(SPOT.ph) Tagaytay is a favorite out-of-town destination because of its proximity to Metro Manila so we’re not surprised if you already have your go-to restaurants when you’re in the area (some of which we’re sure you’ll find in our 10 Best Tagaytay Restaurants list!). But it’s never a bad idea to venture out of your comfort zone—especially when it comes to food. So on your next trip to Tagaytay, here are the 10 underrated food destinations you shouldn’t miss.
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These Tagaytay restaurants are some of the city's hidden gems:
Kuuma Kaakao Kaffe
Tagaytay’s chilly weather is the best time to have a steaming cup of hot choco, and you can get your fix at this underrated café. Kuuma Kaakao Kaffe offers Hot Chocolate not just in Classic (P95) but also in flavors like Peanut Butter (P115), Cinnamon (P115), Salted Caramel (P115), and even Mint (P105) or Basil (P105). You can get the drink iced, too, if you’re the type to have cold drinks no matter the weather. Pair your chocolate with their signature Bibingka (P40/solo, P150/pack of 4) which you can have topped with Cheese & Salted Egg, Ube, Leche Flan, or Macapuno or Puto Bumbong for Christmas-y vibes. If you’re feeling extra hungry, you can also fill up with their pasta and rice bowls—the Pininyahang Manok (P175) is not to be missed!
Kuuma Kaakao Kaffe is at Silang Junction South, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Café Voi La
Vibrant interiors, colorful fixtures, and bright lanterns clue you in that you’re up for a Southeast Asian adventure at Café Voi La. There’s no need to go further than Tagaytay for a food trip around the region as this restaurant takes you around Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines with their menu. Start your meal with a fresh Thai Pomelo Salad (P525) or Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (P435) that are easy to polish off. For mains, have the Homestyle Chicken Pork Adobo (P495) or the Café Voi La Signature Curry (P635) which you can pair with Pineapple Fried Rice (P495) or Jasmine Rice (P100/small, P175/large). Cap off the meal with a Dessert Souffle (P295 to P395) or go the classically Asian route with Black Sticky Rice with Mango (P225) or Gula Melaka (P190).
Café Voi La is at Crosswinds Resort Suites, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Milagros Private Kitchen
For a meal that’s extra special, why not reserve a private lunch or dinner at Milagros Private Kitchen? Milagros Private Kitchen is located at the owner’s house with a dining area good for up to 24 guests and its own garden, so it almost feels like being invited to someone’s home for a good meal. Adding to the homey vibe is their menu of heirloom Filipino dishes with ingredients from Tagaytay’s local markets. You can fully customize your set menu depending on what you’re craving: We recommend the vibrant Kilawin na Tanigue marinated in citrus, the Milagros Mechado, a family recipe that features beef sirloin slow-cooked in tomatoes, and Crispy Tawilis, a Tagaytay staple that’s served here with a green mango ensalada and salted egg.
Milagros Private Kitchen is at 1640 Maglave Drive, Barangay. Guinhawa South, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Reservations must be done 3 to 5 days in advance through 09174654617 or 09062043248.
Verdiview Restaurant
For classic Filipino food in hearty, family-friendly servings, head to Verdiview Restaurant. Lush greenery, bahay-kubo inspired dining nooks, and an indoor waterfall also makes you feel like you’re dining in nature. Nilagang Bulalo (P330/small, P600/large) is always a must when in Tagaytay, but you can also have the classic in a new form with their Sizzling Bulalo Steak (P480). Another must-try is the Sizzling Pork Sisig (P190), which you can wash down with ice-cold beer, thanks to their Beer Bucket Combos.
Verdiview Restaurant is at Brgy. Luksuhin Ilaya (Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road Highway), Alfonso, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Rest-Art
Dining at Rest-Art is a feast both for your eyes and belly. The restaurant-slash-art-gallery regularly features art pieces by local artists, which you can also purchase. Or you can simply admire them while you chow down on their version of Tagaytay favorites like Special Bulalo (P469) and Tawilis (P180). If you’re just in the mood for coffee, check out their extensive menu which has the basics like Café Latte (P150) and Café Mocha (P160) to more fun drinks like a Strawberry Latte (P195/iced) and Ube Lava Latte (P195).
Rest-Art is at Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Napa
Napa is another must-visit if you find yourself at Crosswinds Resort Suites. The restaurant takes inspiration from Napa Valley’s vineyards with quaint and rustic interiors and an al-fresco area that offers a picturesque view of the surrounding lush forest. It even gets cozier at night with the fairy lights. Of course, Napa offers an extensive wine selection which you can have with a Deli & Cheese Platter (P900). The mains here are extra hefty though so it’s best to come hungry. Fill up with a Long Drive Breakfast (P525) complete with all your morning faves—sausages, bacon, waffles, and egg—or sink your teeth into the juicy Truffle Burger (P415). You also can’t go wrong with a Rustic Margherita Pizza (P570/10-inch, P770-14-inch) and Garlic Parmesan Wings (P455).
Napa is at Crosswinds Resort Suites, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Cheza’s Restaurant Walastik
When in Tagaytay, it’s a must to dine at a restaurant with a great view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. Cheza’s Restaurant Walastik offers exactly that—though if their patio dining area overlooking Taal Lake gets too crowded, having your meal inside isn’t so bad, too, thanks to the cozy, homey ambiance. You can find Tagaytay classics at this restaurant like Taal Lake Deep Fried Tawilis (P280) and Beef Shank Bulalo (P840) as well as family favorites like pasta, pizza, and burgers.
Cheza’s Restaurant Walastik is at Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, Alfonso, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Dahon at Mesa
Another restaurant that offers a great view of Taal Lake and Volcano is Dahon at Mesa, but the real attraction here is the Boodle Fight Feast (P2,650). Prepare to get messy as you dig in a spread that includes fried tawilis, crispy fried tilapia, garlic buttered shrimp, roast chicken, lechon kawali, grilled squid, lumpiang shanghai, ensaladang itlog na pula, and, of course, five cups of rice. This comes with a dessert of the day, too, so better leave room for that no matter how hard it sounds. The Boodle Fight Feast also comes in a feast good for 10 (P5,250) and even for two (P1,200). If you’re not up for a boodle fight, you can also have their mains a la carte, like the Special Bulalo (P580) and Crispy Pata (P650).
Dahon at Mesa is at 105 Tagaytay - Nasugbu Highway 4120 Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Trattoria Mario Mio
If you’re in the mood for proper Italian fare in Tagaytay, Trattoria Mario Mio is a must-visit. This charming Italian restaurant is owned by Paolo Nesi of L’Opera Ristorante, so you know you and your taste buds are in good hands. Featuring distressed brick walls, patterned tiles, and wooden fixtures, Trattoria Mario Mio feels like dining at the home of an Italian nonna, immediately setting the mood for what they have to offer—which is plenty. Start off with a Cestino di Parmigiano con Bresaula, Mango e Parmigiano (P410) or a crispy Parmesan cheese basket filled with Bresaula dried beef and fresh mango served with arugula. For pasta, get the decadent Tortelli d' Anatra Al Profumo di Tartufo (P485) with homemade duck-filled ravioli in truffle sauce, while for pizza you can’t go wrong with the Mario Mio Pizza (P450), the house pizza with spiced salami, anchovies, blue cheese, and mozzarella.
Trattoria Mario Mio is at Km 48, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Deli de San Honore
Deli de San Honore may be part of our 10 Best Tagaytay Restaurants list but this spot is still pretty underrated in our books. The deli immediately catches the eye with their clean and minimalist look with potted plants adding to the homey vibe. While the deli may look small from the outside, the deli also houses an al-fresco dining area in their garden at the back. Deli de San Honore first started as a bakeshop and deli, but now they are also a restaurant with a menu of comfort food by Chef Jeremy Joson. The Herb de Provence Porkchop (P380) with garlic rice, French beans, and sweet pickle chips is a must-try, as well as the D’ Deli’s signature brick oven pizza (P480) with jambon blanc, truffle oil, arugula, and egg.
Deli de San Honore is at 9060 Zambal Road, Barangay Neogan, Tagaytay City.
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