The beautiful island of Guam is a territory of the United States located in the western North Pacific ocean, about three quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. With a rich history that dates back over 4000 years, this small island is bursting with culture that has been influenced in many different ways over the years.
Prior to contact with European nations, Guam was originally home to the Chamoru people (now spelled Chamorro) and many of these indigenous folk still reside on the island. In the 17th century, Guam was officially colonized by the Spanish.
In 1898, after the Spanish-American war, Guam was ceded to the United States, at which point it became part of a telegraph line to the Philippines, but in 1941, the Japanese attacked and invaded the island, taking control for almost 3 full years. After the end of the second world war, America took back the island, and it has remained a territory of the United States ever since.
With all of the varied influence on this island over the years, one of the greatest outcomes is the wide assortment of cuisine you will find. Not only will you be able to try authentic Chamorro dishes, but because of the influence from other countries, you will also find many restaurants that serve Spanish, Caribbean, Asian, and American food.
Our main focus for this article will be restaurants in Tumon, but we have also included a couple of restaurants in Hagatna as well, which is only a 10 minute drive from the center of Tumon. As the island is very small (only 30 miles long!), all of the restaurants on this list are not far from major hotels and resorts, as well as the airport.
Proa Restaurant
429 Pale San Vitores Road, Tumon, Guam
(671) 646-7762
Your first stop in Guam should definitely be to a Chamorro restaurant, as you won’t want to miss out on trying the traditional local dishes at least once. Proa Restaurant is one of the most popular Chamorro restaurants on the island, and applies its own modern interpretation on the traditional Chamorro cuisine.
This small, casual restaurant is situated right on the edge of Ypao beach and tends to get very busy during dinner hours, so making a reservation is highly recommended. Many of the locals love this restaurant and suggest going for lunch, as it is not as busy and gives you the rest of the day to work off the large portions that Proa is known to serve.
If there’s one thing that Guam locals love to eat, it’s BBQ, which you will find on both the lunch and dinner menus, and will not be disappointed with. On the menu, there are 3 BBQ options available to order: chicken, short ribs, and spare ribs, but if you’re really hungry, or just can’t decide which one to try, you can order the “Big Feller BBQ”, which features all three choices.
All BBQ menu options come with a simple salad, and your choice of red or white rice. If you want to stick with the traditional taste of Chamorro, the red rice is a must-try and is the perfect pairing for any BBQ style dish. This simple side dish is a trademark of Guam natives and is a staple in most homes, as well as a popular side dish for the fiestas that are so popular amongst the locals. It consists of white rice, annatto seeds (which is what gives the rice its red hue), onions, vegetable broth, and spices.
Attached to the Proa Restaurant is the Proa Patisserie, which is highly regarded by tourists and locals alike for their outstanding desserts, so make sure you leave room for sweets!
If you’re looking to try something with a Chamorro twist to it, the taro cheesecake is fantastic and combines the sweetness of taro with the creaminess of cheesecake, all topped with a crisp caramel brulee, to create a mouthwatering dessert that you won’t regret trying at least once!
Meskla Dos
413 A&B N, Marine Corps Dr, Tumon, Guam
(671) 646-6295
Meskla Dos is another restaurant that has put a unique twist on traditional Chamorro dishes, and is most famous for its creative and mouth watering burgers. The word “meskla” means mixed, and upon seeing the menu options, you will understand why this restaurant is so aptly named.
Meskla Dos has done an amazing job of taking flavors from all of the cultures that frequent the island, and combining them to form some interesting and delicious food.
The most famous dish at Meskla Dos is their Rancheru burger, which features an 8 oz house made burger patty topped with a fried egg, crispy bacon, and homemade spicy ranch sauce, and is served with french fries and laid atop your choice of a basil, sesame, or wheat bun. While this signature burger is the most popular choice, there are an additional 14 different burgers to choose from!
If you’re a fan of breakfast for dinner, the French Toast Slammer burger is right up your alley. This sweet and savory burger is served on a french toast bun, is topped with a fried egg, and comes with maple syrup on the side.
Aside from their burgers, they also offer the traditional BBQ that is so popular on this island, with options including ribs, pork, and chicken. All BBQ plates are served with red rice, fina’dene (a spicy pepper sauce), and a side salad.
Meskla Dos is well known around the island for having large portions at a fair price, so make sure you come hungry!
Tasi Grill
1227 Pale San Vitores Rd., Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Tumon, Guam
(671) 648-8525
Seafood lovers will not want to miss out on dining at Tasi Grill, which is located inside the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. This beautiful restaurant not only serves some of the best seafood on the island, but is also situated right next to the beach and provides absolutely stunning views of the crystal clear turquoise waters of Tumon Bay.
A wide variety of unique cocktails are offered at Tasi Grill, as well as mocktails and fresh juices for those who don’t drink alcohol.
If you are looking for a taste of the island to start off your meal, the Pandora’s Ring cocktail or the Red Fruit Margarita blended cocktail are two excellent choices. Both of these tequila-based drinks combine local island flavors, with Pandora’s Ring featuring the taste of guava and lime, and the Red Fruit Margarita featuring strawberry and lime.
The menu at Tasi Grill is small, but what lacks in quantity is made up for in quality. Choices include top-quality cuts of meat and fish that are prepared with luxurious ingredients, among other equally opulent dishes. To start off your meal, the coconut shrimp is a simple but delicious appetizer that is served with a lemongrass salad and Thai sweet chili sauce.
The Land and Sea entree is the most expensive, yet also the most decadent dish offered at Tasi Grill. As the name suggests, this dish consists of USDA beef tenderloin and a fresh Canadian lobster tail, accompanied with green peppercorn cognac sauce for the tenderloin and a unique tobiko wasabi butter sauce for the lobster. On the side, this entree is served with gratin potatoes (scalloped with butter and cheese) and seasonal vegetables.
Another option available for guests at Tasi Grill is the rotating set menu that is hand-picked and prepared by the chefs at the restaurant. This option has a great value for what you pay, and is only $65.00 for an appetizer, main, and dessert!
To finish off your meal, there are a handful of desserts available that are the perfect sweet ending to your dining experience at Tasi Grill. If you’re looking for a light dessert that keeps with the theme of island flavors, the Pineapple Vanilla Creme Brulee is a great option, and is even served in a pineapple shell!
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Alfredo’s Steakhouse
1227 San Pale Vitores Rd., Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Tumon, Guam
(671) 648-8000
For a more upscale, fine-dining experience, Alfredo’s Steakhouse is an American-style restaurant that is also located in the Dusit Thani Guam Resort. The head chef of this restaurant, John Beriker, has won several awards, including Chef of the Year, and was trained by the famous Wolfgang Puck.
Alfredo’s Steakhouse offers a menu full of top-quality wagyu steaks, lobster and other seafood, and a nice selection of fine wines, among other delectable dishes. Guests can expect a perfectly grilled steak that is cooked to their liking every time they dine here, as the standards of this restaurant are extremely high.
Not only is the food here outstanding, but the presentation you will find on your plate more closely resembles fine art than a dinner entree. If you’ve ever seen an episode of Top Chef or Chopped, you will be familiar with the plating styles that you will see at Alfredo’s. Every detail of the food on the plate is so carefully considered and laid out in a gorgeous and aesthetic format that you may find it difficult to take the first bite!
Along with the perfect steaks you can expect to see on the menu, there are also many other options, including pasta dishes, salmon, lamb, and even vegetarian options. All of the pasta dishes are prepared with freshly made pasta, and all have a unique spin to them.
The staff and service at Alfredo’s Steakhouse is also worth commenting on, and aside from the incredible food, is one of the main factors that keep people coming back for more. Guests can look forward to having attentive and superb service that will only add to the high-quality experience that this restaurant offers. If you’re not sure what to order, the servers are all extremely well-versed when it comes to the food and wine selections, and will happily be able to recommend something that suits your preference.
Jamaican Grill
Bldg. 12 Chamorro Village, Hagatna, Guam
(671) 472-2000
Jamaican Grill combines Jamaican food with traditional Chamorro flavors to create a unique menu that has a ton of options. The interior of this restaurant will make you feel like you’ve stepped into Jamaica, with the red, yellow, and green colors of their flag splashed on the walls, tables, and plates, and the tantalizing scents of BBQ and jerk chicken.
With menu items such as the classic jerk chicken that Jamaican cuisine is known for, the BBQ platters that Guam natives love, and the locally-caught seafood dishes, everything on the menu is delicious here. Every dish is prepared fresh, and comes with red rice or Jamaican rice, and a salad.
For the best experience at Jamaican Grill, go on a Wednesday night. This is when Chamorro Village holds its night market, and features entertainment and local vendors that sell food, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and more! Just be sure to make reservations or be there by 5 pm as it’s the busiest night of the week.
Hafa Adai Cafe
667 N Marine Corps Dr 108 Pacifica Plaza, Tumon, Guam
(671) 649-8178
In case you were wondering, Hafa Adai (pronounced “half a day”) is the standard greeting in the Chamorro language, and means “hi” or “hello”!
The Hafa Adai Cafe is one of the best breakfast spots in Guam, and offers a menu full of Asian and American fusion that is reasonably priced. Diners at this restaurant can expect to find a large menu with unique options, as well as familiar favorites. Along with standard breakfast fare, such as eggs and bacon or eggs Benedict, there are also options such as fried rice and noodle dishes that have many variations. One of the more unique dishes offered for breakfast is the jook (also known as congee) and fried noodle dishes. A popular breakfast option in many Asian countries, jook is a form of porridge made from jasmine rice and is usually cooked with pork or seafood to give it a nice, umami flavor.
While this restaurant is best known for its breakfast and brunch menu, Hafa Adai Cafe also offers many dinner options that mainly center around the Asian cuisine that you would find at most American-Chinese restaurants.
Although it may not look like much from the outside, this hidden gem is a favorite among locals. If you’re looking for a unique and delicious breakfast during your stay in Guam, then this is one place you won’t want to miss out on!
As you can now see, Guam is an island with a wide variety of food choices, each one being unique and delicious in its own way. Whether you stay at your resort the whole time, or choose to venture out onto the island, you’ll be sure to find something delicious to satisfy any kind of craving you might have.
We couldn’t include every restaurant on this list, as there are over 100 on the island, but this sampling of outstanding restaurants is sure to provide you with a great start to an unforgettable dining experience that will have you booking your next vacation here before you’ve even left!
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