El Nido’s dining scene has grown up. What used to be beach shacks is now a real food destination along Rizal Street and the waterfront in El Nido, Palawan — wood-fired pizza, Filipino-fusion, fresh seafood, and rooftop bars over the limestone cliffs. Amari by Vivere’s own A. Cliff Kitchen sits at the centre of it. This is a guide to the wider scene — where to look, what to order, and what to expect.
Rooftop dining at Amari
Before the guide: if you’re staying with us, A. Cliff Kitchen is our rooftop restaurant, bar, and pool — breakfast from 6 AM, all-day menu and cocktails until 10 PM, with the limestone cliffs of Taraw right above you. Breakfast is included when you book direct.
Beachfront and waterfront
El Nido Main Beach and the waterfront strip are where most first-timers eat — grilled seafood, sunset cocktails, beanbags in the sand. Expect grilled fish, garlic-butter prawns, and squid cooked over open flame. Main dishes generally run PHP 250–600. Get there by 5 PM if you want a front-row seat for sunset over El Nido island-hopping waters.
Maremegmeg Beach, about 15 minutes south, is a cluster of more relaxed beach clubs — pick your fish at the counter, they grill it for you. PHP 200–600.
Filipino and local
Several restaurants in town focus on Filipino home cooking — kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew), sinigang na hipon (sour prawn soup), grilled tuna belly, and bulalo (bone-marrow beef shank). Portions are generous and prices are fair: PHP 200–500 per main. Local seafood dishes are at their best at lunch and early dinner, while the morning’s catch is still fresh.
International and fusion
Town has a growing international scene — Mediterranean small plates and cocktails at the south end of the strip, Japanese-inspired plates using Palawan seafood, and wood-fired kitchens doing smoked meats, grilled octopus, and fire-roasted vegetables. Expect PHP 300–700 per main. In peak season, reservations matter — the best tables fill by 6:30 PM.
Quick bites and budget eats
For pastries, all-day breakfast, and slow mornings, look for the older cafés along Rizal Street — several double as bookshops or work-friendly spaces. Falafel, shawarma, and Middle Eastern wraps are the go-to for budget dinners (PHP 150–250). Straightforward grilled-seafood turo-turo spots north of town serve local fish at local prices.
Tips for eating out in El Nido
- Cash is essential — many kitchens, especially smaller ones, don’t take cards.
- In peak season (December–March) book dinner. The best tables fill by 6:30 PM.
- Seafood selection is best at lunch and early dinner, while the morning’s catch is fresh.
- Skip tap water — bottled or filtered only.
- Tipping is appreciated but not required. 10% is generous.
- Most kitchens close by 9:30–10 PM. Bars and beach clubs run later in peak season.
FAQ
Is eating out in El Nido expensive? El Nido costs more than most Philippine destinations but is still affordable internationally. Budget meals PHP 150–300, mid-range PHP 300–600, upscale PHP 600–1,000+ per person.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options? Yes. Middle Eastern and international places accommodate plant-based diets well. Local Filipino kitchens can usually prepare vegetable dishes on request.
What’s the must-try local dish? Fresh grilled seafood straight from El Nido island-hopping waters — tuna belly, garlic-butter prawns, and whole grilled fish. If you’re staying with us, breakfast at A. Cliff Kitchen uses the same morning-fresh seafood and Palawan produce.
When do restaurants close? Most kitchens close by 9:30–10 PM. A. Cliff Kitchen at Amari runs bar service and light plates until 10 PM.