5-Day Foodie Guide to Sandals Dunn’s River with All-Inclusive Dining in Jamaica
I enjoy food. Am I a card-carrying foodie? Possibly. But one thing’s sure, my travel always orbits around flavor. It can be either white-linen fine dining, street-side jerk chicken, buffets, or deep fried twinkies. So when the opportunity comes for me to wake up to the lull of Caribbean waves, watch the morning sun through my drapes, and indulge in five full days of unforgettable cuisine at Sandals Dunn’s River, I dive fork-first. This is barefoot luxury blended with bold, global flavors, a match made in tropical heaven. Here’s my curated 5-day foodie itinerary at Sandals Dunn’s River Jamaica. From tropical cocktails to fire-grilled jerk and candlelit dinners that whisper “just one more course,” it’s all on the menu.
Day 1: From Blue Mountain Mornings to French Fine Dining: A Full Day of Food, Flavor, and Island Vibes at Sandals Dunn’s River
Start your day at the beach, enjoying the serenity of the morning with views of the Caribbean Sea and Ocho Rios coastline. This is the perfect spot to sip a morning Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee you’ve brought out from BLŪM Café (which opens at 6am). The Colada should get you going. It’s brewed espresso with Demerara sugar. Don’t forget to grab a few pastries for your morning beach-sitting. Maybe some brown sugar-crusted banana bread, or an Opera Torte (layers of almond sponge cake, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee syrup, Jamaican chocolate ganache, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, French buttercream, and Jamaican chocolate glaze). Or do what I do, and grab all of the above. Here’s the drink and pastry menu. If you are feeling roosterish, have a coffee with some Jamaican Rum or Kahlua. It’s your vacation, your choice. And, I possibly just figured out the name of the café. BLŪM. Maybe short for BLUeMoutnain? You’ll have to ask when you get there. Tell them the Travel Rooster wants to know.
After you relax on the beach for a while, why not continue your morning at Saltaire? (And yes, I think Saltaire is Salt + Air. Maybe). It’s open daily for breakfast from 7:30am to 10:30am, and it’s the buffet restaurant. The breakfast spread is a mix of freshly baked pastries, tropical fruits, eggs any way you like them, and, of course, a strong cup of Blue Mountain coffee. The open-air setting makes it easy to linger just a little longer. Don’t be like me, and overeat. Stay relaxed so you can load up on lunch and dinner!
At lunchtime, make your way to The Jerk Shack, open from noon to 6:00 pm. It’s the real deal, shoes optional, and flavors straight from the heart of Jamaica. Order up spicy jerk chicken or pork, roasted sweet potatoes, and thick slabs of festival bread. The scotch bonnet pepper sauce is not for the faint of heart, but it’s part of the experience. Grab a picnic bench under the palms and let the smoke and sea mingle. Oh, grab a cold Red Stripe beer and complete the island experience. So good.
Dinner is your first foray into fine dining, and L’Amande is here for you. This elegant French restaurant showcases refined French cuisine. How do you say the Travel Rooster in French? Le Coq Voyageur, of course. Begin with the Soupe à l’Oignon, a caramelized onion soup layered with rich beef broth and gruyere cheese toast, or Escargots à la Bourguignonne, snails in melted garlic-herb butter. These are two of my favorite appetizers of all time! For your main dish, maybe try the Magret de Canard à l’Orange, a duck breast with pommes william (a potato croquette), and Grand Marnier sauce. Other favorites include the Filet de Sole à la Meunière and the signature Poulet Cordon Bleu. Finish with a Strawberry Millefeuilles or the Gâteau au Chocolat Opéra. That was a lot of accent marks, by the way. It’s open from 6:00pm to 9:30pm, and reservations are required. Dress nicely, too. It’s Resort Evening Attire required, which is, according to Sandals, “Dress pants or jeans for men, long or short sleeve dress shirts (with or without collar). Dress shoes or sandals. No shorts, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, sneakers, flip flops or slippers. No hats.” Make your L’Amande reservations as soon as you check in to secure a table at this signature fine dining restaurant. Or, for hassle-free dining and activity bookings at Sandals and Beaches Resorts, grab the official Sandals Mobile App on the Apple Store or on Google Play and take control of your all-inclusive vacation like a tech pro.
End your evening with a touch of elegance at Laughing Waters, Sandals Dunn’s River’s stylish cocktail lounge. You’ll find it just off the main pathway, modern, moody, and dressed in a sleek palette of rich textures and glowing candlelight. With sleek Miami-modern architecture and laid-back tropical elegance, Laughing Waters Bar is the kind of place that makes you instinctively slow down and sip something special. At least I enjoy it.
Start with a Miami Vice, a blend of strawberry daiquiri and piña colada layered with Appleton white and dark rums. It’s breezy, sweet, and delightfully bold. Or go all old school, with a rum-soaked Old Fashioned, smooth and rich with Jamaican spice. The hibiscus gin fizz is another good one, which gives floral notes with citrus, and is almost too pretty to drink. Grab a seat at the bar where bartenders craft cocktails with flair and flourish, just like Tom Cruise in that one movie. Sit here, enjoy a drink, and have a conversation. Maybe meet someone new? Tell the bartender the Travel Rooster says hello.
Day 2: A Perfect Day of Dining at Sandals Dunn’s River: From Gourmet Breakfast to All-You-Can-Eat Sushi
Today, sleep in and start a bit later at Edessa, where breakfast is served from 8:00am until 11:00am. Breakfast here feels elevated, and Greek! It’s quiet and relaxed. Edessa blends island flavors with classic breakfast staples. Try something light such as steel cut oatmeal with brown sugar and berry compote, avocado toast on grilled whole grain bread (available with smoked salmon), or a smoothie bowl topped with granola, kiwi, pineapple, and toasted nuts. I’ll probably get the Caribbean Shrimp Omelet, with shrimp, onions, peppers, Pepper-Jack cheese, and a potato and bell pepper hash. Actually, I could go for that right now!
For lunch, try the Saltaire buffet, where international flavors keep things light and satisfying. Get a table in the breeze, and a plate full of vibrant flavors. It’s the ideal midday refuel spot. Here’s the lineup for lunch: Sunday, International, Monday Jamaican, Tuesday French, Wednesday Chef’s Table, Thursday British, Friday Caribbean, and Saturday, American. So, you can mix and match lunch locations and days if you want to ad lib this Itinerary!
For dinner, it’s a trip to Hanami for a full Japanese sushi dinner experience, no reservation needed. It’s all sushi, all night! Start your culinary escape with a steaming bowl of traditional miso soup or the rich, shrimp wonton soup with shiitake mushrooms. Let the evening build with delicate sashimi (salmon, tuna, or yellowtail) sliced to perfection, or explore silky, savory nigiri featuring BBQ eel, octopus, or albacore atop handcrafted sushi rice. My wife loves all of this. Roll lovers, like my son, will go for the spicy tuna roll and the indulgent crispy Philly, flash-fried with salmon, cream cheese, and avocado, then drizzled with Champagne sauce and spicy aioli. You can try all kinds of food here. From the Caribbean Dynamite roll, a bold fusion of baked snow crab, eel, and spicy mayo topped with fiery Scotch Bonnet slices and garlic rayu, to the Champagne shrimp roll in soy-yuzu paper, the delicate seared albacore with crispy onion which is a house favorite for good reason, you may need to plan more than one night here! For dessert, try the Yuzu Cheesecake with a mango jelly heart, or the decadent Castella Honey Cake, topped with crisp honey crumble and jeweled orange caviar.
Okay, this is more than sushi, it’s a luxurious, flavor-packed journey. Try it all. You’re still on vacation.
After dinner, head over to Dunn’s River Rum Club, a sultry hideaway where Jamaica’s legendary rum flows as freely as the island vibes. This is no ordinary nightcap. Here, the spirit of the island is alive and well, shaken, stirred, and occasionally lit on fire. You never know what the bartender will whip up for you. Try the signature Rum Old Fashioned, a smoky swirl of aged Jamaican rum, bitters, and orange zest. Or sip something sweet and feisty like the Rum Punch, spiked with fresh tropical juices and a secret island spice blend. But wait, there’s more. It’s about time for your second dinner, since your first was sushi!
Nibble your way through a small bites menu that packs serious island flavor. Slow-cooked jerk pork belly slides into silver dollar rolls with braised fennel and jerk sauce. Braised oxtail sliders nestle in coco bread, and the Jerk Chicken Cigar comes with a flame-kissed Blaze Fiah sauce that might just make you dance. A rooster dance.
Feeling playful? Challenge your travel companion (or someone you just met) to Jamaican-rules dominoes (the first to win six takes the crown), shoot a game of pool, or just sway to live music in the glow of the tiki lights.
Day 3: Delicious Dining at Sandals Dunn’s River: From Easy Mornings to South American Nights
Wake up and ease into the day with a leisurely morning at BLŪM Café, where the island’s best coffee awaits. You’ve enjoyed this restaurant earlier. Start with a rich DOUBLE espresso or a cold brew coffee paired with a Gizzada (you’ll have to look it up here), or maybe some coffee cake made with sweet espresso. Did I mention espresso?
For lunch, head over to Isola Pizzeria, known for its authentic Italian brick-oven pizzas right by the Jamaican coastline. “Isola” means island in italian, by the way. The warm, casual atmosphere complements the aroma of freshly baked dough and bubbling mozzarella. Don’t miss the Jerk Chicken Pizza, a perfect combo of spicy Jamaican jerk chicken, pineapples, island pesto, peppers, roasted onion, and mozzarella. Or try the Godfather pizza with all of your Italian favorites. Pair your pizza your drink of choice, and it’s turning into another great culinary day at Sandals.
Dinner is a culinary journey at Zuka, Sandals Dunn’s River’s South American restaurant. Open from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, dinner at Zuka is a vibrant journey through South American flavors. Start with a refreshing Snapper Ceviche, featuring coconut milk, avocado, purple onion, aji amarillo, and toasted corn, or try the zesty Shrimp Ceviche with cucumber, avocado, tomato, hot sauce, and tajín. For your main course, maybe try the smoky Chuletón Ahumado, a grilled pork chop served with asparagus, guasacaca (a tangy, herby guacamole-ish sauce), roasted sweet potato, and pico de gallo. If you like seafood, try the Pez Espada con Costra de Tortilla, tortilla-crusted swordfish with scallions, pickled red onion, ancho chile romesco sauce, and lime. If you’re craving a hearty stew, the Seco de Pollo offers Ecuadorian chicken with sweet corn, mashed potato, carrots, and green peas. Vegetarians can enjoy the satisfying Quinoa & Black Bean “Steak”, served with grilled vegetables and guasacaca sauce. When you are completely full, go for the rich and creamy Tres Leches cake, soaked in a blend of three milks and topped with torched meringue, or the flaky Pastelitos de Guayaba, guava-filled pastries with cream cheese and tres leches sauce. Cascata offers an elegant ambiance ideal for romantic dinners, anniversary celebrations, or any special occasion during your luxury Caribbean escape.
Day 4: Island Charm and Italian Indulgence at Sandals Dunn’s River
Start your morning with breakfast at Edessa, back to the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Today try something heartier, like the Ackee & Saltfish, or the Crunchy Coconut French Toast. Breakfast here sets the perfect tone for a day of exploring.
For lunch, make your way to Galene, Sandals Dunn’s River’s breezy beachside grill where the sound of waves pairs perfectly with island-fresh fare and elevated comfort food. The vibe here is casual but polished, a barefooted luxury, with panoramic sea views and a chill atmosphere. Start with something craveable, like the Beef Birria Taco Quesadilla, a bold, flavor-packed dish of slow-cooked pulled beef, melted pepper jack cheese, and jalapeño tucked into a flour tortilla and served with a rich, savory dipping broth. Or you can share a plate of Island Crab & Corn Fritters, served with creamy lime-Tabasco dip and slaw that brings the crunch. I like the Grilled Blackened Mahi Mahi Salad. It’s a winner, with a bounty of garden veggies like grilled corn, asparagus, and radishes topped with a perfectly seasoned fillet of Mahi Mahi, dressed in lemon vinaigrette. You can’t go wrong with the Crunchy Beer-Battered Fish Wrap, layered with tartar sauce and red cabbage-Sriracha slaw, or pile into the Fully Loaded Jerk Chicken Fries, stacked with cheddar, chili con carne, and sour cream. Basically a tropical take on nachos. Okay, so everything here hits the spot. Galene knows how to keep things indulgent yet refined, Caribbean-style. Here’s the menu if you are so inclined.
When the sun dips behind the palms and the Jamaican breeze softens to a whisper, make your way to Cascata—Sandals Dunn’s River’s ode to Italian elegance. Wrapped in the romance of vine-covered archways, warm golden light, and an old-world ambiance that practically hums Volare under its breath, this is where la dolce vita meets island indulgence. It’s very roosterish, fyi. Start your evening with the Shrimp Bruschetta, with juicy grilled prawns and marinated Roma tomatoes on crisp olive-oil-and-basil-rubbed crostini. Or go bold with the Not-So-Traditional Beef Carpaccio (that’s the real name), a paper-thin pink roast beef dressed with truffle aioli and crispy artichoke.
For your main dish, try the Rigatoni & Beef Brisket Ragù, a slow-braised dish with rich red wine sauce, tender brisket, and earthy mushrooms that taste like Sunday dinner in Tuscany. If you are staying with seafood, go for the Pesce Spada, the grilled swordfish with peperonata, roasted potato, and pesto drizzle. For you purists out there, (like my friend who only orders Spaghetti Bolognaise at every Italian restaurant so she can judge the quality of the Italian restaurant?) the Lasagna layers creamy ricotta, savory ragù, and herb-kissed pasta in a lasagna type lasagna medley. Not to be judged, by the way. For dessert, enjoy the Chocolate & Roasted Hazelnut Tart which may ruin you for anything else chocolate for life.
Here’s the sidenote: Cascata has a huge wine list. Yes, your all-inclusive covers a lot, but if you’re feeling fancy, add a bottle of Ruffino Pinot Grigio from Italy. Crisp, light, and just $45 a bottle, it’s the perfect pairing for your pasta and your Instagram story. (Just remember, it’s not included—so don’t pretend you didn’t see this part when the check comes. Also remember, prices do change, so ask before you go all James Bond and order the $325 bottle of Dom Pérignon, Épernay Champagne!) Believe it or not, this restaurant is Resort Casual and you don’t need a reservation. How that happened, I don’t know.
Day 5: A Fond Farewell Breakfast and Lunch, With a Dream Dinner for an Extra Day
Today is travel day, but before you say goodbye to paradise, savor a relaxed breakfast at BLŪM Café. Open early and casual, Blum is your go-to for a final cup of Joe – maican coffee. Grab what you like, and start your morning right.
For a quick lunch, before you head to the airport, hit Saltaire, where the buffet is quick, delicious, and just easy. Enough said.
Here’s the tricky part. We missed out on one exceptional restaurant! So, if you are rearranging your dinner options, or, if you can extend your stay just one more night (and I say, why not?), your dinner plans can take you to Banyu, the resort’s pan-Asian jewel. This is not your average Asian fusion joint. It’s a masterclass in culinary craft. Start small but mighty: the crispy eel nori taco is a standout. It’s eel chirashi tucked into a seaweed shell with a flash of togarashi and roasted sesame, with a silky eel sauce. Or dive into ahi poke with mango, cucumber, and soy-sesame brilliance atop wonton crisps, a surf-fresh opener that sets the tone.
With spicy tuna crispy rice, to the delicate hamachi carpaccio in yuzu citrus and ponzu, the sushi and sashimi lineup here isn’t playing around. For the adventurous, the boxed yellowtail terrine with Scotch Bonnet heat might just change the way you think about raw fish forever. And yes, vegetarians, the watermelon roll with crunchy cucumber and spicy cantaloupe proves you haven’t been forgotten.
They also have dim sum and soups that bring the heat, comfort, and depth, Shrimp shumai and BBQ spare ribs that are rich and satisfying, and don’t miss the chicken satay, dripping with peanut sauce, or the crispy soft shell crab steamed buns.
Then there are the main dishes. Go for the Kung Pao Chicken, fiery and peanut-laced, or ride the flavor wave with Thai red seafood curry, a creamy, spicy bowl loaded with prawns, scallops, mussels, and more. Craving steak? The Sechuan pepper beef or hibachi-style ribeye will leave carnivores swooning. And for our veg-forward friends, the wok-fried tofu or sweet-and-sour eggplant bring all the flavor with none of the fuss. Okay, it’s just a lot of good food to choose from! Wow.
Pair everything with a craft cocktail or mocktail, or one of the resort’s curated sakes and Asian beers and you’ll be doing just fine. If you do save some room, try the banana spring rolls with caramel, mango pudding with coconut sago, or fried sesame balls filled with sweet black bean paste. All I can say is enjoy!
Gourmet Travel Redefined: Farewell to Dining Delights in the Caribbean
Five days at Sandals Dunn’s River isn’t just a beach getaway—it’s a culinary tour of the Caribbean and beyond. From rich French sauces to spicy jerk, delicate sushi to wood-fired pizzas, every plate tells a story. Just like me, the Travel Rooster. Let your taste buds travel with you, and when you’re ready to plan your next gourmet escape, contact me for a personalized quote within 24 hours. Your next adventure awaits. Travel on.
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