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8 Best Restaurants for Lovers in Iloilo for Valentine’s Day
Enjoy an intimate meal at these date spots in Iloilo City.
By: Hyacinth Bangero | February 01, 2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health protocols and requirements might be implemented in the establishments featured in this article. Please make sure to abide by the guidelines to stay safe.
From rustic restos to sophisticated ones, there’s a place fit for every couple.
Images: The Mango Tree Restaurant Facebook Page
What’s a better place for lovers than the City of Love? Iloilo City is famous for its heritage houses, sumptuous food, picturesque sceneries, and lovable people. Besides being home to affectionate Ilonggos, it is nicknamed City of Love because of the many places that lovers can go on a date.
Iloilo City features many popular dating destinations, but also has homey venues with less of a crowd. Depending on your preferences as a couple, below is a list of where to go in Iloilo City on a date.
1. Kusina NaNam
Where: 180 Jalandoni corner De Leon St., Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
The light and airy ambiance at Kusina NaNam
Nested within the hub of Iloilo Supermart is a family-style-restaurant named Kusina NaNam which roughly translates to “delicious kitchen.” Here, you and your loved one can sample luxurious food within an intimate setting. Some recommended dishes to try here are their Greek Salad, Buffalo Wings, Smoked BBQ Ribs, NaNam Truffle Pasta, and the Brick Oven Nanam Pizza. These are priced at PhP250 to PhP500.
Kusina NaNam is a good option if you and your partner prefer a quiet time together for lunch or dinner. The place is hidden in an old building within the busy streets of Iloilo.
As of January 2021, Kusina NaNam still hasn’t officially announced the resumption of its operations. It is advised to contact the restaurant before visiting.
2. Muelle Deli and Restaurant
Where: 135-b Jose Rizal St., Lapuz, Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
Couples can enjoy good food and a great view at Muelle Deli and Restaurant.
Homegrown restaurant Muelle Deli and Restaurant boasts of gourmet food and a good location. It is situated along the Iloilo River, fronting the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. If you and your partner are looking for a place where you can eat gourmet sausages (PhP300 to PhP500) and back ribs (PhP450 to PhP900), this is the place to be.
The dishes might be a bit pricey but the scenery and the romantic atmosphere, especially at night, give you good value for your money. If you’re lucky, you might even get to enjoy live entertainment.
3. Salt Gastro Lounge
Where: General Luna St., Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Sunday
Diners can listen to music at Salt Gastro Lounge while eating.
Are you setting up a romantic lunch or dinner for your very special day? One of the places that you can consider is Salt Gastro Lounge. In addition to the excellent menu, the place also features good ambiance, great music, and fine service.
Their best seller is a dish of baby back ribs aptly named Rack-a-Bye-Baby, priced at PhP400 to PhP900 depending on size. The Cajun fried chicken (PhP250), paired with cucumber lemonade, are also good menu items to try.
4. Bistro Carcosa
Where: Uptown Place, General Luna St., Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 11:45 PM, Monday to Sunday
Bistro Carcosa serves tasty food in a relaxing, romantic ambiance.
If you and your loved one wish to have some “us” time, you can head to Bistro Carcosa. They serve food for sharing like meaty carbonara (PhP150 to PhP180), garden salad (PhP200 to PhP300), and steak (PhP250 to PhP300).
Most people come to Bistro Carcosa for wines, spirits, and other drinks. If you have PhP500, you can share a glass of wine or a bucket of beer with a friend. They also have finger foods like calamares (breaded fried squid), french fries, and more.
As of January 2021, Bistro Carcosa still hasn’t officially announced the resumption of its operations. It is advised to contact the restaurant before visiting.
5. Bavaria German Restaurant
Where: 113 Seminario St., Jaro, Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Monday to Sunday
A busy night at Bavaria German Restaurant
Are you both craving for German cuisine? One of the best dating places for couples and even families is Bavaria German Restaurant. Though it’s not yet a mainstream destination among Ilonggos, those who look for quality food often end up coming to Bavaria.
When dining here, it is recommended to bring at least PhP750 to enjoy a good meal of German sausages, beer, and side dishes.
As of January 2021, Bavaria German Restaurant still hasn’t officially announced the resumption of its operations. It is advised to contact the restaurant before visiting.
6. The Mango Tree Restaurant
Where: 28 Guzman St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Sunday
Couples can dine al fresco at The Mango Tree Restaurant.
The Mango Tree Restaurant is also another good option for couples this Valentine’s Day. The place gives you a romantic feel, especially from the soft glow of lights hanging down the huge mango tree. It also has an intimate ambiance since only couples and families tend to frequent the place.
The Mango Tree Restaurant serves meat and seafood dishes like sizzling gambas or shrimps in a sizzling platter (PhP195) and pork binagoongan or pork belly in shrimp paste (PhP155). Dining at the restaurant is best experienced with acoustic jamming sessions by local artists.
7. Liz-Ĕ Kitchen Home Style Cuisine
Where: Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue, Ungka 1, Pavia, Iloilo
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The stylish façade of Liz-Ĕ Kitchen Home Style Cuisine
Are you both missing the Ilonggo homestyle cuisine after long years of working abroad? You can head to Liz-Ĕ Kitchen Home Style Cuisine at Ungka, Pavia and taste the Ilonggo dishes that you missed so much like. One of these is a dish called K.B.L. (PhP285) which stands for kadyos, baboy at langka (pork with pigeon peas and jackfruit). They also serve cakes and pastries priced at PhP90 to PhP150 per slice.
The place is made more romantic by the music and voices of local artists serenading guests in the evenings.
8. Gloria Maris Restaurant
Where: Amigo Mall and Hotel, Iznart St., Iloilo City
Operating Hours:
Take-out
10:30 AM to 2:00 PM for Lunch
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM for Dinner
Dine in
10:30AM to 2:00PM for Lunch
5:30PM to 9:00PM for Dinner
A sampler of dim sum dishes from Gloria Maris
You and your better half might be craving for Chinese food. If so, you can set your dinner date at Gloria Maris, one of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Here, you and your loved one can share excellently prepared dim sum dishes for PhP1,500. Tip: Their buchi (sesame seed balls made from glutinous rice) is a great snack to try.
This Valentine’s day, you can experience a different Iloilo City with your beloved at these great dating places.
* Photos/Images are from the official websites and/or Facebook pages of featured restaurants.
* Prices may change without prior notice.
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on February 07, 2018.
About Hyacinth Bangero
She is a young broadcast journalism professor and marketing officer of the University of San Agustin. She's a proud volunteer of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Hyacinth is geared to educate, experience, and explore.
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