The best restaurants Visayas

Within the Evolution Diving resort, the Craic House is a sort of Irish pub on a Philippine beach, in short, an excellent place to have a drink and eat one of the original, tasty dishes offered by the enthusiastic team with their feet in the sand. There are no 150 dishes on the menu, as the emphasis here is on quality rather than quantity, and on using as much fresh, local produce as possible. A wide choice of music to suit all tastes and a rather large selection of drinks (including wine). An address with a good-natured atmosphere.

Colourful decoration and an attractive map for this restaurant serving Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices. Another preferred place for expatriates.

Small canteen where Filipino breakfast is served. Good street dishes and some classic Western classiques. Very cheap.

This great, popular restaurant serves good and copious cuisine, while offering Philippine dance shows (also fire cracheurs, etc.). Combo are offered between 450 and 1 200 P per person according to your appetite, and transfers from/to your hotels are free upon reservation! A good opportunity to spend a pleasant time with family or friends.

This is the meeting place of some expatriates. We haven't been excited by the atmosphere. In the evening, the restaurant is animated by live music concerts. Adjoining the restaurant, there is also a small information desk that can help the visitor organise his excursions.

Another oddity in the heart of Boracay, this Hispanic restaurant-bar has moved to the main street of Station 1, where it has a tavern-like atmosphere, sometimes featuring flamenco. Excellent tapas and paellas (the house specialty) are served, as well as meats, fish and salads. Musical accompaniment most evenings. To add to the festivities: an extensive wine list. For larger parties, or if you're with friends (you'll need a lot of people): opt for the suckling pig or cochinillo, a delight.

Here's a Moroccan restaurant where everything is delicious: hummus, kemia, kefta, salads, soups, brochettes, tajines with lamb in particular, couscous or baklava... The decor in vibrant Maghreb colors is supported by atmospheric lighting and the delicate scent of incense. It's nice to sip a mint tea or a cocktail while admiring the sunset over the ocean. Musicians from all over the world perform regularly: flamenco guitar, Brazilian gafiera, Indian sitar. Local celebrities can also often be heard here. A must-see!

There is a trendy and friendly atmosphere in this place which is both a café and a restaurant. In the morning, the freshly ground coffee perfumes the room. To sustenance, you will have the choice between classic Filipino dishes like chicken adobo, poke bowls - the tuna one is famous, and there is also a vegetarian one - and western dishes like pasta. The dishes are nicely presented and very colorful and the staff is friendly. A well known address for the student youth of Dumaguete.

Hidden in a residential area, in the very peaceful garden of a simple house, you walk through the gate as if you were going to a friend's house. The menu is quite copious (like the plates) and original. You can compose your wrap or hashbrown (fried potato pancake) by adding a whole series of ingredients (avocado, cheese, fried onions, etc.). The calamansi juice is very refreshing. And the prices are more than reasonable. On the walls of the restaurant, works by local artists. The best vegetarian in Dumaguete!

On the roof of the recent Hotel Dumaguete, the Pawnshop is a cocktail bar and tapas restaurant open to all. We recommend coming in the late afternoon when the sun is setting to enjoy its 360 degree view. On the menu, a wide selection of wines and well-made signature cocktails (with or without alcohol). The tapas are very good, we recommend the cheese and charcuterie board and the hummus trio. Being very recent, the place is rarely crowded, you have to take advantage of it! Wednesday evening it is ladies' night, two cocktails for the price of one.

Located at 12 minutes walk from Tagbilaran pier, it is the ideal place if you have an hour or two to kill while waiting for a boat. This café-restaurant has a very nice terrace and even a roof terrace. It is located in a kind of complex that looks like a resort and is therefore sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the road, it is a real oasis of tranquility. The coffee is good, and the menu is provided from breakfast to dinner, including cocktails, juices and milkshakes. Reasonable prices and friendly atmosphere.

At the same time a vegan café-restaurant and a youth hostel, Wonderland is a real living place where many activities are organized such as yoga classes, campfires or beach cleaning sessions. We like the huge bamboo hut aspect open on the outside. A slight Japanese touch sets the tone, at the entrance you take off your shoes before joining one of the futons and sitting around a table on the ground. The dishes are original, worked and to fall. Paliton Beach and its legendary sunsets are 300 meters away.

Located in Baclayon along the harbor, Genaro's Grill is a large, floating fish restaurant that resembles a large, airy hall. It offers a superb view of the sea. The concept is very appealing: you choose your fish or meat at the entrance, which is then cooked, grilled and seasoned to your liking, before being brought to the table by a friendly waiter or waitress. Popular with the locals, it's a place with a lively, authentic village atmosphere; at weekends, live bands liven things up.

This is the café-restaurant located right next to Murals Hostel, in a quiet corner of Cebu. From the outside, our eyes are immediately drawn to its leafy façade and contemporary, airy structure. The big advantage is the roof terrace, which is shaded and very pleasant both during the day and in the evening. Western and Filipino cuisine is fairly simple but well executed. Quantities are a little small, however. As for drinks, in addition to the very good cold coffee, there are juices, beers and cocktails.

The project was born of a love affair between Tristan and his Canadian wife. The goal: to offer a successful gastro pub experience. The project is a success in every respect, with a predominantly wood-panelled decor offering a very warm feel. You can come and enjoy a well-prepared pub meal, either inside or on the terrace overlooking an alleyway. We can't recommend enough the delicious seafood platter or the sausage & mash...., an address not to be missed! Note: the restaurant also offers a selection of local craft beers.

Like a traditional bamboo house on stilts, Baha Bar is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, where you feel good right away. The decoration, worked, puts on wood and the vegetable with beautiful pieces of craft industry and it is successful! For your taste buds, the choice is large between local and international dishes and the cocktails (among the best of the island) are inspired by local ingredients. On Friday night, a gargantuan Filipino buffet awaits you for 635 PHP. There's a good-natured vibe here. Not to be missed.

The place is like an oasis of calm in the heart of the urban jungle. In the large patio, a bevy of green plants give the place a refreshingly natural feel. This cosy café, with its fun, country-style decor, offers fresh, healthy food with local and Mediterranean influences. The menus change regularly and the plates are as pretty as they are good. Of course, there are plenty of vegetarian options, but that's not all! To start the day with a good dose of energy, we recommend their breakfast.

the slogan of this chain, already established in Manila and Siargao, is "The healthy alternative", and we couldn't agree more! Just a stone's throw from Alona beach, in a bright, natural setting, this little café offers 100% gourmet vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Ultra-vitamin smoothie bowls, vegan burgers to make carnivores salivate, bowls filled with vegetables, legumes, cereals and plant proteins to fill up on energy, fresh fruit juices... In short, a fresh and invigorating place to try!

A restaurant that the locals love and that is very lively in the evening. Large terrace and room on three spaces distributed in stairs. The decoration is modern, the music mixes with the sound of the conversations. Adamo serves meat dishes (smoked pork, ribs, braised beef) in simple or family version for 6 people. The longganisa buns (meat-filled baos) are excellent. They also have some vegetarian options and fresh fish. Everything is good, the service is fast and efficient, in short you are never disappointed!

This beach restaurant is located in front of the sea in San Miguel. Its shaded terrace and the view make it a very pleasant place. The place is famous because the chef prepares very good pizzas: homemade dough and wood-fired cooking! On the rest of the menu, you can find other western dishes such as burgers, pastas and salads but also grilled meat and fish dishes nicely presented and rather refined. Every evening, a special offer (pizzas, wines, etc.). A very nice address on the road between Dumaguete and Dauin.

This market guinguette offers, without doubt, the best value for money in White Beach. The proof is that here, at lunchtime and in the evening, people line up and wait to sit down to one of the many Filipino specialties, for just over 100 pesos a dish. The choice is vast, and people flock to try the bulalo, a rich beef-based broth, or the crispy pata, fried pig's trotters... For vegetarians, there are a few options like teriyaki tofu. Recommended.

Jammers and its owner have always been very popular and renowned for offering the best burgers on the island. When the owner passed away, a new owner had to be found. His friends and owners of the Aria next door took over the Jammers, with the aim of keeping the burger identity but adding a gastronomic touch, original flavors such as a sweet potato bun and vegetarian options. As well as a full breakfast menu of sandwiches, hot dogs and fresh fruit juices. Sea view.

As well as being an excellent hotel, Friday's is also one of the best restaurants on the island. A different menu is offered every day. We recommend the barbecue buffet (on Fridays), which is excellent value for money. Here, you'll enjoy Western and Asian dishes prepared in a very pleasant seaside setting, on the least crowded part of White Beach. The hotel and its restaurant are currently under renovation, and we can't wait to see their new look.

In Lazi, this restaurant with a pretty turquoise blue facade, was opened a few years ago by a Frenchman, and has already become a must for travelers and locals. From breakfast to dinner, you can enjoy Filipino and Western dishes (chicken adobo, ramen, pancakes...) full of flavors and presented with great care (we love the floral touch on the dishes). We recommend the falafels in the homemade pita bread. On the other hand, you should not be in a hurry, the service is very slow, but well it is the vacations, who is in a hurry?

This restaurant hidden between exotic trees is worth a visit. Here, the concept "from the farm to the plate" really applies: the ingredients come from the garden (we advise you to visit it). Not surprisingly, you can enjoy a fresh and tasty cuisine. Our recommendation? The flower salad, as beautiful as it is good and the Cassava lumpia, everything is refined and homemade. On the side of the atmosphere, the view on the sea is magic while the rustic and colored decoration pleased us well. Some superb rooms also. To be tested.

Ideally located, just a stone's throw from the beach and the town center, this restaurant offers simple but very well prepared cuisine at very reasonable prices, from breakfast to dinner, even late. It's actually the restaurant of the hostel of the same name, Chief Mau, so it's a lively place where it's easy to meet other backpackers. Rooms, dormitories and sanitary facilities are top-notch. What's more, Chief Mau also organizes renowned canyoning trips to Kawasan Falls. An economical address with good food and a great atmosphere.

Luca's Italian restaurant on the main road, with its charming accent and spontaneity, offers a warm welcome and a smile. The tempting menu invites you to sample a fusion cuisine that revisits Asian dishes, with many vegetarian versions. There's a real effort behind the plates, which are beautifully presented, the portions are copious and, above all, you're in for a treat. We recommend the Vietnamese noodles with peanut sauce and the Buddha bowl.

Nestled in a discreet street just off the beach at Station 3, this is an address full of charm and authenticity. Built in a traditional Filipino style, this pretty wooden house is elegant with its stained glass windows, handcrafted objects, high ceiling and dark parquet flooring, not to mention the pleasantly planted outdoor courtyard. On the plate, you'll be treated to a revisitation of Philippine cuisine, served with great care and refinement. Don't miss the kare kare or the ginataang isda, a local yellow curry.

A nice coffee for a moment. Acoustic concerts on Friday and Saturday evening. There are good coffees, sandwiches and pastries.

At MuShu, the gustatory possibilities are vast, with Asian flavors blending with each other and with Western cuisines to produce a highly original and, above all, delicious result. Try the Hong Kong noodle soup, or MuShu ramen, a ramen specially revisited by the chef, pritong lechon (a roasted and fried pig wrapped in a brick leaf) or Thai specialties. There are also a few vegetarian options. It's a pleasant and very good restaurant, with efficient service.

On the beach, a little away from the hustle and bustle, this tiny restaurant with its original setting (the cream-colored walls are filled with family photos) offers authentic, family-style Philippine cuisine. Building on her success, the owner, who also owns four other restaurants in the country, has created an extensive menu featuring her grandmothers' recipes. It's the perfect place to try a variety of typical dishes. We particularly recommend adobo and Tinuktok served in a taro leaf. Nice address.

Here's a well-kept secret in town. In a slightly rustic-looking house, you'll discover a warm, arty restaurant-café with an adjoining patio. The walls are covered with paintings by local artists, the shelves are filled with books and little designer touches are strewn here and there. You can enjoy traditional Filipino dishes of excellent quality at low prices, as well as the gourmet pastries and excellent coffees that are the pride of the owners. An address worth visiting.

An airy wood and bamboo terrace, a relaxed, no-fuss atmosphere and a menu that combines Asian and Western dishes that are good, inexpensive and, above all, hearty. Try the baked scallops! In the evenings, especially at weekends, there are regular live bands to liven up the place. You can also play billiards. The staff are friendly and the hosts know how to make you feel at ease. A friendly and convivial address.

Decorated in Hawaiian style, this large, airy restaurant is run by a couple of friendly French-speaking Belgians. The specialties are burgers, but there are also other options, including vegetarian, Filipino and international (pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, omelettes). The bread, pastries and jam are all homemade, as is the French-style pâté de campagne - amazing! Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the morning, or sip cocktails to lounge music in the evening.

With an imposing view over Panglao and the mangroves, New Zealand owner Emily (also behind the superb La Casita de Baclayon bed & breakfast) has drawn on her culinary inspirations to create an interesting menu combining Mexican, Caribbean and Asian specialties. Everything is absolutely fresh, local, tasty and original. All served in a tasteful Mediterranean-Filipino decor, as colorful as the dishes themselves. A charming address for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea!

A cosy, unpretentious restaurant with a friendly, family atmosphere. The main attraction is the succulent Filipino cuisine, prepared with passion. Many vegetarian and vegan variants of traditional dishes are offered, which is much appreciated. For fish lovers, orders must be placed a few hours in advance, or even the day before. The mango float dessert is deliciously refreshing! Come early, as there are often long queues in the evening. Excellent value for money.

The village of Baclayon is definitely full of great places to eat! Crescencia Food & Coffee welcomes visitors in a charming ancestral wooden house, a stone's throw from the church. The atmosphere is simply unique. Books, plants, board games, vintage furniture... every detail has been carefully considered. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time and are welcomed into a friend's home. Enjoy Filipino or Western dishes to the accompaniment of jazzy music in an elegant setting. Ideal for a coffee break with a sweet treat.

A surprising address, in the good sense of the word! Located 10 minutes walk from the pier where the ferries leave for the neighboring islands, the reputation of this discreet restaurant is well established. It is even said that it is the best vegetarian restaurant of all Cebu. So we did not test all the restaurants but indeed everything here is absolutely delicious. The ramen, the tofu sizzlig or tofu teryaki dishes served in small banana leaves bags, or the Veefy Burger, everything is a pure delight. To be tried before or after a ferry!

Once a simple cigar distributor (Tabacalera and Alhambra in particular), this grand establishment now offers a wine cellar, a café, a delicatessen and a renowned restaurant. It serves some of Cebu's finest cuisine, with a focus on Franco-Mediterranean influences. You'll find imported products from all over Europe, Australia and the United States. A dessert platter will satisfy even the most demanding palates. Prices are higher than usual, but the quality is there. An address for the homesick...

In an authentic and very local atmosphere, this restaurant serves traditional Filipino cuisine, with many specialties based on fish and seafood. Generous portions of calamari, prawns and other fish prepared Kubo-style are devoured al fresco in a family atmosphere (even musical on certain evenings, especially at weekends)! Prices are very reasonable and service is always with a smile. A popular local address.

A little apart from the other restaurants and hotels, Balikbayan is a discreet family-run restaurant open to the street, with a few exotic straw huts at the back under which you can sit and eat. The whole place has character and charm. The dishes are carefully prepared, the portions are gourmet and there are even a few options for vegetarians. Mainly classic Filipino dishes based on chicken, pork or fish. A place to eat well for little money, in an intimate setting.

Located in an old colonial mansion, this restaurant serves traditional Filipino cuisine (sizzling gambas, barbecued pork, pancit canton, chopsuey, chicken soup) at rather modest prices. The wooden decor, from the floor to the ceiling, including the furniture, plunges us straight into another atmosphere. Unfortunately, the quality of the dishes is uneven and service can be slow. The braised chicken is very popular with the locals. A good deal in Tagbilaran. A popular address with the locals.

Located in the Island City Mall, this is a restaurant specializing in seafood (but not only) that is much appreciated by the locals. The service is pleasant and the products are good. We recommend the delicious prawns and tilapia, or the braised pork for meat lovers. There are also gargantuan platters to share with shrimp, chicken, egg rolls, vegetable chopsuey and pancit noodles. Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunchtime is an all-you-can-eat buffet! And for the price, it's well worth it.

The former French Coffee Shop has undergone a facelift and has now become the Bistro. A perfect place to relax, meet new people and find information on travel, diving and excursions in the area. The friendly French owner will welcome you to this well-established venue. French touch oblige, serving baguette sandwiches, crêpes, croissants and even a cheese platter! Coffee and lunch breaks recommended.