Camiguin is a small island off the coast on the northern side of Misamis Oriental. Second only to Batanes as the smallest island in the Philippines, Camiguin spans just 238 sq. km. At its longest, it is just 23 kilometers or basically the whole stretch of EDSA.
Despite its size, Camiguin is a trove for foodies. Most of the food is still hugely Filipino, but International influences are slowly creeping in. Thanks in part to the expats who settled in the island, and the growing tourist community with varying palates.
Here’s a roundup of our food finds at Camiguin:
1. KURMA
Kurma started out as a specialty diving shop, which quickly gained popularity and has since expanded to offer accommodations and a full-fledged restaurant. They are well-known for their coconut burger, in which the patty and the bread are made from coconuts.
Kurma means turtle in Sanskrit. If you happen to find the owner, Valerie at the restaurant, ask her about the story of the turtles. It’s more compelling to hear the story from its origin.
Kurma’s menu focuses on healthy, mostly plant-based items that are friendly even to the most carnivorous diners. The menu is not 100% vegan as items like Nasi Lemak and Naked Beef Pie are still on the menu.
Order the Coconut Burger (₱ 245), Vegetarian Steak (₱ 245), Naked Beef Pie (₱ 315), Nasi Lemak (₱ 230), and the Kurma Iced Tea (₱ 75). They also sell Bamboo Straws for ₱ 30 each.
Menu: Breakfast 1 / Breakfast 2 / All-day Menu 1 / All-day Menu 2 / Beverages
KURMA Eco Beach Lodge
National Highway Yumbing, Mambajao, 9100 Camiguin
Telephone: +63 916 469 8912
Email: live@kurmafreedive.com
Facebook: Kurma Eco Beach Lodge
Instagram: @kurmacamiguin
Website: http://www.kurmafreedive.com/
2. GUERRERA
Touting itself as fine Asian street food, Guerrera‘s menu varies on whether their chef is on the island or on the road. On our visit, we had the “On the Road” menu.
We were pleasantly surprised to find good Asian food in Camiguin. Order their Banh Xeo (₱ 260), Beef Rendang (₱ 350), and Pad Thai (₱ 280). They gladly adjust the spiciness level according to your preference. Lastly, cap off the night with their refreshing Thaitini (₱ 160).
The best part about this restaurant is the freshness of their produce. We saw them literally pluck the leaves off of the Thai Basil plant that they needed for our dish.
Guerrera Rice Paddy Villas and Restaurant
Pearl Street, Rocky Village, Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin
Operating Hours: 12:00 NN – 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Telephone: +63 917-311-9859
Email: guerreracamiguin@gmail.com
Facebook: Guerrerra Rice Paddy Villas and Restaurant
Instagram: @guerrerracamiguin
Website: http://guerrera.ph
Note: Guerrerra will be closed from June 1 to July 31 for renovation
3. BAHAY BAKASYUNAN SA CAMIGUIN
Each of the provinces in the Philippines is bound to have their own signature dish. A visit to Camiguin is not complete without trying their famous Surol (₱ 350). Surol is similar to tinolang manok but with the addition of coconut milk and oregano. The oregano gives the dish an earthier and fragrant aroma.
We highly recommend trying it at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin, along with their Fried Chicken (₱ 350). We went on a rather gloomy day, so we each got a cup of sikwate (₱ 60) for warmth.
Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin
Camiguin Island: Balbagon, Mambajao, Philippines
Telephone: +63 917 721 2798
Email: camiguinbbc@gmail.com
Facebook: Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin
Instagram: @bbcresort
Website: http://bahaybakasyunan.com
4. HAYAHAY CAFE
Hayahay Cafe is a quaint little shop located right next to Treasures Camiguin. The menu is vegetarian and vegan-friendly with a focus on using superfoods and organic ingredients.
The café is very Instagrammable, and this attention to detail is also reflected in the food that they serve.
Order the Chica Loca Smoothie Bowl (₱ 220), Homemade Mango Ice Cream (₱ 95), and Strawberry Smoothie (₱ 95). We also brought our bamboo straw from Kurma everywhere we went.
Hayahay Cafe
Camiguin Circumferential Rd, Mambajao, Camiguin
Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM, closed on Thursdays
Telephone: +63 915 240 7372
Email: hayahaycafe@gmail.com
Facebook: Hayahay Café
Instagram: @hayahaycafe
5. CASA ROCA INN
Casa Roca Inn is a bed and breakfast that also has a full menu with an International menu, all of the items hearty and filling. The items are mostly European, with some Asian choices thrown in the mix.
As a rule, we try not to go back to the same restaurants on a single trip, but we just couldn’t resist their Mango Float so we went for dessert and drinks the night after our first visit.
Order their Pork Schnitzel (₱ 250), Seafood Curry (₱ 220), and Mango Float (₱ 160) or also check out their dinner specials for off-the-menu items.
Casa Roca Inn
National Highway, Baring, Naasag, Camiguin, Mambajao, 9100
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Telephone: +63-88-387-9500 / +63 921 518 0058
Email: contact@casarocacamiguin.com
Facebook: Casa Roca Inn
Website: http://www.casarocacamiguin.com/
6. LA DOLCE VITA
In an island as small as Camiguin, it’s great to see foreign cuisine done well. La Dolce Vita offers standard Italian fare at affordable prices. The quality of their homemade pasta and pizza is a testament to the love and passion the owner has for this restaurant.
Their thin-crust pizza is cooked in a wood-fired oven, and all made with quality ingredients. You can easily tell the strong Italian influence on the pizzas as they do not bombard it with toppings, but rather, they keep it straight and simple.
Do not miss out on their Ravioli in White Sauce (₱ 350) (we were all raving about how seriously good this was), Tutta Carne Pizza (₱ 320), and the Authentic Italian Style Carbonara (₱ 250).
La Dolce Vita
Camiguin Circumferential Rd. Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines (across Camiguin Airport)
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays
Telephone: +63 936 100 4733
Email: ladolcevitacafferistorante@gmail.com
Facebook: La Dolce Vita Camiguin
7. THE BEEHIVE CAMIGUIN DRIFTWOOD CAFE
The Beehive Camiguin Driftwood Cafe opened two years ago but it originally started out just as a bee farm. The restaurant is inundated with driftwood which adds a homey,welcoming vibe to the place.
The owner is a Belgian expat who settled in Camiguin many years ago. He produces his own honey and has started farming macadamias in the island.
Order any of their homemade ice cream (₱ 50 per scoop) and smoothies (₱ 95 each). Our favorites are the dragonfruit, passionfruit, and mango. Order the Eurofries (₱ 300) together with your desserts for that sweet and salty combo.
The Beehive Camiguin Driftwood Cafe
Zone 1, Catibac 9104 Catarman, Camiguin
Operating Hours: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Telephone: +63 939 932 0334
Email: calamprincess@gmail.com
Facebook: The Beehive Camiguin Driftwood Cafe
Instagram: @thebeehivecamiguin
Website: https://beehivedriftwoodcafe.weebly.com
8. CAMIGUIN VOLCAN BEACH ECO RETREAT
During our travels, we make it a point to try the breakfast options at our chosen accommodation. Camiguin Volcan Eco Beach Resort’s breakfast spread definitely did not disappoint. The serving sizes for the omelet are huge and can easily be split between two people.
Order the Bacon and Eggs (₱ 300), French Toast (₱ 150), and their Fried Potatoes with Bacon and Eggs (₱ 260).
Camiguin Volcan Beach Eco Retreat & Dive Resort
Naasag 9100 Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
Telephone: +63 883 879 551
Email: info@camiguinvolcanbeach.com
Facebook: Camiguin Volcan Beach Eco Retreat & Dive Resort
Website: http://camiguinvolcanbeach.com/
9. J&A FISHPEN LAGOON AND RESTAURANT
J&A Fishpen Lagoon and Restaurant is your typical run-of-the-mill Filipino seafood restaurant. Located in the Taguines Lagoon, the restaurant has their own fishpens where they culture the fish to ensure the freshness of every order. You can even watch them catch the fish fresh from the pens and have it cooked any way you like.
You have the option to sit in the mess hall or in one of the sheds for an additional charge. If you sit at the farthest end of the sheds, it may be difficult to catch the attention of the servers, especially during fast lunch hours.
Order their seafood pancake (₱ 185), eggplant salad (₱ 65), and the Kinilaw (₱ 250). For an authentic Filipino dining experience, order Fresh Buko.
J&A Fishpen
Taguines Lagoon, Mahinog, Camiguin
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Telephone: +63 919 753 8999
10. CHECKPOINT FOOD
A popular spot among the locals, Checkpoint is great if you’re a big group looking for typical Filipino food. The no-fuss selection and familiarity of the items make ordering easy especially after a long day of exploring the island.
We ordered Set D which comes with Camaron Rebosado, Chicken Teriyaki, Breaded Porkchop and Chopsuey (₱ 1,100 for the set). Across the street is a liempo house which you can have for takeaway and bring to your table at no surcharge.
Checkpoint Food
Yumbing, Circumferential Road, Mambajao, Camiguin, 9100 Camiguin
Operating Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Telephone: +63 (088) 387 9531
Email: roymcauley@yahoo.com.au
Facebook: Camiguin Checkpoint
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our food experience in Camiguin! No matter what cuisine you’re craving, there will be a restaurant for you in Camiguin. There’s no shortage of traditional dishes and even out-of-the-box offerings.
As someone trying to control my meat intake, I personally loved that there were also at least two restaurants catering to the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.
To end, here’s our map with a location of all the restaurants to guide you on your Camiguin foodie adventure. Hit 3 restaurants every day with small snacks in between and you can finish this whole guide in just 3 days.
Live an Awesome Life,
Monique of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our meal at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin was sponsored by the local tourism department of Camiguin. We paid for the rest of our meals. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Don’t forget to visit Samuel by Vjandep!
Most commonly mistaken as a product of Cagayan de Oro, Pastel by Vjandep actually hails from Camiguin. Pastel is a soft bread commonly filled with Yema. They now have other fillings like Ube and Chocolate.
You can’t leave Camiguin without a box of Pastel as pasalubong. In our case, we went home empty-handed as they sold out 🙁 We recommend buying a day or two before your flight out of Camiguin just to be sure. They don’t spoil right away – but are rather irresistible – so just try to keep your hands off of them if you buy them ahead of time.
Their restaurant also serves Filipino style silog breakfast at low prices.
Samuel by Vjandep
Rizal Street, Mambajao
Telephone: +63 (088) 387 0443
Email: pastel@vjandep.com
Facebook: Samuel by Vjandep
Instagram: @vjandep_pastel
Website: http://www.vjandep.com
Thanks For sharing such a useful tips
just my opinion, Filipinos are mostly happy compared to westerners because the filipino food is more varied and taste better [not necessarily healthier], compared to the everyday of pizza, burger, fries, hotdog., after a while it gets depressing, but this is just one persons unscientific opinion
The blog got me hungry…hehe! The food looks great!
Thanks for Great Tips . You describe many places and food where we can dine on local specialties.