Belizean Food Adventure In Hopkins

The small coastal village of Hopkins in eastern Belize is a cultural hub for the country's Garifuna population. With the Caribbean Sea and white sand beaches on its shore, it's a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture and sample traditional dishes.

Hopkins boasts a variety of restaurants, from mom-and-pop eateries to gourmet dining. For traditional Belizean cuisine, try Innies Restaurant, where you can sample the popular Garifuna dish of Hudut—a combination of mashed plantains and fish in coconut stew. Another great spot for authentic Garifuna food is Tina's Kitchen, a family-run restaurant serving delicious and inexpensive local dishes.

If you're looking for a fine-dining experience, Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe is the place to go. Chef Rob is considered one of the top chefs in Belize, and his ever-changing menu features fresh, market-driven ingredients. For a unique dining experience, visit Love on the Rocks, where you can cook your meal on a hot stone slab at your table, reviving an ancient Maya tradition.

For seafood lovers, Maxim's is a popular choice, offering ceviche, conch, lobster, octopus, and spicy fish at affordable prices. Luba Laruga is another excellent seafood spot, serving fresh fish curry right on the beach.

Hopkins also has plenty of options for casual bites, including Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack, known for its delicious pizzas and beachfront location, and Barracuda Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy grilled snapper, smoked chicken, and handmade pizzas.

Whether you're seeking traditional Garifuna dishes, gourmet fare, or casual beachfront bites, Hopkins, Belize, has something to offer every appetite.

Garifuna Food

Hopkins, a small coastal village in eastern Belize, is considered the cultural centre of the country's Garifuna population. The Garifuna people trace their ancestry to the West African and indigenous Caribbean people, the Arawak. The distinct Garifuna cuisine features a primary diet of cassava, coconut milk and oil, fish, plantains, bananas, and other ground foods.

Hudut

Hudut is a traditional Garifuna dish made with mashed plantains and fish in a coconut milk stew infused with local spices. It is served with a side of mashed green and seasoned ripe plantains with coconut. You can try Hudut at Innies Restaurant in Hopkins, which is locally owned and serves authentic Garifuna food.

Bundiga

Bundiga is a fish soup made with fresh seasonal fish, coconut milk, green bananas, and okra. It is sometimes served with cassava bread or coconut white rice.

Conch Soup

Conch soup is a traditional coastal dish in Belize, made with a base of coconut milk, plantains, and seasonings. You can find conch soup at Singanga Restaurant at Hamanasi Resort in Hopkins.

Darasa

Darasa is a traditional Garifuna snack similar to Spanish tamales. It is made by grating slightly green bananas and mixing them with coconut milk, citrus juices, and seasonings. The mixture is then wrapped in a banana leaf and boiled in water until solid.

Tapou

Tapou is a fish-based creamy soup with various ingredients such as cassava root, green and ripe plantain, citrus seasonings, ginger, basil, and other spices.

Cassava Pudding

This traditional dessert has a sweet and rubbery texture and includes grated cassava, coconut, evaporated milk, ginger, nutmeg, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs baked together.

Seafood

Maxim's Bar and Grill

Maxim's is touted as one of the best seafood restaurants in Hopkins in terms of price and quality. Here, you can savour a variety of seafood delights, including ceviche, conch, lobster, octopus, and spicy fish. The restaurant offers an excellent deal, allowing a group of diners to sample a bit of everything at a reasonable price. They also serve a fish burger for lunch.

Luba Laruga Restaurant

Luba Laruga is another popular choice for seafood enthusiasts. The restaurant offers a beachfront dining experience, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish dishes, such as the recommended fish curry, right on the beach. The friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere make it a must-visit destination.

Barracuda Bar and Grill at Beaches and Dreams

This beachside bistro, located within the Beaches and Dreams Seafront Inn, is renowned for its delicious seafood offerings. Their menu features fresh grilled snapper, as well as smoked chicken and ribs. You can savour their dishes while enjoying the sea breeze on their covered, open-air deck.

Singanga Restaurant at Hamanasi Resort

For a romantic dinner with a touch of fine dining, Singanga Restaurant offers a delightful fusion of Belizean, Caribbean, and International cuisine. The restaurant is helmed by Eliza Carr, the 2018 Taste of Belize Master Chef, ensuring a culinary treat. Their menu features fresh seafood options, including gourmet dishes with free-range chicken, steak, and pork. The romantic setting, complete with candlelit tables, enhances the dining experience.

Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe

Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe is the place to go for an unexpected fine dining experience. Chef Rob showcases his culinary prowess by crafting a daily changing menu that highlights the freshest produce. The restaurant offers a four-course dining experience, featuring Maya, Garifuna, and Asian cuisine. You can expect to find a variety of seafood options, including lobster, conch, shrimp, and ceviche.

Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack

While Driftwood is known for its pizzas, they also offer a range of seafood options. Located on the beach, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a casual meal with your toes in the sand. Their menu includes the catch of the day and various pasta dishes, accompanied by Garifuna drumming under the thatched roof shack.

Pizza

If you're looking for pizza in Hopkins, Belize, there are a few options to consider.

Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack is located on the north end of the village on the beach. They serve up delicious pizzas, as well as burgers, wings, and daily specials. It's a great spot to enjoy a slice while taking in the beautiful beachfront setting. The restaurant has a casual and friendly atmosphere, and it's a popular spot among both locals and tourists.

For a more upscale pizza experience, Sea Bar offers wood-fired pizzas in an elegant open-air setting right on the Caribbean Sea. They also have an extensive drink menu and beers on ice, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal.

If you're looking for a quick bite, Barracuda Bar and Grill at Beaches and Dreams Seafront Inn offers handmade pizzas, along with other dishes like fresh grilled snapper and burgers. It's a beachside bistro with a casual, seafront atmosphere and an extensive brunch menu.

With these options, you're sure to satisfy your pizza cravings while exploring the beautiful village of Hopkins, Belize.

Local Dishes

Hopkins, Belize, is a cultural hub, especially for the Garifuna population of Belize. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the Caribbean and Central America, with seafood being a prominent feature on most menus. Here are some of the local dishes you can try when visiting Hopkins:

Hudut: This classic Garifuna dish is a must-try when in Hopkins. It is a delicious combination of mashed plantains and fish cooked in a coconut milk broth, often served with fried snapper. You can find this dish at various restaurants, including Innies Restaurant, the Coconut Husk, and Singanga Restaurant at Hamanasi Resort.

Ceviche: A seafood lover's delight, ceviche is a popular choice in Hopkins. Maxim's, a well-known seafood restaurant in the area, offers a variety of ceviche options, along with conch, lobster, octopus, and spicy fish dishes.

Fry Jacks: A popular breakfast item in Belize, fry jacks are deep-fried dough pieces that can be served sweet or savoury. You can find them at Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe, Innies Restaurant, and Tina's Kitchen.

Gourmet Fusion: For a fine dining experience, Singanga Restaurant at Hamanasi Resort offers a delightful fusion of Belizean, Caribbean, and International cuisine. Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe also provides an unexpected fine dining experience with a changing menu that showcases Maya, Garifuna, and Asian cuisine.

Local Drinks: To accompany your meal, try an ice-cold Belikin beer, the perfect pairing for a seafood feast. For something non-alcoholic, M&L's Juice & Snack Bar offers a variety of fresh juices and smoothies.

Street Food: For a quick bite, you can try the local street food, such as meat pies from Amped or savoury snacks from M&L's Juice & Snack Bar.

International Food

Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe is another great option for international food. Located in the Parrot Cove Lodge, Chef Rob is considered one of the top chefs in the country, and the restaurant is regarded as one of the best in Belize. The menu changes daily, based on the availability of market-fresh produce, and features lobster, conch, shrimp, ceviche, steak and pork dishes. You can have your meal prepared in the kitchen or cooked directly at your table on a 700F hot rock, a cooking tradition started by the ancient Maya in Belize.

For pizza and pasta with a beach view, head to the Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack. This beachfront bar and restaurant also serves up burgers, wings, and daily specials.

Barracuda Bar and Grill at Beaches and Dreams is another spot to enjoy fine dining with a casual, seafront atmosphere. They offer the most extensive brunch menu in Belize, as well as an extensive drink menu and selections of fine seafood, steaks, and pasta for dinner.

Last but not least, Love on the Rocks, also located in the Parrot Cove Lodge, is a fun and unique restaurant where all the dishes feature locally grown and sourced ingredients which you cook on a hot stone slab at your table.

Frequently asked questions