The Philippines is an ideal and attractive destination for several reasons, and great-tasting delicacies are one of them. The top food destinations in the Philippines are known for their delicious delicacies, some of which have become synonymous with the country’s identity. The country’s range of local cuisines offers unique flavors and tastes that make them recognizable to locals and visitors.
10 Of The Best Food Places In The Philippines
Local Filipino cuisine is highly regarded because it reflects the region, its people, history, and culture. Over time, each dish has evolved by blending indigenous ingredients and flavors with outside influences, including American, Chinese, and Spanish styles.
The Philippines boasts several delicious dishes like lechon, longganisa, kare-kare, and adobo. Adobo is the country’s most popular and highly regarded dish among these. In 2023, adobo was even featured on Google Doodle, making it the first Filipino dish to receive such recognition on the platform.
The growing popularity of Filipino dishes has begun attracting many tourists to visit the country and taste these delicacies for themselves. The increasing interest in each region’s signature dish has become a tourist attraction. Here are 10 of the best food places in the Philippines you should check out and taste.
Pampanga
Many consider Pampanga the “Food Capital Of The Philippines,” and rightfully so. Any local would immediately think of the province regarding great traditional cuisine. The province’s culinary artistry and techniques had predated colonial times when past tribes made intriguing dishes by living off the land and timing the region’s seasons.
The province is known for its famous dishes, with one of the most popular being sisig, which has been around since the 1970s, and its name means “to make sour.” This dish comprises chopped-up bits of pork belly and pork mask mixed with onions, chopped chilies, vinegar, and calamansi (Filipino lemon).
See also: Top 10 Foodgasmic Food in the Philippines
Cebu
Cebu is another widely recognized province within the country. The province is known for being the center of trading and tourism in Visayas, as well as being the oldest city in the entire country. Besides boasting many ancient Spanish forts, marine parks, and business accommodations, Cebu is known for its mouthwatering delicacies.
None of the several Cebuano foods offered are more recognizable than their iconic lechon. Lechon, meaning ‘suckling pig,’ is the best food in the Philippines and has even been considered the most popular favorite fiesta food among locals.
Bicol
The Bicol Region, located in the southern section of Luzon, is home to stunning tourist spots and the perfectly-shaped Mayon Volcano. The region is also home to several popular local dishes. Bicol dishes are known for their creamy and chili-infused delicacies. This technique has led to one of the region’s most popular dishes, laing.
Laing is a delicious dish made with coconut milk and shredded taro leaves mixed with garlic and ginger. It can also contain fish, pork, or chicken bits. Another popular dish from the Bicol region is Bicol Express, widely recognized and enjoyed throughout the country, even in other provinces.
Iloilo City
Iloilo City, located on Panay Island, offers many scenic touring spots mainly consisting of Spanish colonial churches and homes. Upon visiting the city, tourists are also encouraged to visit some of its local restaurants, where they offer a number of unique dishes.
One dish that comes to mind regarding Iloilo is their popular La Paz Batchoy. Numerous restaurants within the city have made their signature twists on this tasty egg noodle dish, highlighting its popularity.
Bacolod City
Bacolod City, known for its MassKara Festival, is also home to several delicacies, including the chicken inasal. While the delicacy is now found all across the country, the city is where you can taste the most authentic take on the Filipino charcoal-grilled chicken dish. One of Bacolod’s touring spots, Manokan Country, is recognized for having the best chicken inasal.
Roxas
Known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philipines,” Roxas City is one of the top food destinations in the Philippines, and you should visit to taste fresh seafood dishes in unique ways. Several Roxas tours offer visitors a wide selection of dishes they can try in their culinary journey. Here, guests can check out several unique dishes, from baked oysters to grilled fish.
One of the specialties in the city is their unique version of the traditional Kare-Kare dish, which substitutes meat with seafood like shrimp, crab, mussels, and squid. Another specialty is their crispy pork binagoongan (fried pork with shrimp paste) and their take on local roast chicken.
Cagayan De Oro City
The capital city of Misamis Oriental is known as a culinary tourism destination that food enthusiasts should visit. The city offers its versions of several dishes, such as humba, a pork stew mixed in sweet and sour sauce, and their signature sinuglaw, a dish that combines fish ceviche and chopped grilled pork belly.
Muron is one of CDO’s most famous delicacies and serves as a good side dish or snack anytime and any place. These dishes are similar to the native suman. They are made from ground glutinous rice and are mixed with sugar and coconut milk.
Davao
Davao is known for offering many natural resources, one being the locally dubbed “King of Fruits,” the Durian. The city uses these fruits in making several products, including candies and durian-flavored coffee. Besides their unique take on fruit-themed products, Davao is also a perfect destination to taste their iconic seafood dishes.
Grilled tuna belly and kinilaw are among their most popular dishes. Tourists are also encouraged to try the local street food, bulcachong, made of carabao meat chunks in soup with spices and ginger.
See also: BEST RESTAURANTS IN DAVAO CITY
Zamboanga
Zamboanga’s cuisine stands out from the rest of the country due to its style and influences from the city’s close ties and proximity to Muslim-dominated islands. Two of the city’s most popular and unique dishes are its tiyula itum and kurma.
Tiyula item is a spicy beef or goat soup known for its deep black broth. It is cooked with ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric. On the other hand, Kurma is a spicy curry dish made with braised beef, coconut milk, and spices.
Binondo
Deemed as one of the oldest Chinatowns, not just in the Philippines but worldwide, Binondo has showcased several dishes that mix their local roots with other outside influences. Being a food hub itself, Binondo offers many dishes that are derived from Chinese roots.
These dishes include pork dumplings, lumpia shanghai, misua guisado, beef mami, and hopia. Hopia is a popular snack in the country. Binondo is also home to some of the best siopaos, which are white steamed buns, within the country.
Final Thoughts
The top food destination in the Philippines offers dishes reflecting the country’s identity. Each region offers its version of widely recognized cuisines and creates unique dishes. Over time, these dishes have gained popularity and continue to leave a lasting impact on every individual who enjoys Filipino food’s exotic taste and presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philippines is recognized as a global culinary destination, known for blending its unique culture and local expertise with those of the nations that colonized it in the past. As its popularity grows, there are also an increasing number of inquiries. Here are some frequently asked questions from tourists who are planning their food trip to different places in the Philippines:
What is the ranking of Filipino cuisine?
Filipino cuisine was ranked 33rd among the top 100 Best Cuisines in the World in 2023. With a score of 4.35 out of 5 stars overall.
What is the most iconic dish in the Philippines?
The Philippines offers numerous signature dishes, and it is hard to distinguish which one is the most iconic. Each dish, such as lechon, sisig, kare-kare, and adobo, is widely popular and iconic in its own right.
Why is Filipino food so special?
Filipino cuisine is known for its diversity and unique flavors, which have been surprising people around the world. What makes these dishes popular is their ability to draw inspiration from various cultural influences, with particular emphasis on Spanish and Western influences.