Our Story
A Home Away From Home & a Dream
Since its founding, Il Pellicano has been a labour of love and appreciation for our little island here in Caye Caulker, Belize. For over thirty years, our owner Mike and family has returned to Caye Caulker for its “go-slow” pace and island lifestyle, making friends and building community.
Over time, he saw an opportunity the island was missing: Italian food done with care and authenticity. A different kind of comfort food and a place to gather away for both the simple moments and special occasions. When he found the right location, Il Pellicano began to take shape.
He brought chefs from Italy to lead the kitchen and train the team. Chose every piece of the restaurant with care and planted a lush tropical garden to make our beloved Italian restaurant feel like an escape to a garden oasis. Invested in the highest quality ingredients and curated a proudly primarily Italian wine list to complement; elements that are imported from Italy to Caye Caulker to this day.
Il Pellicano remains a restaurant shaped by its people, an ode to our beautiful little island here on Caye Caulker, and a shared commitment to doing things well.
Go Slow. We look forward to sharing our little corner of the world with you.
A lover of food, wine, and taking inspiration from great restaurants in his home country of Canada, Mike knew how important authenticity and dedication are to providing quality - building the ethos and heart of what Il Pellicano is today.
That commitment to people, dedication, quality, and authenticity is at the heart of Il Pellicano. Over time, that foundation has allowed Il Pellicano to transition to a skilled Belizean team, trained by Italian chefs and supported into leadership roles. Today, both the head chef and a long-standing manager have stepped into ownership alongside Mike, because those who help build the restaurant should be part of its future.