Restaurants

Utila has quite a few options to satisfy your tastebuds- You can choose between roadside baleada (a great snack of tortilla, beans, cheese and onion) stands for about 10 lps to a nice sit down “American/European” style meal for about 150 lempiras.  The local spots will run about 50 lempiras a plate.

We’ve tried to include all restaurants below; Note that restaurants here do sometimes change, new ones open, and others close. So if we got something wrong or missed one, please let us know! If you are a restaurant owner and wish to change the description below, let us know that too!

Utila Restaurants, Listed in Alphabetical Order:

The Bakery~
Breakfast, Lunch
Offers fresh baked baguettes, bagels and other yummies. Also has fresh orange juice and coffee. Located on the main street, to right of ferry dock, a few “blocks” down, just before Zanzibar. 

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Baleada Stands~
Lunch, Dinner
Baleadas are a great affordable  snack of tortilla, beans, cheese and onion. Sometimes you can get with egg or avocado as well, or meat and chicken. The basic baleada costs about 10 lempiras (50 cents). There are stands located at the main corner, also just to the right of main corner in a white stand, and then the “7-11” down in Sandy Bay by Bay Islands College of Diving makes some of the best! Other good ones are up Cola De Mico Road, just before Mango Inn

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Big Mama’s Café~
Breakfast, Lunch
Casual, inexpensive, clean, with a variety of offerings. Gets lots of locals, and also divers from across the street, as its located just across from Cross-Creek Dive Center. Breakfast burritos are yummy, and they have a full lunch menu with a good grilled chicken sandwich.

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Babalu~
Dinner (opens at 5pm) and Bar
Great funky little spot on the water, offering bar and nice dinner options.   Located to the right of the ferry dock, across from “The Bakery”. Owner Dado has put his creativity to work with beach art and creating a very comfortable inviting atmosphere.  Bartender friendly and helpful, and cooks do a nice job with  a selection of fish and seafood and very reasonable prices.

 

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Bundu Café~
Dinner and Bar
Under new management  as of June 2010 by the same folks who brought you La Pirata and one of the old owners of Bundu for 3 years ago!  This perennial favorite has gone through some changes last year as the last owners apparently seem to have left and never came back (as heard direct on the coconut telegraph)!   However, currently under the reigns of new owners / management, the Bundu is back to please. Large plates, inexpensive prices, and tasty food all served in a relaxing fun atmosphere.  Full bar, cappucino bar, as well as nice book exchange.  Located just to the right of the ferry dock, about 1 “block”.  You’ll see the large patio from the street.  Try the frozen lemonade,  the flaming Bundu Brownie Sundae, stuffed French toast and a host of other great items.

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Captain Jack~
Breakfast, lunch
Located across from Skid Rows in Sandy Bay, featuring local style breakfasts and lunch.  Have a nice orange/carrot juice too!

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Carlottas on the Beach “Utila Cuisine”~
Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Local food, including ceviche.  Great location at the public beach. Very low-key and casual- good spot for a beer and some appetizers!

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Che Panache~
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
A great option,  Irene offers café,  banana smoothies, sweet or savory crepes, $1 hot dogs with all the fixings, a huge chicken sandwich, and other options.  Very affordable. There aren’t really tables to sit at, but there are some benches in a shady area. Located just under the Utila Cinema. 

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Coopers Inn~
Dinner
Serving pizza and local food

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Dave’s Restaurant ~

Update: June 2010: Dave and his wife Nicole have left for city life in San Francisco and will be dearly missed and we wish them the best.  You can find his great menu still being served at “The Lounge”- with the full write up coming soon.

Dinner and Bar
Dave is a favorite on Utila, having operated his restaurant for many years in various locations- He’s known to not even put a sign out as people always seem to know where he is and seek him out.  Dave was trained as a saucier in the States and typically offers 3 different dishes (chicken, beef or pork and a veggie dish) with a choice of 3-4 creative sauces for the evening. Large portions and good prices. Wife Nicole is running the service and does an excellent job too!  

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Driftwood~
Lunch, Dinner, and Bar
A popular seaside bar and grill known for its combination of Texas Bar-B-Que with nice options for seafood as well- nice spot for lunch or dinner in a casual environment.  Located over the water, across the road from the Margaritaville hotel in Sandy Bay.  Sundays are “play days” with bean bag toss, and food specials too.  Friendly bartender Danny is always there with a smile, the restarant Mascot, “Balue” a huge white lab, is sure to warm your heart, and Balue’s person, Sharon is always on premises to help ensure a good experience~

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El Picante~
Lunch, Dinner
Mexican restaurant located in a converted old home. Located in center of town at main intersection.  Nice owners, clean enviroment.

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Evelyn’s Bar-B-Que:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fun setting in a converted old house with covered balcony overlooking the street. Offering a wide variety of offerings including Caribbean Bar-B-Q at night (along with full menu).

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Indian Wok~
Dinner
Walk up window so you can order and bring to Tranquila bar, or sit down service in a cozy atmosphere. A range of tasty Indian and Asian foods.

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Jade Seahorse Restaurant~
Note: Not currently serving as of January 2010
Located up the road from the ferry dock, on your way to the Mango Inn.  Light healthy snacks like hummus and eggplant dip, and also offers a nightly sauce with choice of chicken or fish or vegetarian. (Julia follows a raw food diet herself.)  Her husband, Neil, is an artist, and has spent years turning the property into a piece of art in itself. Definitely worth a trip there to take a look around.  Great smoothies too.

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Jillys at Coral View~
Lunch, Beach Bar
Located on a covered dock in Blue Bayou at Coral View Resort, Jilly’s is a nice option for lunch, snacks, drinks on the water. Excellent snorkeling off the dock.

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La Champa~
Note: Not currently open as of January 2010
Large champa on the public beach.

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La Piccola~
Dinner
This long time favorite Italian restaurant features home made pasta made with imported ingredients; and large selection of imported wines. Owner Kate is an awesome lady and takes pride in her restaurant.   Try the gnocchi with creamy mushroom sauce and bacon or the ravioli with a 4 cheese sauce or chicken picatta. Full wine menu and bar. Located upstairs, across the street from Tranquila Bar.

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La Pirata~
Dinner and Bar
Sorts bar with full bar offerings and showing games regularly.  Located at the ferry dock, upstairs in the big building.

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Mango Inn~
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Located at the Mango Inn Hotel. Breakfast and Lunch menu with Dinner menu featuring international food and Italian style pizza in a wood burning oven. Clean and pleasant.

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Mariposa~
Breakfast
 Very clean restaurant, comfortable sitting area overlooking the harbor. New as of January 2010, owner Shannon is offering Beignets and coffee Sundays- Thursday mornings until 11am.  Located just to right of ferry dock, about 1 “block”, before Bundu Cafe. On the water side, in a Large yellow building (can’t see building from street, but entrance is there).

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Mermaids- 
Lunch, Dinner
This is a buffet style with a variety of offerings. The owner Hughbert is always almost there, and is extremely friendly and helpful.  Wide range of buffet lunch options, including fresh baked bread.  Great for a to-go option as well. They also will do Pizza and Chinese food if you order in advance (1 plate of chop suey or chow mein will definitely feed 2pp; the egg rolls/taco chinos or wantons are also tasty) AND, they will deliver if you order enough – just give it about one hour or more.  Located to the right of ferry dock, on the left hand of road, before the Cinema. 425-3299

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Munchies~
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Under new management as of June 2010 (formerly run by the owners of La Pirata restaurant who have now moved on to Bundu Cafe), local Jobson is doing a great job running the show with  breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings.  Featuring a nice spot to sit on the street and sip your cappuccino. 

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Picnic – As in make your own!~
Grab some cold cuts and baguette from the bakery or take out sandwiches from a restaurant and sit under a shady tree.

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RJ’s BBQ Grill~
Dinner- Wedesday, Friday, Sunday
Longtime favorite BBQ grill specialties in a very casual setting.  Order at the counter and grab your seat. Get there early – it gets busy.  Open only Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 5:00 p.m. This is a long-time “institution” on the island, for their large portions and low prices. Robbie (RJ) always on premises, working the grill and enjoying his rum drinks.  Try the “rumade!” Located near the bridge towards the OLD airport road.

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Seven Seas~
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serving local food, large baleadas, and burgers.Located just past Big Mama’s restaurant, towards “The Point”

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Skid Row~
Lunch, Dinner
Great fun low-key spot, offering a full bar and inexpensive pub food including Mexican style tacos, burritos, pizza, burgers, etc.  Dave, Ryan, and Trish run the show and are friendly and welcoming. Gets a large regular expat crowd as well. Located in Sandy Bay

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Thompsons Bakery~
Breakfast, Lunch
Economical and a tradition in Utila. Local favorite for breakfast, and very good. Get the cinnamon rolls when their hot out of the oven! Open early. Located on Cola de Mico Road, just up from the ferry dock, about 1 block up to the right. Selection of sandwiches and local food.

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Ultralight~
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Don’t miss this very informal setting run by a friendly islander, Joya, the Ultralight offers selection of breakfast items, fresh juices and smoothies. Great lunch spot for  falafel sandwiches, a nice selection of vegetarian food, and also chicken dishes. Located on the main street, to left of ferry dock a few “blocks”, just across the Bayview Hotel. Not sure if the sign is still up; its on the corner and is a covered deck. Really good stuff.

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Wooden Spoon at the old Holland Restaurant~

Update June 2010:  Oh nooooo…Wooden Spoon has closed. We’ll miss you guys and look forward to your return!

Dinner
New this year, this cozy restaurant is run by two young friendly women, one a trained chef. As one guest wrote “They serve a veg option and a meat option and it is straight out delicious pub food but like elevated to this incredible level of warmth and goodness by the staff and their cook.”

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Zanzibar~
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Local, affordable, and with nice deck on the main street. Full breakfast menu.  Probably the best smoothies around, and the owner Javiar is almost always there, very friendly and eager to please. Our choice for breakfast. Tip: the only downsides for us is the bread with breakfast is white bread, and the cheese served is American sliced, but you can try and substitute other things. For lunch,  Webmaster’s father-in-law loves the chili, and ate here almost daily when he visited us!; Other hits are the Grilled Bacon and Chicken Sandwich; subs are very affordable and they do nice seafood/fish as well. 

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Will’s Taco~
Dinner
Will comes every year for a few months with his taco cart and cooks up some excellent soft tacos with all the fixings. You can usually choose between chicken, beef, pork, or veggie-style.  There is plenty of covered seating just behind him. Will’s a friendly guy, who aims to please.  Located to the right of ferry dock, on left of main street, in an open lot that has a concrete wall.

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UtilaGuide Tip on Bathrooms:
Note that not all of the restaurants will NOT have bathrooms for customers, so plan ahead! (Many do, including RJ’s, Daves/Bundu Café, Mermaids, Mariposa Café, Munchies, El Picantae, RJs, Mango Inn, La Pirata, La Piccola, Skid Row, and Driftwood.)

UtilaGuide Tip on Tipping:
We always get questions on tipping, so here is our fully biased viewpoint, taken from 5 years of being restaurant customers on Utila and owning a popular restaurant for 2.5 of those years, and from the input of many others: 

Tipping for a full sit-down service is customary at 10% if you receive very good service.  If the tip was not warranted, you don’t have to pay it – just ask to speak to the manager. Don’t be cheap though- if service is good, don’t get out of tipping and you can always tip more- its well appreciated and often shared among kitchen staff.  But please, don’t promote bad service by over-tipping when not warranted.  Also, some restaurants are starting to add tip to the bill, but may not tell you, or just write it as “10%” – so don’t forget to check the bill before handing over your money, or ask if you have questions.   For counter or take out ordering, its not really standard to tip the 10% to  tip; but if someone is friendly or helpful, then leave them something- they are still working for you!   Bottom line- if service was good- tip well!