Badjao Seafront Restaurant at Palawan, Philippines

Experience One Of Palawan’s Oceanfront Jewels At Badjao Seafront Restaurant

Shaking hands with Puerto Princesa’s city mayor drew many customers’ heads to turn. The popular seafood restaurant is a regular place to dine for Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn who advocates the preservation of Palawan’s beautiful natural environment. In fact, Puerto Princesa is a city with a track record in environmental management, where nature is carefully reserved and modern development is kept in moderation. Badjao Seafront restaurant is located at Abueg Road, and sits right on top of water supported by cement stilts.
The entry way has a tropical and authentic design with wooden face sculptures hanging, two carved totem poles and a water fountain to welcome you in. To get to the front lobby area, visitors walk on a wooden bridge walkway surrounded by trees and atop shallow water. In the lobby area, multi-coloured yellow, blue, red curtains drape the Badjeo Seafront restaurant sign. Intricately carved wooden totem poles are also on both sides of this set of doors. On the walls are framed credentials of the restaurant such as “the only place in Puerto Princesa visited by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York.”
When you enter the main dining area, all tables have a panoramic view of the ocean, hills and trees. It seems so surreal. The breeze naturally flows in as there are no windows but rather roll down bamboo shades. All throughout the restaurant as well as the washrooms are tropical zen displays resembling a spa clinic. Weave baskets, dark wood vases and hanging interior lamp shades are common in this restaurant. The bar boasts a glassware rack holding martini, beer and cocktail glasses. Interweaving straw and soft wood material is also part of the bar design. Just to the right, stairs lead to the second floor enclosed private room that can overlook the dining area. Private functions are usually held here. Waiters busily do their tasks wearing white loose shirts, casual black pants and sandals to represent Badjao’s authenticity.
The menu primarily consists of seafood items with appetizers averaging 140 PHP ($2.89 US). Entrees range between 135 to 200 PHP ($2.79 - 4.15 US) and drinks range between 45-60 PHP ($0.93 -1.25 US). Red and white wine by the glass is 125 PHP ($2.58 US) which goes quite well with whole grilled fish blanketed in sweet and sour sauce topped with vegetables. A side order of large tomatoes are presented as a flower to decorate the dish. Seafood items such as shrimps, lobster, squid and crabs can be cooked in different ways according to the guest’s preference. Steamed, butter garlic, fried, grilled, tempura or spicy are few of the chef’s favourites.
This Filipino-style seafood restaurant is ideal for family casual outings during the day with a more romantic ambience at night. Badjao Seafront is not in the main strip but off the beaten track so it best to expect a longer traveling time. For lunch or dinner reservations, the contact number is (048) 433-9912. Bon appetit!