Must-see restaurants in Northern Mindanao

  • Guerrera

    Camiguin

    Camiguin's culinary profile is given a big boost by this restaurant housed in a large yellow villa on an isolated bit of waterfront. The culinary-school…

  • Beehive

    Camiguin

    Made from recycled wood, shells, rocks and a hotchpotch of other materials a la Robinson Crusoe, this eccentric Belgian-owned cafe is a good place for a…

  • Circa Eatery

    Cagayan de Oro

    The ground floor of the Red Planet Hotel, on the city's primary traffic-jammed road, is an unusual spot for a restaurant espousing slow-food movement bona…

  • CEV/Loose Keys

    Siargao

    Until 9pm this is CEV, which specialises in highly original ceviche and kinilaw bowls – basically marinated raw fish bits mixed with rice, seasonal…

  • Panagatan

    Cagayan de Oro

    For the freshest seafood, head to this restaurant perched on stilts over the water around 10km west of Cagayan de Oro on the highway to Iligan.

  • Calda’s Pizzeria

    Northern Mindanao

    Excellent and massive thin-crust pizzas with a few tables and waterfront boulevard seating. 'Extra super-size' pies are a ridiculous 36in with 50 slices.

  • Redtail Shrimps & More

    Cagayan de Oro

    No plates and utensils – a bit of a gimmick – does prompt table photos of everyone in their bibs and plastic gloves. No matter how the crabs, prawns,…

  • Greg's Place Pizza & Beer

    Siargao

    American–Filipina–owned roadside spot in sleepy San Isidro dishing out a variety of pizzas, including Hawaiian, vegie and seafood (squid, mussels and…

  • Lokal Grill

    Cagayan de Oro

    In addition to standard Filipino meat and noodle dishes, Lokal does its own version of pinakbét (an Ilocano dish of mixed vegetables steamed in fish sauce…

  • J&A Fishpen

    Camiguin

    Seafood (such as bangus P60 per 100g) comes straight from the pens on the Benoni lagoon, which this restaurant overlooks; popular with large groups on…

  • Zicatela

    Siargao

    Named after the famed Oaxaca surf break, Zicatela whips up Siargao's best tacos and burritos, complemented by modern Mexican mains (try the Yucatan slow…

  • La Dolce Vita

    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…

  • Hayahay Cafe

    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…

  • Buddha's Thai Cuisine

    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…

  • Mai Cafe

    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…

  • EJ's Garden by the Bay

    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…

  • EJ's Cafe

    Northern Mindanao

    Part of the Hotel Tavern complex, this contemporary cafe qualifies as hip, for Surigao. Sandwiches, burgers, plus pastries, cookies and excellent coffee…

  • Kawayan

    Siargao

    Kawayan's restaurant does food inspired by French, Basque, Moroccan and Filipino cuisines (Moroccan tagine is the speciality), served in a sumptuously…

  • 357 Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

    Northern Mindanao

    Not much curb appeal to this utilitarian-looking restaurant next to the Surigao Coast Guard office. However, it's pleasant enough inside and serves…

  • Warung

    Siargao

    Warung's Indonesian chef serves up good-value specialities like nasi rames (dish with small portions of rice, meat and vegies), laksa (spicy noodle soup)…

  • 4Daboys Tavern

    Cagayan de Oro

    Filipino comfort food, especially lechón (roast suckling pig) and kambing (goat) dishes, and imported beers like Stella Artois and Asahi are on offer at…

  • Luna Ristorante

    Camiguin

    Luna does excellent thin-crust brick-oven pizza, a mean mixed-seafood grill and good-value breakfasts. Pasta dishes are of uneven quality. Tables are…

  • Guiseppe Pizzeria & Sicilian Roast

    Cagayan de Oro

    The best Italian restaurant in CDO serves up wood-oven pizza, homemade pastas, including top-class pappardelle lamb ragu, and meat dishes like lamb shank…

  • Shaka Siargao

    Siargao

    To maintain the healthy vibe after hours out in the surf, try one of the delicious power bowls and smoothies at this postage-stamp-sized spot. The super…

  • Cafe Loka

    Siargao

    Associated with neighbouring Sagana Beach Resort, this place sits under palm trees on a rare (for Cloud Nine) patch of sand, offering sandwiches, brownies…

  • Mama's Grill

    Siargao

    Every evening the surfing herd converges to feed on skewered pork chops, chicken and beef at this modest BBQ shack about 1.5km north of GL. And then, just…

  • Seablings

    Cagayan de Oro

    Around 10km west of Cagayan de Oro, Seablings has a good boodle fight menu – basically, group meals served on banana leaves and eaten with hands. The…

  • Palaka Restaurant

    Siargao

    Part of the dive centre of the same name, this pleasant spot along the GL waterfront does a good mix of salads, burgers and paninis. Waffles and crepes…

  • Samuel by VjANDEP

    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…

  • Ronaldo's

    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…

  • Barrel Spot

    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…

  • Kawayan Gourmand

    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.

  • Lunares Cafe

    Siargao

    Small Italian–owned spot with excellent espresso drinks, including iced coffee, calamansi juice, cheesecake and focaccia sandwiches.

  • Catangnan Fried Chicken

    Siargao

    The clever play on words aside, CFC's speciality rivals KFC's. Sandwiches and other basic grilled-meat dishes round out the menu.

  • Miguel's Taqueria

    Siargao

    Literally a hole-in-the-wall with a couple of stools, doling out good tacos and burritos. Also serves frozen beer.

  • Rosarios

    Northern Mindanao

    A good choice for Chinese, Filipino and seafood dishes.

  • Rosario Arcade

    Cagayan de Oro

    One of Cagayan’s culinary and entertainment centres.

  • Marcky's Grill

    Cagayan de Oro

    Not the most logical spot for alfresco dining, since the air is thick with jeepney exhaust fumes. Nevertheless, one of the wobbly stools perched over the…

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