If you ask me, the best place to eat Batanes food is in a local’s home; so, if you’re ever invited for a meal into an Ivatan’s home, you should definitely take up their offer!
Otherwise, local festivals or fiestas grant you the freedom to step into any stranger’s house and eat their “handa” or food that has been prepared for guests. It may sound strange to just come up unannounced to someone else’s home, eat their food, and then leave; but, it’s quite the norm!
Just say: “Kapian kamu pa nu dios!”, introduce yourselves, and celebrate the occasion with the locals!
If these don’t apply to you, you can always go to a local restaurant. Actually, when I was still living in Batanes, I don’t think we ever had restaurants — except for SDC ( which was more of a canteen than a restaurant if you ask me ).
But with the recent tourism boom, a lot of restaurants have popped up and those that I recommend would be the following:
1: Octagon Restaurant
An octagon-shaped restaurant, this has an excellent outdoor deck area with awesome views over the West Philippine sea, Naidi Hills, and Basco port that’s located on the National Road near the Basco welcome sign. In here you can find both local Batanes food and Filipino food ( must-try is their ‘uved’ which I really love! )
Sitio Disong Brgy. Kaychanarianan
Along National Road
Contact Numbers: 09396451744 / 09369548482
Email: OctagonBedanadDine2014@yahoo.com
2. Cafe du Tukon
The sole restaurant of the luxury hotel Fundacion Pacita, this place does not only have a picturesque view over the sea, the hills, and Mt. Iraya but it also offers delicious Ivatan and western dishes for your fancy. I recommend trying the luñis, lataven, and picadillo a baka.
Brgy. Chanarian, Tukon
Contact Numbers: 09399016353 / 09178559364
Email: cafedetukon@gmail.com
3. Marconine’s
When you’re out to check Rakuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country) or Vayang Rolling Hills in Batan, you will find the humble canteen of Marconine’s. However, don’t let its size fool you because it offers you grand views and sumptuous meals at a very affordable price!
Uyugan, Batanes, Philippines
No contact number or email available, but
it’s the only restaurant you’ll find at the spot.
4. Pension Ivatan
Yet another accommodation place, its restaurant is also a favorite for filling up one’s appetite with great and authentic Ivatan dishes!
Brgy. Kayvaluganan
Contact numbers: 09088659675 / 09175859288
Email: pensionivatan@yahoo.com.ph