Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
W
villaboscardi.com.
A definite cut above the average
Belize accommodation. Set in a quiet residential
neighbourhood, this deluxe B&B with a lush garden
features uniquely decorated, sparkling-clean rooms with
private bath, a/c and TV. Wake up to a hearty complimentary
breakfast, with fresh fruits and homebrewed coffee.
Gracious owner Françoise c
an help
plan tour itineraries and
activities for every budget.
US$80
EATING
Belize City offers a wide variety of cuisine, from excellent seafood to the humble but tasty
Creole
fare of rice and beans,
which still predominates in the lower to mid range establishments. Like elsewhere in the country, you'll find a
preponderance of Chinese restaurants, which are wildly popular with Belizeans, particularly as cheap takeaway. For a
change of pace, dine out at one of the
Lebanese
and
Indian
restaurants, which offer wonderfully authentic cuisine from
the home country. Amazingly - and refreshingly - no major US-based fast food chains have yet to make major inroads into
Belize (that's right - no McDonald's or Starbucks). Popular instead are streetside stands that sell hot, filling meat pies for
less than a Belizean buck and makeshift outdoor barbecues, usually on Saturdays, in and around the town centre, where
you can eat finger-licking chicken (Bz$7-10) along with side dishes of tortillas, rice and beans, potato salad and the like.
Note that most of the established hotels have their own quality restaurants. Also, keep in mind that Belize City is generally
an early-to-bed town. Most restaurants stop serving dinner by 9pm, if not earlier.
Admiral's Bay
5865 Seashore Drive, Buttonwood Bay,
around the corner from
Villa Boscardi
T
624 1471.
If
you're staying in the Buttonwood Bay area, just north of
Belize City, stop by this small waterfront restaurant for
home-cooked Belizean favourites, including conch
ceviche
and stewed chicken, as well as Mexican-style dishes, like
nachos heaped with beef, chicken and cheese. Mains Bz$15-
25.
Mon-Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs-Sat 9am-10pm.
Bird's Isle Restaurant
90 Albert St
T
207 2179.
Relax
under a thatched roof by the sea and enjoy nicely priced
Belizean food (Bz$15-25), like grilled conch, stewed
chicken, plantains and, on Saturday, a boil-up - a one-pot
stew of root vegetables and chicken or beef. It's a friendly,
community-oriented place, with kids encouraged to use
the adjoining basketball court. There's karaoke on Thursday.
Hours vary, but generally Mon-Sat 11am-2.30pm &
5-10pm.
Celebrity Restaurant
Marine Parade, behind the
Central Bank
T
223 7272,
W
celebritybelize.com.
To p -
notch international cuisine (Bz$25-40) - thick T-bone
steaks, grilled snapper, shrimp kebabs,
köfte
meatballs,
chicken fajitas - at this bright, airy, plush restaurant. You
can catch glimpses of the Caribbean Sea out of the window.
Good take-out Belizean lunches (Bz$13) too.
Daily
11am-11pm.
Chon Saan Palace
1 Kelly St (by Cinderella Plaza)
T
223 3008.
Indisputably Belize City's best Chinese - and
beloved by locals - in a smart and massive dining room.
Live-seafood tanks and a huge and varied menu (Bz$20-
30), from good vegetarian dishes to sweet and sour chicken
and lobster in black bean sauce, plus dim sum.
Mon-Sat
11am-3pm & 5-11.30pm, Sun 5-11pm.
Ma Ma Chen
7 Eve St
T
223 4568.
This no-frills but
comfortable family Chinese restaurant has one of the most
extensive vegetarian menus in town, including tasty spring
rolls stuffed with carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and tofu.
Mains Bz$13-25.
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.
Marlin's Restaurant and Bar
11 Regent St W
T
227
6995.
Tasty, large portions of inexpensive Belizean and
Mexican-influenced dishes -
escabeche
, stewed chicken,
grilled catch of the day - served indoors or on the veranda
overlooking the creek. Filling breakfasts.
Hours vary, but
generally Mon-Sat 7am-9pm
★
Nerie's Restaurant
12 Douglas Jones St
T
223
4028.
“Where dining is with friends and family” is the apt
motto at this inviting restaurant, which serves excellent
Belizean cuisine in a clean, well-run and brightly lit dining
room. This is the place to get adventurous - start off with
stewed cowfoot soup, made with okra and cocoa, and then
try the gibnut (also called “paca” - a flavourful, meaty
nocturnal rodent) with rice and beans. Also tasty are the
beefy fajitas, grilled seafood and bread pudding for
dessert. Mains Bz$11-23.
Nerie's
II
at Queen St and Daly St
(daily 7.30am-10pm) has a similarly good menu and
prices.
Mon-Sat 7am-5.30pm.
Pepper's Pizza
4 St Thomas St
T
223 5000.
You
probably didn't come to Central America for pizza, but
when you're in the mood for a slice, this long-established
pizzeria delivers (literally - it does takeaway). Try the
cheese pizza with peppers - red and green. Bz$15-30.
Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri & Sat 10am-11pm, Sun
10am-9pm.
Le Petit Café
In the
Radisson, Cork St
T
223 3333.
Enjoy good coffee and fresh, warm-from-the-oven baked
treats, including croissants and the best banana bread in
town, in a pleasant café atmosphere with outdoor tables.
Daily 6am-8pm.
Riverside Tavern
2 Mapp St
T
223 5640.
A gleaming,
four-sided bar, with bottles lining backlit shelves, stands in
the centre of this high-end tavern on the riverbank. Fill up
on pan-seared grouper, seafood
ceviche
and excellent juicy
burgers at wooden tables or on the breezy outdoor deck.
Mains Bz$20-35. This is also a great place to kick off the
night (see opposite).
Daily 11am-10pm.
