Balikbayan - Santa Fe

We decided to eat here after enjoying a swim in the clear water, under a deep blue sky, and on a sugar sand beach. It was a beautiful day and we were quite hungry. The restaurant's name, Balikbayan, means "To Come Back to your Homeland." Locals told us that it is a favorite among tourists. One of the reasons is that they open early, from 10am to 10pm daily, and can accommodate large groups. You can even order Filipino breakfast here, even after 10am. We particularly enjoyed their grilled squid, stuffed with onions and tomatoes and served with a special sauce. The Halo-Halo dessert was a bit disappointing, but the excellent service and the great Island Style cabanas setting made up for it. While this may not be our top choice for dining in Bantayan Island due to the many other food options available that cater more to locals, we would not overlook Balikbayan for their convenient hours, good prices, beachside location, and fantastic service. It is definitely worth a try. Cheers!

Had the chicken curry with rice. It was very good. Very recommended! Price per person: ₱200–400

A busy restaurant serving mainly filipino dishes, popular with locals. Food is good and fresh and cooked to order. There were a few large groups here when I visited which can slow things down. Prices very reasonable, family friendly and a nice atmosphere Service: 3

Lovely atmosphere, friendly service , good local Pinoy dishes. We tried the Bohol express full of flavours. Service: 5

Our experience wasn’t that good. Food was 3 of 5 stars. We made a reservation for 13 people. It was space enough for one long table, but they put us on two separated table. One meal was forgotten and one meal came when everybody finished already. Before they served the food, beer was out of stock. All in all no recommendations- I’m sorry ‍ Service: 3