Iloilo Guide
A few of our favorite spots for your stay in Iloilo
Where to Stay
Recommended hotels in Iloilo City with convenient access to our venues
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Seda Atria
Atria Park District, Mandurriao · Stylish hotel surrounded by dining & cafes
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Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
Iloilo Business Park (Megaworld) · Upscale luxury stay
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Zuri Hotel
Benigno Aquino Ave · Modern comfort with rooftop pool
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Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo
Iloilo Business Park · Contemporary hotel next to Convention Center
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Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo
SM City Complex · Vibrant stay with direct shopping access
Coffee & Cafes
Our favorite coffee spots around the city
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Madge Coffee
La Paz Market · Iconic traditional brewed Iloilo coffee since 1951
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Neighbor Coffee
Atria Park District · Specialty coffee brews & fresh pastries
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Soul Coffee
Rica Village, Tabuc Suba, Jaro · Cozy artisan coffee spot & peaceful ambiance
Local Favorites & Dining
Must-try Ilonggo heritage dishes, seafood, and local haunts
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Netong's La Paz Batchoy
La Paz Public Market · The original home of Iloilo's famous noodle soup, crowned "Best Offal Soup in the World" by TasteAtlas (2024)
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Tatoy's Manokan & Seafoods
Villa Arevalo · Legendary native chicken, fresh oysters & lechon
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Roberto's
Calle Real / City Proper · Famous home of the legendary Queen Siopao
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Kap Ising's Pancit Molo
Villa Arevalo · Authentic heritage Pancit Molo soup
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Jo's Chicken Inato
General Luna · Local favorite for flavorful grilled chicken inato
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Summer House
City Proper · Classic Ilonggo-Chinese heritage dining
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Ponsyon by Breakthrough
Plazuela de Iloilo · Fresh Ilonggo seafood & fresh lumpia
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Y2K Talabahan
Atria Park District · Casual seafood spot for steamed oysters & grill
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Seventy N Coffee + Drinkery
Diversion Road · Trendy coffee spot transitioning to evening drinks
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Eduardo's Taqueria
Jaro · Popular local spot for tacos & craft beverages
Sightseeing
Heritage churches, museums & scenic spots worth a visit while you're in Iloilo
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Santa Barbara Town Plaza & Centennial Museum
Right by our ceremony venue · "Cradle of Ilonggo Independence," site of the first Philippine flag-raising outside Luzon
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Jaro Cathedral & Belfry
Jaro · Home of the miraculous "Nanay Cande" image, with a freestanding bell tower & panoramic plaza views
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Molo Church
Molo · Gothic-Renaissance church nicknamed "La Iglesia Bonita" by Rizal, lined with statues of women saints
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Camiña Balay nga Bato
Molo · Century-old stone mansion with Spanish-era exhibits; try the Tablea Hot Tsokolate next door at Sinamay House
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Calle Real Heritage District
City Proper · Row of restored Spanish & American-era buildings & the local Chinatown, great for a stroll
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Plaza Libertad
City Proper · Historic plaza where Spain formally ended 333 years of colonial rule in the Philippines
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Iloilo River Esplanade
Along the Iloilo River · Longest linear park in the Philippines, home to 22 of the country's 35 mangrove species — best at sunrise or sunset
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Museo Iloilo
Bonifacio Drive · The first government-run museum in the Philippines outside Metro Manila
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Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art
City Proper · The first contemporary art institution in the country outside Luzon
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Emperador Brandy Museum
The country's only Brandy Museum, with a coffee shop where you can mix liquor into your blend
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Nelly Garden
Jaro · Ancestral home of the Lopez family (founders of ABS-CBN); prior reservation required
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Miagao Church
Miagao (~1 hr away) · One of only four Baroque UNESCO World Heritage churches in the country, worth the day trip
Must-Try Dishes
Iloilo is the Philippines' first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — a few Ilonggo classics worth seeking out
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La Paz Batchoy
Iloilo's signature noodle soup with pork, crushed chicharon & a rich garlicky broth — crowned "Best Offal Soup in the World" by TasteAtlas (2024)
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Pancit Molo
Ilonggo "dumpling soup" — pork-filled wontons simmered in chicken broth
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Chicken Inasal
Chargrilled chicken marinated in calamansi, vinegar & annatto oil, best with garlic rice
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KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, Langka)
Hearty sour stew of pigeon peas, pork & unripe jackfruit
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Kansi
Beef shank & bone marrow soup soured with batwan fruit, Iloilo's answer to bulalo
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Adobado nga Alimusan
A local adobo-style specialty worth asking your host or hotel about
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Laswa
Simple, healthy medley of native vegetables simmered in a light broth
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Binakol
Chicken soup cooked with coconut water, traditionally in a bamboo pot
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Ibos
Glutinous rice steamed in woven coconut leaves, a classic Ilonggo snack
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Pangat
Fish or meat gently simmered in a light sour broth with vegetables
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Kilawin
Fresh seafood or meat "cooked" in vinegar & calamansi — the local ceviche
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Native nga Manok
Free-range native chicken, prized for its flavor in local dishes