8 Must-Try Restaurants in El Nido to Spice Up Your Trip to Paradise

El Nido is in no doubt one of the famous vacation destinations in the Philippines. Beautiful lagoons, white sand beaches, rocky islets, high limestone cliffs, and crystal waters filled with marine life are some of El Nido's attractions. Tourists never failed to praise the island, and it has received multiple awards for being one of the top island and beach destinations in the world. But besides its beautiful scenery and majestic white-sand beaches, their food is also one of the reasons why tourists keep coming back.

Got you curious? Read on to see why El Nido is a must-visit destination for food!

Just located at the beachfront of El Nido’s Bay, savor a delicious meal while enjoying the fresh ocean air and breathtaking views of Cadlao Island and Helicopter Island. 

Cadlao Restaurant offers both local and international cuisines, giving you plenty of dishes to choose from. Some of their best sellers are pork ribs, seafood curry, golden calamari, stuffed squid with mango salsa, juicy tenderloin, and seafood pasta. 

Address: Cadlao Resort & Restaurant Caalan, 5313 El Nido Palawan

Contact Information: +63 917 58 97 069

If you love Thai Food and happen to be in El Nido, Palawan, this restaurant is ready to cater to your spice craving!

Big Bad Thai’s menu is filled with all of the traditional foods your taste buds have been craving for. All are made with a combination of fresh, local ingredients, some of which were even hand picked by the chefs themselves in Palawan.

When you visit this El Nido restaurant, make sure to get some Pad Thai, Red Curry, Tom Yum soup, and Spicy Laab Gai. Best paired with their handcrafted cocktails like Vanilla Gorilla and Lola Cola.

Address: Hama Street 5313 El Nido, Philippines

Contact Information: 0945 299 4225

Indulge yourself in this authentic Italian restaurant in El Nido!

Ristorante La Lupa offers quality and authentic Italian dishes, especially Roman dishes that  are not easy to find. When you get there, the place will really remind you of breathtaking Italy. On the ground floor, you can watch your pizza being cooked in an in-view bricked oven. Then when you go up to the first floor, there’s a big sala with a bar and wine room where you can see preserved Italian wines.

Make sure to visit Ristorante La Lupa and enjoy their bricked-oven pizzas, pastas, paninis, and their Italian wine!

Address: National Highway Sitio Lugadia Corong Corong, El Nido, Philippines

Contact Information: 0969 275 0016

If you love Japanese cuisine by the beach, then you will enjoy this well-loved restaurant in El Nido. 

Osaka Castle offers the best ramen in El Nido as they solely use umami flavors for their ramen dishes. For seafood lovers, you’ll also enjoy fresh and premium-quality sushi and sashimi directly imported from Tsukiji, Tokyo. 

Address: Calle Hama street, Barangay Masagana, 5313 El Nido, Philippines 

Contact Information: 0926 741 9664

If you are craving for Filipino savory dishes in El Nido, Kusina Ni Maya is the best place to dine in!

This Filipino Restaurant in El Nido offers all sorts of Filipino foods like Pork Binagoonan, Chicken Tinola, Crispy Pata, Pork Sisig, grilled pork etc. They also have desserts like Suman, Halo-Halo, and Leche Flan. You can also order fresh buko, fruit shakes, and sago’t gulaman. 

The ambience is also a plus with its aesthetic bahay kubo interior and its verde garden, making the place really relaxing!

Address: Villa Libertad El Nido, Philippines

Looking for a perfect place to dine while enjoying good music with an ocean view? Then this restaurant is your best bet!

Artcafe Restaurant is one of the most popular dining options in El Nido. It offers panoramic ocean views from every table. When you go to the balcony on the second floor, you may enjoy excellent tropical food while feeling the ocean breeze.

Come for lunch or dinner and treat yourself to delectable meals like garlic shrimp, kinilaw, and seafood pizza. A wide variety of western favorites, such as paella, pastas, and stone-baked pizza, are also included on the menu. Additionally, they offer wholesome breakfast options too, so coming early is a definite must! Omelets, eggs, pancakes, muesli, and even homemade yogurt are available for brunch lovers. It is the ideal location to refuel before leaving for island tours and activities.

Address: Serena Street 5313 El Nido, Philippines

Contact: 0920 902 6317

Biryani Kitchen is the best location in town to help satisfy your cravings for Indian food. 

This restaurant in El Nido is owned and operated by a Mumbai native chef. It offers a limited but exquisite menu of traditional North Indian recipes. Three varieties of their famous Biryani are offered: chicken tikka, vegetable, and shrimp. Their Chana Masala, a Chickpea Stew eaten with Puri Bread, is also a must-try!

Address: Gregorio Del Pilar Street, Barangay Masagana, El Nido, Philippines

Contact: 0929 348 9339

Stunning views and tasty pizza? You’ve come to the right place!

If you need a change of pace from Asian or Filipino cuisine, then Bella Vita's extensive menu of traditional Italian meals is perfect. Choose from the Meat Lover's Pizza, Bianca, Creamy Pesto, or Quattro Formaggio. You might also want to try the Chicken Curry Pizza if you want something distinctive! 

Bella Vita is worth seeing for its lovely surroundings in addition to its delicious cuisine. This casual eatery resembles a tiki beach bar rather than the usual Italian restaurant you see. It's a terrific spot for enjoying pizza and tropical beverages while watching the sun go down.

Address: Corong Corong Beach, 5313 El Nido, Philippines

Contact: 0905 364 8534