Boracay restaurants and food
There are some great eating experiences
Not only is Boracay home to world-class beaches, it also has a wealth of interesting restaurants that range from five-star fine dining joints and hole-in-the-wall eateries. The majority of restaurants in Boracay are found on White Beach near resorts. All down the beach are seafood buffets, which serve-up a delicious range of fish, baked oysters, muscles and even that Filipino speciality, roast suckling pig.
These restaurants are great value at under US$5 per head, but locals tell us to avoid shellfish at the cheapest ones as leftovers are sometimes served up again the next day, with occasional dire consequences. Ask around at your hotel for the best recommendations, or trust our recommended top 20 guide.
Recommended Boracay restaurants
Manana: If you dig Mexican cuisine, drop by Manana. The restaurant is known for its fine servings of Mexican food, the most popular of which are Tostados & Tacos. You can have a meal for as low as US$11, while the most expensive dishes are for around US$20. Boat Station 1, White Beach, Boracay. $$$
Jony’s: If you love fruit shakes, Jony’s will be like heaven to you. This Mexican restaurant offers refreshing tropical blends of fruits, with the addition of ice, sugar, and milk. The banana mango shake is one of its best-sellers and prices are incredibly low. White Beach. $
The Dining Hall at Royal Park Hotel: If you're not sure what you want to eat, survey the range of Filipino, Chinese, and Korean specialties served at Dining Hall. Food orders are less than US$10, though you better have someone to finish the meals with as servings are typically huge. 2F Royal Park Resort, Boat Station 1, Balabag, $$
Lemon Café: Satisfy your sweet tooth with the tempting exquisite delicacies of Lemon Café. You can try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse or iconic Lemon Tart, and finish off with a refreshing complementary glass of Mint Water. The price range is US$5 to $10; just about average for a café. The Mall Plaza, White Beach. $$
Big Mamas Pinoy Hotpot & Grill: Visitors who would like to experience delicious Filipino flavours must spend some time in Big Mamas. The local diner (carinderia) is open round-the-clock, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night drinks. You should try their speciality - traditional porksilog; a combination of pork, fried rice (sinangag), and egg (itlog). Meals are less than US$5. White Beach, Boat Station 1, Boracay, beside Starbucks. $
Roast pork lechon is available at beachside buffets
Mongolian Grill: This grill is quite interesting in the sense that you get to choose the ingredients and get as much as you want for your meal, all for less than US$10. The restaurant also gives free soups, and the variety of choices they offer include local vegetables like alugbati and kangkong. D’ Mall, White Beach, Station 2, Boracay. $$
Aria Restaurant: The Italian menu in Aria is amazing, especially the hand-tossed pizzas. One of their specialties is the Al Amatriciana; a pasta meal comprised of tomatoes, lots of bacon and parmesan cheese. Expect the bill to go anywhere from US$21 to $30. D’ Mall, White Beach, Station 2, Boracay. $$$$
Ole Bar and Restaurant: Spanish, Mexican and Cuban cuisine fuse at Ole, which has an upbeat Hispanic ambience. It's the only restaurant in Boracay that serves Cuban food. Favourites include the calamares ala pancha, which is a sliced squid pan-fried in olive oil and flavoured with lemon juice. Meals are affordable at less than US$10. D’ Mall, White Beach, Station 2, near the Ferris Wheel. $$
Mama’s Bar, Restaurant and Chill-Out Lounge: This is the perfect place to go if you crave German and Austrian foods. Mama’s has a relaxing, homey atmosphere and offers the best-sellers: goulasch, scnitzl, rinsahrouladen, and cevapcici. Meals are less than US$10, so you can have as much as you want. Main Road, across Grand Vista, Yapak. $$
Kasbah: Kasbah serves an international range of foods. You must try their lamb tagine, as well as the calamares and gamabas marocain. There are many wines and signature cocktails to finish off any meal, too. Price range is US$11 to $20. White Beach, Station 1, between Discovery Shores and The Ambassador. $$$
Gastoff’s: This restaurant serves rib-based American dishes that are so delicious you would literally lick your fingers. All their dishes are cooked to perfection, and the meat simply falls off the bone. The bill should be around US$20. near D’ Mall, White Beach, Station 2. $$
Price guide
$ – dishes under $3; quart of beer $1; whiskey shot $1.50;cocktails $2
$$ – dishes $3-10; quart of beer $1.50; whiskey shot $2; cocktails $2.50
$$$ – dishes $10-20; quart of beer $2; whiskey shot $2.50; cocktails $3
$$$$ – dishes over $20; quart of beer $3; whiskey shot $4; cocktails $5
Eat right on the sand in Boracay
Valhalla Steakhouse: What Valhalla offers are mouth-watering steaks coupled with world-class service. The menu is teeming with attractive entries that you could order if you don't feel like eating steak. However, if you are a meat lover, then try having your steak with potato and sour cream, plus a healthy green salad. D’Mall Plaza, White Beach, Station 2. $$$
Nigi Nigi: If you're up for some beach side dining, you'll certainly get what you want in Nigi Nigi. The restaurant serves both English and Asian food, and one of their must-tries is the breaded fish fingers with English chips. All meals are less than US$10. White Beach, Boat Station 2, Boracay. $$
Friday’s: Friday’s is another popular food establishment in the island. They serve an eclectic menu, and you should try their spaghetti bolognese. The foods are more expensive than average at a price range of US$21 and $30. White Beach. $$$
Inside’s Tip: Rumour has it that the Real Coffee and Tea Café serves the best coffee on the entire island, so if you are a bona fide coffee lover, include trying out their specialty drinks in your to-do list.
Café del Sol: Coffee, cakes and shakes at Café del Sol are the perfect day starters and enders. The café has a modern look, perfect for enjoying their pastrami with cheese and roasted vegetables. Your bill should be less than US$10, making second servings not a bad idea. D’ Mall, Beachfront, White Beach, Station 2. $$
Dos Mestizos: This is another restaurant that boasts superb Spanish cuisine. Food lovers surely won't be able to get enough of their blue cheese croquettes and signature paella. Prices are also reasonable. Behind the Tourist Center, between Stations 1 and 2, White Beach. $$$
Real Coffee and Tea Café: The café is native-inspired, with bamboos and nipas all over the place. They serve meals typical for a café, such as omelet sandwich and pancakes. Their touted calamansi muffins and baked cookies are also worth a try. Anyone can get something to eat and drink at the café for less than US$10. Boat Station 1, White Beach.
Fishbar: If you want fresh sea food, drop by Fishbar, which serves yummy sea delights such as the traditional beer-battered deep-fried fish and chips and kedgeree. Prices are less than US$10. D’Mall Plaza, White Beach, Station 2. $$
Seoul Mini Restaurant: The restaurant serves traditional Korean foods and all are really good, not to mention cheap. White Beach, Station 2, Boracay. $
The Steakhouse: Steaks, salads, pasta, and chicken meals are all done well at the Steakhouse and the restaurant also has a tempting selection of wines. The 4-cheese pasta and the alberto special are just two things in the menu that you should try. Everything is below US$10, so indulge! White Beach, Boat Station 2. $$
