One Day Guide to Bacolod: Food Crawl Edition!
There are many reasons to visit Bacolod—the heritage houses, the radiant people, the colorful festivals, and a bustling dining scene with chicken inasal at the forefront.
As food lovers, we have particularly been captivated by the rich food culture in the city. There is definitely more to Bacolod than the famed chicken inasal. So we have created a one-day guide to Bacolod that celebrates the most delicious offerings of this little food haven.
Check out the many kinds of food you can try in Bacolod in one day!
7 a.m. Breakfast
Chicken inasal at Manokan Country
Want to start your day early? Head to Manokan Country where people are woken up not by the cock-a-doodle-doos of roosters but by the sizzle of chicken inasal being grilled over charcoal.
Manokan Country is a food complex that houses various chicken inasal stalls. Their opening hours differ, but the stall of Nena’s Rose opens as early as 6 a.m. so you’re sure to get filled early here.
You can find Nena’s Rose at Stall 13 of Manokan Country, located along Father Ferrero Street, just across SM City Bacolod. You can indulge in a chicken inasal meal here for as low as Php 80!
Also read: Nena’s Rose at Manokan Country Bacolod: Ultimate local way to enjoy chicken inasal
While waiting for your breakfast to digest, visit the famous century-old church San Sebastian Cathedral on Rizal Street, and learn about the history and culture of Negros in the Negros Museum located at the Old Agricultural Building on Gatuslao Street!
12 n.n. Lunch
Chicken inasal at Chicken House Bacolod
If you’re like us, one meal is not enough for a dish as tasty as chicken inasal! So let’s have it for lunch, too, at one of the longest-standing chicken inasal restaurants in the province.
Chicken House has been around since the 1970’s and is famous for their original chicken inasal recipe. The restaurant has an air-conditioned area, so you can enjoy your meal without being bothered by the summer heat at noon.
Chicken House has several branches around Bacolod, with their main branch located on 24th Lacson Street. The price range for a meal is Php 80 to Php 100.
Also read: Chicken House in Bacolod: Original Chicken Inasal that deserves extra rice
Before heading to the next food stop, you can tour around Bacolod Public Plaza, which is also a famous landmark and hangout spot for locals. In the middle of the tree-lined park is a gazebo that serves as a little war memorial.
3 p.m. Merienda
Sweet treats at Merzci and Bong Bong’s
A popular local snack in Bacolod is piaya, a crunchy muscovado-filled flatbread that comes in different flavors. Bong Bong’s and Merzci are the two most popular snack and pasalubong shops to get these from. They have stores near Bacolod Public Plaza, so you can grab some treats as you tour the area. Other delicious snacks to try are biscocho, buttery bread crackers, and napoleones, cream-filled and sugar-glazed square pastries.
Near the public plaza, you can find Bong Bong’s along Rizal Street and Merzci on Gatuslao Street.
Also read: Yummy Pasalubongs to Get in Bacolod
7 p.m. Dinner
Fresh seafood at Ading’s Pala-Pala
Being close to the ocean, Bacolod is also a great place to enjoy fresh seafood. Common in the city are pala-pala style restaurants where you can select your seafood and have it cooked according to your request. Dishes are priced based on the weight of the seafood.
A nice place to have your dinner is at Ading’s Pala-Pala, where the ambiance gets really cozy and vibrant at night. Fresh catch is delivered to the restaurant every morning and evening. It is one of the best places to dig into a sumptuous feast of fresh seafood with your family and friends.
Ading’s Pala-Pala is can be found on San Juan Street, in front of Original Pala-Pala Market in Bacolod. The price range for a filling meal is Php 300 to Php 500.
Also read: Ading’s Pala-Pala in Bacolod: Filipino fiesta of delicious seafood dishes
9 p.m. Dessert
Coffee, gelato and cakes at Cafe Bob’s
What better way to end your food crawl than a decadent round of desserts and coffee? Cafe Bob’s is known for their fresh gelato, home-made cakes, and a wide selection of coffee. Since the cafe is open until midnight, you can take your time here, mellow down with a cup of coffee, and enjoy conversations with your family or friends about what a fun day it has been in the City of Smiles!
Cafe Bob’s is located on 21st Lacson Street corner B.S. Aquino Drive in Bacolod. The price range for food is Php 100 to Php 400, for coffee Php 60 to Php 150, and for gelato Php 60 to 95.
Also read: Cafe Bob’s in Bacolod: Pioneer of gelato and coffee craze in the city
Written by Rizelle “Rei” Leaño
