On the road: Gastronomic gems worth the trip
From Tagaytay to Davao, good food can be found just about anywhere in the archipelago, sometimes hidden in plain sight
While the capital has an abundance of excellent food places, good food can be found just about anywhere in the archipelago. Sometimes hidden in plain sight, quietly and steadily gaining loyal customers for years with their incredible offerings, these gems are something we’re bound to stumble upon if we just venture outside our own little turfs.
Hangin Garden
In Hangin Garden, don’t expect a lavish, lofty menu. Their unique offering lies in their rustic ambiance and quite literally down-to-earth dishes (using greens and fruits picked from their own garden).
Nestled in breezy Barangay Kaybagal South, this quaint bed and breakfast provides both a quiet retreat and easy access to Tagaytay’s more in-demand destinations. Within its walls are a variety of guesthouses— including a tree house, a bahay kubo and a family suite—and plentiful trees, flowering bushes and grass-covered grounds where guests can take a much-needed breather.
Accommodations include breakfast, free WiFi and a bonfire with marshmallows. There is no corkage for bringing and cooking your own food. (Hangin Garden is at Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Tel. 0932-6408272; follow @hangin00garden on Facebook.)
Café Arabela
There’s more to Liliw than shoes, shoes and more shoes. Going around town, one can find baroque architecture, refreshing springs and water falls, a number of farms open to visitors, and some truly outstanding dining places as well.
Café Arabela started out as a pasta and pastry stall in 2001 on Gat Tayaw Street and became a restaurant two years later in the silong (storage area for rice and crops) of their ancestral home in Rizal Street. Serving mostly Italian fusion fare, bestsellers include Fried Kesong Puti, Sirloin Fettuccine, Bianca Spinaci Pizza, Pecorino Cheesecake and WMG (watermelon, mango, grapes) Shake.
The casual dining restaurant offers high-quality food and service at an affordable price range, from
a staff entirely made up of Liliw locals.(Café Arabela is at Rizal Street, Liliw, Laguna. Tel. 049-5632495 and 0917-8226594; follow @ArabelaPH on Facebook; email arabelaph@gmail.com.)
The Rustic Bistro
Found at the foot of mystical Mt. Banahaw, the sensational view, soothing atmosphere and superb food at The Rustic Bistro are almost healing. The place encourages a pause in one’s fast-paced lifestyle to just enjoy being.
The bistro specializes in farm-fresh, artisanal comfort foods seasoned with herbs grown in the 3-hectare private farm on which the diner sits. Try their Black Stuffed Pizza and Premium Artisan Meats. (The Rustic Bistro is at Kilangin Falls Road, Barangay Novaliches, Liliw, Laguna. Tel. 0939-9046319; follow @therusticbistroliliw on Facebook and Instagram; therusticbistro.biz; email therusticbistroliliw@ gmail.com.)
Gypsy by Chef Waya and Taguan Café
Cozy days in cool Baguio are made even more relaxing at Gypsy by Chef Waya and Taguan Café. Originally located in Quezon City, it had to close during the pandemic, but the owners who met during a relief effort decided to reopen in 2021 near Mirador Jesuit Villa and Retreat House and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.
The casual dining restaurant with catering services offers indoor, alfresco and private areas, and serves global cuisine and 100-percent Philippine coffee from Benguet and Cavite. Favorites include Vegan Adlai Paella, Salted Egg Pork Belly, Seafood Laksa, Porchetta and Dirty Ube Latte. (Gypsy by Chef Waya and Taguan Café are at 6 Quezon Hill Road 2, Baguio City, Benguet; follow @gypsybychefwaya and @taguancafe on Facebook and
Instagram;gourmetgypsy.ph;email gourmetgypsyartcafe@gmail.com.)
Nagisa Coffee Shop Despite there being fresh, raw seafood on the menu, it may feel kind of odd having Japanese food at the beach. But with a significantly less crowded view of the world-famous white sand and blue waters, who cares if you feel like having piping-hot ramen under the heat of the Boracay sun? Especially since the food is actually pretty good and authentic-tasting—unsurprising, given that the owner is Japanese and the coffee shop has been in operation for 20 years.
Must-tries include okonomiyaki, gyoza and gyudon, although the open-air kubo at the far end of Station 3 offers Filipino and international dishes as well. While waiting, there are shelves of Japanese books and manga available for perusing. Rest assured that the food, the view and the vibe are worth the walk. (Nagisa Coffee Shop is at Surfside Resort & Spa, Angol Point, White Beach Path, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. Tel. 036-2885049; follow @NagisaCafeAndJapaneseFood on Facebook.)
Café Tavera
It’s hard to dispute Café Tavera’s claim of being Davao City’s best seafood restaurant with its offerings of their freshest catch (on display at the counter) cooked in a variety of delectable ways. Perfect for intimate gatherings, this paluto-style restaurant serves mostly Asian cuisine, with bestsellers including Baked Scallops, Dragon Balls and Salted Egg Prawns.
It is important to note, however, that a lot of the items on the menu are priced by weight and availability may depend on the seasonality of the ingredients. (Café Tavera is at P. Tavera corner Avanceña St., Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur. Tel. 0822213322; follow @cafetavera on Facebook; email cafe_tavera@ yahoo.com.)