The El Nido Food adventure

Aside from having some of the most awesome beaches in the world, El Nido also has interesting places for foodies!

(Bacuit Bay, El Nido Palawan Philippines-- December 2013)

But before we get to that appetizing part of the blog, let me first narrate to you the story on how The Palawenya Explorer came up with her El Nido Food Adventure.

(El Nido Town's beach-- December 2013)

 A day after Christmas year 2013, The Palawenya Explorer had a job interview in one of the luxurious island resorts in El Nido. After her interview she was back in the town proper while her family went on an island hopping tour the same day, so when she was back in the town from Lagen Island, she was all by herself. Without anything else to do, she decided to explore the town and engage herself in a food trip adventure in the streets of El Nido town..

(El Nido, Palawan Philippines -- December 2013)

There are a lot of small alleys around town (like the photo above) which leads to the stretch of white-sand beach in Bacuit Bay. The alleys are too narrow that you might not notice it.

(A small pathway from Hama st. to the beach)

This small alley from the Bacuit Bay will lead you to the corner of Hama street where a restaurant called The Lonesome Carabao Lounge is situated at.



 The Palawenya Explorer's El Nido Food Adventure starts here in a street called Hama.

 

1.) Lonesome Carabao Lounge

 (The Lonesome Carabao Lounge-- El Nido Palawan, Philippines)

On the stretch of Hama street in El Nido town lies the Lonesome Carabao Lounge.

 (A Mexican resto along the street of Hama)

 (The Lonesome Carabao Lounge's facade)

It's a restaurant which offers gastronomic dishes ranging from Mexican to Filipino. Most of their best-sellers are their Mexican Dishes such as Quesadillas and Burritos. 

 (The resto's signboard)
 

The interiors are bright red! I like their furniture, the chairs are also comfortable to sit on.

 (Inside the resto)

 (The bright red interiors)

I was their first and only customer during that time, that's why if you will notice the place is still empty.
I was there at around 2:35 in the afternoon, few minutes after they opened.

 (The resto also have a small bar)

 (Table for two at a small corner)

There's free WiFi and outdoor sitting is also available.

FOOD. FOOD. FOOOOOOD.

WHAT I TRIED..

Chicken Fajita Queso is a a burrito filled with marinated chicken fajita and cheese, topped with chili con queso. It's also served with a salad, Mexican Rice and Borracho Beans.

(Burrito, 280php--The Lonesome Carabao Lounge)

The Burrito is reaaaally good! The combination of chicken and cheese is epic. I didn't like the beans though. I just had a piece to taste it. I actually am not a fan of beans, maybe that's the reason why i didn't like it (and i also have rayuma, that's why hahaha). The side dish (tomato and cabbage salad) is okay, just a normal tasting salad. The Mexican Rice on the other hand is super delicious! Among all the other food in my plate, i finished it first (simot-sarap).

Overall the food is good and super sulit,



They serve their dishes generously. I think this dish that i ordered is good for 2 persons already.

(Burrito, Borracho Beans, mixed veggies and Mexican rice)

If you were to ask me if i would like to go back in here, i would definitely say yes. There's a lot more that i should try here.

Budget per person is 200-400. There's also no service fee being charged.

They're open from 2:30pm till 11 o'clock in the evening.

Lonesome Carabao Lounge 
Zone 3 Hama St., Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan 
Phone: +63 939 792 0493 
Email: lonesomecarabao@yahoo.com

2.) Fresh Fruit Shake stalls

There are two fresh fruit shake stalls in the stretch of Hama street.




The cheaper fruit shake stall is located at the corner of Hama street and the alley going to the Bacuit Bay where Sea Slugs and Og's restaurant are located at.

Aside from having the cheaper fruit shakes, it's also owned by one of our family friends (The Dela Cruz's of El Nido), that's why I chose that stall to buy my afternoon cooler. 

Here's their price range for your reference:
12 oz. Fruit Shake -- P50php
16 oz. Fruit Shake -- P70php
20 oz. Fruit Shake -- P90php

You can also have a combination of the fruits of your choice.

(16 oz. Mango Shake-- 70php)

3.) Midtown Bakery

Located at  street, is the most famous and frequented bakeshop in town. A lot of people flock in here to buy their baked goodies. They are famous for their loaf bread and hot pan de sal.

(Midtown Bakery-)

(Spanish bread fresh from the oven- best eaten if it's still hot)

I have recently tried their Spanish bread and it was so good! It's best to buy freshly baked goodies here at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon because they serve freshly baked pastries at that time.

(Bakeshop goodies)

(The most famous bakeshop in El Nido)

4.) Og's Restaurant

 One of the most frequented beach front restaurants in the town of El Nido is Og's restaurant. It is located in Bacuit Bay beside Sea Slugs.

(Og's Restaurant's dining area by the beach)

(Og's Restaurant El Nido Palawan, Philippines)

 
 

5.) Sea Slugs

The most packed restaurant in the Bacuit Bay, may it be during the day or during night time. They have candle light dinners which is highly patronized by local and foreign tourists alike. They're located at Bacuit Bay beside Og's restaurant.

(The most popular beach front resto in town)

The restaurant is popular for their fresh seafood dishes.
 

(Buttered Tanige Fish)

 They also have a live band every night and they also have one of the best views of the bacuit bay.

(Beachfront view)

 Sea slug's is the pioneer restaurant in the town of El Nido who started the dining experience by the beach. After a few years many other beachfront restaurants and accommodations followed its foot steps.

(Sea Slugs at night)

There are still a lot of restaurants in town that i have yet to try.
Here are some of the famous restaurants in El Nido that i have yet to experience.

6.) El Nido Art Cafe'

The Art Cafe' is a restaurant/bar that offers great food and atmosphere, friendly service and live music.

(El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe's facade)

The restaurant is located on the second floor of the establishment, it provides its customers with a good view of the Bacuit bay.They're famous for their pasta and pizza dishes. They've also been featured in a few local travel and news shows.

(The entrance to the restaurant)

 EL NIDO BOUTIQUE & ARTCAFE'

Buena Suerte, El Nido, 5315 Palawan, Philippines

(+639209026317/0916-6286665/0920-4469135)

www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com

7.) Squiddos

8.) The Alternative 

 The Alternative Inn and Restaurant, Also known as The Nest. They're located at Sirena Street, El Nido Palawan Philippines. I have long been wanting to try this restaurant. The next time i go back to El Nido, I will surely visit this place! :)


Wondering why i am so interested into trying this restaurant?

Check this out.

 

(Photo from The Alternative Inn's official website)

(Photo from http://thealternativeinn.com/ )

9.) Altrove Trattoria

  A restaurant along Hama street which is famous for their thin crust  and brick-oven cooked pizzas.

(A pizzeria in El Nido Town)

  

10.) Pukka Bar

(Outdoor sitting, by the beach of course)

 

That's all. I hope you could also visit one of these restaurants when you happen to be in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.


Adios!

-The Palawenya Explorer ;)

Experience the beauty of El Nido with your very own travel guide in El Nido, Palawan Philippines, elnido.ph

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