It’s rare to find trips around the Philippines that don’t include the jewel of Palawan. There are more than enough reasons to spend at least 4 nights in El Nido, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore its food scene. To spare you the headache of choosing from so many options, on our last visit we spent 8 days exploring places to eat in El Nido. So here’s our guide to the best restaurants and bars both in the town itself (El Nido Town) and in other nearby areas. We’ve tried every one of them, some on several occasions.
Read on to discover where to eat in El Nido Town, Corong Corong, Lio Beach, Las Cabañas, and Nacpan Beach, the most popular areas.
Restaurants in El Nido
Thanks to the growth in tourism in recent years, you’ll find lots of restaurants in El Nido serving almost any cuisine you can imagine. If you want to keep costs down, you can opt for carinderias or eateries, the typical Filipino restaurants where food is served from pots and you can eat for 100-200 pesos, but you can also choose upscale places where dishes rarely cost less than 500 pesos. Of course, there are plenty of options in between, although if you want to order à la carte, prices generally start at 350 pesos.
If you want to eat cheaply in El Nido, a few stalls selling skewers and other Filipino staples also pop up around the town hall at night. You’ll also find carinderias around the bus terminal and next to the market (which is right across from it).
As we explain in Where to Stay in El Nido, you can choose from several areas to stay in. So, since you might find it more convenient to eat near your accommodation, we’ve decided to give you recommendations for where to eat in El Nido by area. You’ll also find interesting places to eat at the different beaches in El Nido, since you’re bound to spend a whole day enjoying them at some point and need somewhere to grab a meal.
One essential point we need to cover when talking about eating in El Nido is that you should be especially careful about what you eat and drink here. We don’t give this warning for other places in the country, but unfortunately, food poisoning has been common in this destination for decades. For many travelers, it goes well beyond a simple stomachache and means a trip to the hospital. That’s why our advice is to avoid any water that isn’t bottled, ice, and uncooked fruit or vegetables. We’ve never had any problems at the El Nido restaurants we’re about to recommend, but we think it’s worth checking the latest Google Maps reviews to see whether any cases have been reported.
Where to Eat in El Nido Town
El Nido Town is the main area of El Nido, so along with plenty of accommodations, you’ll have almost endless options for great food. Most restaurants are clustered along Hama Street, which runs beside the beach, so many of them have tables or terraces overlooking the sea and the islands of the Bacuit archipelago. The street also becomes pedestrian-only at night and is absolutely buzzing with travelers.
You’ll also find plenty going on along Rizal Street, and if you’re looking for cheap places to eat in El Nido, you’ll spot some carinderias too (especially around the bus and van terminal). As mentioned above, there are also stalls around the town hall at night.
Here are our favorite restaurants to eat at in El Nido Town:
Big Bad Thai Bistro & Bar, an authentic Thai restaurant in El Nido
With a thoroughly deserved reputation, this restaurant occupies two floors of a building on Hama Street and is one of our favorite places to eat in El Nido. It focuses on Thai cuisine, but also includes a few Filipino dishes. Having lived in Thailand for quite a while, we can tell you the food here is the most authentically Thai we’ve found in the Philippines, and we especially love their pad thai.
Although the prices certainly aren’t low, the dishes are very filling and don’t skimp on ingredients. The service is extremely fast and friendly, and the music and atmosphere are really pleasant too, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line when you come for dinner. If you decide to have lunch at this restaurant in El Nido Town, ask to sit at the counter and enjoy some truly stunning views of the beach and bay.
By the way, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, Big Bad Thai is a great place to eat in El Nido. They have several nice options with plenty of tofu.
Trattoria AlTrove and AlTrove Express, an easy choice when you want pizza
Craving pizza? Then head straight to one of AlTrove’s two locations in El Nido. In our opinion, the pizzas here are much better than those at their restaurants in Coron and Moalboal. We don’t know whether they make them with a little more love or use better ingredients, but in our opinion, this is “THE PLACE” to eat pizza in El Nido.
AlTrove has two restaurants in El Nido. AlTrove Express is a small spot with high-top tables that only serves pizza. If you’re after more of a sit-down dinner, head to Trattoria AlTrove, where they serve pasta dishes and desserts alongside pizza. The latter is on Corong Corong Beach.
To share a pizza or not? We always end the day hungry and can easily eat one each, but if you don’t have a big appetite, two people can share one.
Angel Wish, try Filipino food at this El Nido restaurant
Of the Filipino restaurants on the beach, Angel Wish is the one we’d choose for a grilled fish lunch or dinner. Don’t expect gorgeous decor, but it has great views on the first floor (less so on the second). The menu is huge, with lots of typical Filipino dishes and plenty of options for eating fish and seafood without breaking the bank.
And the frozen margaritas aren’t bad at all!
Ver De El Nido, a vegan’s paradise in El Nido
Following the success of its Puerto Princesa location, one of our favorite vegan restaurants in the Philippines opened a branch in El Nido in early 2023, and we know they’ll do brilliantly because their food is delicious, healthy, and made with fantastic ingredients. Whether you’re vegan or not, we really can’t recommend coming here highly enough, not just for the food, but also because it’s one of the most pleasant, peaceful places to have dinner. The service is a 10 out of 10, the air-conditioning works beautifully, and you can drink the complimentary “service water” without any worries.
It’s perfect for brunch (they open at 11:00 a.m.) with their amazing smoothie bowls, or for dinner or lunch. It’s true that prices are a little higher than at other restaurants in El Nido, but it’s so worth it. Want a recommendation? For us, the must-orders are the “soyrizo tacos,” the “birria,” and the “siri bowl.” And the brownie is dangerously good.
Holy Smoke Mediterranean Food House, your go-to shawarma spot for dinner in El Nido
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat something quick and filling in El Nido Town, don’t miss this falafel spot right in the heart of town. We stumbled across it and loved their enormous pitas stuffed with falafel or meat. You can choose your fillings from the display, and they also have 4 tables on the first floor and a few more on the second if you want a more leisurely meal.
With El Nido’s tourism boom and inflation (Palawan is one of the most expensive parts of the Philippines), prices have gone up a little, so budget between 350 and 450 pesos for a laffa (a wrap) and almost 400 for the bowls.
Carinderias, where to eat cheaply in El Nido
As mentioned above, although El Nido is a very touristy place, there are options for eating cheaply there. These are the Philippines’ typical carinderias: restaurants filled with pots and trays of different stews to go with the ever-present white rice. They’re a much better option at lunchtime, when there’s usually more food to choose from and it’s fresher, since it’s generally cooked in the morning.
You’ll see a couple on Real Street, across from the church and next to the tourist office. You’ll also find a few by the bus and van terminal. Of course, if you want to buy fruit or have a kitchen, you can head to El Nido’s market, which is across from the terminal.
Want to know what to choose from all those pots? Read our article on Filipino food.
Taste
If you’re looking for places to have breakfast in El Nido or simply a good coffee, stop by Taste, in the heart of “Town.” Like anywhere serving single-origin coffee or coffee made with an espresso machine, it isn’t cheap, but the coffee is really good, and they have delicious smoothie bowls, as well as some pastries and vegan muffins.
It’s a nice spot with a pleasant upstairs area.
Basil Pizza El Nido, the best pizzas to eat in El Nido?
As you can see, you won’t run out of places to get pizza in El Nido… A fairly recent contender in the fierce battle for the best is Basil Pizza, an Italian restaurant on the main street with a lovely terrace for dinner while you watch life unfold in the heart of town.
We thought the pizzas (baked in a wood-fired oven) were a little better than Al Trove’s, and the setting is definitely nicer, plus they serve cold beer. They also have pasta dishes if you’re not in the mood for pizza. The only thing we found a bit meh was the service, which was somewhat inattentive and a little slow.
As with the vast majority of restaurants in El Nido, prices are on the high side. Around 500-600 pesos for a pizza (which you can share) and around 400 for pasta.
Wilnag’s Resto, a cheap place to eat in El Nido
With El Nido’s worldwide fame, prices have multiplied in recent years, especially after the pandemic and the terrible inflation we’re experiencing. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat cheaply in El Nido (keeping the location in mind, of course) without straying too far from the center, this option tends to fly under the radar, but we left delighted with the portions and friendly service.
From Filipino-style breakfasts for 150-180 pesos (they open at 7:00 a.m. every day except Sunday) to assorted sizzling dishes, including tofu options, for 250-280 pesos, it’s an option worth considering. It also tends to get pretty lively at night.
Midtown Bakery
It’s always been there. Ever since our first visit to El Nido 15 years ago, this bakery, a traditional spot, has always been packed because, although the pastries may not be the best you’ll ever have, their sweet treats are pretty good considering they rarely cost more than 5 pesos. We especially like the donuts, which have come to our rescue for more than a few breakfasts in El Nido.
Gusto Gelato, the best place to eat ice cream in El Nido
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by Gusto Gelato. The long line you’ll often see at night in front of its display of ice cream is a clear sign of just how delicious it is, but it’s also a great place for crepes or pancakes with chocolate, ice cream, or anything else you can think of. If you’re also a coffee lover who’s tired of instant coffee, Gusto has a proper espresso machine too, and they know how to use it.
Following its success in recent years, Gusto now has several more locations. We’ve marked them on the map of places to eat in El Nido we’ve put together below.
Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee
The specialty coffee craze has reached El Nido too, and alongside Taste (and many others), fancy coffee shops like Grounded have popped up. Located right in the thick of things, it has a communal table that’s packed at any hour, partly because it’s one of the few places that open at 6:00 a.m., even before the earliest tours leave.
The coffee beans change, but in our experience, the quality is usually good. Oat milk is the default, which is ideal for vegans or anyone who’s lactose intolerant because there’s no extra charge. Prices, as at any coffee shop in El Nido, aren’t low, with espressos starting at 130 pesos and milk-based coffees, such as a latte, costing 220 pesos.
Love coffee as much as we do? Another place we loved is Blackbird Coffee, which is smaller but a little cheaper and serves hearty breakfasts.
Luway Luway Cafe
If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to eat in El Nido or have breakfast (not dinner, since they close at 3:00 p.m.), this is your spot. It’s a small cafe run by a group of young Filipinos with an alternative vibe (you’ll get it once you see the decor), serving interesting coffees that you can have with local cashew milk, since these nuts grow very well in Palawan.
For lunch or breakfast, they offer filling smoothie bowls, sandwiches, and vegetarian and/or vegan burgers. We tried a burger and left very happy, so we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. If you’re after something healthy, you’ll be glad to hear they also make some pretty impressive smoothies and juices.
More places to have lunch or dinner in El Nido
Since our list is getting out of hand and we don’t want this guide to get too long, here are a few more restaurants in El Nido that we like:
- OPPA: a quirky cross between a Korean restaurant and a fish and seafood spot that easily ranks among the best restaurants in El Nido thanks to its inventive approach, ingredients, and the chance to watch your food being prepared. The tuna tacos and poke bowls are the stars of the menu, but they also have tasty sandwiches and soups. Watch out for the line at night; it’s best to go early.
- el SILOG: a cheap place to eat in El Nido serving silogs, a very typical Filipino dish consisting of rice (preferably garlic rice), an egg, and a protein such as sausage, bacon, or the much-loved (by Filipinos) corned beef. Prices range from 100 to 170 pesos per plate.
- The Food Truck El Nido: an interesting restaurant with a small selection of Asian dishes such as pad thai, laksa, and various types of noodles, with vegetarian and vegan options. The flavors are quite authentic. Prices range from 250 to 400 pesos.
- Bhabah’s Chaolong: the dish known as chaolong is a type of soup or stew that emerged with Vietnamese immigration to Palawan, and if you want to try it, this is your spot. Dishes cost around 150 pesos, making this another cheap place to eat in El Nido. We recommend having it with the cheesy garlic bread.
- Not so Thai: packed every night, this small spot serves fairly authentic Thai and Vietnamese dishes. They’re filling too. We recommend the pad thai and massaman curry. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
- Pong’s Pares El Nido: another place serving affordable Filipino food. They dish up pares (a type of Filipino stew), sizzling dishes, and pancit dishes (noodles) in generous portions.
- Aubrey’s Plant Based Cuisine: honestly, the food at Ver De is much better if you’re looking for a vegan restaurant in El Nido, but the views here are unbeatable, and they have good internet (Starlink), making it a good place to work. The Caesar Wrap is delicious. We’ve included some photos below.
Bars in El Nido
Unlike in some other parts of the Philippines, if you’re looking for nightlife, you won’t be short of bars in El Nido. Here are the liveliest:
- Amigos Bar: if you’re looking to meet people, many of the travelers who read our website end up here at some point during their time in El Nido. Right now, it’s the liveliest spot.
- Tribu Kuridas Bar and Tattoo: El Nido’s signature bar. It has been livening up Palawan nights at its seaside spot for years. Now extensively renovated, it usually has live reggae music. If that’s your scene, there’s a similar place in Coron (with the same name).
- Sava Beach Bar: with a nice terrace and plenty of beanbags for relaxing with a sea view, this place is a little more refined than the previous one. Happy hour starts at 4:00 p.m., and things usually pick up around sunset. If you like hookah, they have it here. The food, though, isn’t anything special. At night, it gets very lively with a DJ and more.
- Scape Skydeck El Nido: a bar/restaurant on the rooftop of the Cuna Hotel. Although the food is a little expensive, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail or a beer.
- Sip Sunset Lounge & Bar: located in Corong Corong, it’s great for watching the sunset and has good cocktails.
- The Treehouse: if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the sunset in relative peace, this is your best option. It’s on the stretch of beach with the best views of Cadlao Island, and depending on the time of year, you can watch the sun set behind it.
Where to Eat in Corong Corong
If you’re staying in Corong Corong or planning to come here for sunset and have dinner nearby, check out these places to eat in Corong Corong:
Bulalo Plaza, Filipino food in Corong Corong
Another of El Nido’s longtime favorites is this humble spot serving bulalo, a typical Filipino soup in which beef, especially bone marrow, is the star. Vegetables and spices are added to the usually clear broth, making it quite hearty. They also serve other Filipino dishes such as kinilaw, adobo, and liempo. Prices are around 300 pesos, so it isn’t particularly cheap, but the portions tend to be quite large. Just don’t go in a hurry, and bring plenty of patience, because service is usually pretty slow.
Although we’ve included it in the Corong Corong section, keep in mind that it’s closer to the bus terminal, almost at the start of this part of town. At the end of this guide, you’ll find a map of all the places to eat in El Nido, Philippines, that we’ve covered.
Bella Vita El Nido, good pizza in Corong Corong
We got back from island hopping in El Nido absolutely starving, and after we watched a beautiful sunset, this lovely wooden restaurant on the beach caught our eye. It turned out to be one of the best-known pizzerias in the area, and we think it’s an ideal place to eat in Corong Corong. In fact, we might even like their pizzas more than AlTrove’s; see what you think.
The reasons for its success? The pizzas are freshly made and baked in a wood-fired oven. They’re generous with the toppings and big enough to share with another person if you order an appetizer. Service is quite quick compared with other places to eat in El Nido, and our waiter was lovely. Just don’t expect rock-bottom prices. The “regular” pizzas cost around 420-600 pesos, and pasta is around 500 pesos.
Mango Italian Restaurant
Prices are high (between 500 and 800 pesos for pizzas), but the pizzas are excellent (the owner is Italian and knows what he’s doing), and it’s right on the waterfront, making it a lovely place to have lunch in El Nido or enjoy dinner to the sound of the waves.
We suggest going early because service gets a little slow in the evening, as they also handle delivery orders.
Where to Eat in Las Cabañas
There are only a few hotels on this beach, but it’s a great place to spend a whole day, so you might need some pointers when lunchtime rolls around. It’s also an ideal place to watch the sunset in El Nido and then stay for dinner. Here are the best options for where to eat in Las Cabañas:
Hayahay Cafe, an option for something healthy
Located in the shopping center at the entrance to the beach (where there’s even a McDonald’s now…), this pleasant little spot has salads, bowls, and wraps that are healthy and cater to all tastes, including vegan and vegetarian options. Expect prices in line with the area (between 350 and 600 pesos per dish), but the food is really good and service is reasonably quick.
Keep in mind that it’s open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., so it’s a great breakfast spot if you want to explore this beautiful beach early. They also have a coworking area upstairs.
The Beach Shack, where to eat by the sea in El Nido
Opened in 2014, The Beach Shack is the most iconic restaurant/bar to eat at in Las Cabañas. This place used to be little more than a beach bar, but it has now become one of the most stylish spots in the area.
Don’t expect dazzling cooking, just staples like nachos, spring rolls, burgers, salads, and pasta, plus a few Filipino dishes to keep you going on your beach day. It won’t be the best meal of your life, but its location, with seats right by the sea, more than makes up for it and earns it a place on this list of where to eat in El Nido.
Prices are around 350-600 pesos per dish.
Where to Eat at Lio Beach
You already know how much we like Lio Beach, and several restaurants have opened in recent years that might interest you. Although they aren’t particularly cheap, here are some recommendations for where to eat at Lio Beach:
PLNT+HRVST
Possibly the prettiest place to eat at Lio Beach is this restaurant with Balinese-style decor. The food is 100% vegan, with takes on Filipino dishes such as sisig (we loved it) and turon (a super-filling dessert). They also have smoothie bowls, smoothies, and, from what we tried, very good coffee made with Philippine-grown beans, which we really appreciate. They open at 9:00 a.m., so you can have breakfast here too if you like.
Dishes cost around 350 to 500 pesos, but the more expensive ones are for sharing, such as the sisig or kare-kare, which, with a couple of portions of rice (we recommend the garlic rice), will have you set for lunch.
Whether you’re vegan or not, we highly recommend it, even if you only stop by for a coffee. The space is pleasant, service is quick, and the Wi-Fi works well, so we also saw people happily working here.
Happy Home Restaurant
Previously located in El Nido Town, it has moved very close to Lio Beach, on the main road. Although it’s farther away, we still highly recommend it because this unpretentious restaurant knows what it’s doing. You’ll find typical Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo or grilled fish, as well as Western food and curries. We went for a pasta dish and were amazed by the portion: it was enough for two people! That’s why we think it’s one of the best places to eat cheaply in El Nido.
They make you feel like family, and their flambéed banana dessert is absolutely delicious.
More places to eat at Lio Beach (El Nido)
If the places above don’t appeal to you and you’re looking for more options, here are a few more recommendations:
- Carinderia: right across from PLNT+HRVST, there’s a place serving food from pots, in other words, a carinderia. It’s a great alternative if you want to save money or don’t want to wait for your food to be prepared, since it’s already cooked. We didn’t see a name, but it’s easy to find, and we’ve marked it on the map.
- La Moro Hill Bakery: if you’re looking for breakfast, a coffee, or simply a sandwich for lunch in El Nido, this is a little-known gem. It’s a small cafe with spectacular pastries, especially the pain au chocolat. The dirty horchata is delicious too.
Where to Eat at Nacpan Beach
Last up, if you’ve decided to spend a few hours at this beautiful beach near El Nido and your visit overlaps with lunchtime, or you’re staying here, we recommend these places to eat at Nacpan Beach:
Mad Monkey Hostel
Looking for a party or a backpacker vibe? We’ve already mentioned that Mad Monkey Hostel in Nacpan is a good option if you want to stay on Nacpan Beach, but if you just want to spend the day and meet people, you can also stop by its bar/restaurant. The food isn’t the cheapest or the best (the pizza is meh, but it’s discounted on Wednesdays), but the drinks are cold, the cocktails are good, and above all, it has the perfect location and atmosphere for enjoying one of the best beaches in the Philippines.
Kawan Restaurant and Bar by Eco Sanctuaries
If you don’t mind walking a little farther, since it’s the last business along Nacpan Beach (for now), the restaurant at Eco Sanctuaries Nature Lodge (a hotel we highly recommend) is fantastic. Not only is it in the quietest part of the beach, but they also use very good ingredients, and everything is healthy. It’s true that the portions may be a little small for the price, but you also have to remember that you’re paying for “the setting.”
If you’re not very hungry or have arrived early, we highly recommend their porridge with coconut milk and fruit. As you can see, it’s amazing:
Sunmai Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant, where to eat in Nacpan
This is the “fanciest” restaurant to eat at on Nacpan Beach, and you’ll quickly recognize it by its beach loungers: it’s the restaurant at Nacpan Beach Glamping. The cocktails are really well crafted, and they also often have live music, even during the day, making it a perfect place to spend the day. As for the food, although it isn’t spectacular, they have fresh fish and seafood, pizzas, and burgers, as well as several vegan and vegetarian options.
Heads up: if you want to use the loungers, you’ll need to pay 500 pesos for 2 of them.
Reader TIP: More and more resorts are popping up in Nacpan, and one reader tells us that at Angkla you can use the pool and loungers for 1,000 pesos, which you can put toward food and drinks. In case that’s what you’re looking for.
Map of Restaurants in El Nido
Here’s a map with all the places to eat in El Nido that we’ve covered:
To keep your vacation from being spoiled, we want to stress that when eating and drinking in El Nido, it’s best to always stick to bottled water (even for brushing your teeth). Although we always use water from large jugs when traveling around the country and even drink the service water we’re offered, we’re more careful in El Nido because diarrhea and food poisoning are fairly common problems.
This is just a small part of our detailed content on Palawan, so be sure to check out our El Nido Guide.
If you have any suggestions or questions about where to eat in El Nido, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. Enjoy your meal!
