🦐 Tacloban Seafood & Local Favorites: Where to Eat Like a Local

🐟 Tacloban Seafood & Local Favorites: Where to Eat and What to Try

Tacloban may be known for its history and resilience, but for many travelers, it’s the food that leaves the strongest impression. Thanks to its coastal location and strong local food culture, the city offers fresh seafood, comforting Filipino dishes, and casual cafés that make you want to stay longer—or come back just to eat.

Here are some of the best seafood spots and local favorites in Tacloban, including places I personally enjoyed and would happily return to.

1. 🦐 Ocho Seafood & Grill Restaurant

Best for: Seafood, group dining, Filipino–Chinese dishes

Ocho Seafood & Grill has been serving Tacloban with a fusion of Filipino and Chinese cuisine since 2002. What started as a simple eatery has grown into one of the city’s top food spots—and is often considered the go-to place for the best seafood in town.

It’s ideal for families and groups, especially after a long day of sightseeing, when you want reliable food, generous servings, and familiar flavors.

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2. 🌮 Sunzibar

 

Best for: Comfort food, casual dining, repeat visits

This is my favorite restaurant in Tacloban.

Their Nachos Salad is to die for—so good that if I could order it to take home without ruining the nachos, I absolutely would. A visit to Tacloban honestly feels incomplete without eating here at least once.

Sunzibar is relaxed, familiar, and always a good idea—whether you’re traveling solo or with friends.

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3. ☕ Café Teresa (Hotel Alejandro)

Best for: Breakfast, quiet mornings

When we stayed at Hotel Alejandro, breakfast at Café Teresa was already included in the room rate—and I genuinely loved it.

The food was simple, filling, and comforting, and I made sure my friends also had breakfast there. It’s a great way to start the day before heading out to explore Tacloban.

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 4. 🌿 Rafael Farm & Restaurant

Best for: Scenic dining, Filipino comfort food

Rafael Farm & Restaurant is a must-visit, even though it’s off the main road and quite far. The effort is worth it—the food alone makes the trip memorable.

Must-tries:

• Sweet & Spicy Spare Ribs
• Chicken Adobo
• Dagmay (their version of Laing)
• Refreshing Calamansi juice with shredded carrots and cucumber

The peaceful setting and hearty dishes make this more than just a meal—it’s an experience.

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5. 🎸 Starz Rock Café

Best for: Late-night snacks, desserts, cozy vibes

Starz Rock Café has a very homey atmosphere and tends to get busy late at night. Their Sans Rival is a must-try and perfect for sharing.

What really stood out to me were the decorations—interesting, eclectic, and very local. It’s a great place to unwind after a long day.

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Other must tries:

1. 🐠 Yolanda’s Seafood

Best for: Casual seafood meals

For travelers looking for straightforward seafood without the fuss, Yolanda’s Seafood is often recommended by locals. The focus here is on fresh ingredients and comforting flavors, making it an easy choice when you want a satisfying meal without overthinking it.

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2. 🔥 Rizal Avenue Barbecue Stalls

Best for: Street-style grilling and late-night cravings

No Tacloban food experience is complete without stopping by the barbecue stalls along Rizal Avenue. Smoke-filled, lively, and full of character, these stalls offer grilled favorites that pair perfectly with rice and cold drinks.

This is where you go when you want to eat like a local.

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3. 🍗 Timo Romano’s Lechon

Best for: Special meals and classic Filipino celebrations

Lechon is always a crowd-pleaser, and Timo Romano’s version is a favorite for good reason. It’s often ordered for gatherings, but travelers lucky enough to catch it fresh will understand why it’s highly recommended.

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4. 🍗 Nestor Lechon Manok

Best for: Affordable, flavorful roasted chicken

A simpler alternative to lechon, Nestor Lechon Manok is perfect for quick meals or takeout. It’s the kind of place locals rely on when they want something familiar, filling, and consistently good.

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5. 🍴 Tops of the World (Local Fast Food)

Best for: Budget-friendly Filipino comfort food

Tops of the World is a local fast-food favorite where many Taclobanons grew up eating. It’s not fancy—but it’s comforting, affordable, and a nice break from tourist-oriented dining.

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6. 🍗 Aling Manang’s Native Chicken

Best for: Traditional flavors

If you’re curious about native chicken dishes, Aling Manang’s is a popular choice. Meals here lean toward traditional cooking styles that feel home-cooked and satisfying.

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7. 🐟 Tacloban Royal Food

Best for: Family meals and local dishes

Tacloban Royal Food is often mentioned for its local menu offerings and generous servings. It’s another place that works well for groups and for travelers who want to sample a variety of Filipino dishes in one sitting.

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🍽️ Really Must Try Local Delicacy

You can’t leave Leyte without trying its beloved pasalubong:

1.🍫 Moron (sticky rice + chocolate goodness)

  

 

2.🥮 Binagol (sweet delicacy in a shell) 

Food in Tacloban feels unpretentious and comforting. Many of the best places aren’t fancy, but they serve food with heart—meals that locals keep coming back to and visitors remember long after they leave.

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🌿 Lakwatserang Ligaw Quote

✨ “In Tacloban, good food doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be shared.”💖

📢 Planning your Tacloban food crawl?

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