Eating well on Siquijor mostly comes down to two categories: small local eateries for cheap, authentic Filipino food, and resort or beachfront restaurants for a proper sit-down meal with a view. There isn't a dense restaurant strip the way you'd find in a bigger destination — most visitors end up eating at least some meals wherever they're staying.
Local Eateries (Carinderias)
Small roadside eateries, known locally as carinderias, are the cheapest and often most authentic way to eat on the island — simple Filipino home cooking, usually a small selection of dishes displayed and ready to serve. Cash only, and don't expect an English menu, but it's a genuine taste of how the island actually eats day to day.
Beachfront and Resort Dining
Most of what functions as a "restaurant" on Siquijor is attached to a resort or guesthouse, often with the best views on the island to go with the meal. Quality and style vary a lot by property — some lean simple and homestyle, others run a full kitchen with a proper menu and bar. This is generally where you'll find fresh seafood done well, and where most visitors end up for dinner.
What to Try
- Fresh seafood — grilled fish is the island's strong suit, often caught the same day.
- Adobo — the Filipino classic, found in some form almost everywhere.
- Lumpia — Filipino spring rolls, a common starter or side.
- Tropical fruit — mango, papaya and other seasonal fruit are abundant and excellent.
- Fresh fruit shakes and island cocktails — a fixture at nearly every beach bar on the island.
Dining at Alien Beach Club
Our own kitchen runs a full menu built around exactly this — start the day with a choice of American, Filipino, European or fruit breakfast, order from a lunch and dinner menu covering everything from kinilaw and adobo to burgers and grilled fish, and finish with a drink from the bar, from fresh fruit shakes to a proper island cocktail. For something more memorable, our Owner's Table is a private multi-course dinner hosted beachfront under the stars — ₱700 per person, excluding drinks.
Practical Tips
- Late-night dining options are limited outside the main towns — plan dinner earlier than you might elsewhere.
- Bring cash for local eateries; resort restaurants are more likely to accept cards.
- If you're staying somewhere without its own kitchen, ask your host for their honest recommendation nearby — word of mouth beats guesswork on a small island.