7 Best Restaurants in The Cayo District, Belize

This little open-air restaurant near Xunantunich has won many fans who come for hearty Mayan, mestizo, and Creole dishes at rock-bottom prices. You'll find mostly locals here, many from San Ignacio, Benque Viejo, and other parts of Cayo District. Most items on the menu are BZ$12 or less, including chilimole (chicken with mole sauce), cow-foot soup, Belizean escabeche (marinated fish or meat), and stew pork with rice, beans, and plantains. You can make a meal of the mestizo appetizers including salbutes (puffed fried tortilla with meat), tostadas, and empanadas, most under BZ$2 each. The classic Mayan pibil (pork cooked in an underground oven) is sometimes on the menu. The banana and mango licuados (milk shakes) are delicious, and you can also enjoy the official national drinks of Belize, Belikin and Fanta.

There's something for everyone and this specialty coffee shop—if you need a nice cup of coffee, you can get it here, but also fruit smoothies, flavorful teas, sweet drinks like salted-caramel cold brew, and unexpected snacks like ancho chile soup or kimchi grilled cheese. Boba lovers rejoice! You can get your popping bubble fix here.

The vegetarian breakfast and lunch menu has yummy fare like waffles, veggie dumplings, and vegetarian sandwiches. If you're looking for a sweet treat look no further. Stop in for nutty caramel cheesecake, donuts, or homemade ice cream. A full line of hot and cold drinks includes coffee, tea, smoothies, and milkshakes. Bring your own to-go cup for 50¢ off.

One of the best things about Belize is the amazing mix of cultures that brings out the best food from each, and Everest is no exception. Large portions and varieties of curries, chai tea, garlic naan, thali, mango lassi, and more are on the menu. Indian food lovers and newbies to this cuisine, vegans, and meat-eaters will delight in the authentic and tasty dishes. 

Hodes is often the busiest place in town, with its large shaded patio next to a citrus grove, swings, slides, and ice-cream bar (it's much bigger than it looks from the outside). The fried chicken with french fries is some of the best in the Cayo. Prices are very reasonable, and there's a full bar.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a faster, tastier, cheaper Belizean meal than at this hole in the wall. Grab and go breakfast burritos will fill you up before a tour and the watermelon or lime juice will keep you hydrated. Seating is very limited so take your feast down the street for a picnic in the park.

The most popular place for breakfast in San Ignacio is here at Pop's, where it's served all day from 6:30 am to 3 pm. You can get an American full breakfast here, but you can also try a Belizean breakfast such as a cheese and chaya omelet, Belizean bacon, refried beans, and fry jacks.