Palawan is a pristine island province in the western Philippines, often called the Philippines' Last Frontier for its untouched natural beauty. Home to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the stunning limestone karst landscapes of El Nido and Coron, Palawan offers some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic scenery. Its turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and white-sand beaches consistently earn it recognition as one of the world's best island destinations.
Palawan's cuisine is dominated by exceptional fresh seafood — fish, prawns, squid, and shellfish pulled from surrounding waters daily. Filipino culinary traditions like sinigang (sour tamarind soup), kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew), and adobo are staples, supplemented by uniquely Palawanon ingredients like pako fern, freshwater prawns, and exotic game. El Nido offers a cosmopolitan dining scene with Italian, Korean, Thai, and health-focused restaurants alongside Filipino staples, while Puerto Princesa has the widest variety of sit-down restaurants. Coron's dining is more rustic but features excellent fresh seafood and a surprising Filipino-Spanish fusion tradition.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Palawan.
Tamilok (woodworm)
A uniquely Palawanon delicacy — raw mangrove woodworm eaten with calamansi and onion, an acquired taste beloved by locals
Where to try: Ba-Gu Restaurant, Puerto Princesa
Price: ₱200-350
Kinilaw na Tanigue
Filipino-style ceviche made with freshly caught Spanish mackerel marinated in calamansi juice and ginger
Where to try: Most seafood restaurants
Price: ₱200-400
Palawan Freshwater Prawns
Enormous fresh prawns from Palawan's rivers, best grilled with garlic butter
Where to try: Ba-Gu Restaurant, Kinabuchs
Price: ₱400-700
Pako Salad
Refreshing salad made from young fiddlehead fern fronds with tomato, onion, and salted egg
Where to try: Kinabuchs, Ka Lui Restaurant
Price: ₱150-250
Sinigang na Hipon
Sour tamarind soup with fresh tiger prawns — a Filipino classic made exceptional with Palawan's premium prawns
Where to try: Ka Lui Restaurant, Kalui Restaurant
Price: ₱350-550
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Kinabuchs Grill and Bar
One of Puerto Princesa's most beloved institutions, Kinabuchs is famous for its massive grilled seafood platters served with garlic rice and coconut-based sauces. The open-air bamboo setting and festive atmosphere make it the go-to spot for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in Palawan's bounty.
Known for: Known for massive grilled seafood at reasonable prices
369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Ka Lui Restaurant
Housed in a charming nipa hut setting inside a heritage compound, Ka Lui is a Puerto Princesa institution serving beautifully presented Filipino cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local seafood. The set menus are excellent value and feature rotating daily specials based on market availability.
Known for: Beautifully presented Filipino set menus in a heritage nipa hut setting
369 Rizal Avenue Extension, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Ba-Gu Specialty Restaurant
Specializing in authentic Palawan cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, Ba-Gu serves traditional dishes rarely found in tourist restaurants including pako salad, tamilok (woodworm) for the adventurous, and freshwater prawn dishes from the island's rivers. A must for food explorers.
Known for: Authentic local Palawan delicacies and traditional Filipino cuisine
Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Happiness Beach Bar El Nido
Perched on the beachfront strip of El Nido town, Happiness Beach Bar is the social hub of the strip with cheap drinks, wood-fired pizzas, fresh fish dishes, and an electric atmosphere at sunset. Live music several nights a week adds to the convivial vibe.
Known for: Beachfront bar-restaurant with sunset views and live music
El Nido Beach Road, El Nido, Palawan
The Alternative El Nido
A health-focused café and restaurant in El Nido offering a menu of organic bowls, fresh smoothies, vegan-friendly dishes, and excellent coffee. A popular spot for health-conscious travelers seeking a break from seafood and rice, with a lovely terrace overlooking the bay.
Known for: Healthy bowls, smoothies, and excellent coffee in El Nido
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Trattoria Altrove El Nido
Authentic Italian restaurant in El Nido operated by an Italian family, serving handmade pasta, thin-crust pizza from a wood-fired oven, and imported Italian wines. One of the most-recommended restaurants for those craving high-quality Italian food in the tropics.
Known for: Genuine Italian cooking with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza
Calle Real, El Nido, Palawan
Republica Sunset Bar and Restaurant
Located at the south end of El Nido's beachfront with some of the best sunset views in town, Republica serves a fusion menu of Mediterranean and Filipino dishes with excellent cocktails. The ambiance is romantic and the terrace fills up quickly at golden hour.
Known for: Romantic sunset terrace with Mediterranean-Filipino fusion
Real Street South, El Nido, Palawan
Artcafe El Nido
A beloved café and gallery in El Nido's town center serving excellent coffee, breakfasts, and light meals in a charming artistic setting. Walls are lined with work by local Filipino artists and the terrace is a popular morning gathering spot.
Known for: Excellent breakfast and coffee in an artistic café setting
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Filipino
Coron's Briko Lanai Bar and Restaurant
Perched over the waterfront in Coron town with an open-air terrace offering views of the bay, Briko Lanai is a relaxed restaurant serving fresh seafood, Filipino grilled meats, and cold San Miguel beer. A popular gathering spot for divers after a day on the water.
Known for: Waterfront dining with fresh local seafood and bay views
Don Pedro Street, Coron, Palawan
Salamangka Bar Coron
A lively waterfront bar-restaurant in Coron popular with divers and travelers for its cold beers, grilled food, and nightly bonfire on the beach. The casual atmosphere and affordable prices make it a central social spot in Coron's small nightlife scene.
Known for: Beachfront bonfire bar with grilled seafood and cold beers
Coron Waterfront, Coron, Palawan
Buenas Coron Restaurant
A friendly local restaurant near the Coron pier serving hearty Filipino breakfast and lunch sets at backpacker prices. The silog combinations (garlic rice, egg, and meat) are excellent value for fueling up before a day of island-hopping.
Known for: Hearty Filipino breakfast silog sets near the pier
Coron Town Pier Area, Coron, Palawan
Sugar Beach Restaurant El Nido
Set on a small beach in El Nido accessible only by boat, Sugar Beach Restaurant serves fresh seafood and international dishes in one of the most secluded beachside settings. Day visitors can enjoy a long lunch while swimming in the calm bay.
Known for: Remote beachside dining accessed only by boat
Sugar Beach, El Nido, Palawan
Port Barton Reggae Bar and Restaurant
The social center of Port Barton village, this reggae-themed beach bar and restaurant serves freshly caught fish, Filipino comfort food, and cold drinks in a blissfully relaxed setting. Fire shows and live music create an authentic backpacker beach experience.
Known for: Reggae beach bar with fire shows and a convivial backpacker vibe
Port Barton Beachfront, San Vicente, Palawan
El Nido Nacpan Tent Camp Restaurant
Situated right at the southern end of beautiful Nacpan Beach, this casual restaurant and beach bar serves fresh grilled seafood, Filipino beach food, and cold drinks to those who make the 45-minute tricycle journey from El Nido. An idyllic lunch spot after a morning swim.
Known for: Beachside grilled food at one of Palawan's most beautiful beaches
Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan
Miniloc Island Dining Room
The main restaurant of El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island serves excellent Filipino-inspired cuisine and international dishes with breathtaking views of the Bacuit Archipelago. Open to non-staying guests for lunch with advance reservation.
Known for: Fine dining over the lagoon at one of El Nido's most iconic resorts
Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan
Nido Bay Inn Café
A small, friendly café in El Nido offering a simple but satisfying menu of Filipino breakfast, fresh juices, and good brewed coffee. The bright, clean setting and helpful staff make it a reliable option for early-rising island-hopping tour participants.
Known for: Simple, reliable Filipino breakfast for early-morning island-hopping
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Seafood
Harana Restaurant El Nido
A beachfront restaurant in Corong-Corong with hammocks, cushion seating, and an excellent selection of fresh seafood grilled over charcoal. The relaxed atmosphere and gentle sea breeze make it perfect for a long, lazy dinner watching the evening sky.
Known for: Relaxed beachfront dining with hammock seating and fresh seafood
Corong-Corong Beach, El Nido, Palawan
Ursula Island Floating Restaurant
A unique dining experience on a floating restaurant anchored near Ursula Island in Honda Bay, where guests eat freshly caught seafood with their feet in the water. Boats collect diners from the Puerto Princesa pier for this memorable lunch experience.
Known for: Floating restaurant over the sea with catch-of-the-day seafood
Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
El Nido Sea Slug Bar and Restaurant
Named with a sense of humor and famous among backpackers for its value-for-money seafood meals, Sea Slug Bar serves generous portions of grilled fish, calamari, and chicken adobo with big buckets of cheap San Miguel beer. It is the quintessential El Nido budget hangout.
Known for: Budget-friendly meals and cold beer, backpacker social hub
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
El Nido Tandikan Restaurant
Named after the Palawan peacock-pheasant, Tandikan is a mid-range restaurant in El Nido known for its fresh ceviche, seafood platters, and creative cocktails. The covered terrace with views toward the karst islands is one of the nicer dining settings in El Nido town.
Known for: Creative seafood and cocktails with karst island views
Real Street, El Nido, Palawan
Filipino Street Food
LakBay Kainan Puerto Princesa
A popular casual eatery in Puerto Princesa serving authentic Filipino street food classics including isaw (chicken intestines), balut (fertilized duck egg), and lechon manok (roasted chicken) at very reasonable prices. Beloved by locals and adventurous tourists alike.
Known for: Authentic Filipino street food classics in a lively evening setting
Barangay San Jose, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
The Puerto Princesa Bay Walk comes alive each evening with stalls serving grilled seafood, isaw, balut, kwek kwek (quail eggs), and fresh fruit shakes. This nightly market is the best place to try authentic street food in Puerto Princesa at rock-bottom prices.
Known for: Nightly street food market with the best cheap eats in Puerto Princesa
Rizal Avenue Baywalk, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Fusion
Kalui Restaurant Puerto Princesa
One of Puerto Princesa's most beloved restaurants serving Filipino and Asian fusion dishes in an elegant, art-filled open-air dining room. The set menus change daily and consistently feature the freshest Palawan seafood. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Known for: Daily changing Filipino-Asian fusion set menus in an elegant setting
369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Encanto Puerto Princesa
A modern Filipino restaurant in Puerto Princesa that takes traditional dishes and elevates them with creative presentations and contemporary techniques. The sinigang reimagined with miso and the kare-kare with a modern plating style have earned it a devoted following among food enthusiasts.
Known for: Modern Filipino cuisine reimagining traditional dishes with creative flair
National Highway, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
American
Puerto Princesa Tiki Bar and Restaurant
A popular sports bar and restaurant in Puerto Princesa known for its generous American-style burgers, chicken wings, and a wide selection of Filipino pulutan (drinking snacks). Live sports broadcasts and happy-hour drinks make it the go-to evening hangout for expats and travelers.
Known for: Sports bar with American comfort food and happy-hour specials
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Burgers
Jungle Burger El Nido
A casual burger joint in El Nido serving fresh-ground beef burgers, loaded fries, and craft beers — a much-craved option for travelers missing comfort food. The truffle mushroom burger and bacon-cheese options are particular favorites.
Known for: Quality burgers and comfort food in a casual tropical setting
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Cafe
El Nido Crafts and Pasalubong Center Café
A popular café adjacent to the El Nido crafts market serving freshly brewed Benguet-grown coffee, kakanin (rice cakes), and light Filipino snacks. The perfect pit stop before or after a morning island-hopping tour.
Known for: Local coffee and traditional Filipino kakanin snacks
Real Street, El Nido, Palawan
Café
Coron Liveaboard Diver's Café
A café near the Coron pier catering to the diving community with strong coffee, Western breakfasts, and light meals. Dive briefings and planning sessions are often held here, making it a great information source for first-time Coron visitors.
Known for: Dive-focused café with strong coffee and hearty Western breakfasts
Coron Pier Road, Coron, Palawan
Filipino Barbecue
Kawaynan Grill
A local favorite barbecue restaurant in Puerto Princesa built entirely from bamboo (kawayan), serving succulent grilled pork belly, chicken, and seafood with banana ketchup and sawsawan dipping sauces. An authentic and affordable Filipino BBQ experience.
Known for: Authentic Filipino barbecue in an all-bamboo open-air setting
Lacao Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Filipino Home Cooking
Kubo ni Aling Nena
A small home-cooking restaurant in Puerto Princesa serving the kind of comforting Filipino food you'd get at a local family table — sinigang, tinola, dinuguan, and kare-kare with bagoong. Beloved by locals for its honest flavors and modest prices.
Known for: Honest home-style Filipino cooking at community prices
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Filipino Turo
Salvacion Eatery Puerto Princesa
A classic Filipino turo-turo (point-point) eatery where you choose your meal from large pots of pre-cooked viands displayed buffet-style. Popular with local government workers and families, this is the most authentic and affordable lunch experience in Puerto Princesa.
Known for: Local Filipino canteen with daily fresh viands at cheapest prices
Abad Santos Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
International
Coron Dive Restaurant
A popular post-dive restaurant in Coron town offering Western and Filipino dishes, hearty portions, and cold beers catering to the international diving crowd. Known for its burger specials and generous breakfast plates that fuel divers for early-morning departures.
Known for: Hearty post-dive meals and cold beers for the international diving community
Busuanga National Highway, Coron, Palawan
Korean
Coron Korean Barbecue House
One of the most popular restaurants in Coron serving traditional Korean barbecue with tabletop grills, unlimited banchan side dishes, and fresh Korean rice wine. Coron's growing Korean tourist community has made this one of the most frequented spots in town.
Known for: Tabletop Korean barbecue with unlimited banchan
National Highway, Coron, Palawan
Spanish
Medes Restaurant Coron
A charming restaurant in Coron town serving a distinctive Filipino-Spanish menu reflecting Coron's colonial heritage. The tapas, grilled seafood, and Spanish-influenced rice dishes are paired with a solid wine list — a real surprise in this small island town.
Known for: Filipino-Spanish fusion with tapas and paella
National Highway, Coron, Palawan
Thai
Lemon Grass El Nido
A popular Thai-inspired restaurant in El Nido town serving fragrant curries, pad thai, and fresh spring rolls alongside Filipino favorites. The garden setting and reasonable prices make it a go-to for travelers seeking a break from pure Filipino cuisine.
Known for: Thai and Asian comfort food in a garden setting
Calle Real, El Nido, Palawan
Food tours & tastings in Palawan
Eat your way through Palawan with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Isaw (chicken intestine skewer)
Grilled chicken intestines on bamboo skewers, a classic Filipino street food dipped in spicy vinegar
Find it at: Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Balut
A boiled fertilized duck egg, a Filipino delicacy eaten from the shell with salt and vinegar
Find it at: Night markets in Puerto Princesa and El Nido
Kwek Kwek
Deep-fried quail eggs coated in orange batter, served with sweet spicy sauce
Find it at: Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Tuhog-tuhog (meat skewers)
Assorted grilled meat and offal skewers typical of Filipino street BBQ
Find it at: Evening BBQ stalls in Puerto Princesa
Fresh Buko (coconut)
Freshly opened young coconut served with a straw — the best natural rehydration in the tropics
Find it at: Beach vendors on Nacpan Beach and Honda Bay islands
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Puerto Princesa Public Market
The main wet market with fresh seafood, vegetables, and local delicacies sourced daily from Palawan's seas and farms
Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM
El Nido Public Market
Small but vibrant morning market in El Nido town with fresh fish, tropical fruits, and local vegetables
Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Nightly street food bazaar along the bay with grills, stalls, and fresh juice vendors
Hours: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Coron Public Market
Coron's central market selling fresh catch from local fishermen and tropical produce
Hours: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12PM-2PM) is the best time for set-meal deals at many restaurants
Always confirm seafood prices per kilogram before ordering at seafood restaurants
Tipping 10% is appreciated but not mandatory in the Philippines
Many El Nido restaurants are fully booked by 7PM — arrive early or reserve ahead
Street food at night markets is perfectly safe and far cheaper than restaurants
- Vegetarian
- Options are increasing but limited outside El Nido and Puerto Princesa — rice, vegetables, eggs, and tofu dishes are widely available
- Halal
- Halal options exist at a few restaurants in Puerto Princesa; most seafood restaurants can accommodate halal requests
- Gluten free
- Many Filipino dishes are naturally gluten-free (rice-based) but cross-contamination is common in smaller kitchens
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₱200-400 per meal | Street food, turo-turo canteens, and local silog eateries |
| Mid-range | ₱500-1,200 per meal | Sit-down restaurants with seafood dishes and drinks |
| Upscale | ₱2,000+ per meal | Fine dining at island resorts and premium restaurants |