Sure, the food is good at Coppola’s famous Turtle Inn and its neighboring resort Chabli Mar Villas, which has great food, too, but only serves their guests. But, after eating everywhere in town, I suggest you visit the following hidden gems. I am not recommending these in any particular order because they all serve great food and are enjoyable for various reasons.  I would recommend these to any good friend or visitor.

First, I love the chow over at French Connection because of its creativity and big city quality. The food here is always great and very fresh, especially the fish. The food is beautifully prepared and well thought out through the combined creativity of a husband and wife team, Marcus and Anna Perigo. They first opened their doors in March 2005, tucked away in a narrow alley a mere stones throw from the beautiful beach at Placencia but have since opened a few places in the main drag. Marcus, having honed his considerable culinary talent at some of London’s finest restaurants including J. Sheekey, Le Caprice & the Ivy, headed for Belize for an altogether higher standard of living!

Another great place for dinner gives you a taste of Italy right in the heart of the village. La Dolce Vita is the brainchild and passion of Chef Simon DeAngelis who’s roots from Italy have given him what it takes to make amazing Italian food in this small tiny fishing village. The menu is basic Italian but carried out perfectly. And the wine list is one of the best in town.

A relative new comer to Placencia and a personal favorite because of their friendless and passion for quality is Rumfish – Wine Bar and Restaurant owned by the husband and wife team of John and Pam from the US. Rumfish is perched above the center of the village with an open air bar serving the finest wine selection in town and has amazing tapa-style entrees. Try the fish tacos and hamburger if you’re looking for something fun and causal. Amazing. Can’t remember the chef’s name but this guy has some serous talent and a love for spice, watch out, the burger is spicy! And Rumfish is just a great place to just hang out drinking wine, Beliken from the tap or just  good conversation all while enjoying some of John’s personal jazz favorites.

Just outside of town to the north is Maya Beach Bistro attached to the Maya Beach Hotel. This place doesn’t look like much from the outside but the food is terrific. A creative menu with only the freshest local ingredients infused by flavors from around the world makes this a must dine spot.

Don’t get me wrong, there are other good restaurants in Placencia and just outside of town but if I only had four or five nights in Placencia I would do these over and over. Oh, I have done them over and over. Enjoy.