Here are a few tips from a true foodie living in Placencia to help a visitor find the kind of meal that suits.

Belizean food

Let's start with the very, very good Belizean/Central American food. Some recurring themes are rice and beans (a large plate with mixed rice and beans, with a modest portion of meat either stewed, baked, fried or grilled), stew beans and rice (similar to rice and beans but beans and white rice are served separately), soups (chicken, cowfoot, conch), fajitas and burritos (veggie, chicken, shrimp, lobster, beef). Of course there are more Belizean specialties that aren't listed here, but you'll almost always find one or more of those lunch basics on the menu at a Belizean restaurant in Placencia. Dinners expand with more dishes, like shrimp, fish, lobster, chicken and pork chops served with different sauces and accompaniments. Where to go for the best Belizean food in Placencia? Try Wendys, DeTatch, The Galley, BJs, Mims - all for a consistent experience. Some of the independent restaurants and resorts feature more of a hybrid Belizean-American food and are also a nice option for dinner. Try Yolis, Cozy Corner, Nautical Inn (Seine Bight), Laru Beya (Seine Bight).

Foodie Food

A few restaurants in the area stand out for dining, not necessarily in a fine dining context but with tastes and experiences that satisfy a true foodie. Try the Maya Beach Hotel Bistro (fusion), the French Connection (French), The Secret Garden (eclectic), Trattoria, or La Dolce Vida (both Italian), Saffron (Indian). These restaurants have the most unique menus and owner-operated kitchens – that seems to be the key to the most interesting meals on the peninsula.

Belly Up for a Bellyful

Grazers, afternoon rum drinkers and pretty much anyone who's in the mood for familiar bar food can find something satisfying in Placencia. Try the Barefoot Bar, Pickled Parrot, Sugar Reef, Mangos (Maya Beach), Bella Maya's Pool Bar (Maya Beach), Maya Beach Hotel Bistro, Kudas (Coco Plum), Lost Reef (Riversdale), and some of the Belizean restaurants above, ie. Cozy Corner, Yolis. The Placencia Breeze newspaper lists happy hours and nightly specials.

Resort Dining

As you might expect, the most luxurious restaurants are operated by the most upscale resorts. Turtle Inn envelopes you in its ambience and puts out consistent Italian fare. The Inn at Robert's Grove (mostly American menu) oozes quality out of every hardwood pore and nightly special events keep things interesting. (Habañeros – Mexican fare – at Robert's Grove is more casual but also a pretty spot on the lagoon). Laru Beya's restaurant, right next to Roberts Grove, is a nice option, a little more casual. The Placencia Hotel north of Maya Beach serves Italian and American food in three dining areas, one by the pool, one on the dock bar, and in the main restaurant. Bella Maya just opened their impressive lagoon-side restaurant (so far just a buffet on offer). These are not necessarily better than the independent restaurants food-wise but definitely offer formal dining. Check out the Inn Spots in the Placencia Breeze - there are restaurants at practically all the resorts, large or small. Most of them will let you try their restaurant even if it's mostly for in-house guests, but you may need to call and make a reservation.