Where to Eat in Moalboal: 16 BEST Places

Moalboal is increasingly becoming a main tourist hotspot in the Philippines and it is growing. As well as incredible scuba diving, the town offers a wide range of activities like canyoneering in Kawasan falls, hiking up beautiful mountains like Osmena Peak and great eating and drinking options. Moalboal offers a whole range of cuisines, from local eats to European, American and other Asian cuisines. All the restaurants are close to each other, making it super easy to just venture out and see what you fancy. This is great as after a full day of diving, there is nothing more important than fuelling yourself up with something tasty, and you won’t be far of options here.

A few things to remember: All the places around Moalboal are cash only so be prepared. On top of this reservations are not available in any of the restaurants so if the place is full, you’ll need to queue or move to another place. Also, expect friendly service but not timely. It is very normal for dishes to come out at various times, so it is advised not to wait for everybody else’s food to come out. You may end up waiting much longer than you’d imagine!

As foodies ourselves at Dive Pro Career, we have tried and tested the food in various places around Moalboal. And with our trusted palettes, we have come up with our 16 TOP PICKS

Venz is our personal favourite, offering the best authentic Filipino food around town. They’ve been established since 2016 and have always specialised in serving classic and absolutely delicious Filipino dishes. This is a must try in Moalboal if you want to experience the authentic flavours that the Philippines have to offer. The restaurant caters for both meat eaters and vegetarians and also serve fresh seafood on their menu by pre-order only. Something that’s quite unique about Venz is that from last year, they installed a small hydroponics greenhouse in the restaurant and have been growing kale which has been a success. And you can try these greens for yourself as they offer kale shakes and kale salads on their menu. A great option if you require a boost of nutrients during your stay and travels.

What to order: Everything! But try their Chicken Sisig and Eggplant Sisig.

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Hungry Monkeys is one of the most popular restaurants around Panagsama beach and during the evening hours of the peak season there is almost always a queue. So expect to wait, but will it be worth it? Definitely. This restaurant serves a wide range of dishes, from Filipino and Asian food to Western food. In our opinion, it’s the second best place to get your hands on some Filipino dishes. They are situated on the open 2nd floor which provide great views of the town and even a bit of a breeze. Its a fun place for groups as well as there is a shelf containing an awesome selection of games to choose from and help the wait like Jenga, Cards Against Humanity and more.

What to order: Try some authentic Filipino soups: Sinigag and Chicken Tinola. Also their Nasi Goreng.

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A recent discovery of ours is this little gem. Located a little drive outside of Moalboal is Payag towards the town of Badian is this amazing Filipino restaurant. This place offers delicious authentic Filipino dishes in very, very generous portions. Also, as it is off the beaten path and still not so well known by other tourists, the prices are more inexpensive compared to restaurants around Panagsama beach and Moalboal town, an absolute win-win. As well as this, the owner of Payag is Korean, so they also serve a great amount of incredible Korean food here. So if you are able to travel here by scooter or jeepney, it’ll really be worth the journey.

What to order: We recommend the Sinigag and Bibimbap here.

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If you are a fan of seafood, you won’t want to miss Lola’s. This is the only dedicated seafood restaurant around Moalboal serving all different fish, shellfish and crustaceans in a variety of ways. If you are with a larger group, this is also the place to go to experience a traditional ‘Boodle fight’. This is a Filipino communal feast where a selection of food like rice, meat, seafood, vegetables and fruits, are all served on banana leaves over a long table. Food in a Boodle fight is eaten Kamayan style which means no utensils, everything is eaten by hand. Our top tip, come here a bit earlier to avoid the crowds and a long wait.

What to order: Try Kinilaw, a Filipino style ceviche.

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These are best known as local ‘eateries’ and you can find them scattered all around Moalboal. If you are on a budget, these are the places to go as they provide the cheapest option of meals around here. Eateries are normally own by a Filipino family and going to one really feels like stepping into somebodies kitchen. They offer very tasty homestyle Filipino food where all the dishes are laid out for you to choose from in large pots/ covered trays. All dishes are served with rice and some things you can expect are stir fried vegetables, meats in sauces, fried fish, soups and ‘delicacies’ like stir fried liver. They also serve the most authentic Filipino breakfasts here like Silog and Itlog. Top tip: come by early in the morning to get the best and freshest selection, these shops also offer takeaway so you can get all your three meals sorted in a matter of minutes. Most food disappears after around 2pm.

First time trying an eatery? Check out Mila’s Restaurant.

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You wouldn’t think you’d get fantastic Mexican food in a small Filipino town, but JP Burritos proves this otherwise. This small local burrito chain ( with 2 stores so far) is linked with a gym (Jungle gym) and hands down provides the best thing you could ever eat when you are starving and looking for something quick and easy to eat. They only sell burritos and naked burritos that are filled to the brim and with excellent flavour, guaranteeing you a great meal. There’s even the option to cheese wrap your burrito if you need the extra calories. Also, if you are into food challenges, there’s one here. The challenge is to eat a whole burrito in less than a minute and 30 seconds to earn a place on their wall of fame.

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Trattoria Altrove is an established chain of Italian al fresco restaurants throughout the Philippines. It’s the place to go if you are feeling a bit fancy and are craving some proper stone baked Italian pizzas. The pizzas are all handmade and cooked in an impressive Italian brick pizza oven which is showcased in front of the restaurant. The rest of the menu is fantastic as well, including their pasta dishes. Also, the decor and atmosphere is stunning, with a beautiful tropical garden surrounding you and a relaxed barefoot policy that adds to the serene, island vibe. Definitely a treat worth taking during your trip here.

What to order: Don’t miss out on the Pomodori starter before getting your favourite pizza.

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Despite the name, this is a restaurant serving an amazing selection of European dishes and a few Asian dishes as well. Their well rounded menu also features some amazing French classics, like galettes, steak frites and even escargots. This is a great place to go to experience some brilliant European comfort food or try something different with their daily specials. Impressively, they also serve great Asian food, brilliant brunches and have mouth-watering desserts. There is so much to try in this understated French restaurant, you won’t want to miss out on it.

What to order: Even though it is not a Filipino restaurant, in our opinion, they serve the best Kinilaw in Moalboal.

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If you are craving meat, Betsy’s will have you covered. This place is the closest it gets to a true American grill bar in Moalboal, and they absolutely nail it. You can expect to find the best seasoned, grilled meats here and hefty burgers, along with some awesome salads and yummy side dishes. They also have a great drinks menu too. A little inside tip, get yourself an order of 2for1 frozen mojitos here, available all day and all night. You can thank us later.

What to order: One dish you cannot miss is the ribs. The Parmesan chicken salad is also a great for a ‘healthier’ option.

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Sometimes you just need a good burger to get you through the day and this is the place for it. Three Bears specialises in fully stacked burgers, both chicken and beef and loaded with all the extras. There are sides included with every meal meaning you get the real deal and they also have draft beer. They also have options for vegetarians and have even recently come out with a vegan burger, so everybody can experience their excellent burgers.

What to order: Our favourite burger is the ‘Spicy Buffalo’ Chicken Burger.

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This is a new addition to Moalboal and is currently the only dedicated sushi restaurant here. They sell sushi at reasonable prices and the quality is overall very good. Their menu includes standard nigiri but also some more interesting rolls containing the best fruit the Philippines have to offer, mangoes. It’s surprisingly good and definitely worth trying for yourself. The restaurant is situated just below Hungry Monkeys so if the queues are getting to you, this is a great alternative dinner choice, especially if you are a sushi lover yourself.

What to order: We are big fans of sushi but prefer the more simple kinds. Our top pick is the tuna nigiri.

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With the Moalboal’s warm climate all year round, it’s only a matter of time that you will start to crave some Mediterranean food. My Greek Taverna is another popular chain in the Philippines that focuses on Greek style dishes like meze, gyros and grilled meats and salads. The dishes are very well made and contain authentic ingredients that you’d be surprised to find in this small tropical town like proper feta cheese, Greek herbs and beetroot. Especially during high season, the restaurant can get very busy so keep this in mind and prepare to queue. But if you do, you’re in for the best Mediterranean food in town.

What to order: Give the tiropita/spanakopita a go and also their incredible beetroot salad.

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Unlike all the rest of the places listed here, El Mercado is actually an indoor food court. Having opened only recently in 2024, this place has been booming with business, serving multiple cuisines all in one place. The choices really are endless, from Filipino specialities like Lechon, to Asian cuisines of all kinds (Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Japanese), to great Western dishes (American, Australian, Italian), you can be sure you’ll find something you like here. The food court consists of food stalls surrounding a large open seating area with a small bar in the centre of it all. The standard of food is generally great, service is normally quick and food is served all day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, second dinner, brunch, the lot.

What to order: Our standout food stalls here are: Pho & Di (Vietnamese), Natsumi (Japanese) and Filippo (Italian pizzas).

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This healthy chain began in the neighbouring island of Siargao and has triumphed to the rest of the Philippines in the last few years. This is the place to go when you need a nutrients fix, serving beautiful smoothie bowls, proper fruit shakes and great light meals. Shaka aims to be completely vegan and if oat milk is your thing, all coffees are served with this as standard.

What to order: The Bom Dia 2.0 smoothie bowl and their falafel wrap.

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This humble little café is a firm favourite in Moalboal. It’s a gem of a place serving lovely coffees, brunches, sandwiches and bakery goods. There is even a little deli where you can find proper cheese and cold cuts and extremely good imported wine at a reasonable price. The pastries and cakes are great as well, all made with proper butter and extremely tasty, even by European standards. Its also a great café to have a catch up or do some work in as there is an indoor air-conditioned area as well as an outside patio to sit in suiting everybody’s needs.

What to order: Try out their latest addition: the Banh mi and their gorgeous tiramisu. It’s honestly the best.

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Undoubtedly, this is the best place for coffee around Moalboal. There is an extensive list of coffees and hot drinks here where you can find a Cordato, Spanish latte and a hot cocoa to name a few. There is a good variety of milk choices as well all at no extra cost. The food here is not to be missed as well, sandwiches are great as well as the brunch. There’s even larger meals available like fish and chips and sweet and sour chicken served for lunch and dinner. At the back, there is also a small bar serving a great choice of alcoholic drinks and a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm everyday. In the evenings, this place transforms into a small music venue where live music is played every weekend and most nights in the high season by local bands, covering all your classic holiday tunes.

What to order: Their pastrami melt is amazing and all the coffees in general.

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