When in Panglao, aside from the beaches and adventures, we were on the hunt for good food. From seafood feasts to local comfort meals, we tried a little bit of everything – some places were expected hits, while others completely caught us by surprise (in the best way).
In this post, I’m sharing a no fuss list of where we ate, what we ordered, and what we honestly thought of the 10 must-try restaurants in Bohol. To keep it easy to scan through, I’ve added emoji ratings and quick tags like 🔥 Must-Try or 💸 Budget-Friendly to help you spot the standouts.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Panglao and wondering where to eat, here are a few places that made it onto our plates… and into our hearts.
- Bougainvillea Spanish Restaurant and Wine Bar
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🔥 Must-Try | 💸💸 Mid-Range | 🍷 Date Night Spot | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What is it and where:
A cozy Spanish restaurant serving up classic tapas, charcuterie cold cuts, and specialty wines. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, located along Rue de Premiere, Alona Beach Road (right next to the parking lot).
What we ordered:
- Pulpo Parmentiere: Grilled octopus with mashed potatoes and ink aioli. Now, if you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’d know I usually avoid seafood like the plague. I’m not a fan of that fishy, mushy texture. But this pulpo was so tender and perfectly cooked, paired beautifully with the creamy mash and herbed oil. A total standout.
- Gambas al Ajillo: A classic Spanish dish made with shrimp in garlic, olive oil, and chili. The prawns were swimming in garlicky goodness, though we found it just a little bit on the salty side.
- Pincho Moruno: Moorish-style pork skewers with veggies. The pork was juicy, smoky, well-seasoned and grilled just right.
- Churros con Chocolate – Traditional churros served with homemade chocolate sauce. You really can’t go wrong with this dessert. The churros were crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and the rich, creamy chocolate dip tied it all together. We loved it!
- Rico’s Grill & BBQ
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Must-Try | 💸 Budget-Friendly | 🕐 Late Night Eats | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A roadside grill and BBQ “turo-turo”— a Filipino dining style where you pick your skewers of meat and seafood straight from tubs laid out on the table, and they grill it fresh for you. It’s an open-air spot along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road, right next to Katibo Sta. Cruz Chapel and across from Tiger Spa Foot Massage.
What we ordered:
- Skewers: Prawns, Pork, Isaw (pig intestines) and Hotdog.
The pork BBQ and isaw were seriously packed with flavour — smoky, juicy, and perfectly marinated. The prawns were big and juicy and grilled just right. We came here for a late-night snack and ended up loving the chill vibes.
- Bohol Bee Farm
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🔥 Must-Try | 💸💸 Mid-Range | 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly | 🌱 Vegetarian-Friendly
What & Where:
A resort and restaurant offering a farm to table experience (check out the full blog here). It’s popular for its fresh, organic ice cream and local Boholano flavours. Located in Dauis which is an approximately a 15-minute ride from Panglao International Airport and a 20-minute ride from the main Alona Beach Road precinct.
What we ordered:
- Boholano Platter: A generous sampler of five local dishes, served with rice and three scoops of ice cream — good for 2 to 3 people.
- Pork Adobo – A Filipino classic usually made by simmering pork in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. This was my favourite — cooked nearly dry and crispy, with a perfectly balanced salty-sour sauce.
- Humbang Langka – Unripe jackfruit braised in a sweet and savory coconut-based sauce. We found this dish unique — who would’ve thought jackfruit could shine in a savory dish?
- Baked Tuna – Yellowfin tuna baked in a tangy, umami-rich sauce. The fish was tender though I personally would’ve liked it to be seasoned just a bit more to bring out the depth of the sauce.
- Kinilaw na Isda – Raw fish “cooked” in vinegar or citrus juice – the Filipino take on ceviche. Light, zesty, and refreshing.
- Spicy Chicken Soup – Chicken pieces cooked in coconut milk with malunggay, tomatoes and onions. This dish was new to us with its creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy broth.
- Guyabano, Dragonfruit and Malunggay – Fresh and creamy ice cream. These three were the STARS of the entire meal. My favourite was the guyabano flavour because it was fruity and refreshing while my husband preferred the dragonfruit that was sweet and creamy. The malunggay flavour wasn’t too bad though, it had an earthy taste to it.
- Fresh Cassava Lumpia: Grated cassava in lumpia wrapper. It was light and refreshing – a great vegetarian-friendly option that pleasantly surprised us!
- Complimentary bread and dip: Squash bread, cassava chips served with honey cheese and malunggay dip. These were another highlight of the meal. The bread was warm, airy, and freshly baked, while the dips were so good, we ended up buying jars to take home!
- MoCoo
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🎯 Hidden Gem | 💸💸💸 Treat Yourself | 📸 Insta-worthy | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A Moroccan-inspired restaurant offering a fusion of Moroccan and Filipino flavors, set in an aesthetically pleasing space with arabesque details and cozy interiors (check out the full blog here). It’s located along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road, Panglao.
What we ordered:
- Bacon and Apricot Salad: Fresh potatoes, crispy bacon infused with yogurt apricot dressing. It felt like a fancier take on potato salad. The crispy parmesan was a nice touch, but overall, we found the flavours a bit muted — could use a bit more zest or seasoning to bring it to life.
- Soy Vinegar Chicken Tanjia: Whole chicken braised in a soy-vinegar reduction and wrapped in banana leaf, slow-cooked in a traditional Tanjia clay pot. The chicken was tender and flavourful, and the sauce was rich – definitely one of the more memorable dishes.
- Lemon Grilled Snapper: Oven baked snapper with citrus salsa served with vegetables, soy vinegar and chimchurri sauce. The fish was soft and cooked well, and the salsa balanced the dish nicely.
- Flaming Cheese Pata: Deep-fried pork shank with crackling skin, served with a creamy Mornay cheese sauce. A bold twist on the Filipino crispy pata. While the pork was beautifully done — crispy on the outside and juicy inside — the cheese sauce was quite rich and, for us, a bit overpowering when mixed in with the meat.
- Barwoo
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Must-Try | 💸💸 Mid-Range | 💯 Worth the Hype | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
An Asian fusion restaurant spotlighting bold Korean flavors (check out the full blog here). It’s located along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road and for us, this was one of the best meals we had in Panglao.
What we had:
- Chili Prawns: Prawns topped with Barwoo’s signature homemade sauce. The prawns were juicy and cooked just right, while the sauce was packed with umami-rich flavour that left us wanting more.
- Mango Wings: Chicken wings with fresh mango salsa and ranch sauce. The wings had that crunchy, Korean-style bite and the sweet, tangy mango salsa cut through the heat perfectly.
- Seafood Fried Rice: Rice with prawn, squid, green onion, oyster sauce and spiced coconut vinegar. The flavour was bold and satisfying, the seafood serving was generous although just a touch salty for us but still a strong dish overall.
- Spareribs Platter: Spareribs with homemade BBQ sauce with green salad and fries. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone soft and packed with that slow-cooked, smoky flavour you crave from good BBQ.
- Chong Qing Hot Pot
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🎯 Hidden Gem | 💸 Budget-Friendly | 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A hotpot restaurant located in the corner of Ester Lim Drive and Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road, Panglao serving authentic Chong Qing flavours. It offers both hotpot and ala carte options, great for either a proper sit-down meal or a satisfying late-night bite.
What we had:
- Pork Bone Soup: Clear bone broth with pork spareribs and bok choy. As a fan of clear soups, this one hit the spot — light yet flavourful, and definitely comforting. The broth was well-seasoned and the meat tender.
- Stir-fried Choy Sum: Crisp choy sum greens tossed in a rich garlic sauce. The veggies were blanched just right, still fresh and snappy, while the garlic added a nice savoury layer. It was simple yet satisfying.
- Stir-fried Pork Intestines: Pork intestines sautéed with onions, green beans, and squash. Full honesty — I skipped this one as I don’t usually eat innards. But my husband was all in, and he really enjoyed it. He said it was well done and free of the usual gamey taste which was a good sign that it was cleaned and cooked properly.
- Mist
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🎯 Hidden Gem | 💸💸💸 Treat Yourself | 📸 Insta-worthy | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A forest-themed restaurant that serves a variety of dishes from tacos, ribs and pasta (check out the full blog here). Located just off Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road in Panglao, next to Molly Resort.
What we had:
- Four-Kind Tacos: A soft-shell taco platter featuring crab mayo, ground beef, pulled pork, and mango shrimp. The ground beef and pulled pork were the most flavourful of the bunch. The mango shrimp however was a letdown. It only had a single tiny shrimp, which felt underwhelming compared to the generous toppings on the others.
- Grilled Corn: Charred corn on the cob with parmesan cheese. Simple but solid — the smokiness and cheese paired well and brought out the natural sweetness of the corn.
- Truffle Pasta: Creamy truffle fettuccine. Rich and indulgent though personally, I was hoping for a stronger truffle kick to really make it pop.
- Seared Salmon with Mango Salsa: The fish was perfectly cooked and the salsa gave it a refreshing taste. A lighter dish that balanced out the heavier flavours on the table.
- Nachos: Crispy nachos with cheese sauce, served with ground beef, tomato salsa and aioli sauce. They were easy to snack on and great for sharing, but overall didn’t quite stand out. The beef tasted similar to the one used in the tacos, so it felt a bit repetitive flavour-wise.
- Jumbo Crab
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Must-Try | 💸💸💸 Treat Yourself | 🐚 Seafood Lovers’ | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A seafood restaurant serving up a wide variety of prawn and crab dishes where you can even choose your own live crab, have it weighed and cooked just the way you like it. Located along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road, this place is a go-to spot for seafood lovers. The service we received was warm, friendly and attentive which made the experience even better.
What we had:
- Jumbo Crab: My husband handpicked the crab which weighed just slightly over 1kg and had it cooked in black pepper sauce. The crab was meaty and the sauce complemented with its natural sweetness.
- Butter Garlic Prawns and Mara Prawns: Two styles, both equally satisfying. One set came in a buttery garlic oil, while the other was cooked in a spicy, flavourful chili oil. The prawns were large, juicy, and generously topped with garlic and spices. Every bite was finger-licking good and these dishes were enough reason to come back.
- Stir-fried Kangkong: Sauteed kangkong (water spinach) in sweet and savoury sauce. We ordered this for some balance and was a great side.
- Red House Sha-bu Sha-bu
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🎯 Hidden Gem | 💸💸 Mid-Range | 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly | 🧂 Flavour Bomb
What & Where:
A spacious Taiwanese-style shabu-shabu (hotpot) restaurant offering a wide selection of meats, vegetables, and flavorful broths. Located along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road, Panglao, it’s a great spot for group dining or family meals, with plenty of room and a welcoming setup.
What we had:
- Red House Combination B: A hearty set meal designed for 3–4 people, served with a generous spread of sliced beef, pork, and a variety of vegetables including bok choy, cabbage, mushrooms, and tofu. It came with a regular beef broth, which was already rich and comforting on its own — but the real fun was in customizing your dipping sauces at their DIY sauce station. That extra layer of flavor took the meal to the next level.
- Glebe Coffee
We rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🔥 Must-Try | 💸 Budget-Friendly | 💯 Worth the Hype | 🌃 Chill & Casual
What & Where:
A cozy café serving specialty drinks and coffee, perfect for a quick caffeine fix or a relaxed hangout. Indoor seating is limited, but there’s a charming outdoor area for those who prefer fresh air. It’s conveniently located in the heart of Panglao’s shopping and dining district along Anos Fonacier Circumferential Road — an easy stop if you’re exploring the area.
What we had:
Matcha latte: No long explanation needed. The matcha was smooth, earthy, and not overly sweet — just the way we like it.
Note:
Our price ratings (💸 Budget-Friendly, 💸 💸 Mid-Range, 💸 💸 💸 Treat Yourself) are based on our personal budget and what we felt was good value for money. Everyone’s comfort level on spending can vary, so we rated each place based on how the taste and portion size measured up to the price—all from our own perspective.
Star rating scale:
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Good – Worth trying
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Great – Would come back
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent – A must-visit
Leave a Reply