Best Places to Eat in El Nido – Food Guide 2026

El Nido offers a diverse culinary scene that blends Filipino cuisine with international flavors. From fresh seafood to Italian pasta, here’s your complete guide to dining in El Nido.

Local Filipino Cuisine

1. Art’s Restaurant

– Type: Filipino local
– Specialty: Fresh seafood, grilled dishes
– Price Range: PHP 150-400
– Must-try: Grilled squid, kinilaw (ceviche), sinigang

2. Boodle Fight Corocod

– Type: Filipino buffet
– Specialty: Boodle fight (Filipino-style buffet on banana leaves)
– Price Range: PHP 300-500
– Must-try: Boodle fight platter, grilled fish

3. La Stall@ Art’s Cafe

– Type: Filipino/Korean
– Specialty: Fusion dishes, silog meals
– Price Range: PHP 150-350
– Must-try: Tapa silog, pork sinigang

International Cuisine

4. Trattoria Altrove

– Type: Italian
– Specialty: Wood-fired pizzas, pasta
– Price Range: PHP 300-600
– Must-try: Margherita pizza, carbonara

5. Casa Rosa

– Type: Spanish/Filipino
– Specialty: Paella, tapas
– Price Range: PHP 400-800
– Must-try: Seafood paella, tapas platter

6. The Outpost

– Type: International/Bistro
– Specialty: Western breakfast, burgers
– Price Range: PHP 250-500
– Must-try: Full breakfast, beef burger

7. Big Bad Thai

– Type: Thai
– Specialty: Authentic Thai cuisine
– Price Range: PHP 200-450
– Must-try: Pad Thai, green curry

Seafood Specialties

8. Sea Slugs Seafood Restaurant

– Type: Seafood
– Specialty: Fresh catch of the day
– Price Range: PHP 300-700
– Must-try: Grilled prawns, seafood platters

9. RRR Seafood Restaurant

– Type: Filipino seafood
– Specialty: Grilled seafood, Filipino dishes
– Price Range: PHP 200-500
– Must-try: Grilled squid, buttered shrimp

Cafes and Light Bites

10. El Nido Bakery

– Type: Bakery/Cafe
– Specialty: Fresh pastries, coffee
– Price Range: PHP 50-200
– Must-try: Ensaimada, fresh bread

11. Coffee & Co.

– Type: Cafe
– Specialty: Coffee, smoothies, sandwiches
– Price Range: PHP 100-250
– Must-try: Iced coffee, banana pancake

12. Fresh Start Bakery

– Type: Bakery
– Specialty: Breakfast items, cakes
– Price Range: PHP 80-180
– Must-try: Donuts, cinnamon rolls

Fine Dining

13. El Nido Resorts – Beach Club

– Type: Fine dining
– Specialty: International cuisine, seafood
– Price Range: PHP 800-2000
– Must-try: Seafood platter, premium steaks

14. Happiness Beach Bar

– Type: Beach bar/Restaurant
– Specialty: Western fusion, cocktails
– Price Range: PHP 300-700
– Must-try: Fish and chips, tropical cocktails

Budget-Friendly Options

15. Lovenia Store & Eatery

– Type: Local eatery
– Specialty: Filipino breakfast, silog
– Price Range: PHP 80-150
– Must-try: Tapsilog, longganisa

16. Balinsasayaw Restaurant

– Type: Filipino/International
– Specialty: Home-cooked meals
– Price Range: PHP 150-300
– Must-try: Chicken inasal, pinakbet

Food Tips

1. Fresh seafood is best for lunch – it’s fresher and prices are better
2. Happy hour deals typically run from 4-7 PM
3. Restaurant prices in El Nido town are higher than average Filipino prices
4. Cash is king – many small restaurants don’t accept cards
5. Book ahead for popular restaurants during peak season
6. Vegetarians may find options limited – communicate clearly

Must-Try Local Dishes

– Kinilaw – Filipino ceviche, typically made with fresh fish
– Sinigang – Sour soup, often with shrimp or pork
– Lechon – Roasted pork, especially good during celebrations
– Grilled Squid – Squid grilled with garlic and butter
– Fresh Tropical Fruits – Mangoes, coconuts, and pomelos

Average Meal Costs

| Type | Cost (PHP) |
|——|————|
| Street food | 30-80 |
| Local restaurant | 100-250 |
| Mid-range restaurant | 250-500 |
| Fine dining | 500-1500+ |

—

Tags: El Nido restaurants, El Nido food, El Nido dining, El Nido best food, El Nido cafes, El Nido seafood, Filipino food El Nido

Platform	Best For	El Nido Deals
Booking.com	Hotels, resorts, free cancellation	View deals →
Agoda	Best Asia prices, loyalty rewards	View deals →
Klook	Tours & activities	Browse tours →