Finding vegetarian restaurants in the Philippines was quite a challenge, let alone vegan restaurants. Consisting mainly of meat, Filippino cuisine do not offer much variety in terms of vegetables or fruits, especially when eating out. Therefore, even the non-vegetarians appreciate a healthy veggie bite after so much meat.
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Below are our favourite vegetarian / vegan restaurants in the Philippines’ regions we visited during our two months in the country.
To find them we have used a great website (happycow.net) which lists all vegetarian and vegan restaurants per country and per region/city. TripAdvisor is also a good source of vegetarian/vegan restaurants although it will also show restaurants which are not strictly vegetarian but only serve few vegetarian dishes together with all their “normal” menu (so they might not have a great choice of veggie dishes after all).
Fabulous energy bowl at Shaka Restaurant, Philippines
NAMASKAR VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT - Puerto Princesa, Palawan
This restaurant is not on any touristy route neither it’s very flashy, however it’s worth every peso. With a never ending menu of vegan dishes and tasty drinks at the cheapest prices we found for a vegan restaurant, it will satisfy all tastes!
Address: 75P Burgos Street (at Manalo Street), Puerto Princesa
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Cheap and cheerful - dinner at Namaskar Vegetarian Restaurant in Puerto Princesa, Philippines
SHAKA RESTAURANTS – Panglao Island / Lio Beach / Siargao Island
We completely fell in love with this chain of restaurants! There are 3 different venues under the Shaka logo: Alona Beach (Panglao Island), Lio Beach (Palawan, close to El Nido) and Siargao Island.
Mouth-watering pink burger at Shaka at Lio Beach, Palawan (close to El Nido)
Serving well presented and sophisticated vegan dishes, Shaka must-try are the super bowls, served in a coconut shell – an explosion of fruits, granola, nuts and everything healthy and tasty. Someone (Fabio =) ) will argue Shaka pancakes are even better, accompanied by a fresh fruit shake. IF only we would have the time to try everything on their menu!
Address Panglao Island: Circumferential Rd, Panglao
Address Lio Beach: along Lio Beach, Palawan
Address Siargao Island: Cloud 9, General Luna, Surigao Del Norte
Fancy energy bowl for a morning boost at Shaka, Philippines
HAPPINESS BEACH BAR – El Nido, Palawan
Fancy some Israeli food – pita, falafel, hummus? Then check out this lively restaurant along El Nido beach and swing at the bar counter while ordering your food, enjoying the unique and chilled atmosphere of the place – you can literally swing while eating! On the menu Israeli food is dominant with a tropical twist due to the beach-side location of this restaurant.
Address: Serena Street, El Nido, Palawan
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Alternative Israeli food at Happiness Bar in El Nido, Palawan (Philippines)
THE BUZZZ CAFÉ – Alona Beach, Panglao Island
Another small but great restaurant chain in Bohol Island – there are different restaurants (we tried one in Tagbilaran and one at Alona Beach) and smaller ice-cream shops in Alona, Tagbilaran and Tubigon.
This business started at Bohol Bee Farm on Panglao Island with the idea of preparing healthy dishes with locally sourced and organic products, many of them made with the honey produced at the farm itself.
The restaurants always serve you a complimentary plate of appetizers while you wait for your food – they serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, all very tasty and healthy. They also pay particular attention to environment and use paper straws and they serve water out of glass bottles. They even sell great solid shampoo and conditioner bars together with a metallic container.
Address: along Alona beach, Panglao Island
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Flowery decorations and locally sourced ingredients for the Buzzz Cafe, Panglao Island (Philippines)
MABUTI, EAT & CHILL – Port Barton, Palawan
If you look for delicious vegetarian food, great atmosphere and friendly staff, look no further – Mabuti is the place to go in small Port Barton. Though not the cheapest of restaurants, your money here are well spent on the yummy shakshuka and burgers. Wifi is also the best we found in Port Barton at the time – try to find a seat on the upper floor with good music and cocktails at hand.
Address: Rizal Street, opposite Elsa Resort, Port Barton
Yummy Shakshuka at Mabuti, Eat & Chill in Port Barton, Philippines
COCO LOCO CAFE – Anda, Bohol Island
Have you ever tried a burger made of fresh young coconut meat? You don’t know what you miss! Visit this tiny café on the way to Anda Beach and have a bite of their delicious burger and a taste of their fantastic hummus. Service is fast and friendly and you can even buy a swimsuit made of coconut shells!
Address: Anda Coastal Road, Anda
The best hummus plate in the whole Philippines at Coco Loco in Anda, Cebu Island
VILLA SANDRA – Malapascua Island, Cebu
Last but not least, you can not visit Malapascua Island without checking out this hippie restaurant! Surrounded by art pieces made of recycled plastic and enjoying superb live music, you will immediately feel at home and you might even be personally welcomed by the founder of this hostel and restaurant, who has a very interesting past and amazing artistic talent. Whatever you pick from the menu, it will be surprisingly delicious and made from fresh local ingredients they have a machine to make coconut milk!)
Address: Malapascua, Daanbantayan, Cebu
Vegetarian pizza at Villa Sandra after day out - Malapascua Island, Philippines
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