After the first part of our Top Restaurants in Boracay 2017 feature this is inevitably the lead on, documenting 5 more eateries that have the potential to capture your imagination while also putting a sizeable dent in your wallet. So without further ado, here are some additions to your list of places to eat on the wonderful island of Boracay.
Los Indios Bravos
As far as gastropubs go in Boracay, few are a match for Los Indios Bravos. It’s nestled away near the kite surfing part of the island around 10 minutes walk from White Beach.
The word ‘Indio’ was a common derogatory term used by Filipino intellectuals to describe the islands’ natives. The island’s heritage is represented in the many oldy worldly pictures that hang in this popular gastropub.
Los Indios Bravos is located near a lot of the cheaper hotels and hostels on the island, while also attracting a larger portion of the nearby kite surfing population. The gastropub has made a name for itself by selling locally sourced craft beers among them is NIPA Brew which may not be to everyone’s taste as arguably it only has one drinkable beer in the form of the hoppy Sunstoked among its list of handcrafted beers.
If you aren’t a craft beer fan then don’t worry as the restaurant’s skillset go way beyond providing beer-touting IPA enthusiasts a full glass. LIB is by far one of the most revered restos in Boracay. Its menu is vast, offering customers anything from amazing Curries (see below) to Pies and even Fish and Chips. It even raises the bar with its Cobb Salad, and not to mention its array of sumptuous Steaks available.
Check out some of the pictures on their website, and you’ll see why LIB is attracting so many customers all year round. You can also follow their Facebook page here for regular updates.
Directions: Road 1A on Bolabog, approximately 10 minutes away from D Mall
Phone Number: (036) 288 2803
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Spider House Resort
Spider House is a favorite among the locals because it offers a chilled vibe with DJs playing at the weekends and during nighttime. Built into the side of a rock in Boracay’s Station One, Spider House looks like a huge wooden tree house. It provides a magnificent place to watch the sunset where revelers can dive into the sea below in between sipping cocktails and eating authentic Filipino food.
Don’t be put off by the resort’s archaic website as this is a great place to recover from a hangover or drink until the sun comes down. You only have to look at the glowing feedback on TripAdvisor to see how much love Spider House gets from everyone who visits.
Like Spider House’s Facebook page here to find out about any events and which DJs are playing at this famous nightspot.
Directions: Diniwid Beach, Station One
Phone Number: (036) 288 2350
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Rima
The Shangri-La in Boracay is a marvelous resort. But it comes with a price. The rooms here will cost you upwards of $400 a night, but the views are certainly worth it. The Shangri’La’s attention to detail is second-to-none and that’s what makes it such a memorable resort to stay at, regardless of its extremely expensive rooms, boutique shops, food and anything else you wish to put on your credit card.
On site, the Shangri-La has many restaurants, but arguably the best of the lot is Rima. The Chef in charge of everything that comes out of its kitchen is Omar Ugoletti – an Italian chef with a flair for Southern European cuisine. Rima has a wonderful 5-course degustation menu, which is worth the trip alone, created by Ugoletti himself.
Ugoletti’s gastronomic roots shine through at Rima, with the chef featuring many Italian dishes as well as a slew of vegetarian options on the menu. You can view the menu in its entirety here on the Shangri-la Boracay website.
Directions: Shangri-la Beach Resort, Station One
Phone Number: (63 36) 288 4988
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Dos Mestizos
If you’ve spent any time in Manila at all, you’ll know what sort of influence the Spanish have had on Filipino culture. Ever since the colonial era, the Spanish have left their mark on Filipinos, which is evident in everything from their food to the architecture – especially in areas such as Intramuros in mainland Manila.
Do Mestizos is your archetypal Spanish-Filipino restaurant. It’s a Boracay original and has a loyal following. The restaurant gets its name from its two founding mestizos: Jose Carlos Remedios and Jose Ramon Nieto. Their families are from the Castilian region, thus you’ll find staple dishes from that part of the world.
Like all Spanish restaurants, Dos Mestizos is famous for its paella (try the paella negra) and tapas. Due to its immense popularity Dos Mestizos has expanded the business in the form of a gourmet sandwich using freshly baked bread, cheeses and delish meats – this is the perfect place to stop off while walking around the island in the day.
You can follow the restaurant’s Facebook page here. Dos Mesitzos’ menu can be viewed on their official website.
Directions: On Tourist Center Road, 5 minute walk from White Beach
Phone Number: (036) 288 5786
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Cha Cha’s Beach Cafe
For beach lovers who are looking for a restaurant near the shore, Cha Cha’s in Station 2 is the place to go. Cha Cha’s is actually the in-house restaurant of the Coast Hotel, and is part of the Raintree Hospitality Group. Chefs Kalel Chan, Romy Aumentado, and Gilbert Ramos helm the menu, and you’ll find a delightful mix of Western and Filipino food.
The ambiance at Cha Cha’s is incredible, and it’s a nice little oasis in the hustle and bustle of Station 2. Go in the mornings for their breakfast buffet, where you can try their famous ube champorrado while enjoying the fresh breeze. Or, if you’d like to dine outside, you could try them in the evenings when they turn on the lamps, and relax with a nice cold drink. (Happy Hour is from 3pm to 8pm every day.)
Cha Cha’s is perfect for any sort of group: big families, groups of friends, couples, or even single diners will find a place here. Try their Seafood Platter to share, and if you’re looking for a light, healthy meal then their Poke Bowl is an excellent choice.
Cha Cha’s has official page on the Coast’s website is here. You can also have a look at their menu on their Facebook page here.
Directions: On the beachfront in Station 2, look for the Coast Boracay.
Phone Number: (036) 288 2634
James Gonzales is a Filipino-American travel enthusiast and writer currently based in the Philippines. After living and working in New York for 10 years, James decided he wanted to see more of the world and leave the city behind. In the course of saving up for what would become an epic trip across Asia, he wrote about previous traveling experiences for various travel websites and publications based in the Lower East Side.
James focused on journeying through the Philippines in the hopes of understanding his roots, and began Daydreaming in Paradise to share his thoughts and experiences. He’s always looking for like-minded travelers to trade stories and swap tips with, and he hopes you’ll join him on his journey.
