Dumaguete City is a known gateway to many fascinating places in the Philippines: Apo Island, Siquijor, South Cebu, Sipalay, and many more. People often deem of it as that quaint little town with a laidback lifestyle that’s well worth a side trip… and it is. But there is more to it than “worth a side trip”, and I plan to show you one particular factor that could make you want to stay longer: the Dumaguete food scene.

Fair warning: This is a long post but trust me, it’s going to be worth it.

What to eat in Dumaguete? What food should we try when in Duma? How much is the food in Dumaguete? These are common tourist questions that I am ready to give answers. FYI, I studied in Silliman University and having spent my entire college life in Dumaguete, I have come to know the local delights in this town. Yes, there is a whole heap of new restaurants popping out but I have a sister who recently moved in and a niece who just graduated in SU. This means I have “local intel”. LOL!!! The whole family also stayed in Dumaguete for 7 days after our tropical excursion in Siquijor. During those 7 days, we did nothing but eat! Here’s a list of Dumaguete food you should NOT miss (and those you CAN just skip)! I’m numbering them for proper labeling but this is not in order of which is top 1 and so on…

You can never miss this! Our personal favorite is the cheese bread which we binge-ate every single day. It’s a luscious piece of pastry that’s ready to be devoured as early as 6:30am. The great thing about it is, even when it’s already a few days old, it’s still so fvcking good!!!!! Simply the BEST. CHEESE BREAD. EVER.

Price: Php 10  ($0.20 )

Pro Tip: They only bake cheese bread once a day and that’s during early in the morning. So, if you want freshly baked cheese bread, they’re ready by 6:30 am. They can still be available after lunch, though, and you don’t have to worry because even when it’s not fresh from the oven, it’s still soooo heavenly!!! I mean, the moment you take a bite, the creaminess and cheesiness plays around inside your mouth and brings you to a totally gastronomic utopia. I’ve never eaten a cheesebread quite like this my whole life. I know “cheese bread” doesn’t sound like something anyone could be excited about but this is different. This is THE cheese bread of your dreams.

Fun fact: When I was in college, I always run to the cafeteria at 3PM before my 4PM class so I could get my daily dose of happiness. Cheese bread then were baked twice a day: early morning and around 2:30 PM. One day, I left the dormitory at 3 when it started to drizzle so I scampered from one building to the next. When I got to the Science Complex, it started to rain really really hard I had to stop for shelter. I got stuck inside the SC building, anxious because I was really craving for cheese bread. It was almost 4PM when the rain stopped. I didn’t care if I’d be a little late for Math class. LOL. So I rushed to the Caf. When I got there, panting, there was no cheese bread available anymore. Not a single one. I was so heartbroken I cried. Two of my classmates who were there saw me and laughed at me for crying over food. Hahaha! Well, that’s me. Food is life. 😂 So that’s that. Silliman’s cheese bread is the type of food you’d cry over. It’s that yummy and crave-worthy so please don’t give it a miss!

Description: Pork humba is Filipino braised pork and Silliman University’s version is just so irresistably appetizing! I’m not exaggerating. When I lived in the campus dorm (Edith Carson Hallers, hello!), this used to be my favorite and my “big sisters” knew it so they try to snag more of this for me! Hahaha! Foreigners and health enthusiasts may not like this very much, though, but if you’re someone with a “super Pinoy palate” like mine, this might be the humba of your dreams!!! So I don’t know, I’d still say foreign tourists SHOULD at least try this.

#3 Post Bakeshop

 

By the way, a lot of people thinks Kurambos is already closed permanently. That is so not true. Their Tubod branch is closed, yes, but Kurambos — thank God — is still open for business. They’re in San Juan Street, near West Elementary School.

Must try:

Price: Php 12 ($0.23) per stick

Tip: Pick ones that has fat. Grilled pork fat is sinfully yum!!!

Price: Php 600 ($11.56) per kilo

Description: Roasted pork belly — a staple Filipino food everyone LOVES.

When I was in college, Gina’s and “Mangga” had always been a favorite. I can eat there everyday and I wouldn’t mind. My go-to order is, of course, their juicy sinugbang baboy (grilled pork belly) and [a lot of] rice. They also serve free soup which is usually tinola.

Before we discovered Gina’s, we used to go to Mangga. There’s a very modest carinderia near Meciano Road which is, as what I’ve heard, the real source of Gina’s sinugba. People say the owners of Mangga eatery and Gina’s Kabayo-an are siblings but that’s not verified information. What I’m sure is that they have the same sinugba and it’s either owned by one person, one family or one company/partnership.

Gina’s is a carinderia with more food variety and a more “spruced up” setting whereas the one in Mangga is the more “basic” one with wooden tables and chairs, non-cemented flooring, and a very “smoky” environment. But, I would personally prefer Mangga if you’re really after the authentic experience of enjoying their sinugbang baboy. You have to note, though, that it is very “basic” and you would really really sweat while you eat — I never cared about the sweating! You may also leave smelling like grilled pork but nah, you can always freshen up after lunch, yeah?

The selling point of Gina’s Kabayo-an is their great variety, their “kabayo selections” (food using horse meat), and their UTOK (pig’s brain).

Since the carinderia in Mangga gets full even at 11 am when I was in college, we always end up going to Gina’s instead. I wasn’t a fan of utok then so I just order the sinugbang baboy (same one from Mangga) and then order one or two other dishes from Gina’s food selection. It’s usually another soup dish, bicol express, or whatever.

❥ Sinugbang Baboy : Php 48 ($0.92)

❥ Utok : Php 55 ($1.06)

❥ Soup :FREE! Just ask for it.

Another great place for some lechon is Angkols. They have a greater variety of food options, which is a plus, and their restaurant is definitely more snazzy than 3 Little Pigs. They also have some interesting features like fun food names and some hugot posters. I also love the innovative design of their faucet!

This is definitely a must when in Dumaguete. You can just sit around and people-watch; you can brisk walk or jog; you can wait for the sunset; or you can enjoy the view and ambiance with some good street food while sitting on tiny chairs by the street. There’s a string of vendors available and all you have to do is sit on wherever is vacant. Order some tempura, fishballs, squid rolls, whatnot, but don’t ever forget to get balut!

Now this is not just a touristy thing to do in Dumaguete. Even locals love hanging out here! Right across the boulevard, you can also find an assortment of restaurants, cafes and even bars/clubs! Among them, my favorite “along the boulevard restaurants” are Sans Rival, Chin Loong, Don Atilano, and Casa Blanca.

Eclectic and very beguiling, Gabby’s Bistro wins “best ambiance”, hands down. I could just go there for brunch and then spend my entire day there. They have a lot of food choices — from Filipino to Mexican to American — and although their food is good, I can’t really say they’re a must-try. I think people come here for the ambiance, the Instagrammable features, and well, some really satisfying dessert. While their Oreo Bonanza is a popular choice, my favorite really is their mango crepe. It’s very delicious in every way; I didn’t want to share! Hahaha!

Price: Php 110 ($2.12)

This is a very interesting place. Why? Because it’s named CT Burger but they specialize in chicken inasal! Their burger is not even a highlight at all! Hehe!! I don’t know why it’s called CT Burger but I know it’s one of those places you wouldn’t want to miss when in Dumaguete.

Pro Tip: Never, and I mean NEVER, forget to order their special chicken sauce. They have chicken oil available on every table but that’s not it. You have to ask them for their chicken sauce. It’s now available for a small fee whereas before, they already give it one out for free and you’ll only pay if you want to add more. Anyway, it’s perfect with their chicken inasal and even with other food like the chicken skin!

❥ Chicken Skin 💛

❥ Chicken sauce 💛⭐️

Cafe Racer is the new hip place in Dumaguete. It is located just behind Lantaw Native Restaurant (another good restaurant but I’m not putting it on this list because it is can also be found in Cebu). The owner of Cafe Racer is also the one behind the famous Lantaw Native Restaurants and Mooon Cafes.

We went to Cafe Racer for a quick nightout so we were only able to try some finger food, cocktails and beers. My niece, who studied in Silliman, has tried eating here lots of times and she recommends their Chicken Wings and their Sizzling Kansi (Ilonggo version of bulalo + sinigang).

As for me, I would say their cocktails are okay. Regular cocktails but lacks the kick (I think they didn’t put the right amount of Vodka, etc.? I find the drinks tasty but not very “alcoholic”, and I’ve had these drinks on many different bars, even ones in New York so I really know how it’s “supposed” to taste.) What I love most about Cafe Racer, and I couldn’t stress this more, is their music. We arrived around 8:30-ish in the evening and left a little before 2am and I can say I was a little too engrossed at their music the whole time! I swear, of all the bars I’ve been to here and abroad, Cafe Racer’s music is one of the best EVER!!! But that’s just me, a 90s kid, talking.

Jo’s Inato is known for their chicken inasal and although this has a lot of branches in other cities like Cagayan de Oro, I’m still putting this on this list because this is the original branch. I’d say you can order their Chicken Inato for the sake of trying it but if it were me, I’d totally skip it. If you’re already here, though, my suggestion is to order Chicken Inasal (I love pecho), Pork Sinigang or Tinola (if you want soup), Calamares, Chicken Skin, and then Buko Halo for dessert. My favorites from them are Chicken Skin (one of the best for me) and Buko Halo. Calamares is a runner-up.

We haven’t dined here the last time we went but we did eat at Jo’s by the Sea which is a branch of Jo’s Inato. It is by the sea, hence the name. When it comes to view and ambiance, Jo’s by the Sea won’t disappoint. It has a playground which is only open until 7pm so if you have kids, this place is a good options. Just don’t forget to bring mosquito repellants like lotions and stuff. Also, Jo’s by the Sea is very near Sea Forest Resort so if you want, you can spend the day in Sea Forest and then dine in Jo’s by the Sea!

If you have the time, give one day to wake up very early in the morning (4:30-5am!) to head to the tiangge (palengke) for Puto & Sikwate. Puto is a Filipino steamed rice cake while Sikwate is tsokolate or hot chocolate made from native cacao seeds. Absolutely the perfect two!

I will write a separate blog for The Dream Cafe. It’s a super relaxing place for a meal especially if you’re going to or coming from Apo island. Here’s a sneak on how this dreamy place looks:

That’s it! I know the list is long but Dumaguete is a food haven and I can’t forgive myself if I don’t share to everyone what’s the best in Dumaguete. Watch our entire food trip in Dumaguete in the video below. We’ve eaten at some places I haven’t listed here. Again, it may be quite long but trust me, it’ll be worth it… and while you’re at it, give me some love by liking the video if you enjoyed it and PLEASE subscribe to my channel for more foodie travels, mommy misadventures, honest reviews and recos, and everything in between! Love lots!!! ♥