Roots — Restaurant in General Luna

My (as of a couple days ago now) fiancée Victoria and I booked a table at Roots to celebrate our engagement while visiting Siargao and it turned out to be one of the most memorable meals we’ve had in a long time. We’d watched a YouTube documentary about the restaurant and its founders beforehand a couple weeks before coming to the Philippines, which made us all the more excited to experience it for ourselves. The way they talked about using local Filipino ingredients and weaving them into dishes inspired by their own travels and experiences really resonated with us and somehow, the reality still exceeded our expectations. We felt bought into their concept, and life stories.

From the moment we arrived, the whole team made us feel incredibly special. Three of the founders/owners (Italian and Spanish) came over to congratulate us personally, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected touch. Every single member of staff was outstanding being warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. You can tell they’re trained to a seriously high standard, and they knew everything about each dish, from the preparation to the origin of the ingredients.

We had the seven-course tasting menu and honestly, every course was spot on. The kitchen even offered to make adjustments for Victoria after the head chef personally asked which types of fish she doesn’t enjoy or can’t eat and he was more than happy to adapt things if needed, which says a lot about their approach to hospitality.

It’s hard to pick a favourite dish, but I loved “Catch me if you Can”, a deep fried and battered bit of Lili Pan (kinda like Swordfish and very meaty) and “Hit the Road Jack” a modern take on a cheese cake which was fragrant and a blessing on the senses.

The bread basket at the start completely blew us away with a homemade doughnut ball, ube pandesal, sourdough, and the most indulgent sweet burnt butter. It could have been a course on its own. The pre-dinner cassava crisps with onion dip were also incredible — dangerously moreish.

Their take on ceviche/kinilaw was fresh, vibrant, and full of flavour. The smoked yellowfin tuna with wild herbs and pili nuts was beautifully balanced, and the sauce it came with was so good I was tempted to ask for more on the side.

Drinks wise, the calamansi sour was one of the best cocktails we’ve had anywhere, made with their homemade ‘calamancello’ (like limoncello but with a Filipino twist). We also had a great bottle of champagne to mark the occasion. At the end of the meal, they brought us complimentary glasses of the calamancello to toast our engagement which was such a lovely surprise and a perfect way to end the evening.

The setting is just as impressive as the food. The decor is modern but still relaxed and welcoming, with a stunning wall of living plants and ingredients that reflect the constantly changing, seasonal nature of the menu. The use of recycled plastic in the tables and cutlery holders is a nice touch. Also noteworthy were the cleanliness of the toilets when many places in Siargao seem to let themselves down. Even the music was spot on… not something you often notice, but it added to the whole experience.

For a tasting menu of this calibre, especially with such attentive service, the pricing is extremely reasonable. We’ve eaten at quite a few fine dining and Michelin-recommended spots back in the UK, and Roots honestly holds its own against them. It’s still hard to believe a place this good exists on a small island like Siargao. MICHELIN IF YOU’RE READING THIS, GET A FLIGHT, DINE HERE AND GIVE THIS PLACE THE STAR IT DESERVES! ⭐

We left absolutely buzzing, not just because of the occasion, but because of how incredible the whole evening was. We’ll be recommending Roots to anyone we know heading to Siargao, and without a doubt, this was one of the most special meals we’ve had in...

Roots Siargao: A 7-Course Journey Worth the Splurge

While searching for the best dining spots in Siargao, I came across Roots. At first, the price of their 7-course tasting menu felt like quite a splurge, so I read countless reviews before finally deciding to book. I reached out to them on IG to ask if they had a slot for the same day and whether they accepted credit cards and honored PWD discounts. Their reply was prompt and within a few minutes, my dinner reservation was confirmed.

From the moment I arrived, I knew this wasn’t going to be just another meal. The ambiance was cozy and unintimidating despite the restaurant’s upscale vibe. The warm lighting, paired with tasteful background music, set the perfect mood. The first thing that caught my eye was the bar—both functional and beautifully designed—where the day’s fresh ingredients were displayed. A nearby wall showcased a curated selection of house wines and branded merchandise. Every detail of the interior, from the modern furniture to the thoughtfully designed bathroom, reflected the founders’ meticulous care.

The receptionist welcomed me warmly and led me to my seat beside the bar. Dining solo can sometimes feel awkward, but Roots made it feel special.

The Evening Begins The experience started with a drink pairing menu. I chose the local sangria, though wines, craft beers, and cocktails were also available. Their version of sangria was refreshing and unique—a wonderful start.

While waiting, I was served crispy cassava chips with their special onion dip. It was simple yet sophisticated, the perfect introduction to what lay ahead. Then came Breaking Bread: three types of bread served with homemade butter, paired with their version of carpaccio. The server explained each component with detail and passion, setting the tone for the evening.

A Feast Unfolds The next course was Ceviche, refreshingly different from the usual versions I’ve tried. Then came the Lazy Raviolone, stuffed with local Wagyu—rich, comforting, and full of flavor—followed by Tentacles, fried to perfection. Some dishes were even served by Chef Filippo himself, who shared how their creations combine culinary expertise, cultural heritage, and locally sourced ingredients from Siargao.

Sweet Endings with a Story Dessert was a showstopper. Hit the Road Jack turned jackfruit into a creative blend of textures and flavors, while Bitter Plastic highlighted local Malagos chocolate and was presented on a plate made of repurposed plastic—a meaningful nod to sustainability.

Service with Heart If food is the soul of Roots, the staff is its heartbeat. Every member radiated enthusiasm, presenting dishes with care and knowledge. Zi (if I got her name right) and Sol stood out, but the entire team carried the same warmth and dedication. Their passion elevated the whole experience beyond just dining.

More Than Just a Meal At the end of the night, I realized the value of the experience far exceeded its price. The artistry of the dishes, the commitment to community and sustainability, and the team’s heartfelt service created something you won’t find in even the fanciest restaurants elsewhere.

Thank you, Roots, for being the highlight of my Siargao trip. ♡

When you visit Siargao, make sure to include Roots in your must-try dining list. I kid you not—it’s a must. You...

It’s difficult to write this review as some of the dishes were absolutely incredible but were sadly overshadowed by the horrible service.

We came here for my husbands birthday which was communicated beforehand. We had to ask for water 3x a before getting any. Same with drinks. He wanted a nice bottle a nd they recommended a $100+ bottle. He was told it was similar to a Pinot but it actually ended up tasting like vinegar - when asked by the waiter how I liked it, I said “depends, is it supposed to taste like vinegar “ he said yes to which I answered “then it’s good. “ I didn’t mean to be snarky, so I apologise if it came across that way. It was just so bad.

Next we waited for 50 minutes (we had arrived at 825 so I know it was this long) before I had to ask if they had forgotten about us since the surrounding tables were already on their 3rd course. The fixed it by bringing out 2 dishes at the same time - not fine but I get it. The burnt, whipped butter was incredible. Probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The carpaccio was the best swordfish I’ve ever had - maybe fish period. They then skipped the ceviche and we had to flag someone down to let them know. I think they were just ignoring us after that because getting someone’s attention to get water again proved to be quite difficult. They weren’t that busy, it was a Tuesday. But the Pil Pil was really good as was the calamansi pie. I didn’t rate the other dishes.

Lastly when dessert came out, they didn’t bring out a candle. I’d seen them do it for 2/3 other people that night so it was a bit of a letdown.

We also noticed the space had a slight ammonia smell, like an animal had utinated in the space. You can only tell when the fans weren’t hitting you. It’s an outside space so this is very understandable.

Overall, our bill was over $200 and for that price, the service should deliver EVERY time. I’ve seen in other reviews it’s been hit or miss. Just kind of wish they would have acknowledged it more than just saying “it’s Murphy law, there’s always one table where everything just goes completely wrong”… I’ve worked in restaurants, I know things can go wrong but that wasn’t really an apology.

Again, some dishes were fantastic but the service… ehh. I’d recommend going to Bravo for consistent great food or even Wild...