The air in the City of Smiles is buzzing with a familiar, electrifying rhythm. Bright neon masks, booming street beats, and vibrant smiling faces can only mean one thing—the MassKara Festival is here!
While dancing your heart out to the street parades is a core part of the experience, no MassKara celebration is truly complete without diving deep into Bacolod’s world-class culinary scene. As the Sugar Capital of the Philippines, Bacolod knows how to treat your palate just as well as your eyes.
Whether you are looking for authentic charcoal-grilled chicken, ultra-fresh seafood, steaming bowls of comforting Cansi, or decadent sugar-rush desserts, here is your ultimate foodie checklist. Check out our curated list of the Top 10 Best Restaurants in Bacolod City to fuel your festival adventure!
The Top 10 Places to Eat During Masskara Festival
1. Manokan Country (Aida’s Chicken & Nena’s Beth)
Cuisine: Iconic Chicken Inasal & Local Grill
Why it’s a MassKara Must: You cannot visit Bacolod without stopping by the legendary Manokan Country. During MassKara, this open-air strip comes alive with smoke, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of authentic manok inasal. Order a juicy paa (leg quarter), slather it in chicken oil, pair it with garlic rice, and don’t skip their fresh grilled oysters (talaba).
2. Chicken House
Cuisine: Local Grilled Specialties
Why it’s a MassKara Must: A true Bacoleño institution that has stood the test of time, Chicken House is a favorite alternative (and rival) to Manokan Country. Their chicken inasal features a uniquely savory marinade, perfectly charred skin, and a distinct punch of local vinegar that keeps locals coming back year after year.
3. Aboy’s Restaurant
Cuisine: Filipino Comfort Food & Pala-pala Seafood
Why it’s a MassKara Must: If you want a sit-down family meal filled with authentic home-cooked Negrense dishes, Aboy’s is the place to be. Famous for its pala-pala style dining (where you pick your fresh catch and how you want it cooked), try their blue marlin, buttered shrimp, and legendary squid fats.
4. 21 Restaurant
Cuisine: Continental & Local Fusion
Why it’s a MassKara Must: Located along Lacson Street—the epicenter of the MassKara street parties—21 Restaurant offers a classy escape from the festival heat without sacrificing local flavor. Famous for its original batchoy, herb chicken, and mouthwatering steaks, it’s a fantastic spot for lunch or a relaxed dinner before heading out to the neon-lit night street parties.
5. Diotay’s Eatery
Cuisine: Fresh Seafood & Local Carinderia Favorites
Why it’s a MassKara Must: Don’t let the unassuming, humble exterior fool you; Diotay’s serves some of the absolute freshest seafood in the city. During the hectic festival days, grab a table early to sample their buttered shrimp, grilled scallops, and comforting sinigang na ulo ng lapu-lapu.
6. Masskara Chicken
Cuisine: Chicken Inasal & Filipino Favorites
Why it’s a MassKara Must: Fittingly named after the festival itself, this establishment captures the festive spirit in every bite. Located conveniently near major hubs, it offers tender, perfectly marinated chicken inasal alongside comforting local favorites like sisig and pancit to keep your energy high.
7. Calea Pastries & Coffee
Cuisine: Desserts, Cakes, and Pastries
Why it’s a MassKara Must: After walking blocks upon blocks of street dances, your sweet tooth will thank you for visiting Calea. As a beacon of Bacolod’s title as the sugar capital, Calea serves up world-class chocolate mud pies, fruit cheesecakes, and ice cream cakes that are rich, decadent, and remarkably affordable.
8. Felicia’s Pastry Café
Cuisine: Artisanal Pastries, Steaks, and Confectionery
Why it’s a MassKara Must: Felicia’s is legendary for its delicate sweets—especially their famous chocolate cakes and melt-in-your-mouth sansrival. Beyond desserts, their cozy café serves hearty continental dishes and steaks, making it a sophisticated lunch spot during festival week.
9. Gina’s Seafoods Restaurant
Cuisine: Pala-Pala Seafood & Local Delicacies
Why it’s a MassKara Must: A crowd favorite for fresh catches, Gina’s allows diners to handpick their seafood before it’s thrown onto the grill or into the wok. Their sweet-and-sour lapu-lapu, crispy calamares, and garlic butter prawns are top-tier fuel for festival-goers.
10. Eron’s Cansi House
Cuisine: Traditional Negrense Soup
Why it’s a MassKara Must: Finish your festival food crawl with the ultimate Bacolod hangover cure or comfort dish: Cansi. A delicious hybrid of sinigang and bulalo soured with native batwan fruit, Eron’s serves a rich, tangy, bone-marrow-packed broth that warms the soul after a long night of MassKara revelry.
