Cafés and Restaurants in Tagbilaran, Bohol, You Shouldn't Sleep On
The island-province of Bohol, often called the heart of the Philippines because of its location, is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Within its borders are two distinct locales: Panglao and Tagbilaran—among many others, of course.
The first, a 91.12-square-kilometer island in the North Bohol Sea, is connected to the larger Bohol Island by two bridges. As the home of the Bohol–Panglao International Airport and several beach resorts, it is often the first choice for those looking to bask in the sun or explore the depths of the sea. An automatic itinerary would be to just spend days on this smaller island.
While Panglao captivates with its pristine beaches, Tagbilaran, the capital city of Bohol, offers a different charm. As the province's main hub, Tagbilaran is a bustling city with a rich historical backdrop. It's a place where the past and present coexist, where Spanish-era churches and ancestral homes stand alongside modern establishments. The city is also the gateway to Bohol's famous attractions, such as the Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Sanctuary, making it a strategic starting point for exploration.
The latter, while a fact, also means that Tagbilaran's own streets are often left unseen—literally, as tourists may doze off en route from Panglao to other parts of Bohol. But to simply pass through is to miss out on both unexpected food finds and culinary recommendations.
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Here are the dining spaces that I tested out while staying in Tagbilaran for a few days:
1| Becca Café x Bistro
348 V.P. Inting Street, Mansasa Seaside, Tagbilaran City
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In true, of-the-moment travel fashion, TikTok brought me here. And for good reason. Becca Café x Bistro, a post-pandemic addition to Tagbilaran's dining scene, boasts a view of the Panglao Channel. This view is best experienced at sundown, which happens to be the bistro's happy hour (Friday to Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.), with a buy-one-take-one deal on selected cocktails and unlimited craft beer.
The menu features all-day breakfast items, pasta, pizza, bar chow, and the usual. Aside from the alcoholic beverages, drink options also include coffee, frappes, TWG tea, mocktails, and juice. Serving time can take a while, but that's all the more reason to slow down, hang out, and enjoy the view.
Becca Café x Bistro shares the seaside space with Bohol Wakeboarding, where you can also enjoy riding a jet ski.
2| The Buzzz Café
G/F Galleria Luisa, Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A popular stop in most Bohol tours is Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis, which started out with six colonies of bees in 1998, then expanded to over 200 colonies by the year 2000. But when the pandemic hit, this community-focused business diversified to keep most of its employees. What was once a humble bee farm now houses a farm-to-table restaurant, a local bed and breakfast, and a souvenir shop that not only sells honey from neighboring towns, but also honey product derivatives like lip balm and sandwich spread. And the best thing about it is that you don't have to go all the way to Dauis to get a taste of what Bohol Bee Farm has to offer.
Organic Garden Salad
The Buzzz Cafe at Galleria Luisa is accessible via tricycle if you're in the city center and even walking distance if you're staying somewhere near the National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol. While it's located in a commercial area, the cafe has kept its homey ambience with the wooden tables and chairs, slabs of wood overhead, and Capiz windows-inspired decor. The glass windows at the back of the restaurant also gives diners a view of Panglao Island, right across the channel.
Fresh Herb Pasta
Warning: The serving is good for sharing, so it's best to order family-style for more choices on the table. It's vegetarian-friendly, with plenty of vegan options. Don't skip the salads, with ingredients freshly grown on their farm. Other bestsellers include the Fresh Herb Pasta (P320), Seafood Pizza (P400), and Spicy Chicken Soup (P320). Of course, there's also Bohol Bee Farm's claim-to-fame homemade ice cream, from the Malunggay to the Salted Honey at P90 each.
The Buzzz Café has branches in Alona Beach, Panglao; Island City Mall, Tagbilaran; and Lite Port, Tagbilaran (Express).
3| Gerarda's Place
30 J.S. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Gerarda's Place is a classic. This family restaurant's name originates from the homeowner's wife, Gerarda “Dading” Ho Lim (September 19, 1919 – August 09, 2004), who hailed from Dumaguete City. She was married to Bohol-based Felix “Hingko” Sun Lim (September 19, 1916 – February 29, 1996), a second-generation immigrant from China. Alexander Ho Lim, their youngest son out of 10, gained sole ownership of the house, which was then converted into a restaurant in 2010.
The façade retains the ancestral house's original exterior. Inside, antique furniture, lighting fixtures, and Yakal flooring transport diners to a bygone era. Matching the feel of the ancestral house-turned-restaurant, Gerarda's serves meals enjoyed by Filipino families, including Seafood Kare-Kare, Dinakdakan, and Ube Kinampay Guisado. The latter is a Boholano specialty. They also serve Filipino-Chinese dishes, such as Chow Pat Chin and Chow Mien.
Gerarda's has other branches on CPG North Avenue in Tagbilaran and in Sitio Maug, Panglao.
4| Yokoy's Café
129 San Jose Street, Tagbilaran City
Open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Yokoy's Café is another recommendation from the Internet (a.k.a. Reddit), and it did not disappoint. Behind the counter are passionate coffee crafters serving specialty Filipino coffee, and they will patiently help you look through their supply of local beans should you want to buy a pack as pasalubong.
The café gives off a welcoming vibe. With books like Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista on top of a piano, a Kabataan Partylist poster behind some knick-knacks, and Tarantadong Kalbo stickers posted on the coffee machine, you already know that you're in good company.
