Heading off to Bacolod City? Whether it’s for leisure or business, make sure to include a food trip in your travel itinerary. Trying out the local delicacies and native cuisine of a place not only fills you after a long day of touring or any business but also gives you a taste of their unique culture and history.
The City of Smiles offers many different activities for tourists and travelers alike. It is an in-demand destination because of its historical landmarks, churches, ancestral homes, and fun festivities. But perhaps one activity that tops it all is a food trip. Bacolod has a ton of good food and restaurants to keep your tummy full and happy.
A certified foodie’s haven, Bacolod offers the freshest seafood, a delightful chicken dish, the most scrumptious desserts, and many more. You can enjoy these treats amidst the city’s beautiful landscapes. On top of that, the signature hospitality of the Negrenses makes it even a more unforgettable experience. Their kind and sweet nature make Bacolod feel like a place close to home, hence the moniker “The City of Smiles.”
Ten must-try local food in Bacolod City
In the list below, we explore the best local delicacies, some of the most sought-after restaurants, and the best hangout places perfect for your Instagram feed. With the great variety of restaurants and cafes to try, make sure to plan your schedule to try as many places as possible. If not, you can always bring home a pasalubong (treats) to give and share with your loved ones.
As the people from Bacolod would say, “Namit gid” or “This is good!” to express their appreciation towards good food. Experience Bacolod by trying the rich and flavourful dishes the place has to offer. A gastronomical feast awaits.
Piaya
What is a trip to Bacolod without eating a Piaya? A piaya or piyaya is Bacolod’s most famous local delicacy made up of toasted muscovado sugar and dough. Most piayas come with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. You can find piayas in almost every corner of the city.
Pasalubong centers also offer them in retail or wholesale orders. A piaya is best served when hot. In recent years, a lot of different flavors have emerged. There’s ube piaya, mango piaya, and other varieties. A thinner one, almost wafer-like piayas are also now available. The famous piaya distributors are Bongbong’s, Merzci’s, and Bailon’s.
Bongbong’s Pasalubong Center has branches in Bredco, Luzuriaga, UTC Singcang, SM City Bacolod, Lacson, Aliji’s Showroom, Bay Center, etc.
Merzci has branches in Ceres, Mabinay, 888, Victorias, Silay Airport, Sum-Ag, Murcia, etc.
Bailon Food Specialties is located at 17 San Sebastian St., Bacolod City
Biscocho, Barquillos, and other delicacies
Also, a popular mainstay in the pasalubong centers is Biscocho, barquillos, and other delicacies. These are well-loved delicacies to try when in Bacolod. Barquillos are thin, sweet crunchy wafer rolls usually eaten with ice cream.
Biscocho on the other hand is a crunchy sweet bread covered with sugar and butter. It is usually paired with coffee or hot chocolate. Both delicacies can be eaten as snacks or desserts. They are available in many stores around the city and the airport. The popular brands include Bongbong’s, Merczi, and Sugarlandia.
Sugarlandia is located in Lizares Yulo Street, Bacolod City
Napoleones
Another staple pasalubong from the City of Smiles is the sweet napoleones. It is made up of thin layers of flaky dough with custard filling in between each layer. The topmost layer is glazed with melted white sugar.
Napoleones are usually sold in boxes. Partner eating this with coffee to strike a balance to the napoleones’ sweetness. Many pasalubong centers offer this local pastry but the most sought-after napoleons are found in Roli’s Café.
Roli’s Cafe is located at Roli’s Arcade, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City
Cansi
The adventurous foodie will enjoy a bowl of Cansi, Bacolod’s best-kept secret. Cansi is a popular local soup made with beef shanks and vegetables. It has a flavorful sour taste which can be likened to a sinigang. The sour taste can be attributed to the batuan (batwan) which is a type of fruit that comes from the same family as mangosteen.
As others would put it, Cansi is like sinigang and bulalo in one. Locals usually love eating a bowl of Cansi during the rainy days to give their stomach a hot and steaming fill. You can enjoy this native dish in restaurants like Sharyn’s Cansi, Eron’s Cansi, and Business Inn.
Sharyn’s Cansi is located at C-58 Capitol Shopping Center, Narra Ave, Bacolod City.
Eron’s Cansi is located at C-58 Narra Avenue, Bacolod City
Chicken Inasal
Have you been to Bacolod if you didn’t eat Chicken Inasal? Many variations are found in different cities but the authentic and most legit one is from Bacolod. As the name implies, Chicken Inasal is grilled chicken marinated with a special sauce.
The chicken is both flavorful and juicy, usually paired with atchara (papaya) on the side. Don’t forget to add a bit of the dip which is a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, calamansi, and chili (optional). Many places offer Chicken Inasal but the most notable ones are Aida’s in Manokan Country and Chicken House.
Aida’s stall is located at Manokan Country across SM City Bacolod along Magsaysay Avenue.
Fresh Seafood
Looking for something else aside from meat? Don’t worry, Bacolod got you covered! You can enjoy a feast of the freshest seafood in the City of Smiles. Think of scallops, shrimp, crabs, oysters, and fish cooked in different styles. Whether it’s buttered, grilled, sauteed, or simply steamed, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy your favorite fish and shell dishes.
A popular practice in Bacolod is that customers can get to choose the type of seafood they want to order from the resto’s fresh selection. They can then advise what kind of cooking style should be done and what other ingredients should be added. Popular restaurants that offer fresh seafood are Aboy’s, Bacolod 18th Pala Pala, and Diotay’s.
Aboy’s is located at Singcang, Liroville Subd, Bacolod
Bacolod 18th Pala Pala is located at Aguinaldo St., Cor 18th St., Brgy. 4, Bacolod
Diotay’s is located at Gatuslao St, Barangay 6, Bacolod
Half Moon Cakes
As the name suggests, this dessert looks like a half-moon but tastes like heaven. This popular delicacy is made from a chiffon cake topped with a custard filling. Its fluffy base complements well the heavenly goodness of the egg custard, that’s not too sweet and not too creamy. It’s a light snack which you can eat as a dessert or as merienda. Half Moon Cakes are sold in many food establishments, but Pendy’s Restaurant sits on top of the list.
Pendy’s Snack Bar and Restaurant is located at Lacson Street corner 25th Street, Bacolod City.
Cakes at Calea and Felicia’s
Bacolod is not called the Sugar Capital of the Philippines for no reason. When it comes to cakes, Bacolod produces top-quality cakes that will keep you asking for more. The two most-sought bakeries in the city are Calea and Felicia’s, although there are a lot of other cafes and pastry shops that offer good cakes. Imagine a big glass display filled with delectable cakes and pies.
These cakes can also be hand-carried in flights to reach other places. In Calea, don’t miss trying their famous chocolate cake, Chocolate Mudpie, Semifreddo, and Cheesecakes. Their pies are also highly recommended. Felicia’s ensayamada meanwhile is another crowd favorite. Its light and soft texture melt in the mouth easily. Cheese is also added on top.
Felicia’s Pastry Shop branches: 6th Street, 15th Street, and SM City Bacolod.
Calea branches: Balay Quince, Lacson Street corner 15th Street and Robinson’s Place Bacolod, Lacson Street.
Burgers & Sandwiches at Café Bobs
If you’re looking for a light yet filling snack, head on to Café Bob’s to get the best burgers and sandwiches in town. Café Bob’s offers an array of food depending on your appetite.
Their menu has a good variety of sandwiches, burgers, desserts, and a whole lot more. The deli of Café Bob’s runs an exceptional collection of cheeses, meats, and pastries. Their sandwich menu has a good mix of meat and greens. They also make their bread like sourdough, bagels, etc. Want to try something unique? Go get Café Bob’s Grilled ensaymada with majestic ham or Reuben’s Sandwich.
Cafe Bob’s is located on Corner Lacson and 21st street in Bacolod City.
Batchoy at Café 21
Iloilo’s famous Batchoy makes its way to Bacolod in Café 21. Batchoy is a classic Filipino noodle soup with beef, liver, chicharron, and egg. This satisfying dish is perfect for cold rainy weather.
21 Restaurant is located at Lacson Street corner 21st Street, Bacolod City.
Food trips are more fun in Bacolod. With a wide variety of choices to choose from, you can go for the tasty chicken inasal, the savory Kansi, or the sweet cakes of Calea. Before heading home, don’t forget to drop by the pasalubong centers like Bongbong’s or Merczi to get a box of napoleons, a pack of piaya, or a bunch of barquillos and Biscocho.
If you loved your visit to Bacolod, the City of Smiles is an ideal place to settle because of the many opportunities available. The capital city of Negros Occidental is known to be a key investment destination because of its quickly growing industries and high-powered markets.
Bacolod City has emerged as one of the leading investment hubs in the country because of its economic growth over the years. It was listed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce as one of the most business-friendly local government units under the city level I category which attracts potential investors.
Bacolod is also one of the top livable cities in the country and was named as the Top Model City of the Philippines and 2017 and 2019. The city’s booming IT and BPO industry also helps boost the economic opportunities for the locals.
Real Estate is one industry that continuously grows in the city. Properties are on the rise because of the high demand in the area.
Why invest in Camella Manors Bacolod?
Looking for an affordable condo in Bacolod? Explore life in Bacolod with Camella Manors.
Camella Manors Bacolod is the first project of Camella Manors in the Visayas to become part of Vista Land’s communicity. Camella Manors is Vista Land’s newest mid-rise condominium brand located in the regions and nearby provinces of Metro Manila. It promotes all-in lifestyle needs and resort-themed amenities that will cater to young professionals, starting families, investors, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Camella Manors Bacolod, a midrise condominium development, brings you the experience of a condo-resort community as it pioneers a new level of hassle-free urban living amid a booming economy. The condo will start opening its units in Buildings 1 and 2 this 2021 for occupancy. Camella Manors Bacolod is a 1.1-hectare mid-rise condominium with a total of 4 buildings.
Located along Cordova-Buri Road, Mandalagan, this affordable condo in Bacolod will give investors the best deal for its money with many amenities which include a swimming pool, kiddie pool, fitness gym, clubhouse, playground, and commercial strips. There is also 24/7 security to ensure the safety of everybody. Animal lovers will be delighted to know that it is a pet-friendly community.
The project offers the perfect synergy of comfort and luxury. It is strategically located near malls, hospitals, schools, tourist attractions, and business districts. It is located 15 minutes away from the Bacolod- Silay International Airport.
Investors in the first and second building can finally enjoy their new home by the second quarter of the year. Each building, Ibiza and Majorca, are both 7-storey high. A studio and a 1-bedroom unit measure 30.36 sq. m.
Preselling of units is ongoing. To know more about Camella Manors Olvera, click here. Reservations can also be done conveniently and hassle-free through our easy-to-use online payment facilities.
