A combination of timeless beauty and laid-back lifestyles, Baguio is home to lush foliage, the sweetest strawberries, and one of the loveliest weathers in the Philippines. Known for its zigzagging roads and chilly temperatures almost all year round, this city in the province of Benguet is a perennial favorite—whether it’s a family out-of-town trip or a barkada excursion.
Food tripping is among the list of Filipinos’ favorite activities, and when it comes to gastronomic explorations, Baguio has no shortage of options. Clustered together in food hubs or tucked away in exclusive locations, the restaurants in the City of Pines offer delectable treats worthy of braving the 6-hour ride for. Below, I’ve rounded up the best places I've been to from my multiple trips to Baguio. Whether it’s private or communal dining you’re seeking after, these restaurants will be sure to meet your needs.
1 | The Farmer's Daughter
Whisked away in Tam-awan, about half an hour away from the center of Baguio, is The Farmer's Daughter, a restaurant serving native Cordilleran dishes. In a city obsessed with serving burgers, pizzas, and café food, The Farmer's Daughter stands out with its delicious menu offering you a real taste of the region. The Cordilleras is known for smoked meat, so try the kinuday (smoked meat) which comes in pork, chicken, or beef, stir-fried with vegetables and onions. If you prefer grilled meats, then go for kindot instead (we tried both). The pak-pako, a salad made with Fiddlehead fern, tomatoes, onions, and vinaigrette is refreshing and delicious, while the Pinikpikan, a traditional Cordilleran soup dish made by bruising chicken flesh to bring out the flavors, is incredibly tasty. If you're adventurous, try the Pinuneg, or pork blood sausage!
Highly recommended: Kinuday Jen Baboy, Kinuday Jen Manok, Kindot Baboy, Pak-Pako, Pinikpikan, Pinuneg, Dinakdakan
Tip(s): Despite its location, people flock to The Farmer's Daughter, so pack heaps of patience; better yet, visit during off-peak hours.
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The Farmer's Daughter
Tam-awan Village, Long Long Benguet Rd., Baguio City
Budget: PhP250 up/head
2 | Foggy Mountain Cookhouse
If you seek a delicious meal in a more intimate set-up, Foggy Mountain Cookhouse is the place to check out. Perched near the mountainside in San Carlos Heights, Foggy Mountain is actually Chef Babes’ lovely home, which he opens up for hungry (and curious) diners. The place has an alfresco area perfect for viewing the foggy landscape of Baguio; his living area gets converted to a dining hall too. Chef Babes’ goal is to provide healthy and delicious Mediterranean-inspired gourmet food (whose ingredients are sourced from his own organic garden) without making diners break the bank.
Highly recommended: Herbed Roast Chicken, Slow-Roasted Lamb, Truffle Pasta, Chicken Parmesan Pie, Porchetta, Pumpkin Pie
Tip(s): The place is open Mondays to Saturdays for lunch (1:00AM – 3:00PM) and dinner (6:00PM – 11:00PM) and reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Pre-ordering is highly encouraged.
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Foggy Mountain Cookhouse
172 St Joseph Street, San Carlos Heights, Purok 24, Baguio City
+63916.767.4687/+63932.762.3639/+63949.357.7617
Budget: PhP1,000 up/head
3 | Lime and Basil
If you’re craving for delicious Thai food while in Baguio, trek over to Lime and Basil Restaurant situated at the DMCI Homes Outlook Ridge Residences. Chef Orvin Sayos gives a little spin to Thai dishes without losing their essence, and while keeping everything that Thai food is all about. You’ve got to try the , or the Northern curry noodle soup, whicKhao Soi Gaih is comforting and perfect with Baguio weather. The Laab Gai is another seriously underrated dish that’s probably one of the most delicious—at this restaurant, it’s not that spicy but definitely tasty. Finish off with some Kaffir Lime Crème Brulee and Mango Sticky Rice!
Highly recommended: Khao Soi Gai, Laab Gai, Kaffir Lime Creme Brulee, Salted Egg Fried Chicken, Pla Muek Tod, Yam Som O, Mango Sticky Rice, Thai Iced Tea
Tip(s): The place is usually packed so it's best to make reservations. Try the Thai dishes you don't usually see in other menus.
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4 | Grumpy Joe
For the ultimate comfort food in Baguio, head over to Grumpy Joe Restaurant situated along the Leonard Wood Road. Owned by a former PBA player, this casual American diner dishes out no-frills indulgence fare—from mouthwatering 5-cheese pizzas and delicious chicken dishes, to hefty burgers and loaded pasta dishes that are all perfect for sharing. Guests go crazy over their imported Private Reserve hot sauce, which is ultra-spicy, and if you love spicy food (and drinks), you must try it and order one of their spiced drinks, like the Inferno Mojito.
Highly recommended: Spicy Seafood Pesto, 5-Cheese Pizza, Sweet Chili Peanut Butter Chicken
Tip(s): Call them to make a reservation, unless you’d like to queue outside. Their hot sauce is REALLY spicy. As in one-drop-could-make-you-burst-into-a-ball-of-sweat spicy.
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Grumpy Joe
Leonard Wood Rd, Baguio City
+63915.912.0202
Budget: around PhP400/head
5 | Balajadia Kitchenette
If you want to go where the locals go, hop over to the Slaughter House Compound and pull up a chair at Balajadia Kitchenette. Serving local fare, this eatery is guaranteed to give you that dose of comfort you came to Baguio for. Nurse that bed weather with a delicious bowl of their steaming bulalo, or order platters of mouthwatering grilled liempo—their version comes served with dinuguan sauce for dipping! You can also try more exotic dishes like “butt and balls”, roasted goat, and pinikpikan, a rather “controversial” Cordillera dish because live chicken is beaten with a stick to produce blood clots, which supposedly makes the poultry more flavorful.
Highly recommended: Bulalo, Grilled Liempo with Dinuguan
Tip(s): Try the exotic dishes if you're feeling adventurous for an authentic Baguio experience.
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Balajadia Kitchenette
Slaughter House Compound, Balajadia St., Barangay Sto. Nino, Baguio City
Budget: around PhP200/head
6 | Bistro by Hill Station
If Hill Station is too "fine dining" and pricey for you, head over to Bistro by Hill Station in Camp John Hay and enjoy delicious breakfast and comfort food at friendlier prices. The Pinoy Breakfast lets you choose from Baguio-style longganisa, chorizo poblano, or Hungarian sausage to pair with your eggs and garlic fried rice. If you wish to sample a variety and split with someone, the English Breakfast Platter (bacon, sausage, baked beans, eggs) is a perfect choice. Their Sizzling Sisig is surprisingly super delicious, the Adlai Arroz Caldo bursting with flavors, and the Chili Dog humongous as it is tasty. Oh, and their coffee drinks are really good too.
Highly recommended: Sizzling Sisig, Adlai Arroz Caldo, Pinoy Breakfast, English Breakfast Platter, Chili Dog
Tip(s): The tapa tastes like what bistek usually does (so you won't be surprised); they only serve hot Vietnamese coffee, so if you request to make it iced with milk, ask for condensed milk or it wouldn't be the same ca phe sua da you're expecting.
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Bistro by Hill Station
Ayala Land Technohub, Ordonio Dr., Camp John Hay, Baguio City
(+63 74) 661-2544/(+63) 945-241-1463
Budget: around PhP500/head
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Plan your trip: Baguio hotels discounted rates
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7 | Camp John Hay Golf Club
If you want to satiate your cravings for Filipino fare in a quieter setting, visit the restaurant at the Camp John Hay Golf Club. The lush greenery and landscape provide a perfect backdrop for an intimate meal with family and friends, away from the hustle and bustle of Baguio's main attractions. The Crispy Bagnet with Laing is comforting and delicious, while the Baguio Longganisa breakfast plate is sure to hit the spot. Make sure to wrap up your meal with their luscious version of Sapin Sapin, which is served warm and gooey, with some caramel and toasted coconut toppings. Get some coffee as well as you soak up the views!
Highly recommended: Bagnet with Laing, Baguio Longganisa, Sapin Sapin
Tip(s): It's better to call and make reservations.
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Camp John Hay Golf Club
Loakan Road, Baguio City
+6374.444.2561
Budget: PhP500 up/head
8 | Lemon and Olives
Beautiful views, gorgeous interiors, a winning ambiance, and delicious food make up Lemon and Olives, a Greek restaurant whisked away in a quieter area of downtown Baguio. The menu is comprised of mezze, salads, pastas, and grilled meats served either as a kebab, steak, gyro, or souvlaki. We tried a variety of kebabs and souvlakis—our favorites being the Chicken Kebab and the Mixed Plate (Beef and Pork) Souvlaki, served with two types of garlic yogurt (regular and spicy). We were addicted to their Tzatziki and Baklava Cheesecake (intensely rich and cheesy cake on top of layers of phyllo) that we ended up ordering doubles of these two.
Highly recommended: Chicken Kebab, Mixed Plate (Beef and Pork) Souvlaki, Pork Kebab, Tzatziki, Chickpea Hummus, Baklava Cheesecake
Tip(s): If you are sharing souvlakis, make sure you order other stuff as portions aren't that big.
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Lemon and Olives
#26 Outlook Drive, Baguio City
+6374 423 2278
Budget: around PhP500/head
9 | Vizco’s
If you love desserts and want to taste the best of Baguio, the first place you should visit is Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop. It offers what I think is the best Strawberry Shortcake I’ve ever encountered, with fresh, sweet, and mildly tart strawberries crowning each slice of delicate cream and cake. The sweetness level is just right, the slice size big but still seemingly small because you would want to devour the whole effing cake. If your life’s biggest regret is not pursuing the career you actually wanted or something, you’re wrong—it should be the fact that there’s no Vizco’s in Manila.
Highly recommended: Strawberry Shortcake, French Apple Pie
Tip(s): Get a whole cake. (Oh, and they also serve breakfast food.)
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Vizco's
Session Road, Baguio City (also has a branch in Ayala Land - Technohub)
+6374.446.7085
Budget: around PhP250/head
10 | The Coffee Library
Situated at the ground floor of Rex Hall Student Residences near Saint Louis University, The Coffee Library offers affordable snacks, desserts, all-day breakfast, and a whole array of coffee drinks. The trendy setup entices mostly the younger crowd—the long tables are perfect for group study or meal sharing, the decorative pieces Instagrammable. But if you think their arsenal of brews is limited to the typical ones, you’re mistaken—The Coffee Library has Vietnamese coffee, a bolder type of drink I especially like! Pair it with their liquor-laced cupcakes, or any of their breakfast sets. Or enjoy one after a hefty meal: I highly recommend their Pho Ga, Crispy Kare-Kare, Greek Salad, Buffalo Wings, and Babyback Ribs.
Highly recommended: Pho Ga, Crispy Kare-Kare, Greek Salad, Buffalo Wings, Babyback Ribs, Ca Phe Sua (Vietnamese coffee with milk), Ca Phe Sua Da (iced Vietnamese coffee with milk), Ca Phe Sua Chua (Vietnamese coffee with yogurt), Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee)
Tip(s): Be adventurous and play around with the other Vietnamese coffee concoctions, like the one with yogurt and sticky rice (Ca Phe Sua Chua) and egg coffee!
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The Coffee Library
Rex Hall, Upper Bonifacio St., Baguio City
+63917.503.7962
Budget: around PhP400/head
11 | Café by the Ruins
Combining classic breakfast fare with a rustic ambience, Café by the Ruins is truly an institution in the Baguio food scene—and one that you must try at least once. The branch in Upper Session Road feels like an art gallery, an open kitchen, and home—all at once; the wooden elements and the abundance of natural light fill the restaurant with a cheery, cozy vibe. Try any of their Filipino breakfast plates or order some freshly made pasta or bread. Make sure you finish with a comforting cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Highly recommended Ruins Longganisa, Sagada Minute Steak
Useful tip: If you can, visit during off-peak hours as this restaurant can be quite busy.
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Café by the Ruins
225 Upper Session Road, Baguio City
25 Shuntug Road, Baguio City
Budget: PhP400 up/head
Have you tried any of these places? Can you recommend restaurants to add to the list?
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