Elvi's Kitchen, Ambergris Cay

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Elvi's was the saving grace of our second visit to San Pedro. I was so happy when I saw it was still here - it was like finding an old friend in a strange place! The food is very good, with lots of Mexican food and fresh seafood on the menu.

It's in a wonderful space, built around a big tree (see the pic), and most of the floor is still just sand. The dozen fans whirling overhead were a relief from the heat. They have live music every night, too.

Nice place to enjoy some fresh snapper and key lime pie. It is hard to say if this restaurant is better than the others in San Pedro but it is definitely worth at least one of your meals.

Favorite Dish: Fresh snapper.

Belize First says: "Doña Elvia Staines began her restaurant as a take-out burger stand in 1974. It has grown in fame and fortune year after year, until today it is probably the best-known restaurant in Belize. There are still burgers on the lunch menu (under US$6) along with shrimp and fish burger versions. At dinner, you choose from large selection of seafood, chicken and other dishes, and almost all of it is good, with prices mostly under US$15 for entrees. On Fridays, Elvis has a buffet featuring Maya dishes such as Pibil pork, season meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground pit. "
There is a living frangipani tree around which the main dining room is built.

Favorite Dish: We had a very early dinner. I'm pretty sure I ordered chicken- either Mayan or Caribbean. We ate next to a window and watched the car and golf cart traffic.