5 Best Vegan Restaurants in Palawan, Philippines
As a vegan traveler, exploring the island paradise of Palawan in the Philippines can be a bit challenging. With its abundance of seafood and meat-based dishes, finding vegan options can seem like an impossible task. However, with a bit of research and planning, it's entirely possible to have a fulfilling vegan experience in Palawan. In this blog post, we will explore the difficulties of being vegan in Palawan and offer tips on what to do and where to eat. You’ll find 5 of the best vegan restaurants where to eat from, in Palawan!
Difficulties of Being Vegan in Palawan
First, I want to dive into what kind of difficulties you might find traveling as a vegan in the Philippines. I have to say this was one of the countries I struggled the most as a vegan!
One night while traveling between Puerto Princesa and El Nido I only had white rice.
Limited vegan options
Finding vegan options in restaurants can be a challenge, especially if you don't speak the local language. Many restaurants in Palawan rely heavily on seafood and meat-based dishes, leaving little room for vegan options. Most menus are not labeled as vegan-friendly, making it difficult to distinguish what is safe to eat.
2. Cultural Differences
Palawan is a province that is heavily influenced by Spanish and Chinese cultures. This means that many traditional dishes often contain animal products. For instance, the popular dish Adobo is typically made with pork or chicken. It can be challenging to navigate the cultural differences to find vegan-friendly dishes.
3. Contamination
Be careful when eating in very local places and never order raw fruit and vegetables as these might have been washed with tap water which is bad for you. I forgot about this one day and order some raw tomatoes and I got really really sick.
What to Do
Plan ahead
One of the best ways to ensure you have a great vegan experience in Palawan is by planning ahead. Research local restaurants that offer vegan options before your trip. This way, you can have a list of restaurants to visit when you arrive. You can also stock up on vegan snacks and essentials like fruits, nuts, and seeds. In addition, if you are a digital nomad and you are staying for longer I would suggest you stay somewhere near good vegan options. Such as El Nido.
2. Cook your meals
Another option is to cook your meals. If you're staying in an Airbnb or a hostel that has a kitchen, you can buy fresh ingredients from the local market and prepare your meals. This way, you have more control over what you eat. It won’t be super easy especially if you don’t have a good kitchen but that’s why I always bring a portable blender and food containers with me.
Vegan Restaurants to Review
Lastly, here are some vegan restaurants that I think you will enjoy!
Puerto Princesa
1.Ver De
Ver De is a vegan restaurant in the heart of Puerto Princesa. This is where you’ll fly to so you are probably going to stay here for at least one day. I’d highly suggest having your meals in this restaurant because it is absolutely amazing. It is a mix of Mexican, Italian, and Western food and it really hits the spot.
Ver De Burger
Whole what bun, plant patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, vegan mayo
Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Whole wheat bread, vegan mozzarella, spirulina pesto, sauteed onions, spinach, tomato
Best Dishes: Pesto Grilled Cheese, ‘Shroom Burger, Smokey Tempeh
Price Range: ££
2. Our table
Our table is a Korean cafè that you’ll find a little bit further away from the centre of Puerto Princesa. It is perfect if you want to get some work done and just experience some good vibes. The lady running it is so nice and she will make you feel at home. They have two vegan bowls, a vegan cookie and some plant-based milk for you to enjoy their great coffee. If you ask her, she’ll also make vegan kimbap for you!
Best Dishes: Grilled Tofu Bowl, Iced and Hot Lemonade
Price Range: ££
Grilled Tofu Bowl
Grilled tofu, romaine lettuce, red cabbage, onion, tomato, bell pepper, chickpea, corn, red bean, brown rice - oriental dressing
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa
How to get to Puerto Princesa
What to do in Puerto Princesa
El Nido
3. Taste El Nido
Taste El Nido is an amazing little restaurant where you can get delicious smoothie bowls and sandwiches. It’s perfect for breakfast and they also have super speedy wifi if you want to do some work there. I loved the vibe there and I’m sure you’ll love it too!
Hello Yellow Smoothie Bowl
Topped with flax seeds, chia seeds, granola, goji berries and coconut shavings
Best Dishes: Mac & Cheese, Smooth Red Bowl, Hello Yellow Bowl
Price Range: ££
4. Ver De
This is the same restaurant that you can find in Puerto Princesa. The chain is the same but the restaurant varies a little bit. This restaurant in El Nido is a bit fancier and therefore a bit more expensive. It is attached to a vegan hotel which is pretty cool and the menu also varies a little. Definitely a place to visit.
Beyond Meatball
Beyond meat, marinara, cashew ricotta, basil oil, baguette
Best Dishes: Lasagna Roll Ups, Buff’, Beyond Meatball
Price Range: ££
Where to stay in El Nido
How to get to El Nido
What do do
Còron
5. Full Lotus
This is a vegetarian restaurant that has loads of vegan dishes and is travel-themed. Each dish is made from a different cuisine, such as Thai, Italian, Spanish etc. It is honestly so lovely. It is a little bit further away from the city centre but it is really really good. You’ll definitely love it!
Abuela’s tostadas
Tostadas with lettuce, tomato, beans and sour cream
Best Dishes: Vegan Kare-Kare, Bangkok Bowl and Falafel and Hummus
Price Range: ££
Where to stay in Coron
How to get to Coron
What to do
In conclusion, Palawan offers many options for vegan travelers. Whether you are looking for affordable options or the best dishes, you can find something to suit your needs. These restaurants offer delicious and satisfying vegan options, making it a bit easier to maintain a vegan lifestyle while traveling in Palawan.