5 Best Restaurants in The Southern Coast, Belize

Dawn's Grill

$$

Friendly service, local atmosphere, good food simply prepared, modest prices, ice-cold beer—what more could you want? Dawn's Grill 'n Go is in a small no-frills building behind the soccer field in Placencia Village. These folks are open only for dinner; go for the grilled or fried chicken, or the fish of the day.

Latin American Dinner $$ Family
Placencia Village, Belize
602–9302
www.dawnsgrill.com
Known For
  • yummy chicken
  • fish tacos
  • fun local vibe
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch. Often closed several wks July and Aug.

Nice Cream

$

The village’s bright, pastel, tropical beachfront ice cream shop offers 19 regular flavors dished up in cones or dishes. (This is Belize, so expect lots of banana and pineapple and coconut offerings among the choices.) Never fear, though: vanilla and chocolate are on the menu if your tastes run less adventurous. Also never fear: you’ll find a few vegan and lactose-free options to cool you off on a hot day.

Pickled Parrot Bar & Grill

$$

This popular thatch-roof restaurant and bar sits smack-dab in the heart of Placencia Village between the main road and the Sidewalk. Try the Philly cheesesteak or the burgers and fries. The owners' dogs wander the place and might ask for some acknowledgment.

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Rick's Café

$$
This little place on the Sidewalk is a nice stop for fresh ceviche and cold beer at lunch; just sit on the open-air veranda and watch the village life pass by. If you're craving greens, it also has some of Placencia's best salads. For dinner, try the pizza or pineapple shrimp quesadillas. The chef-owner, Rick, is well experienced in the hospitality business in Belize and treats his customers well.
Caribbean Lunch Dinner $$ Family
Sidewalk, Placencia Village, Belize
666–8466
Known For
  • pineapple shrimp quesadillas
  • great salad selection
  • attentive owner and staff
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.

Wendy's

$$

Long-established Wendy's—no, not that Wendy's—always delivers good, no-frills food at reasonable prices. The Belizean breakfast of fry jack (the local version of beignets without the sugar), bacon, eggs, and refried beans is nearly perfect. The grilled fish is fresh and delicious, and at lunch there are many dishes to choose from on the lengthy menu, including Creole items like cow-foot soup or mestizo soups like escabeche or chirmole with fresh flour tortillas. On Monday, there's usually gibnut (a ground-dwelling, herbivorous rodent that is commonly hunted for food in Belize). You can dine inside or outside on the veranda, and both are pleasant.