Food Trip: Naga City (updated 2022)

NOTE: As of June 2022, many restaurants in Naga City have closed because of the pandemic. I’ve rearranged this list to highlight those that are still currently operating for reference, but have retained the list of old restos in case they still reopen in the future. Most of the restaurants below are those within the main Naga City proper. Post-pandemic “Uptown Naga,” the area of Pacol and Carolina has also become popular for al fresco dining.

In recent years, my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region has become a rising foodie destination. Every visit means that there are new restaurants waiting to be sampled, as well as old favorites that just have to be revisited.

Bikol cuisine is known as being spicy and sweet. Sili (chili peppers) and coconut milk (gata) are used in a lot of dishes, as well as pili nut products for desserts and a unique relish. Here’s a look at some of the best places where you can savor the flavors of Bikol (compiled from numerous visits to Naga to visit my folks), as well as some of the new restaurants worth checking out.

Top 5 recommendations in Naga City for first-time visitors

Bigg’s Diner

  • Type of cuisine: American retro diner, Filipino, burgers, rice meals, etc.
  • Price range: P150-300 per person
  • Address: Bigg’s has branches in Centro, Magsaysay, BMC Road and SM City Naga
  • Facebook: Bigg’s Diner
bigg's naga city laing-stuffed chicken cordon bleu pili pie

No trip to Naga City would be complete without a visit to the homegrown classic Bigg’s Diner, established in 1983. This retro-inspired diner that’s been around for almost 40 years is known for serving Western style fast-food snacks like burgers and pizza, as well as satisfying rice meals. My favorites here include the cheeseburger, Pork Cordon Bleu & Tenderloin tips. They also serve hometown meals like Chicken cordon bleu stuffed with laing, Bicol Special (Pork Chop served with Bicol Express) and Pili Pie. Their Tower Burger (with 2 meat patties, bacon, 2 slices of cheese, a hashbrown, spam, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and a fried egg) is quite a meal!

Bob Marlin Restaurant & Grill

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino dishes, grilled, seafood, bar chow, beer
  • Price range: P200-500 per dish
  • Address: Magsaysay Ave., Naga City (they also have a branch called Cafe Rasta in Haciendas de Naga)
  • Facebook: Bob Marlin Restaurant & Grill

Bob Marlin is a casual dining resto ideal for big groups and families. They offer seafood dishes like Island Grilled squid, Pinoy staples, basic cocktails and beer with reggae music to boot. Cafe Rasta by Bob Marlin in Haciendas de Naga, a new resort complex in the Pacol area, also serves the signature dishes and bar chow. Their ultimate best seller is the crispy pata.

Other recommendations: Sinigang na Salmon, Laing, Bicol Express, Grilled squid, Chicken adobo sa gata & Rasta-Paling (a rainbow-colored cocktail spiked with lambanog)!

Chef Doy’s Gourmet Restaurant

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino food with a twist, beer
  • Price range: P200-500 per person
  • Address: Cereza Compound, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City
  • Facebook: Chef Doy’s Gourmet Restaurant

Another favorite restaurant of mine in Naga City is Chef Doy’s, known mostly for its unique take on traditional Pinoy favorites. Favorites here are Kare-Kareng Lechon Kawali, ‘Batang-batang pusit’ (baby squid in olive oil and spices), Ginataang puso ng saging (a mixture of banana heart cooked in coconut milk), Crispy Tadyang, Bangus sa Bayabas and Pininyahang Manok sa Gata.

Red Platter

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino, Eastern, Western cuisine, cakes, pastries, desserts
  • Price range: P250-400 per person
  • Address: Cereza Compound, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City
  • Facebook: Red Platter
red platter naga city paella halo-halo cakes

This homey restaurant is a fine dining version of Geewan. They specialize in Filipino classic and traditional fare, as well as cakes and desserts. Aside from the Bicol Express and Pinangat, they have good Paella Valenciana, Sinigang na salmon, and many other dishes. They also have a Bicolano Special Pizza, topped with chili and laing. For dessert, try a slice of their bestseller Blueberry or Strawberry Cheesecakes or indulge in their homemade Halo-halo served in a coconut shell.

Soledad Spanish-Filipino Restaurant

  • Type of cuisine: Spanish, Filipino, Bikolano
  • Price range: P250-400 per dish
  • Address: La Piazza, corner Magsaysay and Dayangdang Sts, 4400 Naga City
  • Facebook: Soledad Spanish-Filipino Restaurant

A restaurant specializing in Spanish/Basque and Filipino comfort food with a few spicy Bikolano dishes. Recommended dishes include binagoongang bagnet, sinaing na tulingan, kinunot, sinigang na salmon belly, crispy tuna tail, pinangat and laing. Good for families.

Other old favorites to try if you have more time

Geewan

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino, Bicolano dishes, cakes
  • Price range: P100-200 per person
  • Address: P. Burgos St., Naga City
  • Facebook: Geewan

Geewan, which is part of Graceland Food Industries, is another fast-food favorite of Naguenos, serves native Bicolano fare – carinderia style. Restaurant specialties include pinangat (minced  shrimp and ground coconut meat wrapped in  taro leaves and cooked in coconut milk), Bicol Express, kinunot and ginulay na natong. They also serve Halo-Halo with cheese (a famous dessert that originated in neighboring province Albay) and buko pandan salad in a buko shell.

Green Earth Cafe

  • Type of cuisine: Vegetarian
  • Price range: P150-250 per person
  • Address: 3rd St., Villasorabella Subd., Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City
  • Facebook: Green Earth Cafe

Green Earth Cafe is the first vegetarian and health food restaurant in Naga City. Located in Villa Sorabella, a residential area in Concepcion Grande on the highway to Legazpi, this rustic and homey restaurant serves all natural and organic food. Their tasty offerings include crispy homemade nachos and hummus, fresh salads with organic dressing, pako (fern) salad, shitake mushrooms and tofu, and veggie pad thai.

green earth naga city vegetarian pad thai

The Coffee Table

  • Type of cuisine: Pasta, sandwiches, crepes
  • Price range: P120-185 per dish
  • Address: 2/F ADC Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
  • Facebook: The Coffee Table

The Coffee Table (formerly known as the Pro-Chef’s Office Culinary Essentials) is a casual industrial cafe that serves local coffee, shakes and cakes as well as sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches and pastas. The food is great and the servings are good for sharing. The Chicken Parmigiana Crepe and the Crepedilla are must-tries. For first-timers looking for a local flair, the Cococcino (coffee with dessicated coconut) and Spicy Pili Affogato (a dessert coffee with ice cream topped with pili nuts and sili bits) are good choices.

Casa Soriano

  • Type of cuisine: Family Heirloom Cuisine
  • Price range: P200-500/dish (family-style, good for sharing)
  • Address: 29 Concepcion Grande, Naga City
  • Facebook: Casa Soriano

Casa Soriano is a house-turned-restaurant that offers family heirloom cuisine, with some Filipino dishes influenced by Spanish, French and Italian cuisine. Guests can choose to sit in the air-conditioned dining area or the garden/al fresco veranda where dining tables have been placed in the landscaped garden surrounding a swimming pool. The place has a very cozy ambiance and uses antique touches all around. We tried the Pumpkin soup, Salad, Pan-seared Salmon, and Turbo Broiled Chicken. The food was a bit on the salty side, but was very flavorful. Very nice place for special occasions or dates.

White Bean Cafe

  • Type of cuisine: Pasta, sandwiches, coffee, cakes
  • Price range: P150-300 per person
  • Address: G/F Naga Land Hotel Elias Angeles St. Naga City
  • Facebook: White Bean Cafe

White Bean is a cozy cafe in the lobby of Nagaland Hotel along Elias Angeles Street. This lovely cafe serves continental breakfast, classic Filipino breakfast, coffee, specialty tea, shakes, pasta, salad, sandwiches. They also have a few interesting Bicol fusion dishes on their menu like Laing Quesadilla, Stuffed Sili in Garlic Mayo Dip, Pinangat Rolls and Bicol Express Linguine. Great Kare-Kare! Desserts include a selection of cheesecakes and healthy ice cream.

Chili-Peppers

  • Type of cuisine: steak, ribs, pasta, seafood
  • Price range: P150-300 per dish
  • Address: G/F Avenue Square, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
  • Facebook: Chili-Peppers
chili peppers naga city

Chili-Peppers is an old local restaurant that used to be the only decent place to eat along Magsaysay Street (way before the restaurant boom in the area). They disappeared for a while after opening some branches in Manila. Good thing they came back to Avenue Square with a modern look and upgraded menu. Some recommendations include the Jurassic Ribs, Sta. Fe Pork Chops, Baked scallops and Crispy tuna tail.

Grissini Ristorante

  • Type of cuisine: Italian dishes, pasta, pizza
  • Price range: Price range: P175-P300 per dish
  • Address: Cereza Compound, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City
  • Facebook: Grissini Ristorante
grissini ristorante naga city beef pork

Grissini Ristorante (Italian for “bread stick’) serves Italian food like pizza and pasta and appetizers. Recommendations include the Italian feast (a combo of 4-ways pizza, pasta and a chicken dish), Ravioli di spinaci (spinach stuffed ravioli with cream sauce) and Porchetta con Patate (roast pork loin with marble potatoes).

grissini ristorante naga city pizza

Jimmy & Tang’s Restaurant

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino
  • Price range: P60-250 per dish
  • Address: Liboton Street, Naga City
  • Facebook: Jimmy & Tang Restaurant

Jimmy & Tang’s Restaurant serves affordable home-cooked dishes like kare-kare, bopis, pancit, ukoy, and Bicol Express for sharing. The restaurant comes from the same owners as the famous Aling Conching’s Restaurant which used to be located along the diversion road in Naga. We got a taste of one of their old specialties, Tabagwang, an exotic dish of susong pilipit (conical snails) found in rice fields that’s traditionally cooked in gata.

Ranchero Grill

  • Type of cuisine: Grill
  • Price range: P55 -75 for drinks
  • Address: Haciendas de Naga, Brgy. Carolina

Ranchero Grill is the in-house restaurant of Haciendas de Naga. They serve a variety of dishes and short orders here for you to snack on if you get hungry while visiting the resort and adventure park. I recommend you try the Pili Shake, which is made of a blend of the skin, pulp and nuts of the pili nut. The drink is surprisingly filling and tastes very distinctive.

Cafe Plazuela, Avenue Plaza Hotel

  • Type of cuisine: International, Fusion
  • Price range: P150-300+ per dish, P350 for afternoon tea set
  • Address: G/F Avenue Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
  • Facebook: Cafe Plazuela
cafe plazuela avenue plaza hotel afternoon tea

Cafe Plazuela is the in-house restaurant of The Avenue Plaza Hotel, the best hotel in Metro Naga. Their a la carte menu features fusion and international dishes. They recently launched an afternoon tea, that comes with an assortment of gourmet sandwiches, pastries and desserts, served with a pot of tea of your choice. The tea set is a pretty good deal for afternoon with friends or business meetings. Avenue Plaza also has promos for a Businessman’s Lunch and Holiday Feast.

Travel Cafe

  • Type of cuisine: Coffee, desserts
  • Price range: P39-99/drink or food
  • Address: Magsaysay Avenue (in front of Bob Marlin)
  • Facebook: Travel Cafe

A cozy travel-themed cafe that serves a small selection of hot coffee (by Caffe Mauro), cold drinks, snacks and a few desserts. Cool London-inspired Red Telephone-booth door and interiors. Nice place to hang out. Hopefully, they can expand their dessert selection in the future.

Jack’s Blue Plate Diner

  • Type of cuisine: American, Asian Fusion, seafood, burgers, beer
  • Price range: P99-299 per dish
  • Address: Shell Station, Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur & Magsaysay Street
  • Facebook: Jack’s Blue Plate Diner

A diner that serves surprisingly affordable seafood dishes like fresh lobster, crabs, prawns, exotic seafood and fish. They have live seafood on display in aquariums in the middle of the restaurant. We tried the lobster in butter sauce, fried scallops, wild clams adobo, and orange chicken. The Jack’s Burger (Angus Beef) is also a bestseller. They also have interesting fusion pizza dishes like Tapizzalog (pizza topped with tapa, egg & French Fried onions) and Nacho Pizza. The branch in Magsaysay has a 2nd Floor known as Sweet Gallery, which displays some paintings for sale by local artists serves a breakfast buffet and desserts.

Naga Garden Restaurant

  • Type of cuisine: Bicolano food / pancit & toasted siopao
  • Price range: P100 and below
  • Address: Panganiban Drive, Naga City

Opened in 1969, Naga Garden Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Naga City. It specializes in budget-friendly Bicolano dishes such as laing, bicol express and kinunot. This is one of the pioneers of toasted siopao, and serves delicious mami and pancit.

Graceland

  • Type of cuisine: Fastfood, meals
  • Price range: P50 – P150 /dish
  • Address: SM City Naga
  • Facebook: Graceland

From the same family as Geewan, Baker’s Plaza and Red Platter, Graceland offers fast food burger-fries-chicken-spaghetti staples and some uniquely Bicolano dishes including Lechon Bicol Express, Laing Bangus Meal & Bicol Special (Pork Chop with Pinangat). Graceland usually has a bakeshop section or has a twin Baker’s Plaza outlet that sells breads, specialty refrigerated cakes, wedding and birthday cakes, and other pastries.

Bora Hut

  • Type of cuisine: Bar & Grill/Filipino, beer
  • Price range: 150-300/dish good for sharing
  • Address: Penafrancia Avenue
  • Facebook: Bora Hut

Casual open-air restaurant along Penafrancia Avenue that serves Pinoy favorites like crispy sisig, grilled pusit and other pulutan fare. Good for barkadas who want a night out of drinks. Try their crispy kangkong and baked tahong topped with cheese!

Triboo Grill

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino, grilled food, beer
  • Price Range: P100+ per dish
  • Address: Mayon Ave., Naga City; they also have a branch in SM City Naga
  • Facebook: Triboo Grill
triboo grill naga city

With its laid-back ambiance and affordable dishes like salmon belly, barbecue and chicken inasal (their bestseller), Triboo is a good place to soak in Naga’s laid-back vibe, specially at night.

Oyster Villa

  • Type of cuisine: Chinese, seafood
  • Price Range: P150-P300 per dish
  • Address: G/F Lobby, Regent Hotel, Elias Angeles St., Naga City

If you’re craving for Chinese food while in Naga City or have to feed a large group of family and friends, Oyster Restaurant (also known as Oyster Villa) is the place to go to. This restaurant serving Filipino, Chinese dishes and seafood has been around since I was a kid. Expect the usual assortment of Chinese comfort food including Yang Chow fried rice, stir-fry dishes, lemon chicken, century egg with sea cucumber and Nido soup with quail’s eggs.

Restaurants that have closed (2022)

Que Pasa Naga*

  • Type of cuisine: BBQ / Asian Fusion (Bicolonial), Spanish & Mexican beers
  • Price range: P150+ per person
  • Address: Barlin St. Naga City (across Cathedral)
  • Facebook: Que Pasa Naga

Que Pasa is a specialty restaurant serving Bicolonial cuisine – Spanish dishes with a Bicolano twist. They have regular Spanish dishes and a Bicolano pop-up menu with dishes like Ginataang Santol, Bicol Express Mussels and more. Encanto Bar by Que Pasa serves tapas, Spanish & Mexican beers, local beers and unique cocktails spiked with local ingredients.

Que Pasa has very artistic interiors following the Spanish-Mexican theme and murals all painted by Bicolano artists. This is definitely a must-visit for all first-timers & returning guests to Naga City!

Woodstone Kitchen*

  • Type of cuisine: Pizza, pasta, salads, Bicolano fusion cuisine, beer (San Mig & Brew Kettle)
  • Price range: P100-P300 per dish
  • Address: Basilica Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
  • Facebook: Woodstone Kitchen

Opened last Dec 2014, Woodstone Kitchen and Bar by Chef Ton Castillo is the newest dining destination in Naga City, specializing in Bicolano and Pinoy Classics with a twist. Bestsellers include Crispy Pinangat, Crispy Dinuguan, Bicol Express with pineapple, Kare-Kare (topped with shredded banana heart), Lechon Laing and Crispy Tilapia Sinanglay.

They also serve pizzas like Antonio’s El Diablo Pizza (Spicy Barbeque Sauce, Ground Angus Beef, Bell Pepper, white onion, black olives, anchovies, mozarella), Bicol Express Pizza, and have very interesting beer cocktails including a Chili Choco Coffee Beer Cocktail. The place has very nice interiors that make use of natural elements. Great place for dates, families or barkadas!

Flavours Gastronomica*

  • Type of cuisine: American (New), American (Traditional), Asian Fusion, Barbeque, Breakfast, Brunch, Burgers, Filipino, French, Pizza, Sandwiches, Seafood, Steakhouses, Vegan and Vegetarian
  • Price range: P200-300 per person
  • Address: CBD II, Naga City
  • Facebook: Flavours

A refined and homey restaurant that serves a good selection of Western and Pinoy fare which uses good spices in their dishes. I really liked their Potato and Crab Chowder and my order of Baked Salmon with Crusted Pesto. Every dish we ordered had a distinct delicious sauce.

Flavours also serves a few dishes with regional twists including Chicken and Laing Panini and a refreshing Milky Pili Shake.

Ibalon Craft Brew*

  • Type of cuisine: beer, appetizers
  • Price range: P100-200 per drink
  • Address: Magsaysay Avenue (across Villa Caceres Hotel), Naga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol
  • Facebook: Ibalon Craft Brew

Ibalon Craft Brew is Bicol’s first local craft brewery, home to Sili Beer! The beer variants are named after characters from the famous folk epic of the Bikol region, Ibalong. The brewery serves craft beer brewed with local ingredients, matched with home-cooked appetizers and dishes native to Naga City and neighboring towns. 

Forchetta*

  • Type of cuisine: Italian
  • Price range: P150+ per dish
  • Address: #17 Zone 1 Caluag St. Naga City
  • Facebook: Forchetta

A homey restaurant hidden in the residential area of Calauag Street. They serve Italian food like pasta, pizza and sandwiches and good drinks at budget prices.

Global Kitchen*

  • Type of cuisine: International, Asian-inspired, Filipino
  • Price range: P150+ per dish
  • Address: Zone 5, Panganiban Drive, Brgy.Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, Naga City
  • Facebook: Global Kitchen

A restaurant that serves international and Asian-inspired dishes and specialties like Vietnamese Pad Thai and Singaporean Laksa. Delicious and tender Beef Rendang, Hainanese chicken, and savory Vietnamese Beef Pho and good cakes. It’s a good uncrowded alternative for those looking for more international cuisine in Naga City.

Anthosia Cafe*

  • Type of cuisine: Coffee, pizza, pasta
  • Price range: P60-90 for drinks, P130-P150 for meals
  • Address: Taal Avenue corner Bulusan Street, Naga City
  • Facebook: Anthosia Cafe

An artsy hole-in-the-wall hangout serving coffee and light meals. Lots of “hugot” emo details and murals coupled with the vintage decor make the place worth checking out. Try their heart-shaped pizza and pasta meals and frappes.

Calle Barlin*

  • Type of cuisine: Filipino
  • Price range: P150-300/dish
  • Address: 32 Barlin Street, Sta. Cruz, Naga City
  • NOTE: As of August 2015, the restaurant has been renamed Alfogen’s. I haven’t tried it since it changed management

An old ancestral house previously known as “Sa Harong,” (Our House) in the early to late 90s along Barlin Street. Growing up, this place was our go-to place for BBQ and sisig. However, it used to have more of a pub/beer garden feel. Now under new management, Calle Barlin has reinvented itself as family-friendly destination with brighter and modern interiors and a wide range of Pinoy home-style cooked dishes. The second floor of the resto is now occupied by Hillary & Andrew Hostel, which caters mostly to backpackers.

We got to try a range of dishes here, including crispy pata, sinigang na hipon and kaldereta. Standout dishes for me were the Lemongrass Chicken, the huge slab of ribs and grilled tanigue.

Alfonso Simply Natural Restaurant*

Alfonso Simply Natural Restaurant serves vegetarian homemade versions of favorite Filipino dishes like Veggie Kare-Kare, Kaldetera, Sisig and Barbeque. None of their dishes make use of meat, MSG, animal by-products, additives or preservatives. They also serve vegan cold pressed detox juices, organic wines, wraps, sandwiches and cakes and sell health products here.

Dice Board Game Cafe*

  • Type of cuisine: coffee, gaming food
  • Price range: P110-P220 per dish
  • Address: 29 Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
  • Facebook: DICE Board Game Cafe

A coffee shop where you can enjoy burgers, pasta, dessert and drinks while playing different types of tabletop board games. I believe this is the first board game cafe in Naga City. It can get pretty crowded during the holidays, so it’s best to reserve a table if you want to check it out.

Must-try Bikol Dishes

LAING: stewed taro leaves in coconut milk, seasoned with shrimp paste or fish bagoong and red hot chilies.

BICOL EXPRESS: mixture of pork flab and shrimp paste sautéed in tomatoes and onions and lots of green chili strips simmered in coconut cream.

naga city santol express

PINANGAT: bundles of taro or gabi leaves, filled with shredded bits of pork and shrimp, lots of chilies, ginger, garlic and onion and grated young coconut, then cooked in coconut cream.

SANTOL EXPRESS: santol fruit cooked in coconut cream. This is similar to Bicol Express, but is on the sour side. Goes great with fried food.

KINUNOT: spicy dish traditionally made of shark meat (endangered) but also now of stingray or crabs cooked in coconut cream, malunggay leaves and spicy chilli.

Street food & snacks

For buget merienda and meals, street food and snacks, you can head to Plaza del Rizal, where there are numerous food stalls selling local fare and street food.

KINALAS: Kinalas is Naga City’s homegrown version of mami or noodles. The broth is made from strips of meat from cow or pork head that is boiled until tender. The soup is topped off with a serving of gravy, scallions some kalamansi on the side. Popular places to get kinalas include Bolofer’s and Cely’s. Cordova’s (also known as Tya Kamot) is reputed to serve the best kinalas in town. Cha Ced (Kinalas sa Balatas) is another eatery by the riverside that serves good kinalas.

toasted siopao naga city

TOASTED SIOPAO: Toasted siopao bola-bola is a warm toasted dinner roll filled with ground pork and slices of boiled egg. This variation of the traditional white bun that is usually steamed is a must-try in Naga City, and a local favorite. You can buy this in Naga Garden Restaurant & numerous bakeries in Naga and environs.

putong bagas naga city

PUTONG BAGAS: Putong bagas (steamed rice cakes) is a traditional Bicolano delicacy made of rice flour and shredded coconut cooked with brown sugar inside. The rice cakes are steamed in small coconut shells and wrapped with a banana leaf. The combination of dry rice cake and sweet moist coconut is reminiscent of pan de coco. This is sold just outside San Francisco Church.

baduya banana fritters

BADUYA (maruya): Sliced bananas that are dipped in rice flour batter and deep fried. You can find this sold in many street corners around town. You can eat this alone or with santan (coco jam with pili nut).

BULASTOG: The Bicolano version of kwek-kwek (a hard-boiled chicken egg deep-fried in orange batter)

Souvenirs & Delicacies

PILI NUT PRODUCTS: Pili nuts, an indigenous nut that grows primarily in the Bicol Region, are widely used in a variety of delicacies – from pili nut pastillas, mazapan, suspiros, bonbones, cakes and candied treats like Pilinut Choco Kisses, Dark Chocolate with pilinuts, and Pili Bar. You can buy these at J. Emanuel in centro, and in their main store in RJ Village, Haring Canaman.

DISCLAIMER: For people who are from Naga City, I know that there are many other restaurants (esp. in Magsaysay Ave.) that are not included in this list. Either I have not tried them yet or don’t have photos. I am currently based in Manila, but I will try to update this as soon as I get a chance to go back. 🙂 Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section on what other restaurants/food are must-tries especially for first-timers in Naga! For those who are not from Naga City and are looking for tours, check out Naga Excursions page.

55 thoughts on “Food Trip: Naga City (updated 2022)”

  1. i will be home soon and trying all those new resto is a must tnx for sharings naga’s best.

  2. I tried White Bean just this December. i like the place’s colorful decorations. Nice place for chit-chat w/ friends or “me-and-my-laptop” time

  3. I would recommend chilli pepper food is so good and price is not bad,if you love fusion of food it’s chilli pepper definitely.ambiance is nice quite spacious,after your meal you can just go next door for a very pleasant coffee and cake.

  4. Please do try Daddy’s Grill located at Taal Avenue, Naga City ( Infront of Naga City Civic Center – Tennis Court ) They have the best BAGNET in town, and the only SEAFOOD DAMPA in the city, fresh seafood cooked the you want it. Seafood Dampa is available every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday only @ Daddy’s Grill.

  5. I miss Naga.. Specially eating a bowl or 2 of kinalas after a midnight booze..!!

  6. Try Sosimo Restobar at Magsaysay Ave. Its a nice place and the food is great as it has a spanish fusion. It also keeps you entertained as there is a live band playing. You might get lucky sometimes as famous artists have performed in Sosimo such as (Rico Blanco, The Late Karl Roy of Kapatid, etc.) You can enjoy the entertainment with a Below Zero Beer in your hand. One of the best places I’ve eaten.

  7. Try sir karlos’ along ateneo ave next time.their nasi goreng is a must try.used to eat there after inuman sessions when my friends and i are still in college.:)

  8. 3N SIOPAO CENTER has for a long time become the more popular toasted siopao source here in Naga.. The reason why their branches are sprouting everywhere and from what i gather have opened up branches in Manila.. Smaller but cheaper and tastier.. Getting popular with tourists too who buys dozens and bring them home when they leave..

    Just outside Naga boundary going to Pili is a new burger joint.. The BLUE PLATE DINER right beside a Shell gas station, right after Moraville the Garden.. their burger is really really good… Hope you can visit them in the future and try for yourself.. thanks for your post.. Naga is indeed a foodie destination now…

  9. After reading your blog all about naga i decided to have a vacation to try the foodies that you featured.i simply love and proud to be naqueno..

  10. Thanks Dr. Emil. Blue Plate was also highly recommended by my parents who are based in Naga. We tried to eat there during my trip last Christmas, but the resto was closed when we passed by. I heard their burgers are great! Will definitely check it out when I go back.

  11. I agree with Dr. Emil and with you parents. Blue Plate Diner serves the best burgers in town. I have featured it in my blog in the past in this link;
    http://camsurstaystray.blogspot.com/2013/05/blue-plate-diner.html

    I also consider Daddy Grill the best Seafood Restaurant in the city:
    http://camsurstaystray.blogspot.com/2013/08/daddys-grill-best-seafood-restaurant-in.html

    I also consider Daddy’s Grill as the best seafood restaurant in Naga City.

  12. Try Curry Burger and BBQ Burger or Shibuya! Ultimate at Shibuya Japanese Burger along Magsaysay Avenue near Naga Rotonda, Naga City!

    They are definitely the best burger joint in the city!

  13. Try Graceland as well. You’d get very good Bicolano rice meals for affordable prices. They have branches in most provinces in Bicol. Their Lechon Bicol Express and Halo- Halo are must trys.

  14. hi, kara! joeperez here, friend of your mom and pop. very nice travel/food article. makes one proud of naga and its talented writers. my friends at Smiles Magazine in city hall wish to have this article, including the photos reprinted. Pwede please? thanks for your reply.

  15. Hi Sir Joe. Kamusta na po? Thanks for your comment. Got a copy of the recent Jesse Robredo issue of Naga Smiles Magazine. Would be honored if you reprinted the article. I’ll send materials by email. 🙂

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    https://www.facebook.com/twins.pinangat

  17. you may check out podo grill on your next blog. Their kinalas is superb 🙂 and Precy’s bulalohan at Diversion road in Pili, Cam. Sur. They serve the best bulalo in town.

  18. Most of the restaurants you mentioned are some of my regular haunts when I come to Naga for holidays from Sydney. However, my number one place I run to upon arrival is Moderna’s sotanghon with cut pieces of lechon as toppings and their special bread Pan Bonete which you can only buy from their main branch in Bagumbayan every afternoon.

  19. Try rolandos adobo, salt and pepper pork ribs, garlic chicken, bangus sisig, kiampeng, and chinese fresh lumpia at villa caceres hotel

  20. Good article, I read this before and was glad to see there was an update. This is good for those visiting Naga so that they know where to eat. I would recommend, for “kinalas” places you could try out “Dao Ming Ki kinalas” (i know, its a funny name) located along dyd just beside Montessori and infront of Libod their version of kinalas is awesome, think of it as Tya Kamot meets Cha Ced(if that makes any sense,lol). For newer establishments, try out Apartment Door 1, its a bit tricky to find dont know what the exact address is but if your driving along magsaysay its near westpark, just go first right then first left then its the first apartment you see. Good food, awesome burger. Its fairly new I havent tried other dishes though. For another good hangout, try Anthosia Cafe on Panganiban drive, good cozy place, w/ good food and ambiance. Lastly, I urge you to try Kambingan resto, just beside Bob Marlin. I mean it has the best sisig, papaitan, adobong kambing, etc…Just Wow!

    Oh btw, i read some comments unfortunately some of those restos mentioned above have been closed. Such as Sosimo & Shibuya. P.S. promise last na to! best bulalo is Nelson’s Bulalo its along maharlika highway, concepcion pequena beside willprint infront of the pepsi plant. lol hope this helped:)

  21. Hi Bong, thanks for the recommendations. I’ve heard of Anthosia Cafe & Apartment Door 1 and also want to check out Que Pasa, which is all over Instagram. Hard to update this list regularly as I’m based in Manila but will find an excuse to go back to Naga soon 🙂 Great to know that there are so many new places to eat in Naga.

  22. Hi Eleanor. I used to eat in Moderna when I was younger. I guess I’ve been taking some of the older restos (like Moderna, New China & Villa Caceres) for granted because every time I go home, I try out the newer restos.

  23. Why is it that Starmark Cafe at P. Diaz St. atr the side of Emall was not included in this feature. They offer good food at reasonable prices and one of the best coffee you can have. You can hardly find a seat in the afternoon to evening of the day. Mostly college students and employees are its regular customers.

  24. Hi Tito Pete. Will include StarMark in the next update. I don’t have any photos from all the times we ate there before (pre-digital camera days pa po kasi). Regards to the family. 🙂

  25. CHILI PEPPERS – I love the food though (Pinangat) but not the service reps. Awkward, I hate when someone watch me over while eating. Like, they’re waiting for something (Nga-Nga). Not a good practice! ;-(

    QUE PASA – Perfect place! The interior is awesome, very relaxing! And the price is reasonable. I would recommend this place to my friends from Manila. 🙂

  26. Hi Toni, didn’t notice that in Chili Peppers, but I agree with you re: Que Pasa. I really think this is one of the top dining destinations in Naga City now. Wrote a separate post on it here 🙂

  27. Thanks Kara! You’re right. Que Pasa is indeed, An Art Haven in Naga City. I visited again last week during Penafrancia fiesta and felt the same excitement when I get inside. I love the place, food and people. Thanks for sharing you’re story. 😉

  28. Again, nice article about restaurants in my favorite city.. Must be favorite because I live there (from 2013). Of the restaurants listed here, my favorite is Casa Soriano. Food is just to my taste, and on top of that they are the closest to my house (St. Jude Orchard). Other than Casa Soriano, I like Bob Marlin, and right next to it Cambingan (not listed in your article). Some of those listed here are a no go for me. Biggs and Red platter. Both serve no beer (to Red Platter’s defense they do have wine). For someone raised in Philippines or US for that matter this (no beer) might be okay, but for me with European roots, a restaurant that does not serve beer simply does not compute 🙂 .
    It would be very useful (for guys like me) if you would add this fact (to beer or not to beer 🙂 ) in your next revision. However keep in mind that “San Mig light” is NOT a beer. Everything else (in Philippines) is, and quite good at that.

  29. Hi Hrvoje. Haha, I know what you mean about lack of beer in restos. I agree that San Mig Light doesn’t really count, though San Mig Premium and Cerveza Negra aren’t bad 🙂 I love Belgian beers like Chimay and Hoegaarden, some of which are available in the groceries and take-out delis there. Que Pasa and Woodstone Kitchen have a decent beer selection. It seems that craft beers haven’t found their way to Naga City yet, but they’re very big in other places especially Manila. Hope you’ve been able to try some of the Philippine craft beers. Thanks for the suggestion to include beer availability!

  30. Too bad I did not read your “Philippine craft beers” article a year ago when we took a long bike tour covering, among other places, Baguio, and Sagada. Well, guess we’ll just have to do it again 🙂

  31. Oyster Villa was a total disaster when i once visit there. Maybe it’s heydays were gone. Can not be recommended.

  32. Thanks for the input. Haven’t eaten there in a while. That resto has been around since I was a kid though, so had to include it in the list.

  33. Global Kitchen is no more, sayang, the food was great but I think they just had the wrong location

    The owner has opened a new place along Carolina road in San Felipe,
    “Uncle Tino’s smokehouse and grill” I haven’t tried it yet open 5 pm onwards

    Again i think they have a wrong location,… they are too far out from centro

  34. Hi John. Thanks for the update. I liked the food in Global Kitchen too. It’s hard to keep these food lists updated since restos change a lot. I should probably edit this post just to include just the Top 10 or sure mainstays.

  35. KixKaye is a must try..they are serving Singaporean dishes (aithentic taste).

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