Palawan is a pristine island province in the western Philippines, often called the Philippines' Last Frontier for its untouched natural beauty. Home to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the stunning limestone karst landscapes of El Nido and Coron, Palawan offers some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic scenery. Its turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and white-sand beaches consistently earn it recognition as one of the world's best island destinations.
Palawan's cuisine is dominated by exceptional fresh seafood — fish, prawns, squid, and shellfish pulled from surrounding waters daily. Filipino culinary traditions like sinigang (sour tamarind soup), kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew), and adobo are staples, supplemented by uniquely Palawanon ingredients like pako fern, freshwater prawns, and exotic game. El Nido offers a cosmopolitan dining scene with Italian, Korean, Thai, and health-focused restaurants alongside Filipino staples, while Puerto Princesa has the widest variety of sit-down restaurants. Coron's dining is more rustic but features excellent fresh seafood and a surprising Filipino-Spanish fusion tradition.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Palawan.
Tamilok (woodworm)
A uniquely Palawanon delicacy — raw mangrove woodworm eaten with calamansi and onion, an acquired taste beloved by locals
Where to try: Ba-Gu Restaurant, Puerto Princesa
Price: ₱200-350
Kinilaw na Tanigue
Filipino-style ceviche made with freshly caught Spanish mackerel marinated in calamansi juice and ginger
Where to try: Most seafood restaurants
Price: ₱200-400
Palawan Freshwater Prawns
Enormous fresh prawns from Palawan's rivers, best grilled with garlic butter
Where to try: Ba-Gu Restaurant, Kinabuchs
Price: ₱400-700
Pako Salad
Refreshing salad made from young fiddlehead fern fronds with tomato, onion, and salted egg
Where to try: Kinabuchs, Ka Lui Restaurant
Price: ₱150-250
Sinigang na Hipon
Sour tamarind soup with fresh tiger prawns — a Filipino classic made exceptional with Palawan's premium prawns
Where to try: Ka Lui Restaurant, Kalui Restaurant
Price: ₱350-550
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Kinabuchs Grill and Bar
One of Puerto Princesa's most beloved institutions, Kinabuchs is famous for its massive grilled seafood platters served with garlic rice and coconut-based sauces. The open-air bamboo setting and festive atmosphere make it the go-to spot for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in Palawan's bounty.
Known for: Known for massive grilled seafood at reasonable prices
369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Ka Lui Restaurant
Housed in a charming nipa hut setting inside a heritage compound, Ka Lui is a Puerto Princesa institution serving beautifully presented Filipino cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local seafood. The set menus are excellent value and feature rotating daily specials based on market availability.
Known for: Beautifully presented Filipino set menus in a heritage nipa hut setting
369 Rizal Avenue Extension, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Ba-Gu Specialty Restaurant
Specializing in authentic Palawan cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, Ba-Gu serves traditional dishes rarely found in tourist restaurants including pako salad, tamilok (woodworm) for the adventurous, and freshwater prawn dishes from the island's rivers. A must for food explorers.
Known for: Authentic local Palawan delicacies and traditional Filipino cuisine
Malvar Street, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Happiness Beach Bar El Nido
Perched on the beachfront strip of El Nido town, Happiness Beach Bar is the social hub of the strip with cheap drinks, wood-fired pizzas, fresh fish dishes, and an electric atmosphere at sunset. Live music several nights a week adds to the convivial vibe.
Known for: Beachfront bar-restaurant with sunset views and live music
El Nido Beach Road, El Nido, Palawan
The Alternative El Nido
A health-focused café and restaurant in El Nido offering a menu of organic bowls, fresh smoothies, vegan-friendly dishes, and excellent coffee. A popular spot for health-conscious travelers seeking a break from seafood and rice, with a lovely terrace overlooking the bay.
Known for: Healthy bowls, smoothies, and excellent coffee in El Nido
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Trattoria Altrove El Nido
Authentic Italian restaurant in El Nido operated by an Italian family, serving handmade pasta, thin-crust pizza from a wood-fired oven, and imported Italian wines. One of the most-recommended restaurants for those craving high-quality Italian food in the tropics.
Known for: Genuine Italian cooking with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza
Calle Real, El Nido, Palawan
Republica Sunset Bar and Restaurant
Located at the south end of El Nido's beachfront with some of the best sunset views in town, Republica serves a fusion menu of Mediterranean and Filipino dishes with excellent cocktails. The ambiance is romantic and the terrace fills up quickly at golden hour.
Known for: Romantic sunset terrace with Mediterranean-Filipino fusion
Real Street South, El Nido, Palawan
Artcafe El Nido
A beloved café and gallery in El Nido's town center serving excellent coffee, breakfasts, and light meals in a charming artistic setting. Walls are lined with work by local Filipino artists and the terrace is a popular morning gathering spot.
Known for: Excellent breakfast and coffee in an artistic café setting
Calle Hama, El Nido, Palawan
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Filipino
Ka Lui Restaurant
Coron's Briko Lanai Bar and Restaurant
Salamangka Bar Coron
Buenas Coron Restaurant
Sugar Beach Restaurant El Nido
Port Barton Reggae Bar and Restaurant
El Nido Nacpan Tent Camp Restaurant
Miniloc Island Dining Room
Nido Bay Inn Café
Seafood
Kinabuchs Grill and Bar
Harana Restaurant El Nido
Ursula Island Floating Restaurant
El Nido Sea Slug Bar and Restaurant
El Nido Tandikan Restaurant
Cafe
Artcafe El Nido
El Nido Crafts and Pasalubong Center Café
Filipino Street Food
LakBay Kainan Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Fusion
Kalui Restaurant Puerto Princesa
Encanto Puerto Princesa
International
Happiness Beach Bar El Nido
Coron Dive Restaurant
American
Puerto Princesa Tiki Bar and Restaurant
Burgers
Jungle Burger El Nido
Café
Coron Liveaboard Diver's Café
Filipino Barbecue
Kawaynan Grill
Filipino Home Cooking
Kubo ni Aling Nena
Filipino Turo
Salvacion Eatery Puerto Princesa
Healthy
The Alternative El Nido
Italian
Trattoria Altrove El Nido
Korean
Coron Korean Barbecue House
Mediterranean
Republica Sunset Bar and Restaurant
Palawan Filipino
Ba-Gu Specialty Restaurant
Spanish
Medes Restaurant Coron
Thai
Lemon Grass El Nido
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Isaw (chicken intestine skewer)
Grilled chicken intestines on bamboo skewers, a classic Filipino street food dipped in spicy vinegar
Find it at: Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Balut
A boiled fertilized duck egg, a Filipino delicacy eaten from the shell with salt and vinegar
Find it at: Night markets in Puerto Princesa and El Nido
Kwek Kwek
Deep-fried quail eggs coated in orange batter, served with sweet spicy sauce
Find it at: Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Tuhog-tuhog (meat skewers)
Assorted grilled meat and offal skewers typical of Filipino street BBQ
Find it at: Evening BBQ stalls in Puerto Princesa
Fresh Buko (coconut)
Freshly opened young coconut served with a straw — the best natural rehydration in the tropics
Find it at: Beach vendors on Nacpan Beach and Honda Bay islands
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Puerto Princesa Public Market
The main wet market with fresh seafood, vegetables, and local delicacies sourced daily from Palawan's seas and farms
Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM
El Nido Public Market
Small but vibrant morning market in El Nido town with fresh fish, tropical fruits, and local vegetables
Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Nightly street food bazaar along the bay with grills, stalls, and fresh juice vendors
Hours: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Coron Public Market
Coron's central market selling fresh catch from local fishermen and tropical produce
Hours: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12PM-2PM) is the best time for set-meal deals at many restaurants
Always confirm seafood prices per kilogram before ordering at seafood restaurants
Tipping 10% is appreciated but not mandatory in the Philippines
Many El Nido restaurants are fully booked by 7PM — arrive early or reserve ahead
Street food at night markets is perfectly safe and far cheaper than restaurants
- Vegetarian
- Options are increasing but limited outside El Nido and Puerto Princesa — rice, vegetables, eggs, and tofu dishes are widely available
- Halal
- Halal options exist at a few restaurants in Puerto Princesa; most seafood restaurants can accommodate halal requests
- Gluten free
- Many Filipino dishes are naturally gluten-free (rice-based) but cross-contamination is common in smaller kitchens
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₱200-400 per meal | Street food, turo-turo canteens, and local silog eateries |
| Mid-range | ₱500-1,200 per meal | Sit-down restaurants with seafood dishes and drinks |
| Upscale | ₱2,000+ per meal | Fine dining at island resorts and premium restaurants |