One of the most popular attractions of visiting Belize is the opportunity to sample the delicious range of food available from restaurants, cafes, and roadside stalls. With a rich cultural heritage, Belizean cuisine features the very best of Caribbean, British, Asian, and Mexican flavors to achieve delicious flavors suitable for every palate.
While some international visitors prefer the comforts of familiar food, below are some of the local treats you should definitely try when in Belize:
Breakfast
Fry jacks – Delicious slabs of fried flour dough, eaten along with other foods for breakfast
Stuffed jacks – Fry jack dough stuffed with fillings of eggs, cheese, tomato, bell peppers, onions or breakfast meat (bacon, sausage or ham)
Johnny cakes – Something akin to an American biscuit, this is a type of bread popular with locals.
Meat pie – A tasty pastry crust filled with a savory meat blend.
Lunch
Rice and Beans – Sometimes also with chicken, this is the staple meal of most people in Belize.
Bollos – The local version of tamales, corn husks filled with a savory filling.
Dukunu – Similar to corn bread, these are thick chunks of corn bread ideal for mixing with stewed chicken.
Seafood – Fresh-caught by local fishermen, seafood in Belize includes conch, lobster, and a dozen different kinds of fish.
Dinner
Cowfood soup – The name tells you everything except how delicious it is!
Escabeche – A classic Mexican soup made with savory roasted onions.
Hudut – A Garifuna staple, fish cooked in coconut broth.
The Wild Side
If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of these:
Bamboo chicken – Otherwise known as giant iguana, the roasted meat tastes like… well, chicken!
Royal Rat – The gibnut, a large rodent, is a popular delicacy in Belize. It earned the name “the royal rat” after it was served up with pride to Queen Elizabeth of Britain during a state visit.
Bokotora – The meat of this river turtle has a strong but savory taste.
Desserts
Tres Leches Cake – The Mexican classic made with three kinds of creamy dairy.
Sweet Potato Pudding – Similar to the Thanksgiving classic all Americans are familiar with.
Lemon Pie – Using fresh, organic lemons grown locally, this is one can’t-miss dessert to try when in Belize.
Drinks
Seaweed shakes – Made from real seaweed harvested by local fishermen.
Cashew wine – A heady drink made from locally-grown cashew nuts.
Fresh juices – Belize has a potpourri of delicious tropical fruits such as mangoes, papayas, pineapples, melons, star fruits, oranges and bananas which are used to make fresh tropical juices and served as refreshments.
Belikin Beer — The Belize Brewing Company’s Belikin beer is the national beer of Belize (The name “Belikin” comes from the Maya language and means “Road to the East”). It comes in several varieties, including Belikin Lager, Belikin Premium, and Belikin Stout.
The Quarterdeck Restaurant
One of the finest restaurants in the country is the Quarterdeck at the Laru Beya Resort on the Placencia Peninsula. The Quarterdeck serves up three mouthwatering courses of local and international favorites per day as well as a wide selection of cocktails, beers, and spirits. Dishes are also available for individuals with special dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free.
