The Sunny Side Cafe
Start the day right with a meal at this happy beachfront café that puts a fresh spin on your favorite breakfast dishes. Think stacks of oversized pancakes slathered with flavor; buttery home-made bread; artisanal flatbread pizzas; gourmet coffee; and pure goodness that will make you go “mmm…” with each mouthful. Each dish strikes a balance by seeming comfortingly familiar, yet new and re-imagined at the same time — so don’t be surprised if you end up coming back for lunch and dinner.
Must-tries: Bacon and Mango Grilled Cheese Sandwich, The Sunny Side Café Choriburger, Espresso and Caramel Pancakes, Chorizo Baked Mac & Cheese, Avocado & Bacon Smash, Salmon Eggs Benedict and Sunny Side Champorado
Station 3 Beachfront, Boracay Sands Hotel; +63 36 288 2874; thesunnysideboracay.com
Spicebird
There are just too many things to love about this cozy eatery that’s tucked in the heart of D’Mall. The grilled dishes on their menu are lip-smackingly good thanks to their special marinades (pork and chicken are steeped for 36 hours for a burst of flavor). Then to top it all off, memorable signature sauces (the classic Piri-Piri Sauce, the super-hot Hotbird Sauce, the Garlic & Lime Sauce, and the Salsa Verde) fill jars at every table, so you can season and savor at will. The only drawback is you’ll have to come back to Boracay in order to have Piri-Piri chicken that’s this good.
Must-tries: Piri-Piri Boards, the Piri-Piri Pulled Pork Sandwich, Home-made Calamansi Cheesecake and the Double Happiness Sundae
Unit 108 D’Mall Plaza; +63 36 288 1002; spicebirdgrill.com
Adlaw Bar & Palay Restaurant
If sipping cocktails at sunset by a stunning seaside view is your thing, then head to the tip of Station 3, where the Asya Premier Suites resort welcomes those who wish to enjoy drinks at their Adlaw Bar. And for all-day dining, consider their Palay Restaurant. Located on a secluded strip of beach, Palay boasts an appetizing menu that prioritises freshness and simplicity in a balmy, luxury-resort setting.
Must-tries: Roasted Tomato Bisque, Fresh Catch of the Day, Chicken à la Kiev, Chicken Curry and the Warm Chocolate Brownie à la Mode
Asya Premier Suites, Sitio Cagban, Brgy Manoc-Manoc; +63 36 288 1790; asyapremier-boracay.com
Supermagic Burgers
Hearty, beefy, juicy, but not too heavy — that’s what the prefect beach burger is like. Now imagine that freshly ground burger is sprinkled with some Umami Dust (made from Kampot pepper, sea salt and secret ingredients), and you’ll know why they’re called Supermagic. For seafood lovers, there’s the Shrimp Roll, and for every sweet tooth out there, their frozen custard creations.
Must-tries: Supermagic Umami Bomb, Baconmagic Burger, Chipotle Cheese Fries and the Frozen Custard with sea salt and chocolate-covered potato chips
Station 3 Beachfront, Boracay Sands Hotel; +63 36 288 1592; supermagicburgers.com
Also read: 8 reasons to head to Boracay this summer
This article originally appeared in the December 2015 issue of Smile magazine.
