28 Best Restaurants in Belize

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

After a pineapple-ginger-lime smoothie in this restful thatched café, pop up to the rooftop at 9 am for drop-in yoga for BZ$20 a session. What better way to start your island day? This three-story open-air eatery, which is almost always buzzing, is a welcome addition to Caye Caulker. The yoga classes are locally famous (and you'll have great views while you're in Trikonasana pose). Reasonably priced egg casserole, chia pudding, sandwiches, and salads can be ordered at the counter until mid-afternoon. There’s even house-made kombucha!

Here is the island's classic spot for a warm smile, coffee (including espresso), and a morning bite to eat. Sit on the cozy porch, people-watch on Front Street, and try the homemade yogurt or the yummy fresh breads.

The line forms early for this small bakery’s delicious pastries. A mix of locals and visitors come here to fuel themselves to-go, but the front porch is a time-honored place to begin a Placencia day. Beyond the daily staples, the menu varies here, and last-minute offerings are frequently announced on the bakery’s Facebook page.

Snug as a pink box of pastries, Annie's is open only in the late afternoon and evening and offers empanadas, sandwiches, and miniloaves of banana bread at local prices. If you're feeling spontaneous, select from the unlabeled display in the window and see what you bite into.

Grab a milkshake, a cacao iced tea, or a bar of coconut milk chocolate at this outpost of the fabulous chocolatier based in San Pedro. Try the \"island crunch\" sponge taffy---an airy yet dense delight.

This place bills itself as purveyors of ice cream, coffee, and wine, and the wide-ranging combo works. Enjoy a selection of specialty coffees, tropical-flavored ice cream, and wines from France, Italy, Argentina, and California. (The wine bar holds court in a separate part of the building.)

A fun dining experience on an open-air porch adjoining the Coconut Row Hotel features a menu using local and organic ingredients. Coconut Husk truly shines at breakfast with filling pancakes or fry jacks with toast and natural fruit juices. The small lunch menu gives way to tacos and a variety of wraps. Bar snacks and lighter fare, rather than a full dinner, make up the evening menu, which is in effect only three nights a week.

More than a just pit stop, this cute roadside joint offers pick-me-ups in the way of creative smoothies, iced mochas, healthy and not-so-healthy shakes, and baguette paninis. It also stocks a small market with Belizean cheeses, jellies, cacao beans, meats, and fruits. Swing by on your way to Secret Beach or anywhere north.

Glenda's menu is on a chalkboard, short and sweet, and you place your order at the window of a pretty clapboard house. At breakfast, when this café is most popular, you can get a hearty meal of eggs, bacon, beans, johnnycakes, and fresh OJ, all for a pittance. Dine under the solemn eyes of a print of The Last Supper, or take it to go. It starts up at 7 am; get there early to snag a cinnamon bun. The hours are island style, so Glenda's may not be open when you want it to be, especially at lunch.

Belize’s abundance of fruit ends up in a variety of flavors scooped up for you at the city’s best ice-cream parlor. You’ll probably have questions as you gaze at the blackboard menu—what are craboo and sapodilla?—and the good folks here are happy to explain the flavors. Rest assured that you'll find vanilla and chocolate if you're feeling more \"vanilla.\" Choose from standard or waffle cones, sundaes, or milkshakes, and enjoy the air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. You'll find a branch in San Ignacio in the Cayo, too.

If you’re jonesing for a caffeinated treat—maybe a Nutella frappe or a cappuccino—look no further. Ice n’ Beans is your quick seafront coffee bar where tasty samples are dished out to anyone who walks up. Bagel sandwiches and tasty smoothies are also on offer. You can get your coffee here until early evening.

Seating is on the front deck of a simple wooden structure here. Choose from a bench, a picnic table, or low tables and enjoy a variety of gourmet coffee drinks. If you need something more fortifying, sandwiches, waffles, and quiches are on the menu, too, with gluten-free options available.

You'll recognize the circular logo from the monolithic coffee chain it references, but vibrant-tiled Marbucks is far better. Part of the intimate Marbucks Bed & Breakfast, this is a charming breakfast joint with pleasant outdoor stools and tables. We recommend the drip coffee and the frittata, served in a cast-iron skillet. If you're hankering for a back-home bagel, the egg sandwich is delicious. 

You'd be hard-pressed to find a faster, tastier, cheaper Belizean meal than at this hole in the wall. Grab-and-go breakfast burritos will fill you up before a tour, and the watermelon or lime juice will keep you hydrated. Seating is very limited so take your feast down the street for a picnic in the park.

The village’s bright, pastel, tropical beachfront ice-cream shop offers 19 regular flavors dished up in cones or dishes. (This is Belize, so expect lots of banana and pineapple and coconut offerings among the choices.) Never fear, though: vanilla and chocolate are on the menu if your tastes run less adventurous. Also never fear: you’ll find a few vegan and lactose-free options to cool you off on a hot day.

Line up beside the smoking grill for a delicious, no-nonsense plate of jerk chicken with sides. Homemade sauce is dished from a big plastic mixing bowl, and Fanta and juices are in the back (but don't expect mixed drinks). Eat under the thatch and chat with the lovely Jamaican-Belizean owners, or get your meal to go. Bring napkins---and cash, as no credit cards are accepted.

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.

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.

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.