It’s rare to find trips around the Philippines that don’t include Palawan’s jewel. There are plenty of reasons to spend at least 4 nights in El Nido, so you’ll have more than enough time to discover its food scene. So you don’t go crazy with so many options, on our last visit we spent 8 days exploring places where to eat in El Nido. So here’s a guide to the best restaurants and bars both in the town itself (El Nido Town) and in other nearby spots. We’ve tried them all, some of them several times.
Keep reading and find out 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 tourist development in recent years, in El Nido you’ll find tons of restaurants and almost any kind of cuisine you can imagine. If you want to spend little, you can go for the carinderias or eateries, the typical Filipino pot restaurants where you can eat for 100–200 pesos, but you can also choose higher‑end places where dishes rarely drop below 500 pesos. Of course, there are also plenty of options in between, although it’s common that if you want to order à la carte, prices don’t go below 350 pesos.
If you want to eat cheap in El Nido, in the surroundings of the town hall, at night, some little skewer stalls and other Filipino food basics also pop up. Around the bus terminal and next to the market (which is right in front) you’ll also find carinderias.
As we tell you in Best hotels to stay in El Nido, you can choose different areas to base yourself. So, since it might be more convenient to go out to eat where you’re staying, we’ve decided to give you recommendations on where to eat in El Nido by area. You’ll also find interesting places to eat on the different beaches of El Nido, as you’ll surely spend a full day enjoying them at some point and need to rely on one.
Something essential when talking about eating in El Nido is to tell you to be especially careful with what you eat and drink here. We won’t make this point for other places in the country, but in this destination, unfortunately, food poisoning has been common for decades. For many travelers it goes beyond a simple stomachache, with a hospital visit needed. That’s why our advice is to avoid water that isn’t bottled, ice, and raw fruit or vegetables. In none of the El Nido restaurants we’re going to mention below have we had problems, but we think it doesn’t hurt to check the latest Google Maps reviews to see if there have been cases of this.
Where to eat in El Nido Town
El Nido Town is the main area of El Nido, so besides lots of accommodation, you have almost endless possibilities to eat well. Most restaurants are concentrated on Hama Street, which runs parallel to the beach and, therefore, many of them have tables or terraces with sea views and views of the Bacuit archipelago islands. Plus, at night it becomes pedestrianized and turns into a real hive of travelers.
You’ll also find lots going on along Rizal Street and, if you’re looking for where to eat cheaply in El Nido, you’ll also see some carinderias (especially around the bus and van terminal area). As we said above, around the town hall there are also stalls at night.
Here are our favorite restaurants where to eat in El Nido Town:
Big Bad Thai Bistro & Bar, an authentic Thai spot where to eat in El Nido
With a more‑than‑deserved reputation, this restaurant occupying two floors of a building on Hama Street is one of our favorite places to eat in El Nido. It focuses on Thai cuisine but also incorporates some Filipino dishes. Having lived in Thailand for quite some time, we can tell you it’s the truest reflection of Thai food we’ve found in the Philippines and, in particular, we love their pad thai.
Although prices aren’t, of course, cheap, the truth is that the dishes are very filling and generous with ingredients. The service is extremely fast and friendly and, on top of that, the music and atmosphere are quite pleasant, so it won’t be unusual to have to queue if 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 super cool views of the beach and the 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 — if you want pizza, don’t hesitate
Craving pizza? Then don’t hesitate and visit one of the two branches AlTrove has 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 if they make them with more care or if the ingredients are better, but in our opinion it’s “THE PLACE” for pizza where to eat in El Nido.
AlTrove has two restaurants in El Nido. AlTrove Express is a small spot with high tables where they only serve pizzas. If you want a more proper dinner, go to Trattoria AlTrove, where, in addition to pizzas, they have pasta dishes and desserts. The latter is on Corong Corong Beach.
Share the pizza or not? We always end the day hungry and can easily eat one each, but if you’re not big eaters, you can share one between two people.
Angel Wish — try Filipino food at this El Nido restaurant
Among the Filipino beachfront restaurants, 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 (not so much on the second). The menu is huge and you’ll find loads of typical Filipino dishes as well as plenty of options to eat fish and seafood without breaking the bank.
Heads up: the frozen margaritas aren’t bad at all!
Ver De El Nido — a vegan’s paradise in El Nido
Following the success of their Puerto Princesa branch, one of our favorite vegan restaurants in the Philippines opened its branch in early 2023 in El Nido, and we know they’ll do great because their products are tasty and wholesome. Whether you’re vegan or not, we truly highly recommend you come here, not only for the food, but because it’s one of the nicest and quietest places for dinner. Service is a 10, the air‑con works great, and you can drink “service water” (free) without any fear.
Ideal for brunch (they open at 11:00) with their hefty smothie bowls, dinner or lunch, it’s true prices are a little higher than other restaurants in El Nido, but it’s totally worth it. Want a recommendation? For us, the basics are the “soyrizo tacos,” the “birria,” and the “siri bowl.” Also, the brownie is to die for.
Holy Smoke Mediterranean Food House — your go‑to shawarma for dinner in El Nido
If you’re looking for something quick and hearty where to eat in El Nido Town, don’t miss this falafel joint in the very heart of town. We ended up there by chance and loved their huge pitas stuffed with falafel or meat. You can choose which ingredients to add at the counter display, and they also have 4 tables on the first floor and a few more on the second, in case you want a more relaxed meal.
With El Nido’s tourism boom and inflation (Palawan is among the most expensive places in the Philippines), prices have gone up a bit, so figure between 350 and 450 pesos for a laffa (a wrap) and almost 400 for the bowls.
Carinderias — where to eat cheap in El Nido
As we mentioned above, despite being a very touristy place, there are options for eating cheaply in El Nido. These are the typical Filipino carinderias, that is, restaurants full of little pots and trays with different stews to accompany the ever‑present white rice. It’s a much better alternative for lunchtime, when there’s usually more variety and it’s fresher, since things are typically cooked in the morning.
You’ll see a couple on Real Street, in front of the parish church and next to the tourist office. You can also find one or another near the bus and van terminal. Of course, if you want to buy fruit or you have a kitchen, you can go to the El Nido market, which is in front of the station.
Want to know what to pick from so many pots? Read our article about Filipino food.
Taste
If you’re looking for spots for breakfast in El Nido or simply a good coffee, head to Taste, in the heart of “Town.” Like any place serving “single‑origin” or “machine” coffee, it’s not cheap, but it’s really good and they have delicious smothie bowls, as well as some pastries or vegan muffins.
It’s a nice place, with a pleasant upstairs floor.
Basil Pizza El Nido — the best pizzas where to eat in El Nido?
As you can see, you won’t be short of pizza places to eat in El Nido… Joining the hard‑fought battle to be the best not long ago was Basil Pizza, an Italian restaurant on the main street with a very pleasant terrace for dinner while you people‑watch life unfold right in the town center.
From our perspective, the pizzas (made in a wood‑fired oven) seemed a little better than at Al Trove and, of course, the place is nicer and they serve cold beers. Also, if you’re not feeling super pizza‑ish, they have pasta dishes. The only thing that felt a bit “meh” to us was the service, which was a bit distracted and somewhat slow.
Like almost the vast majority of restaurants in El Nido, prices are on the high side. Around 500–600 pesos for a pizza (can be shared) and around 400 for pasta.
Wilnag’s Resto — a cheap option to eat in El Nido
With its worldwide fame, prices in El Nido have multiplied in recent years, especially after the pandemic and the terrible inflation we’re experiencing. If you’re looking for where to eat cheaply in El Nido (obviously considering where we are) without moving too far from the center, this option often goes almost unnoticed, but we left delighted with their portions and friendly service.
From Filipino‑style breakfasts for 150–180 pesos (they open at 7:00 every day except Sundays) to various sizzlings, including tofu, for 250–280 pesos, it’s an option to consider. In the evenings, there’s usually quite a bit of buzz too.
Midtown Bakery
It’s always been there. Since the first time we visited El Nido 15 years ago, this traditional bakery is always full of people because, although it won’t be the best pastries of your life, the truth is their sweets aren’t bad at all considering they usually don’t cost more than 5 pesos. We especially like the donuts, which save more than one breakfast for us in El Nido.
Gusto Gelato — the best place for ice cream where to eat in El Nido
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t miss Gusto Gelato. The long line that usually forms at night in front of their ice creams counter is a clear sign of how delicious they are; plus, it’s a great place for crepes or pancakes with chocolate, ice cream, or whatever you fancy. If you’re also a coffee lover and tired of instant coffees, Gusto also has a real machine and they know how to use it.
With the success of recent years, you can now find several more Gusto branches. We’ve marked them on the map of places where to eat in El Nido further below.
Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee
The specialty‑coffee boom has also reached El Nido and, besides Taste (and many others), fancy coffee shops like Grounded have sprung up. Located in the “core,” it has a communal table that’s packed no matter the time because, moreover, it’s one of the few that opens at 6:00 a.m., even before the earliest tours head out.
The coffee beans vary, but from our experience, they’re usually quality. Oat milk is the default, which is ideal for vegans or the lactose‑intolerant because you don’t have to pay any surcharge. Prices, like those of any café in El Nido, aren’t cheap, with espressos starting at 130 pesos and milk coffees, like a latte, at 220 pesos.
Do you love coffee as much as we do? Another one we loved is Blackbird Coffee, smaller, but a bit cheaper and with hearty breakfasts.
Luway Luway Cafe
If you’re looking for a different place to eat in El Nido or for breakfast (not for dinner, since they close at 15:00), this is your spot. It’s a small café run by a group of young Filipinos with an alternative vibe (you’ll get it once you see the decor) where they serve interesting coffees to which you can add local cashew milk, since these nuts thrive in Palawan.
For lunch or breakfast they offer hearty smothie bowls, sandwiches, and vegetarian and/or vegan burgers. We tried the latter and left super happy, so we don’t hesitate to recommend it. If you’re after something healthy, you’ll like to know they also make pretty “pro” shakes and juices.
More places to eat or dine in El Nido
As the list is getting out of hand and we don’t want this guide to be too long, here are a few extra El Nido restaurants we like:
- OPPA: a hybrid between a Korean restaurant and a fish/seafood place that’s easily among the best restaurants in El Nido for its innovative approach, ingredients, and the chance to watch your food being made. The tuna tacos and pokes are the stars of the menu, but they also have tasty sandwiches and soups. Watch out for the evening line — better go early.
- el SILOG: a cheap place to eat in El Nido offering silogs, that is, a very typical Filipino dish consisting of rice (better garlic rice), egg, and some protein such as sausage, bacon, and the much‑loved (by Filipinos) cornbeef. Prices per dish between 100 and 170 pesos.
- The Food Truck El Nido: a curious restaurant with a small selection of Asian dishes like pad thai, laksa, or various types of noodles with vegetarian and vegan options. Flavors are quite authentic. Prices between 250 and 400 pesos.
- Bhabah’s Chaolong: chaolong is a type of soup or stew that arose with Vietnamese immigration to Palawan and, if you want to try it, this is your spot. Dishes are around 150 pesos, so, again, it’s a cheap place to eat in El Nido. We recommend pairing it with the garlic‑cheese bread.
- Not so Thai: packed every night, this small place offers fairly authentic Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Plus, they’re hearty. We recommend the pad thai and the massaman curry. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
- Pong’s Pares El Nido: another Filipino place at an affordable price. They serve pares (a type of Filipino stew), sizzlings, and pancits (noodles) in generous portions.
- Aubrey’s Plant Based Cuisine: to be honest, Ver De’s food is much better if what you’re after is a vegan restaurant in El Nido, but the views here are unbeatable, they have good internet (Starlink) and, therefore, it’s a good place to work. The Caesar Wrap is very tasty. We’ve left some photos below.
Bars in El Nido
Unlike other corners of the Philippines, if you want some nightlife, you won’t be short of bars in El Nido. Here are the liveliest ones:
- 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. It’s the liveliest one to date.
- Tribu Kuridas Bar and Tattoo: El Nido’s flagship bar. It’s been livening up Palawan nights for years at its seaside venue. Much more renovated, you’ll usually find live reggae‑style music here. If you like this vibe, in Coron you have a similar one (same name).
- Sava Beach Bar: with a nice terrace where there’s no shortage of beanbags to relax with sea views, it’s a slightly more refined place than the previous one. They have happy hour from 16:00, which usually gets lively at sunset. If you like shisha, they can prepare it here. The food, however, isn’t great. At night, it gets very lively with DJs and so on.
- Scape Skydeck El Nido: a bar/restaurant located on the rooftop of the Cuna Hotel. Although the food is a bit pricey, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail or a beer.
- Sip Sunset Lounge & Bar: located in Corong Corong, great for watching the sunset and with good cocktails.
- The Treehouse: if you’re looking for a place to watch the sunset a bit more quietly, this is your best option. It’s located on the part of the beach with the best view of Cadlao Island and, depending on the time of year, you can see the sun set behind it.
Where to eat in Corong Corong
If you’re staying overnight in Corong Corong or plan to come watch the sunset here and have dinner in the area, take a look at these places where to eat in Corong Corong:
Bulalo Plaza — Filipino food in Corong Corong
Another of El Nido’s classic restaurants is this humble bulalo spot, a typical Filipino soup in which the star is beef, especially the marrow. Vegetables and spices are added to the usually clear broth, making it quite hearty. They also serve other Filipino dishes such as kinilaw, adobo, or liempo. Prices are around 300 pesos, so it’s not very cheap, but portions tend to be quite large. That said, don’t go in a hurry and arm yourself with patience because they’re usually quite slow.
Although we’ve included it in the Corong Corong section, note that it’s closer to the bus terminal, almost at the beginning of this part of town. At the end of this article you’ll find a map with all the places where to eat in El Nido, Philippines, that we’ve mentioned.
Bella Vita El Nido — good pizzas in Corong Corong
We got back from doing El Nido island hopping starving and, after a gorgeous sunset, this pretty wooden beachfront spot caught our eye. It turned out to be one of the area’s most famous pizzerias and we think it’s an ideal place to eat in Corong Corong. In fact, we might like their pizzas more than AlTrove’s — let’s see what you think.
Reasons for such success? The pizzas are fresh and made in a wood‑fired oven. They’re generous with ingredients and good to share with another person if you order a starter. Service is quite fast compared to other places to eat in El Nido and the waiter who served us was super nice. That said, don’t expect rock‑bottom prices. “Regular” pizzas are around 420–600 pesos and pasta about 500 pesos.
Mango Italian Restaurant
Prices are expensive (between 500 and 800 pesos for pizzas), but their pizzas are excellent (the owner is Italian and knows what he’s doing) and it’s right on the seafront, so it’s a very pleasant place to eat in El Nido or have dinner with the sound of the waves.
We suggest going early because in the evenings the service gets a bit slow, as they also do deliveries.
Happiness Boutique Resort Restaurant
Does the name ring a bell? Yes, we already told you about Happiness when we mentioned how much we like their restaurant in El Nido Town. Well, in addition to the hostel, they have the Happiness Boutique Resort, a top hotel we recommend and where they have this restaurant open to the public.
We went a couple of times because we loved their falafels and hummus, but they also have pastas, fresh salads, and some mango sticky rice desserts that we’re crazy about. The service is lovely and the restaurant overlooks the pool, so we think it’s a very pleasant place to eat in Corong Corong. That said, don’t expect it to be cheap, with dishes between 400 and 500 pesos.
Where to eat in Las Cabañas
There are few hotels on this beach, but it’s a great place to spend a full day, so you might need some guidance at mealtime. It’s also an ideal place to watch the sunset in El Nido and then stay for dinner. Here are the best options where to eat in Las Cabañas:
Hayahay Cafe — a healthy option
Located in the mall at the start of the beach (where there’s even a McDonald’s now…), this nice little spot has salads, bowls, and wraps that are on the healthy side for all tastes, including options for vegans and vegetarians. Expect prices in line with the area (between 350 and 600 pesos per dish), but they’re really good and service is moderately fast.
Note that it’s open from 8:00 to 19:30, so it’s a great place for breakfast if you want to explore this beautiful beach early. They also have a co‑working area upstairs.
The Beach Shack — where to eat in El Nido by the sea
Opened in 2014, The Beach Shack is the most iconic restaurant/bar where to eat in Las Cabañas. This place that used to be nothing more than a beach shack has now been transformed into one of the area’s most cool spots.
Don’t expect mind‑blowing cuisine, but rather basics like nachos, spring rolls, burgers, salads, and pastas, as well as some Filipino dishes to save your beach day. It won’t be the best meal of your life, but its location, with seating right by the sea, more than makes up for it and earns it a place on this list of places to eat in El Nido.
Prices are around 350–600 pesos per dish.
Where to eat in Lio Beach
You already know we love Lio Beach and that in recent years several restaurants have opened that might interest you. Although they’re not very cheap, here are some recommendations on where to eat in Lio Beach:
PLNT+HRVST
Possibly the prettiest place to eat in Lio Beach is this restaurant with a Bali‑style decor. The food is 100% vegan and they reinterpret Filipino dishes such as sisig (we loved it) or turon (a super hearty dessert). They also have smothie bowls, shakes and, from what we could tell, very good coffee from Filipino beans, which is much appreciated. They open at 9:00, so if you feel like it, you can also have breakfast.
Prices per dish are around 350 to 500 pesos, but the more expensive ones are for sharing, as with the sisig or kare‑kare, which, with a couple of portions of rice (we suggest the garlic rice), will sort your meal.
Whether you’re vegan or not, we highly recommend it, even if it’s just for a coffee. The place is pleasant, service is fast, and the Wi‑Fi works well, so we also saw people working here quietly.
Happy Home Restaurant
Previously located in El Nido Town, it has moved to very close to Lio Beach, on the main road. Although it’s far, 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, but also Western food and curries. We went for a pasta dish and were amazed by the portion — it fed two people! For this reason, we think it’s one of the best places to eat cheaply in El Nido.
The service is super homely and they have a flambéed banana for dessert that’s an absolute delight.
More places to eat in Lio Beach (El Nido)
If the above don’t convince you and you’re looking for more options, here are a few more recommendations:
- Carinderia: right in front of PLNT+HRVST there’s a pot place, that is, 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 because it’s already made. We didn’t see a name, but it’s easy to find — we’ve marked it on the map.
- La Moro Hill Bakery: if you’re looking for breakfast, a coffee, or simply a sandwich to eat in El Nido, this is an almost‑hidden gem. We’re talking about a small café with spectacular pastries, especially the pain au chocolat. The dirty horchata is also a delight.
Where to eat in Nacpan Beach
Finally, if you’ve decided to spend a few hours on this beautiful beach near El Nido and it coincides with lunchtime or you’re staying here, we recommend these places where to eat in Nacpan Beach:
Mad Monkey Hostel
Looking for a party or backpacker vibe? We already mentioned that the 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 drop by its bar/restaurant. The food isn’t the cheapest or the best (the pizza is meh, but on Wednesdays there’s a discount), but the drinks are cold, the cocktails are good and, above all, it has the perfect location and vibe to enjoy one of the best beaches in the Philippines.
Kawan Restaurant and Bar by Eco Sanctuaries
If you don’t mind walking a little further — it’s currently the last business on Nacpan Beach — the restaurant at the Eco Santuaries Nature Lodge (a hotel we highly recommend) is very top. Not only because this area is the quietest part of the beach, but because they use very good produce and everything is on the healthy side. It’s true that portions may not be large for the price, but you also have to consider you’re paying for “the setting.”
If you’re not very hungry or you’ve arrived early, we highly recommend their coconut‑milk and fruit porridge. As you can see, it’s amazing:
Sunmai Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant — where to eat in Nacpan
The “poshest” restaurant to eat in Nacpan Beach is this one, which you’ll quickly identify by its loungers on the sand; it’s the restaurant of Nacpan Beach Glamping. The cocktails are really well crafted and they often have live music, even during the day, which makes it a perfect spot to spend the day. As for the food, although it isn’t truly spectacular, they have fresh fish and seafood, pizzas and burgers, as well as several vegan and vegetarian options.
Note: if you want to sit on the loungers, you’ll have to pay 500 pesos for 2 of them.
Reader tip: More resorts are popping up in Nacpan and a reader tells us that at Angkla you can use the pool and loungers for 1,000 pesos, which are consumable. In case that’s what you’re after.
Map of restaurants in El Nido
Here’s a map with all the places where to eat in El Nido that we’ve mentioned:
To keep your vacation from being ruined, we want to stress that when it comes to drinking and eating in El Nido it’s best to always choose bottled water (even for brushing your teeth). Although whenever we travel around the country we rely on large‑jug waters and even drink the service water we’re offered, in El Nido we’re more careful because there are quite a few cases of diarrhea/food poisoning.
This is just a small part of our detailed content about Palawan — don’t forget to check out our El Nido Guide.
If you have any suggestions or questions about where to eat in El Nido, we’ll be more than happy to read you in the comments. Enjoy your meal!
