Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Baguio for January 2017

Happy Tummy is one of the homegrown Baguio concepts of Ketchup: The Food Community, a popular community food park that features casual Asian to Western dining. Happy Tummy serves affordable Thai and Filipino dishes. It’s for friends and families looking for Asian comfort food with big servings. It’s not for fancy dinner dates with your significant other. We recommend their popular Crispy Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce, Sticky Rice with Mangoes, and Thai Milk Tea. Our insider tip: Go large for the Crispy Tilapia because there’s only a P50 difference from the medium serving.

Cafe in the Sky is a view deck, cafe and bed & breakfast place located in the mountains of Sto. Tomas offering a unique experience of dining with a sea of clouds in view. The cafe serves light meals, snacks and beverages that are light on the pocket. It’s great place to bring the whole family, especially balikbayans or tourists. It’s not recommended for people without private vehicles. Taxi cabs accept riding contracts up the mountain, but it may be harder to find jeepneys that would take you back down. Our insider tip is, private vehicle owners are charged a minimal environmental fee of P25/head, children excluded, midway up.

Grumpy Joe is an American-Italian restaurant serving overloaded comfort dishes including pizza, burgers, pasta and rice meals. It is located on the 2nd floor of Jungletown which is near 50’s Diner. It’s for people looking to get a hefty meal without going over budget. It’s not for people who don’t like queuing. We recommend their topping overloaded pizzas, Grumpy Joe Special Burger and Fried Chicken. Our insider tip is they have combo meals for only P150, which already include a slice of pizza, spaghetti, fries and chicken/buffalo wings.

Chaya is a charming and homey restaurant serving fresh and contemporary Japanese cuisine. Chaya provides ‘authentic Japanese cuisine, wholesome food and healthy lifestyle’, headed by Chef Sonoko Taguchi. It’s for frequent Baguio visitors looking for non-traditional cuisines. It’s not for tourists who want local specialties. We recommend the Chicken Teriyaki Salad, DIY temaki sushi platter, Agedashi Tofu, and Katsudon. Our insider tip: Don’t miss their much talked about Matcha Ice Cream. P.S. This restaurant was first featured on our list of 15 Cool Places in Baguio You Probably Haven’t Visited.

Ketchup: The Food Community is a popular community food park that features homegrown Baguio food concepts. Each one offers a different cuisine ranging from Asian to Western, and of them is Canto Bogchi Joint. Canto is an American eatery serving steaks, ribs, tacos, and fries. It’s for people who love big saucy ribs. It’s not for big groups who don’t like to queue on a restaurant’s good day. We recommend the famous Lomo Ribs. Our insider tip: You can order from any restaurant in the establishment and have it served wherever you choose to be seated.

Baguio Craft Brewery is a restobar and microbrewery that serves craft beers developed and created by Xavierbier, a group of six like-minded individuals from three different countries driven by the desire to make their mark on the emerging craft beer culture in the Philippines. They also offer comfort food to perfectly match your beer. It’s for yuppies looking for a place to unwind with great food and drinks. It’s not for underaged kids or people who are looking for a quiet place to stay. We recommend the Keywheat and Kraken. For first-timers or those who can’t decide, try ordering their Tasting Tray. Our insider tip is that they regularly rotate brews that are on tap, and add new ones as inspiration strikes its master brewers.

Amare La Cucina is an Italian restaurant famous for its traditional slow-cooked pizza and baby back ribs. Though it’s not in the heart of the city, a lot of people still visit the restaurant for its uniqueness and their traditional way of cooking. It’s for Italian cuisine lovers who want to try novelty pizzas in Baguio. It’s not for people who want multiple cups of rice to supplement their meal. We recommend the White Pizza, Wagyu Pizza and the Foie Gras with Truffle Oil pizza. They have so many unique flavors. Our insider tip is that they even have a nutella-based pizza to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Choco-late de Batirol is a Filipino garden cafe that’s said to be the home of the best hot chocolate in the Philippines. It’s for ambient breakfasts or a chilly afternoon merienda date. It’s not for late nights and drinking sessions. We recommend the Suman, Turon, and Red Egg and Tomato Salad. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their customer-recommended orange flavored tsokolate as well. Our insider tip is to visit on weekends for live acoustic music. Fun Fact: Batirol is a traditional wooden rod used to make the tsokolate thick, hence the name Choco-late de Batirol.

When talking about Baguio’s must-try restaurants, Café by the Ruins has always been part of the list – serving natural and local ingredients that embody its way of cooking that is distinctly Baguio. It’s for people who want to taste authentic local dishes that tell something about the region’s culture. It’s not for guests who have a deep stomach and a bottomless appetite. We recommend the Pinikpikan, which is chicken soup used in rituals by natives, and the Baguio Bagnet with Padas bagoong, tomato relish, and lime. Our insider tip is to try getting their guava preserve jam as pasalubong from your long weekend adventures.

50’s Diner is an American retro diner filled with pop culture memorabilia such as posters of American icons, neon lights, a jukebox and even a red buggy. The whole vibe is reminisent of diners with servers on skates. Their menu includes steaks, pastas, fish and chips – as well as some Pinoy comfort food favorites. It’s for the young and the old who appreciate the throwback. It’s not for people who want a quiet and relaxed space to chill in. We recommend the Guys on the Hood, Gangsta Gangsta and their milkshakes. Our insider tip: Avoid over-ordering as servings of some dishes are already good for sharing.