The Best Waterside Restaurants in Placencia, Belize

Eating by the Caribbean is not to be missed – why not do it at a great waterside restaurant in Placencia?
Eating by the Caribbean is not to be missed – why not do it at a great waterside restaurant in Placencia? | © Keith Levit / Alamy Stock Photo
Nick Dauk

Before you dock elsewhere in Belize, a stop for food on the Placencia Peninsula is a must. Waterside restaurants serving local and international eats surround the fishing village at the tip of the peninsula. Italian, Mexican, pub meals and local faves; you’ll find it all on the menus of the best waterside restaurants in Placencia.

Discover the most spectacular beaches and best coastal restaurants in Belize with the Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

Buba Wuba’s Grill & Smoke Shack

Take lunch out on the lagoon at this easygoing local haunt that you’re sure to fall in love with for one reason or another. You could highlight the home-made tortillas, name-drop the bananas foster, or talk about how simple yet spectacular the burgers are. We feel it’s best to call it like it is: Buba Wuba’s has good food and good views you can share with the good people of Placencia.

Placencia has no shortage of docks soaked with beer, wine and spirits, but Omar’s offers an alcohol-free alternative for any sailor who needs a sober night out. If you do want a hard drink, pop into the grocery store next door and BYOB to Omar’s without a fee or fuss. But trust us when we tell you that the coconut curry fish and key lime pie are so amazing, you’ll want to remember every bite.

La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant

La Dolce Vita should be your go-to for a romantic dinner when sailing to Placencia. You can get your seafood fix here from dishes such as sautéed shrimp in wine sauce and tuna spaghetti, to name a few. Cooked by Italians with a passion you can taste in every bite, trust that your servers will pair a fantastic wine with your plate without hesitation.

Yoli’s Over Da Water Bar & Grill

On the southern tip of Placencia, the owners of Yoli’s Over Da Water won’t mind if you drink the day away while watching the water rock below you. Locals are always bumming around this bar, especially at sunset. We advise tying your dinghy to their dock on Sundays when they cook up one of the best barbecues on the peninsula, including pork chops that will blow your mind.

Habanero Mexican Cafe & Bar

No sailor should be surprised to find Habanero’s Mexican menu hanging around the marina. Sample the flavors of Belize’s neighbor to the north with a sizzling plate of shrimp fajitas, creamy guacamole and chimichangas. This waterside restaurant floats off the western edge of the peninsula, making it a sublime spot for a piña colada while watching the sunset.

Inky’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill

It may be at the tail end of a tiny eighteen, but Inky’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill is worth the effort. This full-service, family-friendly restaurant on the miniature golf course is right across the street from the beach. Treat the kiddos to a post-round personal cheese pizza and adorably named Inky Tinky mocktail. For being such a great caddy, you deserve nothing less than a big plate of seafood ravioli swimming in saffron cream sauce.

Cozy Corner Hotel & Restaurant

After hours of baking in the sun, Cozy Corner welcomes you to grab some shade and a meal. Wrap yourself in the comfort of a burrito filled with beans, salsa, veg and cheese – we’d throw some fresh sautéed lobster meat in there for good measure. There’s also a Monster Burrito lurking in this Cozy Corner. It may not bite, but you should if you’re hungry enough.

The Breezeway Restaurant and Pool Bar in the Mariposa Beach Resort

Let the warm winds of the area known locally as Barefoot Perfect usher you into the Breezeway Restaurant and Pool Bar. You may catch a glimpse of farmers or fishermen dropping off their bounty, but fresh food isn’t the only taste of local life you’ll find here. Belizean art and hand-built furniture adorn this open-air restaurant. There’s nothing to distract you from appreciating this poolside eatery, except for perhaps the Tiburon rum punch.

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