Top 10 places to eat in Belize

From the Cayes to Cayo, we got you covered

Belize is a small and diverse country, with an abundance of delicious foods and memorable experiences. Here are my picks for the top 10 places to eat in Belize. From beautiful coasts to breathtaking cayes, from lush rainforest mountains to farmland, Belize has it all! Belize is bordered by Guatemala and Mexico, as well as the Caribbean ocean. The cuisine reflects the country’s African, Caribbean, Latin American and indigenous Mayan influences. There is so much to enjoy. Here’s a starting point for your next Belize adventure!

Ambergris Caye, belize district

One of Belize’s most popular cayes, this is an hour and a half ferry ride from Belize City, or a short flight. Surrounded by clear shallow waters, and full of delicious food, it’s a great place to spend a few days!

3. La Divina Providencia

2724 Flamboyant Street, Escalante Sub-Division, San Pedro

This eatery/grocery store is a favorite spot for locals! You MUST try the pupusas which are made by hand to order over a hot griddle. During lobster season, the lobster mac n cheese is the ultimate comfort food, while the mixto, featuring pork, beans and cheese is a great go to. Vegetarians will love the chaya and cheese! You can also get delicious stewed chicken and lobster. Don’t forget a local hot sauce – and you can pick up a bottle on your way out from their small store. 

Cayo DISTRICT

The Cayo district of Belize is inland and made up of farmland and lush jungle. It is Belize's largest district, and borders Guatemala.

4. Lamanai Chocolate Company

44 Hummingbird Hwy, Armenia, Belize

This surprise bathroom stop became one of our favorite places in Belize. At Lamanai they make all things chocolate, and have a beautiful set up to show you all of the steps in making chocolate from cacao. Try real cacao fruit from the pod, then enjoy the nibs that are roasted with cane sugar and various spices. A great snack! They also roast coffee and you can get delicious lattes and smoothies. Feeling adventurous? Try a  wine with a shot of espresso! I left with several chocolate bars (they are softer, made with hand ground cacao and honey, so transport them carefully in the heat if you open them). Oh, and there are bathrooms there. 

5. Benny’s Kitchen

 3VMC+XMR, San Jose Succotz, Belize

After a day at Xunan Tinich ruins, our driver took us to this delicious loca spot for food. The dishes here reflect the Mayan heritage of the area and proximity to Guatemala. Don’t miss the pibil, a slow cooked pork in homemade corn tortillas. More adventurous folks will like the cow hoof soup, with a delicious light broth and pieces of gelatinous cow hoof. The fresh soursop (guanabana) juice is not to be missed.

6. Amigo’s family Diner

Mile 31, 1/2 Western Hwy, Belmopan, Belize

On the road to Spanish Lookout this popular stop has an open air dining room and very traditional Belizean dishes as well as options like burgers and fries. The stewed chicken (Belize’s national dish) was tender and delicious, while the whole fried snapper was cooked to perfection – crispy on the outside and flaky and moist on the inside. The view of the mountains in the distance adds to the great experience!

HopKINS, Stann Creek District

Hopkins is a coastal Garifuna village that sits south of Belize City. A very fun beach community with a laid back vibe, this is a great place to experience the real Belize.

7. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef 

100 Sittee River Road False Sittee Point Hopkins, Belize

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is another boutique-like resort that surprised me. A feeling of comfortable, down to earth luxury where you are treated like family and get to know the staff and crew. It sits along the beach and has an overwater ceviche bar that is like a treehouse above the ocean. The Big Dock Ceviche bar is a great place to catch the breeze, enjoy a cocktail and a delicious bite of ceviche or chill in the pool and enjoy a drink from the swim up bar. If you want something a bit fancier, head into the resort’s restaurant and enjoy a fabulous Belizean meal from Chef Rahim. The fish stew was an absolute must! Also, the lodge is just a short bike ride from town making it a great place to stay and still easily explore local spots. Bonus – they have bikes you can use free of charge!

8. T&Cs Kitchen

Hopkins, Belize

We found this great spot on the main road through Hopkins by looking for a place locals went. The fry bread and breakfast burrito are a must! Fried dough, topped with scrambled eggs, the most delicious beans, and cheese. The burrito is similarly stuffed with scrambled eggs, meats, cheese and don’t forget to ask for the house made hot sauce! You won’t be alone if you wash it all down with a cold beer.

9. Ella’s Restaurant/cool spot

South Rd, Hopkins, Belize

Ella is the kindest woman and also makes the BEST jerk. She opened this spot a few years back and it’s super popular – reservations are recommended for weekend evenings when there is Garifuna drumming. It sits along the beach so you can catch the breeze as you wait for your meal. I recommend anything jerked – the catch of the day, the chicken especially. It comes with a side of plantains, rice and beans and a fresh salad. 

10. Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack

Seafront, Hopkins, Belize

Pizza in the Caribbean? Yes, please, especially when it is served with a side of the ocean and drumming. The honey crusted pizza with pineapple, bacon and smoky bbq sauce is absolutely amazing, and the vegetarian pizza with a white sauce, squash and mozzarella. The WINGS are out of this world! Habanero BBQ has a nice kick and the surprise was the hot honey mustard with such a great tang and nice kick on real wings.