Food · Boracay · Philippines
What to eat in Boracay
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Boracay, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Fruit shakes, Calamansi muffins and Chori burger. Buy seafood by the kilo at the market stalls, then choose a restaurant to cook it several ways, a lively and good-value group meal. Restaurants on the beach path charge more than those on the main road behind; walk one street back for better value.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Fruit shakes
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 3
- Tipping
- Many restaurants and resorts add a 10% service charge.
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Drink · Vegetarian
1.Fruit shakes
Blended shakes of ripe Philippine mango, banana, papaya or calamansi with ice, sometimes with milk or chocolate. Mango is the classic, and a long-running shake stand near Station 1 is an island institution.
Where: Shake stands along the White Beach path and in D'Mall.
Snack · Vegetarian
2.Calamansi muffins
Soft muffins flavoured with calamansi, the small Philippine lime, topped with a tangy glaze. A Boracay café speciality that visitors take home in boxes.
Where: Cafés along White Beach, especially around Station 2.
Street food
3.Chori burger
A sweet-garlicky Filipino chorizo patty in a bun with sauce, a cheap and popular Boracay snack.
Where: Snack stalls along the White Beach path and in D'Mall.
Dish
4.Seafood paluto
Fish, prawns, crabs, squid and shellfish bought fresh at the market and cooked to order: grilled, steamed, in garlic butter, chilli sauce or sour tamarind soup.
Where: The restaurants surrounding D'Talipapa market at Station 2.
Dish
5.Kinilaw
The Filipino version of ceviche: raw fish such as tuna or mackerel cured in vinegar or calamansi with ginger, onion and chilli.
Where: Filipino restaurants and seafood paluto places, especially at lunchtime.
Dish
6.Chicken inasal
Chicken marinated in calamansi, lemongrass, vinegar and annatto, grilled over charcoal and served with garlic rice and chicken oil, a Western Visayas speciality.
Where: Inasal grills along the main road and in D'Mall; eat it with your hands.
Dish
7.Inubarang manok
An Aklanon chicken stew cooked with ubad, the tender core of the banana trunk, in coconut milk with lemongrass.
Where: Restaurants serving regional Aklanon dishes on the island and in Kalibo.
Dish
8.Sinigang
A sour soup of tamarind broth with vegetables and pork, prawns or fish, one of the Philippines' most loved comfort dishes.
Where: Filipino restaurants across the island and paluto restaurants at D'Talipapa.
Dessert · Vegetarian
9.Halo-halo
Shaved ice layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruit, leche flan and ube purple yam, topped with evaporated milk and mixed before eating.
Where: Filipino cafés and dessert stalls in D'Mall and along the beach path.
Dish
10.Adobo
Chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves and black pepper, the unofficial national dish, served with rice.
Where: Any Filipino restaurant or carinderia canteen on the island.
Food experiences
D'Talipapa paluto dinner
Buy seafood by the kilo at the market stalls, then choose a restaurant to cook it several ways, a lively and good-value group meal.
Sunset dinner on the sand
Many White Beach restaurants set tables on the sand at dusk; Station 1 is the calmest place for a sunset meal.
Carinderia lunch
Behind the beach, local carinderia canteens serve Filipino dishes such as adobo and sinigang from trays at a fraction of beachfront prices.
Quick bites and street food
- Calamansi muffins — Cafés along White Beach, especially around Station 2.
- Chori burger — Snack stalls along the White Beach path and in D'Mall.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 3 are usually vegetarian: Fruit shakes, Calamansi muffins and Halo-halo. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Restaurants on the beach path charge more than those on the main road behind; walk one street back for better value.
- Many restaurants add a 10% service charge; check the bill before tipping.
- Cards are accepted at larger restaurants and resorts, but carry cash for small places and markets.
- Fresh seafood is priced by weight; confirm the weight and price before it is cooked.
- Filipino meals are built around rice, and many dishes are designed for sharing.
Tipping
Many restaurants and resorts add a 10% service charge. Where none is included, leaving about 5–10% or rounding up is appreciated, as are small tips for boat crews, guides and housekeeping.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salamat po | Thank you (polite) |
| Magandang umaga | Good morning |
| Magkano? | How much? |
| Masarap | Delicious |
| Ingat | Take care |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Boracay famous for?
Fruit shakes, Calamansi muffins, Chori burger and Seafood paluto. Blended shakes of ripe Philippine mango, banana, papaya or calamansi with ice, sometimes with milk or chocolate.
+Is Boracay good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Fruit shakes, Calamansi muffins and Halo-halo.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Boracay?
Many restaurants and resorts add a 10% service charge. Where none is included, leaving about 5–10% or rounding up is appreciated, as are small tips for boat crews, guides and housekeeping.