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Traditional Bay Island cuisine centers on the obvious ingredient: seafood. The undisturbed reefs and endless waters provide the islands with a bounty of fish such as grouper, wahoo, snapper, and yellowtail, all cooked up in a variety of options. Fried chicken is equally as popular for lunch and dinner. The crispy dish is served along with Honduran staples like rice and beans, plus fried plantain chips. Mainland cuisine such as baleadas (tortillas with beans and cheese) is typically served at beachfront stands or in local dives, although they're not nearly as ubiquitous as on the coast. The Garífuna culture is strongest in Roatán, where residents munch on pan de coco (coconut bread) and dine on sopa marinera (seafood soup) and machuca (a uniquely Garífuna conch stew).
The most fascinating part of the islands' gastronomy, however, is the eclectic offering of international fare. As more foreign expats grow to call the Bay Islands home, more restaurants offering European, Asian, and Latin American delights are popping up. In Guanaja, there are velvety German sausages and roasted pork at a two-story bar-restaurant. Utila boasts eateries serving authentic Italian dinners, American-style brunches, spicy Indian curries, zesty Caribbean barbeque, and cheesy Mexican treats. In Roatán, there's incredible Thai food, Argentine steak joints, brick-oven pizzerias, sushi fusion, and Memphis-inspired smokehouses. The wide variety of cuisines here is a tasty alternative to the ubiquitous seafood or heavier Honduran dishes of the mainland. Most international dishes will set you back around L300 to L450. For the most part, the Bay Islands proudly boast about their lack of American chain restaurants and wealth of local eateries.
Travelers opting to stay in dive hotels (as in "diving") or all-inclusive resorts will have most meals provided as part of the package. In-house meals and buffets tend to serve underwhelming beef, chicken, fish, and pasta dishes, but with the generous portions you'll never be hungry.
You'll hear locals still calling this place Tong's Thai, and while former owner Tong left the island long ago, thankfully the cooks stayed on. Spicy noodle dishes are served on the beachfront gazebo, and at night, the candlelit dock makes for a romantic dinner on the water. Honduran twists are added to traditional favorites by adding lobster to pad thai or squid to vegetable curry dishes.
Grilled meats served fresh off the parilla (charcoal grill) are this steak house's specialty. Juicy fillets of beef tenderloin accompany local fare like wahoo steaks and lobster tail. Italian pasta and vegetarian dishes are also available. In the evenings in good weather, there is an option to dine barefoot on the beach with large lanterns lighting your table. The service is friendly but slow.
Set in the intimate garden of a very posh, very private beach club, the eatery serves up high-end surf and turf fare. Grilled lobster, shrimp, and grouper are listed alongside vodka-infused baby back ribs and buttery rotisserie chicken—San Simon's specialty. Sun beds and beach cabanas can be rented for half or full days. The club also has free Wi-Fi and private showers for guests.
Famous for its king crabs, Gio's is something of an institution on Roatán. Served with lemon butter, the seafood comes in heaping portions. There's a slew of other satisfying seafood specialties, as well as great steaks. Sit in the air-conditioned dining room or on the terrace overlooking the Caribbean.
The most centrally located supermarket on the island, H.B. Warren has a lunch counter where you can sample some delicious fried chicken. It's also a great place for a quick breakfast. Colectivo taxis and public buses depart from the store.
As you would expect from a restaurant with this name, Hole in the Wall is a local favorite—so much so that the community helped rebuild it after a 2005 fire burned the place to the ground. Come here for the lobster, shrimp, and sirloin steaks; it's a quick boat ride from Oak Ridge, and any water taxi will know exactly where to take you. If you call ahead, they'll send a boat for you.
Run by German expats, this waterfront eatery is wildly popular with both locals and visitors. Billiards, darts, a breezy terrace and picnic table seating give a casual vibe to this island hangout, which livens up in the evening with the occasional German jam session. The menu constantly evolves and often includes homemade spätzle, roasted pork, and chicken schnitzel. The bar has a big selection of German beers and imported wines. Come out on a Saturday night, and you just might meet the entire island.
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