The 8 Best Malapascua Restaurants & Cafes: My Guide to The Best Food Spots in 2025

Malapascua Island in the Philippines isn’t exactly famous for its food scene—and honestly, that’s not why most people come here anyway. This little island is all about world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, especially if you’re here to spot thresher sharks. But still, even the most dedicated divers need to eat, right?

So in this guide, I want to share a few of my favorite restaurants, cafes, and bars in Malapascua. I spent a few days here, and like you, I came mainly for the diving. But I also made it my mission to hunt down the best food spots on the island. It’s definitely a bit trickier here. Malapascua is still pretty underdeveloped when it comes to food, but there are some real decent food spots if you know where to look. Here’s what I found.

What are the Best Malapascua Restaurants, Cafes & Bars? I’ve got the Answers!

Before I get into my food experiences, I’ll be honest with you, when I first arrived in Malapascua, I was a little surprised. Maybe I just didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be the most local and least developed island I had visited in the Philippines up to that point. Aside from the little beachfront strip near the dive shops, most of the island is super local and that includes a lot of the food spots too. So just a heads up: don’t expect trendy cafes or fancy fine dining here.

The food in Malapascua doesn’t really compare to what you’ll find in Siargao or some of the more developed islands, but honestly, that’s fine. I didn’t come here for the food, I came for the diving. And once I adjusted my expectations, I actually had some really great experiences.

One of my favorite places by far was Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar. It’s super chill, the cocktails are fresh and cheap, and the sunset views are absolutely incredible. I had some of my best evenings on the island there and I highly recommend grabbing a drink and enjoying sunset there.

Another surprise find was a cute little coffee spot called Devozen Cafe, which I think is part of a dive center (Devocean). Nothing fancy, but they actually serve proper flat whites and lattes, which was a big win after a few days of instant coffee.

As for food, I mostly stuck to the beachfront restaurants near the dive shops. I really liked Ocean Vida. They’ve got beanbags right on the sand, the water is crystal clear, and the whole vibe is just super relaxed. I came here a few times after diving for lunch and drinks, and it was perfect. During happy hour, they do these tasty little mini burgers that were great value for money too.

1. Ocean Vida // One of The Best Restaurants Malapascua on The Beach

Opening Hours: 8am-11pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Ocean Vida is a resort and dive center in Malapascua, located on the southern stretch of the island where most of the dive shops and beachfront spots are. It’s that one main strip where everything happens and for me, it was definitely the best area to hang out on the island.

Ocean Vida ended up being my go-to post-dive spot. Super casual, super easy. You can just plop down on a beanbag right on the beach, order a drink, and chill out in the sun. We came here a few times for lunch and were actually surprised by how good the food was, weloved the fried calamari and the fish curry in particular.

It’s also a great spot for happy hour. They do buy-one-get-one cocktails (always a win) and sometimes have little food specials like mini burgers or pizza pockets. Nothing fancy, just really cool beachside vibes and cold drinks after a day of diving.

2. My Tablea Cafe // My Favorite Malapascua Island Restaurants for Lunch

Opening Hours: 6:30am-8pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

One of my favorite cafes in Malapascua has to be My Tablea Cafe. It’s tucked away at the very northern tip of the island, so if you’re staying up that way, somewhere like Georgia’s Neverland it’s just around the corner.

The vibe here is great. It’s a small, beachside spot with just a few tables and some really cute decor. The coffee is simple, just basic filter coffee as far as I could tell, but it does the job. For breakfast, they serve all the classics: pancakes, Filipino-style breakfasts with rice, egg, and sausage… the usual, but done well.

We also came by for lunch one day, and I tried the squid adobo with squid ink. Honestly, it was really good. If you’re staying in the north of Malapascua, this is a perfect little cafe for breakfast or lunch.

Oh, and one funny thing I have to mention, when we were there, we chatted with the owners a bit and they showed us their pet turkey. Yep, a full-grown turkey just hanging out at the cafe. Absolutely hilarious.

3. Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar // Best Malapascua Restaurant for Sunset

Opening Hours: Not sure about opening hours, i recommend to jsut come before sunset.
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

My favorite bar in Malapascua is definitely the Shipwreck Beach Sunset Bar. It’s tucked away up north, so if you’re staying down in the main town or near the dive shops, you’ll want to hop on a scooter to get there—otherwise, you’ll be walking back through the forest in the dark, which isn’t exactly ideal.

The place itself is super low-key. You have to climb a bunch of stairs to reach it, since it’s set in its own little cove with a small beach down below. The bar’s simple—just a few tables, a chill setup—but they make fresh fruit cocktails that are way better than you’d expect. Cheap, tasty, and strong enough to feel like a reward after the mini hike.

The name’s not just for show either. There’s an actual shipwreck just offshore, right in front of the bar. If you’ve got a mask and snorkel with you, it’s worth hopping in for a quick look. But honestly, even if you don’t, this spot is all about the view. The sunsets here are next level—probably the best I saw on the island. Totally worth the trip.

4. Bebot’s // My Top Breakfast in Malapascua

Opening Hours: 7am-3pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Bebot’s is the go-to breakfast spot for most people on a dive-free day, and I can totally see why. It’s cheap, super chill, and has a great laid-back island vibe that just works when you’re not rushing anywhere.

The food here really hits the spot, nothing fancy, but exactly what you need. They’ve got classic Filipino breakfast plates with rice and eggs, but also sandwiches and pancakes if you’re in the mood for something more Western. I only ate here once, but if you’re staying in the south of Malapascua and want a solid breakfast without spending much, this is probably your best bet.

5. Devozen Cafe // Best Coffee Shop in Malapascua

Opening Hours: 7:30am-7:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

My favorite little café in Malapascua was definitely Devozen Cafe. It’s part of the Devocean Dive Center or at least I’m assuming it is, given the name, and as far as I know, it’s the only spot on the island where you can get a proper specialty coffee. (I only recently learned that in the Philippines, “specialty coffee” usually means espresso-based drinks like lattes and flat whites.)

This was my go-to place almost every morning for a latte or flat white. It’s a cozy little setup, nothing too flashy, but exactly what I needed. They also serve breakfast—I didn’t try their full meals, but I did have a couple of their chocolate croissants, and they were great. I saw quite a few people ordering smoothie bowls too, and they looked pretty delicious if that’s more your thing.

6. Guanna’s Place

Opening Hours: ???
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★
Menu Location

Guanna’s Place is one of the most popular local restaurants in Malapascua and surprisingly, one of my favorite spots on the island for pasta. Yep, you read that right.

Something I’ve noticed in the Philippines is that local restaurants often serve surprisingly good pasta dishes. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had some random roadside places nail things like pesto chicken pasta, and Guanna’s is no exception.

They’ve got all the usual Filipino dishes on the menu, but if you go, try the pesto pasta with chicken. It was honestly so tasty I came back for it more than once. Definitely one of those unexpected food wins.

7. Angelina Beach Resort // Best Restaurant in Malapascua for Pizza

Opening Hours: 7am-9pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

If you’re craving something a bit more Western—specifically Italian or Mediterranean—then Angelina Beach Resort & Italian Restaurant is my favorite restaurant in Malapascua.

It’s not the best pizza I’ve ever had, but honestly, it was better than I expected. Solid flavors, thin crust, and pretty sure the owners are Italian (or at least European), which definitely shows in the food. I’ve noticed this across the Philippines, so many Italian restaurants are actually run by Italians. They really seem to love it here.

The food was great when I went, and I had a pretty decent experience with the staff too. That said, I’ve seen quite a few reviews saying the owners can be rude and service can be super slow. I didn’t run into that myself, but just putting it out there so you’re not caught off guard.

If you’re in the mood for pizza or pasta, this is the place.

8. Bakhaw Kiwi // Best Cheap Restaurant in Malapascua

Opening Hours: 8am-10pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Bakhaw Kiwi is one of those local, super basic restaurants I’d definitely recommend if you’re hungry and trying to stick to a budget. It’s cheap, cheerful, and full of character.

When we went, the food took forever to come out but in the meantime, we got a full-on karaoke show from what I assume was the entire family. Some were actually pretty good. Others… not so much. It’s one of those spots where the restaurant also doubles as their living room, so yeah, you’re getting the full local experience here.

We had some fried noodles and chicken, super simple, but tasty and filling. Nothing fancy, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal with a side of unexpected entertainment, this is a solid spot.

FAQs About the Best Restaurants in Malapascua

Where to eat in Malapascua?

Malapascua doesn’t have a huge food scene, but there are definitely a few pretty good options. If you’re craving pizza, Angelina Beach Resort is your best bet. For breakfast, I loved My Tablea Cafe. They have a super chill vibe and decent food. And for a cheap dinner, Guanna’s Place is always a good shout.

Is Malapascua worth visiting?

Yes, but only if you’re scuba diving. That’s really what the island is known for. It’s still nice without diving, there are some good beaches and snorkeling spots, and it’s cool to see a more local side of the Philippines but if you’re not planning to dive with the thresher sharks, I’d probably choose a different island.

Are there cafes in Malapascua?

Kind of. Don’t expect Bali or Siargao-style cafés, but there are a couple of good places. The best coffee I found was at Devozen Cafe. It’s the only spot I saw doing proper espresso-based drinks like flat whites and lattes. They also do smoothie bowls and pastries, which are great for a casual breakfast.

What’s the best bar in Malapascua?

Shipwreck Sunset Bar, hands down. It’s located in its own little cove, the cocktails are fresh and cheap, and the sunsets here are incredible. It’s a bit of a mission to get to, but absolutely worth it.

Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Malapascua

I had a great time in Malapascua from the day I arrived until I left, even if the food wasn’t the main highlight. And neither was my accommodation, but that’s a story for another blog.

The diving is what makes this place special. Seeing thresher sharks in the wild is one of those experiences that sticks with you. That alone makes the trip worth it.

As for food, I did put in a bit of effort to find some good spots, and I’d say there are a few solid places around the island. Don’t worry about going hungry, there’s enough variety to keep you going, even if it’s not the most exciting food scene. It’s definitely worth coming here, especially if diving is your main reason for visiting.

Check Out My Other Malapascua Travel Guides

How to Get to Malapascua: The Easiest Way to Get to Malapascua Island

Is Malapascua worth visiting? My Honest Take on Visiting Malapascua in 2025

The Best Time to Visit Malapascua: When to Visit Malapascua, My Travel Guide

Malapascua Beaches: The 4 Best Beaches in Malapascua

Diving in Malapascua: Thresher Sharks & My Experience 2025

Things to Do in Malapascua: My Favorite Non-Diving Things to Do

Malapascua Itinerary: My Amazing 3 Days in Malapascua Island

Where to Stay in Malapascua: Where to Stay in Malapascua Island Travel Guide

Malapascua Travel Guide: My Full Travel Guide for Malapascua Island Philippines

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