Living as I do in the green valleys of the Trelawny countryside, Falmouth is my closest grocery store – sending me often into the old seaport town when I’m hungry. Admittedly, the pickings are slim as far as grocers go, but food wise Falmouth offers some lovely treats.

Roast Breadfruit

Officers Alley – Food Court

This little food court of carts bearing fresh fruits and produce popped up in response to the Cruise Ships coming to Falmouth. Officer’s Alley (a nod to the strong 19th century military presence in this historic town), is on the path between the Cruise Ship Pier and Falmouth’s magnificent Georgian Court House.

Thirst quenching Jelly Coconuts

These photos were taken on a quiet day in Falmouth – a Sunday – when there are no Cruise Ships in port.

Brent’s Restaurant and Bar                                                                                            In search of a good Cook Shop, and a good Cook Shop is gold – quick, inexpensive, well prepared meals. Jamaica’s staple dishes:  Chicken in all guises, Curried Goat, Fish, Pork, Rice & Peas are cooked in small batches and ‘shared out’ as they say, throughout the day and evening, in small, medium and large portions. Brent’s is consistently good – they will have 2 to 3 choices at any given meal. Curried conch is one of my favorites.               Small portion: $350.JA

Yash Bowl Restaurant

On Falmouth Street, the pedestrianized street leading to Falmouth Square, right in front of the Cruise Ship Pier. Yash Bowl used to be a health food cook-shop and they still offer good juices and veggie options as well as an expanded carnivore menu to please the general population coming of the Cruise Ships.

Breakfast at Yash Bowl Falmouth

Breakfast is a nice meal to catch at Yash Bowl. This is where you might try Jamaica’s National Dish: Ackee & Saltfish with Johnny cake, Dumpling, Green Banana, Yam, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato – all manner of delicious Yard Foods!

Bend Down Market                                                                                                     East of the Dome on Upper Harbour Street, past Hamden Wharf.

Wednesdays, which are Cruise Ship Day, Falmouth hosts one of the largest Produce and Dry Goods Markets on the island. “Bend Down” because goods are unpacked onto tarpaulins and carts on and near the ground – so you must ‘bend down’ to get a good look.   Hundreds of people are here, buying and selling – clothes, shoes, kitchen utensils, always one sturdy market lady with a box full of panties on her head – both arms held out to the sky laced with braclets of X- large cup bras in the middle of it all – the lingerie’ seller – holding her spot. A cornucopia of fresh produce and the butcher shops is located in the back of the market. Come find what’s in season, sweet tropical fruits, pineapple, papaya, melons, mangos, citrus, bananas – picked ripe and tasting the way God made them to taste! You may have forgotten how truly flavorful fresh tree-ripe fruits can be! Bend Down is great spectacle – the energy, the colors and sheer numbers of people hustling is dazzling.

Patties

You need to get your Patty from a shop making Patties – not from a warmer (a middle man that is selling patties purchased from a Shop). Fresh from the oven, a patty is divine… Jamaica’s food on the run – a pastry turnover filled with spiced minced beef traditionally, but these days you can also find Patties filled with chicken, vegetables, and beef with cheese. Often a patty is slipped inside a hot buttery Coco Bread, for a more substantial meal on the go. There are 2 popular Patty chains in Jamaica, Juici and Tastee. Both, have stores in Falmouth. Juici is east of the Dome, in front of Bend Down Market; Tastee is on the corner of Market & Duke Street, just outside of Falmouth Square. And in Falmouth Square proper there is still one privately owned Patty shop left standing – Spicey Nice. They make their own breads and pastries, some of them in an old wood burning oven. The Plantain Tart, is especially terrific!