Ask anyone what they love about Iloilo—be it the province or its capital, Iloilo City—and the answer will often be the food. It’s no wonder then that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized it as a Creative City for Gastronomy for its indelible mark in Filipino culture.
The best part? Food in Iloilo City is remarkably affordable, so even on a quick trip, you can go right ahead and binge on all of them—and even bring some home!
If you’re in Iloilo City for Dinagyang Festival this weekend, January 26-28, 2024, or planning a trip to Iloilo as part of your PH visit this year, remember that an Iloilo City trip will not be complete without dining at these 10 Ilonggo favorite restaurants and trying their classic and signature dishes:
1. Netong’s for La Paz Batchoy
Inside La Paz Public Market, Luna cor. Huervana Sts., La Paz, Iloilo City
(+63915) 0974227, [email protected]
Much has been said about the famous La Paz Batchoy, and you’ve likely encountered it in Manila or other places. But you haven’t had real batchoy until you’ve tried it in Iloilo, in at least one of the three restaurants who claim to have originated it: Ted’s Batchoy, Deco’s, and Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy, the latter being our personal favorite.
All three are worth a try and have restaurants around the city, but if you want a truly authentic La Paz Batchoy experience, you have to go straight to where it was created: the La Paz Public Market. (There’s an unassuming but air-conditioned branch of Netong’s here.)
This steaming bowl of savory noodle soup was supposedly made of meat parts vendors weren’t able to sell that day. This explains why it contains a hodgepodge of ingredients, like bits of pork liver, pork intestines, beef slivers, even bone marrow, cooked in a robust pork and beef broth, then garnished with egg, crushed chicharon, scallions, fried garlic, and even bagoong (shrimp paste or guinamos in Hiligaynon). It’s a lot, we know, so to temper all that flavor, it’s best enjoyed with a side of puto (white Filipino steamed cake wrapped in banana leaves). Feel free to ask for extra chicharon, garlic, and broth.
2. Panaderia de Molo for Pancit Molo
Avancena St. cor. San Mauricio St., Molo, Iloilo
(+63908) 6790035, [email protected]
As the name suggests, the best place to sample this iconic Ilonggo dish is of course in Molo, where locals were inspired to create their version of the wonton soup made by the Chinese community who settled in the area. The first half of Pancit Molo’s name is not as straightforward, however, as you won’t find “pancit” noodles in it, like you’d expect. Instead, ground pork dumplings in wonton wrappers and shredded chicken swim in a hot bowl of clear yet rich and flavorful chicken broth seasoned with fried garlic, spring onions, and black pepper.
One of the Molo spots where you can try Pancit Molo is Panaderia de Molo, where you can even buy frozen packs of this dish to cook at home (although perhaps not abroad because it contains meat). Panaderia de Molo happens to be a popular pasalubong shop, so you can still buy other baked treats you can safely bring with you on an international flight, like barquillos (cylindrical wafer biscuits, with versions made of goat’s milk or filled with polvoron-like milky powder called barquiron); as well as assorted local biscuits like broas, principe, rosquetes, and bañadas.
3. Tatoy’s Manokan & Seafoods for native chicken
Villa Beach (+6333-3371360); Atria Park District, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao (+63927-8743848); Iloilo Airport, Brgy. Gaub, Cabatuan (+63963-6631529)
Beyond the chicken inasal that you can try anywhere these days (the Jollibee Group’s Mang Inasal, which has branches around the Philippines, originated from Iloilo, after all), the chicken dish that will complete your Iloilo food trip is bisayang lechon manok, or charcoal-roasted native chicken. Tatoy’s Manokan makes them best. You’ll have a greater appreciation for free-range chicken after a bite of this tasty local specialty, marinated in vinegar and calamansi, then stuffed with lemongrass and sampalok (tamarind) leaves. You’ll find that it’s leaner than your usual chicken. It’s best paired with garlic rice.
Besides chicken inasal, they also offer a fairly wide selection of dishes, from fresh seafood like prawns or pasayan in buttered garlic, baked scallops, and kinilaw (ceviche-like local dish); and local favorites crispy pata and lechon. All are so affordable yet come in generous portions.
Tatoy’s has three different locations around the city: The main one at the Arevalo district by the sea even has a resort. Eat in one of their cabanas to get that chill island vibe. The Atria Park District branch is most convenient for tourists. And if you were unable to visit either, there’s a branch close to the airport—you can even bring back a box of native chicken with you (as long as you don’t take it on an international flight).
4. Breakthrough Restaurant in Villa for seafood and lechon
Villa Beach, Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo
If you love fresh seafood, Breakthrough is one restaurant you simply can’t skip when you’re in Iloilo City. As far as locals and tourists are concerned, this is one of the best—if not the best—seafood restaurant in the city. Go to the main branch in Villa Beach so you can enjoy your most satisfying seafood feast by the sea—without much damage to your wallet.
Here, you can pick your own fresh blue crabs and have it cooked any way you want. We recommend having it cooked in garlic butter sauce. Also order prawns or pasayan, steamed or cooked in sweet chili sauce; as well as baked oysters and scallops. While fresh seafood is the main attraction, their bestselling lechon is just as crave-worthy.
For a sweet end to your seafood feast, watch for vendors carrying small bamboo cups strung from a stick on their shoulders—these contain kalamay-hati, or sticky sweet native molasses, similar in taste to coco jam. Eat it straight out of the container with your fingers or a spoon as palate cleanser.
5. Roberto’s for siopao
J.M. Basa St. (former Calle Real), Iloilo City
While not an Ilonggo specialty—we all know it’s Chinese—siopao has become one of the most popular must-try delicacies locals and visitors alike have come to associate with Iloilo City, thanks to Roberto’s, an unassuming Chinese restaurant in old downtown Iloilo, along the iconic Calle Real.
The smallest one is called Jumbo and it already lives up to its name, but their biggest variant is actually the legendary Queen: a sweet steamed bun stuffed to bursting with ingredients you won’t normally find in average siopao, like bacon, Chinese sausage, chicken and pork adobo, salted egg, and more. We swear, you haven’t tasted giant siopao this good before—you don’t even need sauce!
Brace yourself for a long line, and come early before they run out of Queen Siopao—it sells so quickly, and it’s reportedly not available everyday. In case you were wondering, there’s a King, too, which is always a good alternative when they run out of the Queen. You can dine in the restaurant and try their other dishes, but most people just line up for siopao to go and as a popular pasalubong from Iloilo (although, again, it may not hold well on international flights).
6. Leah’s for the Tinuom of Cabatuan
Bermejo Street, Cabatuan, Iloilo (close to Iloilo Airport)
Tinuom is another iteration of a native chicken dish that Iloilo is known for. This Cabatuan signature consists of boiled native chicken seasoned with onions, tomatoes, and lemongrass, then wrapped in banana leaves, hence the name, which in the native dialect means “balot.” It’s served in tummy-warming broth with a mouth-watering aroma that balikbayan Ilonggos always crave upon landing home.
There are several karinderya-style restaurants along the airport road that offer tinuom, but the local favorite is Leah’s for having perfected the blend of ingredients and way of cooking. You’ll find it close to the Cabatuan church and town market.
7. Punot Restaurant for Chicken Binakol, Nilatik nga Kalabasa, and other local dishes
Iloilo Riverside Boardwalk Complex, Boardwalk Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
(+6333) 3209893, [email protected]
Binakol is an Ilonggo specialty often likened to tinola, but with a twist: the use of coconut juice as base, with slivers of coconut flesh added to the recipe. This makes the soup unusually sweet instead of savory, yet rich and flavorful. Like the tinuom, native chicken and vegetables figure in this light-tasting meal flavored with lemongrass and sometimes ginger.
Several restaurants all over Iloilo City serve great versions of binakol, but we recommend Punot at Riverside Boardwalk. This homey restaurant with a view of Iloilo River Esplanade serves Chicken Binakol (P495), with their version having sweet peppers and a bit of sili that lend it a slight yet definitely welcome heat. Enjoy it on a cool evening by the Iloilo Riverside. We also love their Nilatik nga Kalabasa (P470), a rich Ilonggo soup made of pureed squash, coconut milk, lechon kawali, crispy shrimp, and vegetables. Another must-try local dish here is their Corned Beef Kansi (P495), their take on another local dish, kansi, made with corned beef shank, house-made soured broth, jackfruit, and lemongrass.
8. Stella for KBL and laswa soup
Greenfield Complex Bldg., Diversion Road, Iloilo City
(+63916) 7405999, [email protected]
Short for kadyos (pigeon peas), baboy (pork), at langka (jackfruit), KBL is a favorite Ilonggo meal made of the very ingredients in its name. Dark purple legumes and unripe jackfruit are mixed with boiled pork in a broth that uses another native fruit in its base: batwan, only found in the Western Visayas region, where it’s often used in local food. It gives the soup its subtle yet distinct tartness, which tourists sometimes compare to sinigang.
Meanwhile, laswa is Iloilo’s favorite vegetable recipe. Every family would have its own version of this no-frills hot stew, with ingredients from one’s own garden or farm, like squash, okra, green papaya, eggplant, malunggay, string beans, and more, which they simply boil and season with salt and garlic. Locals love to pair this with fried fish.
Various local restaurants serve KBL and Laswa, but we recommend trying both at the bright, cozy, and modern Stella restaurant in Greenfield Complex, conveniently located along Diversion Road (Iloilo City’s version of EDSA). While there, we also recommend you try their Buttered Garlic Shrimp (PHP400) and Baked Scallops (PHP250).
9. Madge Cafe for local coffee and snacks
Shops At Atria, Atria Park District, Donato Pison Avenue, Mandurriao
Ilonggos love coffee, which you’ll notice from Iloilo’s many cafes. At Ayala Land’s Atria Park District in Iloilo City, you’ll find one of their long-time favorites: Madge Cafe’s beloved local brew—filtered while adding evaporated milk. Loyal customers even have their own mugs with their names on it—just look at the display.
While the original branch is in La Paz Public Market, you’ll enjoy the comfortable setting of their branch at Shops at Atria, the Ayala Mall of Iloilo. Their desserts and snack options pair well with their coffee selections.
10. The Granary at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo for creative takes on local cuisine
Megaworld Boulevard corner Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao
(+6333) 3287888, (+63917) 5809642, or visit richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s in-house restaurant, The Granary, has been gaining popularity not just for their local dishes that are part of their regular menu, but also for a monthly degustation dinner called the LaMeza Ilonggo series that elevates already delicious Ilonggo cuisine to experience it like never before.
Under the leadership of General Manager Nat Lim, Richmonde Iloilo’s Executive Chef Ariel Castañeda and his kitchen team have been working hard to put Ilonggo food first and at its finest in their LaMeza Ilonggo Open Seats degustation dinners, each with a different theme.
Last September 2023, they paid homage to Iloilo City in “Ciudad,” which celebrated the city and its seven districts in a five-course tasting menu. The one last October was called “Bukid,” an 11-course vegetarian degustation dinner. The most recent one held early this January was themed “Baga,” inspired by the upcoming Dinagyang Festival. A celebration of colorful and exciting flavors, it featured Ilonggo heritage dishes prepared over burning charcoal and flame. Rates usually start at PHP3,800 nett per person, with a special rate of PHP3,500 nett per person for groups of 10 or more.
As for The Granary’s regular menu, we recommend you try their Pancit Molo Xiao Long Bao (PHP550) made with Pancit Molo gelee, house-made wonton skins, diced pork and shrimp, spring onion confit, and chili sauce; they sometimes include this dish in their degustation dinners. Also try their Chicken Inasal (PHP595), their version of the Ilonggo grilled chicken served in skewers with housemade chicken oil, pickled vegetables, and garlic rice; and four different variants of Sinigang sa Batuan, the souring agent used which is commonly found in Iloilo: Sinigang na Hipon, Sinigang na Salmon, Sinigang na Lechon Kawali, and Sinigang na Tadyang.
Which one are you excited to try first when you visit Iloilo? Let us know in the comments section of KUBO’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
