Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is a restaurant in the hills above Lazi, on Siquijor's south side, a minute's walk from the Old Enchanted Balete Tree.

The highest-rated table on the island: 4.9 out of 5 across nearly 500 reviews. Serious cooking set in the hills above the sea, one minute from the Old Enchanted Balete Tree.

Hidden Valley is somewhere you go on purpose, and that is exactly what makes it worth it. Up in the hills of Lazi, in the south of Siquijor, this is no roadside stop: you climb a small road, take a few steps up, and find a terrace opening onto a panoramic view all the way to Apo Island. Plenty of people arrive for lunch and stay the afternoon.

In the kitchen is chef Meg, working an Asian and European menu of unusual range for the island. The dishes reviewers name most often: Singapore laksa, the beef rendang that is her signature, tuna stewed in coconut milk, chicken satay, Indian curry, pad thai, and a gado-gado for vegetarians. Much of the produce comes from their own garden, passion fruit included — you will find it in the juices and the cocktails. Richard and Meg host in person, and the kitchen happily adapts to dietary requirements, keto among them.

Opening: Hidden Valley is open seven days a week in high season, December to May. Out of season, closing days appear — and those are what the hours listed on Google usually reflect, which makes them misleading. In low season, a phone call saves you an hour on a scooter.

Getting there: a small road, then a few steps. Not easy for older visitors or anyone with limited mobility, though the house offers help with bags. The simplest landmark is the Old Enchanted Balete Tree, one minute away. Cambugahay and Lugnason falls are both around ten kilometres off.

Our tip: come for lunch rather than dinner. The light over the sea is better, and you avoid riding back after dark on the circumferential road, which has no street lighting.

Good to know: you can stay the night. They run glamping accommodation, roughly ₱1,500 to ₱2,700 depending on season — a good way to split the island loop into two days.