Subic Restaurant Tips by cyndymc Top 5 Page for this destination

The Reef: Restaurant By The Beach

The Reef is Camayan Beach Resort's inhouse restaurant & bar service. You may opt to eat inside the restaurant or outdoors with a good view of the beach. For day trippers, you can bring your own food and eat them in your rented native cottage. You can order additional food at the restaurant and bring the to-go styrofoam pack to your rented cottage. You can eat your ordered food in the restaurant but you cannot bring your "baon" (home-packed food) to the restaurant. Big groups can request for a special package of cottages + buffet service.

For non-hotel guests and day trippers, you can eat at the restaurant. You will just have to inform the security guard.

Favorite Dish: I used to like their grilled meats and chicken, but in our recent visit, our grilled "liempo" (pork belly) was quite tough and dry. I was also disappointed in their buttered prawns which was overcooked and therefore tough, with butter that tasted like cheap margarine. My daughter was disappointed in the pork "binagoongan" that was too-sweet and contained more fat that meat. The eggplant that went with it wasn't cooked well, too. My grandson enjoyed his grilled chicken fillet, though.

I wonder what happened. They used to have everything cooked right. Could it be because they put in too much effort on the buffet service for the 2 big groups that came for a day tour, that they hadn't put in their usual effort to please other diners?

My saving grace was the delicious watermelon shake ;)

Address: Camayan Beach Resort, West Ilanin Forest Area,SBFZ

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 2

Theme: Eclectic/International

Xtremely Xpresso: More Than Just Coffee

Since my daughter introduced us to the food at Xtremely Xpresso, we never fail to eat at least a day's meal at the coffeehouse. Actually, it is more than a coffeehouse; it serves pastas, meals, salads, pizzas and even cakes & pastries.

The ambiance is nice and homey, with eclectic decor and all sorts of collections (wine bottles, old typewriter, etc) displayed on the walls and counter. Diners have to wait to be seated by the receptionist, as the place is quite small and easily filled to capacity especially during summer and holidays. You can choose to eat indoors or al fresco.

Dining at Xtremely Xpresso is a delight because of the food, coffee blends and fruit shakes. In my first review of the place, I expressed my sentiment that "dining would have been superb if not for the staff who are as cold as their iced coffee blends. I never saw anyone smile; they look so harassed and in a hurry, and are quite difficult to call for additional orders. I hope they realize that their pleasant demeanor in serving customers is equally important to diners." In our recent visit, I am happy to note that customer service has improved a lot. The crew served with a smile, and orders were served faster. ;))

Favorite Dish: My personal favorite is their beef lasagna, really filled with beef and with great sauce! I also like their Chicken Caesar Salad. For dessert, I love their blueberry cheesecake...super delicious!

Address: 1 Dewey Ave. cor. Sta. Rita Rd,Subic Freeport Zone

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: (047)252-3681

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Teriyaki Boy: You Won't Miss The Japanese Food!

Terriyaki Boy is known for Japanese casual dining at its best at reasonble prices. The SBFZ Branch is quite small compared to the ones in Makati & Alabang, but has the same clean, simple ambience characteristic of Japanese restaurants.

Favorite Dish: Kani Salad, Ebi Tempura, California Maki, Assorted Sushi & Sashimi

Address: Sampson Road, SBFZ

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Across PLDT & Spanish Gate; beside Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles

Phone: (047) 2525557

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Spanish Gate Resto: Japanese Food Or Spanish Food?

When we weren't that familiar with the restaurants in Subic yet, we went to Spanish Gate Resto which, by its very name gave us the impression that it specializes in Spanish Cuisine. We were all looking forward to eat authentic Spanish Paella...BUT once inside, we realized by its interior design that IT ISN'T a Spanish restaurant but in fact, a combined Japanese Resto and Wine Bar. It was probably named Spanish Gate Resto because it was just beside the REAL Spanish Gate.

Since we were all tired and hungry, we settled for Japanese food which wasn't very filling, so we ordered a lot of food. Food is quite expensive per person, and quantity wasn't worth the price. Service wasn't that impressive.

We never ate at Spanish Gate Resto again, that's why I almost forgot to write about it, but I'm posting this so others won't expect Spanish cuisine.

Favorite Dish: No particular dish that stuck in my mind and taste buds as favorite :-(

Address: 560 Dewey Avenue, SBFZ, Subic

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Beside the ruins of the real Spanish Gate, near the corner of Dewy and Sampson Road.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Pancake House: More Than Just Pancakes

Our family just love pancakes, and we get our heart's content at Pancake House, where they have a variety of toppings for pancakes (from the classic maple syrup to blueberry or strawberry topping and even peanut butter). But there's more than pancakes at Pancake House; they serve pastas, salads, sandwiches and meals.

Like other Pancake House branches, the Subic branch is clean and has good ambience. It also has a big parking space at the back.

Favorite Dish: Pancakes w/ blueberry toppings;

Roast beef meal;

Chicken-potato salad;

Tacos

Address: Cor. Sampson Rd. & Dewey Ave., SBFZ

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Beside Yellow Cab; across Spanish Gate

Phone: (047) 252-6588/55

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Monkok Dimsum & Noodles: Craving for Chinese Food?

Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles at SBFZ is a small,cozy Chinese restaurant where you can satisfy your craving for Chinese food, from congee & other soups to rice toppings, Chinese specialty dishes and of course, dimsum & noodles.

Favorite Dish: Spring rolls, yang chow fried rice, beef w/ broccoli & assorted dimsums

Address: Dewey Ave., SBFZ

Comparison: about average

Directions: Across PLDT & Spanish Gate

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Pier One Bar & Grill: Local Cuisine And More!

Pier One Bar & Grill at SBFZ has an indoor restaurant as non-smoking zone and some outdoor gazebos. There is also a big "tent" type bar for smoking diners and for live music lovers. There is live performance in the evenings for the guests' entertainment.

Favorite Dish: Sisig Lechon: Chopped crispy roasted pig cooked ala-"sisig". Perfect seasonings, not too sour/salty.

Oysters Alexander: Baked Oysters With cream cheese & chopped cilantro.

Address: Waterfront Road, Moonbay Marina, SBFZ

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Same row as Subic Park Hotel

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Yellow Cab: Perfect Pizza!

Even in Manila, Makati or Alabang, we often eat at Yellow Cab whenever we crave for good pizza. The clean, cozy ambience in the small Yellow Cab Pizza parlors with the kitchen & ovens exposed to the diners make us feel secure that the food we eat are freshly prepared and carefully baked/cooked in the most hygienic manner :-P

The only thing that doesn't appeal to us is the piped-in music in the pizza parlor :-(

Favorite Dish: New York's Finest Pizza ( with Italian sausage,pepperoi, bacon, ham, ground beef, black olives, onions, red &green bell peppers),

#4 Cheese Pizza (nickname is cheese heaven! has mozzarella, cheddar, romano & feta cheeses)

Address: Cor. Samson Rd. & Dewey Ave., SBFZ

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Across Spanish Gate; beside Pancake House,

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Pizza

Horizon Bar & Restaurant: Subic Park Hotel's Pride

Subic Park Hotel provides convenience and dining pleasure to their guest with their Horizon Bar & Restaurant which is just beside the swimming pool where you have a good view of Subic Boardwalk and the bay.

Their menu fare ranges from Filipino to International dish. In our previous stays at the hotel, we had free breakfast, but in our latest stay, they gave us free dinner for 2. The free dinner's serving was sufficient; you need not order additional viand, but you had to order you favorite drink. Breakfast meal is either Filipino or American, but you can just order a sandwich or fruit platter. For lunch and dinner, you can order ala carte.

Favorite Dish: For the free dinner, I liked their Beef Caldereta (Spanish Beef Stew) and for breakfast, I liked their American Breakfast meal with corned beef (they use my favorite brand), sunny side egg, toasted bread with butter & marmalade and brewed coffee. My husband liked his breakfast meal with lamb tapa.

Address: Subic Park Hotel,Waterfront Rd., Subic Freeport Zn

Comparison: about average

Directions: Ground Floor of Hotel, near swimming pool

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International