Call me greedy, but the moment I touch down in a new country, I have to try the food! To me, it’s one of the best ways to experience and connect with the culture. Belizean cuisine is a mixture of Central American and Caribbean flavors and spices. If you’re visiting Belize, here are 10 delicious foods you must try at least once during your trip!
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This is the second post in the Belize travel series. Here’s the complete 10-part series:
Belize Travel Series
For The Culture: 9 Ways to Experience Garifuna Culture
Food: 10 Delicious Foods To Try in Belize
Travel Guide: The Complete Ambergris Caye Guide: What To Do, See & Eat
Packing Tips: The Complete Packing List for Ambergris Caye
Travel Tips: 12 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Ambergris Caye
Inspiration: 21 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Belize
Snorkeling Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Ambergris Caye Bucket List: 17 Best Things To Do in Ambergris Caye
Belize City: How to Spend 48 Hours in Belize, City: 7 Best Things To Do
San Pedro: 9 Ridiculously Cheap or Free Things To Do in San Pedro
The Best Belizean Foods You Must Try
1. Rice and Beans
This popular national dish is served with lunch and dinner. Your choice of meat or fish, fried plantains, and potato salad usually accompany the rice and beans. Belizeans typically use coconut milk for cooking the rice, making the flavors pop in your mouth.
Kidney beans or black beans are prepared with cumin, garlic, onions, fresh herbs, pepper, and sometimes a salted pigtail for additional flavor. Once the beans form a rich, thick gravy, it’s ready to be served! If you’re staying in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, head to El Fagon for an authentic yet affordable meal that won’t disappoint!
Ceviche
If you like ceviche or have never tried it but love seafood, you’re not going to want to miss out on sampling this flavorful snack. Belizean ceviche is chopped up fresh raw conch, lobster, lionfish, or shrimp tossed in lime juice and pico de gallo, cilantro, and served with tortilla chips.
My first bite was like a dance party in my mouth. The savory flavors of the pico de gallo, cilantro, and lime juice complemented the fresh seafood. I barely remember offering to share because the ceviche was THAT good! If you’re in San Pedro and spending the day at Secret beach, head over to Pirates at Secret Beach for the best ceviche on the island!
Conch Fritters
This Belizean staple usually served as an appetizer, will leave you wanting more. I’ve had conch fritters in other Caribbean islands, but the ones in Belize were my favorite! The fritters are made with fresh chunks of conch, onions, sweet peppers, garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of habanero pepper and then lightly fried to perfection.
To top off this delectable snack, sweet chili sauce or chipotle mayo dipping sauce comes with the dish. El Fagon and Elvis’s Kitchen in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, are great places for trying homemade Belizean Conch Fritters.
Hudut
This popular Garifuna dish can be found everywhere in Southern Belize. Hudut, also called Sere, is mashed plantains or yams with creamy coconut fish stew. It’s simply delicious; between the creaminess of the coconut milk in the fish stew to the savory mashed plantains, this dish embodies the essence of Africa and the Caribbean. Here’s the recipe you can try before visiting to put your culinary skills to the test!
Fry Jacks
Fry Jacks is basically fried dough typically served with refried beans, sausage, bacon, and eggs. This is another popular Belizean staple usually eaten for breakfast. Some Belizeans like to drizzle honey on top for a sweeter breakfast option. To sample some of the best Fry Jacks in San Pedro, head to Estel’s Dine by the Sea for an authentic Belizean breakfast.
Johnny Cakes
Belizeans are known for making some of the freshest and most delicious breads I’ve ever tried! Think Belizean baguettes. Johnny Cakes is made with flour, coconut milk, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Johnny Cakes is usually eaten with refried beans, cheese, or stew chicken. During your stay in San Pedro, you can’t miss trying Johnny Cakes at Ruby’s Cafe.
Pupusa
I don’t generally care for pupusas because of the texture, but the ones from Pupuseria Salvadoreno in San Pedro are so flavorful! During your visit, be sure to try the bean and cheese pupusa! These babies were brought to Belize by El Salvadoran refugees and have become another Belizean staple.
Pibil Tacos
This mouth-watering dish is especially popular throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Pibil is a slow-roasted pork shoulder cooked over a fire pit. The pork shoulder is marinated with sour oranges, recado (achiote paste), and other spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and baked in a hand-dug barbeque pit in the ground for several hours. It’s pulled, shredded, and topped with fresh herbs. You can try Pibil tacos at La Fonda Tacos or El Fagon in San Pedro.
Meat Pies
Meat pies are made with onions, peppers, meat, and spices inside a warm crust. This popular food is usually served for breakfast. You must go to Dario’s Meat Pies in Belize City for the best meat pies.
Belikin Beer & Stout
Aside from the food in Belize, I love trying the local beer! Belikin is the number 1 beer brand in the country and is brewed by the Belize Brewing Company. This lager is light and easy to drink. It’s the perfect beer to enjoy on a hot Belizean day!
Bonus: If you have a sweet tooth, here are a few desserts you must try!
- Coconut Tart
- Lemon Pie
- Tres Leches Cake
- Belizean Fudge
- Sweet Potato Pudding
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
There you have it. Belize is a melting pot of African, Caribbean, and Central American flavors and spices. While this isn’t a definitive list of all the yummy foods Belize has to offer, it’s a start! I highly recommend introducing your tastebuds to new cuisines and expanding your pallet during your visit!
What was your favorite dish you ate in Belize?
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