Must-try Dishes
Longganisa - Caticlan Sausages (savory links) - These sweet and garlicky sausages are made with minced pork and spices, grilled until they’re crispy on the outside. Locals typically enjoy them at breakfast with rice and eggs, often ordering extra to bring home.
Tinola - Ginger Chicken Soup (light soup) - A comforting broth of chicken, green papaya, and leafy vegetables, delicately flavored with ginger. It's a popular choice for dinner among families, often served with rice and shared from a communal bowl.
Fish Ball - Bola-bola (street food favorite) - Small, fried fish balls served with a variety of dipping sauces like sweet chili or vinegar-based dips. You’ll find vendors near the beach, and a tip: don't forget to ask for the vinegar sauce for extra flavor!
Kinilaw - Caticlan Ceviche (raw fish salad) - Fresh fish marinated in vinegar and lime juice, mixed with onions, tomatoes, and chili peppers. It's a local specialty often served during gatherings, showcasing the day’s catch, and it’s best enjoyed with beer at sunset.
Sinigang - Sour Pork Stew (tangy broth) - A hearty stew made with pork, tamarind, and various vegetables that pack a flavorful punch. It’s commonly served at lunch and is a go-to comfort food, especially on rainy days.
Empanada - Fried Pastry (stuffed dough) - Deep-fried pastries filled with meat or vegetables and often served hot. Locals enjoy these as a quick snack on the go or as an afternoon treat while strolling through town, but be cautious—they're truly addictive!
Adobo - Marinated Meat Dish (savory stew) - Slow-cooked chicken or pork in soy sauce, vinegar, and spices, resulting in a rich and savory flavor. Typically enjoyed at dinner, but it’s widely prepared for family gatherings, and leftovers are often even tastier the next day.
Sago at Gulaman - Tapioca Drink (refreshing beverage) - A mix of tapioca pearls and gelatin in sweet syrup, traditionally enjoyed during summer festivals or as a delightful refreshment on hot days. You’ll often see locals sipping this while relaxing at the beach after a long day of fun.
Desserts & Drinks
Coconut Water - Tubig ni Niyog (fresh coconut drink) - Naturally sweet and refreshing, this drink is straight from the coconut, served chilled in the shell. Locals enjoy it at the beach, especially after a long day in the sun.
Barako Coffee - Kape Barako (strong local coffee) - A bold coffee made from Liberica beans, brewed using traditional methods in a pot to create a rich aroma and flavor. Often served black, it’s a morning ritual for many, best enjoyed at a roadside café.
San Miguel Beer - San Miguel (local lager) - A crisp and light beer that pairs perfectly with the island's warm evenings, served in chilled bottles at beachside bars. It's a common choice during local celebrations and gatherings, and it's as much about the company as the drink.
Ensaimada - Ensaimada de Caticlan (sweet pastry) - This fluffy, brioche-style pastry is topped with butter and cheese, sometimes with a sprinkle of sugar. Locals indulge in it during afternoon merienda (snack), often with coffee or hot chocolate.
Halo-Halo - Halo-Halo (mixed cold dessert) - A colorful medley of shaved ice, sweet beans, fruits, and leche flan, topped with ube ice cream, this treat cools you down on hot days. It’s a favorite festival dessert, commonly enjoyed after meals or during celebrations.
By the way, many first-timers mix it up by ordering "halo-halo" but miss out on the specific toppings—ask for your preferred mix!
Honestly, I was surprised to find so many cafes and restaurants on such a small island, and they are all so charming. I'm not even mentioning the places where they serve delicious barbecues at every corner. Overall, prices are incredibly friendly for both food and experiences! »
Every time I'm at Boracay, I can't help but feel glad that D'mall is right there, offering amazing street food 😋, where snacks cost anywhere from $0.08 to $0.45! 😲 Honestly, can you find fresh and tasty street food for just $0.08 anywhere else? You can here! 😆🤤 I absolutely love these treats!
For tourists, there are definitely dishes for every budget, but if you're planning a vacation here, just know that eating on the island can actually be quite affordable. 😉👌 »
But don't listen to me, folks. You are the ones drinking. 😊 »
P.S.: The portion of crab was so big that I could only finish half of it... 😊 »
It’s funny how vendors instantly raise their prices when they see a foreigner. I wanted to buy bananas from an old lady. She sold a big bunch to a local girl for 20 pesos, but I got just two bananas for 13!
Seafood prices at the market in Boracay are outrageous! They mark things up by at least 3-4 times. Even if you manage to negotiate down to half, you still end up paying a crazy markup.
When you approach local eateries, the prices aren’t displayed, and Filipinos just make them up on the spot. Now I understand why foreigners prefer to eat at more civilized places like McDonald’s; there, you don’t feel like you’re being scammed. Plus, they sometimes have Wi-Fi.
In Cebu, food prices are about half, sometimes even a third, of those in Boracay. For example, ice cream at McDonald’s in Boracay costs 50 pesos, while the same in Cebu is just 20 pesos.
Water in Boracay is 120 pesos, but in Cebu, it’s 50. Milk is 220 pesos in Boracay and 160 in Cebu. They say local rum here goes for 140-180 pesos per liter, but I haven't tried it yet; I hear it goes well with Cola! »