Cockatoo

Cockatoo Bar is a must-visit destination on Siquijor for all foodies and gourmands. Located on the Circumferential Road in Tambisan, this bar-restaurant stands out for its fusion menu, which combines local cuisine, fresh seafood and European dishes. It is particularly popular for its delicious oysters and perfectly prepared steaks. The Cockatoo Bar has established itself as one of Siquijor's finest meat restaurants. The place is considered a hidden gem by those who have been lucky enough to discover it.

4.9/5 on TripAdvisor, ranked first among Siquijor's bars. Cooking you would not expect to find on the island, tucked into the greenery of Tambisan.

Cockatoo is run by Anna and Alan. Alan is the chef, a Filipino who cooked in Canada and Australia, which explains a menu that is anything but local. Anna spins the records on music nights. The room is a kind of open barn facing the jungle, with a koi pond and a crystal chandelier. Nobody expects that on arrival.

What to order: the steak, without hesitation. It comes up in nearly every review, and for a specific reason: Alan buys local beef and ages it on the premises. One guest describes coming back three times in a single week for it. It is served with compound butter, with chimichurri and mash, or with fries. After that: fish and chips, tuna tataki (made as a tataki should be, not as a seared slice), chicken wings and a house sambal. The oysters built the house reputation, raw or gratinated with parsley, garlic and parmesan, but they are not always on the menu, so ask.

Opening hours: 11am-9.30pm according to TripAdvisor, 10am-10pm according to Google. No source mentions a closing day, which is unusual for a small place run by a couple. Call before making the trip: +63 956 583 6796.

Good to know: the room is small and fills up fast in high season, so book. The menu is deliberately short. It is pricier than the island average and reviews split on that; even those who find it expensive acknowledge the quality. Terrace, full bar, wifi, dog friendly.