Looking for the perfect escape away from the city? If you love to eat whilst on vacation, then we’d highly recommend heading to Lio, El Nido for a gastronomical experience you won’t soon forget.
We recently went to Lio (in case you didn’t know, there’s a direct flight to El Nido via Airswift and it only takes 1 hour!) with the main goal of discovering what the place has to offer – and let me tell you: we were not disappointed. There was so much to do, so much to eat, and so much to see! What’s more, contrary to popular opinion, Lio is actually open to the public so you can go there anytime, even if you are staying in El Nido’s main town.
Where to Eat in El Nido, Palawan
Here are some of the awesome restaurants we got to eat at during our visit:
Globy Traveling Chef (@globyelnido)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
If your group ends up having different cravings one day, worry not because Globy can satisfy the needs of any of your palates. They serve a diverse selection of international cuisine that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in Lio. From phad Thai to chicken satay to pasta, they’ve got something to suit anybody’s tastebuds.
D’Factory (@dfactory_elnido2014)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to stop by D’Factory. They’ve got a multitude of exciting ice cream flavors to choose from and their crème de la crème? Incredibly addictive crepes you won’t be able to get enough of!
Punta Playa (@puntaplayalio)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
A trip should include a little indulging, and that’s exactly what you should expect from the filling and oh-so-satisfying dishes from Punta Playa. A modern fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, you simply cannot miss out on their paella.
Manille Beach Bar (@manillebeachbar)
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Whether you’re in need of a quick nightcap or want to drink the night away, Manille Beach Bar is a must-visit. Not only do they serve the regular cocktails you’ve already come to love but they also have a wide range of local alcohol you simply need to try if you haven’t yet. This tropical cocktail bar also serves the best bar snacks but the real reason you should visit is their outstanding bartending skills that are truly a sight to behold! Order the Flight to Lio. We promise you definitely will not be disappointed!
El Nido Grill (@elnidogrill)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
A trip to the beach wouldn’t be complete without some grilled food – and you can get the best grilled liempo and seafood from El Nido Grill! Seafood always tastes better at the beach, and El Nido Grill definitely does not disappoint. With fresh seafood that really hits the spot, make sure to visit them.
The Clay Kitchen (@theclaykitchen.elnido)
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Hungry-hungry? Then visit The Clay Kitchen! This woodfire brick oven kitchen and bar serves a great selection of pizza, pasta, steak, and wine that’ll satiate all of your hunger pangs. It’s the best place to go when you’ve worked up real gutom.
Liam’s Beach Café
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
Whether you’re looking for comfort food or simply want to enjoy happy hour by the beach, Liam’s Beach Café is a great place to chill any time of day. We highly recommend their mojitos – we couldn’t get enough of them!
Islas Makinas
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
A personal favorite, Islas Makinas is hands down the best place for breakfast in Lio. In fact, it isn’t just a breakfast stop. You can go there any time because their food is filling and oh-so-delicious. From their waffles and sandwiches to their iced horchata and coffee to their sourdough bread, there was nothing we didn’t love at this food stop. We even took some sourdough bread back to Manila (and are now suffering from Islas Makinas withdrawal).
El Nudols
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
When we went to Lio, it rained one day… which meant a sudden craving for soup and noodles. El Nudols was there to the rescue! The flavorful broth of their ramen was more than enough to energize us for the rest of the night – sooooo good! Plus, they’ve got barbecue to complement the noods too.
Charlie’s Kubo
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For snacks to bring with you on the road, to your resort, or back home to Manila; Charlie’s Kubo offers freshly-baked breads and pastries served from a quaint kubo – too cute!
Sam’s Canteen (@samscanteen)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
If it’s pork belly you want, you’d better head to Sam’s Canteen because they serve some of the best pork belly we’ve ever tasted! Cooked perfectly, crispy and with delicious flavor, you’re not going to regret heading to Sitio Uno for this.
BentaBox (@bentaboxelnido)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
For my fellow hallyu junkies, BentaBox is the ultimate hub for all of your Korean food and snacks. From Korean ice cream and ramyeon to a full-on samgyupsal experience, BentaBox has everything your Korean heart needs to feel happy. We couldn’t get enough of their tteokbokki and corndogs either. Everything was just too good!
Da Burgeran (@daburgeran)
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For burger lovers, visit Da Burgeran. With fresh and juicy burger patties, their burgers are sure to fill you up. What’s more, they’ve got delicious vegetarian options for those who don’t eat meat. Try their banana heart burgers – even non-vegetarians are sure to appreciate it.
Beer Island (@beeerisland)
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Want some ice-cold beer? Beer Island has a host of beer options for beer lovers to drink, including local craft beers you’re sure to love. It’s also a chill place to just relax and maybe even watch your favorite sports games.
New Deli (@newdeli_ph)
Photo by Gizelle Caoile
Surprise! Lio has authentic Indian cuisine too, and it is sooooo good. Get your fill of samosas (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), palak paneer, tikka masala, biryani, and more, and wash it all down with some delicious yassi.
Lost Islands Center for Kape aka LICK (@lick.elnido)
Photo by Angeline Rodriguez
Discover a host of local coffee options at LICK, a specialty coffee roastery that focuses on single-origin Philippine coffee products. Aside from offering delicious coffee (that you can also purchase and take home, by the way – the perfect pasalubong!), they also advocate and showcase the hard work of farmers and producers across the country.
The host of food options aside, you can also discover a journey of exciting adventures at Lio, El Nido. Watch our video for the many things you can do there:
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Lio Beach offers a good mix of rest and play for the complete beach holiday plus restos sure to satisfy any foodie. Whether you are travelling with family or a group of friends, or a solo explorer, you’re sure to find your favorite spot in Lio, the gateway to your El Nido getaway.
