Boston Bay

A laid-back beach village where roadside pits smoke pork and chicken over pimento wood, preserving the original Maroon jerk tradition.

About This Place

Boston Bay in Portland is widely recognized as the birthplace of Jamaican jerk. The technique traces back to the Maroons who settled in Portland's mountains, smoking meat over pimento (allspice) wood as a way to preserve it.

Today, a cluster of roadside jerk pits lines the bay, each family-run and fiercely loyal to their own spice blend. Order jerk pork, chicken, or festival (sweet fried dumplings) and eat at picnic tables overlooking the surf break below.