2 Best Restaurants in The Cayes and Atolls, Belize

From the moment you walk under the leafy trellis, the Milanese hosts of this classic nook will make you feel at home. Choose one of two fabulous nightly pastas (one vegetarian, one meat; you won't go wrong with either), and sip Chianti underneath DIY lampshades made from colanders. Cozy up beside other visitors from around the world, as the high-top tables are shared. Owners Anna Marini and Armando Pau are highly respected cooks on the island. Pasta in the Caribbean? A better pairing than you'd think. You may even find yourself a repeat guest the next night. But be warned: you'll want to make a reservation.

Lush palms, lamplight, and blooms of burning love flowers all make for a seductive ambience on an island where you expect picnic tables and sand floors. Il Pellicano features classics like risotto, gnocchi, and margherita pizza (not fresh mozzarella, but better than the island's average), with imported rarities like capers and porcini mushrooms. The menu changes frequently and the desserts change daily. Il Pellicano is celebrated by some for its atmosphere more than its consistency, but it remains a choice spot for a romantic evening.