Story and Photos by Suzanne June Perante
BAGUIO CITY still keeps an everlasting charm that entices local and foreign tourists as well that made it as an institutionalized go-to destination.
Food cuisine is quite rich in diversity yet it also brings us together not only on the table, but also as we share our rich cultural heritage. Add to that is the thrill of getting to taste different menus with interesting flavors.
You may have heard of or have already dined at Good Taste Restaurant, Ganza, Grumpy Joe, or Session Road favorites like Solibao and Pizza Volante. But do you ever just want to refresh your food itinerary and try out something classic or recent perhaps?
Baguio attests that it can keep up with modernity and evolving lifestyle, but also assures the preservation of its history, even with the rapid influence of urbanization. One way is through its food establishments.
Highlighted below are the iconic and latest food spots that can make your trip to Baguio memorable. Whether you are a newcomer taking advantage of the weekend to travel in the City of Pines with family and friends or a backpacker on an overnight trip, make sure to never leave the place until you have tried these wholesome diners.
Session Road is a major thoroughfare in the city. Located at the central business district, it’s the site of different business establishments. More than its commercial value, it actually serves as a symbolic fusion of the old and new Baguio.
1. Luisa’s Cafe
The first restaurant that you should check out is Luisa’s Café. This family-owned café located between PNB and Rumours has been serving Chinese food since 1960’s. As you enter the place, it’s like traveling back in time with the original structural design. From the traditional dumbwaiter and rotating table platform to a designated darts area, this place kept and preserved a true value of what has been one of the oldest restaurants in the city that survived even the devastating earthquake that hit the city.
It’s amazing that aside from their freshly-made noodles used in their pancit and mami, people also love their signature siopao and all sorts of meat options like asado, sausages and all of their Chinese dishes. A lot of locals have always had nostalgic memories here and have given their loyalty to the place like how it has been accustomed as a rendezvous for a lot of Baguio media personnel.
4. 456 Restauraurant
Adjacent to Luisa’s is another iconic restaurant called 456. It’s also a Chinese restaurant with a fusion of Filipino cuisine. It is spacious enough that a lot of big groups like families habitually come here. People love their special lomi but they have a wide array of excellent Chinese food like their fish head hotpot. They also offer budget meals featuring favorite home cooked meals like dinuguan and sinigang. It provides convenience as their bread and pastry area greets you as you enter the establishment.
3. Oh My Gulay
Besides what we usually pass along, Session Road offers more than what meets the eye and Oh My Gulay proves you that. Located at the top-most floor of La Azotea Building is not an ordinary restaurant, but one with combined indoor nature vibes and artistic touch like you have never seen before.
Conceptualized and founded by National Artist and filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik himself, this restaurant remarkably incorporated art and culture that you will find yourself saying “OMG!” as the name Oh My Gulay was derived from the famous expression of surprise and awe.
Prepared with vegetables fresh from Benguet, their vegetarian menu comes with interesting names like their bestsellers ”Anak ng Putanesca” pasta and “Chow Chow” Pancit.
Added to their creative dining area is the breathtaking overlooking view of the city from the terrace. This promising restaurant is worth the climb and the hype, definitely recommendable.
4. Crossroad Puzzle Interactive Lounge
Aside from the central business district of the city, there are emerging restaurants that have unique offers.
If you want to relax and develop meaningful connections with your company while having good food, Crossroads Interactive Lounge lets you play all sorts of board games and challenge cards. Literally located near the crossroads of Brookside, Rimando and Trancoville, this intimate place is perfect for big and small crowds. They have wide choices of affordable combinations of pasta, rice meals, snacks, and thirst quenchers.
But the real deal of its appeal lies in their ambiance inspired from today’s trending TV shows Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. Indeed, this place is worth the visit as you get to eat good food and take as many photos for your Instagram account.
They also have internet connection which makes it suitable especially to millenials who want to study.
5. Generation Y Cafe
Composing a large part of the population, today’s techie generation, millenials, are also known as Generation Y. In the case of Baguio, ‘Generation Y’ is not only a coined term, but is also a café! Founded by millennial baby herself, April Asturias last May 2018, this café was dedicated to the 90’s generation complete with old devices including stereos, film camera, vinyl and even toys like sungka and brick game.’
As if it is not yet nostalgic enough, the walls are customized into famous 90’s artists, cartoons and even the PacMan game.
Their menu is a combination of generation’s classic and recent favorites like ice scramble, pasta, grilled chicken sandwich, and spicy chicken wings. What makes it even more 90’s is the absence of wi-fi.
If you want to experience a taste of the past, present, or even both, satisfy your trip to the city with these interesting Baguio places to dine.
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