Let's Eat! Ultra-Local Edition

Dan Bryan
Oct 14
2 min read

🍴 Top 3 Local Favorite Places to Eat on Caye Caulker 🍴

Caye Caulker’s motto is Go Slow, but the local food scene moves at its own delicious pace. Whether you’re craving smoky BBQ straight off the grill, island-style seafood, or a hearty home-cooked breakfast, the island delivers flavor that’s bold, unfussy, and unforgettable.

These three spots are the ones locals actually eat at — no fluff, no tourist markup, just great food and good energy.

🔥 1. Chef Kareem’s UnBelizeable BBQ 🔥

Follow your nose — you’ll find it before you see it. Chef Kareem’s is the beating heart of island BBQ, tucked just off Front Street near The Split. The grill is loaded with jerk chicken, ribs, and lobster skewers cooked low and slow over coconut husk charcoal. The result: tender, smoky perfection that tastes like sunshine and sweat equity.

Grab a plate, grab a Belikin, and grab a seat wherever there’s shade. Kareem’s not just cooking — he’s curating a mood: relaxed, friendly, and unapologetically local.

🐟 2. Wish Willy Bar & Grill 🐟

Part backyard party, part legendary grill, Wish Willy is pure island energy. Maurice — the man behind it all — cooks what’s fresh that day, whether it’s grilled fish, shrimp in garlic butter, or chicken so good it’ll make you rethink your life choices.

It’s the kind of place where “table for two” really means “pull up a chair and make some friends.” The beer’s cold, the reggae hums, and no one’s in a hurry. It’s chaotic charm at its finest — exactly how it should be.

🥐 3. Chef Juan’s Kitchen & Pastries 🥐

Chef Juan has quietly built one of the best reputations on the island for serving real Belizean comfort food. From their famous breakfast burritos to his stewed chicken, rice and beans, and fresh-baked pastries, every dish tastes like something made by someone who actually cares.

It’s the perfect morning or midday stop — relaxed, affordable, and right in the heart of the village. Don’t skip the Key-Lime Pie - best you'll have anywhere. They’re the kind of simple perfection that makes you want to linger a little longer.

🌴 Final Bite 🌴

Caye Caulker doesn’t need glitz or gimmicks — just good food and better people. From Kareem’s smoky BBQ to Wish Willy’s communal dinners and Chef Juan’s soul-warming breakfasts, these spots capture what the island’s about: flavor, laughter, and that easy “Go Slow” rhythm.

When you stay at The Coral Casa, you’re just minutes away from all three. Roll out in the morning, wander down for breakfast at Chef Juan’s, hit the beach, and circle back for BBQ under the stars. On Caye Caulker, good food isn’t hard to find — it’s the way of life.