Dumaguete, also known as the City of Gentle People, is a small city located in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. Dumaguete continues progressing as a popular tourist destination because of its rich culture, breathtakingly laid-back sceneries, and mouth-watering food — from local fare, Filipino food, to even international dishes.
As it progresses, the humble city has experienced a surge of Instagram-worthy food places, making this highly potential tourist destination a foodie’s paradise!
When you visit Dumaguete, make sure to explore and eat at the cafes and best restaurants that are worth trying. But before that, let us first look into the unique and tasty local delicacies in Dumaguete City.
Authentic Delicacies in the City of Gentle People
You can experience Dumaguete by just tasting its unique and popular delicacies. You may know of some of this, but their version will make you return to their wonderful city.
Dumaguete Sans rival and Silvanas
The Dumaguete sans rival cakes and silvanas are, yes, as the names indicate — without rival. They are two famous pastries in Dumaguete; both are made of meringue, cashew nuts, and buttercream. Sans rival is a cake, while silvanas is a cookie-like “snack version” of sans rival.
Silvanas, a must-try dessert in Dumaguete, is now an all-time Filipino favorite dessert that is always a hit among tourists. This sweet treat is made of layers of soft and crunchy cashew meringue and buttercream that will make your taste buds tingle with satisfaction. Never forget Dumaguete’s pride – the Silvanas!
Budbud Kabog
Budbud kabog is delicious filipino food in Dumaguete similar to the popular rice cake, suman – a rice cake usually eaten as breakfast or a snack. The difference is that the budbud kabog is made of kabog millet grains instead of rice.
Puto Maya
Most of you know the famous Puto of the Philippines, the puto maya is a variation of that. Puto is just a simple rice cake made of rice dough, but puto maya is a combination of sticky rice, coconut milk, and ginger juice.
It is best combined with sikwate, hot chocolate made of pure tableya, or toasted cacao beans.
Local Dishes in Dumaguete City
Binakhaw
Another unique dish in Dumaguete is the Binakhaw. This is Dumaguete’s version of Kinilaw. This Filipino Dish, like the Kinilaw, is also cooked in vinegar. The only difference is that the dish Binakhaw includes a special ingredient: the Dungon extract from the Dungon fruit.
Sizzling Chicken in Jo’s Chicken Inato
Jo’s Chicken Inato founded its first and main branch in Dumaguete, along Silliman Avenue, which has been growing ever since. One of their famous dishes is the sizzling chicken and other chicken dishes. It is said that the chicken in Jo’s Chicken Inato is Dumaguete’s version of the popular Inasal of Bacolod.
Now, let’s check out these food places that not only serve delicious food but also offer aesthetically pleasing ambiance to dine with, making them a must-try for both locals and tourists visiting the charming city.
Best Restaurants in Dumaguete City : Best Places to Eat!
The best restaurants in Dumaguete serve tasty food and offer a good ambiance. Here are some restaurants in Dumaguete that are worth your visit.
Palmitas Kitchen & Bar
Palmitas Kitchen and Bar is another local restaurant popular for its Insagrammable dining spots located at the heart of Bantayan, Dumaguete City. It is one of the best restaurants known for serving delicious Filipino food including breakfast favorites, flavorful dishes, and refreshing drinks, making it a go-to place for all foodies and travelers.
The establishment is spacious, with indoor and outdoor seating areas and a cozy ambiance that offers an ideal setting for dining, working, socializing, or just chilling and relaxing.
Besides the visually enticing food that complements its mouth-watering taste, this dining spot has beautiful interiors. The black accent and the brick wall design create a homey and modern vibe without intimidating newcomers.
Fortunately, the owners have managed to blend their love for Filipino food with the passion to create a welcoming and Instagrammable food spot for locals, foodies, tourists, and travelers to have an enjoyable dining experience in Dumaguete City.
The Green Chef Dumaguete Plant-Based Restaurant
You just can’t get enough of Dumaguete’s Instagrammable spots, and adding up to the list is The Green Chef Dumaguete Plant-Based Restaurant, located along Mango Avenue. The Green Chef Dumaguete Plant-Based Restaurant is a vegetarian haven for health enthusiasts.
The restaurant offers plant-based and calorie-counted dishes that are both delicious and healthy. This food place’s main draw is its fresh and local ingredients, making its meals stand out. At The Green Chef, you can enjoy a hearty Malunggay Wrap or feast on their delectable Banana Heart Burger.
Their healthy smoothies and desserts are also excellent, refreshing choices, such as the spinach mango smoothie and the malunggay ice cream. The restaurant’s garden and plant-themed interior design is also an Instagram-worthy backdrop for foodies and food photographers who want to relish their food by taking a snap of remembrance before munching!
More than the good food is the excellent customer service rendered by the efficient and affable staff.
Hayahay Tree House Bar and View Deck
Another favorite local restaurant in Dumaguete City, of locals and tourists, is the Hayahay Tree House Bar and View Deck. It is another food spot worth visiting from the seafood restaurant group. This restaurant offers sumptuous grilled seafood dishes.
It has a rustic ambiance that sets the mood for an unforgettable dining experience, especially at night. One of the must-try dishes at Hayahay is the grilled tuna belly, fresh and juicy tuna belly marinated in garlic and lemon juice then grilled to perfection.
One feature that the restaurant is popular for is its treehouse bar, where you can take pictures of the overlooking horizon or simply just marvel at the beauty of the clouds and sea.
Esturya Bar and Restaurant
If you want to rest from local dishes and want international dishes in between, there are also other restaurants in Dumaguete City that offer a global spread. If you feel are in the mood to visiting an Italian restaurant, then Esturya Bar and Restaurant, also called the Esturya Tapas and Bar, is the right place for you. It is a restaurant locates in Hibbard Ave., Tubod Piapi, Dumaguete City. In this Italian restaurant, you have a variety of food choices as the menu is a mix of Italian cuisine, American, and Asian dishes – it has chicken and pasta dishes and pizzas, which can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Other Restaurants in Dumaguete
For honorable mentions, there are restaurants in Dumaguete City still worth mentioning in this list: the Casablanca Restaurant near Catalina Street, Gabby’s Bistro, Restaurant Kri, Pasta King, and Neva’s Pizza.
Casablanca restaurant offers delicious Mediterranean food – its dishes are elegantly plated when served. Gabby’s Bistro, on the other hand, mainly serves American food, like burgers with fries or onion rings.
When it comes to being aesthetically pleasing, Gabby’s Bistro is the one to choose because of its vibrant and colorful interior.
Restaurant Kri along Silliman Avenue is a casual bistro-cafe and a good place to eat Asian and international dishes. It also has vegan options and friendly to vegetarians.
Cafés Worth Visiting
Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries
One of the things in Dumaguete that the city is most proud of is the Silvanas, found in Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries, located in San Jose Street just in front of the iconic Dumaguete Boulevard. Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries offers scrumptious bakery treats, delectable meals, and refreshing beverages.
Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries is a café on top of the list of Instagrammable food spots in Dumaguete because of its location fronting the Boulevard. You can sip your coffee and take a bite of your Silvanas, while also savoring the best views of Dumaguete City.
Socials Café
Another Instaworthy food spot in Dumaguete is a café named Socials Café. Socials Café is famous for its extensive menu of international dishes that satisfy even the most discerning palates. The café boasts delectable food such as sandwiches and finger foods.
The rustic ambiance and homey concept of the café make it an ideal spot for brunch enthusiasts who want to relax while having coffee. One will enjoy dining at Socials Café, boasting a relaxing café vibe with good food.
If you are in for cafés with both Instagrammable food and ambiance, Socials Café is one of your best options.
Buglas Isla Café
The Buglas Isla Café is a rustic and aesthetic café at EJ Blanco Drive, Piapi, Dumaguete City. The cafe is surrounded by a beautiful garden, where their outdoor dining is located.
It offers an all-day breakfast. You have a variety to choose from, from American-style breakfast like waffles and pancakes to Filipino dishes featuring the Dumaguete Chorizo and danggit. Like most cafés, they have a bakery with unique and interesting pastries like their taho cheesecake and chocolate yema cake.
Last Stop: Rizal Boulevard
If you are looking for something to eat at a cheap and affordable price, you should go to Rizal Boulevard. This is where you can find a variety of street food to choose from: fishballs, barbecues and other inihaws, tempura and other fried foods, and pastries like cake and, of course, the famous silvanas.
As a foodie and a traveler, we know you always have a knack for scenic spots, and these Instagrammable food places in Dumaguete are definitely one for the books (or social media feed!). Upgrade your Instagram feed when you visit these food spots, but don’t forget the real goal – to enjoy food trippin’ in Dumaguete!
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