomatoes, peppers and onions, and some signature heat from scotch bonnet chilies.

Jamaicans are happy to eat ackee and saltfish for any meal; it’s that good. Everyone should taste this flavorful ting.

Catfish and grits is a soul food dish. Recipes take chunks of catfish spiced up with cajun seasoning to be fried up and served with butter and grits. Grits are a kind of porridge made from cornmeal.

What’s to Choose?

So, is Caribbean food soul food?

Technically no, but Jamaican food has a huge heart, big flavors, and is just as soulful.

We think if yuh love one, yuh’ll love di other.

Why not check out Ting Irie’s Jamaican food menu in Dubai?

Curried goat, escovitch fish, jerk chicken — if you’ve had any of these dishes, you’ve tasted the heat. And you’ll definitely say, “Ya mon!” to anyone asking, “Is Jamaican food spicy?”

We like our peppers, and especially revere di scotch bonnet pepper.

But the spices in Jamaican food aren’t there just for the heat.

Not Always Spicy, But Always Yummy

In Jamaican dishes, the spicy tings don’t just hit your taste buds like a hot bowl of soup. They coat your palate with peppery, herby, fruity, or sweet flavors. Pure island flavors, in short, and spicy is just one of the many tastes you’ll enjoy in Jamaican food.

When you’re looking through a Jamaican food menu in Dubai and you like it super spicy, try the pepper shrimp.  If you want the spice level to just hum in the background, try the jerk chicken.

Do Jamaicans eat spicy food? Yes, but not all the time, so we have some dishes that have intense heat levels and some that just have a likkle tap on the tongue.

Spicy or not, Jamaican dishes will always mean yummy servings of comfort food.

What Jamaican Food Is Not Spicy?

Ackee and salt fish, Jamaica’s national dish, can be spicy and not spicy.

You can adjust the recipe to suit your taste or if you’re at our Jamaican restaurant in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, talk to your server about your comfort level for spicy food.

Some examples of flavorful but not spicy Jamaican dishes are:

• Fried festival dumplings which you can eat on their own, or with soup or curry
• Beef patties, which are seasoned with herbs 
• Oxtail stew, a robust and flavorful stew without the heat
• Stew peas, a thick and hearty stew of red kidney beans in coconut milk with herbs and spices
• Porridge, which is warm and creamy and flavored with nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon
• Sauteed cabbage, with bell peppers, onion, and garlic

What Makes Jamaican Food Spicy?

A key ingredient in most Jamaican dishes is scotch bonnet pepper. It grows in abundance all over the island, and Jamaican cooking is all about using fresh local ingredients.

This Caribbean pepper is also in Ting Irie’s specially made in-house spicy sauces (along with another Jamaican ingredient, pimento), which you can put on just about anything to give yuh meals a kick.

How spicy is the scotch bonnet pepper?

If you’ve had a jalapeño, the scotch bonnet pepper is 12 to 14 times hotter.

On the Scoville scale, which rates the pungent degree of fruit in the Capsicum genus (including peppers and chilis), the scotch bonnet pepper hits 100,000 Scoville heat units (SHU). It’s “spicy hot.”

So it’s pretty hot but not so hot that your tastebuds can’t appreciate the flavor of this bright chili pepper. Compare it to the also popular pepper, habanero, which is “very hot” at 250,000 SHU.

The scotch bonnet pepper comes in different types, and each one has a distinct flavor profile.

• Yellow Scotch Bonnet: The bright, yellow color of this scotch bonnet pepper tells you the heat level isn’t going to be potent. It has more of a sweet flavor to it, adding a vibrant fruity hint to sauces, seasonings or curries.
• Tobago Scotch Bonnet: This type of scotch bonnet pepper comes from Tabago, and it has a slightly elongated shape that doesn’t match the tam o’ shanter silhouette (for which this pepper’s named). It’s less sweeter than the yellow variety and it comes in different colors.
• Chocolate Scotch Bonnet: When this type of scotch bonnet pepper matures, it turns brown. It has a smoky, earthy flavor profile and it is hotter than the other varieties.

We don’t just use scotch bonnet peppers for the heat. These chilies have a distinct fruity flavor to them, like apples, tomatoes, and cherries. There’s some sweetness in these chili peppers, and that sweetness plays off really well with the other spices we blend.

Spices like pimento (or allspice), paprika, ginger, and cinnamon can also be used to turn up the heat.

The way some dishes are cooked also adds to di spiciness. Jerk seasoning, for example, is dry-rubbed on meat, which creates a layer of crust that heightens the intensity of the seasoning.

Scotch bonnet peppers are so flavorful that even Rastafarians, who follow the ital (or all-natural, additive- and chemical-free) diet, use the spicy hot pepper to replace salt and processed flavor additives in their dishes.

Is Jamaican food spicy?

To sum it up, yes, some Jamaican dishes are spicy and some, not so. Although the chili peppers we use do bring the heat, they also create depth and variety in flavor.

Once you’ve discovered which Jamaican dishes satisfy your cravings, you’ll keep coming back for more.

Spice Up Yuh Life at Ting Irie

Traditional Jamaican food with a twist, bold flavors, and spicy notes, Ting Irie serves gourmet dishes with home-cooked love. And just like in di island we love so much, we bring the energy and spirit that turn every dining experience into a celebration.

Join us for some amazing happenings, from Ladies Night and Dutty Wine Brunch to Happi Hour. So, come and eat, drink, and party the Jamaican way at Ting Irie.

Book a table today!

Looking for something to make yuh belly full and yuh spirit light? Jamaican food may just be what yuh need.

Jamaican food culture is all about big, bold flavors and heartwarming meals. From the spicy bite of ackee and saltfish to the sweet taste of rum cake, every dish bursts with seasonings, spices, and stories passed down through generations.

Want to learn more about this amazing cuisine that gives irie vibes? Get ready to learn about the essential flavors, ingredients, and traditions that make Jamaican food culture truly unique.

Jamaican Cuisine Highlights

Jamaican food is as vibrant as its people. It combines Caribbean flavors with African, Asian, and European influences to create something truly unique.

In this section, we’ll cover the history, ingredients and flavors that make up the Jamaican food you know and love today.

Historical Influences Behind di Flavors

Like any cuisine, there are certain historical elements that continue to influence Jamaican cooking. 

Indigenous Taino Foundations

To understand Jamaican food culture history, you must learn about the indigenous Taino people. As the first inhabitants of Jamaica, the Taino are the forefathers of the island cuisine and their diet is the foundation of Jamaican food.

The Taino diet consists of local fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat that’s grilled or cooked in earthen ovens. 

One of their cooking methods that thrives to this day is jerking, which involves cooking seasoned meat over a pimento wood fire to achieve a distinct smoky flavor and preserve the meat.

African Roots

Jamaican food culture and traditions are also greatly influenced by African cooking. Their use of diverse techniques and bold spices is evident in Jamaican dishes served today. Even the reliance of African cuisine on plantains, yams, and okra influences staple ingredients in Jamaican cuisine.

Another iconic ingredient the Africans introduced to Jamaica is ackee, which is an integral component of the country’s national dish: ackee and saltfish (more on this later).

Colonial Influences

Modern Jamaican food also has certain characteristics that come from colonial influences. The most apparent are those adopted from Spanish and  British settlers.

Of the two, the Spanish were the first to introduce new ingredients to Jamaican cuisine, including pig and cattle meat, sugar cane, and citrus fruits. They also taught the locals to roast and fry food.

Next come the British, who influenced the country’s pastry and baked goods, thanks to their pies and puddings and food practices such as afternoon tea. The British helped create the iconic Jamaican patties – a type of pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables.

Indian Impact

The arrival of Indian indentured laborers in the 19th century further changed Jamaican food culture. They introduced a new variety of spices, such as turmeric and curry powder, which later became essential ingredients in Jamaican dishes like curried goat and curried chicken.

What Makes Jamaican Food So Irie

What makes Jamaican food – well, Jamaican?

The cuisine has changed a lot since the time of the Taino people. Modern Jamaican food culture now comes with more flavor profiles and cooking methods that, while influenced by African and colonial settlers, have become an integral part of its unique identity.

Of course, there are still certain ingredients that are uniquely Jamaican. So, the next time you’re on the hunt for Jamaican dishes in Dubai, be on the lookout for the following ingredients:

• Saltfish
• Pimento (both the wood and ground berries known as “allspice”)
• Ackee
• Gungo Peas
• Tamarind
• Scotch bonnet
• Root ginger
• Cornmeal
• Coconut

Authentic Jamaican dining also calls for Jamaican rum or Red Stripe beer.

Jamaican rum reflects that whole irie vibe, with its strong fruity and funky notes and unaged, white, and over-proofed character. It is one of the few alcoholic drinks that actually complement pastries and sweets while still pairing well with salty and spicy flavors.

Meanwhile, Red Stripe beer is a popular beverage not only in Jamaica but across the globe. First brewed in Kingston, this lager has become an iconic drink that evolved from a British-influenced dark ale to a pale amber lager that reflects the lively irie spirit of Jamaica.

Di Best Jamaican Dishes to Try

Don’t know what to order on your next visit to Ting Irie? Here are a few signature Jamaican dishes you must try, mon!

Oxtail & Beans

This meaty and hearty oxtail dish brings various Caribbean flavors to the table. It has all those big and bold tastes you can enjoy with tender meat and beans.

Sample our traditional braised oxtail and broad beans dish at Ting Irie and relish the authentic Jamaican flava with coleslaw and rice n’ peas.

Jerk Chicken

Jerk chicken is another crowd-pleaser in Jamaican food culture. Our very own best-seller, the Spitfiyah Jerk Chicken — marinated for 24 hours and slow-roasted to perfection, served with gravy and mango scotch bonnet salsa — is proof of that.

Craving for something light and fresh? Try our Jerk Chicken Salad served with your choice of lemon dressing or Dijon mustard.

Patties

Jamaican patties are just the right size for a quick snack. Like empanadas or Cornish pasties, they have flaky dough and ground beef filling flavored with spices.

These patties can also be filled with cheese, seafood, or vegetable varieties, similar to our signature homemade offerings at Ting Irie.

Ackee and Saltfish

Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica’s national dish. As such, it is commonly served in our authentic Jamaican restaurant in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is made from ackee — a Jamaican-grown fruit introduced by African settlers — and is paired with salted cod.

Often served for breakfast, ackee and saltfish pairs well with vegetables, dumplings, and fried breadfruit, but we think it also goes perfectly with roasted plantains and johnny cakes.

Festivals

Jamaican festivals are a type of dumpling typically paired with jerk fish, jerk chicken, or jerk pork. They are best enjoyed straight out of the skillet and can serve as croutons for jerk salad.

At Ting Irie, festivals are available as side dishes, so you can mix and match them with any of your fave flavas from our menu.

Rice ‘n Peas

Another popular side dish on our menu is Rice ‘n Peas. 

Made with coconut rice and red beans seasoned with spices and chili, this dish can take every Jamaican meal you try to a whole new level.

Enjoy Di Best Food and Irie Vibes

Jamaican cuisine is one of the most vibrant food cultures out there. Born from indigenous roots and influenced by settlers, it is a must-try not only on the island but also in authentic Jamaican restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and wherever you may find them.

Visit us at Ting Irie in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and relish good food and irie vibes with an authentic Jamaican brunch. 

We also have happi hours, ladies’ nights, and more!

Ready to plan your next outing? Explore our Experiences & Events for unforgettable Jamaican celebrations, or check out our menu for a taste of what’s waiting for you!