Hard Kock Cafe Reviewed
Hard Kock Cafe is an expat hangout on Bantayan Island. There’s usually a card game going on that sometimes results in some heated disputes from the way the players were talking but they went on to say everything works out okay and everyone remains friendly.
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Like most restaurants on the island and many other places in the Philippines, it is an open air cafe. They also have an inn and provide the lowest price I’ve been able to find so far at only P600 per night. They advertise that they have a “real mattress” too. Most beds in the Philippines use foam as a mattress. They usually are not very thick and not as comfortable as the bed I had in the States. Of course, the price is about $700 less too. I think I paid $700 for my mattress on sale. 
We did not get a room at Hard Kock. I went there to try their pizza. They had a meat lovers pizza that was very good. Jessie didn’t like it because it had little, if any cheese. It was good tasting but a bit too small for my liking. I’m going to give this place another chance as I had such high hopes for it. But on this visit, things went rather poorly.
I still wonder if they were trying to run us off for some reason. We had to ask for menu after waiting about five minutes. We were very hungry and perhaps a little impatient because of that but things got worse from here. We waited an hour for our Pizza.
I think the waitress just forgot to bring it to us. It was not hot when we got it, it was still warm though. I kept trying to get someone’s attention to get a second beer but finally had to go to the bar to get it! I don’t understand, it was almost like they wanted us to spend less money.
Now it is not common for a waitress to return to your table after being serviced to see if everything is okay as I’m use to in the US. It is also uncommon for waiter to check to see if you’d like something more to drink or desert. It is even common to have a hard time getting someone’s attention. I got the feeling they were avoiding us. Probably not, I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt on this visit and will try again.
However, if they make me feel unwanted again, I’ll assume that was the intention! I hope not because I would like to visit there more and get a room there due to the lower cost. I believe the price with an air conditioner is P750 or about $15.00 per night. Since I didn’t stay there, I’m giving no opinion on the Hard Kock Inn.
I’m also going to refrain from giving it a numerical score until I revisit. I don’t wish to rate it as low as I’m going too based on that one visit. The owner was there, at a table right next to me, he spoke when I first arrived as did his beautiful Filipina wife.
The quality of the food was very good, but when the service make you wonder if they’d rather you leave, then the service is as bad as it gets.
Hello–My name is Wayne Flanagan, and I’m thinking of leaving the states, and retiring to Bantayan Island. Any in-puts from you, and CHEAP lodging? Thank you for your time, and look forward to your reply. Sincerely,
Wayne Flanagan
Retiring to Bantayan Island would be very nice. I like living on the main land though but just close to the island.
For cheap, I’d try Hard Kock. I think I just got them on a bad day. Less than $15 a day is going to be hard to beat.
Once your there you can check out the locals and maybe find something to rent.
If you want something on the beach, then you should try Tristan’s still low cost. I think they have some P600 rooms too. P1100 gets you a room on the beach with a fridge at Tristan’s.
I was In Bantayan In late June and we went to the Hard Kock Kafe. We had a chat with the owner, who is Kiwi, From New Zealand like me. He had a couple american friends and i got the impression that they often had their rounds of beers when they got together. It was quite funny watching them all though, I was with my little sister and younger cousin.
It was nice to see the big screen tv with the rugby on, really made us all feel like we were back home in NZ. Mum had a good chance to catch up with the scores on the rugby as she talked with the owner.
I looked at the menu, and like you i was starving also. We were all disapointed that they didnt have fish and chips! (Youll find it anywhere in NZ). But we got over it. I was so pleased that they had Pork Chops on the menu! And i ordered away. My mum and all my aunties and cousins and stuff ate at the other restaurant just opposite so it was just my younger cousin, sister and i. It was quite nice being us three. But we got really impatient waiting.. Im not sure how long we waited, im sure it wasnt an hour though like it was with you. it was quite some time though!
The pork chops were delicious though.. haha how much i love my pork chops! They were served with rice and iced tea which i thought was pretty good.
The name of the kafe, “Hard Kock” got me laughing so much. I noticed it first out of our big bunch. I turned my head and saw the picture of the kiwi, and i was like, “KIWI!”. And i straight away knew it had something to do with NZ.
i really wanted to buy a shirt but mum wouldn’t let me haha.
I didnt realise they were an inn, maybe next time i go there ill stay and check it out (:
What brought you to Bantayan?
Interesting that you’re experience with the slowness wsa like mine.
I think a lot of the cafes and hotels use outside cooks. I think that there is a central kitchen some where on the island. I’m not certain of that at all. I’ve noticed some of the food ordered from different places is very much alike.
Its obvious that the Floating Bar doesn’t cook there, they bring the order by boat. I thought they got their food from Marlin Resort but I could have dreamed that up.
The floating bar didn’t take a long time to get it for me though and it wasn’t cold. The taste was very much like that of Hard Kock.
Hi guys
Sorry you had a bad experience – I can assure you that the servive you experienced tends to be a bit like that all over the island and in fact its a provincial thing cos I’ve been to places like boracay, palawan, bohol, panglao, camiguin and siquijor and its the same where ever you go. Not making excuses cos it annoys the hell out of me too!
Anyways have a look at the website I have made for the island which is slowing expanding (url above) and you may find some additional information to help your discovery of Bantyan which I love too.
If you like live music friday and saturday there’s a live band at Ticketyboo Beach Resort or if you like sunset beach front drinks try Yooneek just down from Hard Kock. Be cafeful if you drive a bike tho – there have been an increasing amount of bike fatalities – talking of which the Hard Kock Chef was killed recently – just 23 what a waste. But alcohol was to blame. Its relatively safe during the day but dodgy at night.
Bye for now
David Moss
I’ve been several places on the Island, I’ve stayed at Tickety Boo and Tristan’s and visited several pubs. I am not expecting Western style catering to the customers. I know its a lot different here and I have adjusted to that, no big deal.
I think I just caught them on a bad day or bad timing or soemthing didn’t click. I’ll try them again.
Yeah dead at 23 is sad, barely getting started in life. I rented a bike back in February of this year. It was the first time I was on a bike in over 30 years! I just stayed on the little side road that goes to Tristan’s as I was wobbly and having some problems stopping the thing exactly where I wanted too. I need more practise before I take to the roads, I got better, much but I know its all about having control even when something goes badly. I wouldn’t have that.
hello rusty. thefloatingbar bring there pizza from hr musicbar.but some food we cook there at the floatingbar like burritos or sauseges
The Pizza was very good!
I’ll have to try some suasage.
I wish it could be open all year. Love the place.