1988 Bistro — Restaurant in Zamboanga del Norte

1988 Bistro is an upscale dining gem located in the heart of Dipolog, just steps away from the Dipolog City Boulevard. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted warmly by attentive security and friendly staff who go out of their way to make you feel at home. The service is exceptional, with staff frequently checking in to ensure you’re enjoying your meal and refilling water promptly without needing to ask. Their attentiveness truly elevates the dining experience.

We ordered the Wing Nutz and the Crispy Kare Kare. The wings were a standout, offering a generous portion of 12 pieces with five different flavors. Perfect for sharing, the wings were crispy and flavorful, though the sauces leaned a bit heavy at times, which could feel overwhelming. The Crispy Kare Kare was a delightful twist on a classic dish, featuring a unique smoky or charred flavor that added depth to the dish. While the sauce was thinner than traditional Kare Kare, it was still bold and complemented the perfectly cooked vegetables like eggplant and asparagus. The fried pork belly was crispy and delicious, but many of the cuts were overly fatty, which detracted slightly from the experience.

Adding to the charm, 1988 Bistro often features live piano music on select evenings. We visited on a Sunday and were treated to a live pianist, which enhanced the ambiance and made the evening even more special.

The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the 1988 Dark Chocolate Cake, a standout dessert that alone is worth a return trip to Dipolog. Beautifully crafted with a rich and decadent flavor, it was the perfect way to end the meal. I would highly recommend this dessert to anyone looking for a memorable sweet treat—it truly left us wanting more.

If you’re visiting Dipolog, 1988 Bistro is a must-try for its exceptional service, unique dishes, and memorable atmosphere. Perfect for a special occasion or a refined dining experience...

Best Fine-Dining Restaurant in Dipolog City

The 1988 Bistro is packed with the most sophisticated and flavorful dishes you can find in the city. They also have the best services, place, and atmosphere you can find.

Food: Their food are flavorful, perfectly balanced, and aren't made on a budget. Their serving portions compensate the added price. We ordered 5 dishes (check photos), platter of rice, and 2 Halo-halos for the price of around 2.5kPhp. This place also serves steaks, wine, and other expensive food items you can definitely check out. You'll definitely get what you pay for. Trust me. Recos: Chicken Nuts, Clubhouse sandwich (Best), Pancit Guisado, Sinuglaw. Avoid: Bangus Sinigang (small portion), Fried Chicken (Thick Batter)

Place: The place is clean, spacious, well-lit, and sophisticated. The tables have well-prepared plates, utensils, wine glass, and table napkin. On some evenings, they also have a pianist playing in the background

Services: THE BEST. Just try it so you'll know what I mean. They always ask for your opinion and feedback. You'll have a personal waiter for your table. Water is always served when needed. They are always approachable and available when you need them. The friendliest and well-trained waiters/waitresses you'll ask for.

Price: As expected from a sophisticated fine-dining restaurant, their food and services are "quite pricey" relative to other resto in the city. Worry not because you are paying for the best accomodation, experience, and services.

1988 Bistro is definitely a gem and a must try in Dipolog City. Will come back again with...

The best restaurant in Dipolog City, HANDS DOWN!!!

I have been to a lot of restaurants and food places here in dipolog city but nothing I've been to so far even comes close to how good this place is. From the food, to the ambience of the place, to the service and even the staff — everything just blends together harmoniously.

About the food, man oh man, the serving in this place is GENEROUS. When i say generous, I mean GENEROUS. First time we went to the place with my family and asked about how many people a food platter usually caters, they would usually answer 2-3 people. Hence why we ordered so much thinking it wasn't going to be good enough for a family of 7-8. And now that was a mistake alright because boy were we WRONG! The food was not good for only 2-3, it was good for at least 5!!! So don't do the same mistake we did because we definitely went home that night with so many leftovers.

Also, the waiting time isn't that long. the food here usually arrives within just 15-30 mins, which taking into consideration other restaurants in dipolog city, is already pretty good.

Lastly, I love the staff here! They're so well trained and in coordination with each other. From the moment you enter the place to the very last second when you'd exit the doors, they're always so smiling and friendly and welcoming. They know their menu and they know what they're talking about.

A true fine dining experience in quite a small town. definitely worth the time, the money and the 5-stars! Kudos to the team and the...