Baguio City has always been one of the country’s top destinations during the Christmas season. The cold, chilly breeze, Christmas lights, scenic spots, and great eats make the City of Pines a favorite among those based in Manila and the rest of Luzon looking for a quick getaway for long weekends and holidays.
In case you haven’t been back to Baguio since the lockdown or want to plan a family vacation the coming Ber months, it’s great to know that well-loved restaurants have survived the pandemic and are ready to welcome guests once again.
From artsy hangouts to the best craft beer spots, here are a few must-visit classic and new restaurants to visit in Baguio City in 2023 and beyond.
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Oh My Gulay
Oh My Gulay is a pioneering vegetarian restaurant in Baguio City owned by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik.
The restaurant and art space, hidden in the rooftop of an unassuming old building along Session Road, highlights the rich Cordilleran culture and emerging talents from the city. It’s a great spot to hang out and take a break in case you get tired from walking and sightseeing in the city.
Recommendations here include Heneral Luna’s Punyetang Shitake (mushrooms, bechamel sauce, cheddar cheese); Bandilang Pula (mountain rice, vegetables in season, Mongolian sauce, tofu, omelette) and the fruit crepes. Pair your meal with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or mountain tea with a view of the skyline from this artsy joint.
Oh My Gulay is located along Session Road Fifth Floor La Azotea Building, Baguio City, Philippines, 2600.
Ili-Likha Artist’s Village
Ili-Likha Artist’s Village / Watering Hole is another brainchild of Kidlat Tahimik, that you can find right in the middle of the busy city. The treehouse food hub that makes use of recycled materials in its design, offers a lovely escape to relax after walking through the steep roads or the public market.
Opened in 2014, this hidden gem in Baguio hosts a thriving community where you can find inspiring art, good food, and quaint cafes and shop right along Assumption Road. The stalls frequently change and evolve over the years.
Currently, there are 9 food stalls (including a vegan cafe), 4 specialty shops and an indie cinema here. Be sure to walk through all floors around the treehouse and explore the different nooks and shops.
Ili-likha Artists Village is located at 32 Assumption Road, Baguio City (right across Saint Louis School).
Cafe Sabel at BenCab Museum
Café Sabel is the in-house restaurant of the BenCab Museum located in Tuba, Benguet, about a 20-minute drive from the center of Baguio City.
After visiting the museum, which houses the permanent collection of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, you can enjoy a meal at the cafe which offers dishes that make use of fresh ingredients and herbs sourced daily from BenCab’s organic farm.
Try the Farm Fresh Green Salad topped with Strawberry Vinaigrette, Basil Pesto Pasta or BenCab’s Chicken Paprika, an original recipe of BenCab. For dessert, indulge in the Volcano Ice Cream topped with fresh strawberries and chocolate lava syrup.
Café Sabel is located at the Ground Level, BenCab Museum, Km 6, Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet.
Cafe by the Ruins
Built by Baguio artists in 1988, Café by the Ruins is a well-loved establishment that serves authentic local dishes that showcase the region’s culture.
Specialties here include the Baguio Bagnet with Padas Bagoong, Carabao Cheese Salad, Fillet Mignon, Strawberry Smoothie and home-brewed Tapuey (highland rice wine).
The cafe also sells freshly baked bread like kamote bread, basil bread, sour dough loaves and baguettes, ensaymada and frozen goods like Baguio bagnet, Ruins Longanisa and Ruins tapa, ideal for take-out.
Cafe by the Ruins. 25 Chuntug Street, Baguio City. Cafe by the Ruins Dua. 225 Upper Session Road, Baguio City.
Choco-late de Batirol
Choco-late de Batirol in Camp John Hay is an al fresco garden restaurant that’s well-known for their hot chocolate made from local cacao beans and traditional Filipino food. Aside from breakfast meals and merienda, they also serve lunch and dinner specials.
It’s a very popular spot with families and couples, so expect a waiting time of at least 10-15 mins to get a table on weekends. The restaurant also sells interesing locally-made souvenir items.
Choco-late de Batirol, Igorot Park near Gate 4 of Camp John Hay, Baguio City
Lemon and Olives
Want to enjoy Greek food in Baguio? Lemon and Olives is Baguio’s first authentic Greek restaurant, and is a great choice if you want a fine dining spot for special occasions with a view of pine trees and mountains. Try to book a table by the veranda to get the best view.
There are a lot of Mediterranean dishes and appetizers to choose from here including Gyro Plates, Souvlaki, Spanakopita, hummus, Zucchini chips and more.
If you’re hungry, order the Grilled Kebabs (chunks of skewered meat, onion, bell peppers and tomatoes) served with a choice of zesty lemon pilaf rice, plain rice, Greek French fries or pita bread. They also have Lamb Chops, Grilled Steak, Prawns, Fish, Calamari and more under the mains. Desserts include Classic Baklava, Greek Yogurt and Cheesecakes.
Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna is located on 26 Outlook Dr S, Baguio, 2600 Benguet.
Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop
Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop is one of Baguio’s most beloved restaurants, best-known for their signature Strawberry Shortcakes and Ube Cakes. At the height of the pandemic, online sellers made a killing with pasabuy offerings for these cakes. While the cakes are now available in cafes in the metro including Old Baguio Cafe in V. Luna, it’s still best enjoyed fresh with Baguio’s cold weather.
If you’re already in Baguio, be sure to have a slice of moist Strawberry Shortcake and coffee from one of the branches of Vizco’s around the city.
Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop has branches along Session Road, SM Baguio and Ayala Land Technohub, Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
Craft 1945
Craft 1945 is a Spanish restaurant that serves premium craft beer and Spanish cuisine. The restaurant established in 2018 is a collaboration between Baguio Craft Brewery and Casa Marcos, which first opened its doors in 1945, hence the name.
Bestsellers here include the Paella and tapas like Gambas, Mushroom Adobo, and Calamares. They also have good pasta dishes and steaks for sharing.
Diners can sample the different beers on tap before ordering a full glass, which adds to the dining experience. Craft 1945 also offers live music on weekends. This is a good spot for dates and families in case you want to avoid the usual crowds in other restos within the city proper.
Craft 1945, 8 Outlook Drive S, Baguio City, Benguet
Baguio Craft Brewery
Since they first opened their tasting room in 2015, Baguio Craft Brewery has become a favorite watering hole among locals and tourists visiting the Cordillera region. It can get crowded and noisy during weekends though.
Baguio Craft Brewery’s signature beers including Pugaw (India pale ale), Lagud (strawberry beer), Kabunyan (American Wheat Beer), Dalom (brown ale), and Daya (Lager), which are named after different realms in Ifugao mythology.
The brewery also serves a wide range of craft beer varieties on tap like Keywheat (Kiwi Wheat Ale), Hop Attack (Imperial IPA), Englishman in New York (American IPA) and Zigzagger (Triple-Hopped Double India Pale Ale) and serves beer chow and appetizers like crispy dinakdakan, ribs, loaded nachos, chicken skin, and more.
Baguio Craft Brewery, 4 Ben Palispis Hwy, KM 4, Baguio City
Hōka Brew
Hoka Brew, located in the same building of The Podium Boutique Hotel, serves coffee, craft beer, and grilled Mongolian BBQ style dishes.
They have international beers and local beers from microbreweries in neighboring provinces such as Cerveza Sagada and Bulul Brewery. It’s a cozy place for a chill inuman session or all-day breakfast.
Hoka Brew also offers other dishes you can order ala carte like pasta, pizza, and more. The hotel itself is a good workation destination with stable WiFi and easy access to taxis along the highway.
Hoka Brew, The Podium Boutique Hotel, Km. 4, Ben Palispis Highway, Baguio City
Hot Cat Cafe
If you’re a booklover in the mood for good coffee, be sure to check out Hot Cat Cafe located in the garden area of an old Baguio house right next to the new location of Mt. Cloud Bookshop and Behind Bars Bike Shop.
In 2019, Mt. Cloud Bookshop moved from its original location in Casa Vallejo Bldg below SM’s access road to a new and quieter location across Brent School and near the Pink Sisters Convent.
Hot Cat Cafe offers a relaxing spot to enjoy quality coffee like Spanish Latte, Cinnamon Latte, Strawberry Mocha, or Matcha Espresso for just P100 to P190 a cup. You can pair your coffee with pastries (Brownies, Lemon Fudge, Cookies or Burnt Basque Cheesecakes) or savory snacks (Grilled Cheese, Smoked Ham & Cheese Croissant, Garlic Chori and Moussaka).
Hot Cat Cafe is located on 1 Yangco Road, Corner Brent Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet.
Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant
If you want to sample authentic Cordilleran dishes, check out Farmer’s Daughter. The native restaurant serves simple home-cooked regional cuisine centered on smoked meats, fresh vegetables and native wines.
Farmer’s Daughter is a bit of a drive from the crowded Baguio city center. It’s located near Tam-awan Village, making it a good lunch pit stop after sightseeing. Specialties include the famous Cordillera dish Pinikpikan, etag (sun-dried smoked meat), kinuday (smoked meat), and pinuneg (sauteed ibaloi sausages), among others.
The Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant. Long Long Benguet Road, Awan Village, Baguio
Gypsy Baguio by Chef Waya
In case you’re looking for something new in Baguio or are on a special diet, you might want to hunt down Gypsy Baguio by Chef Waya. This restaurant comes the chef behind the eclectic Gourmet Gypsy Cafe formerly located in Roces and Maginhawa (which unfortunately closed down amid the pandemic).
The Baguio cafe offers vegan, no sugar, and low carbs options in their menu. Some specialties include Indonesian Beef Rendang, Smoked Duck and Sagada Orange, Pan-Grilled Pork Steak, and more.
We also found some unique Baguio-inspired craft beers here called Session Road Ale.
Gyspy Baguio by Chef Waya is located on 6 Quezon Hill Rd 2 , Baguio City, Philippines
Joseph’s (Laperal White House)
Remember the century-old Laperal White House? This old mansion, which has long had a reputation for being a haunted destination in Baguio City, was turned into a restaurant which had its soft launch on December 26, 2022.
Joseph’s offers upscale dining in Baguio City and serves continental and contemporary French cuisine. The restaurant’s interiors interiors boast of the original solid wood ceilings and walls, with a modern elegance brought about by custom dining tables and seats and contemporary furnishings. The set menus (2-course to 5-course meals) for weekend lunch and dinner are very expensive, so this is best saved for special occasions like birthdays and major milestones.
As of October 2023, walk-ins are accepted, though they’re not guaranteed a table, and those with paid reservations will be prioritized. Guests can book reservations and check out the full menu on their website.
Starting March 6, 2023, Joseph’s started offering an A La Carte Menu available on Weekday Lunches only. They also now serve breakfast every Saturday and Sunday, with more affordable dishes like French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and more on the menu. We planned to eat here, but the slots for breakfast were full already when I tried to book on a Sunday. Hope to visit the restaurant next time.
Brgy. Teacher’s Camp, 14 Leonard Wood Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
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