What To Eat In Belize in 2025: The History, Flavors and Sustainability of Belizean Cuisine

Wondering what to eat in Belize to get to know all the traditional Belizean flavors? You’re in the right place. We’ll take you through all the foods and drinks you should aim to try in Belize, and the best places to try them on Abmergris Caye.

Nestled between Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine is just as diverse as its people. Influenced by the indigenous Mayan, Afro-Caribbean, and Garifuna populations, as well as Spanish and British colonial influences, Belizean food offers a unique and delicious blend of flavors.

From the coastlines to the jungles, Belize’s culinary offerings are a reflection of the country’s rich history and cultural diversity. Check out the official Travel Belize tourism board site for more info and our Travel Resources page for all your trip planning needs. Meanwhile, here’s our take – reporting fresh from San Pedro aka La Isla Bonita which inspired Madonna’s classic!

Belize: Coming In Hot And Sustainable

With both the Six Senses and the Four Seasons resorts opening their private island locations off the coast of Belize in 2025, and publications such as Conde Nast Traveller telling us Why Belize Should Be On Every Culinary Enthusiast’s Radar, Belize is making an entrance to the global culinary tourism scene. You heard it here first!

Moreover, with the recent implementation of the groundbreaking Fish Right, Eat Right sustainable fisheries program (read more below), you can indulge in Belizean gastronomic seafood delights responsibly and mindfully.

In a country where 3,000 breadwinners (out of the entire population of 300k) depend on fishing, Belize is undoubtedly becoming a leader in sustainability and resource protection. Every step towards not becoming the next Tulum counts…

The Influences Behind Belizean Cuisine

Belize’s cuisine has evolved over centuries, incorporating various culinary traditions:

Mayan Influence:

The Mayan civilization, which flourished in Belize thousands of years ago, had a profound impact on the country’s food culture. Staples like corn, beans, and squash remain essential ingredients in many Belizean dishes. The Mayans also introduced the art of chocolate making, which still plays a key role in modern Belizean cuisine.

Afro-Caribbean & Garifuna Influence:

The Garifuna people, descendants of Afro-indigenous ancestors, have greatly influenced the coastal areas of Belize. The use of fish, coconut, plantains, and cassava are staples in their cooking, contributing to the creation of unique dishes like hudut (a coconut-based fish stew) and cassava bread.

Spanish & British Influence:

As a former British colony, Belize inherited many aspects of British and Spanish cuisine, such as the use of meats like beef and chicken, as well as rice and beans. The Spanish introduced rice, which is now a staple, and the British contributed to the use of dairy and baked goods.

Caribbean and Creole Influence:

The Caribbean impact is most evident in the use of spices and seafood, with jerk seasonings, seafood stews, and the use of hot peppers adding heat and depth to Belizean dishes.

What to Eat in Belize: Traditional Foods to Try

Belizean cuisine is as varied as its influences, with dishes that range from savory to sweet, spicy to refreshing. Here are some must-try foods when visiting Belize:

1. Ceviche

A refreshing dish that’s perfect for Belize’s warm climate, ceviche consists of fresh fish (often conch or snapper) marinated in lime juice, mixed with chopped onions, cilantro, bell peppers, and hot peppers. It’s a light and zesty appetizer or snack.

2. Fry Jacks

A Belizean breakfast favorite, fry jacks are fried dough pockets that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. These are often served with refried beans, eggs, or jam, and can be enjoyed with savory or sweet toppings. They’re a perfect way to start the day in Belize!

You might also like: Exploring Belize’s National Dish: The Fry Jack

3. Empanadas

Belizean empanadas are small, savory turnovers typically filled with seasoned ground beef or chicken, and occasionally cheese. They are deep-fried until golden and crispy, and make for a great snack or appetizer.

4. Garnaches

These tasty fried tortillas are topped with refried beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, and hot sauce. Garnaches are a typical street food and are perfect for satisfying your hunger while exploring the local culture.

5. Salbutes

A popular dish often served during celebrations, salbutes are small, thick corn tortillas fried until they puff up. Top them with shredded chicken or pork, lettuce, tomatoes, and a dash of hot sauce. Or simply cheese and beans for a veggie option. The combination of crispy and fresh ingredients makes them an irresistible Belizean treat.

6. Rice and Beans

Rice and beans are a staple in Belizean cuisine. The dish is made by cooking rice with red beans in coconut milk, and it’s often served alongside stewed chicken, beef, or pork. The rich coconut flavor makes this simple dish truly special.

7. Lobster Burrito

Belize is home to some of the best lobster in the Caribbean. The Lobster Burrito is a delightful blend of fresh, seasoned lobster wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, often accompanied by salsa, avocado, and a side of beans. It’s a must-try for seafood lovers.

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8. Johnny Cakes

These small, biscuit-like breads are a staple side dish, often served with eggs, beans, or stews. Johnny cakes are slightly sweet and crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. For a simple breakfast on the go, locals enjoy them with sliced cheese and/or ham.

9. Pirishpak Mayan Eggs

A traditional Mayan dish, pirishpak consists of eggs cooked with tomatoes, herbs, and spices. It often comes with flour tortillas or a plate of fry jacks, and the deep, savory flavors make it a beloved breakfast dish. Pro tip: find a place which serves fry jacks stuffed with Mayan eggs. In San Pedro we recommend Estel’s Dine by The Sea.

10. Rolled Tacos

A delicious snack or appetizer, rolled tacos are somwhere traditional Mexican taquitos and tacos – but rolled. They are usually filled with seasoned meat or beans. Often served with a side of hot sauce, they’re a favorite street food. Interestingly, we noticed that they are a popular breakfast food in Belize. You can enjoy them at any time of day though.

11. Belikin Beer

No visit to Belize is complete without trying Belikin, the country’s flagship beer. This smooth, crisp lager is a perfect way to cool off after a hot day of exploring. Belikin also produces a stout and a premium lager, both of which are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

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12. Belizean Chocolate & Cacao

Chocolate holds a special place in Belizean cuisine, thanks to the country’s rich history of cacao cultivation. Local chocolate is often made from organic cacao beans, and it’s a far cry from mass-produced chocolate—dark, rich, and full of flavor. Try it in a hot drink, as a dessert, or in various chocolate-based snacks.

13. Tiburon Rum

Belize produces some excellent rum, and Tiburon is a standout. Made with locally sourced sugar cane, Tiburon rum has a smooth, rich flavor. It’s perfect for sipping on its own or mixing in a tropical cocktail.

14. Creole Shrimp

Creole shrimp dishes are another iconic coastal favorite. Shrimp is cooked in a flavorful blend of garlic, onion, tomatoes, and spicy seasonings, often served with rice, fried plantains or on top of fry jacks.

15. Pupusas

While originally from El Salvador, pupusas have become a popular food in Belize, particularly in the southern part of the country. These thick, stuffed corn tortillas are filled with a variety of ingredients like cheese, beans, and pork, then fried to perfection. On the islands, look out for freshly made seafood pupusas with fillings such as shrimp, conch and even lobster.

16. Belizean Burritos

Belizean burritos are smaller than their Mexican counterparts. They are made with much thicker, almost naan-like tortillas. Belizeans love them with a combination of rice, beans, chicken or beef, and a spicy sauce. Most popular though are breakfast burritos with various combos of eggs, cheese, beans or sausage. They’re hearty and filling, making them an ideal meal for those on the go.

17. Hudut

A traditional Garifuna dish, hudut is a flavorful fish (often snapper or grouper) and coconut milk stew, served with mashed plantains. The dish is comforting and has deep, rich flavors, making it a must-try in Belize’s coastal regions.

18. Dukunu

A traditional Mayan dish, dukunu is a sweet corn tamale. Ingredients include corn, coconut milk, sugar, and spices. Wrapped in corn husks and steamed, this dish has a slight sweetness that makes it a popular snack or dessert.

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19. Boil Up

This hearty dish is a Belizean comfort food made with boiled yams, plantains, potatoes, and cassava, often served with chicken, fish, or pork. The vegetables are typically boiled together in a flavorful broth and then topped with meat or gravy.

20. Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce

No Belizean meal is complete without a few drops of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce, a local favorite. Made from habanero peppers, carrots, onions, and other ingredients, this hot sauce adds a fiery kick to everything from ceviche to rice and beans.

21. Conch & Other Seafood

Given Belize’s location on the Caribbean Sea, seafood is a major part of the cuisine. Conch, a type of mollusk, is especially popular. Locals enjoy it in a variety of ways—fried, in ceviche, conch fritters or in a stew, among others. Other seafood like lobster, shrimp, and fish are equally delicious, often prepared with coconut milk or grilled with a variety of spices.

Fish Right, Eat Right Program

Speaking of seafood, world – take note! The Fish Right, Eat Right sustainable fisheries program is unprecedented on a global scale. We say it should be studied and replicated anywhere in the world that fish is caught!

In a nutshell, Fish Right, Eat Right highlights establishments sourcing seafood responsibly; enabling consumers to make correct choices that ensure the health of our oceans. It’s a collaborative process involving all partners including the private sector. The program has been initially targeting restaurants and hotels, and plans to include cooperatives, fish markets, supermarkets and other seafood purveyors in the future.

The goal of this certification is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption. Restaurants that demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with the Fisheries Regulations receive special recognition, and responsible fishers who comply with the Regulations will have preferential access to these reliable markets.  

What it means for a regular diner like you and me, is that you can easily look up participating restaurants on their user friendly website. Once you’re at the venue, you can simply scan a QR code and find out the exact supply chain of your dinner that night! Or ask your server – the best part is that everyone involved seems to be not only pretty well educated but actually excited about the initiative!

Honorable Mentions + Ambergris Caye Restaurants

We didn’t have time to personally try it all. Other foods to look out for in Belize include: cochinita pibil, cassava pudding, sea moss drink, sahou eggnog drink, chimole, escabeche chicken soup, cassava bread, meat pies, tamales wrapped in plantain leaves (instead of corn), cow foot soup, Landshark beer, fresh juices and more!

Finally, now that you know what to eat in Belize, here are the venues we recommend for your Belizean culinary adventures on Ambergris Caye:

The Fry Jack House (fry jacks sweet and savory, breakfast and lunch only)
Elvi’s Kitchen (whatever you order try the banana bread)
Waruguma (lobster burrito)
Estel’s Dine by the Sea (stuffed breakfast fry jacks)
El Fogon (traditional wood fire oven)
Palapa Bar and Grill (ceviche served in a conch shell)
Blue Water Grill (sushi nights on select weekdays)
Norma’s Kitchen (fish empanadas)
Neri’s Tacos (best pirishpak eggs)
Briana’s Food Place (rice and beans + salbutes)
Black and White Garifuna Restaurant and Bar (Garifuna cooking)
Ruby’s Deli (breakfast burritos)
Caramba Restaurant & Bar (pick your own seafood)
Big Taste (pibil tacos)
Hungry Grouper (blackened or jerk fish)
Pupuseria Salvadoreno (island style seafood pupusas)
Belize Chocolate Company (best chocolate milkshake on Planet Earth!)
Wayo’s Beach Bar (coconut rum)
The Truck Stop (container food truck park)
Tipsy Lobster (shrimp curry)
Secret Beach Waterpark Bar & Grill (lobster burger and rum cocktails)
Robin’s Kitchen (Jamaican food)
Seasalt at Alaia (fine dining)
Lily’s Treasure Chest (breakfast on the beach)
Caliente Restaurant (sunset burritos and live music)
Green Espresso (coffee shop with light bites)
Delis for local home cooked food: Celia’s, Lily’s, La Esquinita
Blue Bayou (fresh seafood served literally in the water)

What To Eat in Belize – Final Thoughts

Belizean cuisine is a fusion of history, culture, and natural resources. Its blend of Indigenous, African, Caribbean, and European influences results in a rich culinary tradition that is both diverse and incredibly flavorful. From the fresh seafood of the Caribbean coast to the comforting stews of the interior, there’s something for every palate in Belize.

Whether you’re enjoying ceviche on the beach or savoring a hearty plate of rice and beans, each meal tells a story of Belize’s unique cultural heritage. So next time you find yourself in Belize, go ahead and indulge in these delicious dishes—you won’t be disappointed!

Have you tried Belizean cuisine? What else would you add to the list of what to eat in Belize? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!

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