Best Restaurants in Palawan 2025
Explore the culinary scene of Palawan - from local favorites to fine dining.
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
These iconic dishes define the culinary identity of Palawan.
Tamilok (woodworm)
A uniquely Palawanon delicacy — raw mangrove woodworm eaten with calamansi and onion, an acquired taste beloved by locals
Kinilaw na Tanigue
Filipino-style ceviche made with freshly caught Spanish mackerel marinated in calamansi juice and ginger
Palawan Freshwater Prawns
Enormous fresh prawns from Palawan's rivers, best grilled with garlic butter
Pako Salad
Refreshing salad made from young fiddlehead fern fronds with tomato, onion, and salted egg
Sinigang na Hipon
Sour tamarind soup with fresh tiger prawns — a Filipino classic made exceptional with Palawan's premium prawns
Complete Food Guide
100+ restaurants, local recipes, and dining recommendations for Palawan.
Top Restaurants
Our handpicked recommendations 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Restaurants by Cuisine
Find restaurants that match your taste preferences.
Filipino Seafood Cuisine
Kinabuchs Grill and Bar
Ursula Island Floating Restaurant
Filipino Cuisine
Ka Lui Restaurant
Buenas Coron Restaurant
Palawan Filipino Cuisine
Ba-Gu Specialty Restaurant
International/Filipino Cuisine
Happiness Beach Bar El Nido
Healthy/International Cuisine
The Alternative El Nido
Italian Cuisine
Trattoria Altrove El Nido
Street Food & Markets
The best local flavors at affordable prices.
Isaw (chicken intestine skewer)
Grilled chicken intestines on bamboo skewers, a classic Filipino street food dipped in spicy vinegar
Balut
A boiled fertilized duck egg, a Filipino delicacy eaten from the shell with salt and vinegar
Kwek Kwek
Deep-fried quail eggs coated in orange batter, served with sweet spicy sauce
Tuhog-tuhog (meat skewers)
Assorted grilled meat and offal skewers typical of Filipino street BBQ
Fresh Buko (coconut)
Freshly opened young coconut served with a straw — the best natural rehydration in the tropics
Food Markets
Puerto Princesa Public Market
The main wet market with fresh seafood, vegetables, and local delicacies sourced daily from Palawan's seas and farms
El Nido Public Market
Small but vibrant morning market in El Nido town with fresh fish, tropical fruits, and local vegetables
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Night Market
Nightly street food bazaar along the bay with grills, stalls, and fresh juice vendors
Coron Public Market
Coron's central market selling fresh catch from local fishermen and tropical produce
Dining Etiquette & Tips
Navigate the local food scene like a pro.
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
Dietary Information
{'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.
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