Good Eats: Four Meals a Day in Placencia, Belize is Not Enough, Part One

For a tiny village of only about 1000 people, Placencia in Southern Belize has more than its fair allotment of delicious food.  Placencia has charm and food to spare.   In fact I got so many suggestions about where to eat and where to drink that I’m going to return to continue eating…very soon.

Here are some of the good eats you can find in Placencia.  Though only there for two days, I found some of my favorites more than once.   I’ve always been a dessert lover but I’m finding that if you eat a few of them, they are a great substitute for a meal.  Who knew?

My very first morning after a TORRENTIAL rainstorm all night long, I walked outside at 6:30am to a fresh brewed cup of coffee and some very friendly folks.  I couldn’t be happier to see Brewed Awakenings.

The Americano was just what I needed.   And this list of shakes?  Yum…it’s on my list for the next trip.

Both alcohol containing…

Family member were coming in and out…these guys were great.  Here is Dawn in an action shot. Next up my trip to Harvest Caye but I need some quick breakfast taco fortification before I boarded our vessel.  It was a grey day but the rain THANKFULLY held off.

It’s good to know that I can get my go-to breakfast food anywhere in Belize.  But Placencia, I’m sorry to say that based on my one sampling, San Pedro has got you beat in the dolla taco category.  Good but not in my top 10!

After the trip we headed to down the world’s longest side walk for lunch to Cozy Corner Bar, Hotel, Restaurant on the beach.  Here is a secret.  Come very close…

The Guinness book record about World’s Longest side walk or the World’s Narrowest Street ISN’T REAL!  But it is pretty cool that it’s cited in a ton of guidebooks.

Another feature that reminded me of Guanaja in the Bay Islands of Honduras.

I definitely wanted to try some curry in the South of Belize.  The district of Stann Creek has quite a few coolie villages.  I know what you are thinking.  COOLIE?!?!?!  Did you just say coolie?  The derogative and racist term for Indian baggage carriers and laborers.

Don’t get your panties in a bunch.  Coolie (generally pronounced coo-LEE – emphasis on the last syllable) is the term used to identify people of East Indian descent in Belize and many other places in the Caribbean.  It is not derogatory.  And, yes, it took me a while to get used to.  Just like it took me a while to get used to people shouting “Boy!” at grown men to get their attention.  I’m still not able to put the two terms together.   “Coolie bwoy”…it’s just too much!

But now I’m off on a tangent.  In my mind, an area populated with people of coolie descent would know their curry.  And I was not wrong…

With all the classic Belizean sides, I reluctantly ordered what they had left.  White meat.  Blah…dry dusty white meat.  But this chicken was TENDER and yummily spiced.  I finished this whole plate.

For dinner I wanted dessert and on a recommendation, found Wendy’s Creole Cooking at the south end of the main street.  I heard their sweets were divine…

Pineapple upside down cake, key lime pie, freshly grated coconut flan…oh my.

This dessert was absolutely thick, creamy, almost cheese-cakey heaven.  At this point in my trip, this was THE BEST DESSERT I’d ever had in Belize.  Bar none.   Coconut flan at Wendy’s.

Sorry…as usual night time photography is not my thing.

And that was just one day’s eating.  I was working for you!  There is more to tell you and I have 1000 cute pictures of Placencia.   But more tomorrow.

 

If you’ve got great suggestions for my next trip, please comment and let me know.