The island of Bohol offers breathtaking beaches, rich biodiversity and a multitude of activities for travellers. Start the day in the right way over freshly brewed coffee, pastries and local fare to keep you fuelled as you explore this fascinating part of the Philippines.
This cozy garden café along the seaside is a hidden gem in Tagbilaran. The eco-friendly café offers artisanal desserts, using only fresh and natural ingredients available in Bohol. Their menu of cakes and pastries changes daily. It is also one of the few places in the Visayas that makes scones from scratch. Pair freshly brewed coffee with their best-selling staples like Red Velvet, Lemon Cream Pie, and chocolate mocha cupcakes. If it’s hot out, cool down with their home-made salted caramel ice cream. Four-legged friends are always welcome for a treat.
Run by the Bohol Bee Farm group, this cafe has three branches on the island. However, Buzzz Café along Alona Beach is the best – offering breathtaking views of glorious white sand and the sea. Pair your espresso with an array of breakfast meals and muffins. Light lunch offers a list of vegan dishes and local Filipino fare. Remember to save room for a sampling of their home-made ice cream. It is also a good place to shop for specialized jams and honey to take back home.
Named after a character in the classic novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, Gavroche is one of the best places along Alona Beach for coffee and breakfast. Established in 2010, this French café offers fabulous espressos, croissants and pastries at an affordable price. The chocolate roll will take you back to Paris with one bite. If you’re looking for a light lunch, choose from a variety of creatively constructed sandwiches made on home-made bread with smoked meats and imported cheeses. A good tip is to buy between 7pm-8pm, as the bakery offers discounted rates on their bread before closing time.
This all-day breakfast café in Tagbilaran is known for its signature drink, the sicuate, thick and hot chocolate brewed from cacao beans from Bohol. This small enterprise supports local farmers and the chocolate industry. Besides their best-selling brew, the café offers artisanal coffee and desserts made from tablea or local chocolate tablets. Try their Tablea Mud Pie or the local puto maya: a sweet rice dish served with fresh mangoes and sicuate.
This modern café with high ceilings, white interiors, and clear glass Dutch windows derives its name from a tool used to pack coffee grounds evenly to get the perfect espresso shot. Run by owners VJ and Pam Racho, Tamper Café is known for its brunch and all-day breakfast options, like pancakes, chicken and waffles and an eclectic list of blended espresso smoothies.
This spacious coffee shop is located inside the Soledad Hotel, serving a decent selection of cakes and coffee. It also offers an interesting view of the city street. If you’re on holidays but brought work with you, the café is equipped with comfortable chairs and strong Wi-Fi to catch up on your emails while sipping freshly pressed coffee.
Established in Tagbilaran in 2010, Gelateria Milano is hands down the best place to go for handcrafted Italian gelato ice cream and coffee. Located on the 5th Level of BQ Mall, enjoy sipping on a freshly made cappuccino while gazing at the beautiful view of the bay.
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If you’re looking to swap old books, Fred’s café offers local artisanal coffee and an array of second-hand books to choose from. The café is surrounded by shelves full of material that can keep you reading for the entire afternoon. It is also known for the best halo-halo in town, a local dessert with shaved iced and candied fruit, topped with purple yam ice cream.
Travel behind the old Jagna Church to find the Garden Café. In 1984, the Bohol Foundation for the Deaf opened this small café to provide jobs and training for hearing impaired people in the area. It offers affordable Filipino and Western fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is also vegetarian-friendly. It may not have enough choices for coffee, but the quality of food makes up for it. Proceeds from the earnings go to support the education and dormitory stay of more than 400 deaf children in the provinces of Bohol and Leyte.
Fashioned from an old Filipino-Spanish house, this cozy café is conveniently located on Main Street in Baclayon. It offers a variety of coffee beans from the Northern Luzon province of the Philippines. Crescencia also holds select imported roasts, Filipino snacks and heavier meals for dinner. Their staff and baristas are well versed with the coffee making process, making it the perfect haunt for a coffee addict.
