The Local ‘Lokal’ Dauin Experience

The Lokal is a joint “Swinglish” venture started by Phil Craswell (English) and Elin Lundvall (Swedish) in Dauin, Negros Oriental, about 16 kilometers south of Dumaguete City, the provincial capital.

The journey for this Asian food and beer garden began at the end of 2018. Frustrated by his frontline career in Paramedicine, Phil took a last-minute opportunity and headed to Yemen to provide medical cover for the United Nations peacekeepers working there. Returning to the United Kingdom was just not an option for him, and as such on completion of his contract he started seeking new options.

Phil and Elin both worked in Dauin back in 2012, and with no clear plan it seemed like a natural option to return to Negros Oriental. During late 2019, Phil was making multiple trips up and down the mountains in the area, seeking a plot to start a new life. As a foreign resident, while not impossible, it quickly became clear that buying the dream plot would present a series of worrying challenges, and instead they decided upon a long-term rental of a plot directly on the highway in Barangay Lipayo, Dauin.

With a lifelong dream of owning a backpacker hostel seeming the logical option, plans were made, drawings created, permits acquired, and the future seemed clear. However no sooner was ground broken on the project when Covid-19 hit. These were uncertain times for many, but with no obvious end in sight, the pandemic had an unexpected desirable effect of taking the pressure off Phil and Elin, allowing for the project to be slowed down.

The finished design evolved during this time, with the changes raising the standards, and before they knew it, the idea of a backpacker hostel was replaced by a high-quality budget-level establishment -- and The Lokal Food and Beer Garden was born.

The lack of clarity as to when travel would be allowed again amid Covid forced Phil and Elin to stall the project as long as possible. But by October 2021 there were no excuses -- the development had moved from construction to maintenance and there was seemingly no choice but to open the gates and invite the remaining customers from the region in.

To their surprise, the response was incredible. The opening of a new establishment in such difficult economic times was met with enthusiasm, and The Lokal quickly became a thriving hub for both locals and foreigners alike. Prior to its opening, Dauin was lacking options for a night out, and the Lokal’s ethos and mission statement has been to inject flavors from the wider region into the area, all while providing locally sourced entertainment.

Visitors now regularly enjoy fresh cooked food from a fusion-style Southeast Asian menu, as they listen to live music daily and engage with a staff team that Phil and Elin believe excels above the standards of the region.

The entire team works together to offer visitors an experience that is truly unique to Dauin. Set in its lush gardens, customers regularly comment about what a wonderful atmosphere the place offers, and the newly installed professional golf simulator adds yet another dynamic for customers to enjoy. With the accommodation still to be developed, the future for the Lokal is exciting and offers plenty to keep the pair occupied. Those that know them well know that running a restaurant was the one thing they didn’t want to do. “I guess you should never say never,” Phil remarks as he and Elin appear to enjoy the challenges this business brings, and it is now the one thing that is keeping the dream of a successful life in the tropics alive.

Open daily from 11 a.m., The Lokal staff are always ready to serve. Phil and Elin can often be found somewhere in the bar, especially on a weekend evening enjoying the party atmosphere -- and patrons may even get lucky enough to witness Phil join the band on stage.