Some of my fondest memories
of Baguio City always include food—well, and the company I was with. There’s
Sarah giggling non-stop at Oh
My Gulay, my former girlfriend Lauren giddily explaining to me the
ingredients of Spinach and Chicken Galantine at PNKY Café
(now closed already) and the heavenly face of another former girlfriend Monette, as she
was finishing her plate of lomo ribs at Canto.
These are just a few of my wonderful memories of Baguio where a foodie joint,
café or a craft brewery played an important role. It seems that
whenever I visit the City of Pines, going out on a food tour will always be my main
agenda. To help you create amazing memories of food next time you head here,
here are some where to eat recommendations in Baguio City.
Foggy Mountain Cookhouse
 |
| This Salmon Pie was one of the standout dishes in Foggy Mountain Cookhouse |
This hilltop abode turned into a charming nook for foodies provides a lovely alfresco vibe. Set in a rustic house overlooking the misty city of Baguio—Foggy Mountain Cookhouse is owned by the jovial Chef Babes Reyes and requires guests to reserve a seat one day in advance. You can pre-order from a medley of cuisines Chef Babes learned from his world travels and fused with local taste such as: Greek Peasant Lamb, Crispy Squid Fries, Grilled Chipotle Pork Chop, Brick-Oven Roasted Lamb Leg, and more like my personal favorite the Salmon Pie.
Secret Garden
 |
| Pizza and Pasta are the specialty of Secret Garden |
Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna
 |
| Even the food here are photogenic |
Although it is already
common to see old houses being turned into a restaurant in Baguio City,
stepping inside Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna still summon a pleasant country
vibe. While the many "Instagrammable
corners" might appeal to the younger crowd, the food served here—raved
as the closest one can get to eating in Greece—remains as the main reason why
you must dine in this place.
 |
| Cathy Kaiser of Escape and Diaries going loco at the IG spots inside Lemons and Olives |
Elevated
Greek staple food such as Pastitsio pasta, Souvlaki Pates, Pita Hummus, Athens
Burger, and more—are best paired with their dessert and wine collections.
Oh, My Gulay
 |
| Vegan food + a splendid view of Baguio = Two thumbs up |
As Baguio's first vegetarian
restaurant, Oh My Gulay has
become a food institution even carnivore-junky foodie include in their best of
Baguio eats list. The creative and colorful dishes served by Oh My Gulay are
enough to convince naysayers that becoming a vegetarian or a vegan-curious
eater is a good thing after all. The
vibe of OMG screams of creativity because it also doubles as an art space for
the emerging artists of the Cordillera region.
Tsokolateria
 |
| Tsokolate and Pancakes, what's not to like? |
Tsokolateria—a small outdoor
nook at the foot of Igorot stairs—is a good place to load up for the day. Serving
a menu heavy on the chocolate side—sourced locally from cocoa farms in
Cotabato, Davao and Baguio—Tsokolateria has successfully come up with both
mouth-watering and exceptional combination of dishes.
 |
| an order of Tsokolate eh and ah is good for 2-3 people already |
Must-tries includes: the Tsokolateria Salad, Homemade Bacon Belly,
Tablea Champorado with espada fish, Churros Bites and of course some hot
servings of either the Tsokolate ah
(sweeter) and Tsokolate eh (a bit on
the bitter side).
Craft 1945
 |
| This Paella Negra is a winning order |
A sister company of Baguio
Craft Brewery, Craft 1945 is another gem of a place to dine in the City of
Pines. Housed inside a two-story heritage house with alfresco garden, Craft
1945 serves a memorable set of fine dishes such as: Gambas Aligue, Tips Ala
Pobre, Paella Negra and Marinera, Kalderatang Baka and more.
 |
| Cafe 1945 also dishes a homey interior. Candid shot by Escape Manila |
While waiting for
your main course to be served, munch on a plateful of baby pandesal and pair
your food with a glass of drink from their selection of local craft beers.
Ili-Likha Artist’s Village
 |
| This Balbacua dish at Urban Kamote stall in #Baguio is another must try |
Because we mortals also need
to feed our soul, filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik—the mind behind Ili-Likha Artist
Village—has come up with a food park that also doubles as a continuous artistic
canvass. Housing several kiosks serving a fusion of cuisines from all over the
country, Ili-Likha dishes an eccentric vibe composed of an eclectic
mash-up of installation art works. The interior is plastered with mosaic tiles, sculptured glass,
paintings and sketches, handwoven fabrics, and other synthesis of artworks such as the ones depicting the Philippine flag and Jose Rizal.
Café Yagam
 |
| Coffee and Books |
Tsokolate de Batirol
Veiled by the tall pine trees of Camp John Hay and a walking distance from the out-of-place mansion of fragrance entrepreneur Joel Cruz, hides a cozy nook known for its cup of bittersweet hot chocolate. Tsokolate de Batirol practices the traditional manner of making their signature chocolate drink. Using a copper pot and a wooden beater called "batirol", the chocolate is whisked until it reaches a thick texture. Be sure to partner your hot chocolate drink with some of their merienda treats like Suman sa Lihia and Bibingka.
Café by the Ruins
Built from the wreck of the
1990 Baguio earthquake, it was feared by many to reduce to ruins after a fire
razed the establishment a couple of years ago. Cafe by the Ruins re-opened a
few months later and is now continuing its culinary legacy in the city of
pines. Retaining its signature facade, Cafe by the Ruins bid adieu to its old
bamboo and cogon shingles and now possess a modern vibe by infusing an
industrial theme where ambient lighting seeps through the large glass ceilings
and windows. It still serves old favorites like champorado with crispy espada
fish, beef mami, cheese lumpia straws, classic pomodoro, duck confit, lola
pilar's sandwich, ginataang bilo-bilo, camote bread and more.
 |
| Strawberry Shortcake. Photo credit: Cafe by the Ruins |
Please check out its other
branch at Upper Session Road called Cafe by the Ruins DUA. Cafe by the ruins is a shoo-in in every where to eat in Baguio City articles.
Café Sabel @BenCab Museum
Have a sip of hot coffee or
chocolate while you stare at the surrounding forest and duck pond here at Cafe
Sabel. This in-house coffee shop of BenCab Museum—owned by painter Benedicto
Cabrera was named after his favorite art muse Sabel. Serving the freshest
ingredients sourced from an organic farm, this is a good place to unwind after
you experience a visual feast ogling at the many artworks displayed at BenCab
Museum.
 |
| Great coffee and a winning dessert at Cafe Sabel |
Baguio Craft Brewery
 |
| This is also a good place to bring a date for some cheery good time. |
This beer joint is an automatic inclusion in almost all Where to eat in Baguio city listicle. This place was smaller when
I first visited it. But due to the popularity of its craft beers inspired by
Ifugao Mythology, it has expanded to offer more space for beer drinkers in
search of bold new flavors. If you are having difficulty in choosing what beer that
suits your taste, you can order a platter consisting of six small glasses
filled with different variants. You can also order the bottles and keep it as a collection since the packaging are artistically done.
Canto
 |
| Lomo Ribs taken at Canto's old location in Wright Park |
Kuya J’s at Azalea Residence
Kuya J is known as a fine example of a local hole-in-the-wall that became a nationwide chain. Credit goes to the always well-cooked Filipino dishes that fits perfectly in every setting—much more in the cold climate of Baguio City. Enjoy a double dose of convenience in Bagiuo City by staying at the cozy Azalea Residence and dining at their in-house restaurant—a branch of Kuya J—where you can enjoy all-time Filipino food favorites like: Sinigang na Baboy, Kuya J Bulalo, Pochero Tagalog, Sizzling Sisig, Bicol Express and more.
