SPOT Out of Town: The Best Places to Eat in Los Baños, Laguna Right Now

(SPOT.ph) There’s a certain kind of charm to Los Baños that makes people keep coming back—whether it’s for a hike up Mt. Makiling, another team building weekend, or a family reunion spent soaking in one of the area’s many private hot spring resorts. But the next time you find yourself in Los Baños, it's definitely worth staying a little longer just for the food... And, no, we're not just talking about the usual boxes of warm buko pie you hoard for pasalubong.

This university town has quietly built a dining scene worth adding to your itinerary. And this SPOT Out of Town is a testament to it, as we un-gatekeep its hidden gems, local favorites, and standout restaurants that make a compelling case for staying a little longer in Los Baños—or Elbi, as locals call it.

"Korean food in Los Baños" isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind for a tourist, especially with the saturation of Korean restaurants in and around Metro Manila. But Seoul Kitchen is a local-recommended (even Google-recommended) dining establishment in the city that begs to be treated as more than just another Korean restaurant or café.

Run by a Filipino-Korean couple, the restaurant’s menu is shaped by the Korean wife’s recipes and flavors. The Itaewon Kimchi Pasta (P275) gives a Korean twist to the popular dish by stir-frying the pasta with tangy, spicy kimchi and bacon bits. For something heftier, there’s the Yang Nyeom Chicken (P215), which is a classic done well—crispy skin, juicy meat, and not drowning in a pool of sauce that masks everything else.

For dessert, the Injeolmi Bingsu (P310) is their bestseller and ideal for anyone who prefers sweets that are “hindi masyadong matamis.” It’s made with finely shaved frozen milk topped with roasted soybean powder and chewy rice cakes. They also have a pastry display under their sister brand, Silly Lily, offering cakes and croissants like the Croffle (P125) that pairs well with the Kori Kopi (P185), which are frozen cubes of espresso, served with warm, sweetened milk.

Solita's Farm Diner—run by Dr. Madonna Casimero, a scientist at the International Rice Research Institute, knows her cereal grains—but at Solita’s Farm Diner, that expertise goes beyond rice. She also manages farms that grow the lettuce generously served alongside many of the diner’s rice meals, encouraging customers (many of whom are students) to load up on greens and ease up on rice, but still easy on the wallet.

Another crop she grows? The mushrooms she uses for the diner's Mushroom Tempura (P95/solo, P130/sharing). This is one of the best dishes to buy there—and we're saying this from a "we can't give up meat" perspective. The battered, deep-fried shroom is satisfyingly crunchy and doesn't leave an oily coating on the lips. It's great for snacking or merienda, but can also be served with rice (P145) and greens on the side. But if you want meat, go for the Pan-grilled Liempo (P165) and Dinuguan Ilocano (P165).

If you experience love at first bite with the lettuce, Solita's Farm Diner also sells fresh produce on the side... of the counter. There's a refrigerator filled with fresh greens, plus a display of vegan chicharon packets too.

Satya Graha Cafe and Restaurant fully leans into the vegan lifestyle with a menu that's completely meat-free. You can expect the usual approach of using soy as an alternative used for their Filipino dishes, like the Barbecue (P320), Bicol Express (P320), Pakisw na Vegpata (P340), Kare-Kare (P380), Vegchon Kawali (P280), and Kare-Kare (P380).

But if you're dining at Satya Graha, don't make the mistake of not ordering the Chichashroom (P290). You can spot this near the counter, alongside other vegan snacks like the Seacharon (P290) or seaweed chicharon, which is equally good as a crunchy appetizer or a road trip snack.

It's a Thai (as one can easily guess) is a Thai restaurant that has expanded both in loyal customers and seating capacity. They expanded in Calamba, Laguna, with the primary two-story branch along F.O. Santos Street in Los Baños. The latter's interiors reflect the same vibrant yet straightforward style as its menu, with multiple murals of the Amphawa floating market, elephant, and the lotus flower.

One of the things you need to order is the Kao Mun Gai Tod (P310)—which is Thailand's version of Hainanese chicken. This is structured the same way as Singapore's version, with juicy chicken, dipping sauce, and Hainanese rice. But It's A Thai does give it a more audible crisp with its deep-fried skin, hiding the juicy meat, and served with a spicy red sauce.

The other Thai dishes you can't go wrong with are the Pomelo Salad (P346) for starters, Pad Thai Gai (P270/solo, P355/sharing) for noodles, Tom Yum Goong (P510) for soup, and order both the Mango Sticky Rice (P275) and the Roti Gluay (P275) for dessert.

Dalcielo Restaurant and Bakeshop—specifically the one at SEARCA Hotel within the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus—has long been considered by locals as one of the fancier dining establishments in the area you go to for anniversaries, graduation lunches, and dates. The interiors feel like stepping into the home of your artsy, whimsical tita—the kind who bakes for fun or to relax. Framed floral paintings line the walls, while a mural of the campus’s Freedom Park gives the room a sense of quietness.

Behind the menu is owner Marissa de Jesus, whose extensive local and international F&B background shows in Dalcielo’s menu with bestsellers like the Callos a la Madrileña (P395/solo, P1,185/for six) and Grilled Crusted Salmon (P595/solo, P1,785/for six). But for a reliably satisfying pairing, go for the Herbed Roasted Chicken (P295/solo, P885/for six) alongside the Frutti de Mari (P525 solo / P1,575 for six)—the former savory and comforting, the latter brightened by generous seafood and briny notes.

Dalcielo has other branches in the area—all catering to different target markets. The branch right beside the UPLB gate is more student-friendly, and the branch along the National Highway is more appropriate (but not limited to) for grander and bigger gatherings.

It's hard to miss Makiling Ihawan Garden as long as you remember it's right by the "Welcome to Los Baños" arc. Past its gates and paved roads, one wouldn't really think it hides an open space, a lake, a swimming pool, and several nipa huts for dining at Makiling Ihawan Garden—all set against the tree-covered mountains of Los Baños.

The restaurant is best known for its Dampa-style dining experience, where seafood goes straight from the aquarium to your plate, cooked to your liking. But beyond the seafood, Makiling Ihawan Garden also serves an extensive lineup of Filipino favorites, including reliable dishes like Pork Barbecue (P170/stick), Sinigang na Baboy (P560), and Chopsuey (P485).