There’s a reason why travelers visit Boracay over and over again. Most come back for its unparalleled white coast, attracting beachgoers from around the world. Some for the vibe, drawing in weary workers from the city looking to unwind. But others — and this includes us — return for the food.
Boracay isn’t usually marketed as a food destination. After all, many of the restaurants here showcase the cuisines of other places rather than the traditional, local fare. But the island harbors some excellent food spots that may not be the main attraction but still built a growing base of ever-hungry patrons. The bad news is, most of the most popular ones are on the pricey end of the spectrum. The good news, you can still find a number of budget-friendly options. In this article, we’ll feature almost 30 food establishments from all price points, ranging from the upscale restos to kerbside kiosks.
By the way, while the food places on this list are grouped by budget category, they are not ranked in any way. We also included the operating hours but bear in mind that these may change in the future, so double check with the management before you visit.
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The first several restaurants on this list offer dishes the prices of which are above average. But this group has some of the most iconic names in the Boracay food scene. If you have the dough and you’re willing to spend, go ahead and dig in!
Eat Good. Feel Good.
Following its motto, Nonie’s believes that “everyone has the right to good, clean, and fair food” and advocates the slow food movement. By ensuring that all ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, natural or organic, it claims to create its own sauces and marinades from scratch and serves freshly baked breads.
For appetizers, we had the sticky pork ribs (P360), marinated in pineapple juice, slow-cooked in spices, topped with spring onions and sesame seeds, and served with mango salad on the side. The first thing we noticed was the size of it. Upon ordering, we were told that it was good for two. Imagine our (delightful) surprise when a big plateful of saucy ribs arrived! It could pass as a main dish. It was tender but not fall-off-the-bone. Each bite was tasty but not overpowering. The mango-tomato salsa adds a much needed tang and brightness to the dish.
The second appetizer we ordered was the empanada (P260), filled with shitake mushrooms and buffalo cheese. Spoiler alert: We ordered a lot of items from the menu, but this was the only one that disappointed us. It was, er, bland. None of the ingredients popped, or distinguishable even. An order had four pieces, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to finish them. The spicy yoghurt dip was good but not good enough to save the dish.
For the main course, we had beef and kimchi (P420). This was our second time trying this, and we really loved it both times. This was the perfect marriage of the fermented taste of the homemade kimchi and the umami of the braised beef brisket. The sorghum grains allowed them to shine and added texture too. This wouldn’t be as successful if it had rice or potatoes on the side. The perfect soft-boiled egg not only kept it from being dry, it also pulled everything together into one solid, well-balanced dish.
We also ordered bistek tagalog (P490), which at first looked like an upgraded burger steak. It’s not obvious in the photo below, but this was a massive piece of meat. That’s one of the things I like about Nonie’s: generous servings! Lying atop a sweet potato mash, the beef was incredibly tender. Thanks to the 36-hour slow cooking. But the onion rings added some crunch. Because the bistek sauce was a bit on the salty side, at first bite, I was looking for some acidity, something that the zesty salad on the side promptly provided. It was also sprinkled with kesong puti, adding just a bit of creaminess to the sauce.
On a previous trip, I also ordered chicken & pork adobo (P490). Like on the bistek, Nonie’s take on this was also modern and deconstructive, with each component individually prepared. The chicken was grilled, the 72-hour pork belly was fried, and the egg was soft-boiled. The proteins lay on top of organic black rice, partially dipped in a puddle of Cavite-style adobo sauce. It’s a medley of Pinoy flavors: the adobo sauce, the smokiness of the grilled chicken, and the garlicky punch.
Nonie’s is also a great place for those with food allergies and restrictions. It offers vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options (or you can ask the kitchen if they can make an item vegan-friendly). You can also take home some of their vegan products including the vegan chorizo, vegan bagoong, and vegan lavosh. You can also buy a pack of adlai (Job’s Tears), which is a healthier substitute for rice.
If you want to score discounted Nonie’s food vouchers, you can check out Klook to get 5%-15% off discount!
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Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Address: Station X, Hue Hotels and Resorts, Station 2, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan
Main Dish Price Range: P250 – P500
In the mood for tapas and sangria? Dos Mestizos is waving!
Dos Mestizos serves some of the best Filipino-Spanish dishes I’ve tried not just in Boracay but in the country. It’s best known for its paella, but since it’s way too much for two persons, we decided against it. We kicked off the meal with tapas, starting with pate de pollo (P300), duck fat sealed with chicken liver. One thing about me is that I loooove chicken livers, and this was chicken livers done right. It was creamy, somewhat earthy, and not iron-y at all. Even my partner Vins, who normally detests the taste of liver in general, enjoyed it so much he almost finished all the bread. If this was the only thing we ate that night, we would leave happy and content.
Since we’re on the topic of creamy, Dos Mestizo’s croquettas de jamon (P220), a plate of three bechamel croquettes with bits of jamon serrano inside, also delivered. Our last appetizer was the chorizo hecho per dos mestizos (P330), its homemade Spanish sausage. These little feisty slices packed a lot of porky goodness. It felt a bit gritty and grainy in parts, so it probably could use a bit more fat, but the diced potatoes and cloves of garlic that came with it helped a lot. Still a pretty good starter.
For the main course, we had pollo al ajillo (P890), roasted half chicken served with potato medallions and a whole bulb of garlic. This is what chicken is supposed to taste like. It’s super moist inside and the marinade seeped through and deep, made even tastier by the spice rub. Definitely the best chicken I had in Boracay.
Its herb-crusted pork chop (P950) was not to be upstaged, though. Served with vegetables and potato puree, it was so juicy and flavorful that we didn’t even need the dip that came with it.
Our meal wasn’t perfect but it was absolutely wonderful. One of our few comments was that most of the items we ordered were very oily, something that we noticed with most Spanish restaurants we had tried, even those in Spain. We found ourselves craving something else to cleanse our palate and wash it all down. But we really did have a fab time at Dos Mestizos and we’d return in a heartbeat. But not until we save up. LOL.
By the way, despite its prices, Dos Mestizos is one of the most popular on the island, so you might need to reserve a table if you are visiting at lunch or dinner.
Operating Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
Address: Seawind Resort, Station 1, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan
Main Dish Price Range: P650 – P2200
We didn’t expect much when we dined here, but we were pleasantly surprised!
Pigout Bistro is not a staple in lists of the best restaurants in the island, but after our meal, we all agreed that it should be. Vins and I have very different tastes, but we both thought so.
Pigout Bistro is Pinoy-owned. Located on the ground floor of Jony’s Boutique Hotel, it is located along the Balabag Main Road. It’s quite small. Hole-in-the-wall type.
Most rave reviews mention its seafood offerings especially the crab burger, but when we asked the staff for their recommendations, they pointed at the other burgers. We ended up with the mushroom & bacon burger (P658). Although not apparent in pictures, this burger was humongous. Impossible for any human to take a full bite. Its star US chuck patty was so thick, when we cut the burger in half, the juice oozed out and made our mouths water. It’s complemented by black garlic and truffle compound butter and homemade bacon which added a teensy bit of smokiness. It also has horseradish mayo and pickles that added a little kick. And oh, fries on the side.
Another staff recommendation was the smoked 40-hour sous vide lechon belly (P468). Think of it as lechon kawali but done sous vide. I don’t usually encounter sous vide items on menus in the Philippines so I try to order it when I see it. As expected, this one was unbelievably soft, each bite was like an explosion of its sour marinade, which I enjoyed immensely. Visually, the scallion puree and grilled leeks added a splash of green, while the sukang pinakurat put a yellow-orange accent. But flavor-wise, the puree didn’t do anything to the dish, but the spiced vinegar elevated it. I even asked for another saucer of the vinegar. It was crowned with a medium piece of crispy pork skin.
But since seafood is the crowd favorite here, we also tried its gnocchi with smoked salmon (P598). I’m not a big gnocchi guy but I liked Pigout’s version. It didn’t feel too heavy or dense, with the right fluff and chewiness. Each piece had ricotta and was topped with a thick slice of salmon, which was smoked using santol wood, and drizzled with balsamic sauce.
Overall, every single dish we ordered was immaculate. But what set it apart from many other restos on this list was the service. Our server Cha was very attentive and friendly, and she promptly informed us that for most dishes, it would take around 30 minutes to prepare, so we knew early on that we had to wait quite a bit. And of all the restaurants we tried on our most recent trip, Cha was the only one who explained each and every dish to us upon placing it on the table. It’s little thoughtful things like this that make us want to return at any food place.
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Address: Jony’s Boutique Hotel, Station 1, Balabag Main Road, Brgy. Balabag
If you’re walking along the Main Road from Station 2 to 1, Meze Wrap is hard to miss. It’s housed in a three-story building painted all over in bright sunshiny yellow with a spiral staircase and colorful bougainvillea adorning the facade. It’s very inviting. If I didn’t know about it before coming here, I would be enticed to enter. And enter you must!
We visited as part of a group and every single thing we ordered was worth the buck and the wait. Its menu is dominated by a selection of Meze trays (P245-P390), which are basically plates of kebab. You can order two to four skewers, which can be beef, squid, chicken, pork, tofu, wings, veggie or kofta (combination of ground beef and pork). You can also choose the carbs to go with it: buttered rice or flatbread. We all ordered differently but every single stick was perfectly grilled, seasoned, and packed with flavor, made even more vibrant by the ezme salsa, Mediterranean slaw, and pickled cucumber, onions, and chilis on the side.
Another something we could write home about was this sinful grilled pork belly (P390), which was so tender, it easily breaks down without much effort. It’s served with turmeric rice, grilled veggies and amba BBQ sauce. It’s a very generous dish, both in quantity and flavor.
Even its eggplant hummus (P250) and kalamar (P270) did not disappoint either.
Meze Wrap is located along the main road in Station 2, across Lake Town and near D’Mall. The main dining area is on the third level.
‼ UPDATE: It seems like the prices at Meze Wrap have increased a lot since the last time we ate there. Here are the prices as of April 2023:
- Meze trays: P330-P550
- Grilled pork belly: P520
- Eggplant hummus: P320
- Kalamar: P290
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM.
Address: Station 2, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Bun Bun is not as expensive as the others on this batch, but since one can also order Bun Bun dishes from Meze Wrap, it’s probably best to talk about it at this point. Yes, because they stand next to each other and have the same owners, the Bun Bun menu is also available at Meze Wrap.
But Bun Bun takes on a very different cuisine — Asian. East and Southeast Asian in particular, from handmade dumplings to satay. In fact, its bestsellers are the satay rice meal (P175), chicken satay bun (P135) and pork char siu bun (P145). So that’s what we ordered, upon the recommendation of the staff.
For its price, each item was worth it. The char siu bun can rival the similar dishes whipped out by ramen houses in Manila but at a much lower price. The ration of the tender pork to the bun was just right. And the sweet-and-salty sauce, pickled cabbage, and galic that accompanied it created a party of flavors in the mouth.
The chicken satay rice was also surprisingly good. I say “surprisingly” because it didn’t look much. But the chicken was cooked to order, so it was served still piping hot, made vibrant by the rich peanut sauce and the pickled carrots and cabbage on the side.
Each order comes with half-a-dozen pieces of kropek (crackers).
‼️ UPDATE: The prices indicated above were as of our last visit. But it seems like the prices have climbed steeply since then. Here are the current prices of the mentioned dishes.
- Satay rice meal: P238
- Chicken satay bun: P218
- Pork char siu bun: P238
Not sure how to feel about the price hike. It’s kind of expected given that the cost of ingredients probably increased too. I could definitely exclaim it’s worth it at the price point when I had it last year. But I’m not sure if I could still recommend it at their current prices. I guess I’ll have to return to decide that for myself.
Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Address: Station 2, Balabag Main Road, Barangay Balabag
As the name suggests, Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen served mostly Indian street food. It’s one of the now growing number of restaurants offering South Asian food in Boracay. It’s owned by Patrick and Shria Florencio, the couple behind a few other established restos in the island like Nonie’s and Muchos. Shria is of Indian descent, so it’s no wonder they set up an Indian resto, too!
Located within D’Mall, it looks very casual and chill, especially at night when it turns into a bar, flying out beer, kombucha, and cocktails to the few lanes of tables it houses. We passed by it countless times before we finally gave it a try mainly because of the atmosphere it fostered. When we visited, there was even live music.
As always, we consulted with the assigned server on what to order, and he suggested the stuffed paratha (P250) right away. It’s a crispy flat bread, stuffed with either chicken or cheese. We went for the latter. The serving was big: eight slices and a tikka masala dip. It wasn’t as oily as I expected, but how the dough glistened and the cheese oozed out of it made us salivate even before it hit our table.
The tikka masala and kadai arrived almost at the same time. The look and taste profile of these two dishes are almost identical. They are both curries with tomatoes with similar consistencies. But the tikka masala (P400) was creamier. I was delightfully surprised to find big cuts of chicken beneath the thick tomato-based sauce because I was more familiar with tikka masala with smaller chunks. But each piece was soft and moist, soaked in a creamy spice blend.
The kadai (P400), on the other hand, was spicier. It wasn’t too apparent at first. I stuffed my face with it, but then the heat finally caught up with me and intensified. I was drenched in sweat by the time I slurped half the bowl. But I loved it because I’m a sucker for spicy food. But other than the spiciness, for the uninitiated tastebuds like mine, these two dishes kind of taste alike, so I guess it’s best to choose just one and order something else like biryani.
I don’t always get to try Indian food so I don’t have a lot of reference points. As an outsider, I need and welcome more education when it comes to this very rich and revered cuisine. But the few Indian restos I have tried before gave us bold, strong, almost in-your-face flavors. And I think that’s what I was expecting. The dishes we tried at Little Taj, while still very flavorful, were just a tad milder and Pinoy-friendlier, if you know what I mean. If you want to explore Indian food for the first time, this is probably an excellent place to start.
My only comment was that everything was just a teensy bit underseasoned, but that was probably just me. For Vins, it was just right. (I tend to favor saltier food in general. So there’s that. LOL.)
But overall, we had a grand time at Little Taj. What we loved most was the service. The staff was so nice and attentive. When Rod, a member of the staff, noticed I was sweating a lot, he immediately gave me yoghurt to help with the heat. He was also very friendly the whole time. So kudos to you, Rod!
You can score up to 15% discount at Little Taj if you purchase a voucher from Klook!
Hours Open: Daily, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: D’Mall, Station 2, White Beach, Balabag
If you walk farther inland from D’Mall, you’ll find Two Brown Boys, a nightlife institution in the island. It’s not on the beachfront so most tourists probably don’t know about it, but it is a well-known name among locals and long-term expats.
To be hones, we came here not to eat but to drink, if you know what I mean. But as it turned out, it also offers some pretty remarkable bar chows. Its menu is actually teeming with solid options, but the staff members we talked to were proudest of its burgers, especially Sir Matt Burger (P395).
We did order that, and it was a “messy” plate. And I mean that with all the love in the world. It wasn’t as prim and proper as many other glorified burgers in the island that looked like they came out of a TV commercial. This one was grounded, rustic, rugged, unpretentious. Just the way I like my burgers: juicy patty, sauces dripping down the side, and trimmings hanging on for dear life. LOVED IT. The beef was drizzled in pico de gallo and cheese and topped with bacon, caramelized onions, and lettuce. We also opted with crispy onion stack (P75) on the side. Definitely one of the best burgers I’d had in the island.
But of course, we won’t be leaving without a drink. Or two. Or four. They had an impressive bar selection, all at a reasonable price, much lower than most in Boracay. Coming in, I knew I was gonna order amaretto sour (P170), my go-to cocktail. It was also recommended by the staff. It puts a tangy twist to the classic drink by using calamansi (Philippine lemon), and it works. The mischievous sourness of our very own citrus works well with the sweetness of the liqueur.
Another recommendation was the mamaru (P180), a concoction of coconut rum and white rum with blue curacao, grenadine, and pineapple. Not a fan of coconut rum in general but I was still able to finish it, no problem, which probably says more about me than the drink.
And we also ordered Bulabog uptown (P170), another Two Brown Boys original. It’s a complex libation that mixes vodka, melon liqueur, triple sec, grenadine, pineapple juice and – wait for it – calamansi, which at this point was not surprising anymore. This was the third bar that I had tried in the island that incorporates calamansi in its cocktails. Beyonce be damned because here in Boracay, when life throws them lemons, they don’t make lemonade. They make delicious cocktails.
We had a great night at Two Brown Boys. And my only regret was that we came here with a full tummy, as we just had dinner elsewhere. We would’ve and should’ve tried more grub from its menu including the other burgers. But I guess it gives us something to look forward to next time.
You can also score a 5% discount at Two Brown Boys if you book a voucher from Klook!
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM.
Address: Road 1-A, Barangay Balabag,
Los Indios Bravos is another famous gastropub in Boracay. At first glance, it looks more like an inuman place than kainan, even more so once you spot its beer tap wall, flooding out all-Filipino handcrafted beer.
But its menu also has noteworthy grub, albeit unfocused. Whatever cuisine you’re into, you might find something to your liking – from samosas (Indian) to nachos (Mexican) to gyro (Greek) to pizza (Italian). But we chose to start with something Pinoy, kilawin (P720). Its version uses snapper or mahi-mahi in vinegar, coconut cream, Spanish onions and chili pepper. I like kinilaw, and this one is remarkably tasty and perfectly seasoned, with just the right tang.
To sample most of the appetizers, we decided to order its Indios platter (P875), which puts together some of its bestselling fried fare including croquettes, bitterballen, chicken goujons, chicken wings, and nachos, plus baked oysters too. With the exception of the bitterballen, which was a bit dry, everything was cooked to perfection. They had the crunch outside while remaining soft inside.
And oh, we also ordered fish and chips (670). The snapper was coated in light and airy batter but still crispy, served on top of fries and served with malt vinegar and tartare sauce.
Someone on our group also ordered risotto, but I didn’t get to try it. It also serves pub pies, steaks, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
Indoor and outdoor seatings are available. It’s best to reserve your table if you are coming during peak hours — lunch and dinner.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Breakfast, 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM; Happy Hour, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Address: White House Beach Resort, Station 1, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan
Most popularly called by its home resort’s name, BarLo Restaurant is Two Season Boracay Resort’s famed beachfront in-house dining place. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a guest to dine here.
BarLo has gained great following for its four cheese pizza (P830), often cited as a must-try in Boracay. While I think I’ve had better similar pizzas in the island before, I still think it lives up to its much-hyped reputation. It combines the subtle and delicate flavors of mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, and blue cheese. Not one of them overpowers the others. They just all work together to create this mild, cheesy symphony. This cheesiness goes unopposed because it’s served on a crispy, thin crust but the pies look thick because of the generous amount of dairy goodness covering it.
Another best-seller here is the sizzling oyster sisig (P465), which are oysters battered and fried to a crisp on a hot plate. Vins and I had a very different take on this. Vins loved the idea that it’s served sizzling style but still had the crunch. As for me, well, bivalves are some of my favorite foods in the world. While I appreciate the originality and ingenuity of this dish, I feel like the batter takes away from the seafood flavor and doesn’t allow the main protein – the oysters — to shine. Still worth ordering, though, to satisfy your curiosity.
Other items on the menu include seafood, pork, beef, chicken, vegetable, soup, sizzling, pasta, noodles, sandwiches, salad, and dessert. The drink menu includes fruit shake, fruit juice, tea, coffee, cocktails, wine, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
The restaurant is open to both resort guests and tourists, and operates on a “first come, first serve” policy. But take note that the queue can be long during peak hours. We actually attempted twice. But we decided to just return the next day at 11am to avoid falling in line.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Address: BarLo Restaurant, Two Seasons Boracay Resort, Station 1, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan
Managed by the same restaurant group behind Sunny Side Cafe, Spicebird is all about spices and sauces, especially its signature Piri-Piri Sauce, which adds ooomph to its dishes.
Spicebird’s poster dish is its grilled piri piri chicken (P390). Its roots that can be traced back to Africa, when the Portuguese introduced bird’s eye chili peppers from Brazil. Piri-piri or peri-peri is Swahili for pepper, but today has become synonymous with the hot sauce made from it. And this sauce hogs the spotlight here at Spicebird.
It’s one of Vins’s favorite restaurants in Boracay and he always bragged about its being one of the best chicken dishes in the island. Generally, the chicken is juicy and each bite is dynamite. Unfortunately on our last visit, that day, the chicken we got was a bit dry and the marinade was not as pronounced. I wanted my flavors screaming, but what we got was more like muffled. It was there; I could recognize it. It was just subdued. But it was salvaged by their four sauces – the signature piri piri, the spicy hotbird, the citrusy garlic and lime, and the aromatic curry curry. And these sauces made devouring the chicken a rather fun exercise.
What I got really excited about was the chicken livers and bacon (P250). Now, I have a penchant for chicken liver. And at Spicebird, it is cooked with bacon from the Sunny Side Café and onions, and doused with piri piri sauce. The flavor: fantastic, nailed it. But some bites were grainy and had a bitter almost leather-like aftertaste, something I get when I overcook my livers a bit. But I was still able to finish it all. Hahaha.
Surprisingly, the best part of the meal was the piri-piri sisig (P375). It was smoky, greasy, and sizzling hot – exactly how I want my sisig. But it put its own spin to it. For starters, it added piri-piri sauce, which deliciously complimented the familiar sisig profile. It was also topped with egg and slices of green chili.
Sandwiches and burgers are included on the menu. If you are not into meat, vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Address: Unit 108, D’Mall Plaza, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
La Carinderia is a legendary name in Siargao, and it’s now in Boracay, too! It had its grand opening in February this year. This Filipino-Italian newcomer takes pride in comfort food, especially handmade pasta.
Set inside the Nirvana Resort, it’s easy to walk past it, but it’s just a stone’s throw from D’Mall. The dining area sits just beside a swimming pool, open-air, and with a view of the resort’s cute rooms. We liked the vibe and the setting.
We asked the waitress for recommendations and we ordered all those she mentioned. First, the tortelloni (P450), handmade ring-shaped pasta filled with cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, served in a cream-based sauce, sprinkled with eggplant bits, and topped with fried basil. The pasta was a teensy bit denser than to my liking, but everything else was on point. The burst of cream cheese and tomato with every bite was so satisfying, and the sauce was perfectly seasoned.
Its adobo rice bowl (P300) left much room to be desired both in flavor and serving size, but its guazetto di pesce (P520) made up for it. If you love tomato soup and seafood, this hotpot dish combines these flavors. Mixed seafood like squid, shrimps, and fish slow-cooked in a rich tomato and basil sauce. You have a choice for carbs: rice or focaccia bread. We opted with the bread so we could wipe the leftover sauce with it.
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Address: Nirvana Resort, Station 2, Balabag Main Road, Barangay Balabag,
The section below is for restaurants that we have tried before, but it has been a long time, so we can’t describe specific dishes anymore. But you might still want to go have a look and consider.
Ciao Boracay!
If your stomach is screaming in Italian, you might want to check out Aria Cucina Italiana‘s culinary creations. Filling Boracay locals and tourists’ bellies with good ol’ Italian food since 2003, Aria has grown into one of the island’s must-try restaurants. It also has its own organic garden where it sources its salad ingredients and herbs.
The crowd puller are the wood-fire-oven-baked pizzas, fresh salads, and pastas. Other popular items on the menu are fritto di calamari con maionese, rotolino marchigiano, Caesar salad, insalata di cocomero, insalata di uva lattuga, carbonara, puttanesca, marinara, al fumé, Hawaiana pizza, bufalina pizza, Napoli, quattro stagioni, tagliatelle con tartufo, risotto alla scoglio, gnocchi alla sorrentina, bistecca di maiale, and calamari impanati. WHEW!
Cap off your feasting with a serving of cold gelato. You can choose from over 18 different flavors.
This two-level restaurant also features an alfresco dining area. Book a table in advance if dining during peak hours.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Address: D’Mall, Station 2, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Another healthy food choice with vegan options is Café Maruja, a homegrown beachfront café offering artisan pizzas, toasts, smoothie bowls, Buddha bowls, crepes, burgers, and eggs Benedict.
Of course, refreshment is king here! What better way to appreciate the beach scenery than doing it while sipping your preferred drink. Your choices are smoothies, shakes, fresh juices, coffee, non-coffee, and infused water in pitcher. Indoor seats and outdoor lounges are available. Catch the live band/singer and jam with other revelers come nighttime.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:30 AM – 12:00 AM.
Address: Station 3, White Beach, Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Main Dish Price Range: P350 – P700
Coffee addicts out there must not leave Boracay without having at least a cup of the specialty coffee roasted and served at Sunny Side Cafe. The must-try items are sugar toast iced latte and Vietnamese-style iced coffee.
If your tummy is not friends with dairy products, you can ask for the alternative like soya or almond milk OR you can try the Vegan Spanish Latte. Non-coffe drinks including tea, milk, chocolate, fruit shake, fresh fruit juice, and signature drinks are also available.
Bread and toasts, sandwiches, pancakes, and pastries are up for grabs too! For the meals, Sunny Side Cafe serves all-day breakfast options, salad, soups, and pasta. Some of the popular dishes are Bacon & Mango Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Espresso-Caramel Pancakes, Sunny Side Cafe Choriburger, and Avocado-Bacon Smash.
Cocktails, wine, and craft beer are sold here, too.
Sunny Side Cafe has two beachfront branches along White Beach — one in Station 1 near Willy’s Rock and another in Station 3 near Astoria Current.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Address: Station 1 & Station 3, White Beach, Barangay Balabag & Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
One of the best ways to complete your sweet escape in Boracay is to savor the goodness of saccharine munchies and drinks the island offers. In this section, we’ll tackle some of the best desserts and most popular snacks in Boracay.
The most famous fruit shake in Boracay. Fans of Jonah’s keep raving about it, saying that one must have a shake or two before leaving the island. It boasts using fresh ingredients to make tasty and rich fruit shakes. The menu has a wide selection of flavors, which are mostly combination of two types of fruits. There are also items with more than two ingredients like one of the all-time crowdpleaser, the banana choco peanut shake.
What sets Jonah’s apart from the countless other shake bars in the island is the consistency. It’s creamy, somewhat dense, and not watered down. You could really taste the individual ingredients. But some of my friends find it too sweet, but you have the option to reduce the sugar level. Just tell the staff as you order.
Here are some of the best-sellers:
- mango banana
- banana peanut vanilla
- banana choco vanilla
- banana mocha peanut
- avocado
- avocado mango
- pineapple rhum
- pineapple banana
- melon milk
- melon banana
- mango rhum
- mango pineapple
- mango papaya
- mango choco
- tropical w/ tequila
My personal favorite is anything with pineapple.
We’ve spotted at least four branches in the island, but I think the most ideal is the one near Willy’s Rock at Station 1. It has a great view!
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Branches: Near Willy’s Rock and Near Astoria Boracay in Station 1, VHub in Station 3, and along the main road in Barangay Balabag
Price Range: P145 – P300 for the fruit shakes. They have other items on the menu aside from fruit shakes.
Established in 2007, Halo Mango is a dessert place renowned for its mango-flavored dessert selection — shakes, juices, ice halo-halo, and soft ice cream. Customers can also buy mango cuts by the bucket!
But the bestseller is definitely the mango ice cup (P250), which is mango-flavored crushed ice with real mangoes. But then, it’s crowned with artificial-tasting soft-serve, which I think does not do it any favors. And it’s a tad too sweet for me. That said, I still enjoy it very much, and I always get my hands on a cup of it every time I’m in Boracay.
Although most items are made of mango, the menu also has other fruit flavors for the shake and the juice — coconut, calamansi, pineapple, and watermelon.
If you are looking for something savory, you can choose from its pocket sandwich menu. We spotted two branches while strolling in White Beach area — one at D’Mall (the main branch) and another one along the Station 2 beachfront area near Uptown.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Note that the opening hours might change, so it’s best to check the latest schedule before going.
Branches: D’Mall and Station 2 Beachfront near Uptown
Price Range: P180 – P800
Real talk: When we think of icy desserts in Boracay, this isn’t the first establishment to come to mind. Perhaps Jonah’s or Halo Mango, but not Ice Flakes. But it should be. Of all the desserts we’ve tried in D’Mall, this is by far our absolute favorite.
The staff recommended the mango coconut combo (P300). The photos in front of the shop were giving me typical bingsu, but it changed as soon as I had my first spoonful. The expectation was shaved ice, but the reality was quite light and airy. I was quite taken aback, in good way. This is my kind of beach dessert. Fruity, tasty, but never heavy on the tummy. It was also served with flower-shaped fresh mangoes for extra flavor, condensed milk for extra sweetness, and ice flakes for texture.
Vins and I shared a bowl, but it made me regret that. I wanted more. I craved more. But we still had quite a number of places to try after that.
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Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Address: D’Mall, Station 2, White Beach, Brgy. Balabag
When I first had a taste of Coco Mama in La Union, I was probably having a bad day because I clearly remember not loving it. It was too, uhm, fragrant for me. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t dislike it. I just didn’t love it.
But for some reason, when I tried it here in Boracay, I suddenly did love every bit of it.
Coco Mama is now a legend. What started as a simple ice cream place in Boracay now has branches in other destinations. But actually, it’s not a simple ice cream place. What they sell is vegan, dairy-free coconut ice cream, served in a natural coconut shell and prepared as you order. And ordering is a process on its own.
You first choose the flavor (plain coconut, coco pandan, or both), then the number of scoops, and whether or not you like fresh mango cubes with it. And then it’s topped with sticky rice and pinipig (crunchy toasted rice). When you dig in deeper, you’ll scoop out fresh coconut strands, too!
It’s an amalgamation of tropical flavors — the freshness of coconuts, sweetness of mangoes, and texture of rice crispies. They all blend together to create a balanced dessert.
Coco Mama is currently available at three locations in Boracay: at D’Mall, at Station X, and in Station 1 (near Dos Mestizos).
Cha Cha’s Beach Cafe is Coast Boracay‘s beachfront in-house restaurant, serving a wide array of culinary delights — both Pinoy and international dishes. The restaurant is usually jam-packed during meal times, so expect to wait in line if coming during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It offers tacos, seafood, pizzas, grilled food, snacks, rolls & wraps, salads, and dessert.
But I’m usually here just for one thing: ube champorado (P320). OK, wait, for our foreign readers: champorado is a sweet cocoa- or chocolate-flavored rice porridge often served with dried salted fish called tuyo (yes, weird, but it works). Cha Cha’s ube champorado is a delicious, colorful take on our favorite Pinoy merienda. Don’t let the price drive you away. It’s just right for the serving size, which is gigantic! Just like the classic chocolate, the ube flavor is complemented well by the saltiness of the danggit (dried fish).
We also ordered halo-halo Cha Cha (P350) and nope, nothing special and not worth its hefty price. But the other we liked on another occasion was the coconut mango tres leches (P320), a decadent cake in cold mango cream and Chantilly cream flecked with desiccated coconut and tapioca pearls. Mango desserts are on top of my faves list, and this one checked all the right boxes.
If drinking by the beach is your thing, enjoy sipping your favorite cocktail drinks or your choice of alcoholic drinks during the happy hour session.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM.
Address: Coast Boracay, Station 2, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, malay, Aklan
Price Range: Mains, P350 – P2000; Sweets, P150 – P350
This is one of the most popular breakfast places in Boracay. But even before it found its home by the beach in Station 2, Real Coffee had already been an established name, not (just) for its coffee but for its calamansi muffins (P70).
I adore these muffins. Some of my friends and relatives don’t get my love for it; they find them too sour. And to be fair, so did I at first. But once you get over that polarizing first bite, it’s not hard to get addicted to these little packets of citrus realness. I’d pick this any day over any other sweet pastry in the island. In fact, I always try to take home a box of it or ask my Boracay-bound friends to bring me some.
Yes, it’s pasalubong material. No need to worry about freshness because its shelf life is long. BUT you have to order in advance and schedule the pick up date the day before your flight.
Of course, you can also have them on site, preferably with brewed coffee while taking in a fetching view of the beach. Aside from coffee and muffins, the cafe also serves juice, shakes, teas, brownies, cookies, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast (pancakes, omelettes, toasts).
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Address: Station 2, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan
Price Range: Mains, P100 – P400; Cookies/Muffins, P35 – P95 per piece; Drinks, P70 – P250
Lemoni Cafe & Restaurant has just turned 17 in September 2022. Seventeen years! It started satisfying Boracay’s sweet tooths since its opening in 2005, with a roster of cakes, tarts and cookies.
It’s best known for serving the best lemon bar in the area, so we made sure to not leave the island without sinking our teeth into one. And we also tried another bestseller, the mango madness.
Vins and I could not agree on which tasted better. Vins was on Team mango madness (P180), while I’m on the side of the lemon bar (P150). Visually and gustatorily, the mango madness reminded me of mango graham, with alternating layers of biscuits and creaminess, but presented better. The lemon bar, on the other hand, had the perfect pastry-filling ratio and the right tanginess, tempered by the whipped cream on the side.
Other items like cookie balls, crinkles, and muffins are sold per piece or per dozen. Seasonal products include fresh fruit tart, strawberry mousse, special occasion toppers, and Christmas gingersnaps.
Lemoni’s menu also offers main courses and drinks, including its popular detox fruit juices. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free options are labeled accordingly on the menu.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Address: D’Mall, Station 2, White Beach, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Price Range: Sweets, P150 – P250 for 3″ and P2200 – P3500 for 12″; Mains, P250 – P800
This wasn’t part of our original itinerary. But when we posted on Instagram that we were back in Boracay, Joana, one of our followers, invited us for a chat at her cafe — Mr. D La Bettola Boracay. The name gives it away, but it’s an Italian-inspired cafe along an alley stemming from Road 1-A. Nope, it’s not beachfront, but it’s a great thing because it means the prices are not through the roof.
Mr. D’s quaint and cozy spot is quite instagrammable, wearing a mixture of Filipino and Mediterranean styles. The menu is also largely Italian, dominated by brick oven pizzas and pastas. But because we visited in mid-afternoon, we opted for a drink. Vins had latte (P160) while I had matcha latte (P180). But they’re enough for us to put them on this list. These are some of the better cups we’ve had in the island, at much more accessible prices!
Operating hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Location: Near Road 1A (inner lane), Brgy. Balabag
The next items on this list are more budget-friendly. These establishments usually have a signature dish at a very affordable price point that we think you should also try while in Boracay. This is only a short list because we have a separate article for the island’s cheap eats. READ: AFFORDABLE BORACAY RESTAURANTS! ✅
Kolai Mangyan is a Filipino restaurant marketing itself as the “home of the authentic and famous bulasing and budbud!”
What are bulasing and budbud, you ask? Bulasing is a portmanteau, a fusion of two of the most popular Filipino dishes: bulalo and siningang. Budbud, on the other hand, is its version of rice toppings. And these are some of the cheapest dishes you’ll find anywhere in the island!
Budbud is available in many versions: budbud pork (P75), budbud beef (P80), budbud all-mix (P90), budbud special (P100). Each order comes with two thin pieces of fried lumpia. The meat’s serving size, understandably, is not much but it’s very tasty and well-seasoned. It also serves all-day silog meals for P70-95 apiece. Another bestseller is sisig rice (P75), topped with egg and drizzled with mayo, served on a sizzling plate.
Kolai Mangyan has two branches in Boracay. The main store is in Station 2, in front of Henann Park Resort, while the other is in Station 1. We dined at the Station 2 branch. It was a humble eatery, non-airconditioned, but packed with customers. There was a notice posted asking for understanding because it was understaffed (at the time), but the truth is, we didn’t really feel that at all. Every staff member was helpful, friendly, attentive, and polite.
The menu also covers all-day silog meals, sizzling meals, combo meals, group meals, pasta and noodles, and desserts. Pinoy favorites like crispy pata and fried whole chicken are also sold here.
Opening Hours:
Station 1: Monday – Sunday, 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Station 2: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Address: Station 1 & Station 2, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Price Range: Single Meals, P60 – P130; Group Meals, P100 – P450
Whether as a breakfast treat or a hangover cure, a bowl of hot pares is one of the go-to dishes for Pinoys. Given the sheer number of pubs and bars in Boracay, it’s also expected that it has its fair share of pares places. One of them is Sensi’s Pares Hilton.
Never mind the punny name, it serves what I think is the best affordable bowl of pares in the island. Its perfectly seasoned beef pares with unli-rice (P175) was packed with umami. The meat was probably braised for hours because it was incredibly tender. It was also topped with generous helpings of spring onions and fried garlic and served with a cup of unlimited garlic rice. Yes, unli rice!
Sensi’s Pares Hilton also offers other classic Filipino breakfast meals all day like silog meals (tapsilog, chicksilog, adobosilog, etc.) and rice meals (tokwa’t baboy, sweet and sour pork, pork steak, burger steak, etc.). It operates on a “pay as you order” policy. The restaurant is located beside Calypso Beach and Dive Resort in Station 3 area.
The best part? You get to take in the scenic view of White Beach while eating.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Note that the opening hours might change, so it’s best to check the latest schedule before going.
Address: Station 3, White Beach, Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Main Dish Price Range: P100 – P200
Boracay’s map is dotted with restaurants offering paluto services. What sets them apart from the others is that they allow you to “shop” for seafood ingredients per kilo and then you can have them cooked by their staff. Most of them used to be concentrated in the D’ Talipapa area, which is now closed, so some establishments moved elsewhere. One of them is Plato D’ Boracay, which claims to be the “Home of Pinoy-Style Paluto on the Island”.
PLato D’ Boracay is now on the border of Station 1 and 2, beside Astoria Boracay and Royal Park. However, on our most recent visit, we didn’t see the actual seafood for paluto. There also used to be a turo-turo style corner for much cheaper pre-cooked meals, but we didn’t see that, either. What greeted us was the usual order-menu setup. We were given a menu and a waiter collected our order. I’m not sure if paluto and turo-turo services are still available today.
Anyway, its current menu consists of mostly seafood dishes: chili crabs, buttered prawns, sizzling gambas, and fresh oysters, to name a few. Prices range from P400 for prawns and P800 for crabs. Other usual Pinoy favorites like pork sinigang, lechon kawali, chicken tinola, chopseuy, and pinakbet are also available. Meat dishes cost P350 per order, while vegetables dishes P200. These are all for sharing.
You may also order individual silog orders if you’re solo. It costs around P150.
Like most establishments in the island, prices at Plato D’ Boracay may have gone up, too. But it’s still relatively cheaper, at least compared to other popular restaurants along White Beach.
The management closed its branch near D’Mall and transferred to a much bigger location in Station 1 beside . We spotted another branch on the ground level of Station X.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Address: Station 1, White Beach Main Road, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
We have a list of accredited accommodations here: LIST OF ACCREDITED BORACAY HOTELS & RESORTS!
We also added Agoda links so you could easily check their photos and latest rates.
But here are some of the hotels and resorts in Boracay that we were able to try over the years:
BUDGET OPTIONS
MID-RANGE OPTIONS
LUXURY OPTIONS
First uploaded: 2023 04 22
Written by: Yosh Dimen
Photos by: Yosh Dimen & Vins Carlos
Additional words and photos by: Asta Alvarez
