37 Best Restaurants in Ambergris Caye and San Pedro, The Cayes and Atolls

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$25 per person (offered at 10:30 am on weekdays; just call ahead to schedule). Expect U.S. chocolatier prices here.

Here's a place unlike any other on the island: from the homemade bundiga (green banana dumplings) to drumming presentations on cedar and mahogany drums, Black and White gives you a special window into the rich culture and foodways of Belize's Garifuna people. The menu spotlights Garifuna cuisine like hudut (snapper in coconut broth with pounded plantains), tikini (brown flour soup with fish and vegetables) and the staple dish, cassava bread. The owner Julia Martinez (known to everyone in town as Ms. Julia) is a true cultural ambassador for the Garifuna; speak with her and you can learn about Garifuna heritage in all its vitality. Since Garifuna (also called Garinagu) populations are concentrated in Seine Beight, Hopkins, Punta Gorda, and Dangriga—all on the mainland––this is a unique resource on the island. Try to make it to one of Black and White's entertainment nights, which celebrates Garifuna culture with live drumming, traditional dancing, and a decadent buffet. 

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.

Croc's owner, Belizean Ivan Luna, knows what he's doing: after years of industry experience, he has made this three-story palapa a lovable hangout for locals, ex-pats, Belizean vacationers from the mainland, and travelers. The service and menu are both impressive, with reasonably priced rum drinks, ceviche, and other island fare. Catching the sunset here is a no-brainer, but you can also come by later for the nightlife scene. Crocs indeed live in the lagoon, but don't drop them nachos: feeding crocodiles is illegal and dangerous for the apex predators. Watch them from afar.

This beloved parlor is your place for creamy custards and cooling sorbets—all homemade and so dense that they resist quick melting. Custard is made with egg yolks; it's touted as a "healthier" alternative to ice cream, which we're willing to believe for the sake of dessert. For island flavors, looks for mango sorbet or soursop frozen custard. 

Named for the open wood-fire cooking hearth ("faya haat" in Kriol), El Fogon serves authentic down-home Belizean cooking like chaya tamales, Creole stews, and gibnut (a small game rodent and delicacy). El Fogon feels like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's actually one of the most renowned spots on the island. Think island-casual but with the quality dialed up (you sit at picnic tables, but the picnic tables have cloth runners). Dishes are prepared in cast-iron pots in a traditional fogón. Next to it, a mountain of fresh veggies, about to be chopped, is part of the decor. Though it's in town, it's a little hard to find: ask any local where it is.

Here is an island institution. In the old days, in 1974, Elvi Staines sold burgers from the window of her house, soon adding a few tables on the sand under a tree; today, the floors are still sand and the tree remains (lifeless now and cut back to fit inside the roof), but the dining experience has been upgraded. Enter through massive mahogany doors and you'll be tended to by a large and gracious staff. The Maya pulled pork and other sandwiches are big hits at lunch. For dinner Elvi's features upmarket dishes such as shrimp flambeéd in tequila or grilled pork with sorrel barbecue sauce. Don't pass on the coconut pie for dessert. The Maya Feast every Friday should be on your weekend list. It's a bit touristy, but we always enjoy Elvi's.

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. 

Even if you're not overnighting at Victoria House, you can still enjoy its sumptuous setting over elegant dishes at Palmilla. While Palmilla is known for dinner, we recommend the more affordable breakfast and lunch, when you can enjoy the gorgeous patio in daylight. Meditative sea views and the resident iguanas set the scene at these hours. The chef does an especially fine job with seafood, notably the grilled lobster. Palmilla offers free transportation to guests within a 2-mile radius.

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. 

This red-hot beachfront bistro, both stylish and whimsical, is the treasure you didn't know you were looking for. Take your street-food tapas to the splash pool, lounge on sultry daybeds, or catch a game of Belikin pong. Famous for fascinating, boozy concoctions, there's also a range of imaginative plates, like snapper ramen and lobster pizza. Run by American Vivian Yu, Rojo isn't to be missed. Don't leave Ambergris without ordering the blended mango-jalapeño margarita, served with rings of pepper. Bring snorkel gear to see the resident nurse shark.

Tucked away from the main strip, Sunset Palace is a welcome alternative to the spring break vibes and #saltlife scene of other Secret Beach bars. Sure, it can be a party spot occasionally, but this beach is so spacious that you can read on a daybed while revelers play beer pong 100 feet away. Sunset Palace has friendly service and surprisingly good food for the touristy area, even though it's your standard nachos, ceviche, and seafood fare. Make sure to ask for a rum drink with fresh-squeezed juices. Note that the term "beach club" gets thrown around a lot on the cayes: Sunset Palace just a casual establishment (no admission fee). 

Glowing with lamplight, Hidden Treasure brings to mind a treasure chest cracked open, and indeed it's a gem. Tucked away on a residential back street, this open-air restaurant offers sophisticated dishes with local flavors. Try the signature barbecue ribs, which are seasoned with traditional Garifuna spices and glazed with pineapple sauce. Owner Ruben Muñoz, who was born in Belize City, opened Hidden Treasure in 2008; since then it's become one of the most renowned spots on the island. A  gorgeous lounge upstairs---floored with bamboo, mahogany, and cabbage bark wood---hosts special events. Hidden Treasure offers a complimentary shuttle service to guests staying in or south of San Pedro Town. 

On the lagoon side, the hip-to-the-max Truck Stop pulses as the social hub of North Ambergris. Five shipping containers with different owners dish up "Nuevo Latino" food, New Haven-style pizza, trendy ice cream, a host of drinks, and other goodies. Out back, a deck sits over the lagoon (the "Warning: Crocodiles" signs are not just decorative) where folks gather in the pool for sunset. There's something for everyone: play corn hole with your kids, sunbathe with a few Belikins, or bring your big group of friends for dinner. At first blush it looks touristy, but San Pedranos love this spot, too. The Truck Stop knows entertainment: there is a film shown by the lagoon every Wednesday, trivia and adult spelling bees, and live music on the regular.

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. 

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.

Want to step a little off the tourist trail? Head over to Aurora's––she's one of the first to plant her flag at Secret Beach, and one of the few Belizean owners currently there. Aurora dishes up fresh seafood in a small outdoor bar on the water. It's nothing flashy, but it sure is tasty. 

Black Orchid is named for the delicate national flower of Belize, but the gorgeous food here ranges from Belizean to global fusion. Vibrant dishes include ginger pork egg rolls and teriyaki chicken cooked over a lava rock broiler. This island-elegant dining room has thatch accents, a fountain tiered like a Maya temple, and starched tablecloths. Swing by for a popular happy hour starting at 3 pm, but make a reservation if you plan to stay for dinner. 

Blue Bayou is sure to please: set slightly apart from the Secret Beach hubbub, it has partially underwater picnic tables and friendly servers who wade into the lagoon to take your meal order. Blue Bayou is a slightly less touristy hangout in this area (emphasis on slightly). The turquoise water is Blue Bayou's main attraction, as there isn't much of a beach. The quesadillas and nachos are mediocre, but the hot-from-the-grill shrimp and fish dishes do the trick after an hour of swimming. Live music is a hit on weekends, but music is pumping pretty much always. Careful not to lose a straw in the water---this is inside the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. 

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. 

It's nothing glamorous, but the food at Caliente—Mexican with a Caribbean and Belizean spin—hits all the right notes. The ginger-rum shrimp is brightly flavored, the waterfront patio is airy, and the attitude is unpretentious. Check out the indoor mural celebrating the reef's diversity. This San Pedrano--run restaurant frequently has live music.

The outdoor ice coolers of fresh lobster, mussels, and fish might lure you into Caramba; once inside, you'll quickly sense the frenetic energy of this noisy and often packed joint. No sea views, and there's nothing fancy on the broad menu here—just basics like grilled snapper, fried shrimp, pork chops, and Mexican fajitas, all in American portions—but everything is well prepared, prices are moderate, and the service is snappy and enthusiastic. Belizean owner Rene Reyes worked his way up from fruit-seller to successful restaurateur.

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. 

Escargot and foie gras in Belize? Why, yes––the famous "Pat the Frenchman" has created a culinary experience so impressive you'll write home about San Pedro's sizzling food scene. Chef-owner Patrick Parmentier does marvels with butter, olive oil, spices, and all other good things in his succulent dishes. In the backyard, Le Jardin––a beautiful garden furnished with handmade tables under wooden pergolas––is ideal for a predinner cocktail. With so much imported, including the culinary style, this isn't your spot for local flavor; but it's fun for a change of pace. The food is out of this world, and so are the prices. Frenchy's is small; reservations are encouraged. 

There's nothing glossy about Manelly's, aside from your ice cream melting in the cone, and that's what makes this spot charming. Have a cheap coconut ice cream or sugarcorn paleta (popsicle). The supersweet ice cream isn't quite delicate, but it's handmade on-site with some local ingredients.

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.

Moon Bar has made a splash as an atmospheric beach bar and "flame-fired" pizza joint on a secluded stretch of beach. This is a spot to come and play for hours: recline on daybeds, drink your "grammable" craft cocktail in the pool, or borrow paddleboards and kayaks (free for customers). The tasty, customizable pizzas are made with excellent homemade dough. At night, cool-color purple and blue lighting gives Moon Bar a sultry lunar feel. Note that this hip hangout is 18-plus.