Belize Food and Traditional Cuisines to Try on Your Belize Tour
Belizean cuisine is extremely varied, and it combines Caribbean, Mexican, Spanish, and Mayan cuisines. The basis of Belizean cuisine is provided by rice and beans cooked with coconut milk and bathed with gravy from stewed meat. The Belizean cuisine is based on some precise ingredients such as beans, rice, tomatoes, chilies, and exotic fruits. The tomatoes are essential for the salsas and the dips. Chilies are utilized both dried and fresh, and they are found in a wide range: chipotle, habanero, mulato, cascabel, or serrano. The exotic fruits are used for garnishes, sauces, or desserts and include coconuts, papayas, pineapples, or bananas. Belize's food culture is shaped by generations of influence from both indigenous and colonial roots, making it one of the most flavorful in Central America. If you're seeking to explore authentic Belizean food, you'll find that every meal tells a story.
Jordan's fish tacos! (Jenny Johnston)
Belize Food Across Regions
Belize cuisine varies from north to south. In the north region Belizean cuisine is very similar to Mexican cuisine and it has borrowed various ingredients from their northern neighbors. In the southern region the dishes are more similar to Spanish cuisine which offered their delightful ingredients like nuts, diverse spices, cocoa and seeds. The best sauce for the seafood is the Belizean hot sauce, which is also added to chicken or pork. Belizean cuisine offers a large variety of seafood such as lobster, shrimp served with a variety of breads such as coconut bread, cassava bread or carrot coconut bread. Numerous dishes are served with rice and beans.
From spicy stews in the north to coconut-based dishes in the south, the cuisine of Belize reflects the country’s rich biodiversity and multicultural heritage. Belize food is not just about nourishment—it's about celebrating tradition and flavor.
Bean burrito on homemade tortilla (Jenny Johnston)
Ambergris Caye – From Street Eats to Fine Dining
Street food: fry jacks, meat pies, panades
Seafood highlights: ceviche, conch fritters, whole fish
Local chefs reviving traditional Maya recipes
Amazing baked lobster for our last dinner at Turneffe! (Julia Kocubinski)
Laid-Back Island Eats
Lobster season specialties & BBQ
Budget-friendly Belizean meals
Famous Lobsterfest food celebration
Belize City – National Dishes and Urban Flavors
Rice & beans with stewed chicken (national dish)
Seaweed shakes and Belizean rum
Gibnut, chimole, and escabeche
Cayo/San Ignacio – Market Fresh and Creative Cuisine
San Ignacio Market: tamales, tropical fruits
Local cooking classes & innovative Belizean restaurants
Unique drinks like the sweet corn colada
Orange Walk – Street Tacos and Salpicon
Famous rolled tacos (“tacos al pastor” Belize-style)
Beef or pork salpicon (Belize’s version of ceviche)
Dangriga & Hopkins – Garifuna Culinary Heritage
Hudut (fish stew with coconut milk & plantains)
Cassava bread and bundiga
Strong cultural food traditions preserved
Placencia – Seafood Meets International Flavors
From local seafood grills to upscale dining
Blend of expat and Belizean cuisine influences
Toledo District – Chocolate Capital of Belize
Belizean cacao and the Chocolate Festival
Maya homestays with corn and bean-based meals
East Indian influences (tacari, cohune cabbage)
Chicken, pork, or lobster grilled with Caribbean flavors.
Belize Street Food – Flavors on the Go
Belizean street food is flavorful, affordable, and a fun way to experience local Belize food culture. Whether you're strolling through a village or passing a roadside stall, here are common street eats you'll find:
Breakfast Staples
Fry Jacks – fluffy, fried dough served with beans, cheese, or eggs
Johnny Cakes – dense bread rolls often stuffed with ham or cheese
Meat Pies – handheld savory pies, usually chicken or beef, sold in bakeries and by street vendors
Classic Snacks & Quick Bites
Panades – fried corn turnovers filled with fish or beans
Garnaches – crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, and cabbage
Salbutes – puffy tortillas with shredded chicken, avocado, and salsa
Dukunu – Belizean-style tamales made with corn and coconut milk
Street Food with Global Influences
Pupusas – Salvadoran specialty, thick corn tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, or pork
Hot Dogs & BBQ – popular late-night eats in towns and cities
Chinese Takeaway Shops – surprisingly common, serving fried chicken, chow mein, and rice dishes
Sampling street food is a great way to try Belizean food on the go and connect with local flavors.
What Makes Belizean Cuisine Unique?
Attention to detail is important in the Belize cuisine. Using the right amount of spices is essential, either for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The visual attractiveness of the dish is also important, with an emphasis placed on a balance between colors and proportion. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of Belize’s regions. Meat is one of the main elements of most Belize dishes, and cured and smoked hams are often part of delicious dishes. Whether you're enjoying tamales wrapped in plantain leaves or a steaming bowl of cow-foot soup, Belizean food embraces bold flavors and time-honored cooking methods. Traditional Belize cuisine often includes slow-cooked meats, handmade tortillas, and fresh local produce.
Interested in trying authentic Belize cuisine during your trip? From local street food to seafood by the sea, we’ll help you experience the very best of Belizean food. Plan your culinary adventure with our Trip Planners—your gateway to unforgettable flavors and immersive food experiences in Belize.
