OAP: "Boracay 101: A Bora First Timer's Guide To Boracay's Best Restaurants, Must Try Food and Gimmick Places"

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Boracay 101: A Bora First Timer's Guide To Boracay's Best Restaurants, Must Try Food and Gimmick Places

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Ati-atihan de Boracay-38

BORACAY 101: A Bora First Timer's Guide To Boracay's Best Restaurants, Must Try Food and Gimmick Places

I realized that there are still a lot of Filipinos who have never been to Boracay. I compiled this guide to help them based on what people are raving about and based on my personal experience. I've been going back to Boracay every year and I developed a sense of what is awesome based on what restaurants people are talking about. In this guide, I compiled the following lists:

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Boracay,
Top 10 Must-Try-Food-and-Drinks in Bora!,
8 Restaurants that did not make the Top 10 list but worth mentioning,
Top 8 Gimmick Places in Boracay!

Boracay is one of those places that you should visit in the Philippines before you die. Feel free to share this information to everyone. For those who have been to Boracay, there have been a few changes in the restaurant and night life scene in Bora. This guide will keep you up-to-date and in-the-know versus your friends even before you visit Boracay. Enjoy and we do hope that you have a great time in Boracay!

Text and Photos Copyright 2008. Our Awesome Planet (Updated: January 15, 2008)
(Picture from top to bottom: Ati-Atihan de Boracay Parade in Station 1 | Pia of Seair Marketing with Norsan and Anne, Microtel Marketing Ladies | Melo of Lakbay Pilipinas and Gail of Kutitots enjoying the Puka Beach Waves)

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Boracay

1. Dos Mestizos is the Best Spanish Restaurant in the Island by Binggoy Remedios (only Ole restaurant can contest that title) . They went out of Asya resort to establish their own resto near the Station 3 Police Station. They serve strictly spanish food cooked slowly and with olive oil. Their specialties are the 16 ways of Tapa which includes Gambas al ajillo, Croquettas de quezo azul, and chorizo; and the 5 different styles of Paella: Valenciana, Marinara, Negra, de pollos, and de verduras which takes about half hour to prepare.

Dos Mestizos Spanish Restaurant
Sitio Manggayad, beside PNP Police Detachment Station 3
Tel (+63-36) 288-5786Opens Daily (12pm-2pm Lunch, 6pm Dinner, on Saturdays 6pm-10pm Eat-all-you-can Tapas)

2. Cyma's original restaurant in d'Mall continues to be the greek favorite in the island. It was a hit when it first opened which led to the consequent opening of the Shangrila and Greenbelt branches in Manila. It is hidden in one of the alleyway in d'Mall but you won't miss it because of the number of people patronizing the place. Try their light greek salad, saganaki (flaming cheese) with OOPA!, and the lamb chops/ crabs for your main dish.

Related Posts: Top 5 Bora Restos

Cyma Greek Restaurant
d'Mall, Station 2, Boracay Island

3. Prana Restaurant located in Mandala Spa is the best healthy restaurant in the island. "Prana" means "life force" in Sanskrit and it reflects the lifestyle philosophy of Karen Reina and Dieter Schrottmann. It serves vegetarian food, fruits and salads, and light food in general. You shouldn't miss their Pappa al pomodoro tomato soup and healthy breakfast servings.

Related Posts: Top 5 Bora Restos

Prana Restaurant at Mandala Spa
Station 3, Boracay Island
Tel (+63-36) 288 5856 to 59
E-mail: info@mandalaspa.com

4. Manana Boracay- nothing beats Manana when it comes to tacos, burritos and nachos in bora. Almost all of the people I've asked randomly, recommended Manana because of the big serving size and the food is served hot and fresh. It is a favorite hangout place because of its open air ambiance and beach front location.

Manana Mexican Restaurant
White Beach, near Boat Station 1 Boracay Island

5. Lemon iCafe - Ever since it opened, it created rave reviews because of its lemon desserts and lemon inspired interiors strategically located in the middle of d'Mall. They serve a variety of chocolate cakes, banana muffin and other desserts. They serve breakfast and light meals, so you won't go wrong in putting this in your food trip itinerary any time of the day.

Lemon iCafe
in the middle of d'Mall, Boracay Island

6. Real Coffee and Tea Cafe - Established since 1996 by Ms. Lee Rosaia. Its claim to fame in Bora is its Lemon cupcakes (P40 each) and its Nipa hut setting which is great for breakfast. They serve continental breakfast mostly omelettes and sandwiches. They are open as early as 7.30am. You can't see them from the main walking road in Station 1 because you have to go inside a bit to find it.

Real Coffee and Tea Cafe
near Boat Station 1, Boracay.

6. Zuzuni - There is room for two Greek restaurants in this Top 10 list but I still like Cyma overall. This is owned by Geni Psinakis of Mati Rockwell fame; Yorgos Psinakis; and Nikos Gitsis, a Seair partner who named it after the endearing term "little insect" in Greek. Their Greek cuisine are almost authentic but they have a killer dessert called Chocolate Sin that beats any dessert in the island.

Zuzuni Greek Restaurant
near Boat Station 1, BoracayTel (+63-36) 288.4477
Website: www.zuzuni.net

7. Aria Italian Restaurant - Filipinos love pizza and pasta and Aria is the best place to enjoy these. They use wood fire oven for their pizzas and bread. They are owned by the d'Mall owners and enjoys a very nice prominent spot at the entrance of d'Mall.

Aria Italian Restaurant d'Mall, Station 2, Boracay IslandTel (+63-36) 288-5573

8. Boracay Crab House @ Escondido - The Best Crab Place in Boracay. Their specialties are simply crabs in many ways that you could imagine and their prawn dishes. It would be a shame leaving Boracay without eating the best seafood you will only find in the province like Boracay.

Escondido's Boracay Crab HouseAt the back of the ChurchTel (+63-36) 376-4535, (+63-917) 527 4777Website: www.escondidoboracay.net

9. True Food Indian Food - The Best Indian Food in Boracay Island. It has huge pillows where you can seat and have a good time with friends.

True Food Restaurant
Boat Station 2, Boracay
smoke

10. Smoke Restaurant - The Best Filipino paluto restaurant in Boracay. If you are on a budget, why not buy your raw ingredients and ask Smoke to cook it for you. They also have ala carte Filipino food in the menu but nothing beats buying shrimps and asking them to cook it for you the way you like it.

Smoke Restaurant
at the back of d'Mall restaurant where the market is, Boracay

Top 10 Must-Try-Food-and-Drinks in Bora!

Jonas Milkshake is undoubtedly the best milkshake in the island!

Real Coffee's claim to fame is their Lemon Cupcake. You should try it.

Cafe del Sol's Cheesecake @ d'Mall is a good choice for dessert after your Aria meal.

Zuzuni's Chocolate Sin is to die for. Amen.

Summer Place Bucket of Long Island Ice Tea. This is a great bonding drink for the barkada.

Illusion Shaker of Cocomangas. Find out why it is called illusion shaker.

Chori Burger and Street Food. You're Bora experience is not complete without tasting these Chori Burger.

Sex Shooters of Summer Place. It is a combination of 6 alcoholic shots with sexy names and with different ingredients.

Still Standing after 15 is already an institution in the island. You will be given 15 alcoholic shots which you need to finish the entire night. If you are still standing after 15 shots, you'll get a shirt and they will put your name on the walls.

Gastoff Ribs @ d'Mall.

8 Restaurants that did not make the Top 10 list but worth mentioning

Puka beach food is perfect during lunch time after a boating trip.

Wahine Beach Bar is a good place to hangout for thin crust pizzas if you happen to pass by Diniwid beach where Nami and Microtel are located.

Yellow Cab invasion. It replaced my favorite restaurant Banza portuguese food.

If you are already wasted, Jammers is the place to hang out in the early morning. Good thing they are open 24 hours.

This is the original restaurant of Hawaiian Bar-B-Que in Bora. They opened their second branch in the Boutique of Tagaytay and another branch in San Miguel by the Bay.

You can try the unique halo halo sandwich @ Halowich d'Mall.

Bacolod Chicken, Chicken Inasal and Andoks have invaded Boracay and they are a favorite choice among budget travellers.

Portable crepes @ Crazy Crepes or Rock n Roll Crepes are the in thing in Bora.

Top 8 Gimmick Places in Boracay!

My favorite is the reggae live music @ Bom Bom's to start the night.

Then hoping on to Summer Place with friends enjoying their long island ice tea and challenging each one to take the sex shooters.

After a few drinks, invite your friends to hop over to listen to the funky DJ beat @ Plazoleta.

Before going to the Station 1 party place, chill out first @ Hey Jude.

As you head over to station 1, you will notice that Beachcomber now replaces Pier 1.

Club Paraw is still standing and we have LOTS of memories here.

Guilly's Island now replaces Cocomangas located near the beach front.

The Cocomangas shooters bar is still standing where you can enjoy their signature illusion shaker and where you can challenge your friends for the 15 shooters.

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