15 Best Places to Eat in San Pedro: Restaurants, Cafes, & Bars
A complete list of the best places to eat in San Pedro, Belize, from cafes and local eateries to bars and restaurants.
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Set along the turquoise waters of Belize’s Barrier Reef, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is a tropical island town famous for its lively atmosphere and world-class snorkelling and diving. Beyond its outdoor adventures, San Pedro is also a top food destination, offering a diverse range of dining options. From bustling cafés and beachside bars to authentic Belizean eateries and upscale restaurants, the town serves up everything from fresh seafood and Caribbean classics to international flavours. We basically ate our way around town, discovering local and further-afield spots perfect for a casual breakfast, quick street food bite, or romantic dinner with ocean views. Here are the top restaurants in San Pedro and Ambergris Caye.
Best San Pedro Restaurants – Our Top Picks
More from Ambergris Caye
Where to eat in San Pedro
Eating out is one of the best things to do in Ambergris Caye, with a variety of dining options clustered in distinct areas across the island. In the heart of San Pedro Town, especially along Pescador Drive and Barrier Reef Drive, you’ll find many of the island’s most established restaurants, cafés, and bars, perfect for everything from casual street eats to fine dining with sea views.
The Boca del Rio area, just north of the main bridge, is known for its relaxed beachfront eateries and popular happy hour spots, often with tables set right in the sand.
Further north, toward the Secret Beach turnoff, you’ll discover food parks and more remote bars with overwater seating and lagoon views. This is also one of the most popular places in Belize to visit on a day trip.
Meanwhile, the south end of the island is home to quieter resorts and bakeries, offering a more low-key food experience for those looking to escape the crowds.
San Pedro Food Tours
San Pedro Restaurants Map
Use the filters on the menu on the left-hand side to see the best places to eat in San Pedro, marked with green pins.
San Pedro Restaurant Prices
Restaurant prices fluctuate due to seasonal demand, current events, and other external factors. To provide a general idea of costs, we’ve categorised the average price of a main course at each restaurant using the following price ranges in USD:
$ – $10 or less for a main
$$ – $10 to $15 for a main
$$$ – more than $15 for a main
The best cafes and coffee shops in San Pedro
Whether you’re starting your day with a fresh brew or looking for breakfast, San Pedro has no shortage of cosy cafés and coffee shops. These spots serve everything from strong Belizean coffee and espresso drinks to pastries, smoothies, and light breakfasts. Many also double as relaxed gathering spaces, with some offering ocean views, Wi-Fi, and local art. Here are our top picks of coffee shops and cafes in San Pedro.
1. The Farmhouse Market & Café
Located just north of the bridge on San Pedro’s main thoroughfare, The Farmhouse Market & Café combines a speciality grocery with a cosy café atmosphere. It’s well-known for its premium coffee, fresh smoothies, and baked goods, alongside a market selling high-quality produce, cheese, and meats. The setting is relaxed and welcoming, making it a go-to for breakfast or a light lunch. We started every morning with coffee at the Farmhouse Market and Café, the perfect stop for us as we drove into San Pedro by golf cart. There’s a second shop right in the heart of town too.
2. Cool Beans Café Restaurant & Bar
Set on the dock at Boca del Rio Drive, Cool Beans is a waterfront café-bar known for its scenic sea views and top-tier coffee. Open from early morning into the afternoon, it serves everything from cappuccinos and frappes to seasonal fruit smoothies, all in a breezy, open-air setting. The menu extends to breakfast and lunch, with favourites like avocado toast, waffles, and freshly made lobster Benedict. With its idyllic atmosphere and friendly service, it’s a favourite place to linger over coffee or brunch.
3. Green Espresso Café
Located in mid-town on Pescador Drive, Green Espresso offers gourmet coffee with a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Known for sourcing high-quality beans and roasting them locally, this café features specialities like pour-over, cold brew, and espresso-based drinks, along with non-dairy milk alternatives. The menu includes items like avocado toast, pancakes, waffles, and steak and eggs, catering to gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diets. With its charming interior and attentive service, this spot is a must-visit for coffee lovers.
The best restaurants in San Pedro
San Pedro’s dining scene is varied, reflecting the island’s diverse cultural influences and love for fresh, local ingredients. From traditional Belizean stews to creative seafood dishes and international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every craving. These top San Pedro restaurants combine warm island hospitality with memorable meals, often served with a side of beach views or live music.
4. Elvi’s Kitchen
Elvi’s Kitchen is a long-standing family-owned restaurant known for its mix of local Caribbean and international cuisine, and is one of the best restaurants in San Pedro town. Honoured with multiple awards, including a Gold Star for quality and a Travellers’ Choice, it’s praised for dishes like stewed chicken, seafood, mole, and Mayan-inspired fare. The sand-floored, open-air dining room offers casual comfort and attentive service, making it a favourite for both lunch and dinner. It also offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the unique fry jack tacos and a side of grilled corn, a Belizean classic.
5. El Fogon
Set near Tropic Air, El Fogón is a rustic eatery that specialises in traditional Belizean Creole and Mestizo dishes cooked over an open fire. It’s well-known for its conch fritters, salbutes, coconut shrimp curry, and hearty stews served with coconut rice. The atmosphere is unpretentious and authentic, often drawing locals and visitors seeking genuine Belizean flavours.
6. Caramba Restaurant & Bar
Found on Pescador Drive in the heart of San Pedro, Caramba offers a refined and family-friendly ambience focusing on high-quality seafood dishes and creative cocktails. The menu features fresh catch-of-the-day options along with visually appealing presentations for appetisers and entrées. The spacious seating makes it a popular choice for groups and diners seeking a more upscale experience.
7. Estel’s Dine by the Sea
Estel’s offers a laid-back dining experience with tables right on the sand. It’s popular for breakfast burritos, BBQ ribs, and casual comfort food with a view of the Caribbean Sea. The rustic beach setting includes shaded wooden seating and waves gently lapping nearby.
The best street food in San Pedro
For a quick bite that’s full of flavour, San Pedro’s street food is not to be missed. From sizzling pupusas and rolled marquesitas to fresh coconut water straight from the shell, these affordable options offer an authentic taste of everyday island life. Many vendors operate from carts or small stands around town, especially in the evenings.
8. The Truck Stop
Located about a mile north of the bridge on the way to Secret Beach, the Truck Stop is Belize’s first shipping‑container food park and San Pedro’s only beer garden. This lively venue features multiple food trucks serving everything from wood-fired pizza to Southeast Asian fusion and Latin specialities, alongside an ice cream shop and beers on tap. The space includes a saltwater pool, swim-up bar, outdoor games, and nightly live music or movie nights, making it a social hub. It’s a perfect spot for relaxed, eclectic bites and entertainment in a communal, outdoor setting.
9. Pupuseria Salvadoreno
This informal street-side eatery specialises in Salvadoran pupusas, hand-pressed corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat, offering an affordable snack in San Pedro. The owners from El Salvador prepare pupusas fresh to order, drawing locals and visitors seeking authentic Central American comfort food. With its no-frills setup and friendly vibe, it’s a go-to for quick, satisfying eats, and we were thrilled to find pupusas in Belize.
10. Marquesitas Vargas
Operating from a roadside cart, Marquesitas Vargas serves rolled crepe-like, thin tortillas filled with choices like Nutella or Edam cheese (or both if you want to try the Mexican classic – it’s good, trust us!) and rolled into tubes. These street‑side sweet treats are a local favourite for dessert on the go, with simple, consistent flavours.
11. Coconut Stands
Scattered along beaches and street corners across the island, small stands offer fresh coconut water and coconut ‘meat’ directly from the shell. Vendors crack open mature coconuts on demand, providing a refreshing, natural, and hydrating beverage or snack. It’s one of the most authentic and simple ways to enjoy local produce while strolling around San Pedro.
The best bars in San Pedro
San Pedro is home to some of the most scenic and fun-loving bars in Belize, perfect for everything from sundowners to late-night cocktails. Many are located right on the beach or over the water, offering stunning sunset views and breezy tropical vibes. You’ll find rum-heavy menus, cold beers, and signature drinks, often served with a side of live music or lounging in the sea.
12. Blue Bayou
Perched over the water, Blue Bayou at Secret Beach is the first publicly accessible overwater bar and restaurant in the area. Family-owned, it offers table service in shallow water, serving Caribbean-style dishes and frozen cocktails with scenic views. Guests come for the relaxed atmosphere as much as for signature drinks and bar snacks, like empanadas and shrimp ceviche, which make it one of the best restaurants on Ambergris Caye.
13. The Tipsy Lobster
This stylish waterfront bar is located north of San Pedro and is celebrated for its impressive lobster cocktails, creative mixed drinks, and modern décor. It blends a casual seaside vibe with polished service and a menu featuring seafood-focused tapas and small plates, making it a go-to for sunset sips and social evenings. It’s opposite Belizean Shores and Coco Beach Resort, a couple of the best hotels on Ambergris Caye.
14. Palapa Bar and Grill
Situated on a rustic pier over the lagoon, Palapa Bar & Grill delivers a quintessential island bar experience with thatched-roof charm, breezy seating, and seafood plates. It’s a local favourite for live music, sunset cocktails, and dishes like ceviche and grilled fish served in a casual, open-air setting.
15. The Black Pearl
Anchored by the water in a nautical-inspired setting, The Black Pearl offers rum cocktails, wines, and seafood appetisers. With its wood interior, attentive service, and scenic dockside seating, it attracts couples and small groups seeking a slightly more upscale yet relaxed evening out on the water. We rate it for the vibe, sea views, and neighbouring Belizean art shop, which has some of the most stunning paintings we’ve ever seen, created by local artists.
Bonus: The Belizean Chocolate Company
This boutique café near central San Pedro specialises in artisan chocolates, truffles, and chocolate drinks made from locally sourced, sustainably grown cacao. Owner-operators craft single-origin bars and hot chocolate, contributing to Belize’s growing reputation in bean-to-bar chocolate production.
Where to buy groceries in San Pedro
Grocery shopping in San Pedro is convenient, with a variety of options spread throughout town and the surrounding neighbourhoods. In the downtown area, you’ll find several small supermarkets and convenience stores that stock everyday essentials like produce, dry goods, snacks, and household items. For more specialised items, such as imported cheeses, organic products, or wine, there are a few boutique markets offering a more curated selection. Many resorts and accommodations near the south and north ends of the island also have nearby shops or mini-marts for basic needs. While prices are generally higher than on the mainland due to transport costs, most visitors will find everything they need within walking or golf cart distance.
Fruit and Vegetable Shops
You’ll find several fruit and vegetable stands nestled along back streets and mid-town areas near the ferry dock and airstrip. These vendors receive fresh mainland shipments twice weekly, typically Tuesdays and Fridays, offering seasonal produce like bananas, tomatoes, greens, and root vegetables at better prices than supermarkets. It’s a great way to pick up crisp, locally grown produce and shop like a local.
SuperBuy Supermarket
With locations in downtown San Pedro, near the bridge north of town, and along Sea Grape Drive, SuperBuy is the most comprehensive grocery store on the island. The SuperBuy Express, just after the bridge as you head north from San Pedro, is considered the largest and cheapest store with a wide range of dry goods, imported products, frozen meats and seafood, dairy, snacks, household essentials, and even fresh salsas and guacamole. It’s also next to a Gas & Go fuel station, which has the best rates if you need to fill up your golf cart.
The Belikin Store
Positioned on Coconut Drive, this speciality store doubles as a bar and island souvenir shop focused on Belize’s locally brewed Belikin beer. Inside, you can pick up cold Belikin on tap or in bottles, alongside branded merchandise like hats, tees, and koozies, making it a fun spot for beer lovers. It’s also conveniently located near the airport and the midtown area.
Wine de Vine
Located on Coconut Drive just steps south of the airstrip, this upscale wine and deli shop is San Pedro’s premier place for imported bottles and gourmet foods. They import wines from around the globe, including from France, Italy, New Zealand, the U.S.A., and sell premium cheeses and cured meats.
Things to Know About San Pedro Restaurants
San Pedro’s dining scene is diverse, blending authentic Belizean and Caribbean flavours with international influences. Fresh seafood is a highlight, often featured alongside local staples and creative dishes.
Most restaurants are independently owned, ranging from casual beachfront shacks to more polished, family-run establishments with open-air or waterfront seating. The atmosphere is generally friendly and relaxed, making it easy to enjoy meals barefoot or with ocean views.
Cost
Meal prices vary widely. You can find budget-friendly street food and casual cafés alongside higher-end restaurants where dishes may cost as much as in the U.S.A. or other tourist destinations on the island.
Ownership
San Pedro’s restaurant scene is largely made up of local, independently owned businesses. There are no big chains here, which helps keep the island’s food culture authentic and supports the local economy.
Seasonality
Many eateries depend on fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce, so menus may shift based on daily availability. This means your favourite dish might not always be on the menu, but it also guarantees fresh, vibrant flavours.
Service speed
Service usually follows a relaxed island pace, meaning meals might take longer to arrive than expected, so patience is key. This unhurried approach is part of the charm of dining on Ambergris Caye.
Opening hours
Opening hours can be flexible and sometimes differ from what’s listed online. It’s best to check in person or ask locals to avoid surprises. While reservations aren’t always necessary, it’s wise to arrive early during peak times, especially at popular or upscale spots.
Currency
The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency, but U.S. dollars (USD) are widely accepted. Most places return change in BZD. Some restaurants prefer cash or may add fees for card payments, so having cash on hand is recommended.
Tipping
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but is appreciated. Many local businesses prefer cash tips handed directly to staff rather than tips added via credit card.
Sustainability
Many San Pedro eateries emphasise eco-friendly practices like biodegradable packaging and reducing plastic waste to protect the island’s environment. You can help by bringing reusable items such as water bottles and coffee cups, and refusing single-use plastics.
San Pedro Food and Drink FAQs
Now you know the best places to eat in San Pedro, we’ll finish with these frequently asked questions, answered.
What food is Ambergris Caye known for?
Ambergris Caye is known for its fresh seafood, particularly grilled lobster, conch fritters, whole snapper, and ceviche. Belizean classics like rice and beans with stewed chicken, salbutes, and fry jacks are also staples on local menus. Many dishes feature Caribbean, Latin American, and Creole influences, using local ingredients and bold seasonings.
What drink is Ambergris Caye known for?
Rum-based cocktails are a signature of Ambergris Caye, especially the classic rum punch, often made with local fruit juices and Belizean rum. Other popular choices include Belikin beer (the national beer of Belize), frozen piña coladas, and tropical drinks served at beachfront bars. Fresh coconut water and locally roasted coffee are also common daytime staples.
Where do the locals eat in San Pedro?
Locals tend to eat at family-run comedores, small food stands, and street vendors serving Belizean staples like stewed meats, tacos, and tamales. Casual, affordable restaurants off the main tourist strips are also popular, like Pupuseria Salvadoreno and food carts such as Marquesitas Vargas. For a sit-down meal, places like El Fogon and Caramba Restaurant & Bar are popular for their hearty Belizean dishes.
What are the best restaurants in San Pedro?
Highly rated restaurants include Elvi’s Kitchen for upscale Belizean cuisine, Caramba for its build-your-own seafood platters, and Estel’s Dine by the Sea for beachfront breakfasts and barbecue. El Fogon is also celebrated for its traditional dishes cooked over an open flame.
Are there restaurants on the beach in San Pedro?
Yes, several top restaurants are right on the beach. Estel’s Dine by the Sea is one of the most iconic, with tables in the sand and ocean views. Palapa Bar and Grill and Blue Bayou also offer overwater or waterfront seating, making them perfect for a laid-back island dining experience.
Is Ambergris Caye vegan-friendly?
Ambergris Caye is increasingly vegan-friendly, with several cafés and restaurants in San Pedro offering plant-based options. Spots like The Farmhouse Market & Cafe and Green Espresso Cafe are good bets for smoothies, bowls, and veggie-forward meals. Many restaurants are happy to customise dishes to suit vegan diets when asked.
What is the average price of a meal in San Pedro?
Meal prices in San Pedro vary widely. Budget-friendly meals from street vendors or small eateries typically cost $5-$10 USD, while mid-range restaurant dishes range from $10-$20 USD. Upscale beachfront dining or speciality seafood can cost $20 USD or more per main course. Prices are generally higher than on the mainland due to the island’s import and tourism-driven economy.
Read next:
30 Best Things to Do in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
A Traveller’s Guide to San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
14 Best Hotels and Resorts in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
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