1st Colonial Grill Express

4PWF+H2W, Rizal St, Brgy: Sagpon, Old Albay, Legazpi City, 4500 Albay, Philippines

+63 52 483 0551

$$$ Filipino restaurant

(346 Reviews)

About 1st Colonial Grill Express

If you're in Legazpi City and looking to indulge in authentic Filipino cuisine, 1st Colonial Grill Express is an absolute must-visit. Nestled in the heart of Brgy. Sagpon, this vibrant eatery specializes in Bicolano cooking, bringing local flavors to life in every dish.

As you step inside, the warm and welcoming ambiance envelops you, creating the perfect backdrop for an enjoyable dining experience. Although the space is a bit cozy, it adds to the charm of the establishment. The friendly and attentive staff contribute to the welcoming environment, ensuring you're well taken care of throughout your meal.

The menu is a delightful tribute to traditional Filipino fare, showcasing popular dishes like the Colonial Fried Chicken, which boasts a mouth-watering flavor from Mama Lya's original recipe at a reasonable price of ₱595. For a true taste of Albayano culture, don't miss the Tinutungang Manok, a succulent chicken dish simmered with green saba bananas, ginger, lemongrass, and spicy sili in a rich coconut sauce for just ₱519.

But the culinary adventure doesn't stop there! Be sure to leave room for dessert—especially the Sili Ice Cream, renowned for its unique blend of creamy and spicy flavors. It's a thrilling experience that showcases the best of local ingredients, leaving an unforgettable impression on your palate. Many patrons rave that it’s a must-try, elevating your dessert game to another level!

Quench your thirst with rejuvenating fresh fruit juices like zesty Calamansi Juice or the sweet allure of Mango Juice, each priced at ₱119. Whether you're looking to calm the heat of the spices or simply enjoy a refreshing drink on a warm day, these juices are the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

Customers have consistently praised 1st Colonial Grill Express for its delightful food and pleasant service. One happy diner, Jawwad Djamla, reported a fantastic experience highlighted by the welcoming atmosphere and memorable flavors. Others, like Catherine E, recommend the ginataang santol and a host of ice cream flavors, including crowd favorites like caramel and pili—demonstrating the eatery’s commitment to creative culinary expressions.

While some guests noted that the food could arrive at a warmer temperature, it’s clear that the flavors and authentic culinary offerings make every visit worthwhile. Whether you're a local or a traveler seeking to explore the tastes of Bicol, 1st Colonial Grill Express delivers an inviting atmosphere, delicious dishes, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality—all within a charming local setting.

Features

Service options

Takeaway

Dine-in

Highlights

Great coffee

Great dessert

Popular for

Lunch

Dinner

Solo dining

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Offerings

Coffee

Quick bite

Small plates

Dining options

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Seating

Table service

Amenities

Toilet

Atmosphere

Casual

Cosy

Quiet

Trendy

Upmarket

Crowd

Groups

Tourists

University students

Planning

Brunch reservations recommended

Accepts reservations

Payments

Credit cards

Children

Good for kids

High chairs

Kids' menu

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Free parking lot

Parking

Photo Gallery

Location & Map

Openings Hours

Monday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Tuesday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Wednesday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Thursday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Friday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

10:30 AM - 09:00 PM

Guest Reviews

346 Reviews

BRYANT ILAGAN

16 Oct 2025

Ordered Laing, Bicol express , steamed rice and three scoops of ice cream. The rice is not as soft as I wish it was, but all in all it was a good eating experience.

VoNiTo

05 Oct 2025

Perfect place to try Bicol homemade cooking! Everything we ordered tasted amazing. The only downside is that all of the served food are already warm. Especially the sizzling plate which is not sizzling at all. Their SILI ICE CREAM is a MUST TRY! The service is very nice. All of the staff are accomodating. The interior is a bit cramped and the place isn't that big. Our table was right beside the restroom, but we didn't really see any issue with it since the whole place is clean.

Francis Emil Diesta

08 Sep 2025

The food is uniquely delightful. I love the local dishes. Delicious and adequate serving. You may want to try different ice cream flavors such as the famous chili ice cream, cacao, ampalaya and pili to name a few.

Jawwad Djamla

03 Sep 2025

I had a fantastic experience at 1st Colonial. The ambiance was delightful, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Our visit was solely to sample their renowned Sili Ice Cream, and it turned out to be the best decision we made. The blend of flavors was unique and memorable. Another convenience was that they accept card payments, making the overall dining experience even more convenient. I highly recommend visiting 1st Colonial for their delicious offerings and great service.

Catherine E

28 Jul 2025

A great spot for Bicolano cuisine with a spacious second floor for groups (up to 15). Parking is free street parking. The ginataang santol is a must-try, and their creamery shines with unique options like sili ice cream, where you can sample different spice levels. Our favorites were the caramel and pili ice cream. While the bistek Tagalog was tender, the sisig was a bit fatty, and the dinuguan with bits of saba didn’t appeal to me. Still, it’s worth visiting for the unique dishes and desserts!

Shame A Name

15 Jul 2025

Our tour guide brought us here to try the famous sili (chilli) ice cream. We tried the flavours from the 6 different provinces and enjoyed the experience. The ice cream is smooth with real fruit flavour. Staff were nice and helpful. We went up to level 3 with the sili intensity, but we were not brave enough to go head-on with the sili volcano level. A must-try when visiting Legazpi.

Silver Backpacker

13 Jul 2025

Good place to try out bicol dishes. The sili ice cream is overrated. Yes it's a bit spicy but there's not much taste otherwise. Bicol express was good. The seating could be improved alot. Upstairs is a cold atmosphere. Looks more like a carinderia than a top restaurant.

Carlo Tanalgo

28 Jun 2025

Sili ice cream is lit One famous restaurant in Bicol that can't be missed. Was just planning to try to the famous sili ice cream but out of curiosity tried their dishes and wasn't disappointed. Their bicol express is definitely better than any other restaurants or carinderias in manila, considering that it is a semi-fastfood restaurant. The sili ice cream is really really good. It has a different heat level and other flavors to choose from. I had the sili ice cream in volcano and it hit right in my tongue! Gonna give this a 4 out of 5 on our scale! #SolidFoodie