Dining

High above the Macal River, where the rainforest canopy stretches endlessly toward the Maya Mountains, The Mariposa Restaurant at The Lodge at Chaa Creek offers one of the most distinctive dining experiences in Belize. This is fine dining in the jungle elevated yet unpretentious, deeply connected to place, and shaped by the rhythm of the land.

Set in an elegant alfresco space with warm wooden furnishings and a half-thatch roof, the restaurant blends naturally into its surroundings. A contemporary upper-level extension rises nearly to the height of the surrounding treetops, allowing guests to dine eye-level with toucans, parrots, and the shifting life of the rainforest canopy. It is open-air dining in San Ignacio at its most refined immersive, serene, and unmistakably Belizean.

Defined by a true farm-to-table philosophy, our chefs draw daily from the Lodge’s own Maya Farm, pairing just-harvested produce with fresh Belizean seafood, locally sourced meats, and global culinary influences that feel both worldly and grounded.

Wood-grilled striploin, slow-braised short ribs, hand-stretched stone-baked pizzas, delicate coconut curries, and vibrant tropical salads reflect a kitchen that honors both technique and terroir.

For travelers in San Ignacio and throughout inland Belize, dining at The Mariposa unfolds as an experience one where rainforest views, open flame, and thoughtful cuisine converge. As birds settle into the treetops and the sky turns amber over the valley, candlelight and firelight take over, and the flavors of Belize reveal themselves course by course. Sustainable, seasonal, and quietly sophisticated, The Mariposa is a restaurant at a luxury eco-lodge expressing culinary love.