Hightides Bistro — Restaurant in El Nido

This was the first truly bad experience we had in our 2 weeks in the Philippines so far. In general, service has been pretty outstanding everywhere else we've gone, but here, that wasn't the case. We picked this place because the presentation and views looked really great. We ordered a quesadilla for our appetizer first while we browsed the rest of the menu. It took about 20 minutes for the quesadilla to come out while the restaurant was fairly quiet. We're at a beach town, so that's not a huge deal, but by this point we were definitely hungry and ready for something more, so we ordered some karaage with fried rice. Expecting it to take another 20 minutes or so. After 30 minutes of waiting and just enjoying the view, I began to wonder whether or not they forgot about us, so I asked about our order. The server seemed confused and a little panicked, but went and checked on us. 15 minutes or so later, the chef came to our table and asked if we could wait another 10 minutes. I was hungry enough to want to leave and get some food elsewhere at that point, but 10 more minutes didn't sound too bad. My wife asked if they actually forgot about us, and he assured us that it was just because they were busy. Pretty sure that's not the case, because they were definitely not busy when we placed our order. By this point they were, but it seemed clear to us that they were prioritizing everyone else and/or they had forgotten about us entirely. Also, unfortunately for us, now being irritated and hangry as can be, the promise of another 10 minutes ended up being another 40 minutes and we were literally collecting our things to leave so we could get food somewhere else before everywhere else closed by the time it actually showed up. We ended up spending 2 hours here and it took 90 minutes just to get our one order of karaage with fried rice. It caused us to miss our after dinner plans because both places we needed to go to were now closed. And if you're wondering, yeah, no one offered an apology for the wait, or any sort of compensation or discount. Extremely disappointed with this entire experience. I didn't think much of the 3.9 rating, but just take heed. The food and view isn't good enough to put up with such a poorly run establishment. And I almost forgot to mention that the portions were definitely not worth the price. About 7 small pieces of karaage for 480. We still left hungry even after eating every grain of rice...

The staff were polite and respectful, which we appreciated, but unfortunately, the overall experience fell short due to some disappointing policies and service issues. One of the main letdowns was their strict policy on outside cakes. We came to celebrate my brother’s birthday—a special occasion that we hoped to make more memorable by bringing a birthday cake. However, the manager did not allow us to bring it in, nor did they allow us to simply take a photo of it beside the food we had already ordered. What made this even more frustrating is that the restaurant doesn’t even offer any kind of desserts or pastries on their menu. It felt unnecessarily strict and unwelcoming, especially considering the nature of our visit.

We had ordered several dishes, all of which were on the pricier side, and while we understand that restaurants have rules, a bit of consideration and flexibility for celebratory events like birthdays would have made a huge difference. Instead, we were left disappointed and embarrassed, especially since we had family with us expecting a cheerful meal.

On top of that, the restaurant adds a 5% service charge to the bill, and if you’re paying by credit card, there’s an additional 3% fee. For the prices they charge and the extra fees added on, you’d expect at least exceptional service or food quality, but sadly, that wasn’t the case.

The food itself was another letdown. We ordered back ribs and pasta, expecting them to be the highlight of the meal, but they were both served cold. Not lukewarm—cold. That completely ruined the dining experience, especially for dishes that should be served hot and fresh. When you’re paying a premium, basic expectations like properly heated food shouldn’t be overlooked.

In summary, while the place might seem decent for casual dining, I wouldn’t recommend it for celebrating any special occasion. The lack of flexibility, poor food temperature, and added charges made what should have been a joyful family celebration feel awkward and...

★★★★ 4-star Review for Hightides Bistro in El Nido ★★★★

Hightides Bistro in El Nido left a lasting impression on me with its wonderful offerings and picturesque setting. The location, directly at the beach, was a dream come true, and the stunning view over El Nido bay made the experience even more remarkable. The option to enjoy your meal both inside and outside provided a lovely variety, allowing us to savor the breathtaking scenery while dining.

The live music added a delightful touch to the atmosphere, enhancing our dining experience with a touch of entertainment. Moreover, the staff's attentiveness and service were commendable, making us feel welcome and well-cared-for throughout our visit.

The food at Hightides Bistro was good, befitting the bistro style. While it may not have been a gastronomic extravaganza, it certainly satisfied our cravings and left us with a contented palate.

On a neutral note, I did notice that after the sunset, the door to the outside terrace was closed, which created a sense of separation. Consequently, the waitress was less frequently outside, impacting the overall experience slightly. However, despite this, I still find the bistro deserving of a 4-star rating, and I believe that with a small improvement in this aspect, it could easily earn a full 5 stars.

In conclusion, Hightides Bistro is an idyllic spot to enjoy a meal in El Nido, boasting a charming beachside location, a scenic view, and the delightful addition of live music. While there's room for a slight enhancement in terms of terrace access after sunset, the overall experience was highly enjoyable, making it a worthy choice for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in this beautiful...