A beach vacation is the perfect opportunity to clear your mind, escape your hectic everyday routine, discover new places or visit old favorites, and most importantly, indulge in simple pleasures.
And while food may just be the simplest pleasure there is, there's no better way to truly experience a place than by trying its dishes and delicacies. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you need to fuel yourself even for a lazy day of lounging around the beach (there really is something about being by the ocean that makes you sooooo hungry!), we've listed a couple of brunch restaurants and cafés around the country that we promise are worth the early wakeup call. So, start your day right by sinking your toes into the sand and your forks into that hearty meal!
The Sunny Side Cafe (Boracay)
When you find yourself in the world-famous Boracay, you’re spoiled for choice. While the long strip of powdery white sand is lined with resorts, bars, cafés, and restaurants, a must on every breakfast-lover’s list is The Sunny Side Café. Located in Station 3, its menu boasts all-day breakfast delights and is the island’s only restaurant that serves specialty coffee roasted by The EDSA Beverage Group. Pair your brews with their best-selling dishes like The Sunny Side Cafe Choriburger and Bacon & Mango Grilled Cheese Sandwich, among others.
Station 3, White Beach Path
Malay, Aklan
(036) 288 2874
Daily, 7AM – 10PM
Café Maruja (Boracay)
Another notable spot in the famed Boracay is Café Maruja, a native-inspired local café that shouldn’t be missed. Patrons rave about its friendly staff and lounge-like feel, but its real claim to fame is the Nutella-infused drinks and pastries. For those who find joy in starting the day on a sweet note, this is the place for you!
Station 3 Beachfront, Casa Pilar Beach Resort
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
(036 288 3202
Daily, 8AM – 11PM
Barefoot (La Union)
Perfectly in sync with La Union’s laid-back vibe is Barefoot La Union. Starting out with selling sourdough bread, it became a huge success with the locals and eventually branched out to serving breakfast food—after all, nothing works better with bread! While their dishes like the Pinoy-fave Tapa, the cheesy Shakshouka, and the classic Eggs Benedict are already enough to make your mouth water, their beautiful presentations are worthy of pictures, too.
Monaliza Surf Resort, San Juan
La Union
(0920) 906 9741
Thursdays to Mondays, 8AM – 2PM
Makai Bowls (La Union)
Perhaps you’ve already heard of it or even visited it on a trip to La Union, but arguably one of the surf town’s most popular foodie destinations is Makai Bowls. Serving you smoothie bowls, fresh fruit juices and smoothies, and popsicles, it has become the epitome of a guilt-free indulgence. So for those still trying to eat healthy even while on vacation, this definitely makes an easy choice. Throw in the colorfulness of their concoctions, and you’re in for a photo-worthy breakfast that will brighten your day!
The Great Northwest Philippines
Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Mondays and Wednesdays to Fridays, 8AM – 6PM
Saturdays to Sundays, 8AM – 8PM
Shaka Café (Siargao)
Similar to La Union’s Makai Bowls, Shaka Café in Siargao is the ideal all-day breakfast bar for health buffs and those wanting to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, and specialty coffee by the beach are what’s in store for you here. As an added treat, their smoothie bowls almost always look like little flower arrangements; and while you think they might be too pretty to eat, they taste even better than they look!
Tourism Road, General Luna
Surigao del Norte
(0929) 422 8956
Daily, 6:30AM – 5:30PM
Bravo Restaurant (Siargao)
For late risers who want to squeeze in a delicious meal first thing in the morning, brunching at Bravo Restaurant in Siargao shouldn’t be a question. Specializing in Spanish cuisine, it wonderfully marries international fare with the best local ingredients. Whether you’re in the mood for sampling tapas or sharing a paella with your beach buds, you’ll definitely get your morning dose of good food and good vibes here.
Tourism Road, Barangay 5
General Luna, Surigao del Norte
(0947) 428 7808
Daily, 11AM – 10PM
Nacpan Sunmai Sunset Restaurant (El Nido, Palawan)
Situated in the number 1 beach in Asia, Nacpan Sunmai Sunset Restaurant in Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan is a highly rated restobar with live band shows and excellent fare. Don’t let its name deceive you, as their pasta and seafood and meat entrées make for delightful brunch options—they even have a vegetarian menu to cater to your herbivorous loved ones. Fuel up for the day here, and you’ll find that it isn’t a surprise for the place to always be teeming with locals and tourists.
Nacpan Beach Pier, El Nido
Palawan
(0945 413 0306)
Daily, 10AM – 9PM
Bayler View Restaurant (Baler)
Sitting atop Sabang Beach’s boardwalk in Baler is Bayler View Restaurant, one of the few foodie spots that offers a full Sabang Beach view. They specialize in lutong-bahay Filipino meals like Bistek Baler, Sinigang na Baka, Lechon Kawali, and Grilled Squid, as well as classic pancit and pasta dishes, too. After you fill yourself up with hearty dishes that are reminiscent of your childhood, don’t forget to indulge in their pièce de résistance: the Chocnut Turon ala Mode.
Sabang Beach, Baler
(0919) 286 3105
Sundays to Thursdays, 6:30AM – 8PM
Fridays to Saturdays, 6:30AM – 9PM
Oasis Resort Restaurant (Bohol)
Being in the business for over 35 years, Bohol’s most iconic diving center, Oasis Resort, has been a favorite among both locals and foreigners—and for good reason. Their in-house restaurant Oasis Resort Restaurant is dubbed as one of Panglao’s most well-known eateries and has proudly stood the test of time. Famous for The Oasis Royal Burger (or Alona Beach’s biggest burger), they’re also known for the freshest seafood with an ever-changing menu of the day’s fresh catches.
Alona Beach, Tawala
Panglao, Bohol
(038) 502 9083
Daily, 7AM – 11PM
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