The Philippines' most popular island getaway is also an excellent place for a food trip. Hundreds of establishments line the white sand shores (or tuck themselves into the rustic streets of the town proper), offering great tastes and sights in equal measure. From fruit shakes to pizzas to seafood, we list the top 20 best restaurants in Boracay.
Best Restaurants in Boracay Station 1
The northwestern side of Boracay's white beach is home to expansive shores and upscale resorts. While its restaurants tend to be on the pricier side, the quality of its offerings justifies every centavo charged.
barLO Resto Lounge
The barLO Resto Lounge, located in the Two Seasons Hotel, has long been one of the most famous establishments in Boracay. This beachfront venue attracts resort guests and outsiders alike with top-tier dishes. Its menu boasts a diverse selection of cuisines, primarily representing the Philippines' best but also featuring a smattering of Italian, Japanese, and Chinese.
The most popular menu items are its four-cheese pizza, oyster sisig, and chili fries. A wide selection of alcoholic beverages is also available for people who want to unwind by the sea.
Dos Mestizos
A short walk away from the Two Seasons Hotel is the Spanish restaurant, Dos Mestizos. This upscale establishment pays tribute to the Philippines' colonial roots while adding a local twist. Menu items include the delectable Cochinillo, or roasted suckling piglet; the famed Jamon Serrano, or Spanish curved ham; and Baked Oysters al Espagna, a dish of comprised of a half-dozen oysters topped with Jamon, bechamel, arugula, and parmesan.
If you want to dine like the Spanish, be sure to order some tapas. These small-portioned appetizers let you taste test dishes without overloading your stomach. Some great tapas to try are the Calamares Fritos, Pate de Pollo, and the Salpicao de Vaca. I was personally a fan of the Croquettas de Jamon, which were croquettes filled with Spanish ham and creamy cheese.
Mayas
Mayas is a beachfront restaurant with a roof deck that offers a stunning view of the coastal sunset. Its food is as magnificent as its views, and the menu is an assemblage of Mexican classics, Filipino favorites from across Luzon and Visayas, and Spanish heritage dishes. We recommend trying the salmon ceviche, which we found delectably tangy and filling.
Mayas is also home to Jony's Fruitshakes, one of Boracay's most renowned fruit shake brands. This forty-two-year-old establishment offers everything from simple, fresh fruit shakes to alcohol-infused milkshakes.
The Pig Out Bistro
The Pig Out Bistro is the place for elevated Western cuisine. While the establishment is located on the back road (and not on the beachfront like many other items on this list), it makes up for its lack of beach access with Instagrammable interiors and top-tier food. Its seafood dishes — served fresh and sourced from only the best — make the trip into town proper worth it.
Aplaya
Aplaya brings the Mediterranean to the West Philippine Sea. This beachfront restaurant serves Italian favorites with the occasional tropical twist, with its menu featuring seafood-based pastas, soups, and mains. Try the Mahi-Mahi with Mediterranean sauce for an Italian-inspired take on local catches, or Frutti de Mare for spaghetti topped with clams, squid, and mussels.
Customers who want to bask in the beachy atmosphere can unwind with Aplaya's alcohol menu, which features Italian classics like mimosas and Rossini and unique cocktails like banana daiquiris and spicy margaritas. Premium spirits are also available in shot and bottle form.
Muchos
Muchos is the best establishment in Boracay for Latin American cuisine. While the menu is primarily dominated by Mexican classics like tacos, elotes, and tostones, it also features underrated regional eats, such as Brazil's pao de quiejo, Peru's oyster ceviche, and Colombia's Cazuela de Mariscos.
The restaurant is popular for its birria tacos, which are comprised of tortilla shells, slow-cooked beef, and birria consome. If you're willing to splurge, you can't go wrong with the Churrasco steak, a Latin American favorite served with fritas and chimichurri sauce.
Best Restaurants in Boracay Station 2
At the heart of the white beach lies Station 2, Boracay's ever-bustling commercial district. Teeming with nightlife, shops, and activities, Station 2 hosts no shortage of great eateries, each offering quality at reasonable price points.
Meze Wrap
Craving Middle Eastern tastes? Head over to the back roads of D'mall for a bite at Meze Wrap. The restaurant, named for the Filipino word 'masarap' (delicious), lives up to its punny name, serving a great selection of wraps, kebabs, shawarmas, and flatbreads.
You can stretch your peso further by trying one of the Meze Grill meals, which offers a custom platter of 2+ kebabs and sauces. Tofu kebabs are also available for vegans and vegetarians.
Jammers Beach Shack
The famous Jammers Beach Shack lies smack at the center of Boracay's busiest bars and clubs and can draw even bigger crowds in the daytime. It's been in operation since 2002, surviving on well-deserved popularity. The establishment offers a little bit of everything Western, from Jamaican jerk chicken to Mexican tacos to a wide selection of American-inspired burgers.
The Jammers Smashed Burger was one of the best meals I had on the island. It consists of an addictive secret sauce and a juicy smashed patty. Their chili cheese fries made for an excellently tasty side dish, but you also can't go wrong with any of their taco options.
Aria Cucina Italiano
Inching a stone's throw away from Jammers will take you to the renowned Aria Cucina Italiano. This establishment is regarded as the best Italian restaurant on Boracay Island. Its menu is authentically Italian, with offers ranging from classic favorites like spaghetti bolognese to niche dishes like the marlin-based Trancio Di Pesce Impanato.
For those plagued by decision paralysis, look no further than the Chef's Suggestion section of the menu, which summarizes the restaurants' bestsellers and highlights. The Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina is a great place to start if you're in need of something hearty.
Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen
Boracay's D'Mall offers the entire world's cuisines within a mere 1.2-kilometer radius. After strolling past Jammers and Aria Cucina Italiano, you'll find yourself in Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen, the island's go-to establishment for authentic Indian cuisine. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes from every region in India.
Package deals are available for groups of four or larger. You get one choice of appetizer, main, and side. Each group meal comes with individual helpings of the famous Indian sweet gulab jaman, plus ice cream.
Spicebird
Another D'Mall staple is Spicebird, a unique barbecue restaurant ideated by the creators of The Sunny Side Cafe. Its menu consists of fresh seafood, piri-piri (bird's eye capsicum) meals, sandwiches, and breakfast foods (available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM). Vegan and vegetarian alternatives are also available for customers with dietary preferences or restrictions.
While they offer a wide selection of menu items, Spicebird's specialty is piri-piri. Try their grilled piri-piri chicken, then add either the Hotbird or garlic and lime sauce for a flavorful kick.
Tsokolateria
While there are multiple Tsokolateria branches scattered throughout Manila and surrounding areas, the D'Mall branch is still worth a visit if you want to experience the restaurant's unique take on Filipino cuisine. Its menu features a vast array of cacao-inspired cuisine, from your standard hot chocolate to champurrado to adobo flakes with cacao garlic.
We recommend the sizzling molten quezo, a fondue that offers cacao and cheese dips for a balanced taste. If you're feeling adventurous, try the Cacao Smoked Black Palabok, which features black noodles topped with fresh seafood and poached egg.
Mesa
Mesa is one of the Philippines' most famous Filipino restaurants. It operates a branch in front of the luxurious Hennan Regency Hotel, providing an upscale ambiance with a stunning sea view. The Mesa menu consists of modern takes on Filipino classics, such as sisig, palabok, and adobo.
One of its best sellers is beef kaldereta, which features braised beef in a unique soup mixture consisting of tomato sauce, coconut milk, soy sauce, peanut butter, and chili. If you want something completely fresh, go for their seafood dishes, such as their stir-fried salted and spicy shrimp or their garlic butter tilapia.
Halomango
The Philippine mango is one of the best fruits the country has to offer. Halomango elevates the staple by incorporating it into customizable ice creams and shakes, which can come in either cup or cone form. Sandwiches are also available for customers who want more than a quick refreshment.
Best Food Franchises in Boracay
Some establishments are so popular that they've needed to set up multiple branches across the island to accommodate demand. Below, we list the best food franchises in Boracay.
Coco Mama
If you want a tropical spin to your desserts, Coco Mama is the place to go. The ice cream establishment incorporates local ingredients, such as coconuts, mango, pandan, and nuts, to make their ice cream feel beachy and uniquely Filipino. Be warned, though — the place is so popular that long lines are inevitable.
Jonah's Fruit Shake
Jonah's Fruit Shake is one of the staple franchises in Boracay. It's the go-to place for a decent refreshment after a long day under the sun. While mango is the most popular flavor, it also offers a wide variety of fruits and fruit combinations, including avocado, melon, papaya, pineapple, and strawberry.
The Sunny Side Cafe
The Sunny Side Cafe is the best place to get breakfast food in Boracay. This all-day breakfast establishment offers classic Filipino breakfast food plus Filipino takes on Western breakfast dishes, such as French toast, pancakes, and eggs benedict. One of their best sellers is the bacon and mango grilled cheese, which combines the sweetness of sweet mango jam with the savoriness of bacon and cream cheese.
The Sunny Side Cafe is also a great place to get Vietnamese coffee. It mixes egg, condensed milk, and espresso for a thick, frothy kick to your mourning fuel.
Others
Great food isn't limited to the white beach. Venturing a little deeper into the island lets you experience unique new tastes.
Wolfgang's Steakhouse Grill
Those who want a taste of luxury should travel deeper into the island for Wolfgang's Steakhouse Grill, a branch of Wolfgang Zweiner's iconic establishments. Everything the steakhouse is known for is available in this branch, including porterhouse, prime New York steak, filet mignon, and lamb chops. If you'd rather have seafood, the restaurant also serves lobster and yellowfin tuna.
While the restaurant is not located on the white beach, it still offers a stunning view of the ocean. It's earthy, wood-dominant interiors provide a potent aura of luxury.
Two Brown Boys
Two Brown Boys is another great place to get burgers in Boracay. It has drawn in many a burger connoisseur with its generous burger servings, which are as delicious as they are affordable. One of its most beloved selections is the Mexihund, a unique, taco-inspired sandwich consisting of taco seasoning, jalapenos, and tortilla chips.
Don't let its location deter you. Despite standing on the eastern side of the island, far from the action of the white beach, Two Brown Boys is also a great place for a night out. The place is open until 4:00 AM, keeping the night crowd alive with its relaxed ambiance and cheap drinks. Every so often, DJs come around to perform.
Los Indios Bravos
Los Indios Bravos gets its name from the association of Filipino writers who fought against Spanish oppression in the colonial era. Naturally, the gastropub pays tribute to its namesake, serving Filipino craft beer and lining its interiors with murals of Filipino heroes, including the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal.
The menu is a mix of Filipino food, Spanish food, dishes from the countries the Los Indios Bravos visited, and some staple Western meals. Their specialty is "The Indios Bravos," an Austrian-style breaded pork dish served with lemon wedges and potato fries.
Savor the Best of Boracay
Despite its size, the tiny island of Boracay holds no shortage of good eateries. It caters to a wide range of tastes with its diverse offerings, which include everything from Mexican to Indian and Filipino. Our list can help you narrow down your myriad choices and skip the decision paralysis.
If you're flying back to Metro Manila after your beach getaway, don't fret. The capital is as much a gastronomic oasis as Boracay, albeit with further distances between top-tier establishments. We've provided a list of the best restaurants in Manila to help you choose.