When it comes to gastronomic experience, Siargao does not disappoint. In this beautiful island in the pacific coast of the Philippines lies not only incredible surf spots but also a buzzing food scene of local and international flavors.
Siargao Carinderias, Specialty, Cafes & Co-Working
I lived in Siargao for two months in 2024 and one activity I enjoyed the most was eating out. I didn’t consider myself much of a foodie before coming here, but it was hard to miss the experience when you’re surrounded with new flavors. If you want to read about my budget travel tips for dining in Southeast Asia, read my blog here.
Two months has allowed me to indulge in every type of dining experience: from local carinderias to specialty restaurants. Let me share with you 15 dining spots in Siargao which, in my books, have ticked the checklist for great food, value, and vibes.
Local Restaurants
Carinderias are small and affordable Filipino eateries offering a variety of local food in a buffet style. At the core of a carinderia is ready-made food where buyers can choose, grab, and go. It’s simple and efficient if you’re looking for a quick fix .
There are tons of carinderias in Siargao varying from micro food stands to fancier versions. I like eating out in unlabeled places that I just pass through while driving in the streets. But for the sake of this blog, I’ll share ones with public reviews and branding.
- The Hub by Lokal Lab
This restaurant was a favorite when I first visited Siargao in 2019, and reclaimed the top spot again when I came back last year. The Hub by Lokal Lab offers Filipino favorites while adding a flare of uniqueness into it. For example, instead of having just the regular Adobo with rice, they took it a notch higher by offering it in wrap form as well. They also have a handful of vegan/vegetarian options for meat free indulgence.
More than the great and affordable food, I would like to highlight Lokal Lab’s community immersion projects. They source their ingredients directly from local farmers, which means you’re not only getting fresh produce but also supporting local livelihood.
I spent many of my lunches at Lokal Lab’s General Luna quarters (they have another branch in Burgos). I’ll say it can also double as a great co-working spot due to its spacious feels and stable connectivity.
Specialties to try: Adobo Flakes Wrap, Coconut Ice Cream, Cocoa Ice Cream, and Kalamay (biko)
- Kurvada
Kurvada is a perfect representation of a fancy Filipino carinderia. Unlike the original version which exclusively sells Filipino dishes, Kurvada has added a flare of foreign taste into its menu. This makes them appealing to both Filipinos and tourists, with affordability adding to their appeal.
In Kurvada, you’ll have the chance to taste foreign dishes that are at twice or thrice less than the price if you were to try them in a specialty restaurant. The setup is very casual, no air conditioning or candlelights, and you can dine with other customers at one table.
Specialties to try: Pork Barbeque, Fish Barbeque, Seaweed Salad, and Gambas
- JT’s Manukan
JT’s is a staple Filipino food chain with branches going as far as Metro Manila. If you’re into the Filipino barbeque scene, chances are you have already tried JTs and its banger sizzlers.
The restaurant’s vibe is casual and the food price is very affordable. On lazy days when I just wanted to Netflix and chill, I would always pass by JTs for an order of grilled chicken thigh and plain rice. Order is usually ready within 15 minutes, making it a perfect place for grab-and-go.
Specialties to try: Paa (chicken thigh and plain rice), Isol (chicken bottom), and Baticulon (chicken gizzard)
- Emilia’s Restobar & Seafoods Paluto
This is probably the least popular place from our list. Emilia’s Restaubar is located off the Tourism Road where the main action happens. But I tell you: it’s worth the additional five-minute drive.
I always wondered why seafood is so expensive in Siargao. Despite it being a coastal town, it’s very hard to find a decent seafood place with an affordable price. The best chance to get your fishy-fix is to go to a fancy restaurant for a hefty amount.
Since I love getting value for what I pay for, I scoured the neighborhood and asked around for a good seafood restaurant. That led me to Emilia’s Restaubar. They have everything from crabs to squids, and the best thing is you can choose the flavors for your order and they can customize it for you.
Specialties to try: Buttered Shrimp, Grilled squid, and Calamares
Specialty Restaurants
Siargao is a melting pot for flavors from all over the world: East Asia to South Asia, East Europe to West Europe, all the way to Central and South America. If you’re open to trying new cuisine, definitely take your taste buds for a 360 tour when traveling to this island.
- Siago
Starting off strong with my favorite brunch spot on the island, Siago offers unique flavors from Central and South America. This is my first taste of the food from a region that’s heralded for its incredible food culture, and Siago delivered well by blending it in with a Filipino touch and a generous serving size. It transported me to a place that’s thousands of miles away from the Philippines.
Aside from the food, I’d give them another point for the vibe. The restaurant’s location is beachfront, and you can see some kitesurfers flying their gears during wind season. It’s relaxed, chill vibes also makes it ideal for working, although the WiFi is by voucher limited to two hours. They are generous if you ask them for another one.
Specialties to try: Motuleños, Con Chorizo, and Tutti Frutti
- NĀGA
If there is one restaurant that has it all, that’s definitely Naga. It’s a smorgasbord of flavors ranging from pastas to salads to grills and burgers. It is our favorite spot for dinners for a big group since it’s almost always certain everyone would get something they like regardless of their preference and mood.
What’s more impressive is that the matriarch waitress, Ate Ivy, remembers everyone’s names after one glance. I just thought it put customer service a notch higher because of her distinct talent. Naga also hosts acoustic nights so it’s definitely a perfect place if you like to have a chill dinner with friends.
Specialties to try: Calamari Negra, Munggo Tikka Masala, and Patatas Bravas
- Las Barricas
For a girl’s night out, Las Barricas is a tough place to beat. Before I go into details with their signature tacos, I would like to start with the Las Barricas Sangria – it is la bomba. You can easily consume a glass or two without thinking it through, especially with some subtle Spanish music playing in the background.
Tacos de Carnitas or slow-cooked pork tacos is their best-seller. Add in some lime to this mildly-spicy dish and you’ll get a unique flavor you’ll crave for the rest of the week. Take note that Las Barricas is closed on a certain day of the week so always check Google Maps for schedule or call them before going.
Specialties to try: Tacos de Carnitas, Tacos de Pescado, and Sangria
- Siargao Little Rotti
I would be biased if I didn’t mention my favorite breakfast place on the island, located in the famous Bajala Hostel where I lived for the majority of my stay in Siargao. Aside from the fact that it’s located right next to my room, making it so convenient to reach when my hunger urges start kicking in, they really do offer a solid menu and a spacious space to lounge around.
Their bacon & pancakes breakfast keeps you filled for the rest of the day, while silog meals (rice with a filipino breakfast staple dish + fried egg) are also available if you want to keep the first taste of the day savory – just as how a filipino would do it.
Little Rotti also offers a range of Indian specials at any time of the day. Chicken Tandoori Wings is my go-to, adapted to the Filipino preference, although you have to be careful because it will leave your breath with a tinge of onion stink *wink*.
Specialties to try: Bacon & Pancakes, Butter Chicken with Rotti, and Chicken Tandoori Wings
- La Mesa
As someone who can eat Pad Thai everyday for a year, La Mesa has captured my heart instantly. This is the first restaurant I ever tried upon landing in Siargao, and it did not disappoint. They have an entire section dedicated to Pad Thai of different variations: Classic, Shrimp, Overload, and Vegan. La Mesa also went big on desserts, with Mango Sticky Rice and Mango Float bearing the flag as among the best-made desserts I’ve tasted on the island.
Specialties to try: Pad Thai Overload, Thai Basil Stir-fry, and Mango Float
- Manu
The mother of all specialty restaurants: Manu. This cocktail bar offers well-made specialty drinks that set you a few notch above your drinking game. As someone who almost never drinks alcohol, I appreciated Manu’s take on making social drinking what it’s worth: enjoying drinks and conversations at the same time.
Now with the food menu. Manu only has a handful of items there but EVERYTHING TASTES INCREDIBLY GOOD. You can tell that whoever is in-charge of Manu went heavy on offering only the best of the best, and has been bearing the fruits of their strategy with the amount of customers coming everyday. Before I forget it, book your seats in advance or you’ll miss out on their Coconut Fried Ice Cream like I did – and I still regret it to this day.
Specialties to try: Black Manhattan, Miso Chicken, Shrimp Popcorn, Coconut Fried Ice Cream
- Roots
In case you have never tried a tasting menu before, Roots is a perfect place for that for unique local flavors and a considerably-priced offer. It’s an 8-course meal for PHP2,200 (+6% service charge) including appetizer, main course, and dessert. I remember them mentioning that the offers are on rotation and change depending on availability. Regardless, all of them are something I never tried before which made the experience unique overall.
Cafes & Co-working Spaces
What’s a food adventure without some cafes, right? Lucky that Siargao has lots of them and you’ll never run out of good choices for sip-and-tell places.
- Vedya
Vedya is a hybrid between a carinderia-style restaurant like Kurvada and a cafe. For a limited time everyday, you can buy ready-made food at the counter with a great selection of plant-based items and Filipino sweets like turon. Although, reminder, these sell out very fast because of how popular Vedya is among customers from all walks of life.
If you don’t end up catching the carinderia-style offer, Vedya has a good selection of cafe staples, with smoothie bowls being their best-sellers.
Specialties to try: Acai Mixed Berries, PB&J Banana Brulee, and Falafel Hummus
- Shanti Shanty Cafe
If you are in your hippie period, Shanti Shanty is a space where you’ll meet like-minded people. Particularly on the morning of Saturdays and Sundays, people gather at Shanti Shanty to talk about their full moon intentions, homemade elixir for food poisoning, natural cure for surf cuts, and more.
The owner is really cool and makes the best breads in town! When less crowded, the upper floor provides a great breathing space where you can journal or play board games with friends. Connectivity is also strong so needless to say this is a digital nomad haven.
Specialties to try: Sourdough bread, Banana toast, and Ginger healer
- Bayani Restaurant (Harana Surf)
Harana is better known as a party spot where the entire Siargao crowd gathers on Saturday night. But on simple days, its flagship dining spot, Bayani Restaurant, is a quiet space where you can dine and work under a huge nipa hut. WiFi is fast and I’d say this is one of the places favored by digital nomads, meaning you can meet a lot of them here and build your network if you must.
Food choices are also unique as they offer tastes from Mindanao, the gem that completes the three stars of the Philippine flag. This Southern Philippine flavor is not something I often encounter since I grew up in the big island in the north, Luzon. This made Bayani Restaurant even more memorable for me.
Specialties to try: Tiyula Itum, Pyanggang Manok, and Monggo Guisado
- Isla Corgis
If you’re looking for a unique cafe to chill in Siargao, Isla Corgis is one. Similar to the concept of Capybara cafes in Japan, this place is home to more than 10 cute little corgis that are fun to observe. They play around and do little tricks that will capture your heart.
If you have ethical concerns, which I had before visiting the place, the cafe owner told us that they follow the natural rhythm of the corgis, setting aside ample time where they can take a nap and rest. With this, the cafe closes at a certain time during the day, so you gotta check schedules prior to visiting.
Kain Tayo (Let’s Eat)
When Filipinos invite others to eat, we often say “Kain tayo!” which translates to “Let’s eat!” It’s deeply embedded in our culture, showing that food unites people and invites them to be part of a community. Siargao isn’t just about epic waves but also a foodie paradise! Whether you’re into local carinderias, international flavors, or cozy cafes, there’s something here for every taste and budget.
