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7 Must-explore Food Stops in Coron, Palawan
Know about the restaurants you shouldn’t miss on your next trip!
By: Mildred Fermin | April 29, 2017
If you know someone who’s been to Coron, you’ve probably heard them say that it is not a budget-friendly destination when it comes to restaurants and cafés. For starters, you cannot find in Coron the usual fast food joints you see in the city, save for some names that are also present in Manila: Lots’a Pizza, Zagu, and Mister Donut. But definitely, the food scene in Coron is as exciting as the adventures waiting for you there.
Let us now explore the food destinations that will welcome you in Coron.
1. Trattoria Altrov’é
Open from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Budget: PhP1,000 to PhP1,500 for 2 persons
Dining area at Trattoria Altrov’é
Image: Trattoria Altrov’é
Currently topping most surveys on Coron dining spots, Trattoria Altrov’é is an Italian restaurant owned by a Slovenian and his Filipino wife. The couple started with their first branch in El Nido a few years back and their success there led to this branch in Coron, which opened last year, and another branch in Las Piñas, which opened just a few months ago.
Customers are asked to take off their shoes upon entering the restaurant. They are then guided to their chosen seats, where they are treated to a mix of jazz and bossa-like music while waiting for their food.
When you come to dine, you can have your pasta prepared as you’d like. Choose between spaghetti, penne, and fettuccine. Their bestseller, Frutti di Mare, boasts of a generous serving of prawns and squid on top of your choice of pasta in red sauce. At only PhP350 per serving, this menu item is actually a steal as it can be shared by two to three persons.
If you’re looking for the best pizza in town, you can also head to Trattoria Altrov’é. Their pizzas are pugon-baked (brick oven-baked), and you can even see the pizzas being made on the first floor of the establishment before entering the restaurant itself. Dining area is on the second floor.
2. Winnie’s Restaurant
Open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Budget: PhP500 to PhP800 for 2 persons
Treat yourself with local cuisines at Winnie's
Image: Writer
Winnie’s Restaurant is owned by a Swiss national and his Filipina wife named Winnie. The place offers great lobster and crab dishes. Although the place might look too ordinary and unequipped to serve a good meal, you will be surprised by the sumptuous dishes Winnie’s Restaurant can offer you.
3. The Old House
Open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Budget: PhP500 to PhP700 for 2 persons
The Old House’s open-air aura appeals to diners.
Image: The Old House
The Old House was established by Cathyrn Cruz at her family’s ancentral home in 2002 together with her business partner Patrick Matta. And that’s where the name came from. However, the restaurant has transferred to a new location, but kept the original recipes intact.
This quirky little restaurant offers a homey ambiance with music from the 1950s to the present. The walls are adorned with old Hollywood movie posters, which add to the place’s classic touch.
You can start your meal with Old House French Fries (PhP100) dipped in a secret breading mix or some spring rolls (PhP150/8 pieces). For your main dish, you can have Chicken in a Basket (PhP180), which includes 3 pieces of chicken served with fries, and Spaghetti Pomodoro (PhP180), good for two to three persons—both house specialties.
The Old House also offers Drink All You Can on Rum and Coke from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at PhP150 per person.
4. Fika Indulgence
Open from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 12:00MN; Sunday, 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Budget: PhP400 to PhP800 for 2 persons
Fika’s welcoming interiors, with walls fancied up by inspiring quotes
Image: Fika Indulgence
From owners Hilbert Enriquez and Jen Chua comes a coffee shop that is unlike no other in Coron. Fika is actually a Swedish word that translates as “taking a break for coffee and a bite to eat.”
A favorite among locals and tourists, Fika offers their customers a place to relax and catch up with family and friends.
Aside from coffee blends (PhP80 to PhP150) and cakes (PhP90 to PhP120), Fika also serves pancakes (PhP130 to PhP190), omelettes (PhP170), salads (PhP170 to PhP190), sandwiches (PhP190 to PhP295), and rice meals (PhP275 to PhP295).
5. Tita Esh Eatery and Catering
Open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Budget: PhP200 to PhP400 for 2 persons
Have you tried Coron's version of palabok?
Image: Pia Peña
Famous for its yummy halo-halo, a popular Filipino dessert of shaved ice with evaporated milk mixed with 11 ingredients and ice cream on top (PhP80/serving), Tita Esh Eatery and Catering has acquired a loyal following of both locals and tourists through the years.
Located in a busy street, this food stop is reminiscent of Filipino high school days or a time when students would share a snack with friends after a busy school day.
Aside from halo-halo, Tita Esh also serves tapsilog—a meal consisting of cured beef (tapa), fried rice (sinangag), and egg (itlog)—which is highly recommended by most travelers. Available for bulk orders are palabok (a local noodle dish topped with egg, shrimp, and pork) and spaghetti served in a bilao, a woven tray where large servings of local dishes are usually placed when ordered for takeout.
6. Lolo Nonoy’s Food Station
Open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Budget: PhP200 to PhP500 for 2 persons
Pork with Mushroom, Dinuguan, and Fish Fillet
Image: Writer
Lolo Nonoy’s Food Station is perhaps the best place to score the cheapest meal in town. It is a restaurant that has been around for many years and prides itself in home-cooked meals served the Filipino way.
Dishes are priced at PhP40 to PhP80/serving. Rice is at PhP20/cup. Affordable yet filling set meals are also available; all served with rice and fried egg. House specialties are also easy on the pocket.
7. Sinugba sa Balay
Open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Budget: PhP500 to PhP1,000 for 2 persons
Local ambiance of the restaurant
Image: Writer
If you’re craving for something grilled, Sinugba sa Balay may be your best option. Their offerings are reasonably priced and they have live music and entertainment, which are perfect to end a long day of island hopping.
Despite their high prices, Coron restaurants are worth a try. And with the island being a relatively small place and all, it is not difficult to find a restaurant that would suit your taste. If you’re tired of the usual Filipino, Italian, and American meals, you can also find places where Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese dishes are served.
Since restaurants in Coron are already quite expensive, you’ll be happy to know that they don’t charge service fees. You won’t even see a tip box in the restaurants included in this article.
Overall, dining in Coron is an experience in itself. Being one of the country’s top tourist spots, you’ll certainly be surprised with the food selections this beautiful island has to offer.
Prices may change without prior notice.
Click the store links to see their exact addresses and contact numbers.
About Mildred Fermin
Mildred has been an editor for journals, books, magazines, and other reading materials since year 2000. She is an avid traveler both locally and around Southeast Asia. She dreams of visiting Batanes soon and, hopefully, getting a Schengen visa in the next 5 years.
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