Once we requested our three Bacolod-based pals what they thought was the perfect hen inasal within the metropolis, we acquired three very totally different solutions. By some means, we weren’t stunned. Given the sheer variety of nice inasal locations within the Metropolis of Smiles, it appears everybody has their very own favourite spot — and so they’ll defend it with the identical ardour folks often reserve for love groups, BTS, or Taylor Swift.

That’s the benefit of Bacolod — you absolutely gained’t go away with out tasting scrumptious, completely grilled hen inasal. However this smoky, tangy goodness isn’t the one must-try meals in Bacolod. We’ve been to Bacolod a number of occasions, and most of our journeys, our primary motivation is none apart from…FOOD! From the town’s famed hen inasal to its decadent candy treats, Bacolod by no means fails to fulfill our craving — from appetizers to desserts.

On this article, we’ll be sharing the dishes, eating places, and meals spots we tried and beloved throughout our most up-to-date go to. This checklist is organized in no specific order. Additionally, our selections and opinions could differ from yours, as style is subjective. We’re under no circumstances meals specialists; we merely love consuming and discovering good meals.

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Lion’s Park

On our earlier journeys, we often ate at Manokan Nation. We’ve already tried Aida’s and Nena’s Rose, so this time we needed one thing totally different. Our buddy Mark extremely beneficial Lion’s Park Grill Haus, a neighborhood establishment that has been serving inasal since 1981.

Its unique location was on the well-known Manokan Nation, which was demolished and rebuilt as a part of SM Metropolis Bacolod. However we ate on the web site alongside Lizares Avenue. Unsure if it transferred to this spot or it’s a further department. Many of the tables are within the open-air space, but it surely does have an air-conditioned part now. Both method, the odor of grilled hen hits you earlier than you even sit down.

Other than the reduce (pechopak is the perfect, nonetheless), it additionally presents native hen variant. Each choices are smoky, flavorful, and finest paired with rice drowned in hen oil and sinamak (spiced vinegar).

We additionally loved its isaw, domestically known as isaw/tinae, which was reduce open and completely cleaned, so there was no funky aftertaste. We additionally had hen liver or atay and pork sisig, each of which have been your traditional fare — adequate however gained’t precisely steal the highlight from the inasal.

It’s humorous as a result of on our final Bacolod journey, there have been additionally three of us within the group, and every had our personal favourite and a distinct tackle which one was the perfect. For Vins, Lion’s Park is his prime choose, whereas our teammate Asta (@ganitofriend) and I positioned our bets on different hen inasal contenders.

Tackle: Lion’s Park Grill Haus, Lizares Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM; 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM
What We Ordered: Rooster Inasal Pecho, P135; Native Rooster Pecho, P160; Isaw/Tinae, P40; Sisig, P190; Atay P60

Rooster Home

Rooster Home acquired the very best mark on Asta’s scorecard. The hen inasal that we tried right here had a tastier marinade, with the vinegar being extra intense and balancing out the saltiness.

The serving was smaller, although, and the piece Vins acquired was a bit on the dry facet. The hen we had at Lion’s Park was juicier, making it Vins’s prime choice, however solely by a slim margin.

We additionally had grilled squid or inihaw na pusit, which was completely grilled and never chewy in any respect. The lemongrass stuffing helped tone down the robust seafood style of the squid. As for the pork barbecue, it was simply okay.

Tackle: Rooster Home Predominant Department, twenty fourth Lacson Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday, 12:00 AM – 10:00 AM; 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
What We Ordered: Rooster Inasal Pecho, P140; Grilled Squid, P160; Pork BBQ, P50/stick

Sugba Sugba Inasal & Seafood

For me, the perfect inasal I attempted on our most up-to-date journey was from Sugba Sugba Inasal & Seafood. Really, it was tied for #1 with Vins’s choose. We simply made him choose just one.

Of all of the hen inasals we tried on this journey, this was by far the juiciest and probably the most flavorful. It was additionally the most cost effective, at P115-125 apiece. But it surely wasn’t simply the inasal. Each single dish that was served on our desk was unbelievable.

From the standard grilled innards like isaw and atay to its seafood bestsellers. The chili garlic crabs have been so contemporary, made even tastier by the sauce, which was like a mixture of candy chili and sarciado. And naturally, the baked oysters. The oyster meat was small, however there have been 20 of them, profusely complemented by the wealthy, tacky sauce. This was our greatest meal in Bacolod on this journey.

The place was additionally air-conditioned, so we dined comfortably even when it was actually scorching outdoors.

Tackle: Sugba Sugba Inasal & Seafood, 115 4th Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
What We Ordered: Rooster Inasal Paa, P115; Rooster Inasal Pechopak, P125; Isaw, P45; Atay, P60; Chili Garlic Crabs, P400; Baked Oysters, P300

Gina’s Seafoods Restaurant

In order for you extra contemporary ocean bounty, look no additional than Gina’s Seafoods Restaurant. It’s a spacious open-air restaurant, fronted by a parade of squid, shrimps, prawns, and varied kinds of fish. Diwal or angel wing clams have been additionally on the menu. It’s my favourite, but it surely was not obtainable on the time.

Gina’s is a paluto restaurant, the place you choose your seafood then determine the way you need it cooked (grilled, steamed, scorching, candy and bitter, sinigang, and many others).

We requested the workers for his or her bestsellers, and so they talked about grilled blue marlin, garlic butter shrimp, and scorching squid, in order that’s precisely what we ordered.

Each single factor we ordered was so contemporary. There was no humorous or funky odor or aftertaste in any respect. They have been additionally completely cooked. The blue marlin was tender. It was straightforward to understand its pure flavors; we didn’t even want a dip or sauce for it. In the meantime, the shrimp dish didn’t disappoint both. The garlic made the crustaceans sing. However our unanimous standout choose right here was the scorching squid! Technically, it was cuttlefish or pusit lumot, which made me nervous as a result of it may simply flip rubbery, however this one didn’t. It was very smooth, and its sauce had the suitable mix of candy and salty.

Tackle: Gina’s Seafoods, San Juan Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
What We Ordered: Blue Marlin, P275 for 1/4 kg; Shrimps Steamed with Garlic Butter, P225 for 1/4 kg; Squid, P225 for 1/4 kg

Sharyn’s Cansi Home

If there’s one place in Bacolod you need to go for a bowl of cansi, Sharyn’s is it. Positioned on Narra Avenue, Barangay Villamonte, this no-frills eatery has been serving up its signature beef soup since 1985, and in 2017 it was even acknowledged by the World Road Meals Congress as one of many High 50 Road Meals Masters on the planet.

The meat shank is stewed till it’s fall-off-the-bone tender, the broth is deeply beefy, and there’s a bitter kick from batuan, a souring fruit native to Negros and Panay, which provides the soup its distinct taste. Each order is good for a bunch, often served in an enormous bowl with further mugs of soup for refill. In the event you’re going solo, I doubt you’d be capable to end it.

On our latest go to, the very first thing the workers instructed us as we entered was that they didn’t have bone marrow anymore. We actually appreciated them informing us earlier than we may even sit down or order. However we nonetheless went forward. This was our third time right here, and whereas the bone marrow takes it to a different stage of richness, we’re completely positive with out. Once we had our first sip, we have been reminded why we got here again! Their cansi is admittedly comforting.

We additionally ordered their “crispy” model of cansi, which is principally the cansi’s shank meat deep fried till it’s crunchy. However to be sincere, the crispy cansi in our reminiscence was higher than what we acquired this time. This one was a lot harder than I keep in mind.

In the event you determine to go to, handle your expectations. It’s principally a specialised carinderia. It’s easy, modest, and never air-conditioned. It’s informal and sometimes busy, particularly round lunch or dinner.

Tackle: Sharyn’s Cansi Home, Narra Avenue, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
What We Ordered: Cansi, P500; Crispy Cansi, P580

Calle Luna Halo-Halo

Only a quick stroll from Sharyn’s stands Calle Luna, a dessert spot initially from Silay Metropolis, with a department additionally in Talisay and Bacolod. It’s identified largely for its extensive, extensive choice of halo-halo and different icy desserts.

What units it aside from the standard halo-halo is that it makes use of so-called milky ice, which is finer, smoother and milkier. As a substitute of the standard fundamental shaved ice drizzled with evaporated milk, the milk is extra infused within the ice.

Vins ordered their bestseller known as Tremendous Particular, which has sweetened banana, candy buko strips, jelly bits, corn kernels, mango, ube halaya, after which topped with ube ice cream, leche flan, and cheese. In keeping with him, it was good — very creamy, with well-balanced substances. Nothing was overpowering. It was only a bit uncommon for him to have mango in halo-halo, however as soon as he acquired used to it, it turned out okay.

In the meantime, Asta acquired the De Langka. This taste is seasonal, however fortunately, it was obtainable that point. After all, langka or jackfruit took the highlight, because it ought to. It additionally got here with sweetened banana, buko or coconut, corn, and topped with vanilla ice cream.

I ordered Mango de Leche, which has mango caramel syrup and jelly bits, then topped with mango ice cream and leche flan. I appreciated it however didn’t actually stay for the mango ice cream because it overpowered the pure taste of the true mango. I loved Asta’s Langka and Vins’s Tremendous Particular halo-halo significantly better. However general, it was very satisfying, particularly after a bowl of cansi. It was additionally scorching scorching that day!

We additionally needed to attempt La Arte’s halo-halo, but it surely was out of the way in which, and we didn’t have a lot time, so we simply skipped it for now. Perhaps subsequent time!

Tackle: Calle Luna Halo-Halo, BS Aquino Drive, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
What We Ordered: Tremendous Particular Halo-Halo, P130; De Langka, P110; Mango de Leche, P110

21 Restaurant

Positioned at 21 Lacson Road, nook twenty first Road (therefore the identify), 21 Restaurant was once a humble merienda spot however has advanced into one among Bacolod’s extra upscale informal eating spots. A couple of years in the past, I first visited this place with Vins and Asta, and we ordered rather a lot. I keep in mind we had an amazing meal general.

However this time round, I got here alone, and I got here for one factor and one factor solely — a bowl of its signature batchoy! The broth isn’t clear-clear however not opaque both, however surprisingly full of taste! It’s simmered till it soaks up all of the umami goodness, then layered with noodles, tender bits of meat, and beneficiant slices of liver, after which sprinkled crunchy chicharón on prime. It’s much less wealthy and fewer garlicky than those I attempted in Iloilo and extra refined than traditional, however nonetheless very comforting.

Though I went for the batchoy, I additionally ordered its Lola Nitang’s Bibingka, which was a bit inconspicuous within the menu. However I’m obsessive about bibingka on the whole, so I simply needed to attempt it. And my gosh, this was actually good. It was smooth, moist, and engaging. It had simply the correct quantity of sweetness.

Tackle: 21 Restaurant, 21 Lacson Road nook twenty first Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
What We Ordered: Batchoy Particular , P180 (w/ egg, +P25); Lola Nitang’s Bibingka, P170

Café Bobs

And since we’re already speaking about sweets, let’s cross to the following merchandise, actually. Positioned simply throughout the road from 21 Restaurant sits the flagship retailer of Café Bobs. Actually, it was our first time listening to about it, so we’re not too conversant in its legacy. Apparently, it began again in 2003, so it’s been a part of Bacolod’s meals scene for over 20 years, serving specialty espresso, pastries, and informal café tradition within the metropolis. The identify “Bobs” comes from proprietor Bobby Magalona and his spouse’s ardour for baking and low.

We requested the workers for his or her bestsellers on the iced drinks menu, and so they beneficial the Iced Spanish Latte. Usually, this drink is sort of candy due to the condensed milk, however their model — as Tito it could sound — was not too candy in any respect. It was excellent, with the espresso and milk actually standing out.

We additionally acquired a slice of Burnt Cheesecake. The burnt-ness provides further taste and makes it extra complicated, however because it didn’t have a crust, it tasted a bit one-dimensional and it lacked the feel to chop via its richness. It did get fairly overwhelming after some time.

We additionally had a bit of Choco Carrot Cake, and we truly loved this greater than the burnt cheesecake. We love carrot cake, so by default, it was a “sure” for us. This one was moist, with a layer of chocolate icing. And perhaps it’s simply us, however we picked a robust cinnamon notes, which we actually appreciated.

But when truffles are what you’re actually after, you also needs to try the following two gadgets on this checklist.

Tackle: Café Bobs, 21 Lacson Sreet, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
What We Ordered: Iced Spanish Latte, P175; Burnt Cheesecake, P135; Choco Carrot Cake, P120

Buttery Negros

We had a tough time right here at Buttery, not as a result of we didn’t like something, however as a result of we couldn’t determine what to order. Their truffles have been on full show close to the cashier, and we needed to style all of them. All of them seemed so good!

Once we requested the workers, they beneficial the Lemon Chill and Pistachi-oh Craze truffles. However I additionally ordered Galleta de Leche for good measure. As somebody who likes my truffles easy, it actually appealed to me, and I used to be additionally instructed it was a signature creation of theirs too.

The Lemon Chill was a mix of calamansi cake and lemon sq. with creamy lemon mousse in between and topped with items of almond. In the meantime, the Pistachi-oh Craze was composed of crunchy lumpia wrapper coated in Nutella, coated in pistachio mousse and pistachio cream, sitting on an Oreo crust and drizzled with extra Nutella and darkish chocolate, and sprinkled with extra pistachio bits. I used to be a bit skeptical at first as a result of these truffles sound like they’re too sophisticated and too decadent for their very own good. However as a result of we at all times observe workers suggestions, we did simply that, and so they didn’t disappoint. They have been actually scrumptious!

However the Galleta de Leche was my favourite. It’s principally simply creamy caramel flan on a salty cracker crust, topped with whipped cream. I appreciated the simplicity of it! The richness and sweetness have been excellent, not saturated.

Oh, we additionally ordered the Ube Cheesecake. Informed you we couldn’t make up our minds, so we ended up ordering rather a lot. That is ube-flavored cheesecake sitting on polvoron crust and topped with queso de bola.

Right here at Buttery, we have been accompanied by our school buddy Ry, who’s a Bacolod native. He had the Matcha Tiramisu, which is inexperienced tea-flavored tiramisu with white chocolate and almonds. We additionally acquired a style of it as a result of all of us shared truffles. Each the ube cheesecake and matcha tiramisu delivered, too. We ended up having a distinct favourite!

Buttery’s roots may be traced again to Dumaguete, however the Bacolod locals had embraced it, and no shock there, actually. Each single factor on our plates was unforgettable.

However in case you’re on the lookout for desserts which are actually native and homegrown, then the place to be is…

Tackle: Buttery, Lacson Road nook C.L. Montelibano Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
What We Ordered: Lemon Chill, P130; Pistachi-oh Craze, P180; Galleta de Leche, P130; Ube Cheesecake, P150; Matcha Tiramisu (P120)

Calea

Calea is one among Bacolod’s iconic bakery-cafés, positioned alongside Lacson Road. Each time we’re in Bacolod, we go to to get not less than three slices from its large choice of truffles, ice cream truffles, and cheesecakes. However previous to our go to final month, it had been years since we final set foot right here, in order at all times, we requested the workers for suggestions. They urged the Choco Mud Pie, Imported Chocolate Cake, and Blueberry Cheesecake.

The Imported Chocolate Cake is amongst their bestsellers. It’s the very first merchandise on their cake menu. It’s a darkish chocolate cake with wealthy custard filling and coated in darkish chocolate icing. It’s so moist, we couldn’t cease digging in. It’s darkish chocolate, however nonetheless fairly candy. We at all times order this after we’re right here, and it by no means fails to please us!

But it surely was our first time attempting their Chocolate Mud Pie. It’s an enormous chunk of chocolate ice cream sitting on Oreo crust, clad in fudge, bits of almond, and Oreo powder.

However I used to be most excited in regards to the cheesecake. Previously, I attempted their White Chocolate Cheesecake (P120) with raspberry sauce and Fruity Cheesecake (P110), which was topped with blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Each have been delectable! I used to be anticipating this Blueberry Cheesecake to be comparable, however no, it was far more pleasant! Initially, the crust was totally different. It had much more texture, which was nice as a result of it complemented the sleek and wealthy cheesecake.

In any case these years, Calea remains to be the identical dessert powerhouse that I keep in mind. Massive servings and spectacular tastes at inexpensive costs. Please don’t change, Calea! Actually, if we’re going to rank our favourite spood spots in Bacolod, Calea sits comfortably on prime.

Tackle: Calea, Balay Quince, Lacson Road nook fifteenth Road, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
What We Ordered: Choco Mud Pie, P130; Imported Chocolate Cake, P125; Blueberry Cheesecake, P125

The place to Keep in Bacolod

The capital of Negros Occidental, Bacolod Metropolis makes a superb base for exploring Metro Bacolod and its neighboring cities. It presents a variety of lodging throughout totally different budgets and kinds, so that you’ll by no means run wanting choices. Listed here are a few of the top-rated resorts in Bacolod Metropolis in line with on-line traveler evaluations.

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2025 9 17 – First uploaded

Pictures by: Yosh Dimen and Asta Alvarez