Classic Ilonggo Flavors & Heritage Eats
Breakfast – La Paz Public Market
- Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy – The OG batchoy experience in its birthplace
- Grab fresh puto and ibos from nearby stalls
- Optional: try panara or ukoy for a savory morning bite
Mid-Morning Snack – Madge Café (inside the market)
- Traditional brewed coffee served in customized cups
- Pair with baye-baye or egg pie
Lunch – Breakthrough Restaurant (Villa Beach)
- Must-try: Grilled Diwal (angel wing clams), Kinilaw, Talaba, and Aligue rice
- Beachfront vibe with a breezy, relaxing meal
Afternoon Merienda – JD Bakery Café (SM Delgado or El 98 Street)
- Try their chicken pastel, lasagna, or affordable pastries
- Sip on classic Ilonggo iced tea (you’ll know it when you taste it!)
Dinner – Tatoy’s Manokan & Seafood (Villa or Diversion Road)
- Iconic native chicken inasal + seafood spread
- Good for groups, local-style fiesta eating
Dessert – Camina Balay nga Bato
- Enjoy tsokolate tablea and homemade Ilonggo tsokolate ice cream
- Tour the ancestral house and gift shop for local delicacies
Modern Bites, Fusion, and Hidden Gems
Breakfast – Dova Brunch Café (Lapaz or Festive Walk)
- Modern Filipino breakfast: longganisa sliders, ube pancakes, or Adobo flakes rice
- Great coffee and chill interior
Mid-Morning – Panaderia de Molo
- Taste their famous Molo cookies and egg cracklets
- Bring home classic pasalubong items
Lunch – Netong’s or Popoy’s Batchoy at Festive Walk
- Revisit batchoy, this time in a mall setting
- Or try Popoy’s crispy batchoy (a twist with chicharon overload)
Café Hopping Options
- Iloilo Coffee House – Locally roasted beans, great for remote working
- Cafe Panay – For heritage-inspired desserts and decor
- Salt Restaurant by Al Dente – Great fusion menu & coffee too
Dinner – Farm to Table (Megaworld)
- Healthy, Ilonggo-based dishes using local ingredients
- Try the batchoy pasta, kansi sinigang, and ube cheesecake
Late-night food crawl (Optional)
- Roberto’s Siopao (Downtown) – Iconic Queen Siopao
- Night Market along Valeria Street – Street food stalls, tempura, kwek-kwek, isaw
- Or chill at Smallville Complex with bars and live music
Pasalubong Suggestions:
- Biscocho Haus – Biscocho, barquillos, butterscotch
- Deocampo Barquillos – The original thin rolled wafers
- Tinapayan – Classic Ilonggo bread and pasalubong packs
- Kusina Tsina – Tikoy, Chinese-inspired Ilonggo treats