Remedios Cafe Pinamalayan was one of the local food spots I was excited to visit while back in my hometown of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. The restaurant is especially known for its shawarma and kebabs, but I found plenty of other dishes worth sharing, too. Here is my firsthand experience, with menu recommendations and photos from my visit.
I visited the café, enjoyed the food and drinks, and took the photos you see throughout this article. Everything looked so inviting when it was served, and I wanted to share what made the experience memorable — especially the signature shawarma and kebab and their new Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare. Here are my personal recommendations from the visit.
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Remedios Cafe Pinamalayan: My Dining Experience
I liked the comfortable, welcoming atmosphere as soon as I saw the dining area. The wooden tables, warm hanging lights, rustic wall touches and artwork give it a cozy, casual feel. It’s a place where I could enjoy a meal without feeling rushed or needing a special occasion.
Another detail I noticed during my visit was Remedios Cafe’s own selection of bottled products. Alongside their atchara (Filipino pickled vegetables) and chili garlic oil, they also make hot sauce—a separate option for anyone who likes adding extra spice to their meals. I love the idea of bringing home a little something from the café after eating there. My recommendation: Consider picking up their atchara, chili garlic oil or hot sauce for your family to try, or giving a bottle or jar as pasalubong to friends who enjoy Filipino flavors. Check the café for current stock, ingredients and prices.
Remedios Cafe’s Bottled Sinaing na Tulingan — A Pasalubong Worth Trying
One more product that caught my attention was Remedios Cafe’s own bottled Sinaing na Tulingan. If you love sardines, this is something I’d suggest looking for as pasalubong. It is not actually sardines: tulingan is a fish from the tuna family. The comparison comes from its tender, flavorful texture; traditional sinaing na tulingan is slow-cooked with salt and souring ingredients such as kamias or vinegar, creating a savory, gently tangy dish. You can learn more about this traditional preparation from the Municipality of Ibaan’s cultural heritage guide.
My recommendation: Bring a jar home to enjoy with hot steamed rice, share at a family meal, or give to friends who enjoy Filipino seafood specialties. Together with the café’s atchara, chili garlic oil and hot sauce, it offers a tasty selection of local food gifts. Check each product’s ingredients, storage instructions and current price directly with the café.
My Food Recommendations at Remedios Cafe
If you’re planning your first visit, I would start with the restaurant’s best-known shawarma and kebab, then explore the newer Filipino rice meals, dessert and drinks. These are the highlights from my visit.
1. Beef Shawarma — My Pick for a Signature Order
One of the foods Remedios Cafe is known for is its Beef Shawarma, and I can see why people come here for it. The wrap comes in lightly browned flatbread with its filling tucked inside, served with golden fries and a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce. I enjoyed the combination of a hearty wrap with those familiar side dishes — satisfying without needing a rice meal.
My recommendation: Try the Beef Shawarma if it’s your first time here, especially if you enjoy Middle Eastern-inspired food. The menu lists it at ₱150. Chicken Shawarma is also listed at ₱140.
2. Chicken Kebab — The Must-Try Presentation
The Chicken Kebab was another major highlight of my visit. What made it stand out immediately was how it was served: the chicken hangs from a tall metal stand above a plate of white rice, fresh cucumber slices and small portions of sauce and sides. The meat has a glossy, deep-brown grilled exterior, making it especially tempting when it arrives.
I loved how different the presentation was from an everyday rice meal. Of course, I had to take a photo before digging in!
My recommendation: Order the Chicken Kebab if you want one of the dishes Remedios Cafe is famous for and a memorable photo from your visit. The menu shows chicken kebab meal options starting at ₱190, with the price depending on the serving.
3. New Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare — My Filipino Comfort Food Recommendation
I was particularly excited to try the new Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare. It’s a creative take on a Filipino favorite: instead of the usual meat in kare-kare, the plate features crispy, golden-breaded chicken fillet with rice, a sunny-side-up egg, eggplant, green beans and a rich-looking kare-kare sauce.
I really liked this idea because it brings together two things I enjoy in a Filipino meal: crunchy fried chicken and the comforting flavors of kare-kare. The colorful vegetables and egg make the plate look generous, while the sauce brings the dish together. It’s one of the meals I would encourage people to look at even if they originally came for shawarma.
My recommendation: Give the Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare a try if you want something different from the usual kebab or shawarma. It’s one of the most interesting additions to the menu I experienced. The menu supplied for this article lists Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare at ₱185; confirm the current price when ordering.
4. Pork Sisig Rice — A Flavor-Packed Filipino Favorite
The Pork Sisig Rice looked just as appetizing: a generous portion of finely chopped, browned pork finished with a creamy drizzle, served next to rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg. Slices of cucumber and halved calamansi add a fresh contrast to the rich-looking pork.
This is the kind of familiar Filipino comfort food I enjoy seeing on a café menu. It’s hearty, colorful and made for anyone who wants a filling rice meal.
My recommendation: Choose Pork Sisig Rice if you’re craving a classic Filipino dish rather than a wrap. The supplied menu lists Sisig Rice at ₱230.
5. Chicken BBQ With Rosemary — A Hearty Rice Meal
Another dish that caught my attention was the Chicken BBQ with Rosemary. The large chicken leg quarter had a beautiful glossy, caramel-brown coating with rosemary sprinkled over the top. It came with a neat mound of rice, cucumber slices and small servings of condiments.
The serving looked substantial, and the herbs made it a little different from the usual barbecue chicken plate.
My recommendation: Try this if you enjoy grilled or roasted chicken with rice. The exact price wasn’t clearly identified on the menu copy, so check with the café.
6. UCHEBA — The Ube, Cheese and Banana Chips Dessert
One of the most unusual dishes I came across was UCHEBA, a combination of ube, cheese and banana chips. It arrived as a striking mound of deep-purple ube strands covered with shredded cheese and pieces of crispy banana chips.
I loved seeing such a playful use of familiar Filipino ingredients. The purple ube, pale cheese and golden banana chips make it stand out immediately — a dessert that feels creative and distinctly Filipino.
My recommendation: If you have room for dessert, consider UCHEBA, especially if you’re an ube fan or enjoy sweet-and-salty combinations. Ask about the current price and availability.
7. Dark Mocha Fudge — My Drink Recommendation
For drinks, the Dark Mocha Fudge definitely deserves a mention. The iced blended drink was served in a Remedios Cafe cup with layers of chocolate-colored drink, dark chocolate drizzle, whipped cream and chocolate pieces on top.
It looked rich and indulgent — exactly the sort of drink I’d recommend to someone who enjoys chocolate-forward café treats. It also made a great photo against the warm wooden table.
My recommendation: Order the Dark Mocha Fudge if you enjoy chocolate and coffee flavors or want a dessert-like drink alongside your meal. The supplied menu lists it at ₱185.
Remedios Cafe Menu and Prices
Here are a few menu prices from the copy provided during this article’s preparation. They’re helpful for planning a visit, but prices and availability can change.
| Menu item | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Beef Shawarma | ₱150 |
| Chicken Shawarma | ₱140 |
| Chicken Kebab with Rice | From ₱190 |
| Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare | ₱185 |
| Sisig Rice | ₱230 |
| Chicken Katsu Curry | ₱250 |
| Dark Mocha Fudge | ₱185 |
| Ube Frappe | ₱140 |
| Brewed Coffee | ₱100 |
Where to Find Remedios Cafe in Pinamalayan
The restaurant’s menu lists its address as Rufino, Bonifacio Street, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. For the most accurate directions, check the café’s current location listing before going. Opening hours and menu availability may change.
Catering and Advance Bookings for Special Occasions
Another thing worth knowing is that Remedios Cafe also offers catering for events and parties. The café advertises catering services, making it an option to ask about when planning a celebration in Pinamalayan. If you have a birthday, family gathering, reunion or other special occasion coming up, you can also inquire about booking in advance.
I think that’s a useful option for families or groups who want to enjoy the café’s well-known shawarma and kebabs together. My tip: Contact Remedios Cafe ahead of your event to discuss available dates, guest numbers, menu options, catering arrangements and prices. Booking requirements and availability should be confirmed directly with the café.
Would I Recommend Remedios Cafe?
Yes — I enjoyed eating here, and I would recommend giving Remedios Cafe a try when you’re in Pinamalayan. The shawarma and kebabs are the signature dishes I would highlight first, but the new Chicken Fillet Kare-Kare is worth considering if you want a different take on a Filipino classic. I’d also recommend making room for UCHEBA and the Dark Mocha Fudge.
What I appreciated most was that the café doesn’t feel limited to one type of food. I enjoyed discovering a mix of familiar Filipino favorites and Middle Eastern-inspired specialties in a comfortable space, and I came away with plenty of good food memories — and photos.
Another way I celebrate my hometown: I also created Pinamalayan: Colors of Home — A Hometown Coloring Book through Solo Miles Creative. If you enjoyed this local food discovery in Pinamalayan, the book is another way to explore familiar hometown places, Filipino culture, and memories through coloring.
For more of my local travel and food discoveries, visit Wallet Roamer’s Philippines page.