Restaurants

Orange Walk [1] may actually have the highest per capita number of Chinese restaurants in all of Central America, but Tan’s Delight is probably your best bet. Or maybe Lee’s Chinese Restaurant, near the fire station, with passable versions of chicken chow mein (US$3.25), sweet and sour fish (US$7.50), or black soybean lobster (US$12).

Central Park Restaurant (New Market near the bus terminal, a.k.a. “Fort Cairns”) is actually a collection of six restaurants styled after the old-school open market located next door. They serve everything a hungry traveler could want: burgers, tacos, empanadas, pizza, hot dogs, bacon and eggs breakfasts, sweet cakes, waffles, and the usual assortment of beverages, all for a couple of bucks. You’ll find basic Belizean meals at Luigi’s, next door to Hotel de la Fuente.

Lamanai Riverside Retreat is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a nice setting to relax after a long day of traveling and sightseeing. Their midrange dinner menu includes burgers, fajitas, burritos, and seafood dishes; fresh fruit juices and a full bar are also available. Karaoke nights (Friday and Sunday) attract a local crowd and occasionally there is live music.

Nahil Mayab (tel. 501/322-0831, www.nahilmayab.com [2], 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Tue.–Sat., 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun.) offers a great dining atmosphere; the outdoor patio is set in a beautiful tropical garden and the air-conditioned restaurant has an attractive Maya theme. The food is here is excellent; the menu includes seafood, steak, and pasta, with a daily happy hour 5–7 p.m.

Panificadora La Popular (6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.) is regarded as the best bakery in town. They have a large selection of breads and pastries. Get pizza by the slice starting at 3 p.m. or have a whole pizza ready in 15 minutes (tel. 501/322-3229 to place an order).

Escalante Bakery and Café on Cinderella Street serves espresso drinks and freshly baked goods, including sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and brownies.

For a cold treat, try IceBreak by Scotia Bank or Loz Service Internet Café and Snack Shop on Cinderella Street.

Orange Walk’s fanciest meals are found outside of town at El Establo. Ask any taxi driver to take you there.