There are many things to do once you visit or permanently settle down in Iloilo City, and going on an exciting food trip is one of them. If you are in a mood for some good food, you are in the right place as Iloilo is the hometown of some of the best Filipino dishes, including la paz batchoy, pancit molo, cansi, laswa, and KBL. Explore and discover authentic Ilonggo cuisine!
That said, whether you’re a local in Iloilo or a tourist on a quick business trip or vacation, here are the top restaurants you should not miss during your stay in the “Heart of the Philippines”:
Breakthrough Restaurant
Address: Santo Niño Sur, Villa Arevalo District, Iloilo City
Photo from Breakthrough Restaurant Iloilo Facebook Page
If you love fresh seafood, head to Breakthrough Restaurant. This restaurant near the beach offers freshly caught seafood, including a wide variety of fish, shells, and crustaceans. Often, the seafood you want will be weighed and cooked based on how you want it. They are either grilled, cooked with soup, or served ceviche-style. If you are allergic to seafood, the restaurant also offers beef, chicken, and pork dishes.
Netong’s La Paz Batchoy
Address: La Paz Public Market, Luna cor. Huervana St., La Paz, Iloilo City
Photo from Netong’s Restaurant Facebook Page
One of the iconic staple foods in Iloilo is la paz batchoy. If you want to taste the original dish, go to Netong’s. Made from beef bones and marrow slowly cooked to perfection, their la paz batchoy is served piping hot in generous portions at an affordable price. This broth is poured over egg noodles, cooked pork intestines topped with crushed pork skin, and fresh spring onions. Perfect if you’re craving for a bowl of hearty noodle soup, look no further and head to Netong’s Restaurant!
Roberto’s
Address: 61 J.M. Basa Street, Iloilo City
Photo from Roberto’s Iloilo Facebook Page
If you love siopao, Roberto’s is the best place to be. Built in 1978, this place is hard to miss because there’s always a long line of patrons willing to wait to get their hands on this steamy, delicious snack in Iloilo. And when going on a food trip, if the line is long, then that means that it is worth a try! Roberto’s offers four types of siopao filled with combinations of pork adobo, chicken pork adobo, egg, Chinese sausage, and ham.
Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine
Address: The Avenue, Smallville Complex, Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Photo from Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine Facebook Page
If you want to learn more about Iloilo’s delicacies, Bauhinia Filipino Cuisine is a well-recommended restaurant. This restaurant offers Filipino and Ilonggo dishes cooked using traditional ingredients with a twist. For example, instead of using soy sauce to flavor their local version of adobo, they use annatto oil. You can also order their best seller dishes: pesto-crusted blue marlin and squid cooked in coconut milk.
Tatoy’s Manokan & Seafood Restaurant
Address: Valuarte-Calumpang-Villa-Oton Road, Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City
Photo from Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods Facebook Page
A visit to Iloilo won’t be complete without visiting Tatoy’s. This restaurant by the beach, established in the 1970s, is famous for its native lechon manok and seafood dishes like oysters, bangus, squid, and more. In addition, this restaurant is perfect for families and friends who want to enjoy good food together.
Whether you’re up for a snack or a hearty meal, Iloilo City has the perfect restaurant for you! May these restaurant recommendations help you plan your next food trip in Iloilo City