42 Best Restaurants in Belize

Next door to the Hibiscus Hotel, Corkers is run by the husband-and-wife team of Geoff Hatto-Hembling and Sam Buxton from the United Kingdom. You can choose to dine in the covered, open-air patio, or inside the cozy air-conditioned dining room. The menu is eclectic, ranging from classic English fish-and-chips and a grilled American cheeseburger with fries to Indian curries, plus pasta, steak, pork ribs, fried chicken, and a nice variety of salads.

Above Grounds sells shade-grown, organic Guatemalan coffee straight up, in lattes, iced, or however you like it. Fresh-roasted coffee by the pound is also for sale. The bagels come from The Bistro at Maya Beach, and the fresh donuts from a lady who sells them in the village.

Near the tip of the island, this gem is hidden in plain sight. Tuck into a plate of stove-fresh pita, creamy hummus, and skewers of onion-parsley shrimp grilled in a boat of foil, all made by the charming chef Ana. These deep-flavored dishes are a wonderful surprise. It's not fast food, so have a smoothie while you wait in the family's front yard. Vegetarians will appreciate the superior options here.

Cash only.

Sharing a parking lot with a gas station and convenience store, Aroma Cafe & Lounge is a local hot spot. You'll find the breakfast options here hard to choose from, though the most popular is the Belizean breakfast. You can't go wrong with fluffy fry jacks, eggs your way, slices of bacon, and a cup of the beloved beans. Aroma tends to get packed on weekend mornings, so be sure to arrive early to secure a booth. 

Those who dream in chocolate, this one's for you. Owners Chris Beaumont and Jo Sayer work with over 500 Maya cacao farms (in a handful of collectives), which average 1½ acres each and typically use organic methods. As a result, the company does marvels with one of Belize's most ancient crops. Here, the Belizean bean appears not only in bars but as champagne truffles, milkshakes, and---get ready---chocolate balsamic vinegar. Make time for Chris' amazing class on chocolate-making at about BZ$30 per person (offered at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm on weekdays; just call ahead to schedule). Expect U.S. chocolatier prices here.

This little open-air restaurant near Xunantunich has won many fans who come for hearty Maya and Creole dishes at rock-bottom prices. You'll find mostly locals here, many from San Ignacio, Benque Viejo, and other parts of Cayo District. Most items on the menu are BZ$12 or less, including chilimole (chicken with mole sauce), cow-foot soup, Belizean escabeche (marinated fish or meat), and stew pork with rice, beans, and plantains. You can make a meal of the mestizo appetizers including salbutes (puffed fried tortilla with meat), tostadas, and empanadas, most under BZ$2 each. The classic Maya pibil (pork cooked in an underground oven) is sometimes on the menu. The banana and mango licuados (milkshakes) are delicious, and you can also enjoy the official national drinks of Belize, Belikin and Fanta.

Here's a place unlike any other on the island: from the homemade bundiga (green banana dumplings) to drumming presentations on cedar and mahogany drums, Black and White gives you a special window into the rich culture and foodways of Belize's Garifuna people. The menu spotlights Garifuna cuisine like hudut (snapper in coconut broth with pounded plantains), tikini (brown flour soup with fish and vegetables) and the staple dish, cassava bread. The owner Julia Martinez (known to everyone in town as Ms. Julia) is a true cultural ambassador for the Garifuna; speak with her and you can learn about Garifuna heritage in all its vitality. Since Garifuna (also called Garinagu) populations are concentrated in Seine Beight, Hopkins, Punta Gorda, and Dangriga---all on the mainland---this is a unique resource on the island. Try to make it to one of Black and White's entertainment nights, which celebrates Garifuna culture with live drumming, traditional dancing, and a decadent buffet. 

If you’re hankering for a steaming bowl of cow-foot soup or just a good old plate of succulent stew chicken, join San Pedranos on their lunch break at Briana's. Crunchy eats like salbutes and garnachas won’t disappoint, but for faithful homestyle Belizean cuisine, try whatever is on special that day: think pigtail or curry chicken with coconut rice and beans, plantains, and a scoop of slaw.

Billing themselves as an \"inland beach bar,\" this laid-back spot downtown serves up tasty Caribbean and Belizean fare that you won't be able to stop eating, and you won't have to because the prices are reasonable. The seafood is divine—don't miss the ceviche, or the shrimp tacos, and if you need something to cool down the tastebuds after the jerk seasoning try a coconut mojito.

Formerly DandE's, this beloved parlor is your place for creamy custards and cooling sorbets—all homemade and so dense that they resist quick melting. Custard is made with egg yolks; it's touted as a \"healthier\" alternative to ice cream, which we're willing to believe for the sake of dessert. For island flavors, looks for mango sorbet or soursop frozen custard. 

You'll recognize this restaurant by the big sign out front made from one side of a red 1964 Peugeot 404, and inside the restaurant at Parrot Cove Lodge, the eclectic Caribbean-style, locally sourced food is nothing but contemporary and delicious. You can order a four-course meal (soup, salad, entrée, and dessert) from the prix-fixe menu or order à la carte. The menu changes daily, but the entrée might be lobster, fresh fish, or ribs, all presented creatively and with interesting sauces. Guests can also help cook their own food on lava rock, a concept the owner calls \"Love on the Rocks.\" The Chef's Table is a third option if you have a group of at least six, but no more than 12. Rob will prepare a private, sumptuous seven-course dinner for your group for BZ$130 per person. Advance reservations of at least 48 hours' notice are required.

Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Cielo stuns not just in food quality but in its elegant aesthetic as well. The restaurant is located at Tony's Inn, but guests aren't the only ones who get to enjoy its Belizean--Maya taste; locals from neighboring districts are willing to make the drive just to indulge in Cielo's conch fritters and pepita-crusted fish. Opt to dine on the deck to feel the ocean breeze cool you down after a long day exploring Corozal. 

This three-story palapa is a lovable hangout for locals, ex-pats, Belizean vacationers from the mainland, and travelers. The service and menu are both impressive, with reasonably priced rum drinks, ceviche, and other island fare. Catching the sunset here is a no-brainer, but you can also come by later for the nightlife scene. Crocs indeed live in the lagoon, but don't drop them nachos: feeding crocodiles is illegal and dangerous for the apex predators. Watch them from afar.

Named for the open wood-fire cooking hearth (\"faya haat\" in Kriol), El Fogon serves authentic down-home Belizean cooking like chaya tamales, Creole stews, and gibnut (a small game rodent and delicacy). El Fogon feels like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's actually one of the most renowned spots on the island. Think island-casual but with the quality dialed up (you sit at picnic tables, but the picnic tables have cloth runners). Newly renovated with air-conditioning, El Fogon offers modern comfort in the midst of island heat. Dishes are prepared in cast-iron pots in a traditional fogón. Next to it, a mountain of fresh veggies, about to be chopped, is part of the decor. Though it's in town, it's a little hard to find: ask any local where it is.

Here is an island institution. In the old days, in 1974, Elvi Staines sold burgers from the window of her house, soon adding a few tables on the sand under a tree; today, the floors are still sand and the tree remains (lifeless now and cut back to fit inside the roof), but the dining experience has been upgraded. Enter through massive mahogany doors and you'll be tended to by a large and gracious staff. The Maya pulled pork and other sandwiches are big hits at lunch. For dinner Elvi's features upmarket dishes such as shrimp flambeéd in tequila or grilled pork with sorrel barbecue sauce. Don't pass on the coconut pie for dessert. 

Fry jacks are those puffy pillows of fried dough served at breakfast; here they come stuffed with a slew of options, from egg and ham to chicken and beans, all for a U.S. buck or two. Just one makes a filling breakfast. Pull up a stool on the pink-and-green porch, or take your fry jacks near the water. At the stand next door you can pick up a liter of fresh watermelon juice (in a repurposed Crystal bottle) for BZ$7. Yet another example of a great female entrepreneur in Belize, Errolyn does it right. She also holds a barbecue most Saturdays.

Cash only.

With high-energy music, neon signs, and mouthwatering sushi, this trendy restaurant and bar truly is a feast for all five senses. If you're not in the mood for fish, they also offer teppanyaki sizzled on a hot stone at your table, or for the less adventurous, tacos. The service is friendly and attentive, the menu is extensive, and the cocktails are well-crafted. There's an outside patio space if you'd like to catch some city breezes. 

Inside the Sleeping Giant Lodge, you'll find a gastronomic delight. In a beautiful setting, The Grove House serves up fresh-from-the-field, homemade meals that look amazing and taste even better. Start with homemade bread and fresh churned butter; for breakfast, try the stuffed fry jacks. At dinner, the coconut shrimp is a surefire hit.

Located in a remodeled colonial framehouse on the far end of Burns Avenue, Guava Limb Café serves an eclectic mix of delicious soups, seafood, salads, and local and American dishes that have given it a reputation as the best restaurant in San Ignacio. Run by the owners of The Lodge at Chaa Creek, there's open-air seating and a bar on the first level, while a second-level veranda overlooks Macal River Park. You'll enjoy fresh, artful dishes like herb and garlic pan-seared shrimp with butternut squash bisque and jasmine rice, or glazed spare ribs with potato croquettes.

Glowing with lamplight, Hidden Treasure brings to mind a treasure chest cracked open, and indeed it's a gem. Tucked away on a residential back street, this open-air restaurant offers sophisticated dishes with local flavors. Try the signature barbecue ribs, which are seasoned with traditional Garifuna spices and glazed with pineapple sauce. Owner Ruben Muñoz, who was born in Belize City, opened Hidden Treasure in 2008; since then it's become one of the most renowned spots on the island. A  gorgeous lounge upstairs---floored with bamboo, mahogany, and cabbage bark wood---hosts special events. Hidden Treasure offers a complimentary shuttle service to guests staying in or south of San Pedro Town. 

From the Mayan language, Ko-Ox Han-Nah roughly translates to \"let's go eat.\" It's far from fancy—you eat on simple tables in what is essentially a large open-front building on busy Burns Avenue—but service is cheerful, and the food is inexpensive and well prepared. Much of the food is raised on the farm of the Zimbabwe-born owner. In addition to the usual Belizean beans-and-rice dishes, Ko-Ox Han-Nah serves fusion food influenced by Mexican, Southeast Asian, and North and South Indian cooking, with salads, sandwiches, burritos, Burmese dishes, Cambodian and Korean chicken dishes, and Indian lamb curries.

In a slightly Fellini-esque, upstairs setting La Dolce Vita brings authentic antipasti, bruschetta, and pasta dishes to Placencia. With opera music playing softly in the background, it's like being in a small, family-run restaurant in Italy. The spaghetti carbonara, with the owner's own home-smoked bacon, is amazing. Try the signature penne dolce vita, with a shrimp and zucchini sauce or the linguini with calamari, octopus, squid, and shrimp. Most dishes are in large portions. The owner imports Italian pastas, olive oils, and wines to make sure everything is top quality. (The wine is always a generous pour.)

A homey and attentive staff welcome you to this open-air Argentine spot just a short walk from resorts like Alaia and Victoria House. While some may conjure up images of asado or barbecue when thinking of Argentinian food, La Fonda De Nilo offers expertly made traditional dishes with a classy twist. Its spinach-stuffed cheesy ravioli will have you fantasizing about it long after your trip is over. You can even pick your own sauce from marinara, pesto, and bolognese options. Serving only dinner, the eatery boasts a hearth in the center of the screened-in dining area for its sizeable though pricey pizzas. While reservations are not required, they are recommended as the spot can get busy on the weekends.

Chef-owner Darren Casson has done it again with this global fusion restaurant (with a pan-Asian bent), lighting the way for a culinary scene to unfold on North Caye Caulker. Dynamite dishes include coffee-rubbed barracuda and lemongrass curried shrimp. At lunch, you'll also find classics like quesadillas or the daily Belizean special. Located at Blu Zen Resort, Lotus is not as atmospheric as the more intimate Hibisca by Habanero, but the menu is at least as interesting. 

Want to treat yourself? Head up to the magnificent Matachica Resort and dine leisurely on its tropical-chic veranda. You can enjoy the all-day \"light fare\" and casual ambience of Mambo Bistro, as well as the more sophisticated Mambo Restaurant (which is dinner-only and has a \"resort casual\" dress code). Both options are outrageously stylish, splurgy, and delicious---we're talking an in-house mixologist and a prix-fixe weekend brunch. At the Bistro, people clamor for the chewy sourdough breads and pizzas, while seafood mains, like the banana leaf snapper, are the highlight of Mambo Restaurant. The kitchen uses ingredients grown at Matachica's sister property, the jungle lodge Gaia. Breakfast and lunch are less pricey. Note that only guests 10 and up are allowed at Mambo Bistro, while only guests 16 and up are allowed at Mambo Restaurant: it's not your place for multigenerational occasions. Call ahead to see if a complimentary boat can be arranged to pick you up in town. 

A well-run option in Orange Walk Town, Maracas Bar and Grill has one of the town's most scenic settings overlooking the New River---you might even spot a crocodile. Sit in the covered riverside patio or in the air-conditioned dining room and start your meal with an appetizer of shrimp, conch, or lobster ceviche (lobster is available mid-June to mid-February and conch is usually October to late April). Indulge your comfort food cravings with pizza, fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, or a beef or fish burger. Escabeche is offered Sunday only. Occasionally local parties here get loud, but you'll probably be welcome to join the festivities.

Founded by an award-winning pastry chef, Maria's Bakeshop & Coffeehouse has quickly become the go-to spot for rich coffee and decadent pastries. The café's air-conditioned indoor area is artfully decorated, complete with cozy corners and spacious booths. While good old-fashioned Americanos are their signature, Maria's most popular drinks include frappuccinos and refreshing teas, serving as a respite from the Belizean heat. Visit during special occasions for creative seasonal drinks and pair with fluffy croissants or a toasted panini. 

One of the city’s best vegan/vegetarian restaurants holds court in an early-20th-century colonial waterfront building with great views of the harbor. Begin your day with a fruit bowl, accompanied by avocado toast or a spinach and cheddar quiche. Lunch and dinner might give way to an Open Face No Tuna—really curried chickpeas with a balsamic guava vinaigrette or a Buddha Bowl, homemade hummus with veggies and brown rice. The entire production comes courtesy of the relaxing, slightly trendy Harbour View Cottages across the street. Two notes: it’s a climb of several steps to get up to the second-floor restaurant; and shoes are left at the door if you dine inside, but not if you eat out on the wraparound veranda.

Maxie's is more than just an air-conditioned respite from the unrelenting Belizean heat. A five-minute walk from the Caribbean Sprinter water taxi, the restaurant and lounge offers a cozy ambience without sacrificing food quality. Its Green Dragon ceviche is a crowd favorite for a reason, but its Parma Rosa is nothing to sneeze at, either. The fairly new establishment is already the go-to hangout spot not only for lunch, but for evening festivities as well. Past 10 pm on the weekends, the lounge upstairs turns into a nightclub where you can book VIP seats ahead of time. If your vibe is more chill, the restaurant also has the Corner Sixty café downstairs serving expertly prepared matcha and other boba-topped drinks during the day.