Baguio Philippines – Best Places to Eat and Dishes to Try

Fresh produce is the highlight of Baguio’s cuisine. This destination has some of the freshest, most delicious produce in the country because fruits and vegetables grow well on the mountainsides thanks to the perfect climate. Visitors can have almost everything they want here, but when you speak of Baguio cuisine to someone who’s been there, a few things that stand out: fresh strawberries, salad greens, hot chocolate, and delicious sweet treats with a sprinkling of authentic Ifugao cuisine.

Baguio Local Dishes

While authentic Baguio cuisine is one that is reminiscent of the Ifugao tribes, at its very core, it has been eclipsed by restaurant offerings that mostly cater to Filipino and international appetites due to tourist demand. Rapid modernization and development, combined with a fast-growing tourism industry in Baguio has resulted in the authentic Ifugao cuisine becoming one that has been long forgotten.

However, if you look hard enough, you will still be able to find a few restaurants in Baguio where native Ifugao delicacies are the star. Ifugao cuisine is characterized by what the tribes were able to hunt from the woods, what was planted on their farms, and what they fished in the rivers. Although they did not have much to work with, they were still able to develop many unique and delicious recipes that reflect their true culture and heritage. And in true Filipino fashion, rice was a staple and also used in different forms (fermented, made into wine, etc).

Here are some classic Ifugao delicacies:

Pinikpikan: Pinikpikan is the most well-known dish of the Cordillera mountain range, where the Ifugaos reside. The process of preparing pinikpikan may be shocking to animal rights advocates, but this is how the Ifugao tribes prepared it: first, a chicken is beaten to death using a stick in order to preserve its blood and allow it to coagulate in the wings and neck. It’s then cooked with local pork, leafy green vegetables, and eaten with rice.
Etag: Etag is salted meat that has been preserved by smoking or drying it under the sun, similar to ham. The meat produced is usually consumed alongside pinikpikan. The Ifugaos have developed a very efficient meat preservation technique with the etag, which can last for months, even years, if it is stored properly. Etag is eaten with legumes, such as black or white beans.
Tengba: A common preparation anywhere in the mountain province, tengba is usually prepared during milestones as part of local tradition. For example, when parents give birth to a child, they host a feast where tengba is a highlight, among other local dishes. It is essentially fermented rice paste prepared with saltwater crab, which has been salted and kept in an earthen jar. Due to the very salty nature of tengba, it is usually added as an ingredient to other recipes.
Tapuy/tapuey/tapey: If Japan has sake, the Igorot ribes have tapuy, which is rice wine. Its taste varies depending on how long it has spent fermenting. The older it is, the more bitter the taste.
Dog meat: Rather self-explanatory, eating dog meat is a practice that is still widespread in Baguio as well as nearby mountain provinces. Men in particular are fond of eating it alongside their alcoholic beverages.
Game & fowl: Tribes in the Cordillera still practice hunting, although deer and wild boar are considered extinct. They still hunt other forms of wildlife such as civets, wild cats, and monitor lizards, after which they are cooked into a strew.

Cheap Eats In Baguio

If there’s one thing to be said about Baguio’s delicious cuisine, it’s cheap! Except for hotel fine dining, much of the best dishes in the city are generally inexpensive.

However, a highlight of the local food scene is the Baguio Public Market. Without doubt, it is one of the best places in the Philippines where anyone can score a bargain for fresh fruit, vegetables, produce, and locally-produced sweets. It’s not uncommon for many travelers to visit Baguio with the intention of cooking meals themselves, and the first stop will always be the Baguio Public Market for the wide array of fresh but cheap ingredients.

Other notable places for cheap eats in Baguio include:

IhawJuan Eat All U Can: Located at the ground floor of the Blue Mountain Hotel, IhawJuan is a top place for value for money. Guests can eat unlimited food that you can even cook yourself! Rates start at just PhP 199 for lunch, and around PhP 249 for dinner. With this price you get unlimited rice and grilled food (choose from meat, seafood, vegetables, and dipping sauces), so eat to your heart’s content!
Oh My Gulay: If you are looking for inexpensive but healthy eats, look no further than Oh My Gulay. Located at La Azotea Building on Session Road, Oh My Gulay serves affordable cuisine where vegetables and salad greens are the star. You can have delicious salads and pastas for just a little over PhP 100 per dish.
Good Taste Restaurant: A mainstay in the Baguio restaurant scene, Good Taste is an old establishment known for its large servings and small prices. Good Taste is open 24 hours, too! They offer portions for sharing for PhP 80 – PhP 120. Good Taste Restaurant isn’t big on ambiance, but it’s one of the best destinations in Baguio for good budget eats.

If you’d like to try authentic Ifugao cuisine, go to The Farmer’s Daughter, Café Yagam, or Café by the Ruins Dua.

Western & International Food

If you’re the kind of traveler who is only satisfied with the presence of comfort food such as ramen and pizza, worry not: Baguio has that too! Oh, and the options are plentiful.

Chaya (Legarda Road): Chaya is a homey establishment known for serving up the best Japanese food in Baguio. It’s known for the excellent sushi platter, Katsudon, and Agedashi Tofu. Finish up with their homemade matcha ice cream.
Café Will (Burnham-Legarda): Café Will is a more upscale restaurant with a warm ambiance. They serve American, Asian, and Italian favorites. So if you’re looking for delicious comfort food, head over to Café Will.
Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna (Outlook Drive): For authentic Greek cuisine in Baguio, look no further than Lemon and Olives. The restaurant is spearhead by a real Greek chef, so you can be assured you’re getting the real thing. It’s ideal for romantic dates or just anyone who appreciates the fresh, tangy flavors of Greek cuisine. For the best experience, head outside to enjoy al fresco dining.
Amare La Cucina (EGI Alberto Hotel): Amare La Cucina has lip-smacking Italian favorites including pasta, pizza, and ribs. The restaurant prides itself in keeping with the traditional way of Italian cooking, which makes it a must visit for anyone who loves this cuisine.

Cafes & Coffee Houses

Baguio is abundant with places that serve your warm dark beverage of choice. Here, coffee shares the spotlight with hot chocolate. A piping cup of either goes down so well especially with Baguio’s cool climates.

Don’t miss out on Choco-Late de Batirol (Camp John Hay), a quintessential Baguio experience. It is tucked away into a garden and surrounded by greens, but many feel that this is home to the best hot chocolate in all of the country. Order it with a side of turon or suman.

Arca’s Yard (Ambuklao Road) is big on views, a homey ambiance, and delightful café staples. Not only will you be greeted with splendid mountain views here, but you are encouraged to sample and try as much of the menu as you can because everything here is delicious. Have a cup of coffee or tea, paired with one of their delicious pies.

Gossip Coffee Shop (Gen. Luna Road) is the café to go if you want to sample a taste of authentic Benguet and Arabica coffee grown in the Cordillera mountain region. That’s not all that’s good here: we also loved the nachos, quesadillas, and the fries.

Bars & Drinking Venues

Baguio’s nightlife options are few and far in between. Guests to these watering holes are mostly made up of local Filipino men, with very few international tourists. Expect to rub elbows with the locals, but it’s a great way to meet new friends. Local beers range from PhP 40 to PhP 80, so it’s definitely affordable.

Baguio Craft Brewery (RKC Building, Marcos Highway) is definitely worth a visit. It is the first and only brewery in all of Baguio, and beer enthusiasts get to choose from 18 different beers on tap.

Live music is popular in Baguio. The best places for live music venues are often found in and near Session Road. Some of the highly recommended areas are Cowboy’s Paradise, Café Bohemian, and Planet Music.