The short answer
Taste El Nido: what visitors should know first
Good for a light vegan breakfast or lunch: wraps, smoothie bowls and mac and cheese. Portions may feel small and prices high to some visitors, it is cash only per HappyCow, and hours should be confirmed locally.
Diet
What we checked
- Vegan. The whole menu has no dairy, egg or honey. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Useful facts
Taste El Nido facts at a glance
- Location
- 1028 Rizal St, El Nido town
- Dining style
- Small plant-based cafe, rustic and relaxed
- Price signal
- Some reviewers find it pricey for portions
- Signature order
- Try: sweet chilli tofu wrap or a smoothie bowl
- Payment
- Cash only, per HappyCow
- Good for
- Vegan breakfasts and light lunches
Why it matters
Why Taste El Nido is worth your time
For vegan and egg-free travellers, a cafe where the whole menu is plant-based removes the daily negotiation over fish sauce, shrimp paste and egg. HappyCow also lists the business under the name The Vegan Cafe PH, which suggests it is run as a dedicated vegan operation.
Its value is convenience more than occasion dining. It suits breakfasts and light lunches in the town centre, and it gives families a dairy-free coffee option that is hard to find elsewhere on this coast. Treat it as a reliable, simple stop rather than a long sit-down meal.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Tofu and chickpea wraps
The sweet chilli tofu wrap with hummus and the campfire chickpea wrap are the dishes named most often.
- 02
Dairy-free coffee
Iced mochas come with oat or soya milk, a useful option for anyone avoiding dairy.
- 03
Early opening
The cafe is listed as opening around 6.30 am, which suits a pre-boat breakfast.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Taste El Nido is a plant-based cafe, and a travel writer who visited calls it fully vegan with a small, focused menu. Dishes named in the sources include a sweet chilli tofu wrap with hummus, a campfire chickpea wrap, mac and cheese with broccoli and toast, smoothie bowls, lasagna and a Mexican chipotle bowl. The writer rates the iced mocha made with oat or soya milk highly.
Portions are modest and some reviewers find the prices high, so a hungry adult may want a wrap plus a bowl. The campfire chickpea wrap was found a little smoky by one reviewer, so ask if you prefer milder flavours.
Opening early makes it a practical stop before a boat tour: smoothie bowls and wraps travel well, and the coffee is dairy-free. Pay in cash, and keep small notes for the bill.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Carry cash; HappyCow lists it as cash only
- Visit off-peak for a quieter table
- Order a wrap plus a bowl if hungry
- Confirm opening hours on the day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 1028 Rizal Street, El Nido town
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- Breakfast or late morning, before an island-hopping day
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The cafe is in the town centre on Rizal Street, a short walk from many hotels, but the sources do not describe steps or seating, so ask ahead. A rustic setting suggests simple furniture; arrive off-peak for a quiet table.
- Tickets and access
- Walk-in cafe; Rolling Grace advises reserving or visiting off-peak at smaller vegan places. HappyCow lists it as cash only. Rolling Grace gives hours of about 6.30 am to 9.30 pm, so please confirm hours before you go.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Taste El Nido
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The cafe is in the town centre on Rizal Street, a short walk from many hotels, but the sources do not describe steps or seating, so ask ahead. A rustic setting suggests simple furniture; arrive off-peak for a quiet table.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Taste El Nido vegan?
A travel writer who visited calls it fully vegan, and HappyCow lists it as a vegan restaurant. Ask staff if you have a strict need.
Is it good for a big meal?
The menu is small and some reviewers found portions modest. Order two items to share.
Can I use a card?
HappyCow says cash only, so bring pesos.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
