Our Slice of Paradise

 

 

 

There are many great restaurant choices in Hopkins and Placencia.  Below is a variety of good eateries to get you started.

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Santa Cruz

Most convenient, both of the following restaurants are south (left) on Southern Highway close to home.

 

Maya King Grill & Beer Garden – (4.5 miles from the main road and before the Placencia round-about on the left). Simple and yummy menu that frequently changes; closes at 7pm.

 

Happy Ranch – (5.7 miles from the main road after the Placencia round-about on the left) 

This restaurant serves up good local food and drink all reasonably priced. 

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Hopkins

Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack – (northside of the main road into town)  501-664-6611

On a decent stretch of beach at the northern end of Hopkins, Driftwood serves excellent pizza and tacos beneath a thatched roof. This is a popular social hub and party place. Tuesday is the big night with Garifuna drumming, but there are also weekend events and beach BBQs.  Hours 11am–10pm, Thurs-Tues.

 

Swinging Armadillo - (northside of the main road into town) 501-605-1279

The Swinging Armadillo has one of the most enviable locations in Hopkins with a sweet little veranda hanging over the water. Ted and his crew back it up with generous portions of superb fresh seafood and an ever-changing blackboard menu.  Open 10am-11pm every day.

 

Queen Bean Restaurant & Bar (northside of the main road into town) 501-662-4720

This Garifuna restaurant and bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Open 8am-9:00 pm, closed on Tuesdays. Free Wi-Fi; On the Beach.

 

Geckos – 100 North Rd. 501-629-5411

This casual café style restaurant offers its own take on Caribbean cuisine using the freshest local ingredients, presented in their own unique way.  Geckos prides itself on offering something for every taste and budget.  Delicious vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.  Geckos also offers an extensive drink menu including a few of their own signature drinks. Open noon-9pm; closed Tuesdays and Sundays.

 

Thongs Café – South Rd. (main street through village) 501-662-0110

This cute Euro-style cafe is a cool spot for breakfast or a light lunch of salad, wraps and specials such as quesadillas or meatballs. Smoothies are good – if you're detoxing try the Green Fusion with spinach, cucumber fusion with spinach, cucumber and pineapple. Service can be slow, so browse the gift shop with designer T-shirts and vintage clothing while you wait.  Hours 7am–3pm Wed – Sun.

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Ella’s Kitchen Cool Spot – South Rd. (main street through village)  501- 669-6981

This restaurant is on the beach and carries the local vibe.  Don’t let the limited menu discourage you from eating here (simple chicken, fish and pork dishes).  The fresh lobster is fantastic.  All dishes are prepared from scratch and you get plenty to eat for a reasonable price.  Open every day from 11:30am – 11:30pm.

 

Innies Restaurant – South Rd. (main street through village)  501-503-7333

Enjoy authentic Garifuna food.  The cook, Marva Martinez, has a unbelievable amount of experience in the kitchen and she does an excellent job of revealing the Belizean taste.

Open 7am-9pm every day except for Sundays when they close at 3pm.

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Edd’s – The Odyssea – Sittee River Rd. 501-626-8571

Fun, open air beach cocktail bar serving great drinks, delicious seafood and more.  

Open noon-10pm every day. 

 

Loggerheads Pub & Grille - Sittee Point Rd. 501-650-2886

The best burgers in town are served here on homemade rolls. Try the pulled pork or the gorgonzola-stuffed beef burger with bacon. The breezy upstairs dining area is the place for a cold beer.  Located roadside, not on the beach past Lucky Lobster.  Hours – 11am–10pm Thursdays-Mondays.

 

Chef Rob’s Gourmet Café – Sittee Point Rd.  501-672-7272 or 501-523-7725

Well-known locally for his sublime seafood creations, Chef Rob presents a changing menu that might include rum-flavored lobster bisque and sautéed grouper with lobster sauce as well as rib-eye steak or Thai-style pork.  The waterfront dining area at Parrot Cove is suitably romantic.  Located just south of Almond Beach/Jaguar Reef Resort.  Open 5pm-9pm, closed Sundays.

 

Love on the Rocks - Sittee Point Rd.  501-523-7725 or 501-672-7272

At Parrot Cove, Love on the Rocks is a hot-stone restaurant where meat and seafood are grilled on hot stones right at your table. The lobster (in season) is said to be the best in town or choose from chicken satay or beef tenderloin. Waterfront dining.  Open 5pm-9pm, closed Sundays.  Located next to Chef Rob’s above.

 

Barracuda Bar & Grill – Seafront Dr.  501-523-7259

This restaurant is located at the Beaches & Dreams Seafront Inn and has an extensive menu with great variety.  Has outside seating.  Located far south end of town and past Almond Beach/Jaguar Reef Resort.  Open every day.

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Placencia

Lost Reef Resort – Riversdale (village about ½ way to Placencia)  501-610-0816

Open air bar & restaurant is a favorite with locals and tourists because of the great food, drinks and friendly.  Vegetarian dishes available upon request.  Fresh fish and lobster in season; Belizean, American and Italian dishes.  Enjoy fresh coconuts and lime juice from their own trees. Give them advanced notice and they will cater to food allergies and/or preferences.  

 

Maya Beach Bistro – Maya Beach (on main road prior to Placencia)   501-533-8040

Maya Beach Hotel's popular bistro is a veritable Placencia landmark, offering excellent international dishes using fresh local ingredients. This is the restaurant where folks who run other restaurants in town come for seafood and coconut chowder, lobster bread pudding and cacao pork on their days off. The waterfront view is good, service is friendly, and you can swim in the small pool or off the pier. Open 7am–9pm.

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Bonefish Grille – Maya Beach (on main road prior to Placencia)   501-523-3021

This restaurant is located within the Signing Sands Inn.  It’s an open air, thatched roof restaurant on the beach offering a full bar and a menu with a range of delectable fare featuring fresh, local ingredients made to order.  Open every day from 7am – 9pm.  Daily lunch and dinner specials.  Happy hour from 3pm – 5pm.  (approx. 40 mins away)

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Brewed Awakening – Main St.   501-523-3312

This is a cute open-air coffee house just as you enter Main St.  They serve hot and cold drinks including caramel and chocolate frappuchinos, tropical fruit smoothies, Hawaiian shaved ice latte, mocha, cappuchino, French press or espresso, Hot/Iced Tea and Hot Chocolate.  They also serve locally made treats – all are yummy!  Free Wi-Fi Open 6am – 5pm

 

Above Grounds – Main St.   501-634-3212

This coffee shop stilt shack offers great coffee drinks, bagels, muffins and people-watching from the raised wooden veranda deck. All coffee is Guatemalan organic, sourced directly from the farmers. They also have organic chocolate drinks, fresh juice, free Wi-Fi and good tunes.

 

Rumfish – Main St.   501-666-6939

Rumfish is a gastro-style wine bar done Central American style. Head up to the balcony of the beautiful old timber building and sample starters such as Peruvian ceviche or specialty mains such as Yucatán chicken or Caribbean fish stew and gourmet tacos. Imported wines, beers and cocktails, and a breezy colonial veranda complete the picture.  Hours – noon-midnight, kitchen closes at 10pm

 

Omar’s Creole Grub – Main St.  501-624-7168

Omar's has been around a long time and still serves some of the freshest seafood in town. Step into the small and rustic street side shack and choose from crab, lobster, shrimp or conch prepared either traditional Creole, Caribbean curry or coconut curry. There are also burgers and burritos. No alcohol.  Hours - 7am-9pm Sun-Thu, 7am-5pm Fri, 6-9pm Sat  

 

Cha Chi’s – Main St.  501-523-3305. (closer to pier side)

Cha Chi’s is home of Placencia's NYC thin crust pizza! They also have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food choices.  Craft cocktails and live music are also ‘on the menu’.  Their live music venue features the best in Belizean music and music from around the world - reggae, soca, calypso, bruk down, punta, paranda, cumbia, blues, rock and jazz.  It’s a fun open-aired atmosphere.  Large groups are welcome. Open 11am to midnight (kitchen closes at 9:30pm) with happy hour 3pm-5pm every day.  Closed on Wednesdays.  

 

Barefoot Bar – Sidewalk on the Beach  501-523-3515

Occupying prime beach real estate, Placencia's most happening spot for drinking and entertainment has live music five nights a week, fire dancing on Wednesdays, full-moon parties and more. Happy hour is from 5pm to 6pm, with bitters and cheap rum. The menu has a big range of Mexican food, pizza and burgers.  Hours 11am - midnight

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