It’s been a long time since our first visit to Moalboal, back in 2010, when the options for where to eat in Moalboal could be counted on one hand and there was so little variety. As we tell you in Things to do in Moalboal, this small municipality has now opened up much more to tourism and, in addition to offering epic plans that range from swimming with millions of turtles to jumping from waterfall to waterfall, it has experienced an explosion in culinary variety.
In this updated guide to where to eat in Moalboal we talk about our favorite restaurants for lunch, dinner or a drink while you enjoy one of those epic Philippine sunsets we love so much.
Smooth Café, breakfasts and tasty burgers
We start this list of the best places to eat in Moalboal with Smooth Café, since on our last visit we stayed just a few meters from there (take a look at our Beyond Island Hotel review, highly recommended!) and we enjoyed their dishes several times.
If you’ve been traveling around the Philippines for a few days already, you’ll have quickly noticed that coffee in this country is usually instant sachets and it’s not exactly the kind that makes you jump out of bed eager to try it. At Smooth Café they have a coffee machine that will let you start the day with the caffeine kick and flavor you need. Plus, you can pair their coffees with delicious homemade cakes they bake themselves or with morning classics like bacon and eggs or toast with mango jam or peanut butter.
But Smooth Café isn’t just about breakfast: they also offer a wide variety of wraps, vegan falafels, shawarmas and hearty vegan burgers that will leave you satisfied with a great taste in your mouth. 100% recommended after trying all their varieties!
Ven’z Kitchen, a vegetarian flavor explosion
It really doesn’t matter if you’re not vegetarian, even if this kind of food doesn’t grab your attention—you have to eat at Ven’z Kitchen, trust us! No wonder that, after more than a week in the area on our last visit, this place to eat in Moalboal was the only one that was almost always full. In the vegetarian and vegan section of the menu you’ll find “0% meat” versions of Filipino classics like pakbet ilocano, sisig or the well-known adobo. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to try a dessert as tasty and Filipino as mango float—it’s addictive!
Yes, at Ven’z Kitchen you can also find dishes with meat and fish, but, trust us, it’s really worth trying these homemade vegetarian versions so well made and so hard to find in the country.
Mayim Beach Bar, a tasty place where
Although the service, on our last visit, didn’t stand out for its speed, the great quality of their dishes convinced us right away and that’s why we include it among our recommendations without hesitation. We could describe it as an international restaurant with a very Mediterranean focus that stands out for the quality of the products it offers and how well its dishes are prepared. In short, it’s really good! They have salads, pizzas, pasta, meat, fresh fish and super-complete breakfasts. The vast majority of dishes are around 200–300 pesos, so we also give it extra points for its value for money.
Unfortunately, since the 2021 typhoon wiped out their venue, this place is no longer on the beachfront, but it’s still worth it.
Trattoria Altrove Moalboal, our favorite Italian
We’ve already talked about Trattoria Altrove in other guides like Where to eat in El Nido or Where to eat in Coron. It’s a small chain of Italian restaurants under the same owner that is gradually spreading across the Philippines—and it’s doing so because it really works. Their quality Italian dishes are truly made with a lot of love and flair, making it an ideal place for a special dinner.
The décor at Altrove Moalboal is really well cared for and, after walking through a small garden and taking off your shoes, you’ll enter its main dining room or different secluded tables if you’re looking for something more intimate.
The menu offers a wide variety of pasta dishes (the stuffed tortellini fascinated us), very good-sized pizzas baked in their wood-fired oven, risottos, salads and meats.
If, in addition, you want to “wash down” the evening with wine, they have different Italian and Chilean varieties that may surprise you. Pizzas are around 500 pesos and pastas around 350, so it’s not a place to come every day, but it’s really worth it for a special night.
The Three Bears, the burgers of Moalboal
The Three Bears is very popular among Moalboal restaurants thanks to its burgers and homemade fries. Their generous portions, the perfect doneness they achieve, and the quality ingredients made us join their large community of satisfied customers.
The menu consists of classic greasy burger joint starters like onion rings, chicken wings and fries—all homemade. Their famous burgers range from 285 pesos for the tasty vegetarian one up to 395. They also offer a small selection of pizzas and a mix of mains that go from curry to vegan dishes.
We can’t talk about this restaurant without mentioning their homemade desserts, as the chocolate brownie stole our hearts—even when we were already stuffed with so much burger.
Shaka Moalboal, the healthy touch
Shaka is another chain that is gradually spreading around the Philippines and that we’ve mentioned in our “Where to eat” guides to Siargao or Panglao. Besides their menu, they’re known for that “Instagrammable restaurant” touch with colorful dishes served in a striking, cool way.
Although at other Shaka locations you can find delicious, huge burgers, Shaka Moalboal is more focused on other types of healthy food. Their star dish is Smothie Bowls, those super-nutritious mixes that can include fruit, spirulina, ginger, seeds, quinoa or other so-called “superfoods.” And if the Super Bowl is too much for you, you can also choose from tasty smoothies, fresh fruit juices, teas and all kinds of coffees.
Shaka Moalboal is a stone’s throw from Moalboal Beach, making it an ideal place to grab something healthy before or after visiting the most famous sardine run in the Philippines.
Mila’s Store, cheap and local eats in Moalboal
Not all the places to eat in Moalboal are international or cool; you’ll also find local spots—the typical carinderias—where you can eat some Filipino delights at much lower prices than in most restaurants.
Mila’s Store is a family business where you can choose your dishes from the typical Filipino pots or ask them to cook others from the menu. Here you’ll find classics like adobos, pancits, stir-fried vegetables or lumpias. Portions are generous and cheap, and they also offer desserts you should try at least once on your trip to the Philippines, such as halo-halo. In What to eat in the Philippines we talk in depth about its cuisine.
Besides being a restaurant, it also doubles as a store, so you can also buy fruit, drinks or any kind of snacks to go.
Chili Bar, epic sunsets with a beer in hand
Chili Bar is a huge place with two pool tables and lots of tables where you can eat or have a drink in its terrace – dining room hybrid.
They’re not exactly quick serving food, the dishes aren’t among the most elaborate in Moalboal and, to give an example, the fries are frozen. So why include it in this list of places to eat in Moalboal? Because of its location.
Its huge terrace faces directly toward the sunset and that, in the Philippines, is worth a lot. Try to arrive early and grab one of the tables by the edge, order whatever you fancy and enjoy the explosion of colors the pinoy sky constantly puts on.
As a bonus, they have Filipino craft beers (not the cheapest, though). And if you want nightlife in Moalboal, don’t hesitate—come here at night and you’ll find the best vibe.
More places you might like in Moalboal
If the above don’t quite fit or you’ve tried them all and want more options, check these out:
- Blue Mango: one of the liveliest bars/restaurants in Moalboal, so if you’re looking for a place with atmosphere for dinner, it’s the best option. Tasty dishes (pizzas, burgers, salads and pastas) and pretty decent cocktails.
- Betsy’s Grill and Restobar: excellent burgers and pasta dishes with quick service in the heart of Moalboal.
- Baki Restobar: if you want to eat in Moalboal with nice views, this is your spot. Good value for money.
- Bantayan Burrito Company: branch of the same restaurant from Bantayan with tasty burritos, tacos, quesadillas, chimichangas and burgers, as well as craft beers.
- JP’s burritos: good burritos, including vegetarian, with cold beer. It rarely disappoints.
Map of places to eat in Moalboal
To make it easier to locate the places to eat in Moalboal we’ve mentioned, we’ve prepared this map where you’ll find them all:
In the Moalboal Guide you’ll find all the information to make the most of every nook of this corner of Cebu. How to get there, what to do, where to sleep and much more. Don’t miss it!
If you have questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments—we’re always happy to help.
