Even if you’re not staying in Belmopan, it is a common lunch stop for anyone traveling to or from Belize City. The cheapest meals are at the market stalls and small restaurants that surround the bus terminal. There are also numerous Chinese bakeries in the area, including the Golden Tree Bakery (tel. 501/822-0110, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. daily, closing at 5 p.m. Sun.), just across the main road from the bus terminal; they serve an enormous Chinese vegetarian menu with soy-based “meat.”

Also near the bus station, just behind the Belize Bank, L’s Coco Bongos (tel. 501/802-0666, 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Wed., till 11 p.m. on Thurs. and Fri.) is a little barbecue joint in a cramped kitchen, with a nice outdoor patio and brisk takeout business. They offer a “Caribbean meets Latin” menu of fajitas, burgers, shrimp tacos, and veg options.

Perkup Restaurant Coffee and Wine Bar (4 Shopping Center, tel. 501/822-0001, www.perkupcoffeeshop.com, 11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. during the week, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Sat.) is an oasis in the desert of Belmopan for the comfortable vibe and unique menu. Choose from a savory roast chicken panini sandwich with garlic sauce (US$8.50) and other sandwiches, stuffed jacks, bagels and cream cheese, wings, espresso drinks, and smoothies, all in a comfy space to kick back and use the free wireless Internet. The owners are savvy to what international travelers and development workers like, and they offer a mellow, musician-friendly vibe some evenings from Wednesdays to Saturdays when the place converts into a lounge scene with jalapeño margaritas and a nice wine list.

Cevichería del Norte (11 a.m.–11 p.m., Wed.–Sun.) is on the east side of town, with fresh ceviche (US$3–10), nachos, tacos, and beer. What else do you need? It’s in a purple house on a residential street just north of the George Price Centre.

Pepper’s Pizza (on St. Martin Ave., across from Bull Frog Inn, tel. 501/822-0666, US$16) delivers free anywhere in town. And Pasquale’s Pizzeria (corner of Forest Dr. and Slim Ln., delivery tel. 501/822-4663) offers a large hand-tossed New York–style pizza for US$24.

The open-air restaurant and bar at the Bull Frog Inn (25 Half Moon Ave., tel. 501/822-2111, www.bullfroginn.com, 7 a.m.–9:30 p.m.) has a longstanding reputation among the elite of Belmopan, and this is one of the most popular spots in town to dine. The fish fillet, chicken, and burgers are all good here and moderately priced (entrées from US$10, much cheaper lunches and appetizers).

For an international menu prepared by a chef from the United Kingdom, Corkers Restaurant & Wine Bar (top floor of Hibiscus Plaza, tel. 501/822-0400 or 501/633-5323, www.corkersbelize.com, lunch and dinner Thurs.–Tues.) has salads like tuna Niçoise, wraps, burgers, steaks, pastas, and a lot more (US$4–18).

Among the many Chinese restaurants, Chon Saan Palace (7069 George Price Blvd., tel. 501/822-3388) is rated the best place to eat, and Quang Dong (right across from the bus terminal) is the most fun to say.

For ice cream, head to Jolina’s (Mountain View Blvd. and Hummingbird Ave., across from Garden City Plaza).