Popularly known for its strawberries, pine trees and, to some extent, kulangot, Baguio in recent years has seen a noticeable growth in its culinary offerings. Several restaurants serving the freshest produce picked from its locale have begun to attract foodies from within and out of the city.With choices ranging from European to Asian,there’s a lot to explore for those who want a good eat.So to those planning a trip to ever so cool Baguio, here’s a list of the 10 best places to dine in the Philippines’ summer capital
Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop
Found along the famous Session Road is Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop. Intimate and unpretentious, it’s an ideal place for small gettogethers. Though Vizco’soffers various dishes—their Baby Back Ribs (P248-regular, P430-double) and Salmon Fillet in Saffron Cream or Lemon Butter Sauce (P298-regular, P510-double) are some their best-selling entrées—it’s, perhaps, their cakes that have the stronger fanfare. Their tempting cakes like the Oreo Cheesecake (P105 per slice) or Red Velvet (P65 per slice)are delectable treats. It’s also worth to try Vizco’s widely-praised Strawberry Short Cake (P80 per slice),which has gotten Vizco’s a lot of attention from foodies with a sweet tooth.
Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop
8GF Pusong Baguio Building Session Road, 2600 Baguio City
(074) 446-7082; (+63) 917 5790962, (+63) 920 9642407
Facebook: Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop
Café by the Ruins
Now an institution in the mountain city, it’s hard to believe that once upon a time, Café by the Ruins almost stopped their operations. Built around the ruins of the garden theatre ruined by World War II, the café provides al fresco dining with an old-world feel. Notable dishes in their menu for foodies who like to get early starts on their days are the Filipino Lon-Si-log (P245) and the Mushroom Omelette (P230), while after-breakfast house specialties include the Baguio Bagnet (P280) and the Traditional Strawberry Short Cake (P200)—their signature piece that’s only available on select times of the year.
Café by the Ruins
23 Chuntug Street, 2600 Baguio City
(074) 442-4010
Facebook: Cafe by the Ruins
Chaya
Sushi in the mountains? Yes, it’s a thing. Enter Chaya. What used to be just an old stone-wood house on Legarda Road is now a homey restaurant-slash-bed-and-breakfast with a selection of authentic contemporary Japanese dishes. Opened in September 2010 by Sonoko Taguchi, Chaya boasts healthy and organic dishes such as Kani Salad (P280), Gyoza (P160)and Sashimi (P250). People who want to be (literally) hands-on with their food, may want to try some Temaki Sushi (P600)—a roll-it-yourself sushi platter—while people who enjoy freebies will be happy to know that a complementary green tea ice cream caps off every meal.
Chaya
72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
(074) 424-4726; (+63) 916 4394141
Facebook: Chaya
50’s Diner
Looking like it came out of the time tunnel, it’s hard to miss the distinct 50’s Diner. This food joint at the corner of General Luna and Brent Road resembles an old-school American diner: neon lights, movie posters, a jukebox, and a red vintage car. A casual dining experience, 50’s Diner combines their retro straight-out-of-Grease look with affordable food choices. Among their best sellers are the Pancake Tower (P175), Burger Steak Meal (P135), and various milk shakes (starts at P65 ). Foodies with big appetites will not be disappointed with the huge servings—probably 50’s Diner’s nod to their American-inspired roots.
50’s Diner
92 Upper General Luna Road, Corner Brent Road, Baguio City
(+63) 916 6595555
Facebook: 50s Diner
Forest House Bistro & Café
Coupled with the city’s cool climate, Forest House Bistro and Café makes for the perfect cabin in the woods (intentional Joss Whedon reference) experience. The bistro and café’s rustic interiors offer a warm (there’s a working fireplace!) and cozy environment, which perfectly complements their food. With an emphasis on comfort food, house specialties include Forest House Bouillabaisse (P110), Forest House Homemade Bagnet (P195), Blueberry Cheesecake (P105 per slice), and a bottomless cup of Benguet coffee (P65).The place is ideal for those lazy days when you just want to relax and enjoy the company of good friends and good food.
Forest House Bistro & Café
16 Loakan Road, Baguio City
(074) 447-0459, (074) 304-4553
Website: http://foresthousebaguio.com/
Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant
At the ground floor of the century-old Casa Vallejo is Mitos Benitez-Yñiquez’s much acclaimed, and much talked-about Hill Station. Though a fine dining restaurant with an impressive interior, Hill Station exudes a laid-back atmosphere. The menu reflects Benitez-Yñiquez’s tour around the different parts of the world. Hill Station’s dishes, such as the Green Salad with Japanese Mirin (P240), Cambodian Coriander & Garlic Chicken (P380) and–customer favourite–Death by Chocolate Cake(P135 per slice), show touches of European, Asian, and American cuisines.A recipient of consecutive Miele’s Best Restaurants in Asia awards, Hill Station is arguably one of the best restaurants in Baguio City.
Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant
Luneta Hill, Upper Session Rd., 2600 Baguio City
(074) 424-2734, (074) 423-9100, (074) 423-9558
Facebook: Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant
Website: http://hillstationbaguio.com/
Oh My Gulay Artist Café
Popular to both vegan foodies and artists, Oh My Gulay is an enchanting café that also functions as an art space. Resting at the top floor of La Azotea Green Building, OMG is a soothing haven above the bustling and busy Session Road. The cafe offers a line-up of healthy options. Several of their must-try dishes are the OMG salad (P120), AnakngPutanesca (P130), and Mangga Crepe (P90). After nourishing their bodies,foodies can feed their souls with the works of Victor Oteyza, one of the forerunners of Philippine Modern Art, and of other contemporary artists.Fascinating and artsy, Oh May Gulay goes beyond filling just the stomach.
Oh My Gulay Artist Café
La Azotea Building, 108 Session Road,Baguio City
(074) 446-0108
Facebook: Oh My Gulay Artist Café
Le Chef at The Manor
The fact that Le Chef is headed by former Le Soufflé exec Billy King should be enough guarantee that the restaurant offers exquisite food and excellent service. Found inside The Manor in Camp John Hay, Le Chef offers an all-day fine dining experience (so it goes without saying that there is a dress code and the prices are a bit steep). The restaurant offers the best in Filipino and Mediterranean cuisine. One of their most ordered dishes is Steak & Prawn (P760), which King is famous for. Other mouth-watering dishes include the Marinated Salmon and Roasted Prawn Salad(P450), Lechon Kawali with Spicy Laing (P450), and Lamb Shank Pinot Noir (P750). Lauded for the outstanding quality of its food and service, Le Chef is a classic restaurant in present-day Baguio.
Le Chef at The Manor
Camp John Hay, Loakan Road, Baguio City
(074) 424-0907
partypro@lechef.com.ph
Facebook: Le Chef at the Manor
Website: http://www.campjohnhay.ph/
Balajadia Kichenette
Foodies looking for delightful but affordable meals may want to try Balajadia Kichenette. Located in the Slaughter House compound (it’s not really as sketchy as it sounds as the actual slaughter house is at a safe distance)in Brgy. Santo Nino, Balajadia is one of the eight eaterieswithin the area that serve home-cooked dishes and is the most popular one.Highly recommended dishes in their menu are the Bulalo (P120), Inihaw na Liempo (P80),and the “half-half,” containing roasted pork and goat (P80).People with more adventurous taste buds can try Balajadia’s exotic dishes—they are frequented for them after all—like the Butt and Balls (P100). Feel free to guess which animal’s butt and balls were used.
Balajadia Kichenette
Slaughter House Compound, Balajadia St., Barangay Sto. Nino, 2600 Baguio City
Facebook: Balajadia Kichenette
Ketchup Food Community
Commitment issues when it comes to food? Well,Ketchup Food Community offers a kind of food-court style dining with their 5 distinct restaurants: Canto, Happy Tummy, Rancho Norte,Rumah Sate, and Green Pepper. Each restaurant serves its own cuisine, but what’s attractive about this community is its openness: one can order from any of the 5 restaurants and the food is delivered to where one chooses to dine in. The most popular among the 5, Canto, serves Western cuisine and is known for its Lomo Ribs (P 350).Happy Tummy is a Thai-inspired eatery popular with foreign tourists. Meanwhile, Rancho Norte offers Filipino comfort food, but their main attraction is their unusual Tapa (P168) made with deer, boar, or horse. Rumah Sate serves Indonesian and Malaysian dishes for those who want their Asian with a little bite. And lastly, Green Pepper offers gourmet food using organic ingredients at affordable prices.-#EatsNowOrNever
Ketchup Food Community
Romulo Drive, Pacdal, Baguio City
Facebook: Ketchup Food Community
Got other suggestions on the best dining destinations to visit while in Baguio? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo credits: Vizco’s (Vizco’s Restaurant and Cafe Facebook page), Café by the Ruins (Café by the Ruins Facebook page), Chaya (Chaya Facebook page), 50’s Diner (50’s Diner Facebook page), Forest House (Foursquare users Aj S.and Daryl P.), Hill Station (Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant Facebook page), Oh My Gulay Artist Café (Foursquare users Anjuicy, Kim Tricia Q.), Le Chef at the Manor (Foursquare users Maita d.., Julie B.), Ketchup Food Community (Ketchup Food Community Facebook page, and Foursquare user Keith M.) Balajadia’s Kitchenette (Foursquare user Michael L.), carousel image from http://www.baguio.gov.ph., main image from Wikipedia.
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