One of the discoveries we had during our trip to Catanduanes is the Virac Boulevard, also known as the Imelda Boulevard. In the late afternoon, this stretch becomes lively as locals gather to enjoy the sunset and the ocean breeze. The vibrant coastal promenade is dotted with numerous restaurants, cafes, and even local street vendors. It was unfortunate that our stay in Virac was only for two days, limiting our opportunity to try out more of these establishments. Here are some of the restaurants and coffee shops we were able to try during our short stay. To answer one of the usual questions, where to eat in Virac? Here’s a recommended list:
Where to Eat in Virac, Catanduanes
CAFÉ DE AU
Café de Au is a local favorite, often visited by residents. Upon arrival, we found several groups enjoying meals while catching up in the spacious restaurant, with multiple dining halls catering to groups. They offer a wide range of options, from beverages like coffee, milk tea, and smoothies, to breakfast and rice meals, snacks, and burgers. Although I forgot our exact order, we got a pasta, a burger, and a plate of their classic “Ala” Nachos.
The pasta, with its creamy sauce and perfectly cooked noodles, was satisfying. However, the disappointment came with their version of nachos. Despite the menu’s disclaimer about it being unconventional, we were let down by the “chips,” which resembled fried lumpia wrappers. While the chips were crunchy, the entire meal was oily, and the sauce was overly thick. This, combined with the brittle nature of the “chips,” resulted in them breaking whenever lifted. We regretted not opting for the rice meals instead. Nonetheless, it was a nice meal.
OYANA CAFÉ
On our way back to our accommodation, I spotted a coffee shop adorned with numerous plants in its front yard. Not sure if it was the need for coffee or the plants that enticed me to enter the coffee shop. Thinking it might be purely decorative, we later discovered that the café actually roasts their own beans, using them for their coffee beverages. For a quick coffee fix, I got a Spanish latte.
BISTRO MYKONO
Bistro Mykono seems like an old house converted into a diner, evident in the layout of its interiors. With Valentine’s Day approaching, the place was adorned with heart decorations. Despite the evident Greek inspired theme, you can still find some Filipino food within their menu.
We ordered Rosemary Pork Belly and Chicken Souvlaki solo meals, along with Mykono Beef Stew from their House Specials. The meals pleasantly surprised us with the juicy pork belly and chicken, as well as the tender beef slow-cooked for 8 hours, considering their prices.
ALLEY AVENUE
Next to Bistro Mykono is Alley Ave Coffee House, boasting a pleasant layout that provides an unobstructed view of the bay. You can choose to relax on the roof deck or occupy one of the tables in their outdoor setup. The main offerings include starters, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, wings, salads, and rice bowls. They also have an extensive selection of drinks, both coffee and non-coffee based. Naturally, I opted for an iced Spanish Latte.
There are other food places to try along the boulevard such as Mamboo’s Chicken Inasal, AppleBerry Café, and local vendors selling barbecue. Our brief stay in Virac revealed a bustling food scene, with diverse dining options to suit every taste. Surprisingly, this island-province is catching up with food trends, offering a fusion of local flavors and international influences customized to the local palate.
