Coron is one of the most popular stops on many travelers’ itineraries around the Philippines. It’s easy to see why: although Coron Town itself isn’t particularly attractive, it’s the most convenient base for exploring everything this spectacular corner of the country has to offer. To help you make the most of your time there, we’ve put together a guide to the best places to eat in Coron, along with some awesome bars where you can meet other travelers or, better yet, watch a stunning sunset over the surrounding islands.
Keep reading to discover some of the best places to eat in Coron.
Trattoria Altrove Coron and Altrove Express: some of the best pizza in Coron
It’s not the cheapest place you’ll find to eat in Coron, but if you’re tired of eating at carinderias (local eateries serving a selection of pre-cooked dishes displayed in pots), Altrove is an excellent alternative. With restaurants already in El Nido (find more info in Where to eat in El Nido), Siargao and Moalboal, Altrove has two locations in Coron: a larger one serving pasta, pizza and desserts, and a smaller express outlet with high-top tables that serves only pizza.
Pizzas cost between 400 and 765 pesos and are a good size. If you’re not very hungry, you can share one with someone else, although finishing one on your own is perfectly doable.
We have to admit we liked the pizzas in El Nido slightly more, but the ones here are great, too. The ingredients are fresh, the service is quick and the setting is very pleasant. Without a doubt, a very good option if you’re deciding where to eat in Coron—and plenty of people know it, so it’s not unusual to find a long line every night. That’s why our tip is to go early, around 19:00, or later, around 21:00. You may have to wait more than 40 minutes!
Levine’s Eatery, cheap eats in Coron with stunning views
We stumbled across this place a few years ago purely by chance, and we still love recommending it as a place to eat in Coron. It’s a very simple restaurant with a rooftop with fantastic sea views, perfect for watching the sunset or catching a breeze on warm Philippine evenings. We don’t know how long these views will remain unobstructed, as new buildings are going up everywhere and threatening to block them.
Here you’ll find local dishes like sisig, including an octopus version, fresh fish and seafood, as well as plenty of Western dishes like pasta and fries at reasonable prices (dishes are around 200–250 pesos). If you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian places to eat in Coron, you won’t run out of options here—they even have tofu!
They also serve tasty fruit shakes and cocktails. Still, as is common in the Philippines, the beer isn’t always served ice-cold, and service can sometimes be slow.
Bappa – Beats, Bites & Burgers, the full BBB experience
Admittedly, it’s located on an undeveloped plot of land and at night it’s a bit hard to spot (follow Google Maps and you’ll be fine), but it’s well worth making the trip out here. It’s a family-run Filipino food truck serving delicious vegan and vegetarian burgers with a creative twist for 200–225 pesos, plus salads and small plates, as well as onion rings and sweet potato fries (order a medium even if there are two of you—it’s huge).
Our favorite is the Chi N Sate, which goes perfectly with a cold beer. Do bring insect repellent because it’s by the river and mosquitoes can be a problem at night.
Unfortunately, they’re usually only open from October until April or May. We hope they’ll reopen soon, but it’s best to check Google Maps so you don’t make the trip only to find it closed. When they’re closed, you can still find their dishes at Da Puno Restaurant (on the outskirts) or at Ecocio Jungle Hostel.
Salud by Get Real, great value for money
We wanted something a little different for dinner in Coron without breaking the bank, and Salud by Get Real was exactly what we were looking for.
At this modern spot in the heart of town, decorated with colorful murals, you’ll find Mexican-inspired dishes that may not be entirely authentic but that we really enjoyed. Plus, there are vegetarian options and, if you’re in the mood, delicious frozen margaritas to sip while listening to the live band that often performs in the evenings.
Prices are around 400–500 pesos, so it’s not especially cheap, but we think it offers good value for money. The staff are friendly and very efficient, so you won’t wait long to be served. Enjoy!
Coron Central Market and other carinderias in Coron
If you’re looking for cheap places to eat in Coron, head to Coron Central Market, right next to where the tour boats depart.
Here you’ll find plenty of carinderias with a selection of pre-cooked dishes displayed in pots. Don’t be shy—ask what’s in each one or take a look at our article What to eat in the Philippines: 25 traditional dishes and drinks to get an idea. A meal here shouldn’t cost you more than 100 pesos.
You’ll also find several near the van terminal in Coron Town; we’ve marked their location here.
Keep in mind that the food is usually cooked first thing in the morning, so there may not be much left by the evening. Try to go early so you don’t miss out!
Castizo, authentic Spanish food in Coron
If you’ve been traveling for a while and miss the flavours of Spain—or simply love authentic Spanish food—this is your spot. Opened by a Spanish family in 2023, it serves authentic home-style Spanish food. You won’t find the unusual interpretations sometimes served in the Philippines, such as paella with salchichón or Spanish omelettes that bear little resemblance to the traditional version—everything here is prepared the traditional way using high-quality ingredients. They even have Cabrales cheese! If you’re vegetarian or vegan, there are several options available, including delicious eggplant meatballs.
Our top picks were the salmorejo (take it from two Spaniards: it was excellent, and we still don’t know where they found tomatoes that good in the Philippines) and the patatas bravas—10/10! Plus, the place is charming and a lovely spot for a few drinks, including sangria during happy hour (they even serve it in large balloon-shaped glasses, which is a rare sight in the Philippines). Prices are on the high side for the Philippines, but the value for money is excellent.
If you drop by, tell Nacho we sent you 😉 and don’t hesitate to ask him anything you want to know about Coron—he’s a walking encyclopedia.
Verde Rekado, a place to eat in Coron with a rasta vibe
This is probably one of the most laid-back places to eat in Coron, but it’s also somewhere you’ll need to be prepared to take things slowly. It’s a small spot uphill from the town centre with a lovely vibe. It’s spread over two floors, with lovely views from the upper level.
Everything here is vegan or vegetarian, with interesting meat-free versions of Filipino dishes that taste wonderful. Our favorites include gulay sa gata (a coconut milk-based curry) and tofu ga. Prices are very reasonable, too (burgers cost 170 pesos and other dishes 220–240 pesos), and the staff are lovely.
Even so, VERY IMPORTANT: your food can easily take more than an hour—and sometimes as long as 90 minutes—to arrive, especially if it’s busy. So we only recommend it if you have plenty of time and patience or if you’re happy to eat outside the usual lunch and dinner times.
Gavin’s Kitchen + Bar
We don’t know what happened, but this place has become hugely popular in recent months. It’s the restaurant at a hotel we love, the Bay Area Lodge, and during our last visit it was packed every night. In fact, it’s so popular that you need to book a table in advance.
We think its success comes down to its pleasant setting, efficient service and extensive menu, which includes hearty meat dishes (the ribs are awesome), pizzas, burgers, pasta and a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
AlFresco Coron
AlFresco is a favorite of ours thanks to its views across to Coron, relaxed vibe, varied menu and—here’s a bonus—great cocktails (plus truly cold beer). It’s the only place to eat in Coron where allergens are listed in detail and where they take particular care to accommodate guests with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. You can see the menu here.
They specialize in tuna dishes, but they also serve pasta, burgers and some excellent vegan and vegetarian options. What really won us over, though, was the dessert—the turon, which we highly recommend ordering. Most dishes cost around 400–500 pesos.
Le Voyage
Now in a new location right in the center of Coron, the food here can be a little hit-and-miss, depending on what you order. We’ve been several times and tried a few dishes; some were disappointing, but we’ve included it here for one dish alone: the tofu sisig. For 380 pesos, you’ll get a huge, filling plate of tofu and cashews—cashews are widely grown on Busuanga—served with rice.
The quality of the service varies depending on when you visit. In our experience, if it looks busy, it’s better to choose another option because service can be quite slow. The staff aren’t particularly friendly.
There’s also an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu, but they now also serve meat and fish dishes.
Prince Wonton
You might look at this place and think: where have these two sent me? But give it a chance and take a seat at this roadside spot near the hospital and prepare to be impressed by their noodle soups with wontons and other Chinese dumplings. Honestly, you’ll feel like you’ve ended up somewhere in Hong Kong, which is where the owners are from. Prices are fantastic, too: 150 pesos per dish.
Round off this unusual meal by ordering the pumpkin sesame balls. You’ll soon see why it’s one of the best places to eat in Coron—and it’s incredibly affordable, too.
Om’s Thai, a Thai place to eat in Coron
This restaurant has been a fixture in Coron for years, but for some reason, we’d never tried it… However, a friend who lives on the island told us that some of their dishes taste just like the food you’d get in Thailand, so we gave it a shot—and he was right! Admittedly, it’s on the pricey side (dishes around 400 pesos) and service can be a little slow, but the curries are excellent and, just as our friend had promised, the coconut soup—tom kha jay for the vegetarian version and tom kha gai for the chicken version—is delicious. We wouldn’t say the pad thai is especially authentic, but it’s tasty.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, they have a clearly marked section of the menu, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
There’s an air-conditioned dining area downstairs and an open-air one upstairs (with fans). If you go for dinner, be prepared to queue—it’s often busy.
Good Grind Coffee Coron
We know you may be tired of the ubiquitous 3-in-1 coffee in the Philippines (we are, too) and that coffee prices in Palawan—and across much of the Philippines—can be surprisingly high… So if you’re craving a good coffee without spending a fortune, this café on the way to Mt. Tapyas is a great option if you don’t mind the short uphill walk, and the team who run it are really friendly. It may not be the best specialty coffee you’ve ever had, but it’s very good for the price.
If you don’t feel like walking uphill, they offer free delivery to hotels in the Coron area via Instagram. Keep in mind the place is tiny and mainly geared towards takeaway.
If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, you can order soy or oat milk for a small additional charge. At the time of writing, we think it offers some of the best-value coffee in Coron. Looking for higher-quality coffee and willing to pay a little more? In that case, Coffee Kong and Isla Café may be better options for you.
More places to eat in Coron
These are just some of the best places to eat in Coron, and after so many visits, we have a few more to recommend:
- Pacifico: it’s quite pricey, with prices closer to what you’d expect in Europe, but it’s one of the few places in Coron with air conditioning (they have a generator in case the power goes out in town) and good internet. For those reasons, we ended up using it as our office for several days.
- Inasal Eats Co.: inasal is a Filipino method of marinating and grilling meat, usually chicken, although fish is also used, giving the food its distinctive flavor. This is one of the best places to try it in Coron, and the prices are very reasonable.
- Santino’s: famous for its ribs. The service can be disappointing, but it’s popular with Filipinos. They also usually have a small stall next to Bam Bar, which we’ll talk about next.
- Ramen Sakura: good gyoza and ramen, surprisingly authentic for the Philippines. Note that ramen dishes are around 500 pesos, so bear that in mind if you’re looking for a cheaper meal in Coron.
- Señorita Restaurant: generous portions of Filipino food for 250–350 pesos with several vegetarian options, right in the center of Coron.
- Rapsa Nui Food Park: a lively food court with live music on weekends. It’s a great option for groups, since everyone can order from whichever stall they like best. They have everything from sushi to burgers to bowls.
The best bars in Coron
Now that you know where to eat in Coron, you might be looking for a cool spot for a beer or to watch the sunset. Here’s a short list of our favourite bars in Coron:
- Tribu Kuridas Bar and Tattoo: this is the place to go if you want to stay out late. Expect a rasta vibe and live music. Don’t be surprised if you leave with a new tattoo 😛
- Bam Bar: another bar that stays open late and usually has a great atmosphere. Right next door, there’s a craft beer bar, The Brewhouse (expensive, but good). There’s often live music on weekends, too.
- Sunburn Rooftop Lounge: after being closed for a long time, this rooftop bar has reopened and is once again a great place to enjoy tasty margaritas at sunset. It’s small, so it’s best to go early—and be ready for the stairs.
- Outpost Hostel: keep this great spot in mind, because if you have a free day, aren’t going island hopping in Coron but still fancy a swim, you can use the infinity pool as long as you spend the minimum amount required by the hostel. This is why you read Travel Around the Philippines! 😉
- Hop Hostel: currently our favorite rooftop in Coron for watching the sunset. It’s a hostel bar with unbeatable views of Coron Island. Happy hour doesn’t start until 19:00, although some cocktails are discounted before then. The beer is reasonably priced, too. Go around 17:00 if you want a table with a front-row view. You can see the view in the photo below.
Map of places to eat and drink in Coron
To help you see where all these Coron restaurants and bars are located, we’ve put together this map:
This is just one part of our Coron Guide—don’t forget to take a look if you’re planning your trip to this corner of the Philippines.
Do you have any other suggestions for places to eat in Coron? Let us know in the comments.
