Eat Where the Locals Eat
Boracay food trip just got more interesting
Written and Photographed by Lory Alba
For anyone visiting Boracay, there are the mandatory food destinations: that famous fruit shake by the beach, chori burger and isaw just before sunset, and seafood all-you-can at D’Talipapa.
Sure, these are the touristy things to do, but a recent trip led me to an unexpected discovery ̶ tucked just behind D’Mall is a gastronomic gem that’s quite popular with the locals.
Playing the underdog
Located just along Road 1-A is Los Indios Bravos Boracay, a gastropub that serves all-Filipino handcrafted beers on tap paired with classic pub food from all over the world.
“Indios you say? Isn’t that a derogatory word used to describe Filipinos back in the day?”
“Indios Bravos or the first Filipino intellectuals,” owner Tantan Rosales explains. They were the underdogs of their time, brave Filipinos who, through their writing, wanted to raise awareness on the cruelty of the Spaniards and friars.
That was the inspiration behind Los Indios Bravos, as theirs too is the story of an underdog.
For starters, the establishment isn’t located along the white beach. “A kiss of death for any business here,” Tantan admits. “We had to take people from the main attraction of the island and make sure the destination is worth it.”
And while other restaurants were showcasing imported beers, Los Indios Bravos chose another route and serve locally handcrafted beers. “I have been following the booming trend of craft beers in Canada and the US (as well as) some guys in the Philippines who were starting to brew their own beers,” he shares. “The idea of brewing your own beer felt so sacrilegious and exciting. So that whole thing inspired me.”
Hence, the whole concept of being the Los Indios Bravos, as Tantan would put it, just fell into place.
A Foodie’s Destination in Boracay
Not yet a year yet and already they have been named TripAdvisor’s Number 1 Best Restaurant in Boracay. And for good reason, too!
The Sausage and Mash quickly become a personal favorite. Think, four types of sausage served with really good mashed potatoes on the side, some pickled veggies and Dijon mustard. (Tip: You can order the mashed potatoes separately—or additionally—if you want!) The Angus Beef Dino Bones is another must-try. If it’s seafood you want, they have a seafood platter that’s beautifully-plated as it is delicious ̶ the Fruits de Mer!
Anything off the menu, from the nachos to the beef burger, seems to go perfectly well with the handcrafted beers from Cebu and Baguio. Their beer choices rotate with a variety of styles such as an Indian Pale Ale, Fruit Beer, Wheat Beers, Pilsner or Lagers, White Stout, Red Ale, and American Pale Ale, all coming from their Instagram-worthy taps at the bar!
Speaking of Instagram, every nook and cranny seems picture-perfect, from the beautiful bar display to the quirky photos on the walls (Tip: Take your cameraphone when you go to the toilet and you’ll find something worth taking a snapshot of.)
It’s true what they say, eat where the locals eat and you can bet Los Indios Bravos is where the locals are! From now on, this place will be added up to my mandatory list of restaurants whenever in Boracay.
After all, who am I to say no to good food, good service, and good drinks?
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Los Indios Bravos Boracay is located at Road 1-A, Bulabog, Beach (a good 6-minute walk from D’Mall). Like them on Facebook
