Where to Eat in Iloilo to Beat the High Heat?

Branches Locations: KFCC Building, Quintin Salas in the Jaro district, Mabolo-Delgado Branch in the City Proper district, Oñate Manduriao Branch in the Manduriao district

The timeless halo halo is number one on every Filipino’s summer food list. And indeed, Ilonggos know how to do it right. Getting much attention from the locals now is Hello Halo, offering their take on their favorite summer treat. This restaurant in Iloilo offers eleven halo-halo creations packed with a colorful and flavorful mix of fruits, jellies, and other ingredients.

A star on their list is the Overload Halo Halo, overflowing with ingredients. It has the usual ingredients of a halo halo, fruits, and jellies, topped with leche flan, ube halaya, and a scoop of ice cream. But what makes it a local favorite is its base. Instead of ice, the base is made of shaved milk. Besides the classic halo-halo, you can also indulge in their other sweet bestseller treats, including the Hola Banana, Mango Grahams, Melon Overload, Mango Overload, Pandan Overload, Fruit Salad Haven, Creamy Corn Yelo, and their Halukay Ube. Price ranges from PhP120 to PhP149.

They have three branches in the city, particularly at the KFCC Building, Quintin Salas in the Jaro district, Mabolo-Delgado Branch in the City Proper district, and Oñate Manduriao Branch in the Manduriao district. They also deliver within the city area.

Branches Locations: Plazuela de Iloilo, Iloilo City, Jalandoni St. at City Proper

Another halo-halo spot you should not miss is Jo’s Chicken Inato-Iloilo. They are famous for their Buko-Halo Halo. Their halo halo is served in a buko as a bowl and topped with ube ice cream. It’s a perfect dessert after trying their signature dishes. This homegrown restaurant in Iloilo is best known for its chicken inato, or grilled native chicken. They also serve other mouthwatering Filipino dishes, including sizzling, such as sisig, crabmeat, bangus, and squid. Their macao canton and bihon guisado are also among their bestsellers.

They have several branches in Iloilo. One is at Plazuela Iloilo, along Diversion Road in Mandurriao district, and with a main branch in the City Proper district along Jalandoni St., It’s one of the budget-friendly restaurants in the city too, so you won’t break the bank when you dine here.

Location: The Atrium Mall, General Luna St., Iloilo City

When it comes to halo-halo, a local name that every Ilonggos surely knows is Krystal Ice at Atrium Mall, which has been operating since 1996. Their signature Special Krystal Ice Halo Halo, which costs P165, is overflowing with a dozen ingredients and serves year-round. If you prefer a smaller one, they also have the junior size. They also have a giant version, wherein one bowl is already suitable for six to eight persons and is worth PhP825. It is topped with eight scoops of ice cream.

Other icy desserts you can try at this place to eat in Iloilo are mais and buko (corn and coconut), buko peach, mais con yelo, buko con yelo, milky lychee, strawberry, melon, or mangoes.

Branches Locations: Festive Walk Iloilo in Mandurriao, SM City Iloilo

Another perfect way to beat the heat is to have a cup of frozen yogurt from Mamaca. Try their Froyo Swirls topped with your choice of fresh fruits and other flavorful add-ons such as chocolates, nuts, Biscoff, crunchy Barquillos, and crumbled Graham and then drizzled with chocolate syrup, caramel, or milk chocolate.

Besides their froyo, your gut would love to visit Mamaca because they have other healthy drinks, such as kombucha and milk Kefirs in various flavors. They also have freshly made salads and wraps for more nutritious snack options. Their salads and wraps are made of organic ingredients and locally sourced.

This restaurant in Iloilo has two branches: one at Festive Walk Iloilo in Mandurriao and another at SM City Iloilo.

Location: Donato Pison Ave. across Tabucan Elementary School, Iloilo City

Lastly, get some real dairy ice cream at Happy Endings Creamery and Food Lab. This little cafe along Donato Pison in Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao serves traditional dairy ice cream that can also melt hearts. The cafe is perfect for those wanting to spend quality time with their group.

This restaurant in Iloilo has refreshing chocolate mint ice cream, a perfect flavor to cool down from the summer heat. Their other bestselling classics, such as Pistachio, Salted Caramel, and Speculoos Malt, are also must-tries. They also offer new and unique flavors, such as Black Sesame and the sweet and zesty truffled lemon white chocolate ice cream. If you love coffee, you should not miss their affogato—an espresso topped with creamy vanilla ice cream.

Pair your coffee or ice cream with Taiwanese comfort food to balance the sweetness. Try scallion pancakes, chicken pops, and pork dumplings served with a side dish of Taiwanese-picked cabbage. For something savory, they have braised pork belly cutlets cooked in Chinese-style Adobo sauce or a bowl of beef noodle soup and slow-cooked beef brisket in a flavorful broth.

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