Port Barton is a highlight of many trips to the Philippines. This charming little town has been winning people’s hearts for years thanks to its simplicity, but it’s changing fast. Although we’d personally—and perhaps selfishly—love it to stay just as it was when we first visited in 2015, the truth is that tourism is here to stay and there are more and more places to eat in Port Barton.
Along with the traditional carinderias (local eateries serving ready-made dishes from pots), you’ll now find a ton of restaurants in Port Barton for every palate. Cool burger joints, pizzerias, Filipino fine-dining restaurants with a fusion twist, cafés with hearty breakfasts and real coffee… There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to where to eat in Port Barton! You’ll also find several bars where you can enjoy a Tanduay (the local rum) and Coke while watching one of Port Barton’s magical sunsets.
On our latest visit—our fifth, but certainly not our last—we spent a week trying the best places to eat in Port Barton for you. That way, you can head straight to the best spots and recharge your batteries to explore this corner of Palawan. Plus, you’ll find a map with all these places at the end of this article.
Best restaurants in Port Barton
To make this guide easier to navigate, we’ve divided it into restaurants, charming cafés where you can have breakfast in Port Barton and, finally, bars. Also, at the end, you’ll find a map of places to eat in Port Barton so you can locate them easily.
Kusinero del Barrio, Filipino food at a good price
Kusinero del Barrio is possibly the best-value restaurant in Port Barton (beers for 70 pesos, a price that’s increasingly hard to find!). It’s in a very quiet part of town, with plenty of space and a relaxed vibe. In addition to traditional noodle dishes such as pancit canton, you’ll also find Vietnamese dishes on the menu, reflecting the influence of Vietnamese refugees who settled in Palawan after the Vietnam War. Don’t miss the chaolong, the Filipino version of Vietnamese pho.
They also have plenty of vegan and vegetarian Filipino dishes made with tofu or seitan. If you’re craving something more Western like a sandwich or a pretty decent breakfast for around 200 pesos, this is your spot. It’s one of our favorite places to eat in Port Barton.
Raquel’s Canteen, cheap and cheerful
If you want to enjoy good, inexpensive local food in Port Barton, this relatively new carinderia serves Filipino food at very reasonable prices (although prices have gone up recently). You’ll find classic dishes such as lumpia (spring rolls), lots of stews displayed in pots (60 pesos per serving), as well as barbecued fish and meat in the evening. For 300 pesos or less, you can leave with a full stomach.
It’s not a place that stands out for its décor by any means, but the women who run it are lovely and we’re sure you’ll leave happy. Plus, they have vegetarian options.
By the way, if you want to know about carinderias, how they work and what you usually find in them, we recommend reading What to eat in the Philippines.
Star Apple Canteen, another cheap carinderia in Port Barton
If you’re looking for a cheap place to eat in Port Barton, this is another option very similar to Raquel’s Canteen (but it tends to be much busier) and, without a doubt, a much better choice than the famous Gacayan. You can choose from the dishes displayed in the pots, with servings starting at 70 pesos, and at night they also have fish and meat on the barbecue at reasonable prices (steaks around 300 pesos and fish between 150–300 pesos; it’s best to ask the price in advance). Plus, as with most eateries of this kind, free drinking water is available.
By the way, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, they usually have vegetable curries, lumpia and pancit without animal products. Even so, always double-check with the staff 😉
Gacayan, a long-standing favorite in Port Barton
Once a small, dark carinderia frequented by many visitors every day, Gacayan has now become a somewhat more spacious place with a terrace. Although it has lost some of its appeal as other eateries have opened, we recommend you stop by at midday because they still offer stew with rice for 60 pesos, and their pumpkin soup with coconut milk and chicken adobo are also very tasty. They also have hearty breakfasts, as well as sandwiches that make for a cheap breakfast. Plus, you can help yourself to drinking water from the dispenser and refill your bottle for free.
Bear in mind that they also serve à la carte dishes, but we’re not big fans. Also, service can be slow enough to test your patience. Gacayan is best visited between 11:00 a.m. and noon, and it’s best to stick to the dish of the day. Straying from that is “playing Russian roulette”, though it’s true the pizzas (nothing to write home about) are cheap and they serve ice-cold beer (rare in the Philippines).
Sicily, one of our favorite spots
After all that local food, if you fancy trying something different in Port Barton, our first recommendation would be Sicily. This small restaurant right on Bonifacio St. impressed us so much on our last visit that we went back several times. The menu focuses on pasta and a few starters, such as salads and bruschetta, priced between 300 and 500 pesos. It’s expensive, but fair for the quality: everything is prepared to a high standard, and you can tell that the owner has lived in Italy. We loved the mixed bruschetta and the rigatoni alle melanzane fritte (with eggplant).
If you want to treat yourself to something a little more upscale, turn to the back of the menu and check out the Chef’s Menu Speciale with pricier, more sophisticated options like carpaccio, tataki or pistachio pesto. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
It’s best to go early because there aren’t many tables and the restaurant fills up quickly. Also, when the restaurant is full, service tends to slow down quite a bit.
Mojitos Resto Bar, fine dining
If you want to celebrate a special occasion or you simply have a higher budget, this is one of the best places to eat in Port Barton. It’s an upscale spot, with stylish décor and attentive service to match the higher prices. If you like cocktails, don’t hesitate to try them; they’re among the best we’ve had in the Philippines—especially the strawberry mojito.
The menu changes, but it usually includes small burgers (sliders), rice bowls, some pasta dishes, fish and a few hummus-based dishes, among other options. They also offer some very good desserts and lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Part of the profits goes toward supporting their sanctuary for abandoned dogs and cats: Street Dog Sanctuary Palawan (you can find them on Instagram).
It’s a little outside the center of town, but the walk is pleasant. You can also take a tricycle, and card payments are accepted. Remember to bring mosquito repellent because the restaurant is surrounded by vegetation.
Barton Bistro, sea-view dining in Port Barton
Truth be told, when we walked in to eat here we were a bit skeptical because it looked like a basic beach bar with a rather makeshift kitchen, but we ended up returning several times on our last visit thanks to the generous portions, varied menu and pleasant atmosphere.
In addition to its beach tables and beanbags, Barton Bistro has an upstairs dining area with great views of Port Barton’s main beach. There are plenty of tables and fans, as well as a very good internet connection (in fact, we spent a morning working from here), and service is fairly fast. They offer pasta, wraps, tacos and a handful of Filipino and Thai dishes for 350–400 pesos. They also have a few vegetarian options and hearty breakfasts (though the brewed coffee is only so-so).
Besaga, grill with sea views
Besaga is another long-established hotel in Port Barton that has been tastefully renovated to make the most of its prime location right on the beach. The attentive service and sea views make it a lovely spot to have lunch or dinner, and at night they usually offer grilled meats and fish, which you can pair with a traditional lato salad (a type of seaweed commonly eaten in the Philippines that is rich in nutrients). Prices aren’t especially cheap, but the value for money is good.
Bay Brew Resto Bar & Cafe, one of our favorite places to eat in Port Barton
If it’s open when you visit (a heads-up: we found it closed several times, even though its posted opening hours suggested otherwise), don’t miss the chance to have breakfast or lunch here because it’s one of our favorite restaurants in Port Barton. Everything we tried won us over, from the pasta and sandwiches to the pancakes and smoothie bowls. Plus, the coffee is good, the beans are ground to order, and the breakfasts are filling. The shakes and juices are also excellent. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, don’t miss the vegan bolognese—it’s really delicious.
Prices are around 350–400 pesos, which may seem a bit pricey, but given the quality and portion sizes, we think it’s well worth it. Everything is cooked to order, so you need a little patience.
More places to eat in Port Barton
Here are a few more places that may be worth trying:
- Pizzeria Napoli: This stylish pizzeria opened in 2025 and serves authentic Italian pizzas for 500–800 pesos. They also serve coffee, Italian wine and a few starters.
- Olive Crib Bar and Restaurant: one of Port Barton’s longest-running restaurants, serving tasty pizzas and pasta dishes as well as Filipino food at a pretty good price for the quality they offer. Vegetarian options, generous portions and great juices. A reliable choice.
- Kinilaw Canteen – Tacos and Ceviche: a small spot specializing in kinilaw, the Filipino version of ceviche. It’s a unique spot: in addition to kinilaw, they offer tacos and delicious ginger margaritas (and pisco sours!).
- Baryo Bistro: another recent addition to Port Barton’s dining scene, located on the edge of town. The chef prepares a small menu of Filipino dishes with great care. Vegetarians can swap the meat or fish for vegetables or tofu. Two things to bear in mind: it’s better to go at lunchtime because the views are spectacular, and be prepared to wait, as there’s usually only one person working.
- Tipsy Gyros: tasty meat or veggie wraps for about 200–250 pesos.
Breakfast spots in Port Barton
As tourism has grown, more and more charming breakfast spots have opened in Port Barton. Here are the ones we think are best if you’re looking for something beyond toast.
Autumn Coast, great value for money
This newcomer probably offers the best value for money in town. They have silogs (Filipino breakfasts consisting of meat, garlic rice and a fried egg) for 180 pesos, pancakes and some delicious omelets with eggplant, tomato and cheese, served with toast. All breakfasts include freshly brewed coffee, and the setting is pleasant.
Bear in mind they’re open from 8:00 a.m. to noon. They also reopen from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. if you fancy pancakes in the afternoon.
Fat Cat Bistro, possibly the cutest place for breakfast in Port Barton
After the December 2021 typhoon, many restaurants in Port Barton closed, but new spots have begun to open as life has gradually returned to normal. One of the best and most eye-catching additions is Fat Cat Bistro, which wouldn’t look out of place in any European city.
If you’re craving a tasty breakfast or brunch, they have smoothie bowls, generously topped toast, sandwiches and even classic eggs Benedict served with freshly brewed coffee. At night they offer salads, pasta dishes and pizzas that are very well prepared. Main dishes cost between 400 and 500 pesos, while pizzas are around 700 pesos. It isn’t particularly cheap, but it’s a lovely spot and the service is good.
More places for breakfast in Port Barton
Here are a few more suggestions for breakfast in town:
- Amaracafe: this may well be the best place for coffee in town, whether you prefer it hot or iced. They also have a few food options, such as pancakes.
- Bay Brew Resto Bar & Cafe: we’ve already told you about this place and we recommend it again for breakfast, as they serve generous breakfasts for 300–400 pesos and good coffee. The opening hours are a bit erratic, though.
- Lemons and Tomatoes: we don’t recommend it for lunch or dinner in Port Barton because we didn’t love it, but the Big Breakfast and the juices are really good. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Bars in Port Barton
You won’t be short of places to enjoy a San Miguel. Our favorite bars in Port Barton are the ones with sea views, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets. Here are our personal recommendations:
Happy Bar
Located very close to Besaga, this bar has what we think is the best sunset-watching spot in Port Barton. They have tables right on the beach and the happy hour, although no longer as cheap as it once was, is still good value, with two cocktails costing around 300 pesos. Live music is also common.
Nitevo Reggae Bar and Restaurant
Right on the beach, it’s a great place to have a few drinks and even dinner. It has a Rastafarian-inspired look and they usually have live music almost every night, sometimes until “late”—which in Port Barton usually means no later than 10:00 p.m.—so it can turn into a lively place to dance.
They also have a small selection of vegetarian and vegan food, but their prices have become a little steep.
CocoRico Hostel
Possibly the liveliest bar in town and also one of the places to stay in Port Barton if you’re looking for a lively backpacker vibe. The CocoRico Hostel has become an institution for party lovers, with some kind of event taking place every night—beer pong or live music—and they even offer an open bar (yes, you read that correctly) from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
By the way, they also serve hefty burgers (approx. 400 pesos) and a wide variety of dishes, including three or four vegan options and several more vegetarian dishes. If you love cocktails, give them a try—they’re excellent!
FLOW pool bar & resto
Whether you want a refreshing swim during the day or a bit of a party at sunset, FLOW is one of the coolest bars in Port Barton. As you can see in the photo, it’s built around a pool that you can use as long as you order something. Besides decent cocktails (take advantage of the happy hour from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), they also offer food (burgers, pizzas, snacks, vegetarian options) that’s surprisingly good.
In the late afternoon and evening there’s usually a DJ playing music.
Moon Bar
Due to a municipal ordinance, bars in Port Barton have to close at 10:00 p.m. If you’re a night owl and want to keep partying, almost everyone goes to this hilltop bar, which feels more like a nightclub. If you don’t feel like walking, you can get there by tricycle for very little money.
Jungle Bar
Located near White Beach, this bar has awesome views. We recommend stopping by for a beer or a bite to eat if you’re having a beach day, but avoid staying until after dark, as the road back to Port Barton is in terrible condition.
Barton Bistro
Barton Bistro is also right in town—we’ve already recommended its food—and its bar is one of the liveliest places in the afternoon and regularly hosts events, including Full Moon parties. Drop by at sunset and you’re almost guaranteed a great atmosphere. They have a happy hour (buy one cocktail and get the second for half price) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day.
Map of places to eat in Port Barton
To help you find them easily, here’s a map of all the Port Barton bars and restaurants we’ve mentioned:
Port Barton guide
Now that you know where to eat in Port Barton, continue planning your trip with our guides to Things to do in Port Barton, Island hopping in Port Barton and Where to stay in Port Barton. For a complete overview, take a look at our Port Barton Guide.
If you have any suggestions or questions, let us know in the comments!
