Kingston’s most anticipated culinary experience, Kingston Kitchen: The Night Market, returns today Saturday, July 5 at Hope Gardens. 

Since its debut in December 2011, Kingston Kitchen’s Night Market has grown into Jamaica’s premier food event. With a vibrant open-air food court and a curated mix of local and international flavours, it has become the go-to destination for food lovers seeking bold, creative, and delicious experiences.

“Kingston Kitchen is your dream destination for food, drinks, and entertainment. We are dedicated to bringing together some of Jamaica’s most creative and talented culinary professionals while providing a fun, engaging vibe for our foodies as they savour all the flavours that we have to offer,” says Leisha Wong, Co-Founder of Kingston Kitchen. 

This year’s event once again partners with NCB’s ePOS Experience, to deliver a fully cashless environment for the ultimate convenience and security. FLOW is also on board to support with WiFi coverage, not only to support the ePOS experience, but also allow patrons to stay connected at the event. CranWata and Wata will also be back with an elevated food court experience, ready to refresh all the hungry patrons.

This year, patrons can look forward to over 70 vendors showcasing a diverse range of cuisines, from local favourites to international eats, seafood, food trucks, sweet treats, cocktails and vegetarian options. Some featured vendors include Chop’d Salady Tings & Market, Sheriff Gourmet BBQ, Mystic Thai, Street Food Saturdays River Dining Experience, Crispy Pork Belly Ja, Aunt Merl’s Place, Deaf Can! Coffee, Presto Pasta, The Flour Girl JA, The Cheesecake Lab JA, Ladybee Mixology, Scoops Unlimited Ltd, The Rib Kage and The Burrito Shack.

In addition to mouthwatering food, the Night Market offers live entertainment with top DJs Courtney and Marc Chin from Coppershot, and fun for the whole family. Children can explore the vibrant Pure Pickney Plaza (sponsored by Pure Country), complete with Hope Zoo’s Petting Zoo and rides, while young adults can unwind in the upbeat Vibes Ya’ad, powered by FLOW.

New this year is the exciting Foodie Pass; the ultimate experience for passionate foodies. This premium pass includes exclusive early access (4–5 PM), the ability to skip the lines, and a priorrity parking feature. “We wanted to elevate the experience for our most devoted food lovers,” says Melanie Miller, co-founder, Kignston. “The Foodie Pass lets you beat the crowd, get a head start on getting to your favourites, and enjoy the event like a true member of our Kingston Kitchen foodie fam!” Kingston Kitchen has 10 vendors participating in the foodie pass. They include ShortBoss Family Foods, Sherriff Gourmet BBQ, Street Food Saturdays, Cocktails To Go, League of Bartenders, Mystic Thai, Super Spicy Doubles, Aunt Merl’s Seafood, Shawarma Shack and LadyBee Mixology. “Also new this year is our Party Holics Bus, an added treat for our party crew to full joy themselves,” says Miller.

Melanie Miller, along with Leisha Wong, and Jacqui Sinclair (the third member of the Kingston Kitchen founders), are also excited to be looking ahead to their 15th birthday in 2026. The team are focused on extending their vision for the brand when it was launched in 2011. “Kingston Kitchen is for the people,” says Sinclair. “ We are a festival that celebrates the flavours and energy or our Jamaican culinary heritage, and we invite all foodies to come and celebrate the Eat Good movement with us.”

The 2025 staging of Kingston Kitchen: The Night Market is made possible by sponsors: CranWata, Wata, FLOW, NCB, Red Pin, Worthy Park, Gustazos, The Best Dressed Chicken, The Tourism Enhancement Fund, Rainforest Seafood, Happy Fries, CPJ, Guardsman, Landmark, Doorstep Jamaica, CVM TV and Pure Country Juices.