Mactan Island
Individual nipa-hut tables set among lush fairy-lit gardens attract a mix of locals and tourists to this dining oasis. Seafood choices include meaty…
Must-see restaurants in Philippines
Camiguin
Allesandro, the Italian owner-chef at this open-air place across from the airport, fires up delicious thin-crust brick-oven pies using only high-quality…
North Luzon
Surrounded by the owner's antique collection, you can sample the superlative pinakbét and poqui-poqui (roasted eggplant) pizza (which we suppose can be…
Manila
A Manila institution, the Shawarma Snack Center serves the richest and most flavourful falafel, mutabal (eggplant dip), hummus and kebabs in downtown…
Sagada
Enjoy your banana pancake out on the balcony at breakfast; get some of the great oatmeal cookies to go; or linger over pasta and chunky sandwiches on…
Bicol
It's hard to imagine dining with a better view of Mt Mayon than at this stylish little restaurant right next to Daraga Church. Steps descend into the…
Camiguin
An earthy little garden cafe serving healthy fare like smoothie bowls topped with granola, vegan and non-vegan shakshuka and mains like stir-fried…
Bohol
In a renovated Spanish-era home with a few quirky additions, this restaurant scores for Filipino food including sizzling gambas (prawns) and adobo. Round…
Siargao
Attached to the resort of the same name, Buddha's occupies a lovely two-storey structure where a Thai chef delights gastronomes with authentic Siamese…
Coron Town
A cute travel-themed cafe with a balcony overlooking the busy street, Full Lotus mixes grainy power bowls with Mexican (vegan tostadas), Filipino (tofu…
Puerto Princesa
Perched over the water at the end of a raised boardwalk over mangroves, Badjao has nice views over Puerto Princesa Bay and the mountains beyond. A long…
Bacolod
Crisp white tablecloths, professional waiters and an appetising menu set the tone for this classy and reasonably priced restaurant. It's known for its…
Manila
One of the first establishments to plant its flag at the Collective, Wingman caters to local hipsters with its American diner food, most notably several…
Leyte
On the waterfront a kilometre northwest of the centre, this friendly locally owned restaurant serves tasty Asian food including Filipino-style curries,…
Puerto Galera
Hone in on Fred's seven-course special menus – there are four choices, usually including steak, seafood or a combination of the two. They're worth the…
Southeast Luzon
Beside the port this alfresco seafood restaurant is particularly atmospheric in the evenings, when you can sit under a thatched canopy and feast on the…
Kalibo
With big portions, a long specials menu, outdoor seating and a wine list, this restaurant a few blocks east of Pastrana Park feels like an oasis of…
Puerto Princesa
This bohemian-style complex consists of a postage-stamp, air-conditioned cafe and an open-air restobar with nightly live acoustic music and palm readings…
Bicol
Down on Legazpi's seafront 'Boulevard,' cute little Cafe Peloton does vegan versions of classic Bicolano and Filipino dishes like Bicol exprés and faux…
Samar
The most authentic Filipino food in the area, served in an open-sided nipa hall. Feast on chilli crab or grilled fish, butter chicken and crispy pata …
Coron Town
The expanding Altrove empire rides a formula of delicious antipasti (try the carpaccio), pasta and pizzas to provincial success. It's in a lovely elevated…
Manila
Mercato Centrale is a pop-up food park of sorts that sees close to 50 vendors appear every weekend (and Thursdays) in one of the few vacant lots left in…
Cagayan de Oro
True to its old-school decor of antique plates and doilies that would make grandma happy, there's no wi-fi on offer at this postage-stamp-sized cafe…
Manila
This intimate bistro has just four tables and – fittingly – 18 dishes on the menu. Small plates are the speciality – go for the baked prawn casserole and…
Puerto Princesa
This mural-splashed, open-air kubo (native-style shelter) hidden behind a Best Western hotel is a hang-out for the local 'Art on the Move' group…
San Juan (La Union)
A thimble-sized yet bustling and decidedly hip cafe that takes care of surfers' caffeine-related needs via great espresso drinks (P100 to P140), masala…
Northern Mindanao
Surigao's most dependably lively spot is an open-air pavilion within the Hotel Tavern's grounds. Fresh seafood is the speciality (you can select from the…
El Nido
With a blue-and-white Mediterranean motif, this beachfront eatery scores points for authentic saganaki (fried cheese) with Halloumi cheese, moussaka, and…
Panglao Island
The Alona Beach branch of Panglao institution Bohol Bee Farm has a healthy lineup of (largely) organic dishes with many options for vegetarians as well as…
Manila
Soru is a slick new Japanese bistro known for mouthwatering aburi (torched) sushi in the heart of QC's Maginhawa foodie district. It also has great ramen,…
Manila
Not even in the American heartland itself could there be a diner with as much 1950s pop-culture paraphernalia as you’ll find stuffed inside this P Burgos…
Around Manila
Overlooking the Parade Grounds, this Japanese restaurant is set inside a converted historical barn house with decor mixing a traditional izakaya (Japanese…
Cebu City
This Cebu institution is famous for its thin-crust pizzas – try the mildly spicy Pizza Cebuana topped with the local chorizo. Pasta, chilli wings, salads…
El Nido
What's a Boodle Fight, you ask? It's a Filipino feast served on a huge banana leaf and eaten communally by hand. A four-person feast here costs P650 (meat…
Manila
Just up the road from the Marikina Shoe Museum, this a good spot for a lunch break within the atmospheric late-17th-century former home of Kapitan Moy,…
Around Manila
Part gallery, part cafe and part bar, Dreamland is a cruisy dining experience with world music playing, cushions on the floor and the menu on a mini…
Panay
Raffy's is a comfortable and air-conditioned refuge from the chaotic traffic and a good place for a burger or flatbread pizza. A few pieces of art and a…
Manila
This laid-back yet classy bistro is a good stop for lunch or a meryenda (snack) if you're on a tour of the Malacañang Palace. Dishes are Spanish Filipino,…
Western Visayas
Don't let the humble entrance fool you: inside lies a real breath of fresh air. This cool cafe and meeting place offers excellent fruit shakes and pizza,…
Northern Mindanao
Part of the Hotel Tavern complex, this contemporary cafe qualifies as hip, for Surigao. Sandwiches, burgers, plus pastries, cookies and excellent coffee…
