Haole Surf Hostel Siargao

Haole is the restaurant attached to a surf hostel in Santa Fe, about 20 minutes north of General Luna proper, in a quieter part of the island that sees less of the tourist traffic. The kitchen has a real reputation, especially for its sisig, a Filipino pork dish that can be excellent or forgettable depending entirely on the preparation, and here it's the former.

The menu goes well beyond the sisig, with baked scallops, garlic chicken, and a range of Filipino dishes that reflect a kitchen focused on feeding people properly rather than impressing them.

The extra drive is worth it. Good food, a less crowded setting, and the surf hostel atmosphere make it a genuine destination rather than just a convenient local option. The sisig is the dish to build your order around, arriving on a sizzling plate, and it's best with garlic rice.