Best Authentic Eateries of Bacolod City Through the Years
Often called the “Paris of Negros,” Silay City boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture, particularly visible in its gastronomic scene. This vibrant city has seen a resurgence of authentic restaurants since the 1980s, serving great food and narrating the stories of its past. Here are some of Silay’s most cherished restaurants, their distinctive menus, and the historical background that has propelled their expansion.
El Ideal Bakery
Founded in 1920 by the Villanueva family, El Ideal located at Rizal and Fr. Eusebio Streets in Silay started as a modest bakery in the ancestral home of Cesar Lacson Locsin. It gained international acclaim in the 1980s when the BBC showcased its guapple pie—a distinctive mix of guava and apple flavors—in a documentary about global food traditions.
El Ideal’s specialties remain its guapple pie, a signature dessert combining the sweetness of guava with the tartness of apple, encased in flaky crust; buko pie, a creamy coconut-filled pie that has become a staple pasalubong (souvenir) for visitors; and its traditional pastries like hopia, empanada, and other local delicacies that reflect the region’s culinary heritage.
Café 1925
Café 1925 is named after the year the building was constructed. This quaint café located just behind El Ideal Bakery in Silay offers a cozy ambiance, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists seeking a quiet place to dine.
People who frequent the place always go for their carabao’s milkshakes—yes, you heard it right. The milk comes from the native carabao, thus giving it a unique local flavor. Café 1925 also serves cupcakes and pastries, baked goods that blend traditional flavors with modern twists, providing a delightful treat for the palate.
Punong Gary’s Place
Punong Gary’s Place, located in Silay’s Barangay Lantad, began as a private residence before becoming a dining destination under the direction of Joey Benin, a former bassist with the Side A Band. The establishment is located in a lush, garden-like setting, providing outdoor dining that blends with nature.
When there, don’t forget to sample their seafood pasta, a flavorful dish featuring fresh seafood tossed in a savory sauce, reflecting the region’s coastal influences; steamed chicken stuffed with lemongrass, a healthy option that infuses aromatic flavors into tender chicken, appealing to health-conscious diners; and their bread pudding, a sweet conclusion to the meal. This dessert is a favorite among patrons for its rich and comforting taste.
1898 Casa Ristorante
The classic vibe is what 1898 Casa Ristorante in Silay goes for. The classic ambiance and divine food offerings are highly appreciated by its clientele. Additionally, you can enjoy a tranquil retreat at this exceptional bed and breakfast, your home away from home in the Philippines. Visit in the afternoon so you can experience the best sunset from the place’s balcony.
Kopi Teh Silay
Located at Dr. Triño Montinola Street, Antilla Subdivision, Silay City, Kopi Teh brings a taste of Singaporean hawker culture to Silay. Founded by an owner enamored with Singapore’s street food scene, the establishment offers authentic dishes that have garnered a loyal following, like its Mee Goreng, a spicy-sweet fried noodle dish enriched with peanuts and chilies, topped with a fried egg; Hainanese Chicken Rice, steamed chicken served with flavorful rice and accompanied by three distinct sauces, offering a harmonious blend of flavors; and Nyonya Chicken Curry, a coconut-based curry infused with spices, delivering a rich and aromatic taste.
Culinary Evolution and Cultural Significance
The transformation of heritage homes into museums and restaurants wasn’t just a romantic decision—it was a practical and cultural preservation act flourishing in the 1980s that can be attributed to several factors:
Economic Sustainability
Maintaining large heritage homes is expensive. Many descendants of sugar barons no longer earn the same fortunes as before. By converting homes into income-generating museums or restaurants, they could preserve history while sustaining upkeep.
Cultural Pride
Silaynons (residents of Silay) take immense pride in their heritage. By opening up their homes to the public, they allow a living experience of the past to continue breathing in the present.
Tourism Opportunity
Silay is the gateway to Negros Occidental via the Bacolod-Silay International Airport. With thousands of tourists passing through, offering cultural experiences made the city a worthy destination in itself.
Food and Art as Heritage
The convergence of heirloom recipes, Negrense hospitality, and elegant dining spaces makes many heritage houses perfect for becoming specialty restaurants. These serve as both culinary experiences and living museums
What makes Silay stand out is that it’s not just a city of frozen-in-time relics. It’s a breathing, bustling city where history continues to inspire the present. Children still grow up in ancestral homes. Locals still wear traditional attire during festivals. Families still cook age-old recipes passed down from generations—and they serve them in the same kitchens where their great-grandparents once gathered.
Silay’s continued dedication to preservation, cultural enrichment, and storytelling through food, architecture, and the arts is what cements its identity as the Paris of the Visayas.
Other options include Casa A. Gamboa, and Sharyn’s Kansi House (Silay). Classic eateries not from Silay but equally notable are Sharyn’s Cansi House (Narra Avenue), an Iloilo-style cansi-han called Patpat’s Cansi, Bob’s Restaurant, Aboy’s Restaurant, Manokan Country, and Casablanca. Casablanca, presently located in Bata, will be opening another branch soon at the North Wing of SM City Bacolod.
(Clockwise: The Ruins, Silay; Balay Negrense; Bernardino Jalandoni Museum; and The Yulo House)