Local Flavors

Belizean Food In Los Angeles — Top Dishes & Where To Eat

Explore Belizean dishes—from stew beans and pigtail to panades—at Black-owned restaurants across LA.

By EatOkra

Last updated 15 Sep, 2025

What happens when the deep, soulful flavors of the Caribbean meet the vibrant traditions of Central America? You get Belizean food.

This is where fall-off-the-bone Stew Chicken and savory Panades tell a unique story born from Kriol, Maya, and Mestizo heritage. This is your guide to the Black-owned restaurants across Los Angeles keeping this Belizean heritage alive.

Here’s what you need to order and exactly where to find it.

Where to Find the Hub of Belizean Life

Neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles, particularly Inglewood and the Crenshaw District, are the heart of the state's Belizean Kriol (Creole) diaspora. This is where generations have celebrated their heritage, and the food is a direct reflection of that history.

Know What to Look For

When you go looking for these spots, know that you're seeking out small, family-run establishments. The focus here is unapologetically on the plate. The feeling is like being invited into a family kitchen where soulful, homestyle cooking is the star of the show.

Dish Highlights — What to Order for a True Taste of Belize

Stew Chicken with Rice and Beans

What It Is: If one plate defines Belizean comfort food, this is it. The chicken is slow-cooked until it falls off the bone, simmering in a rich, savory gravy that gets its signature color and earthy quality from recado rojo, an annatto spice paste. Just as important is the Rice and Beans, cooked together in coconut milk until every grain is infused with flavor.

Where to Try It: Tracey's Belizean Restaurant in Los Angeles is a legendary, family-run spot beloved by the community for its deeply flavorful, homestyle version.

Pro Tip: The creamy potato salad served alongside is almost as famous as the chicken itself—don't skip it.

Stew Beans and Pigtail

What It Is: For a taste of something deeply soulful and unapologetically Belizean, this is the dish to order. It’s a satisfying meal where creamy red beans are slow-simmered with the unique character of pigtail until a thick, delicious stew is formed. It’s a dish that speaks to the resourceful and flavorful history of Kriol cooking.

Where to Try It: Find this Belizean staple at Pepper's Jamaican Belizean Cuisine in Los Angeles, where it stands out on their pan-Caribbean menu.

Pro Tip: This dish is traditionally served with fluffy white coconut rice to absorb every last drop of the savory gravy. A side of sweet fried plantain provides the perfect flavor balance.

Appetizer Sampler

What It Is: A perfect way to appreciate the delicious complexity of Belizean food is to taste its Mesoamerican heritage. This comes to life in its masa-based appetizers, which are perfect for sharing. A good sampler includes savory, deep-fried turnovers (Panades), puffy fried masa cakes topped with chicken (Salbutes), and crispy tortillas with refried beans (Garnaches).

Where to Try It: Little Belize Restaurant in Inglewood offers a fantastic sampler platter that serves as the perfect introduction.

Pro Tip: These are meant to be eaten with your hands. Be sure to top them with the tangy, house-made onion sauce for the full effect.

Belizean Breakfast

What It Is: Don’t overlook the most important meal of the day, because a Belizean breakfast is a unique and essential cultural staple. The star of the show is often the Fry Jacks—warm, puffy, and impossibly light pockets of fried dough. They are the Belizean equivalent of a beignet or sopapilla, but they form the foundation of a hearty morning meal.

Where to Try It: Both Tracey's and Little Belize offer incredible weekend breakfasts featuring this staple.

Pro Tip: Fry Jacks are incredibly versatile. Try them the savory way with a side of refried beans and stewed chicken, or enjoy them sweet, drizzled with a bit of honey.

Explore These Belizean Restaurants on EatOkra

Little Belize Restaurant, Inglewood

This spot is a vibrant cultural hub known for its large menu and live music events like Soca Sundays. Go here not just for a meal, but for a full cultural immersion. Don't miss their appetizer platter, which gives you a perfect tour of Belizean street food.

Tracey's Belizean Restaurant, Los Angeles

A legendary, family-run institution serving soulful, homestyle cooking. This is a beloved neighborhood gem where the Stew Chicken and Potato Salad are the stuff of local legend. It's a great idea to call ahead to ask about their can't-miss daily specials.

Pepper's Jamaican Belizean Cuisine, Los Angeles

A cornerstone of the LA Caribbean food scene. While well-known for its Jamaican classics like oxtail and jerk chicken, it’s a must-visit for its authentic Belizean dishes, including the rich and hard-to-find Stew Beans and Pigtail.

Visit EatOkra’s City Guides for more local LA eats

Featured image: Little Belize Restaurant