Boracay’s 15 Best Must-Eat Budget Restaurants

By
Paul Fournier

When I’m in Boracay, I like to eat in restaurants daily, sometimes multiple times. But if I would go to just any of them my budget would drain too fast, so I had to adapt by finding cheaper places to eat…

That’s how over my time on the island I discovered 15 cheap restaurants that provide great value for money. And in this guide I’ll share these places with you…

Note : Due to changes in Boracay, some details in this guide are out-of-date. Updates are underway. That said, the guide should still be helpful and informative in its current form.

About Food in Boracay

The food variety on the island is very diverse. You name it, you can probably find it. There is of course local food, but also a lot of international cuisine like Italian, Spanish, Chinese etc.

Apart from that, Boracay is also rich in fresh seafood, which I’ll show you later in this guide.

Prawns with mango sauce on the left and grilled on the right

When you’re on a budget though, the variety of food you can choose from is smaller. But even so, if you know where to eat there are still plenty of tasty food choices left…

That’s why below I’ll show you exactly where to find the 15 best budget restaurants in Boracay – so that you can have a full and satisfied belly, without an empty wallet.

So let’s get started…

Regular Budget Restaurants

Below I list the regular cheap restaurants in Boracay. Their food is tasty and priced affordably.

Viveri’s Cafe

Viveri’s is my number 1 favorite restaurant in Boracay. It’s like eating 4 stars but paying only 2 stars. So especially when you’re on a budget, you’ll love this little resto. It’s truly a hidden gem.

All of their food is excellent so it’s hard to recommend one specific thing. But if I had to, the first thing that comes to mind is “try their fried dumplings”. They’re delicious.

Cooking Styles:Filipino, Asian, Italian and pancakes
Price Range:P150 – P200 per meal
Opening Hours:Closed
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Viveris-Cafe

Viveri’s is located in Station 3, close to the main road. To get there hail a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Ambulong Road – and to let you out at the crossing of the main road and Ambulong Road.

Once you’re out and standing at the crossing, walk about 25 meters into Ambulong Road. There you will find Viveri’s Cafe, on your right.

View location of Viveri’s Cafe on map

Happy Home

Happy Home is another favorite. It’s located on Bulabog Beach, which is the kite and windsurfing beach. Their meal portions are big, so if you have a strong appetite this is a good place to go. My favorite meal is their chicken or seafood pasta.

Cooking Styles:Filipino, various international cuisine and pancakes
Price Range:P100 – P175 per meal
Opening Hours:07:00 am – 07:00 pm, closed during low season
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/happyhome.boracay
Phone:+63 918 227 8076

Happy Home is located right in the middle of Bulabog Beach. To get there from the main road, first go to the lake in front of D’mall.

Once there, walk along the road left of the lake. Follow the road all the way to Bulabog Beach, then take a right. There after about 250 meters you will find Happy Home, right in front of the beach.

View location of Happy Home on map

Smoke Resto

Smoke has a few dishes that I really love. These are Beef Mushroom and Kao Pad. They have other good dishes as well, but those two really stand out.

I also like Smoke because of the music they play. It’s pretty good most of the time, and at a good volume. Not too loud and not too soft. Good to get in a party mood.

Cooking Style:Filipino
Price Range:P150 – P200 per meal
Opening Hours:24/7
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Smoke-Resto
Phone:+63 36 288 6014

Smoke Resto is located in the market area of D’mall. To get there from White Beach, walk into D’mall and keep to your right. After you arrive in the market area you will find Smoke Resto on your left, after about 75 meters.

To get there from the main road, find Crafts supermarket. It’s about 100 meters left of Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Crafts, walk along the small road to the left of it. There after about 40 meters you will find Smoke Resto, on your right.

View location of Smoke Resto on map

Plato D’Boracay

Plato is the restaurant I go to when I want some peace, as it’s usually pretty quiet inside. I like to go there in the morning when I’m still waking up and don’t want too much fuss around me.

As for food, I love their chicken tinola and grilled chicken. Their chicken tinola is the best I’ve tasted. The onions they put in the soup add a delicious sweetness to the taste.

Cooking Style:Filipino
Price Range:P100 – P200 per meal
Opening Hours:24/7
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Plato-D-Boracay
Phone:+63 36 288 1475

Plato is located in the market area of D’mall. To get there from White Beach, walk into D’mall and keep to your right. After you arrive in the market area you will find Plato on your left, after about 25 meters.

To get there from the main road, find Crafts supermarket. It’s about 100 meters left of Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Crafts, walk into the small street to the left of it. There after about 75 meters you will find Plato, on your right.

View location of Plato D’Boracay on map

El Centro Bistro

El Centro is one of the few budget restaurants right in front of White Beach. It has a good view, and it’s located in a relatively relaxing and peaceful area of Station 2.

I like to go there to eat either french fries, pancit canton (a Filipino dish), or crepes. The crepes are their specialty and a treat. They’re a bit more expensive, but delicious.

Cooking Styles:Filipino, french fries and crepes
Price Range:P75 – P200 per meal
Opening Hours:07:00 am – 09:00 pm
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/elcentroresort/
Phone:+63 36 288 6352 / +63 917 624 6271

El Centro Bistro is located on White Beach, about 500 meters south of D’mall. It’s close to the big can’t-miss Regency Beach Resort – about 50 meters south of it.

To get there with a tricycle from the main road, tell the driver to bring you to White Beach via Tirol Road. Once at White Beach take a left and walk about 30 meters. There you will find El Centro Bistro.

View location of El Centro Bistro on map

Munchies

Munchies is a good low to medium budget restaurant. When I go there, I almost always order their Fajitas. Just can’t get enough of them. It’s a big portion, so when you order some extra wraps with the Fajitas it’s an eat for two meal.

Cooking Styles:Spanish, Mexican and pizza
Price Range:P150 – P300 per meal
Opening Hours:11:00 am – 2:00 am
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Munchies-Boracay
Phone:+63 36 288 2195

Munchies is located left of the lake, on the east side of the main road (where Bulabog Beach is located). To get there walk along the road left of the lake. There after about 100 meters you will find Munchies, on your left.

View location of Munchies on map

Pinoy Delight

The hosts of Pinoy Delight, Dolly and Ben are very friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I like to go to this restaurant for the good vibe, and when I want some good quality Filipino food.

Cooking Styles:Mostly Filipino, some European and pancakes
Price Range:P100 – P200 per meal
Opening Hours:07:00 am – 22:00 pm
Phone:+63 939 868 1117

Pinoy Delight is located in one of the roads that lead to Bulabog Beach, close to the beach itself. To get there hail a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Bulabog Beach using the “English Bakery” road.

Once at Bulabog Beach, walk back about 50 meters into the “English Bakery” road. There you will find Pinoy Delight, on your left.

View location of Pinoy Delight on map

Seafood at D’Talipapa

If you enjoy eating seafood, then D’Talipapa is not a place you want to miss. Its main attraction is the wet market where you can shop for seafood. After purchasing seafood you can bring it to one of the nearby restaurants, which will then prepare it for you for a reasonable price.

D’Talipapa has about 23 different seafoods to choose from. From lobsters, to different kinds of fish, to oysters. You name it, they have it. I personally love the prawns. And as most of the seafood, prawns are available in several sizes, dead or alive.

D’Talipapa is located in the south part of Station 2, between the main road and White Beach. The easiest way to get there from White Beach is to ask locals for directions. They all know where it is and they speak English.

To get there from the main road, hail a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you there. You can also walk there from D’mall (a 500 meter walk). To get there from D’mall, walk south along the main road until you see the big “D’Talipapa” sign to your right.

View location of D’Talipapa on map

Blue Jade Cafe

Blue Jade is my restaurant of choice when it comes to getting seafood down my belly in D’Talipapa. I like that it’s a smaller and more quiet restaurant, and that it has wooden furniture instead of the many plastics that you see everywhere in D’Talipapa.

Cooking Styles:Seafood
Price Range:P115 – P280 to get 1 kilo of seafood prepared
Opening Hours:08:30 am – 09:30 pm
Phone:+63 36 288 5148

Blue Jade Cafe is located north of the fish market inside D’Talipapa. There are two pathways north of the fish market that both run parallel to White Beach. Blue Jade Cafe is located in the western pathway, closest to White Beach.

View location of Blue Jade Cafe on map

Snacks & Fast food

I’m not big on fast food, but do like the occasional snack or a good pizza. Below I list the good value for money restaurants that I frequent for that sort of food.

Super Submarine Sandwich Shop

When I’m looking for an easy takeout meal I usually slip by Super Submarine Sandwich Shop. Quick, easy and tasty.

Price Range:P80 – P295 per sandwich
Opening Hours:9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Submarine-Sandwich-Shop
Phone:+63 36 288 2236

Submarine Sandwich Shop is located in D’mall. To get there from White Beach walk into D’mall and keep to your left. After you arrive at the path with the palm trees in the middle, walk another 50 meters or so. That’s where you will find the sandwich shop, on your right.

To get there from the main road, find Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Budget Mart, walk into D’mall. There after about 25 meters you will find Submarine Sandwich Shop, on your left.

View location of Submarine Sandwich Shop on map

Lola’s Pizzeria

Lola offers good quality pizza at a very affordable price. It isn’t the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, but it’s pretty good and for the price it can’t be beat. My favorite is their garlic chicken pizza.

Price Range:P100 – P200 per pizza
Opening Hours:11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Lolas-Pizza
Phone:+63 917 634 1097

Lola’s Pizza is located left of the lake, on the east side of the main road (where Bulabog Beach is located). To get there walk along the road left of the lake. There after about 90 meters you will find Lola’s Pizza, on your right.

View location of Lola’s Pizza on map

Mang Inasal

When you’re out and hungry for some grilled chicken, Inasal is a good choice.

Cooking Style:Grilled chicken
Price Range:P60 – P120 per meal
Opening Hours:Mon – Thu: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, Fri – Sun until 11:00 pm
Website:https://www.manginasal.com/menu
Phone:+63 2 854 5692

Inasal is located in D’mall. To get there from White Beach, enter D’mall using the most northern entrance. After about 20 meters you will see Inasal, on your right.

To get there from the main road, find Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Budget Mart, walk into D’mall and keep to your right. After about 100 meters you will find Inasal, on your left.

View location of Mang Inasal on map

Local Food

The tastiness of Filipino food depends a lot on how well it’s made. A good cook can make Filipino food absolutely mouthwatering, but the opposite is also true and unfortunately not uncommon at carinderias. Carinderias are eateries where traditional local Filipino food is sold.

So to be honest, the cooking quality standard at carinderias generally isn’t that high. That’s why I feel that the food there isn’t as good as it could be – in most cases. But choose the right carinderia, and it can be pretty good.

So to help you on your way I’ve listed some of my favorite local Filipino eating places below…

Jasper’s Eatery

For true local style Filipino food Jasper’s carinderia is my favorite. It’s also a favorite of many locals.

Cooking Styles:Filipino
Price Range:P60 – P120 per meal
Opening Hours:6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Jaspers-Restaurant
Phone:+63 36 288 3435

Jasper’s Eatery is located along the main road, just left to the southern entrance of D’mall. To get there from White Beach, walk into D’mall and keep to your right. After you arrive at the main road, take a right. You will find Jasper’s there after about 5 meters, to your right.

To get there from the main road, find Crafts supermarket. It’s about 100 meters left of Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Crafts, walk 10 meters south along the mainroad. There you will find Jasper’s, to your right.

View location of Jasper’s Eatery on map

Grilled Chicken Stall

When I’m looking to take out a whole grilled chicken I always go here. I love the taste and crispiness of their chickens.

Price:P190 for a whole grilled chicken
Opening Hours:09:00 am – 22:00 pm

his grilled chicken stall is located in the Bloomfield neighborhood. To get there, find Crafts supermarket. It’s about 100 meters left of Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake).

Once at Crafts, cross the main road and walk about 50 meters into the street that you will see there. There you will find the grilled chicken stall, on your left.

View location of Grilled Chicken Stall on map

Pricier but Good

Always eating on a budget is no fun, so I like to splurge on food occasionally. When I do, the restaurants listed below are some of my favorites.

Be aware though: there are still many more restos that fall into this price range. So when you’re not on a low budget, you have a lot of choice for food in Boracay.

Lemoni Café and Restaurant

The main reason why I like to visit Lemoni is because of their cakes. They are delicious and of premium quality. The place also has a nice look to it, as you can see in the above picture.

Cooking Style:Cakes and European
Price Range:Starting at P70 for cakes, P150 for breakfast, and P300 for main course
Opening Hours:07:00 am – 11:00 pm
Website:https://www.facebook.com/Lemonicafe.Boracay/
Phone:+63 36 288 6781

Lemoni is located in D’mall. To get there from White Beach, enter D’mall using the most northern entrance. After about 30 meters you will see Lemoni, on your right.

To get there from the main road, find Budget Mart (the supermarket in front of the lake). Once at Budget Mart, walk into D’mall and keep to your right. After about 90 meters you will find Lemoni, on your left.

View location of Lemoni on map

Cyma Greek Taverna

Cyma is a favorite of mine when I have an appetite for steak or lamb. I also enjoy their moussaka.

A fun experience they have is when someone orders flaming cheese. The waiters will then entertain people with huge flames that light up from their frying pan. It startled me when I first experienced it, because the waiter did it right next to me. Any closer and the dish would have to be renamed flaming hair.

Cooking Style:Greek
Price Range:Starting at P270 per meal
Opening Hours:10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Cyma-Greek-Taverna
Phone:+63 36 288 4283

Cyma is located right in the center of D’mall. The easiest way to find it is to first find the small ferris wheel in the center of D’mall.

Once you’re standing in front of the ferris wheel, with your back facing the beach, walk along the path to the right of it. Then follow that path to the right at the T-crossing. You’ll arrive at Cyma after about 10 meters.

View location of Cyma on map

Restaurants Map

This custom Google map is best viewed on desktop – open it by clicking on the map image above. The map contains a list of all reviewed restaurants. Clicking one will show its picture, description and location.

For more maps, see my dedicated Boracay maps page which includes maps on other subjects as well.

Conclusion

As you can see Boracay has many different affordable restaurants to choose from – and this guide should have made it a whole lot easier for you to find the best of them.

Bon appétit! 🙂

41 Comments

  1. I have been to the island and have tried several resto that are really good including Kasbah, Dos Mestizos, Tito’s and Fridays! I look forward to be back in that beautiful place this coming month. 🙂

    • Hi Kristel. Yes they are good also, but they’re not budget restaurants. I will probably publish another guide for the more pricey restaurants like those at another time.

  2. Thanks for this. Me and my boyfriend will go there this september and will be our first time. We hope for a good weather thou. Thanks for the tip! ^_^

  3. A really helpful blog for a thrifty traveller like me. Any budget place you can recommend as well?

    • Hi Pam, glad it’s helpful to you. Cocoloco is a very good budget beachfront hotel that I can recommend.

      If you like things a little more upscale then Hey Jude South Beach is a good option as well. Both are located in south of Station 3 which is the most beautiful part.

  4. Thanks heaps for the write up. Hubby & I are visiting in May & from what we’ve been told, the food is something to look forward to. We’re into the budget eats as well, so thanks again for helpful info. D’Talipapa is #1 on our list!!

  5. Thanks on your blog. Me and my Boyfriend are visiting on April in Station 2. This help me a lot.

  6. Thanks for the very informative write ups. We are planning to go to Boracay this month. It will really help. 🙂

  7. Hi, Paul! I’m a Filipina but it’s my 1st time to visit Boracay on Friday, I’d been looking for a blog like this since I’m looking for a cheaper place to eat. They said everything in Boracay is expensive because of many tourist there. Thank you very much for the information you shared here. I’m glad you love living in that place.

    • Hi Ann, you’re welcome. That’s exactly why I created this guide, to help people on a smaller budget find their way around Boracay’s restaurants. Good to hear it’s what you were looking for 🙂

      About “They said everything in Boracay is expensive”:

      Yeah a lot of people like to say that (I see it regularly online), but I feel it’s mostly said by people who have never been here. They seem to be making assumptions based on popular belief. Boracay is not expensive at all in my experience. You can spend a lot if you want of course, but Boracay also accommodates the budget traveler.

  8. This is great! We are going to boracay next week for a vacation. The last time we went at boracay, it takes a lot of time finding where we want to eat.. This is very useful specially when you don’t know where and what to eat due to numerous restos. 🙂

  9. Thanks for sharing this. I am going to Boracay with my husband and son this coming August. Can’t wait to try the seafood there!

    • You’re welcome Maya, and thanks for your comment. The seafood market in Boracay is a pretty unique experience, have fun 🙂

  10. This blog will really help us a lot! My boyfriend an I will be there tomorrow, it’s our first time. Hehe thank you so much for this!

  11. Thanks for the list, we’ll be visiting them this coming September. Any recommendations for a romantic, fine dining but not so expensive restaurant near the beach? lol Thanks!

    • Hi Regina, for affordable romantic dining I recommend Aplaya. It’s an Italian restaurant in Station 2. Their food is good and the place has a good atmosphere.

      The resto at Discovery Shores in Station 1 is one of the best fine dining options when cost isn’t a factor.

        • Try Turkish Kebab BBQ House. It’s in the same road as Viveri’s Cafe in Station 3, so you can use the directions above that go with that resto to find its location.

  12. I bookmarked this blog so I can peep on it when I go to Boracay in two days. This helps a lot.

  13. Wow ^o^ I’ve found some very relevant blog/ideas about different restaurant in Boracay.
    Thank you Paul! I’m pretty sure that we will enjoy our staying in Boracay this coming October 28-30.
    Hoping that we meet there and say Hi and goodbye also haha 😀 just kidding Thanks Paul 😉 🙂

  14. Greetings! This blog really helps me a lot for my upcoming vacation next month. i keep reading all your blogs about Boracay and it makes me more excited to go. do you have any recommendation for buffet offers in the Island? More powers to you and God bless 🙂

    • Hi Dianna. great to hear my blog has helped you so much.

      About recommended buffets:

      I don’t eat a lot at buffets myself so I can’t recommend the best ones to you from experience… But what I do recommend is that you dig to the bottom when taking food from a buffet and that you arrive early. Because the tropical climate here causes food to deteriorate quickly.

  15. Hi Paul
    First of all, thanks, for your fantastic e book on Borocay….we have been deciding between Palawan and here, and as we haven’t been to the Philippines before, this info is priceless. I can’t thank you enough!!!! So Borocay it is!!! I wondered if I could pick your brains……we fly into Ninoy, but depart from Clark…any advise on travelling from Ninoy to Clark?
    Many thanks….. Justin ????

    • Hi, Justin, you’re welcome, glad it’s so useful to you.

      About travelling from Ninoy to Clark. I once accidentally flew into Clark Airport (bought the wrong ticket) and so I had to travel back from Clark to Manila.

      It was challenging to find transport because it was late in the evening, but eventually we found a bus that was scheduled for departure to Manila. The bus ride usually takes about 2 hours, but for us it took a bit less then 1.5 hours because traffic is low in the late evenings.

      That’s what I can tell you. I unfortunately don’t have more detailed knowledge about travel to or from Clark.

  16. Thanks Paul this is very helpful for me, since i will, go to Boracay 2 weeks from now .

  17. Thank you so much for this free guide book. Very helpful indeed. Kind regards. Cheers!

  18. Hello, I would like to thank all the tips and comments on the cheap restaurants in Boracay. As you all know, not every tourist is willing to spend a lot on time to stay or eat., In the meantime I would like to ask about the security issue on the island, I have seen some disturbing news about robberies of wallets, money and personal belongings during the boat crossing among other inconveniences reported by tourists. What tips would you give to anyone who has never been to the island, there are many beggars on the streets, poverty, things like that.
    thanks for your time!

    • Hi Daniel, you’re welcome.

      Regarding the security on the island. Personally I feel very safe in Boracay, more so than in my home country. I’m not sure what you read online, but Boracay is generally a safe place to be. Some crime happens, I hear about it sometimes. But not a lot. I’ve personally never had anything bad happen to me in my years living here.

      What I like about Boracay in relation to the above is that people are very friendly here, I hardly see any aggression. Not to say it never happens, but generally it’s a very positive place.

  19. This is great information. My wife and I are going to Boracay next week and this information will be a great help. Thanks again

  20. Hi Paul,

    We are here now and glad i stumbled upon your blog. Saved your ebook guide and thank u for that. Reading your posts and think it will be helpful for me.

    Thanks a lot. Appreciate it

  21. We will be there in August ,glad to read all this information ,carnt wait to get there ,going from 5/10c to 20/30s will be great

Comments are closed.