The Ultimate Sustainable Vegan & Vegetarian Guide to Moalboal, Cebu

Moalboal is famous for snorkelling the breathtaking sardine run, and the adrenaline rush of canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. But if you are vegan or vegetarian, you may wonder what food options actually exist beyond seafood-heavy menus.

The good news? Moalboal has become one of the most vegan and vegetarian-friendly pockets of Cebu, with cafés, smoothie bowls and healthy restaurants increasingly catering to plant-based travellers.

Trying local flavours is one of the best ways to experience everyday life beyond the beaches. Whether you are searching for a good vegan meal, vegetarian-friendly restaurants or ways to explore Moalboal more sustainably, this practical guide shares where to eat, useful food phrases and tips to help you enjoy the best of Moalboal with a lighter footprint and a very happy stomach.

​Disclaimer: While this guide is curated with love and correct at the time of writing, the island hospitality scene flows like the ocean. Small places come and go, and menus change. Before you head out, we always recommend double-checking HappyCow or recent Google Reviews for the most up-to-date opening hours and vegetarian/vegan options!
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Local Filipino Dishes Vegans & Vegetarians Can Try in Moalboal

• Munggo/Nunggo: Mung bean soup is vegan (Hungry Monkeys or Venz are the best spots; elsewhere, ask for no pork, dried fish or meat stock)
• Laing: Taro leaves in coconut milk and chilli (often vegan, but check for shrimp paste or fish seasoning)
• Pinakbet: Mixed vegetables (usually contains shrimp paste so request without)
• Ginataang Gulay: Vegetables in coconut milk (generally a safe vegan option)
• Tortang Talong: Grilled eggplant/aubergine omelette - vegetarian only (Venz does a good version, and you can sometimes find it in carinderias but it's not reliable)
• Fresh Lumpia: Vegetable spring rolls (Venz are known for an excellent version; elsewhere may contain meat, so always ask first)

Photo: Venz Kitchen Eggplant Sisig

Conscious Commensality: Where to Eat Plant-Based in Moalboal

1. Venz Kitchen (Our Top Pick for Local Flavours)

If you want to experience authentic Filipino cuisine without compromising your ethics, Venz is an absolute must-visit. They have an entire section of their menu dedicated to traditional dishes made brilliantly vegan and vegetarian.

What to order: Eggplant Sisig is our go-to dish (for vegans, ask for it without egg). You also have to try their Tortang Talong (eggplant omelette,) their rich Vegetarian/Vegan Adobo, mix veg in coconut milk or mix veg in peanut sauce. Their vegetarian mango float dessert is heavenly, unfortunately it is not vegan. 

Pineapple Teriyaki at Lovegan Cafe

2. Lovegan Cafe

As Moalboal’s dedicated 100% vegan cafe, this spot is an absolute sanctuary for both vegans and vegetarians. There is zero menu anxiety here—you can order absolutely anything. They have an incredible range of local and western vegan foods spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a cabinet of plant-based cakes that pair perfectly with their speciality coffees (and yes, they have proper plant-based milks).

Tofu with Cashew Nuts at Hungry Veggies MoalBowl

3. Hungry Veggies (Inside MoalBowl)

Nestled inside the popular MoalBowl Japanese restaurant, you will also find Hungry Veggies. It's fantastic for wholesome, nutrient-dense meals, and is co-owned by the owner of Hungry Monkeys restaurant, which also serve vegan and vegetarian dishes. They excel at vibrant, colourful bowls packed with fresh local produce, grains, and plant proteins. Perfect for a post-canyoneering refuel, with plenty of options that let you choose to add or skip local eggs.

Photo: Smooth Cafe's Vegan Falafel Wrap

4. Smooth Cafe

Smooth Café offers a laid-back vibe during the day and live music every evening. They have an extensive vegetarian and vegan options alongside their regular menu.  

What to order: Their house-made falafel wraps, quinoa bowls and hearty vegan burgers are legendary. It’s a popular daytime and evening spot.

Shaka serve colourful and healthy smoothie "power" bowls

5. Shaka

If you’ve travelled around the Philippines, you probably already know Shaka. Located closer to the beach scene, they are the undisputed kings of the morning. Go here for artfully styled, high-power smoothie bowls topped with fresh tropical fruits, homemade granola, and superfoods, it's the ultimate fresh vegan and vegetarian fuel (and they look amazing for your Insta story!)

Three Bears Vegan Chilli is warming after a night dive

6. The Three Bears Restaurant

Sometimes you just want comfort food after a long day in the water, or straight from a night dive, so this beloved local spot delivers. While famous for their classic meat burgers, they have a fantastic, clearly labelled section specifically for plant-based travellers.

What to order: Dive into their hearty Vegan Chilli (served warm and filling with rice), their protein-rich Veggie Burger, or tofu crunch salad.

Smoothie Bowl breakfast at Moalboal Eco Lodge

Breakfast at Moalboal Eco Lodge

At our boutique, 3-room eco-lodge, we are fiercely passionate about protecting our planet and its animals. 

That’s why we operate with a 100% vegan and vegetarian breakfast menu for our guests. We love serving up fresh, low-impact morning meals to fuel your day with the turtles. You can view our eco rooms to see if our values align.

That being said, our sustainability ethos is rooted deeply in supporting our local community. We want Moalboal’s independent, homegrown restaurants to thrive. We genuinely won’t be offended if you choose to head out into town to try the amazing spots listed above instead of eating breakfast with us.

​Every peso spent at a local vegan and vegetarian-friendly business is a win for the movement in the Philippines!

Looking for More? Our Live, Updated Reception List

While the six spots above are the absolute staples of Moalboal and have been serving the community for a long time, they aren't the only places with plant-based choices. There are several other restaurants in town that offer vegan and vegetarian options on their menus, but these options fluctuate, chefs change, and menus are updated frequently.

Because we live here and eat at restaurants, we keep a constantly updated, live list at our reception. We love sharing this insider knowledge with our guests upon check-in, ensuring you always know exactly where to find a delicious meal during your stay!

Colourful fruit at the local market

The Local Market (Zero Waste & Whole Foods)

If you want the ultimate low-impact, budget-friendly snack, head away from the beach strip and visit the local fruit market The Philippines has the best mangoes on earth, and grabbing fresh avocados, papayas, and bananas directly from local vendors. It keeps your money in the local economy and cuts out packaging entirely, just remember to take your own bags with you. Added bonus - you can compost your fruit peelings in our guest kitchen!

Quick Guide: Ordering Vegetarian & Vegan Locally

If you find yourself at a standard local eatery or carinderia, navigating the menu can be tough as fish sauce and pork are staples. Save these exactly local phrases on your phone:

“Walang karne, manok, o isda” — No meat, chicken, or fish 
“Walang patis o bagoong, pakiusap” — No fish sauce or shrimp paste, please 
“Walang itlog at gatas” — No eggs or dairy (for vegans) 
“Walang karne, walang isda, pero pwede ang itlog” — No meat, no fish, but egg is okay (for vegetarians)

Always double-check for hidden ingredients such as fish sauce (patis) or shrimp paste (bagoong), even in vegetable dishes.

You can see turtles here in Moalboal just off the beach

Ethical Wildlife Tracking in Moalboal

Being a sustainable traveller in Moalboal goes beyond what’s on your plate. When you head out to see our beautiful marine residents, please keep these guidelines in mind:

• Look, Don’t Touch: Never touch, chase, or ride the sea turtles or swim aggressively into the sardine schools. Keep a respectful distance to avoid stressing the animals.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen Only: Traditional sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone that bleach our beautiful coral reefs. Please switch to a certified mineral, reef-safe sunscreen before hitting the water.
• Say No to Single-Use Plastic: Moalboal's marine life is highly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Unfortunately at the time of writing, many beach bars serve plastic straws in their drinks. Bring your own reusable straw, a reusable water bottle (we provide free filtered refills at the lodge!) and your own reusable shopping bags.
• Why We Do Not Support Oslob: As a sustainable lodge committed to animal welfare, we do not support or arrange tours to the whale shark watching in Oslob. The artificial feeding practices there disrupt natural migration patterns and alter wildlife behaviour. Instead, we champion Moalboal’s completely wild, untamed marine life, where the sea turtles and millions of sardines choose to stay naturally, on their own terms.

Left: Dumped puppy "London"; Right: London happy at Moalboal Animal Welfare

Protecting Our Paws: Our Hands-On Animal Welfare Work

True eco-tourism and sustainability extends to the four-legged residents on land, too. We know it can be incredibly tough for animal lovers to witness the stray dog situation in Southeast Asia. Rather than turning a blind eye, we actively fund and participate in local animal welfare initiatives right here on the ground.

When you book directly with us, your stay directly supports our local dog community in a real, measurable way:

Moalboal Animal Welfare Dog Sanctuary: We proudly support this local sanctuary with financial donations. If you want to show some dog love or volunteer for the day, it's incredibly easy to do during your stay. We will gladly show you the way to walk there, it's just a beautiful 5-minute stroll through the fields and local village.

Left: Marcey at the vet when we found her Right: At the Spay Clinic, mange free and adopted

Dogs of Moalboal Spay & Neuter Clinics: We actively sponsor and support their monthly clinics to help manage the stray population humanely. We hit the ground by identifying free-roaming street dogs or female dogs belonging to low-income families who need spaying. We arrange and pay for their transportation to the clinic, handle their post-operative aftercare, and go right into the local villages to speak with and support the community.

Mange Treatment & Rehabilitation: We proactively treat local free-roaming dogs suffering from mange. By providing them with proper medicine, we watch their fur regrow, their health return, and their weight build back up. This hands-on care doesn't just save their lives—it ensures they look healthy enough to be accepted back into their local packs and by the community, rather than being cast out as sick dogs.

Want to get involved? If you are staying with us and want to attend one of the monthly spay and neuter clinics, just ask us and we’ll let you know the dates! If you simply want to learn more about how to support the street and free-roaming dogs during your holiday, we are always here for a chat about the work being done here.

We set up Moalboal Eco Lodge precisely because we wanted to create a footprint-free sanctuary aligned with these values. Our 3-room property focuses on sustainability, plastic-free living, and peace and quiet away from the party strips.

If you’re planning your trip to Cebu, explore the two sides of Moalboal and see what suits you best. You can also skip booking platform commissions and book directly with us here for our best rates.

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​FAQ's: Vegan & Vegetarian Food in Moalboal

Can vegans eat well in Moalboal?
Yes — vegan food in Moalboal is easier to find than many travellers expect. While the town is famous for seafood, several cafés and restaurants offer smoothie bowls, tofu dishes, curries, salads, plant-based breakfasts and meals that can be adapted for vegans.

Are there vegan restaurants in Moalboal?
Moalboal does not have many fully vegan restaurants, but there are several vegan-friendly cafés and restaurants offering plant-based meals. Many places are happy to adjust dishes if you ask, although it is worth checking for fish sauce or shrimp paste in local recipes.

Is it easy to be vegetarian in Moalboal?
Yes, vegetarians generally have plenty of choice in Moalboal. Most restaurants offer vegetarian breakfasts, pasta, pizzas, smoothie bowls, curries, rice dishes and meat-free options.

What Filipino food is suitable for vegans?
Some Filipino dishes can be vegan-friendly with small changes. Laing is often vegan, munggo/nunggo can be if no pork or fish, and tortang talong is usually egg-based but may be adaptable. Vegetable dishes, tofu meals, rice, and fruit are widely available. Always check for fish sauce (patis), shrimp paste (bagoong), and meat stock.

Do restaurants in Moalboal understand vegan food?
Some tourist restaurants in Moalboal understand vegetarian and vegan requests, especially around Panagsama. In local eateries, it helps to explain clearly and ask about hidden ingredients such as fish sauce, eggs or dairy.

What vegan-friendly breakfast options are available in Moalboal?
Several cafés in Moalboal serve smoothie bowls, fruit plates, avocado toast, oats and plant-based drinks. If you are staying at Moalboal Eco Lodge, vegan-friendly breakfast options are also available for registered guests.

What are useful phrases for vegans in the Philippines?
Helpful phrases include:
“Walang karne, manok o isda” — No meat, chicken or fish
“Walang patis o bagoong, pakiusap” — No fish sauce or shrimp paste, please
“Walang itlog at gatas” — No eggs or dairy