If you are traveling to the island paradise that is Palawan, adventure awaits you. And we are not just talking about outdoor or beach adventures, but also adventures of the culinary kind. Palawan is home to a diverse range of food choices. So you are not just limited to good old Filipino food but also international cuisine that is as good as the local food. Come and taste the flavors that Palawan has to offer by starting with these 10 best restaurants.
1. Good food, good value at Kalui Restaurant
Kalui Restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Princesa City. Most travelers recommend that you dine at Kalui while you are in Palawan because of its good food and one-of-a-kind ambiance. In Kalui, guests need to go barefoot while inside the restaurant. While there are regular tables and seats, there are also lower tables which require guests to sit Indian-style.
Recommended meals to try are their seafood dishes, which are naturally fresh from the coasts of Palawan. With very fresh seafood available, their sashimi, baked clams, and other shellfish are a must try. This place is usually packed so if you plan to go, it is best to reserve a table beforehand.
Kalui Restaurant
Address: 369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Opening Hours: 11 am - 2 pm; 6 pm - 10:30 pm. Open daily.
Duration: around 3 hours required.
Access: Most tricycle drivers are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 48 433 2580
Traveler's tips
Ka Lui boasts traditional Filipino architecture, a collection of artworks, and excellent food. Although it closed for two years due to the pandemic, locals and tourists encouraged its owner to reopen the restaurant. Once you enter this place, you are requested to leave your footwear in a designated area and enjoy the polished wood flooring barefoot, making your stay a unique experience.
You can even roam around and be in awe of the several paintings, wooden sculptures, and native décor. Aside from its homey ambiance, this place is surrounded by plants, including the beautiful Birds of Paradise. The restaurant’s specialty includes seafood meals in generous servings. To visit here, you need to book in advance since this place turns into a full house, especially during the summer.
2. Exotic delicacies at Kinabuch Bar and Grill
If you want to taste a Palawan delicacy, tamilok, Kinabuch Bar and Grill is the place to go. Located on Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa, this restaurant bar serves up tamilok, a type of woodworm, marinated in vinegar like a ceviche. The tamilok is fast becoming a rare delicacy because it requires a lot of skill to find it, usually among dead mangrove trees. If that is too exotic for you, you can opt for the more palatable crocodile dishes.
Kinabuch’s ambiance is more like a sports and entertainment bar, with big screen TVs for viewing your favorite sports shows. Outdoor seating is also available if you would rather chat and share a drink or two with friends. Reservations are a must, as the place is often frequented by tourists.
Kinabuch Bar And Grill
Address: 369, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 3 am. Open daily.
Access: Most tricycles are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 48 434 5194
3. Slow food, organic food at La Terrasse
terrace
Posted by La terrasse cafe on Wednesday, 22 January 2014
La Terrasse believes that food can still taste good without any additives or artificial flavorings and this philosophy applies to the restaurant’s menu. Calling their food “slow” food, it is supposed to contrast the greasy and unhealthy fast food we all have available these days. Their ingredients are locally sourced from organic farms or their very own organic garden. Chickens and other meats are sourced from local suppliers as well.
The restaurant has a large area for both outdoor and indoor dining. Reservations are accepted and especially encouraged for large groups.
La Terrasse Cafe and Restaurant
Address: Rizal Avenue (near Fullbright School), Puerto Princesa City
Opening Hours: 11 am - 11 pm. Open daily except Mondays.
Access: Most tricycles are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 48 434 1787
Website: La Terrasse Cafe and Restaurant
Tip from Trip101 local expert
El Gato Cafe, nestled in Yubenco Tetuan, Zamboanga City, is a pioneering cat cafe that has captured the hearts of feline enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike. Serving as both a cafe and a sanctuary for cats, it provides a unique and cozy atmosphere for patrons to enjoy. Some of the cats here have even traveled across the Philippines for competitions. It also offers a diverse range of breeds and personalities for visitors to interact with.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. The unassuming Bona's Chaolong for Vietnamese style beef stew with noodles
In case you are wondering why Vietnamese noodle stew, locally known as chaolong, is popular in the Palawan, it has to do with the community of Vietnamese refugees that was established in Puerto Princesa way back in the 1980s. While some Vietnamese chose to leave for other countries, others chose to remain and build their families here. Because of this, Vietnamese culture and food slowly made its way into local culture.
The best chaolong in Puerto Princesa, according to traveler reviews, is Bona’s Chaolong on Manalo Street. This is casual dining at its best, as there is no ambiance to speak of, just good and inexpensive food. Most people would recommend the beef stew chaolong and the french bread, which is freshly baked. The place can be packed, so be ready to wait for a table.
Bona's Chaolong
Address: Manalo Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Price: from 1 USD per order of noodle soup
Opening Hours: Always open. Daily.
Access: Most tricycles are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 48 434 8420
Palawan (Province) Tour Guide
Leila Eldian
Welcome to the Philippines. I am Leila, Tourguide/Tour management company Entrepreneur/ English-Japanese Interpreter. I am a Mass Communication graduate. My varied professional journeys in customer service, airline, media & tourism expertise plus the passion in handcrafting journeys of a lifetime; will make your experiences more fun & meaningful.
Palawan (Province) Tour Guide
Rosalyn Capablanca
From Palawan Paradise, greetings! Hello, my fellow nomads! Your guide to Palawan, the Last Frontier, is me, Rosa! I live in a tropical oasis surrounded by luscious flora and blue lakes. Together, let me be your ticket to paradise as we discover Palawan's wonders.Palawan is well known for its breathtaking islands, each with an individual allure. The most well-known locations are Puerto Princesa, Coron, and El Nido. Bright coral reefs, secret lagoons, and majestic limestone cliffs are the main attractions of El Nido. Coron is home to gorgeous scenery, World War II wreck dive locations, and lakes that are glistening with clarity. The capital, Puerto Princesa, serves as a point of entry for the Underground River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Palawan's landscapes are a mix of lush rainforests, limestone karst formations, and captivating beaches. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, showcases an underground river winding through a mesmerizing cave system.Palawan is not just a destination; it's a journey into a tropical paradise where nature's wonders unfold at every turn. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Palawan invites you to explore its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant marine life.
5. Get your baby back ribs at Captain Ribs
Posted by Captain Ribs on Wednesday, 27 August 2014
If you have a craving barbecued baby back ribs, you can satisfy yourself with a serving at Captain Ribs. Located along Manalo Street, this restaurant is a relative newbie to the city’s food scene, having only opened in 2013. But it is already making a name for itself as the go-to place for ribs. Their best-seller is the pork ribs, which is done with a special marinade and served with a homemade barbecue sauce. Most reviews describe the ribs as “soft” and “tasty.”
The restaurant has a bar that serves up cocktails and other drinks, and outdoor seating in the backyard garden is available. Aside from the ribs, they also have kebabs, grilled seafood dishes, and homemade sausages.
Captain Ribs Grill Restaurant
Address: Manalo Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Price: from 6 to 8.5 USD for an order of pork ribs
Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm. Open daily.
Access: Most tricycle drivers are familiar with this restaurant
Contact: +63 926 712 1244
Website: Captain Ribs Grill Restauran
6. The best pizza at Tratorria Altrove
So far, most of the restaurants we have recommended can be found in Puerto Princesa City. This Italian restaurant, however, can be found in El Nido town, so guests who are staying in this northern town in Palawan can try this out. Strangely enough, the restaurant was set up by a Slovenian couple and has been serving up brick-oven baked pizzas as well as pasta and risottos.
The restaurant also has branches in Coron Island and even in Metro Manila. In El Nido, the restaurant is located on Calle Hamma. The first floor houses the brick-oven and the kitchen while the dining area is on the second floor. Diners are requested to leave their shoes at the foot of the stairs before going up.
Trattoria Altrove
Address: Calle Hamma, El Nido, Palawan
Price: pizza prices range from 5 USD to 9 USD
Opening Hours: 7 am - 12 am. Open daily.
Access: Best way to get here is to walk; this area is near the town center and town hall; it is also near the beach area.
Contact: +63 927 721 8016
7. Seafood at Badjao Seafront Restaurant
If you love seafood, you will also love Badjao Seafront Restaurant. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Puerto Princesa City and is a must-visit place for tourists. The restaurant has a unique ambiance because it is a restaurant on stilts, near a mangrove area fronting Honda Bay. To reach the main dining area, guests go through a roofed wooden bridge with mangrove trees growing on both sides. The restaurant’s location makes it a good spot for a romantic dinner date at sunset.
Seafood is the main fare, but there are several meat dishes as well. There are Filipino and international dishes, and for groups of four or more, there are set menus available, which will satisfy everyone’s seafood craving.
Badjao Seafront Restaurant
Address: Abueg Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Opening Hours: 10 am - 11 pm. Open daily.
Access: Most tricycle drivers are familiar with this restaurant
Contact: +63 48 433 9912
8. Art and food mix at the Gypsy's Lair Art Cafe Restaurant
Posted by TheGypsy's Lair ArtCafe on Saturday, 14 January 2012
The Gypsy’s Lair Art Cafe Restaurant is surely a treat for the senses. Not only does it serve up good food, it also has a gallery displaying and selling artwork by local artists. The owner of the restaurant is also an artist, so this place has become a haven for artists of all kinds. Live local bands play music for diners from dinnertime onwards.
Its menu offers an eclectic mix of Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish, and Mexican cuisines. It is located near a shopping area where pearls and other Palawan souvenirs are sold. If you want to enjoy good music with your dinner, this is the place for you.
The Gypsy’s Lair Art Cafe Restuarant
Address: Barangay San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 11:59 pm. Open daily.
Access: Most tricycles are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 918 909 5571
Website: The Gypsy’s Lair Art Cafe
9. Wine and dine at Deep Forest Wine Bar and Restaurant
One of Palawan’s hidden restaurant gems i located only a few kilometers away from the airport. Deep Forest Wine Bar and Restaurant is situated within the compound of Deep Forest Garden Hotel along Abueg Road, Puerto Princesa City. You can hire a tricycle to take you there.
The restaurant’s main attraction is its international cuisine, such as steaks, lamb and other meats, as well as cheeses. If you want to try something else other grilled food or seafood, this restaurant will satisfy that. Yet another attraction is its well-stocked wine bar and with the owner’s extensive knowledge of wines, you will likely enjoy an excellent food and wine pairing.
Deep Forest Wine Bar and Restaurant
Address: Abueg Rd., Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City
Opening Hours: 7 am - 9 pm. Opem daily.
Access: Best if you hire a tricycle to take you there.
Contact: +63 48 4341-702
Website: Deep Forest Wine Bar and Restaurant
10. Ka Inato: a restaurant with a social purpose
Located near the city center on Rizal Street, Ka Inato is among the best restaurants in this area. One of the commendable things about this restaurant is their mission to hire people with disabilities, particularly deaf-mute people, as their staff. Aside from this, Ka Inato is also considered one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in town. Decor all over the place feature wood sculptures and masks made by local indigenous groups, as well as paintings from local artists.
Filipino dishes are the restaurant’s main fare, but diners must not miss the Grilled Chicken Inato, which is chicken marinated in special spices. The restaurant’s food prices are also quite affordable, where a complete meal with rice can be enjoyed for only 2 USD.
Ka Inato Restaurant
Address: Cor. San Manuel Road, North National Highway, Brgy. Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City
Price: from 2 USD for a grilled chicken meal with rice.
Opening Hours: 6 am - 10 pm. Open daily.
Access: Most tricycle drivers are familiar with this restaurant.
Contact: +63 48 4341721
Come taste Palawan
Complete your Palawan experience by trying out exotic local dishes as well as traditional Filipino food. You will never complain of the lack of food choices in this island paradise because there are so many restaurants serving up good food.
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