10 Unique Restaurants and Bars in Belize

From traditional recipes reimagined by creative chefs to cooking classes allowing intrepid travelers to connect with the country’s indigenous roots, Belize is a hidden gem in the world of foodie havens. And when it comes to unique restaurants and bars, Belize is also boasting quite a few that are sure to impress. We’ve rounded up ten of the country’s most remarkable spots for enjoying dinner or grabbing a drink, whether it’s for their imaginative offerings, creative ambiance, Instagram-able moments, or all of the above. 

1. Treehouse Bar & Restaurant 

Location: Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge (Chial Road, San Ignacio Belize)

Highlight: Breakfast in the treetops 

Dine above the treetops in the jungles of western Belize. At Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge’s Treehouse Bar & Restaurant, canopy views come complimentary with your meal. For breakfast, keep your eyes peeled for aracari toucans and chachalacas that come to snack on fruits left by the resort. 

Scan the treetops for iguanas during the day. Meanwhile, at night, you might just encounter a friendly kinkajou scurrying past. As a bonus, vintage string lights combine with the refreshing air of the jungle to create a romantic and truly unique setting at this Cayo, Belize restaurant. 

2. Big Dock Ceviche Bar 

Location: Jaguar Reef (Hopkins Village)

Highlight: Drinks over the water and stellar sunset views 

Head south to the beaches of Hopkins, Belize for over-the-water drinks at a dreamy resort. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef is serving up beachfront chic, and its onsite Big Dock Bar is the perfect spot for sunset watching (and strong drinks). 

The iconic two-story bar boasts over-water net beds, swings, and cozy seating fit for a day of relaxation. For the extra adventurous, plunge into the sea from the second story or the rope swing on the first floor. Later, when you’re feeling peckish, order up a serving of ceviche, complete with freshly made cassava chips, and watch as the setting sun paints the Hopkins sky a fiery orange.  

3. Inky’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill 

Location: Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas (Mile 17.5 Placencia Road)

Highlight: Pre-dinner Mini-Golf 

Work up an appetite before dinner with a few rounds of golf at Sirenian Bay Resort in Placencia, Belize. Inky’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill is unique in more ways than one. After a game of 18-hole miniature golf, enjoy dining inside the open-air thatch roof restaurant and watching as the lights come on to illuminate the nearby course. 

Dining options are diverse at Sirenian Bay, especially since there are two more locales to choose from in addition to Inky’s. Top your day of golf off with a sunset view and a martini at the three60 Martini Bar, or make a reservation for dinner on the beach at The Beach Grill.

4. Blue Water Grill

Location: Sunbreeze Hotel (Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro Town)

Highlight: Sushi Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Tourists and locals alike have been flocking to Sunbreeze Hotel’s Blue Water Grill for years now and with good reason. More than just the iconic and quite Instagrammable “I Heart Belize” sign, this hallmark restaurant in San Pedro Town is well-known for its sushi nights. Enjoy freshly made sushi rolls (some of the best on the island) accompanied by quintessential beach and ocean views. Couple your meal with soothing sounds, courtesy of weekly live music. 

5. Biblio Bar 

Location: Itz’ana Resort (Mile 20, Placencia Road) 

Highlight:  Reading and relaxing in luxury; cocktail master classes

A bar fit for the bibliophile, Itz’ana’s Biblio Bar boasts bookshelves and leather chairs that beckon any guest to come in and get lost in momentary bliss. Composed of three rooms, including one hidden away behind a secret doorway, this quiet sanctuary also has an extensive cocktail menu that’s sure to delight even the most selective drinker.

Special events like the Rolled and Burnt Experiences and Mr.Dapper Sessions make this already unique Belize bar an even greater standout.

Similar: 8 Picturesque Bars & Cafés, Perfect for Instagram, Across Belize

6. Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar

Location: Tipsy Strip, Placencia Village

Highlight: Rooting for your favorite team

Found on the eponymous Tipsy Strip, Placencia’s most popular sports bar stands out against a gorgeous beach backdrop. Colorful tables and chairs dot the white sand, and the iconic Tipsy Tuna sign beckons to anyone craving good music, great food, and amazing drinks. Inside, the same bright colors bid welcome. Tipsy Tuna is also one of the few places on the Peninsula where guests can get Belikin’s Two5 Craft beer on draft.  

7. Mare Restaurant 

Location: Turtle Inn 

Highlight: Group dining with Rijsttafel

Turtle Inn’s flagship restaurant, Mare, offers a weekly dining experience that’s as unique as it is delicious. Rijsttafel, or “rice table” as it translates from Dutch, is an elaborate and many-faceted Indonesian meal. It consists of an assortment of small plates to be communally shared and sampled. 

It’s not something one would expect to encounter in Belize, but the Coppola Family Hideaways is almost synonymous with unique resort experiences, including their restaurants. Rijsttafel is served on Monday and Thursday evenings.

8. The Truck Stop 

Location: Ambergris Caye (1 Mile North of San Pedro Town)

Highlights: Belize’s first-ever shipping container food park 

Not one restaurant but several inside repurposed shipping containers, the Truck Stop is unique dining and a unique experience combined. This food truck park boasts food selections that range from Latin American to Malaysian. The Truck Stop also has fun recreational activities like corn hole, table tennis, weekly trivia and movie nights, and even swimming in their bayside pool.

9. Blue Bayou 

Location: Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye 

Highlights: Dining and drinking in the water 

Ambergris Caye’s Secret Beach isn’t so secret anymore, but that doesn’t make it any less of a must-visit attraction. At Blue Bayou, get to enjoy the sun and the sea uniquely. In-the-water tables (and service) make it easy to relax and unwind while indulging in your favorite Belizean foods and imbibing your favorite local drinks. Spend your day admiring the waist-deep, turquoise blue waters of Ambergris Caye that have been getting some international recognition. 

10. Bahay Fiesta 

Location: Hopkins Village 

Highlights: Filipino food in Belize

Ever thought you could enjoy Filipino cuisine while in Belize? A surprising find in the small Garifuna village of Hopkins, Bahay Fiesta is located right near the resort zone. Those that have dined here sing praises about the pork belly – and the amazing customer service. Patrons can also put in a special request for an entire roasted pig for special events. A hidden gem, this unique Belize restaurant has great food for reasonable prices. 

Featured Photo: Treehouse Restaurant & Bar at Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge. Photo courtesy of Muy’Ono Resorts. All other photos are courtesy of their respective properties unless captioned otherwise.