"Elvi’s Kitchen Before I went to Belize , anyone I spoke with who had already been told me that I had to have a meal at Elvi’s Kitchen. What started out as a take-out burger window in 1974 eventually became a sit-down restaurant serving lovingly prepared Caribbean dishes such as conch soup and fritters, mojo de ajo , fried green plantains, and street corn. During high season you might have to wait in line to eat dinner at the restaurant, but most of the time, there isn’t much delay. Save room for dessert. Elvi’s Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday."

"El Fogon In San Pedro, a town on Belize 's northern island of Ambergris Caye, the Mestizo traditions are strong. The Mestizo people are descendants of the Maya and the Spanish, and when those two cultures mixed, a new one was born. You'll find many Mestizo people in San Pedro, but you'll hardly find a better Mestizo restaurant than El Fogon, a spot owned by a local woman known as Miss Suzannaand run by her daughter. All of the food is cooked in a traditional outdoor oven ( fogon means "kitchen hearth"), and everything is delicious. Try the salbutes , a tacolike dish made with fried tortillas, with a texture that's somehowboth soft and crunchy, or the pig tail with split peas. And the coconut rice is to die for."

"Go to Placencia, Belize. Eat at this bistro. The Maya Beach Hotel's bistro is hands down one of the best restaurants in Belize—in fact, it's been named Belize 's restaurant of the year not once but twice. The food is a French spin on traditional Belizean fare, and the outdoor seating area is right on the beach, just steps from the Caribbean Sea. Order the coconut shrimp (served with a spicy mango sauce) and the roasted pumpkin-coconut-green chili soup to start, and lobster grilled cheese (with cheddar, brie, and brunoise) or layered veggies (roasted potatoes, onions, and plantains with a tomato vinaigrette and jalapeño-tofu aioli) for a main course."

"Go to Placencia, Belize. Eat at this bistro. The Maya Beach Hotel's bistro is hands down one of the best restaurants in Belize—in fact, it's been named Belize 's restaurant of the year not once but twice. The food is a French spin on traditional Belizean fare, and the outdoor seating area is right on the beach, just steps from the Caribbean Sea. Order the coconut shrimp (served with a spicy mango sauce) and the roasted pumpkin-coconut-green chili soup to start, and lobster grilled cheese (with cheddar, brie, and brunoise) or layered veggies (roasted potatoes, onions, and plantains with a tomato vinaigrette and jalapeño-tofu aioli) for a main course."

"Bird's Isle, a staple on the Belize City local dining and socializing scene, is just five minutes south of the noisy downtown along a waterfront, with an open dining room that enjoysbreezy views of the dock and the birds hovering nearby. The kitchen servesBelizean Creole dishes and seafood as wellas burgers. A lively crowd of locals flocks here for the daily lunch specials—especially Tuesday's beef soup—and in the evenings, you can expect a crowd for happy-hour deals anda fun atmosphere. Thursday is karaoke night."

"Belizeans have been known to drive to Belize City for the sole purpose of eatingSumathi’s Indian food. Not only is the authentic Indian cuisineworth a trip, the long-running restaurant's lunch buffet is also one of the best deals in Belize City. The menu includes everythingfrom curries, kormas, biryani, masalas, and dosas to mango lassis. It’s also a solid bet for vegans. Sumathi is set off the beaten path on a residential street and hasa spacious interior as well as anoutdoor veranda."

"Belizean cuisine includes a healthy dose of Middle Eastern influence, thanks to the small but established Lebanese community in Belize . If you're on the hunt for authentic shawarmas, kebabs, hummus, and gyros, the tastiest and most affordable versions you'll find are at Sahara Grill. The restaurant,across from the Best Western Biltmore, might not look like much from the outside, but that quickly becomes a distant concernonce you dig into one of the flavorful platters."

"Placencia’s best sit-down local restaurant is located smack in the heart of the village. Wendy's isa favorite with locals for itshearty breakfast—fried eggs with refried beans and tortillas—before work or beforeheading out on a sun-and-sea excursion. The restaurant is also a solid choice for lunch and dinner, and is reasonably priced for the wide variety of dishes it offers, like quesadillas, sandwiches, burgers, pastas, beans and rice, and seafood. The walls are covered with local art, andthe spacious veranda offers views of the comings and goings along the village’s main road. Wendy’s rarely closes and seldom disappoints, in food or in service."

"Just as taking in some ofthe iconic sights—Mayan temples and rivers—is a must for visitors to Orange Walk, so is stopping for a meal at Nahil Mayab. The restaurant, the nameof which translates to "House of the Maya," isowned by a respected Orange Walk family. The garden restaurant serves a variety of typical Mestizo and Caribbean-inspired dishes in an inside dining room or outside on the patio under an umbrella. Sample the popular tacos arracheras (skirt steak), the pork salpicón (a chopped hash that's an Orange Walk specialty), fried fish, quesadillas, or a variety of burgers, salads, steaks, and pasta. The atmosphere is casual and lively, particularly on the weekends, when many Orange Walkeños gather here to catch up."

"One of the most convivial Garifuna dining spots in Hopkins is run by theentrepreneurial Tina,born and raised in the village. Sample local dishes, such as thebreakfast fry jacks, and Tina'sGarifuna hudut— snapper simmered in a seasoned coconut stew, with a side of mashed plantain. You’ll also find a variety of surprising daily specials, includingcurries andlobster cooked several ways, and smallbites like quesadillas. Locals come in and out all day. There are Fridayevening Garifuna drumming sessions in the open-air thatched restaurant."

"One of Belize’s top chefs runsthis beachfront restaurant at his resort, Parrot Cove Lodge, in Hopkins Village. In addition toits lovely alfresco atmosphere, you’ll enjoy a fine-dining experience that’s hard to find in Belize . Chef Rob’s four-course menu is made with locally sourced products of the day, and the menu is updated depending on what he found that day. Multicultural dishes, inspiredby Maya, Garifuna, and Asian cuisines, include Thai-style pork, and shrimp and coconut soup. Reserve ahead with your preferred date, as tables tend to fill up quickly."

"One of Caye Caulker’s best beach bars is also its friendliest. Set right onthe Split—a narrow channel dividing the island’s north and south portions—Caye Caulker’s most social cornerinvites tourists and locals to gather for a swim off an extended dock, or to enjoya cocktailand music. Lazy Lizard’s recently upgraded look includes a variety of umbrella-covered wooden picnic tables, seating under palapas , and a new beach extension with steps leading into the shallow sea areas for easy entry. On the menu, you'll find typical bar bites: burgers, fish tacos, and full meals like alobster plate. Thebar holdsoccasional full-moon parties, live music, family-fun days, and beach volleyball tournaments."

"Barefoot Bar is a place that's known for just that: bare feet. Located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Barefoot is a Placencia staple where locals and visitors mingle, drink, and eat great Belizean food. Thebar is known for the lobster grilled cheese—a huge grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with catch-of-the-day lobster. Buy two: one to eat now, and another to bring home for later. Barefoot also makes perfectly crispy salbutes , which are a great tacolike light lunch to go with your $3 drink special."

"No visit to Ambergris Caye is complete without an afternoon at the Palapa Bar. Situated at the end of a dock surrounded by turquoise waters and cool breezes, Palapa Barattracts a mix of locals, travelers, and some of the coolest bartenders on the island. On a warm day, eschew the barstools and opt instead to floatin inner tubesbesidethe dock; you can even have cold buckets of Belize ’s Belikin beers lowered down to you. In addition to beer and standard cocktails, funcreations like Scotty’s Palapa Punch (three different types of rum, triple sec, mango, pineapple, and a squeeze of lime) offer some island-inspired refreshment. Upinthe palapa , recommended items fromthe menu include sausage dip, pulled pork sandwiches, andthe immense half-pound burger.Palapa Bar is 1.5 miles north of town and easily reached by golf cart, taxi, bicycle, or water taxi, which drops you right off at the dock."

"Visit Espada’s Yard and Meet Chef Calvin There’s a stretch of sand between the Placencia Boardwalk (the narrowest, smallest main street in the world), and the ocean where a white house and a stand of seagrape trees are almost all that would alert you to the presence of an informal café run by Chef Calvin Young. Twinkling lights fill the trees after dark and during the day, hammocks welcome visitors who want to stay awhile, though tables and chairs are available for those who don’t have leisure on their mind. Cal, as he’s known around town, sources or catches his own meat and seafood every day to grill right in front of patrons and passersby. The menu changes, but the availability of his sweet and sticky Thai donuts does not. He works with a local guide who can even take customers out in kayaks to catch their own fish, followed, of course, by a grill treatment, served under the shade of the seagrape trees. Espada’s Yard feels like you’re stepping into Cal’s outdoor living room. Days and hours vary, but Cal does have a Facebook page where he posts updates. www.facebook.com/ChefYoungLalloo"

"Spend the Afternoon at Rojo Beach Bar The long trek miles north is definitely worth it for a day at Rojo Beach Bar. This swanky yet casual beach bar is easily one of my favorite spots in Belize and I’m obviously not alone. Rojo has received a lot of international acclaim and was recently named one of the top ten beach bars in the world by Huffington Post. Rojo's imaginative drink menu and tantalizing cuisine are a departure from your average beach bar. Then again, Rojo is definitely not your average beach bar. Be sure to try a Rojo Poison, made with Chinese chilies, fresh ginger, a trio of rums, local ginger wine, fresh juice, and perhaps a few other secret ingredients. Do not leave without ordering the lobster pizza —when in season. The dumplings and spicy noodles satiate my craving for quality Asian food in Belize, and don’t forget to save a little room for Rojo’s homemade desserts. From ‘entertainment’ provided by the bartenders Finn and Dani to some of the best drinks and eats I’ve had on my travels, it’s worth allotting an entire afternoon at Rojo Beach Bar. Getting there can be an adventure in itself however. It’s possible to go by golf cart, but after extensive rains, the dirt road may be nearly impassable. It’s easiest to take Coastal Express water taxi for the fastest and least stressful trip. Rojo is closed Sunday and Monday. Open Tues - Sat noon to 10pm. +501-226-4012."

"Blue Water Grill is an open-air restaurant right on the beach in a quieter end of San Pedro. Simple and rustic in its decor, with wood walls and colorful paintings, it’s a space that allows the food to be the star of the show. Breakfast features good, predictable Belizean favorites such as fry jacks and scrambled eggs with beans, but dinner is the real attraction. The crispy fried pork dumplings with hoisinpeanut sauce, served over an arugula, hearts of palm, and daikon radishsalad, was my favorite dish, though the Mongolian-style ribs, the bacon-wrapped filet mignon, the key lime pie, and the crème brûlée were also delectable."

"Eat Lunch at Caladium Just across from the bus station in Belmopan, on Market Square, is the welcoming Caladium Restaurant. Serving locals and visitors since 1984, it was the first dining room in town to offer take-out service. The main room is adjacent to a gift shop where traditional Belizean art and crafts are for sale. The menu favors local dishes such as chicken with rice and beans but international options like sweet and sour pork are also available. Fresh-squeezed juices from watermelon, tamarind and papaya are available, as are imported beers and soda. I was glad I saved room for the flan, which was perfectly balanced with a caramel sauce tinged with just a hint of liquor. Breakfast is served in the morning beginning at 7 a.m. and lunch is available from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday."

"Affordable Belizean Breakfast at Le Petit Café This tiny breakfast spot is tucked next to the Great House Inn, across the street from the Radisson Hotel. Inside, you'll find all manner of Belizean breakfast staples, both sweet and savory, for next-to-nothing prices (a whole loaf of delicious banana bread will run you approximately $2). Try the fry jacks, which look (and taste) like fried clouds. Guests of the Great House Inn are treated with complimentary breakfasts from this spot."

"Eat Dinner at Rolson’s Hotel in San Ignacio Rolson’s Hotel and Restaurant is high on a hill, overlooking the town of San Ignacio, not too far from the ruins of Cahal Pech. The restaurant’s tables are mostly outdoors, and the view provides a wonderful backdrop to meals that showcase the best of Belizean and Mexican cuisine. My favorite was a chicken burrito drowning in cheese and salsa. I also thoroughly enjoyed the horchata, fresh-squeezed lemonade and michelada. At happy hour, Monday through Friday between 5 and 7 p.m., the michelada is a welcome refresher. Wireless Internet is available, making Rolson’s a great place to get some work done while enjoying wonderful food served with a smile. The longer you linger, the merrier the atmosphere becomes, as locals seem to favor enjoying a late dinner on Rolson’s breezy patio. Dinner is served from 6 to 10 p.m."

"Eat at the Smokey Mermaid On the ground floor of the Great House Inn, the Smokey Mermaid welcomes locals and visitors, with a menu that features international cuisine and fresh seafood in a garden setting. I recommend visiting for dinner when the atmosphere is romantic and tinged with the kind of mystery one only finds in the tropics. Dining under the trees, I ordered jerk chicken, which was spicy and succulent, accompanied by steamed vegetables and excellent mashed potatoes. Hours may vary."