Samar
Popular place with a good selection of Filipino dishes including garlic-pepper shrimp. There's indoor seating and an outdoor terrace from where you can…
Must-see restaurants in Philippines
Cebu City
Delicious lechón from a tiny stand in the basement food court of Robinson's. For a true pig-out, a full kilogram costs P460.
Camiguin
Despite the clunky name, this is Mambajao's best restaurant. The menu ranges widely, from typical Filipino dishes to burgers and fried chicken, and the…
Cebu City
A fun place where you don goofy cling-wrap gloves and a bib and attack buckets of Cajun-butter shrimp (or ribs, mussels, crab or pork belly) while…
Siargao
Cheap juices, shakes and noodles, including more than a dozen varieties of pansit, are the speciality at this fan-cooled open-air place. Service can be…
Samar
Dine by the river on the huge deck at this very popular hotel restaurant. The menu includes Filipino and Chinese dishes; try the speciality: stir-fried…
Siargao
Newly opened Spanish–owned spot serving up thin-crust pizza and homemade pasta in a small open-air space. Jam sessions with neighbours and friends most…
Sagada
Oriented towards trekkers, Bana's specialises in coffee, omelettes and delicious home-made yoghurt. Its narrow balcony overlooks a gorge and catches the…
Samar
Smart beach-facing cafe offering burgers, noodle dishes, pastries (try the empanadas) and Filipino snacks. Good fruit shakes too. It also offers a…
Panglao Island
This casual restaurant serves French faves such as chicken cordon bleu, flambéed garlic prawns and crème brûlée, not to mention wine, cheese and great…
Puerto Princesa
A decidedly healthy and delicious option run by Seventh-Day Adventists. Try the spicy bean burrito or vegan-cheese pizza for meryenda (a daytime snack).
Panglao Island
Trudi's qualifies as budget eating in pricey Alona Beach. The Filipino food is filling, beers are cheap, tables overlook the sea and there's often a live…
Cebu City
Head here with an appetite and feast on seafood or lechón from the all-you-can-eat buffet. It's a good place to gorge after an extended boat journey.
Bohol
With tables overlooking the sea, this large, moderately priced place is one of the best places to eat in Talibon and catches sea breezes. Try its grilled…
Around Manila
This local institution cooks up Cajun and Creole-style cuisine, from St Louis–style pork ribs to Southern fried catfish, and doubles as a live jazz venue.
Davao
A modest place serving authentic Korean dishes across the street from Victoria Plaza Mall. More leafy greens than others, so a good choice for vegetarians.
Bacolod
An authentic patisserie run by a French chef, with an ever-changing selection of gourmet treats, including delicious churros and good espresso drinks.
Siargao
For the island's best croissants, other pastries and espresso drinks, head to this comfortable oasis of cool, both in terms of temperature and style.
Bicol
This restaurant next door to Fernandos Hotel serves excellent Bicolano dishes and freshly grilled seafood.
Panay
This inexpensive outdoor restaurant near the electric company in San Miguel serves excellent grilled seafood and more beneath its thatched roof.
Dumaguete
This local legend serves up sticky ribs and hot Filipino dishes, plus delicious shakes and coffee from its air-conditioned adjoining coffeeshop.
Siargao
Small Italian–owned spot with excellent espresso drinks, including iced coffee, calamansi juice, cheesecake and focaccia sandwiches.
Iloilo
A simply furnished place along the Iloilo esplanade whose menu of Korean specialities features appetising photos that match the real thing.
Bicol
This open-air restobar is a great little oasis for a casual meal in the heart of busy Tabaco. Filipino and Bicolano cuisine and cold beer.
Around Manila
Attractive open-air garden bistro in Lucban's backstreets serving Filipino dishes, pizza and cold beers. Regular live music on weekends.
Samar
A fine cafe with air-con, functional wi-fi, Western and Pinoy food, various coffee drinks and delicious cakes in busy downtown Catarman.
North Luzon
Gerry's place is famous for its buffet, which is particularly seafood-heavy, with touches of Chinese cuisine and a welcome bit of spice.
Samar
Pleasant open-air eatery just off Baybay Beach, serving cheap and tasty Filipino dishes. Try the baby-back ribs or sweet-and-sour fish.
Siargao
The clever play on words aside, CFC's speciality rivals KFC's. Sandwiches and other basic grilled-meat dishes round out the menu.
Leyte
Inexpensive place on the main drag with a long menu of breakfasts, rice dishes, burgers and 'short orders' (try the chop suey).
Boracay
Satisfying and quick sandwiches, tacos and burgers on a prime patch of real estate, worth including on a late-night bar crawl.
Samar
The long-running Domsowir has a great location on the riverbank, a good range of Filipino food and some Chinese-style dishes.
Boracay
Smoke is excellent value, with freshly cooked Filipino food, appetising coconut-milk curries and dirt-cheap breakfasts.
Bohol
Enjoying a perfect beach location, this bar-resto serves huge portions of Filipino faves and San Miguels are a steal.
Manila
Famous across Manila for its fried chicken and other home-style Hokkien cooking; run by a third-generation family.
Siargao
Literally a hole-in-the-wall with a couple of stools, doling out good tacos and burritos. Also serves frozen beer.
Panay
On the side of the road at the northern end of town is this open-air pavilion serving freshly caught seafood.
Siquijor
This casual waterfront eatery serves a wide variety of pastas and thin-crust pizzas. Good breakfast too.
Jewels Nook Coffee Shop & Restaurant
Bohol
A pleasant cafe run by friendly staff ideal for meat dishes such as baby-back ribs, plus ice cream.
Southeast Luzon
Cheerful snack bar serving siopao (steamed buns, P25), pizza and Filipino standards.
