Hakuna Matata Boracay — Restaurant in Malay

Pressured to write good review I travel a lot and I eat out at least 500 times a year. My wife and I ate there last night because it was listed as the number one restaurant in Boracay on TripAdvisor. The dinner took 2 hours because the service was so slow. The food was okay but it was not the best meal we had in Boracay. In fact, it was below average for Boracay. We probably ate at 10 better places this week.

The reason why I am writing this review is because of my belief that they are not the best restaurant in Boracay And that's a crush of us to write the review.

At the end of dinner, the waitress approached us and talked with my Filipina wife (I'm American). She told my wife that she wanted her to go to a QR code, which took my wife's phone to the TripAdvisor review site. The waitress held my wife's phone to make sure she got to the review site and would write the review.

The waitress was very friendly and she instructed my wife that if my wife liked her experience she could give the restaurant a five in the review. The waitress was watching over my wife's shoulder and what was my wife supposed to do? Is she going to give anything less than a five-star review? The waitress also gave suggestions on what to write right in the review.

Obviously reviews like this are not honest. My wife and I were pressured to give a five star review and write nice things about the restaurant. We were not going to write bad things about the restaurant with the waitress reading every word over our shoulders.

As I said the food was okay but it was not the best we've had here. And the service was very slow. It took 2 hours for an ordinary dinner. Also, they forgot some things along the way. I would say that it was an average restaurant.

But as I said, TripAdvisor has it rated as the number one restaurant based upon the reviews. I cannot trust...

Hakuna Matata in Boracay is a delightful dining experience that brings a unique blend of flavors and atmosphere to the island. The standout favorite, Hakuna Nachos, comes with a meaty cheese dip that is rich and savory, making it a perfect starter or snack. Their Hakuna’s Pizza is a must-try, featuring thin, crispy crust topped with fresh micro greens and prosciutto, creating a delectable balance of textures and flavors. Another highlight is the Pork Belly, which boasts tender, succulent meat with a crispy skin that bursts with flavor.

The Beef Quesabirria Tacos were good, though the birria sauce could use some improvement, and adding salsa on the side would enhance the dish. This might be influenced by having authentic Mexican food the night before, prepared by a chef from Mexico. The Calamares serving felt a bit small and seemed like it could have come from a grocery store's frozen section.

Although initially tempted to try the Boat Set, we decided against it since we were already full, but the table beside us ordered it and it looked great. It's worth noting that a single rice order here is quite large, equivalent to about two cups.

Service was fast, especially during lunchtime when there weren't many diners. The restaurant offers both air-conditioned and outdoor seating with a direct view of the white beach, making it an ideal spot for afternoon cocktails and dinner. Overall, Hakuna Matata offers a vibrant and delicious culinary experience that is sure to...

Hakuna Matata by Mandarin Nest offers a wide variety of fusion dishes—from Italian, American, and Mexican to Filipino favorites. With their generous servings and family platters, this place is perfect for group celebrations or casual dining with friends and family.

Lechon Belly This was my top pick! The serving was generous, the meat was tender, and the skin was delightfully fatty and crispy. It was so flavorful that the soy sauce dip it came with wasn’t even necessary. Definitely more than enough for two!

Garlic Prawns Big, fresh, juicy prawns served in a rich garlic butter and mayonnaise sauce. I was initially unsure about the mayo, but it actually thickened the sauce and made it more delicious. For less than PHP 800, you get six pieces—worth ordering an extra plate if you’re a prawn lover. Highly recommended!

Calamares Served with two dips—ranch and one that reminds me of your classic fishball sauce. The coating had a hint of coconut crumbs, which added a subtle twist. We just wished the squid was a bit more tender, but it’s still a must-try.

2-Way Sisig This isn’t your traditional Kapampangan sisig. It’s more of a bar chow version, topped with crispy pork chicharon for added texture. It was good, but I’d suggest exploring their other dishes instead.

Bonus Points: • There’s a bar upstairs. • A live band plays during dinner, adding to the lively ambiance. • Celebrating something? They’ll serve you complimentary dessert and the staff will even...