There are some great restaurants on Caye Caulker Island, a small island off the north-central coast of Belize.
With a wonderfully quaint atmosphere and that tiny village vibe, we dream of when we think of the Caribbean. If you’re looking for a quiet, laid-back island experience, I highly recommend it as an ideal home base for your next holiday.
Caye Caulker, Belize is also one of our favorite snorkeling destinations within the Caribbean. On a recent trip, My husband and I had the opportunity to try many of the island’s eclectic Caye Caulker restaurants. Some of these local friendly restaurants were quite memorable, and many were great bargains with lots of cheap eats.
Travel Tips: Pack hand sanitizer or wet wipes for you and remember that you are in the Caribbean where casual attire is welcomed.
When you are wondering where to eat, and are in search of some of the best restaurants in Caye Caulker, I suggest the following.
The Best Restaurants on Caye Caulker Island
Tropical Paradise – Luciano Reyes St.
Despite the cheesy name, Tropical Paradise Restaurant was quite lovely. All the seating is outside (undercover) and just a few yards from the ocean. Because of its open-air design, you could feel the ocean breeze while dining, which added to the Caribbean island feel. The service was good, and the fresh seafood was excellent. In all, we sampled the grilled barracuda steak, whole snapper, lobster kabob and pork chops. We ate here twice during our week-long stay. It is top of our list of Caye Caulker restaurants as it was excellent value for your dollar. See Tropical Paradise on Trip Advisor.
The Little Kitchen – Back Street
This little gem known as The Little Kitchen warrants some explanation as it is a bit difficult to locate. You must walk through a few blocks of the neighbourhood to get there, and it is situated beside a community of makeshift shelters. Look out for a few little handmade signs along the route pointing the way.
The first time we visited The Little Kitchen, it was dark, and we were truthfully a little uneasy when we arrived. When we went back in the daylight, it was much less stressful, and I’m glad we made an effort to return.
The restaurant itself is on the second story along the backside of a decrepit building. Part of it is covered, and part is open-air. We sat in the outdoor portion of the building and got eaten up by sand flies, so when you go, wear long sleeves and long pants.
Now on the positive side – the food and prices were fantastic! Our first meal at the Little Kitchen cost $20US. Here’s what we got: lobster ceviche, salbutes (which are puffed deep-fried tortillas covered in toppings), jerk chicken, two bottles of water, one beer and one banana colada!
I highly recommend The Little Kitchen, but if you go at night, take a flashlight and at least one companion. It is not a place you want to explore alone at night. The street it sits on evidently does not have a name, so you’ll need to ask someone how to get there. See The Little Kitchen on Trip Advisor.
Syd’s – Middle St.
Syd’s serves good food at great prices and is well-known for its fried chicken, which is a bargain at around $5US. I sampled the fried shrimp and chicken tostadas, which were both also excellent. My husband loves this place – we ate there twice during the week and got take-out from there twice more. It deserves its place on our list of Caye Caulker restaurants. See Syd’s on Trip Advisor.
Rainbow Grill & Bar – Front St.
At the Rainbow Grill and Bar, we both had only so-so burgers. But to be fair, burgers are never good when we travel outside the US – they’re simply not the same. Maybe we should have tried something a little more adventurous. We did not go back a second time but feel that it still deserves to be on this list of places to eat in Caye Caulker. See Rainbow Grill & Bar on Trip Advisor.
La Cubana – Front St.
We passed La Cubana a few times on our walks along Front St. and it always smelled great. So, when you’re thinking about where to eat Caye Caulker, La Cubana should make it onto your list. When we finally did decide to eat here, we both had the roasted pork. It was delicious. We didn’t go back a second time, but that’s because it was already late in the week when we first tried it. I would recommend it to others. See La Cubana on Trip Advisor.
Bambooze – Front St.
Bambooze has a view of the water and gets a nice gentle breeze. We went there for lunch, and the place was almost empty, which was a bit of a surprise. We had the chicken fajita and fried plantains, and both were very good. The thatched roof and proximity to the beach gave this restaurant a bit of a party feel. I’d give it another try. See Bambooze on Trip Advisor.
Barrier Reef Sports Bar – Front St.
Barrier Reef Sports Bar is located a bit of a distance from the beach. I tried the fish and chips, and my husband had a chicken burger when we dined here, and both were unremarkable. They did, however, have draft beer on tap there, which was the highlight for me. It would probably be an excellent place to watch a game and grab a few beer. See Barrier Reef Sports Bar on Trip Advisor.
Have you eaten at any of these restaurants in Caye Caulker Belize?
Do you have any additional Belize restaurant suggestions for where to eat in Caye Caulker?
Read more:
– One Relaxing Day Spent Exploring the Belize Cruise Port
– 5 Great Caribbean Snorkeling Beaches
