We adventure out to find and eat some awesome food from Iloilo. Join us as we uncover a mouth-watering food adventure designed to suit any budget, appetite and time frame. In no particular order, it follows only the chronological order of our destination/journey. On the other hand, I highlighted my “Best Iloilo Eats: Heidi’s Choice”.
Presenting my 21 (and counting) Iloilo Food Binge!
1. Ponsyon by Breakthrough
Breakthrough Seafood Restaurant is one of the top seafood restaurants in the city. It is located in Villa Beach which is around 30 minutes away from the metro. Travel less, you can experience the same food as they branch out in Iloilo’s business district.
The Ponsyon Restaurant on Diversion Road in Plazuela de Iloilo near SM City is a branch of Breakthrough. Ponsyon has identical menu with the ones in Villa Beach. Their callos is good, (but not as flavorful as my sister’s) they put good quality of chorizo. The chicken inasal is tasty. The melon shake is light and refreshing. Perfect on a hot summer days. The scallops are overpowered with butter thus, I wasn’t able to savor the freshness of it. As to the squid, I was expecting a fresh catch. If the last two mentioned were not served to me the way I want it to be, then let me sealed it with just a passing grade.
2. CAFE ILOILO
It’s a hit! We LOVE everything we ordered.
G/F, SM Iloilo City
3-5. La Paz Batchoy 3 Famous Brands:
Iloilo is the home of La Paz Batchoy. It is one of Iloilo’s best-known signature dishes and the most famous places to eat batchoy are , Netong’s, Ted’s and Deco’s. My favorite is Netong’s . The bowl is brimming with noodles, chicharon, entrails, garlic, and you can even add beef, eggs, paired with pandesal or puto. Winner!
NETONG’S
Address: Ayala hub’s The Shops @ Atria, San Rafael, Mandurriao District
Phone: (033) 396-9119.
Ted’s
Address: Benigno Aquino Avenue – Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Benigno Aquino Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000
Phone:(033) 320 1945
Deco’s
Address: Ground Floor, Robinson’s Place, Mabini Street, Iloilo City, Iloilo
Phone:(033) 509 3232
6. AMALFI CUCINA ITALIA
If you’re craving for something Italian, or you simply want to experience gastronomic delight Amalfi is the place for you. It is a taste of Italy in Iloilo. They offer an array of Italian dishes that range from pasta and pizza to fresh salads and soups, from mouth-watering steaks to desserts. I love the cozy and intimate atmosphere of the restaurant. It’s a hit for us!
Address: Iloilo City The Avenue, Boardwalk St., Glicerio Pison Ave., Mandurriao
Phone:(033) 329 5289
7.OCEAN CITY
One of Iloilo’s top seafood restaurants. A combination of oriental foods, mixed with native favorites and Chinese cuisine. They serve the freshest catch in the market. The cooking technique is A-Ok.
Address: Gen Luna, Iloilo City
Phone:(033) 336 9272
8. HARBOUR CITY DIMSUM HOUSE
Wherever we go, our taste buds will always crave for Chinese food. Harbour City is like “everyday Hongkong”, it gives you the classic dimsum and tea house experience. They offer a wide range of dimsum choices, the food is wheeled in by servers straight to customers’ table-sides for convenient and fast selection.
Upper G/F, New Wing SM Iloilo City
(033) 3355192
9. Freska
Iloilo’s Finest Hometown Buffet featuring original Ilonggo dishes. It’s a carinderia style meals but in a contemporary setting. The only food I like is their crab meat but they serve a lot of oysters. So if you’re a big of fan of oysters, then this place is for you. Food is quite simple and the buffet price is very affordable.
Ayala TechnoHub Smallville Complex | Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province 5000, Philippines
(033) 321-3885
10. Buto’t Balat
Buto’t Balat serves Filipino and Asian Fusion food. With its open-air ambiance, the restaurant gives an al-fresco and oasis feeling to all diners. The food is good but nothing extra-ordinary. Price is very reasonable.
11. CAFE PANAY
Homegrown coffee shop, Cafe Panay serves delectable Ilonggo dishes located at the back of Molo Mansion. Good food with reasonable price!
12.BISTRO CARCOSA
It redefines the cool lounging and dining experience. They serve flavorful dishes with stylish plating. The place has an elegant design with lovely view of the river.
General Luna St, Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, 5000 Iloilo
Phone:(033) 388 4538
13. CHIKA-AN
A homegrown Cebuano brand, Chika-an offers great tasting Filipino dishes and they’re priced reasonably.
Northwing, SM Iloilo City
14. HUKAD
Another homegrown Cebuano brand, Hukad’s signature dishes are reminiscent of home-cooked meals a quality native cuisine at affordable prices in a convenient, and comfortable venue.
15. AMERICAN LEGACY
It offers a casual American dining experience in Iloilo. American Legacy design also gives an energetic and retro atmosphere, a clear reminiscence of the 1950s America burger venue.
The burgers are pretty much an American burger. Big, juicy, lots of toppings. Milkshakes are thick and creamy. Their French fries are crispy and light. Prices are good. Overall, we are happy with the meal!
Delgado Street (across SM Delago), Iloilo City
Tel. No. (033) 330-2889
16. ROBERTO’S
Roberto’s snack house is known for having the best and largest Siopao in Iloilo City. The people in Iloilo equate the word Siopao to Roberto’s. The taste is distinct, very soft dough and chunkiest and best tasting siopao I’ve ever tasted!
61 J.M. Basa Street Iloilo City
Tel. No. 3350484-3371595
DESSERTS:
17.Coffee Break
It’s a well-know coffee shop in metro Iloilo. They serve coffee, tea, frappe and dished up with cakes and pasties, pizza or pasta. Though for us, it’s an average coffee shop, nothing extra ordinary. Pricing for each item is fair enough.
The place has modish design that set a soothing place to relax.
Address: General Luna St, Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, Iloilo
18. SWEET TREATS
This will truly satisfy your sweet cravings! It’s a destination for those in search of the sweetest of treats.
19. NOTHING BUT DESSERTS
Nothing but desserts
A very good place to cap off the your meal. I love their choco tablea, for me it’s a frappe with Panay twist. It’s a small shop but has quite appealing interior design. Price is reasonable.
Address: Iloilo City The Avenue, Boardwalk St., Glicerio Pison Ave., Mandurriao
20. JD BAKERY AND CAFE
My go-to bakeshop in Iloilo. I love their cakes and cake bars and my favorites are oatmeal, revel and chocnut bars. Theyoffer savory meals too. The price is very very budget friendly.
21. BISCOCHO HAUS
Home of Ilonggo Delicacies. My favorite is butterscotch!
So let’s do a recap.
Heidi’s Choice: (in no particular order)
Cafe Iloilo
Netong’s La Paz Batchoy
Amalfi Cucina Italia
Ocean City
Harbour City
Cafe Panay
Bistro Carcosa
Chika-an
Hukad
American Legacy
Roberto’s
Dessert House:
Sweet Cravings
Nothing But Desserts
JD
Biscocho Haus
So when planning a trip to Iloilo, don’t forget to put this in your list. 🙂
Hugs,
Heidi
