LANAI by FreshStart Organic — Restaurant in Bacolod

FreshStart has been my go-to for years. They’re consistent, health-conscious, and overall delicious. LANAI is the more refined rendition and expansion of FreshStart’s old menu. The place is gorgeous. With no air conditioning, it makes up with a wide and open space. I actually prefer it as such. The service is impeccable. Servers are attentive, and you can tell they aim to provide customer satisfaction.

The menu offers so much variety. Smoothie bowls, snackables, rice dishes, salads and wraps, entrees, and flatbreads. A very well-rounded menu. It’s a lot to look through, but there’s something for everyone which is great! I ordered the “nachos”, Caesar wrap, mezze flatbread, and Lipay pressed juice. The tri-colored kamote “nachos” is a delight. The aioli complements the kamote and grated parm. Portion is good for a shareable, but the size of the chips can be bigger, though. Annoying going back for more because it’s not enough to be snack-sized. The Caesar wrap is enveloped with a heavyweight green (spinach?) tortilla. The tortilla is durable plus It’s packed with so much salad, so I appreciate that. What do you expect? It’s fresh off the bat. The “croutons” are even delicious, but don’t expect crunch. The Caesar dressing is still the best. I don’t believe any place in Bacolod can do salads like FreshStart. It’s impressive how a Ceasar salad can be a highlight in the dining scene. I do wish they didn’t smother the dressing on top; better if placed on the side or already distributed in the mix. The Mezze flatbread was an impulse addition- that I don’t regret. The dough is perfectly charred and pillowy. It’s on the heavier side, flavor-wise, but it’s so good. What makes it outstanding is the basil and spicy side topping. Those two create a huge flavor contrast, wherein the flatbread doesn’t taste heavy and flat. The flavors enhance and becomes bolder, and the spice slightly offsets the taste with a hint of vinegary heat. The flatbread is an experience itself. The Lipay juice is refreshing. Beverages with ginger tend to overdo the ginger, but Lipay’s timpla was perfect. I love all the blends in their shakes and cold-pressed juices, really. They’re all carefully thought out.

For dessert, I got the vanilla ice cream and Masskara cocktail. The vanilla ice cream is phenomenal. It’s more than just vanilla. It hints of yema and brown sugar with a deeper vanilla profile, reminiscent of Madagascar vanilla. It’s a beautiful simple dessert that makes you want to rethink and reimagine vanilla ice cream. The masskara cocktail is so entertaining to eat. It’s something to document and show others as it’s an ingenious way of serving cocktails. Taste-wise, I expected more of a stronger Ube presence and creamier vanilla to counteract the liquor and cinnamon. It’s tasty, and the little dessert side makes up for it. The bruleed(?) whipped cream on the side added into the cocktail would taste good, I believe.

A number of menu items also gives an ode to what Bacolod can offer. They’re locally-sourced and grown, too.

Overall, I can’t be any happier with my visit. I’ve supported this business for years and to see it grow immensely well makes me love the place even more. Price-wise, it’s a deal. The place and food are up to par with one another. I can’t wait to visit this place again in the future when I’m back in Bacolod. I hope LANAI inspires the Bacolod food scene to push themselves for fresher locally-sourced ingredients, thoughtfully curated menus, delicious and innovative recipes, and a well-trained...

LANAI by FreshStart Organic – A Taste of Nature and Nostalgia in Bacolod

Tucked along Araneta Highway, LANAI by FreshStart Organic is more than just a restaurant—it’s a soulful retreat that blends farm-to-table philosophy with Negrense warmth and artistry. From the moment you step into its lush, open-air lanai space, you’re greeted by tropical greenery, rustic wood accents, and a homey vibe that feels like visiting your lola’s ancestral home—if your lola happened to be a slow food advocate with impeccable taste.

The menu is a celebration of organic, locally sourced ingredients, many of which are part of the “Ark of Taste”—heritage foods that are rare, regionally distinct, and deeply flavorful. Standouts include the labuyo blue crab wrap, passion fruit glazed lechon kawali, and tri-colored kamote nachos, each dish thoughtfully crafted to highlight the natural richness of Negros produce. Even the drinks, like the Iced Kanlaon latte and cocktails infused with Negrense liquors, carry the same commitment to authenticity and innovation.

Service is warm and attentive, and the ambiance—especially at night when the lights twinkle under the canopy—makes it perfect for date nights, family dinners, or introducing visitors to the heart of Bacolod’s culinary scene. LANAI isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place to reconnect—with nature, with culture, and with the joy of real food. Highly recommended for anyone seeking nourishment...

In am having a hard time writing this review because, very seriously, they deserve 10 Stars and there are only 5 to give.

I am a foreign journalist and "Foodie". I have never, in my entire life, ordered 5 different items (like I did on my last visit to Lanai's) and had All 5 turn out so Exceptionally.

For one, I think Lanai's is the Most Beautiful Restaurant in Bacolod. Secondly, it has the most Aesthetically Pleasing Food by initial "Plate Presentation" or Appearance. That is, the food that arrives at your table looks like it belongs on the cover of a National Chef's Magazine. Thirdly, it is most assuredly, the Best Tasting as well. Every Item, in Every Category. Absolutely Amazing.

The Prices? Quite Reasonable. Did I mention that EVERYTHING on the menu is ORGANIC?! (All Veggies and All Meat.) If this does not matter to you, no loss. If it does, I doubt if there is another restaurant on the entire island that is ALL ORGANIC. (Healthy, No Pesticides, Locally Grown, Non-GMO.)

Best Pizza in Town and probably the Best "Whatever it Is" in Town.

Lanai by Fresh Start Organic, is certainly my Favorite Restaurant in Bacolod. It is definitely...