Siargao food guide: what to eat and how eating out works
Siargao's signature dish is kinilaw, raw fish cured in vinegar, and the best place to try it is CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack. Most restaurants are in General Luna. Bring cash, book the popular places, and expect anything from 150 pesos at a canteen to about 2,500 pesos for a tasting menu.
What should you eat in Siargao?
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it |
|---|---|---|
| Kinilaw | Raw fish, usually tuna, cured in vinegar with ginger, onion and chili. It is the island's signature dish. | CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack, Bayani at Harana Surf Resort |
| Sinuglaw | Kinilaw mixed with grilled pork belly. CEV serves a version with raw tuna, grilled pork and a roasted pepper sauce. | CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack |
| Lechon | Whole roast pig with crackling skin. Many local families still raise and roast their own pigs. | Kanin Baboy |
| Grilled seafood and inihaw | Skewers and fish grilled over charcoal, sold by weight or by the stick at barbecue stands. | Mama's Grill, Catangnan BBQ, Emelia's Restobar |
| Bulalo | Beef shank and bone-marrow soup, a hearty Filipino comfort dish. | Bulaloan |
| Turon | Saba banana, sometimes with jackfruit, rolled in a spring-roll wrapper, fried and caramelised. | Isla Turon Deluxe |
| Halo-halo | Shaved ice with sweet beans, fruit, jelly, milk and ice cream. | Jorene's Homemade Ice Cream, Kobe's Bite Dessert House |
| Pan de coco | Soft bread rolls filled with sweet grated coconut. | El Mejor Pan de Coco |
| Coconut ice cream and coconut coffee | Coconut shows up in most desserts on the island. | Coco Frio, All About Cocoo |
How does eating out in Siargao work?
What food is Siargao known for?
Siargao is known for kinilaw, raw fish cured in vinegar, and its cousin sinuglaw, which adds grilled pork. Lechon, grilled seafood and coconut desserts are the other local staples. CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack in General Luna is the reference for kinilaw.
How much does a meal cost in Siargao?
A plate at a Filipino canteen such as Kurvada was reported at about 150 to 350 pesos (check the current menu). The tasting menu at Roots was reported at about 2,500 pesos per person in May 2025. Most cafes and mid-range restaurants sit between the two.
Do restaurants in Siargao accept cards or GCash?
As of late 2026, travel reports agree on one thing: bring cash. Cards are mostly accepted at larger resorts and restaurants. GCash is common at cafes and many restaurants but not everywhere. ATMs in General Luna can run out of cash at busy times.
Should you tip in Siargao restaurants?
Tipping is not expected at local eateries. Higher-end restaurants may already add a 10% service charge, so check the bill. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is appreciated.
Do you need to book restaurants in Siargao?
Book ahead for Roots and CEV. Popular places such as Kermit fill up in the evening, so arrive early. The busiest period is surf season, from September to November, plus holiday weekends.
Where are most restaurants in Siargao?
Most are in General Luna, along Tourism Road and around Cloud 9 and Catangnan. The north of the island, around Pacifico and Burgos, has far fewer places to eat.
Where to go next
- The 100 best restaurants in Siargao
- Cheap eats
- Best Filipino restaurants
- Best seafood
- Pacifico and the north