WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Home to paradise and power cuts – El Nido has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations in The Philippines.  Mesmerising beaches, paradise islands, spectacular landscapes & hidden lagoons, are just a handful of the wonders to be discovered here. While visitors spend their days island hopping or enjoying nearby beaches, the town itself can be overwhelming,  Tourism in El Nido has grown dramatically in the past 5 years, and so has the choice of restaurants & nightlife. Thankfully, there are some amazing options to choose from, and below you can find a list of the best places to eat & drink in El Nido!

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN

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WHERE TO EAT IN EL NIDO

HAPPINESS BAR

Vegans, vegetarians & Non-Vegetarians will enjoy this hipster restaurant serving up all things ‘Falafel’.  Perfect for a full on sit down dinner, or just drinks & nibbles swinging at the bar, you have to check this place out!  Awesome food, quirky decor, delicious cocktails and swings at the bar… what more can you want!!

*TIP – Ask George to make you a spicy Margarita using their homemade chilli sauce – Incredible if you like things fiery! The Peach Daiquiri is also a winning choice!

Price Range – Food: 250-400PHP.  Cocktails: 200-300PHP.

GLOW JUICE BAR

Delicious fresh fruit, acai bowls, smoothies or juices, this place is perfect to top up your 5 a day.

Price Range – 200-300PHP.

VANDV BAGELS

This place will surely satisfy your cravings for western food, with a wide selection of bagels, burgers, pasta and pizza. They also have a very nice breakfast menu.

Price Range – 250-400PHP

FOOD MARKET

El Nido isn’t the cheapest when it comes to food, so if you’re on a budget don’t forget to visit the food markets for mouth-watering local food at cheap as chips prices.

FALAFEL BAR

We loved this place for their signature falafel wraps packed full with fresh vegetables & sauces of your choice. There are also chicken or lamb options available, and you can choose from wraps or salads.

Price Range: 200-300PHP

Suggested read: Vegan & vegetarian pick in the Philippines.

NIGHTLIFE IN EL NIDO TOWN

SAVA BAR is the popular beachfront bar that’s hard to miss with it’s trendy & modern decor. Expect a laid back atmosphere through the afternoon until around 9pm when there is usually a DJ, and the dance floor starts to get crowded until last orders at 2am. They offer a wide range of cocktails (The Twister & Passionfruit Daiquiri were our favourites) spirits, beers & a nice selection of bar food including sandwiches & nibbles.

PUKKA BAR – There aren’t any nightclubs in El Nido but Pukka Bar is the next closest thing. It starts to get busy around midnight & the stragglers from Sava will make their way here until closing around 3.30am. Earlier in the evening, you can expect a live Reggae band & as the night goes on, loud, thumping dance music.

LIVE MUSIC – If you are into your live music, there is a really cool bar next to Sava with a live indie/rock band playing most evenings – Apologies, we can’t remember the name but the band are extremely good!

TIP – El Nido is very passionate about the battle against plastic, therefore, be prepared for paper straws in most venues. We think it’s great, but to avoid those soggy straws, bag yourselves some bamboo straws in advance!

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO

TOP CHOICE – Amakan Bed Bunk & Breakfast – One of the more premium options in the town, and although the rooms were a little cramped (not unusual for El Nido town), they were extremely clean and comfortable. There are a variety of room options available, including dorms, and room prices include free buffet breakfast

MID RANGE PRIVATE – Bulskamp Inn – Perfect for those looking to escape the bustle of El Nido Town.

HOSTEL – Spin Designer Hostel – Recently voted the best hostel in the whole of the Philippines, Spin is a relaxed hostel, offering basic private rooms & dorms with free breakfast included.

For more places to stay in El Nido, you can check the latest prices here.

More on Philippines

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out some of our other articles to help plan your trip:

• 21 Unmissable Tourist Spots in Coron, Palawan
• ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO BORACAY
• ISLAND HOPPING TOURS IN CORON
• 8 ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN LEGAZPI, PHILIPPINES
• ETHICALLY SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS IN DONSOL
• A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES

Did you enjoy our list of places to eat and drink in El Nido, Palawan?

Let us know. That concludes our list of places to eat and drink in El Nido, Palawan.  We hope you enjoy your time in this magical city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here, where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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