Location: Balanga City
Top Restaurants in Balanga City
Top Things to do in Balanga City
- 1. Bataan World War II Museum
- 2. Mount Samat National Shrine - Dambana ng Kagitingan
- 3. St. Catherine of Siena Parish
- 4. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Tours
- 5. St Joseph's Cathedral
- 6. Surrender Site Marker
- 7. Balanga Nature and Wetland Park
- 8. Bataan National Park
- 9. Flaming Sword
- 10. Thai Royale Spa
Balanga City Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Balanga City
Balanga is a City of Balanga (Filipino: Lungsod ng Balanga; Kapampangan: Lakanbalen ning Balanga). It is capital of the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it had a population of 96,061.
Things to do in Balanga City
1. Chowking
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Ric S - Baguio, Philippines
This establishment is right in front of the Crown Royale Hotel in Balanga. Plenty of staff around but the place was dirty. Floor was unswept and unmopped with plenty of food droppings. Tables were greasy and unclean despite having been wiped. Chairs and tables were haphazardly arranged in very tight spaces and one has to squeeze in to move around. No supervisor or manager seen. This is one place I would not want to go back to. Management has to kick some butts and fire most staff to get this establishment just up to par.
2. Cafe Kyoto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew S - Bellingham, Washington
Alert, the map location on Tripadvisor (in February 2017) is really wrong. The real location is the third floor of the Plaza Hotel, not the strange location that shows up on the map.
Based on visits to Japan I'd say that this is an authentic Japanese place with a nice selection. It's more than just sushi. I had the gyoza and ramen. Both were really good.
3. Stregato Gelateria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By helbanes - Manila, Manila, Philippines
This is by far the best (and most worth it) meal I had in a province. Accidentally went here to have dinner since it was half past 9PM when we reached Balanga city proper. Went out of the hotel and saw this cute little resto just below our hotel, what a great location! We thought this resto is "all ambiance only" with so-so food but lo and behold, their food is so great that this is the reason why I would want to go back to Balanga again! Their herbed chicken is so good, especially the gravy. Though their bestseller is chicken valdestana (?) but I prefer the herbed chicken more. Price is on the average to cheap too, the priciest meal is the salmon at Php220...
4. Shakey's Pizza Parlor
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By JamesKochheiser - San Francisco, California
What an incredible luxury to have a world-class restaurant in Balanga like Shakey's. I travel from the US each year to visit family and it is a real luxury to be able to take my family out to a reputable establishment.
Unfortunately, four of the eight pizzas were "out of stock" (I'm guessing either due to their overwhelming success - they just opened - or because of the port congestion that all franchises based on foreign operations are experiencing). However, the atmosphere (big, fun, and friendly) and the superior staff made up for the initial shortcomings of not having the pizzas (or the dough - they only had thin crust - out of stock on thick crust) in stock...
This is a real convenient restaurant, located on the Roman Superhighway just before you enter the city limits of Balanga (when you are heading south on the highway). From the main entrance to the city limits, it's just a few minutes' drive.
The atmosphere was very comfortable (plenty of A/C), the bench/tables were well situated (we had a party of eight and were quite comfortable on the bench seating), and there were plenty of 2- and 4-seat booths and tables as well. I'm guessing that the occupancy was around 250 people and everyone seemed to have smiles on their faces - which only means two things - good food and good times.
The price for 8 drinks, 8 soups, 2 baskets of calamari (very tasty), a 12-piece order of friend chicken with fried potato slices, a Cesar salad with tuna, one 18" combo pizza, and two 13" pizzas (one Hawaiian, one Bianco) came to 5400 pesos, which is on par for what I would have paid in the US. Considering that the ingredients were probably shipped over, I'm guessing that the margins are tight and I expect a price increase in the future as a result. However, you can't beat the convenience, the atmosphere, or the service... I just hope that this new restaurant "gets it right" in the future by learning how to keep reserve stocks on-hand so that they do not have to keep saying, "sorry po, we're out of stock."
5. The Beanery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By sabi0james - Manila, Philippines
The beauty of trying a place for the first time, without any knowledge of it beforehand, is that one can have a few surprises during the said experience. Upon entering the "coffee shop", the interiors already make a very good impression, nice layout, lighting, and clean environment. As for the food, it definitely is more than just coffee with cakes/pies, pastas, teas, and sandwiches to choose from. When in Balanga, i would definitely visit the Beanery again.
6. Tetak's Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Nix F - Quezon City, Philippines
We dined twice this month. First when we were going to Las Casas then 2 weeks after, before we check-in at Montemar. The food was great! Fresh grilled tilapia is what we go here for. We love the calamares, grilled squid, gising gising and chicken wings. They have wide variety of choices but other seafoods may not be available depending on the season. Price range are just fair. We will definitely go back!
7. Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By AGMB5 - Singapore, Singapore
Just a quick lunch from a busy meeting schedule. Staff are all nice and friendly.
We've ordered lobster for a try and other stuff. When they serve it, I've asked: "where is the lobster".
Staff says: Sorry, Sir. Our lobster are only small ones. Baby Lobster." We've just smile and eat..and the end of the day, it is still a lobster.
8. Cocktails and Dreams Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Tarhata G
I was a guest here at samat hotel, and i had a couple of booze at cocktails and dreams. I never thought theres a high end bar in balanga. Its like you're in manila where you can chillax and listen to cool music. I think people should check the place out to appreciate. What an experience....
9. Plaza Brew Coffee Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Artisanal coffee shop at the heart of the city.
Reviewed By mike321ph - Manila
This place is located at the Balanga City Plaza and is a restaurant of the Plaza Hotel. We tried it for lunch and breakfast (this is where the Plaza Hotel's free breakfast is served). Ambience is pretty good, which Balanga City needs more of, if you're looking for something classier than the usual fast food joints.
Tried different dishes and we were pleasantly surprised at the food quality, considering the relatively low price. Breakfast items were also good, although I found the smoked fish (tinapa) ordinary, considering that this is made here I expected more I guess. Donuts and cakes were also just okay.
Service was acceptable, and serving time was just right. Wifi is also available for patrons.
10. Chill and Grill Fil-Mex Bar+Resto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By _elleguzman_lei - Balanga City, Philippines
The best Mexican food in town! Chill and Grill's ambiance captures the essence of the Mexican culture. The food selection between Filipino and Mexican dishes, provides the best of both worlds. This actually being the first Filipino-Mexican establishment sets this place apart from the rest, providing a different experience from the norm. This is definitely a step in the right direction, to diversify the food culture in the City of Balanga.
