Caye Caulker (pronounced “key”) is a small island off the coast of Belize known for it’s go slow motto, backpacker appeal, and sea activities. Although the large Ambergris Caye not too far away is known for its larger towns and restaurants, Caye Caulker is surprisingly diverse in local Belizean cuisine with enviable prices.
These are the 6 best places to eat in Caye Caulker, Belize.
1. Chef Juan’s Kitchen
There are local Belizean favorites from all meals of the day starting with fry jacks in the morning, fresh ceviches for lunch, and catch of the day fish at night. Only just a sampling of the excellent food cooked from the small kitchen with large portions, good prices, and a smile from Chef Juan.
2. Wish Willy
An outdoor barbecue that opens as the sun sets, the backyard atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. The long benches make for a social environment and the food is what happens to be fresh that day. All served in person with beers waiting for you in the cooler near the kitchen. Wish Will is not only a meal but a Caye Caulker experience.
3. Namaste
Hipsters rejoice, Namaste is a breakfast to lunch cafe with lots of fresh fruits, omelettes, coffee, and even a yoga studio upstairs. It’s popular with tourists and gets crowded around 9am but the food is consistently tasty, well prepared, and the open space makes for a relaxing environment.
4. Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen
The lobster, when in season, is Maggie’s most popular dish. Once the grill gets going and the sun starts setting, Maggie’s, a family run restaurant, turns amber orange as the food is set on the table.
5. Errolyn’s House of Fry Jacks
Open at 6am to about 11 in the morning, Errolyn’s serves up Caye Caulker’s traditional breakfast of fry jacks. Dough stuffed with some combination of mashed beans, ham, cheese, and eggs, then fried crispy, Errolyn’s is the best place on the island to try fry jacks.
6. Rainbow Bar And Grill
A bit expensive but a good variety of foods both local and standard American (hamburgers anyone), Rainbow Bar and Grill is open throughout the day with a nice view overlooking the ferry boats coming in from Belize City.
Selection On A Small Island
As tiny as Caye Caulker is, there is a lot of good food to choose from. Street barbecue, sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian dishes to nice seaside restaurants, there’s a little of something for everyone along this 2 kilometer stretch of paradise in the Caribbean.