A Hearty Meal at the Badjao Seafront Restaurant, Puerto Princesa
Tucked among Puerto Princesa's tranquil mangroves, Badjao Seafront Restaurant offers a dining experience that blends cuisine, environment, and culture. I've been to this place several times already, and I make sure to drop by every time I am in the city. The restaurant lives up to its reputation in many respects, though in my experience there are still areas for development. Here's my review.
Dining in a Mangrove Paradise
Getting to the Badjao Seafront Restaurant is an experience in itself. You reach the dining area by walking through a native bridge that leads to a structure perched on stilts above the sea. The view is just amazing—mangroves all about you, the sound of soft waves, and the odd glimpse of native life. It lets customers feel surrounded by nature and is the ideal respite from the bustling city.
The Architecture and Ambiance: A Rustic Island Enchantment
The restaurant, which embraces a classic Filipino look, is made of wooden and nipa construction. Its straightforward yet elegant architecture helps you feel at ease and captures the island mood. The open area enables the cool wind to flow through, which, together with the gentle lighting and the calming sounds of nature, produces an experience difficult to duplicate.
I felt calm as I sat in my seat, staring out at the sea and mangroves. Whether you're here with friends, family, or even on your own, the laid-back vibe stimulates effortless enjoyment of your visit.
Service: Effective and Swift Enough
Given its popularity, Badjao Seafront becomes somewhat crowded, particularly during the busy season. It is best to secure a reservation before even considering dining there. Though probably stressed, the personnel was polite and flexible throughout the evening. Given the number of diners (and orders), the service was reasonable even if our orders had minor delays. Though it wasn't the highlight, the service was sufficient to keep the experience fun.
The Food: A Mixed Bag of Local Pleasures
Let's start right at the core of the experience—the food. As a returning customer who enjoyed my previous visits, I had great hopes for this experience. While some meals satisfied me, others left me craving a little bit more.
Crispy Pata (Fried Pork Knuckles)
Although the meat was soft and tasty, the exterior/skin sadly did not meet my expectations for crispiness. The serving was quite big though, and the dish was enough to feed 3-4 people. I've had better versions in other restaurants, but this one was still good enough to satisfy my cravings.
Mixed Seafood Platter
This platter of local seafoods highlighted Palawan's marine abundance by including fish, shrimp, crabs, seashells, and squid. The freshness was indisputable, but the cooking seemed somewhat rudimentary. I suppose it is to be expected of a grilled dish. A little imagination or more seasoning may have turned this from OK to excellent. Still, for those who enjoy seafoods, this is a reasonable pick.
Kare Kare (Meat and Peanut Butter Stew)
The creamy peanut sauce was rich and delicious, and the vegetables were cooked just right. However, I found myself fishing for the meat and innards in the serving, which slightly dampened the experience. A better balance between meat and veggies would have elevated this dish.
Pancit (Stir Fried Noodles)
The noodles had a decent combination of meat and veggies and were delicious. Simple comfort cuisine and a wonderful complement to the richer foods on the table. As a fan of rice, I practically neglected the pancit and paired my food with the nation's favorite staple.
Binagoongang Baboy (Pork in Shrimp Paste)
With the pork tenderly cooked, the sweet and savory tastes combined wonderfully on this meal. Although I really like it, it started to feel a bit heavy after eating numerous other delicious foods. All by itself, though, it's a winner.
Kinilaw na Isda (Fish Ceviche)
Not a big lover of raw food, I went into this one warily. I was surprisingly enjoying the freshness of the fish and the cool tanginess. Though I personally wouldn't order it, everyone who likes authentic Filipino cuisine has to taste it.
Badjao Seafront Restaurant offers an experience and not simply a meal. Its rural appeal and great location combined offers something special that is difficult to discover elsewhere. With a few outstanding dishes, this restaurant offers a decent introduction to Filipino cuisine.
Would I come back? Certainly. The atmosphere alone makes the experience worth the few bumps. This is the type of location where you may remain long after your dinner, enjoying the mangroves and the surroundings.
Whether for a romantic supper, a family gathering, or just to enjoy a peaceful moment over the sea, Badjao Seafront Restaurant is a must-visit for anybody visiting Puerto Princesa. Though not flawless, it is definitely unforgettable—a classic Palawan experience.
