Essence Garden Cafe — Restaurant in Paraiso

Essence Café was an absolute gem to discover on our last day in Corozal. The space is tucked into a lush garden oasis—vibrant with plants, succulents, and trees—which makes it feel both peaceful and welcoming. You can really tell it’s been created with care (Johan, the owner, mentioned his wife loves plants, and it truly shows!).

The food was fresh and delicious. My dad had an omelette, and I had the pancakes with bacon and eggs—everything was cooked perfectly and locally sourced. They also offer a nice variety on their lunch and dinner menu without it being overwhelming. The coffee was another highlight! From frappes and lattes to solid classic brews, it was by far the best coffeehouse-style selection we found in the area.

Johan was incredibly friendly and generous with his time. Even though it was our last day, he gave us thoughtful recommendations for places to explore if we return to Belize. That personal touch made a great meal even more memorable.

If you’re in Corozal, do yourself a favor and stop by Essence Café. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and delicious—everything you could want in a breakfast or...

We stopped for lunch and were welcomed by Johann. He was friendly and so nice to us. We are visiting from Maine and he shared great suggestions to enhance our stay. The coffee and the food were delicous! We tried tacos, tostada, torta and the steak wrap. The meals were all excellent- 10 stars! We look forward to our return to Essence...

Excellent service and food! Try this place immediately - you will love it. Johann was so welcoming and made it feel like we were old friends. One of the best places to stop and get food around Corozal. Cheers to Johann and his team for an exceptional...