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One of the joys of being on Boracay is discovering the many different eating places that abound on the island. Most of them are clustered along White Beach Path, the main tourist beat and a popular walking/shopping area for residents and visitors alike. It would seem that there is a restaurant for almost every cuisine of the world. Many were established by people from foreign countries who, themselves once tourists, fell in love with the island and decided to set up home here.
Given the limited size of the island, the range of eating places is really quite remarkable, not just in terms of culinary tastes, but also in terms of the range of cuisines available. There are all kinds of restaurants, from inexpensive beach side eateries like Neca and Rizzo Snack Bar to air-conditioned fine-dining emporiums like La Reserve Restaurant, where a glass of cognac and a Havana cigar after the meal are almost de rigeur. European and Asian foods predominate on the island, but what you will not find here yet—thank goodness—are American-style fast-food chains like McDonald's, Wendy's and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Most restaurants are small, intimate and with a friendly staff. It is fun eating around, getting to know the different owners and hearing a few tales, tall and otherwise, from around the world!
Regarding the restaurants and the cuisines themselves, here follows a selection that you might want to consider.
True Food comes highly recommended for Indian food, La Capannina for Italian, Banza for Portuguese, Zorba's for Greek and Bavarian House or Steakhouse Boracay for Austrian/German. Spanish cuisine may be enjoyed at El Toro and spicy Thai at Thai Castles. Good French food is served at Gorio's, though it can be pricey. Gorio's is also quite famous for its crepes. Bar & Restaurant de Paris serves both French and Thai cuisine.
Some of the resorts provide excellent meals. In this respect, the fresh seafood and curries at Nigi Nigi Nu Noo Bar & Restaurant and the outstanding lunch buffet at Fridays Restaurant & Bar merit special mention. Nigi Nigi is also famous for its breakfast menu: Patrons are invited to eat as many eggs as they possibly can at no extra charge. The English Bakery, a veritable institution on the island, should not be missed for its hearty English-style morning repast. In fact, most restaurants and bars open early to draw in those going off to catch early morning flights. Many offer a choice of Filipino, American and continental breakfasts. The Filipino variety is characterized by garlic fried rice and such local delicacies as longaniza (pork sausage) and tocino (cured pork).
Aloja Delicatessen makes delicious gourmet sandwiches, which you can eat on the premises or take away to the beach or your hotel. It is also a good place to stock up on deli foods and beverages that you might want for a picnic.
For a romantic interlude under a canopy of stars, try one of the restaurants along White Beach. Here you can dine to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore and the light of lanterns swaying in the cool night breeze.
Wahine Café Mongolian BBQ specializes in an all-you-can-eat Mongolian feast. Choose the ingredients (meat, seafood and vegetables) and the sauce to garnish them with, and the chef will expertly prepare your meal and bring it to your table. This is certainly a good way to fuel up. The ingredients are fresh and your meal is cooked to order. There are some street side eateries near boat station 3 that offer low-priced buffets, particularly in the evening. However, be wary of eating cooked food that may have been standing around for a considerable length of time!
Stables Real Coffee, with its wonderful espresso, homemade brownies and cookies, and the sparkling conversation provided by the American lady who owns the place, is another treat that should not be missed.
Among the many bars and drinking places recommended is Bom Bom, where the music is both rhythmic and cool, and Cocomangas Shooter Bar for an "otherworldly" experience of trying to down 15 nasty alcoholic drinks. Many of the bars operate a happy hour in the early evening when seconds of beers and selected local cocktails are provided gratis.
A final thing to remember: Many establishments take only cash and most of those that do accept credit cards charge a six percent to 10 percent premium on your bills. So you might just want to pay cash!
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