I’m not a first-timer in Surigao City, I remember going here 2009 and touring the city and Mabua Pebble Beach. I wish I did it again during ISANGDAAN but time is running out.
My memories of Surigao City are of foods, foods and foods. Eating is a big part of ISANGDAAN Journey and ‘eats’ a big part of my budget.
In this continuation of my ISANGDAAN series let me share with you some places to visit when your tummy tells you, “I’m hungry.”
This is food tripping the backpacker/blogger-way
Breakfast or Lunch
I always visit Surigao City public market where fresh produce are the cheapest. I ordered batchoy for Php70. The last time I was there, I ate paklay na baka (stewed beef innards) and ginataang nangka (jackfruit cooked in coconut milk) for breakfast. What’s good eating at the public market is that you have lots of food choices. Don’t worry about sanitation when you are eating in the provinces, I tell you carinderias in the provinces are cleaner compared to Food Courts in Manila malls.
Budget: Php50 up
Merienda
Since I’m a blogger I always look for places where I can check my mail and social networking sites. Maybe publish a blog too. Good thing there is a cozy coffee shop near the airport (before you enter the airport compound and just walking distance from the Bus Terminal) that offers fast and reliable wifi internet connection.
Bastie’s Coffeeshop reminds me of my fave coffee shop CBTL. Ambiance is relaxing, coffee is not that over-priced and lots of pastry choices.
I love the chocolate chip muffin too!
Store Hours: 8:00am – 2:00am
Budget: Coffee start at Php60, Muffin at Php75
Dinner
For dinner, hands down Sugbahan sa may Pier. There are lots of barbecue stalls near the pier that you begin to smell BBQ just by walking along that road.
I always order chicken inasal and liver (grilled chicken and liver), add puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves), dunked in soy sauce, chili and calamansi- ay “KA-LAMI” (sooooo good!).
We ate at SamePlace Grill.
Budget: Php40 up
Drinks
If you still up for some drinks? You can cool yourself at Club Alcatraz. Really good live acoustic band and accommodating staff. Cheapo bucket of beer too with free peanuts. We ordered calamares too.
Budget: SML Bucket (6bottles) at Php180
Bonus
Cheapest Accommodation in Surigao City
If you are in transit or out of budget, don’t worry. Surigao City Terminal offers a place where you can sleep for only Php50. I didn’t try so please don’t ask me about it.
I stayed at Firma’s Lodge, Surigao City. Simple and clean lodging house, free to use their utensils and get unlimited water refill. Fan Room and common CR (Php 300) while I was in the city.
You can check the details on ISANG DAAN Journey Daily Expenses (Day 49).
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Food-tripping in Surigao City happened during Day 49 of ISANGDAAN Journey. I want to thank Engel and Nat of My Wandering Soles for treating me dinner and drinks. In exchange, I tag her along with me when we toured Sohoton Caves the next day.
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days. The book entitled “ISANGDAAN Journey” will be out soon!
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.

Cheapo!The coffeeshop looks promising:)
Excited to visit and Surf in Surigao next year. Hope the surfboards won’t overwhelm someone as petite as me! haha:)
use the long board first.
kagutom naman yan.. staying 600m from in faaborg.
email me if you wish to visit again Surigao City. You still have lots of places to see.. you will not spend a penny..the city tourism office will take care of you in exchange of travel blogs about your travel experiences in Surigao City
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Did you carry all your stuff/backpack all around Surigao? Or did you leave it at the lodge?
Is it safe to leave my backpack at the lodge?
I’m going to bring a 45L backpack and a foldable daypack. It would be really uncomfortable if I carry my backpack with me when I go food tripping around Surigao City.
I hope to revisit Surigao City again (I was there in the last 2 years) and maybe this time not as part of a group put together so will have more time to have my own pursuits. Thank you so much for this article, one thing I was hoping to do was a food trip 🙂