Restaurants in Legazpi

There are a lot of options when you look for a place to eat in Legazpi City. You’ll mostly find the best of Bicol cuisine mixed with some of the world’s best dishes. Finding these food establishments won’t be that hard since the locals will be happy to point you in the right direction when you ask them. The following restaurants of only some of the best ones you’ll find in Legazpi City.

Smoke & Grill: If you choose to stay in an inn or hotel near the airport, then this is a great place to get a quick bite. It’s only a short walk from the airport so if you’re hotel is in that area then you might as well head on here. A meal here, like crispy pata and sizzlers, would cost less than $10 and you get to mingle a bit with the Bicolanos since this place is the place to hangout for locals as well. A night cap or cocktail would also be a good idea when you visit Smoke & Grill after the sun sets.

Cres Restaurant: The restaurant is Chinese-owned but you shouldn’t expect to find only Chinese food served here. This is a nice place to get lunch and to try some Filipino-style home cooking. They have a friendly staff and the manager will give you a sample of the warm hospitality you deserve. A favorite dish here is the ever fiery Bicol Express, a dish primarily made from chili peppers in coconut milk. Meals in Cres Restaurant will average around $5, which is really cheap by local standards.

Sikatuna Grille: This is a great place to have a beer, or even several rounds of it. It’s only a short drive from the airport on Washington Drive, which is close to some hotels and lodgings in the city like Alicia Hotel. The name is coined from the words ‘sikat’ which denotes fame and ‘tuna’ which is its specialty. The grilled tuna will leave you dumbfounded. A couple of their many tuna specialties that are worth mentioning are tuna burgers and tuna sashimi. Meals here are bit more expensive the most averaging around $10 and up.

Tago-Tago Food Garden: This restaurant has a rustic ambience and theme. The name of the place says it all, which means that you’ll be dining in the garden area. In fact, you’ll be served as you wait in huts and enjoy the local weather. Tago-Tago Food Garden, in spite of its namesake which means hidden, is easy to find in the San Roque district. Meals here will average around $10, which is reasonable considering the ambience.

Graceland: The locals come here either for lunch or for any of their pastries. Graceland is a fastfood restaurant and a bakeshop in one. If you’re the type who wants either or both then try them here. Graceland’s lunch menu is primarily from the local cuisine with burgers and fries. Their tapa meal is quite commendable. Meal prices here are around the local average at $5. They have a store near Saint Raphael Church, which is hard to miss when you’re touring Legazpi City.

Waway’s Restaurant: If you’re out for the local chili pepper-based Bicolano cuisine, then try Waway’s. The food served here is basically spicy, and that should be taken as a precaution. However, the coconut milk base balances the spicy flavors in a way. You should never miss their squid and crabs - a fiery seafood heaven. Waway’s Restaurant is along Penaranda Street, which is a busy section of the city where hotels, inns, and restaurants are lined up.

Bigg’s Diner: This is a local restaurant with a diner theme. This is a home grown restaurant in the Bicol Region. The place has an early 50’s to late 70’s feel to it with a lot of memorabilia and some really old rock and painted roll posters on the walls. Bigg’s has a 24-hour branch at the center of Legazpi City, which is great for passersby and night owls looking for a place to eat. Meals here would average from $5 to $10 depending on how hungry you are. They have quite an impressive menu combining Filipino and Western cuisine. Some Bigg’s branches even serve pizza.