Spice-encrusted blackened tuna served with tomato rice, aioli, arugula mayo, pickled fennel and onions at Rali's Restaurant on Subic Bay, Philippines. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)
A sea breeze and a shady patio make Rali’s Restaurant the perfect place for some ship spotting along Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base in the Philippines.
This French bistro has breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as fancy coffee and alcohol at a prime location on the road from the naval base to Cubi Point, the former naval air station. From the patio you can watch massive oil tankers offload, or American and Philippine naval ships pull into port.
Rali’s bills its food as French bistro classics with a few Italian and Spanish dishes here and there. This family-run restaurant features a double R sign reminiscent of the Rolls Royce logo.
The restaurant is inside the Subic Freeport Zone, which encompasses the old naval base. That means U.S. service members with limited liberty can eat there. Staff say American troops are regulars.
The bistro’s coffee is superior to what you can buy at a nearby Starbucks. The beans are roasted by the restaurant’s sister company — Source Coffee — that’s also inside the Freeport Zone and popular with U.S. troops, according to staff.
A 180 pesos, or $3.24, cappuccino on the patio was the perfect pick-me-up before a recent drive to observe military training at San Antonio, just west of Subic.
Rali’s Restaurant is the perfect place for ship spotting at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base in the Philippines. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)
The blackened tuna at 595 pesos was on par with the best seafood you’ll find in Japan. The spice-encrusted fish was served with tomato rice, aioli, arugula mayo, pickled fennel and onions that left me full but eager for more.
There’s also a bakery that serves breakfast with items such as eggs Benedict and french toast until 3 p.m.
There’s also wine and cocktails available.
Once your food has digested, you might consider a swim and the nearby All Hands Beach — once a swimming area only for military members — that’s open to visitors. It’s a few minutes down the road from Rali’s in the direction of Cubi Point.
Rali’s Restaurant
Location: At the Malawaan Fishing Park, along Argonaut Highway, in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the Philippines.
Hours: Open daily at 8 a.m. with last call at 9 p.m.
Prices: From around 500 pesos for breakfast to 3,285 pesos for ribeye steak.
Dress: Casual
Directions: Take the Argonaut Highway to Cubi Point and the restaurant is on the right overlooking the water.
Information: Online: ralisrestaurant.com/hello
