Placencia Belize: Food Paradise

Placencia, Belize, is a foodie paradise, offering a wide range of dining experiences, from luxurious lobster dinners to authentic traditional Caribbean cuisine. Here is a list of some of the best restaurants in Placencia:

- Maya Beach Hotel Bistro: Located eight miles north of the village, this small 4-star resort is a favourite spot for many. The restaurant puts together a creative menu with incredible specials, and as of 2019, you can use the pool if you eat at the restaurant.

- The Secret Garden: Tucked away off the street in a hidden corner, this restaurant offers excellent food and service in a beautiful outdoor oasis setting.

- Rumfish y Vino: A renowned eatery in Placencia, known for its fusion creations using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. It has gained popularity among locals and tourists and is frequented by celebrities, including Reese Witherspoon.

- The Shak Beach Cafe: A small beachside restaurant near the municipal pier, offering a diverse menu and refreshing Mexican-style margaritas. It's a great spot for lunch while enjoying the sun, sea, and sand.

- Cha Chi's Pizza: A central village spot with open-air dining, offering a range of pizza options and decent wine.

- Carmen's Kitchen: A collection of small restaurants and food stands near the gas station and ferry dock in the village. They offer delicious, affordable Belizean breakfast treats, including stuffed fry jacks—fried dough filled with cheese and various fillings.

- Omar's Creole Grub: A family-owned restaurant serving fresh Belizean seafood specialties like coconut curry conch and traditional creole crab.

- Tutti Frutti Gelateria: An authentic Italian gelato shop, offering a diverse selection of flavours that are constantly changing.

- The Barefoot Beach Bar: A beachfront restaurant in downtown Placencia, offering Caribbean and international cuisine. It has a lively atmosphere, great music, and refreshing drinks.

- Wendy's Creole Restaurant & Bar: A local spot serving delectable hot fry jacks, which go perfectly with fried beans and stewed chicken or fried fish. They also offer a variety of shakes.

- The Galley Restaurant & Bar: A small local eatery located behind the Placencia Village Sports Field, offering traditional Belizean home-cooked meals, specialising in fresh seafood dishes, and homemade hot sauces.

- Muna Rooftop Restaurant & Bar: An exclusive dining spot atop Placencia Peninsula, offering breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, the lagoon, and the distant Maya Mountains.

Maya Beach Hotel and Bistro

Location

Accommodations

The hotel offers a range of accommodations, from inexpensive, beach-standard rooms to larger, more contemporary suites and villas. All rooms have WiFi, air conditioning, and beach/ocean views.

Activities

Dining

The on-site restaurant, Maya Beach Bistro, has been awarded "Restaurant of the Year" twice by the Belize Tourism Board. It offers beachfront, outdoor dining with a focus on unique sauces and contemporary, tropical-themed flavour combinations. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including grilled lobster tail, shrimp French toast, and seafood chowder. The bar serves wine, local beer, rum drinks, and house specials.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm. Reservations are recommended, and takeout is also available.

Rumfish y Vino

Overview

Food and Drink

The menu features small plates, classic comfort foods with a Belizean twist, and international fusion dishes. Seafood is a speciality, with dishes such as conch fritters, conch stew, fish tacos, and shrimp croquettes. Other options include Thai shrimp cakes, red snapper stuffed with shrimp, and gourmet mac n' cheese. The restaurant caters to a range of dietary requirements, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.

Reviews

Reviews on Tripadvisor describe the food as "amazing", "excellent", and "creative", with "great cocktails". The service is also highly rated, with one review stating that the staff were "extraordinary".

Practical Information

The Secret Garden

The restaurant has received rave reviews from online critics, who hail it as one of the best dining experiences in the area. It is considered by some to be the best restaurant inside Placencia Village, with excellent food and service.

Barefoot Beach Bar

The bar has a large food and drinks menu, with daily specials and happy hour every day from 5 pm to 6 pm. The food is mainly Caribbean and Central American, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. You can enjoy everything from burgers and tacos to seafood and salads. The lobster grilled cheese sandwich is a must-try, and the plantain chips come highly recommended, too.

The bar also has live music and a vibrant party atmosphere, with different themes and music styles on different nights. It's a great place to socialise and mingle with travellers from all over the world.

So, if you're looking for a fun, laid-back spot to enjoy delicious food and drinks with your toes in the sand, Barefoot Beach Bar is the place to be!

De Tatch Restaurant

The restaurant serves a variety of Belizean dishes, specialising in seafood. Some of the popular dishes include conch fritters, fry jacks, breakfast burritos, coconut rice, mashed potatoes, fruit platters, fish and chips, and salads. They also have burgers and vegetarian options.

De Tatch is a great spot for families, with a friendly and patient staff. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are good. It is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike, offering a mix of local and international cuisine.

The restaurant has received mostly positive reviews, with some patrons praising the food, atmosphere, and service. However, there are also a few negative reviews mentioning slow service and mediocre food. Overall, De Tatch is a great choice for a relaxing meal on the beach in Placencia, offering a true taste of Belize.

Frequently asked questions