You’d think I was exaggerating if I told you that there wasn’t a single miss among the restaurants we tried while in Boracay, but it’s true enough that even I was surprised by the end of the trip. We had a quick little escapade last December – just five slow days spent lounging at the hotel, soaking in the island’s breathtaking scenery, and eating our way through the stations of White Beach.
Our daily adventures began with the usual breakfast buffet at the Henann Palm Beach Resort, where we were treated to serene views of the sea as we enjoyed our morning meals. We didn’t spend much time here since we were busy exploring the beach, but I did enjoy swimming up to the hotel’s pool bar for refreshments in the afternoons.
As far as “exploring the beach” goes, we actually spent most of our time sampling the new restaurants that had popped up along the shore in recent years. I didn’t think much of its food scene when I first visited back in 2010, so I was beyond delighted to discover so many places serving up delicious eats across a diverse range of cuisines – and now I can’t wait to go back for more!
SpiceBird: Peri-Peri Grilled Chicken & Meats
If I had to pick a favorite on this list, it would definitely be SpiceBird. Universally praised and frequently recommended, this restaurant at the heart of D’Mall is worth going back to Boracay for. SpiceBird offers a “new kind of barbecue experience” based on the beloved Portuguese classic, Piri-Piri Chicken.
It doesn’t stop at the chicken, though. SpiceBird smothers its own version of the fiery and tangy piri-piri sauce onto everything on the menu – even pork, shrimps, and sandwiches! I knew I couldn’t go wrong with the bestselling Grilled Piri-Piri Chicken, served with grilled corn, salad, a milk roll, and a generous serving of spice rice.
This heaping platter was an explosion of flavors that complemented each other harmoniously – the juicy grilled chicken, the fresh salad, and the side sauces that brought their own special kicks to the dish. I’d recommend the fiery hotbird and zesty garlic & lime sauces myself. And if you’re feeling extra hungry, the Grilled Piri-Piri Combination has all this and piri-piri pork too!
Island Chicken Inasal: No Beating a Homegrown Classic
Being a huge sucker for inasal no matter where I am, I knew I had to try Island Chicken Inasal as soon as we saw it while shopping at D’Mall. As the name suggests, the place specializes in Bacolod-style chicken inasal: chicken thighs marinated and basted in calamansi, pepper, local vinegar, and annatto as it grills over hot coals.
It’s no wonder they call the chicken inasal here some of the “best on the island”; it was grilled to perfection, with succulent, flavorful meat and just the right amount of charring. I’m glad I was also in the mood for soup that night because their cansi was also as authentic as it can get – with a rich savory-sour broth made by simmering beef shanks with the batuan fruit until tender.
Mango Mama & Coco Mama: Best Desserts in Boracay
No trip to Boracay is complete without a visit to the famous Coco Mama. It’s arguably one of the best desserts you can have on the island, and is best enjoyed for those times on the shore when the sun’s a little too hot to bear. This sweet treat is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, with creamy homemade coconut ice cream scooped into a coconut shell and topped with fresh mango, pinipig, and heirloom sticky rice.
In October 2023, their creators introduced yet another concept called Mango Mama, with its own stalls independent of their coconut-serving counterpart. Anyone who likes mangoes can’t miss this one either. Their signature dessert features two scoops of mango or black rice ice cream, delicately placed on warm suman and topped with salted coconut cream, mango, and crunchy latik.
Hakata Boracay: Sushi by the Sea
Our late afternoon search for a quick pre-dinner snack turned into the most pleasant surprise when we stumbled upon Hakata Boracay. Maybe it was our Osaka travel hangover talking, because I’m pretty sure it was the ukiyo-e-esque murals and cloth nobori at the storefront that first caught our attention.
What we did find inside was a newly opened restaurant at the ground floor of The District hotel, offering an assortment of Japanese favorites. We only ordered a few sticks of negima and salmon sashimi, but what made the experience extra special was enjoying those fresh and well-prepared dishes with a prime view of the Boracay sunset.
Little Taj Indian Kitchen: Authentic & Traditional Favorites
Yet another unexpected discovery was Little Taj Indian Kitchen, a vibrant space housing colorful murals and live music that made its atmosphere all the more lively and inviting. I didn’t think we’d find an Indian restaurant on the island, and yet here it was – serving up authentic flavors and dishes that go beyond the usual masala and biryani, no less.
Any fellow lover of Indian cuisine will have plenty to choose from on the menu: pani puri, chaat, dal, kathi rolls, paneer, curries, dosas, and even gulab jamun for dessert! The samosas, lamb shahi malai korma, and butter paneer were all heavily spiced and packed with flavor. Each bowl comes with a generous amount of sauce, so I recommend you soak it up with their delightfully soft and flaky paratha. I also loved their rose lassi, made with rosewater, homemade yogurt, and pistachios.
Blackfish Coffee Bar: Good Coffee & Modern Design
Few things are as refreshing as having iced coffee at the beach, and when in Boracay, you can’t go wrong with Blackfish Coffee Bar. Tucked away along a narrow alley by the beach, this small cafe offers specialty coffee and freshly baked goods. Its interiors are uniquely stylish, bringing a modern and monochromatic aesthetic to an area otherwise dominated by tropical-themed spaces.
We were in luck on the day we visited as we were the first customers to arrive, so we got to enjoy the calm and tranquil atmosphere its interiors were meant to create. I opted for my usual iced americano, but the menu also features coffees and drinks infused with tropical fruits – “really suiting the life of the island”, as the owner describes them.
Tres Amigos: Mexican Classics Done Right
If you feel like chowing down on some heavy and satisfying foods after a long day of parasailing and other activities, Tres Amigos is the place to visit. This cantina offers your usual Mexican comfort foods – fajitas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, birria, and flautas smothered in their signature sauces.
Out of all the things we ordered, I think I enjoyed their chimichangas the most. Crispy and packed with your usual burrito stuffing, their bestselling dish was as comforting and delicious as deep fried food can get – with just the right touch of tang and freshness from the sour cream, cilantro, and chopped yellow tomatoes on top.
I never thought I’d want to go back to Boracay again, but going through my friends’ other recommendations and other restaurant articles now, I think I’d actually return just to explore the island’s food scene even more. I already love good food as it is, so the thought of discovering great eats you can enjoy on the beachfront excites me even more!
curious elf 