Chasing waves and nature
tripping in Siargao feeds one’s adventurous soul. Undertaking
it can be wearing and will leave you famished and craving for a satisfying
grub. Great thing though in this island, one will never run out of gastronomic spaces to have a feast, re-energize and have a good chill-out time with
friends at the same time. With a thriving culinary
sphere that twins the growth of the local art scene, Siargao is fast becoming
known as a foodie destination to go along with its reputation as a surfer’s
paradise.
To help you plan an
amazing surf-and-chow trip to Siargao, here are a few highly recommended
places to eat in the surfing capital of the Philippines.
Shaka
This tiny and charming
shack at the side of the road in General Luna, is a source of major energy boost for anyone planning to battle the waves of Siargao. Serving fruit bowls, smoothies, specialty coffee and cold-pressed juices, Shaka is a
favorite among the health and environmentally conscious crowd in the island.
Signature power bowls such
as Bakunawa Bowl, Cloud 9 Kook and Bom Dia to cold press juices like the John
Lemon, Flu Fighter and Green Day to smoothies Coconana, Berrygoodnice and
Island Dream, Shaka’s colorful bowls give a new meaning to Vonnegut’s
‘Breakfast of Champions’. Additional
props for the management’s decision to use papaya stalks in lieu of plastic
straws.
Bravo
At the end of a meal here,
you’ll hear yourself repeating its name “Bravo,
Bravo” in describing your dining experience. What’s not to like? From the
cool ambiance brought about by its laid-back and open-air interior to the
wonderful view of the sea and finally; the must-try authentic Spanish cuisine.
With acclaimed Executive Chef David Lopez at the helm of the kitchen, Bravo has
become a regular fixture not only in many where to eat in Siagao listicles, but
it also made Tatler’s Best Restaurant in the Philippines list.
Kermit Surf Siargao
I am a two-slice of pizza
kind of person but Kermit converted me into a pizza junkie over a dinner here
one night. Masterfully blending ingredients from Italy with fresh ones
from organic farms in Siargao, Kermit serves what a lot of people confirms as
the ‘best pizzas in the country’.
 |
| Photo Credit: Ana Gonzales |
Kermit also dishes winning
pasta like the gnocchi, penne and spaghetti al pomodoro and also allows you to
create your own pizza by selecting your toppings of choice, which they had in abundance of varieties. Oh, and they will be opening a branch in Poblacion, Makati soon.
Aventino’s Pizza, Pasta and Vino
With three branches in the
island located in General Luna, Cloud 9 and Dapa, Aventino’s – with its pocket
friendly menu price, is the most accessible and affordable place to fulfill one’s pizza and
pasta cravings. Don’t ignore their three-layered pizza and pair it off with one
of their signature shakes.
Harana Surf Resort
 |
| Photo credit: Harana Surf FB page |
Serving Filipino cuisine
fused with several twists, Harana serenades you with a remarkable meal as
awesome as the waves of General Luna. Another great thing about Harana, is its
tropical architecture feel that extends from the organic countryside designs of
its rooms. Unleash your inner Zen seated on a yoga-like posture on the floor against
a low table while enjoying the stretched spaces and ambient light setting. Don’t
freak out when you feel heavy breathing in your legs under the table, as that
would be the resident pug named Naki, whose game at being belly rubbed. Another
resident dog is a half huskie named Chito. Aside from their usual menu, try
asking the staff about their weekly specials.
Hanigad
To complete this listicle, I asked a few of friends for additional recommendations. Mayan Benedicto spoke highly of a place she used to frequent a lot when she resided in the island a few years ago.
 |
| Photo credit: Hanigad FB Page |
"Siargao has a lot of good
food options but it can be hard to find a place where it's still pretty chill,
not crowded and still have a damn good meal. Hanigad should definitely be in
your list of go-to places. It's really easy to miss because the entrance is on
a slope and not exactly a spot where you turn to look at signs but it's right
across Shaka. Turn right and drive down the slope and onto the beach side where
you can sit in front facing Cloud 9 and enjoy a great rack of
melt-in-your-mouth, juicy delicious ribs. Their other items are equally good
like the sandwiches but the ribs win my heart. They used to serve these same
ribs at JJ King, my favorite restaurant when I lived there in 2015. I was delighted
knowing the rib recipe carried on!" lovely Mayan said.
Kalinaw
A regular in
Siargao, surfer Kara Hizon mentions two places:
Kalinaw and Yeah Yeah’s Taco Shop, foodies shouldn't miss.
 |
| Photo Credit: Kalinaw Website |
“Kalinaw’s
restaurant is one of the high-end restaurants in Siargao where you would want
to take your loved one for a romantic date or your family and friends for an
intimate dinner. You can choose a table in their beautifully designed dining
area or outside by the beach under the beautiful sky. Kalinaw serves
French-inspired dishes uses only the freshest ingredients. They are widely
known for their large thin-crust pizzas which are baked in an authentic Italian
wood-fire oven. Order the Campagnola di Parma Pizza and you will definitely
keep coming back for more” Hizon said.
Yeah Yeah’s Taco Shop
“One
of Siargao’s hidden gems, Yeah Yeah’s Tacos can be found in an unassuming stall
beside Fat Lips Surf Shop. Definitely the local go to spot for delicious and
affordable tacos! They serve pork, chicken, fish and vegetable tacos loaded
with tasty ingredients and sauces. You can order a beer while waiting for your
food and you can enjoy their homemade uniquely flavored cupsicles – don’t
forget to read the sweet and inspirational messages at the bottom of the cup!” adds
Kara.
Kitya’s Place
Fresh off from a 19-day
trip in Siargao with their family, Carla and Seeya Sia commends the atmosphere and the menu choices of these next two places
in our list:
 |
| Photo Credit: Kitya's Place FB page |
“Kitya's
Place serves food that is consistently good, from their Fried Aubergine
appetizer down to their Mango Crepe dessert. We probably frequented this
restaurant the most during our 19-day stay in the island. Make sure you order
their Afritada, their Asian Noodle Bowl with noodles they make themselves, and
their Mango Crepe. Do take note that they make the dishes individually so the
food does a take a little while but it's definitely worth the wait”
raves Seeya.
Emerald House Restaurant
 |
| Photo Credit: Emerald House FB page |
About Emerald House, Carla
adds “it serves mainly French fare and is
located a few hundred meters from the famous Cloud 9. We love their Carbonara,
Crispy Maguro, Choco Banana shake, and Homemade Iced Tea. Tip: They host Monday
night acoustic sessions where restaurant owner Jacko sings with Gus on guitar.
Feel free to belt a tune with them onstage if you're feeling their groove.
Extremely friendly island vibe but do make sure you reserve a table as their Mondays
do get quite full”
Ka Li Ma Cafe
Travel blogger Shugah Gonzales has nothing but praises
for Ka Li Ma Cafe which serves fresh farm to table food.
“A
whole food, plant based Restaurant located inside Lotus Shore Siargao. Ka Li Ma
Café serves organic produced fresh from their farm. The look and feel of this
airy space gives that sunny locale vibe. Everything is organically sourced,
nothing comes from the insides of a can or any plastic based container. Their
Mango Matcha Coco Tart is a standout. Simply the right kind of good food one
could ask for” says Gonzales.
And
there’s more….
This listicle isn’t a
definitive where to eat list in Siargao since the island is quickly becoming a
major food hub. Starting off at some of these places will definitely help start
your foodtrippin in Siagao the right
way. Let us know in the comment sections of your other favorite places to eat
in the beautiful surf and chow island of Siargao.
*************
Since December 17, 2017,
the Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu
Pacific Air have started flying direct between Manila and Siargao, six
times a week.
