The San Pedro Lobster Fest returned in 2022 and it was bigger and better, with a new venue! The festival celebrating the opening season of this delicious crustacean involves a block party usually held at Central Park on the beach side. However, this time it was done at the well-known field called Saca Chispas in a more spacious and more contained environment. Besides all the fun, there is a food and drink competition, in which the top lobster-themed dishes and drinks are served and evaluated by a panel of judges. These dishes are not available to the public, however, if you are curious and want to try them, these are the different restaurants where you can find the winning dishes and drinks of this year’s lobster fest.
Lobster Fest 2022. Images via Belize Tourism Board.
San Pedro Lobster Fest 2022
The food competition included 13 different submissions during the Block Party held on July 9th. According to the judges, including myself, the more than a dozen samples were simply outstanding. Indeed, a lot of hard work and creativity went into each dish; competition was tough, but ultimately, the three top dishes and three top drinks came out on top. So if you love lobster, here are the places to try the 2022 winning dishes of the San Pedro Lobster Fest!
1st Place: Lobster Hudut by Black and White Garifuna Restaurant
Lobster Hudut! This dish was declared the champion of the 2022 Lobster Fest Food & Drink competition. From its name, you can know that it is a cultural recipe, and you can find it at no other than at the Black and White Garifuna Restaurant and Cultural Center. They are located off Seagrape Drive south of San Pedro Town. You can’t miss it and it is easy to find; after driving past the southern gas station, you will notice colorful signage on the righthand side of the road guiding you to the restaurant.
The winning dish: lobster hudut. Image by Ambergris Today
The hudut features lobster cooked in fresh coconut milk seasoned with herbs and spices. Then, it’s served with pounded plantain mounds and traditional cassava bread with a side of white rice. Take it from me, a judge for this competition: it is D-E-licious! Find it seasonally at Black and White Restaurant.
2nd Place: Lobster Tamalito by Blue Water Grill
Ever tried lobster with a Belizean tamalito? Image by Ambergris Today
This is a delicious, sweet corn tamalito topped with tempura lobster and dressed with garlic butter, then served alongside a seaweed salad. You can find this deliciousness, which won second place in the 2022 Lobster Fest Food & Drinks competition, at Blue Water Grill. This popular restaurant is in front of the beach on the property of SunBreeze Hotel near downtown. Up to try it? Be sure to call ahead for to make sure you catch this special! Blue Water Grill is also available on WhatsApp at 613-0994.
3rd place: Lobster Tostada by The Truck Stop
Third place in 2022 went to a lobster tostada. Image by Ambergris Today
This mouth-watering lobster-themed small bite can be found at the Truck Stop Restaurant north of San Pedro. To be exact, this container ship food park is one mile north from the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in the Boca del Rio area. The Lobster Tostada is a corn tortilla, chilled poached lobster tail, spiced black bean puree, house secret habanero sauce, and a serving of tropical salad.
The drinks!
1st Place: Cherry Mojito
Image via Dion Vansen.
This is a new touch to your traditional mojito. It is a blast of freshness on your palate with all the other flavors you enjoy in this tropical drink. This new drink was introduced by Estel’s Dine by the Sea located on the beachfront downtown. The restaurant is currently stocking on the special ingredients to have this drink available, so perhaps by your next trip to the island, the Cherry Mojito will readily be available at Estel’s.
2nd Place: Sahou
Sahou. Image by Dion Vansen
This drink known within the Garifuna culture can be found at the Black and White Garifuna Restaurant and Cultural Center south of San Pedro Town. This is the same place where you can also find the Lobster Hudut, the winning dish of the 2022 Lobsterfest food competition. Sahou is a cassava drink, usually served as a thick warm drink.
3rd Place: The Scorpion Reef
Introducing 3rd place: this drink has a special sting to it with that tropical flavor hard to resist. You can enjoy the Scorpion Reef the next time you visit the Truck Stop Restaurant north of San Pedro. This traditional tiki cocktail is made with Blanco Mezcal, Jamaican dark rum, orgeat, fresh lime, chocolate bitters, and fresh pineapple juice. According to its mixer, it’s floated with angostura bitters, burnt cinnamon, and hibiscus.
Whether you get to taste all or just some of these dishes or drinks, you won’t be disappointed. Bon appétit, and cheers!
Header image of the winning lobster hudut served at the 1st Belize International Music & Food Festival. Image via Belize Tourism Board.
