Iloilo City was one of the known gastronomic havens in the Philippines, where the cuisine culture was best represented by a fusion of traditional and modern ways of cookery. Situated around the throwback downtown and the modern, bustling parts of the city were a number of establishments that served both old and new favorites. A day or two in the city presented a variety of food choices to guarantee a satisfying gastronomical experience. To help plan your food trip, here were some of the places I tried dining at in the City of Love.
Where to Eat in Iloilo City
Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy
Do not be swayed by the batchoy wars between Ted’s and Deco’s—both were reputable restaurants serving the Iloilo signature dish of La Paz Batchoy. But when it came to “who came first” and “who still holds the crown of ‘all-time favorite La Paz Batchoy’” in Iloilo, it was hands down Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy. Hidden inside La Paz Market, that culinary icon of the city still retained its old-school vibe that had existed since it first opened in the 1940s, along with the original recipe that made downing a mega bowl of La Paz Batchoy a very pleasant food experience.
Madge Café
A stark contrast to the many hipster and Instagrammable cafes that had mushroomed today, Madge Café still presented that no-frills and stripped-back café atmosphere—of faded floors and carinderia-type interiors, all screaming of authenticity, just like the coffee and sweet goodies it served. Also located inside La Paz Market, the original branch remained a local favorite and had become a must-visit for tourists exploring Iloilo City. Unpretentious and charming, that small coffee joint delivered a continuance of more than fifty years of institutional tradition, serving great quality local coffee.
Samurai Tablahan
Where else could you order a plateful of oysters starting from less than a hundred pesos? Cheap seafood that didn’t suffer in quality and taste was what made Samurai a popular food choice for both locals and tourists. They also served pork and chicken barbecue that matched perfectly with their assorted baked scallops flavors. Samurai was located just across the road from the Smallville complex.
Roberto’s Siopao
A siopao so big and delicious it elevated from a simple merienda to a meal in itself. A household name in Iloilo, and synonymous with ‘Siopao,’ one mere mention of its name was enough for anyone to salivate over a rich and tasty bun loaded with sumptuous fillings. Lucky diners could choose from the following: Regular Siopao (pork adobo and egg), Jumbo Siopao (chicken sausage, chicken or pork adobo, and egg), King Siopao (ham, Chinese sausage, chicken and pork adobo, and egg), and the Queen Siopao (bacon, Chinese sausage, chicken and pork adobo, and egg). Roberto’s was located along Basa Street, right at the heart of Iloilo’s downtown and heritage district.
Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafood
A perennial inclusion in the many ‘Where to Eat in Iloilo’ listicles, Tatoy’s continued to never disappoint. Serving a wide array of Filipino native dishes that included native lechon manok, grilled scallops, steamed pasayan, baked talaba, blue marlin, and fishtail soup, just to name a few, a meal there with family or a group of friends should be included in any Iloilo City travel itinerary.
Brewery Gastropub
A joint serving the best local craft and imported beers had better serve a mean set of dishes as well. Good for the rest of us, Brewery Gastropub didn’t miss out on that memo. Try out some local craft beer favorites such as Guimaras Gosse, Dinagyang Pale Ale, and Boracay Blonde, and pair them with their house signature dishes like the Rack of Skewers, Beer Can Chicken, and Boneless Crispy Pata for a satisfying night of beer and food fest.
Punot
Iloilo-based lifestyle blogger Levy Amosin, meanwhile, recommended Punot Restaurant. “Situated along the riverside boardwalk also known as Esplanade River, Punot serves a combination of traditional and modern Ilonggo dishes. The owners wanted to provide a new and exciting dining experience to the Ilonggos, so they designed a set menu inspired by their travels around the world. The restaurant also offers a relaxed and casual riverside dining experience that many Ilonggos enjoy.”
Although those were just a few of the many highly recommended restaurants, bars, and cafes in Iloilo City, you could use this as a guide to kick off your food-trip adventure in the City of Love.
*Picture of Punot from the Punot Facebook Page.
