11 Best Restaurants in The Cayes and Atolls, Belize

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 orange peel firecracker ribs and an aged rib eye with chimichurri sauce. 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 in its tropical-chic veranda. In 2021, two celebrated chefs crafted a new vision for Mambo, dividing it into two––a bit confusing, but a game changer. You can now 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 at 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 hip, LA-style restaurant of local renown, Red Ginger enlivens the island's food scene—no sea views here, but the gorgeous teal palm-leaf motif anchors you in the Caribbean. At dinner, start with ginger punch and chipotle shrimp salbutes, then accompany your entrée with a hand-selected wine. (Co-owner Mukul Kanabar might just be the only Belizean-certified sommelier in Belize!) Breakfast and lunch are superb, cheaper, and more casual. Our favorite time to go is weekend brunch, when you can sip a mimosa over an elaborate sesame shrimp eggs Benedict. Dishes at Red Ginger can at times slump under creative ambition (seafood ceviche doesn't always need a modern twist, for instance), but it's still great for a splurge. A bonus: the owners have done excellent public service projects in Belize, including giving about 80 full high school scholarships to the children of employees. 

Aji feels like your friendly neighborhood mainstay (two resident pups like to laze around the bar), only with irresistible sea views and Spanish-inspired small plates. Dinner is the thing at Aji, when a canopy of fairy lights illuminate the seaside tables and live music often mingles with the rustle of palms. Dishes here are mostly classics, like gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic and olive oil), papas bravas, and seafood paella. You may find these tasty classics to be a welcome break from more innovative menus. If you'd rather come during the day, breakfast and lunch are pleasant times to eat under the shady palms. 

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 jazzy marquee letters reading “I Love Belize” capture the enthusiasm of this long-standing favorite. The beachfront restaurant serves up colorful dishes like Thai-inspired black bean-encrusted fish, plus less flashy options like a club sandwich, so there's something for everyone. Nothing about Blue Water is cheap, but it works to please, with its wood-fired pizzas, top-notch service, and breezy beachfront setting. 

For a good cup of coffee and a splash of color, this little café cum art gallery in the heart of Front Street is the place to go. Owner and longtime expat artist Lee Vanderwalker sells her painted canvases and silks here. The café serves up good pancakes, huevos rancheros, bagels (rare in Belize), and a smattering of healthy lunch plates, including gluten free and vegan options. 

Build your ideal breakfast from a mix-and-match chalkboard menu at San Pedro's most classic breakfast spot, famous for its fry jacks served with honey and mango jam. A favorite among locals and visitors, Estel's gets well-earned hype for its cheap-ish eats and morning cocktail specials. Estel's even has grits! The porthole windows, decorative buoys, and sandy floors give the joint a nautical atmosphere––not the mention the sea in its front yard. Best seats are on the porch or on wooden benches with mini-thatch roofs, where you can watch pelicans and passersby. Later in the day you'll find tacos, down-home cooking, and great seafood dishes here. 

You'll recognize the circular logo from the monolithic coffee chain it references, but vibrant-tiled Marbucks is far better. Part of the intimate Daydreamin' B&B, Marbucks 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. Marbucks hosts the groovy and hugely popular Wine Down Thursdays gathering from 4:30 to 7:30, with live music and complimentary appetizers.

The air-conditioned setting feels more United States than Caribbean, but Mesa plates up delicious change-of-pace dishes like churro-spice pancakes or, for lunch, sweet potato tacos. Vegetarians will appreciate the savory bean cake Benedict, among other options. Local drip coffee does nicely in the morning.

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.