When it comes to natural wonders, there’s a lot to love in Camiguin. But aside from the white sand beaches, springs, and waterfalls and volcanoes, I find the food scene here pretty interesting. There are currently no fast-food joints or malls in the tiny island province because locals really want to preserve homegrown restaurants and cafes.
Here are just a few notable dining destinations in Camiguin where you can grab a bite to eat in between island-hopping, hiking or sightseeing.
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La Dolce Vita
It’s great to find a traditional trattoria in a small island like Camiguin. La Dolce Vita dishes out high-quality Italian cuisine at decent prices. Their specialty is thin-crust pizzas like Vegetariana (P340), Salsiccia (P290), Pepperoni (P28) and 4 Formaggi (P300), all topped with premium ingredients like Italian sausage and mozzarella cooked in a wood-fired oven.
They also serve tasty homemade pasta like Rigatoni Alla Vodka (cream, vodka, smoked salmon, onion, P350), Gnocchi (P350) and Pork Steak with French Fries or Rice (P28) best paired with ice-cold beers.
Located conveniently across the Camiguin airport in Mambajao, La Dolce Vita makes a great first meal stop on the island as soon as you arrive or a place to enjoy lunch before flying back home.
- Address: La Dolce Vita Camiguin, Circumferential Road, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines (across Camiguin Airport)
- Facebook: La Dolce Vita
- Business hours: Open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Wednesday to Monday; closed on Tuesday
Black Mountain Cafe
One of the newer establishments in Camiguin, Black Mountain Cafe is located along the Itum Road. This chill cafe serves coffee, beverages, and a few snacks that diners can enjoy with scenic mountain views. We just had brewed coffee (P80) and hot chocolate (P75) which was great for the chilly weather here. The ambiance alone is worth a visit as the cafe has a couple of outdoor tables, a teepee hut and mats in the garden where you can just lounge around.
We didn’t’ get a chance to sample the food, but their menu also lists basic meals like fried chicken, pork steak, native chicken, Pancit Guisado, Fish & Chips, Calamares for just P150 to P200 per dish. The cafe makes a great road trip destination for motorcyclists, mountain bikers and those with private vehicles who just want to chill out. It’s near the jump-off point for hikers going up Mt. Hibok-Hibok.
- Address: Black Mountain Cafe, Itum Road, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
- Facebook: Blackmountain Cafe
- Business hours: Open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm Tuesdays to Sunday; closed on Mondays
Hayahay Café
Hayahay is a rustic café and superfood bar that offers lots of vegetarian and vegan-friendly fare. Hayahay highlights superfoods and organic ingredients on their menu.
For a small resto, the cafe offers a pretty wide range of breakfast meals, Smoothie Bowls, salads, snacks, and beverages. Visitors can also ask for vegan or vegetarian versions of other meat-based dishes on the menu.
Bestsellers include the Black China (fried rice with teriyaki-glazed tofu and veggies, P270), Banana Charcoal Pancakes (oatmeal flour, coconut flour, bananas and activated charcoal powder, P310), Fisherman’s Friend Sandwich (smoked salmon with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, P270) and Sweet Potato fries with Tomato Purée (P150). This laid-back cafe is perfect for chilling out in the afternoons after a day of sightseeing or island-hopping. They serve great coffee and fresh fruit shakes!
- Address: Hayahay Café, Bug-ong, Camiguin Circumferential Rd, Mambajao, Camiguin
- Facebook: Hayahay Cafe
- Restaurant hours: Open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm Tuesdays to Sundays; closed on Mondays
Kurma
Originally a dive shop, Kurma expanded into an eco-beach lodge that offers accommodations and runs a beachfront kitchen and restaurant that’s become popular especially with international tourists. They also hold Yoga sessions here.
Kurma specializes in local Filipino fusion cuisine, elevating ordinary Filipino ingredients into creative meals. There are a lot of vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu and other meat-based dishes can be veganized. We loved the appetizers especially the pita & dips served with pumpkin, eggplant, sundried tomato and tzatziki (P235) and kamote chips with sour cream and tomato sauce (P165).
Their main dishes are huge and good for sharing. Mains include a Vegetarian Steak of roasted pumpkin with mung bean risotto (P295), Kurmadobo (steamed chicken, adobo three ways, P320); Nasi Lemak Rice Bowl (squid chicharon, sambal, cucumber, peanuts, coconut, P320) and a Coconut Burger which makes use of a coconut patty instead of meat (P290). Be sure to try the Tropical Chill for dessert (P155). We over-ordered because everything sounded good, but I suggest just splitting an appetizer, one main dish and one dessert for two people.
- Address: Kurma Camiguin, Brgy. Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
- Facebook: Kurma Camiguin
- Restaurant hours: Open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Guerrera
Guerrera is a family-run resort and restaurant located on a secluded beach across from White Island amidst rice paddies in Camiguin. Offering Fine Asian Street Food, the restaurant is a culinary destination for adventurous diners and a retreat for naturalists.
Guerrera offers a unique take on Thai and Vietnamese dishes, making use of fresh ingredients, vegetables, and herbs. The menu tends to change depending on the season. During our visit, I enjoyed the seasonal specials of Lemongrass Skewers and Pad Thai, Thai Satay (P350), and local specialty Hibok-Hibok Express (P315), a local take on spicy Bicol Express. We loved the delicious homemade ice cream (P125) and Calamansi Tart with kaffir lime (P125) here.
- Address: Guerrera Rice Paddy Villas and Restaurant, Pearl Street, Rocky Village, Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
- Facebook: Guererra Rice Paddy Villas and Restaurant
Lanzones
Camiguin is known for having the sweetest lanzones, a tropical fruit that grows abundantly on the island. However, this tropical fruit is seasonal and is best enjoyed from September to November. A Lanzones Festival is held during the second half of October.
Pastel de Camiguin
Pastel de Camiguin is a local specialty and pasalubong favorite. This dessert is a soft bun filled with yema, purple yam or macapuno. Sweet Island Pastil and Vjandep Pastel are the major producers of this local delicacy. Boxes of pastel are widely sold in Cagayan de Oro and in major airports and grocery stores nationwide.
There are a few other restaurants and other must-tries on the island, but so far these would be my top recommendations in Camiguin based on three separate trips there. If you’ve got any other suggestions, let me know in the comments section!
