135 Best Restaurants in Belize

What's a Sri Lankan restaurant doing here? The original Ceylonese owner and his wife came to Belize with the British Army, and like many other squadies (enlisted men), decided to stay on and open a business. Over the years, the menu here has migrated more to Belizean, Chinese, and American dishes such as rice and beans, burgers, grilled fish, and fried chicken. The new owners are a Belizean-American couple, but you can still get authentic Sri Lankan curries (you choose the heat level) and a choice of teas. The conversion of part of Burns Avenue to a pedestrian mall has given Serendib an appealing location, and there's outdoor dining in a patio out back.

In a shack at the beginning of the Sidewalk, overlooking the harbor, The Shak is the spot for fruit smoothies. For lunch and dinner, there are several curries, wraps, sandwiches, and stir-fry dishes. If you come for dinner, though, make it an early one; the place closes at 6.

The less rowdy competitor of Lazy Lizard, Sip n' Dip is a playful spot to kick it in the water, rum punch in hand. Though the swimming here isn't as good or deep as at the Lizard, you're a stone's throw from that area; plus the inner tubes and submerged tables make up for it. It's more family-friendly, with a modest playground and a little upcycled water slide into the sea. The basic lunch menu is surprisingly tasty. 

Burritos are the thing here, and in fact usually just about the only thing, except for smoothies, shakes, coffee, and the occasional daily special. You get a selection of fillings and type of flour tortilla. The huge breakfast burrito easily serves two. This is primarily a take-out spot. You'll find a few tables on the patio for open-air dining, but the view is only of a neighboring parking lot.

Someplace South is a new hot spot---or, to use an old Belizean phrase for a roadside joint, a \"cool spot\"---beloved for its friendly faces, delicious grub, and nooks of stylish seating. The lush courtyard is a lovely place to have brunch (their specialty, served all day) or to sip a rum drink while you wait for your Caribbean dinner. Someplace South is so refreshing you might not even miss sea views; plus, when sargassum seaweed stinks up the beach, this is a nice refuge. Live music gets going several nights a week.

Tasty northern and southern Indian food is created at Sumathi's in its authentic tandoori oven—a large clay oven with intense heat—which cooks meat and seafood quickly, leaving it crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Try the tandoori chicken, with cumin, ginger, and minty yogurt, served with naan. There are many vegetarian options, too. Portions are generous. Service is sometimes a weak point.

This European-run coffee shop and bistro is small but stylish, with Belizean wood carvings and paintings on the walls and free Wi-Fi. Expect good coffee, well-prepared breakfast omelets, and satisfying smoothies. For lunch, try the salads.

The prime tables on the front patio fill up quickly so get here early.

This fairly new Corozal eatery has already earned a reputation as the cutest place to have brunch when up north, serving artful breakfast dishes with a Maya and Mestizo twist. Chaya empanadas are the size of your palm, and when topped with the locally made hot sauce, they will have you finishing every bite. While the food may take some time to prepare, it's only because everything is made fresh and then plated perfectly. 

The \"house restaurant\" for the Orchid Bay Resort, Tradewinds is run by David and Demaris, an American--Belizean couple. The menu features adequate American pub food such as burgers and wings, along with ceviche and other seafood and some traditional Belizean dishes such as rice and beans with stew chicken. Once a week, there is a soup night, which attracts locals for an inexpensive night out and a chance to benefit the local community---one-half of the evening's proceeds go to support various good works in the community.

Dining with a view is virtually unheard of in this low-rise city, but this classy, fifth-story dining spot provides blissful views of the Caribbean Sea. Start off with wonton, dumpling, or chicken-wing appetizers and follow with the variety of stir-fry dishes that highlight the menu. Steak and salads are scattered throughout too. Dine indoors in blissful a/c or outdoors under umbrella-covered tables on the breezy veranda. The restaurant's name means \"red wine\" in Spanish, and you'll find a good selection of house wines and other beverages here.

This open-air favorite is your spot for handmade pupusas (pockets of masa filled with meat or veggies and cooked on a griddle). The huge pupusas will only run you about BZ$3–BZ$6 each, and range from spinach to pork to the idiosyncratic \"crazy\" flavor. An array of (more expensive) seafood and meat dishes is also on offer. For tropical decadence try the coconut cream burritos filled with seafood or chicken while you enjoy the town's bustle just feet away. Waruguma is a great, low-key family dinner spot.

Long-established Wendy's—no, not that Wendy's—always delivers good, no-frills food at reasonable prices. The Belizean breakfast of fry jack (the local version of beignets without the sugar), bacon, eggs, and refried beans is nearly perfect. The grilled fish is fresh and delicious, and at lunch there are many dishes to choose from on the lengthy menu, including Creole items like cow-foot soup or mestizo soups like escabeche or chirmole with fresh flour tortillas. Dine inside or outside on the veranda; both are pleasant.

We don't often include airport restaurants, but Global Spice, a no-frills restaurant near the "waving gallery" on the second floor of the main terminal, will leave you with a nice taste of Belize. It's not a gourmet restaurant, just a good place to get that farewell plate of stew chicken with rice and beans and a cold Belikin.

Located in the Tourism Village, overlooking the boardwalk where cruise-ship tenders drop off passengers, there's no question of the target market of the Wet Lizard. Don't expect more than a bar with average bar food. The Wet Lizard, which focuses on lunch on days there are cruise ships in town, has expanded with a gift shop and a tour operation.