Where to Eat? 4 Tagaytay Restaurants We Tried that We Recommend

I guess by now it’s common knowledge that Tagaytay is one of the famous destinations in the Philippines where you can have the best bulalo. Left and right, there are several restaurants specializing and serving a variety of dishes with bulalo. It persists as a point of pride indeed, a rallying call for the city. Meanwhile, there are also other restaurants and food options that are worth a drive. In this blog post, I put together a list of dining establishments we’ve recently tried and we recommend to add to your bucket list.

Where to Eat? 4 Tagaytay Restaurants We Tried that We Recommend

1. Organico Gourmet at La Bella

We stayed at La Bella Boutique Hotel, so we thought it would be a timely opportunity to dine at Organico Gourmet to try their “deliciously organic” dishes. This restaurant is situated within the La Bella Tagaytay compound and just beside the hotel entrance. It serves home-cooked meals using organic ingredients to promote healthy living.

The decors add warmth and spice up the indoor area with personality and charm. Lights emitting a soft warm glow create an inviting environment, combined with the natural bright sunshine from the windows. Plants add a little pop of nature and a sense of calm, making it more relaxing.

Food rundown:

Bulalo Steak

Bulalo Soup

Organic Sisig

2. Marcia Adams (Mediterranean)

Marcia Adams was one of the top dazzling restaurants we discovered through Instagram that inspired us to get to Tagaytay for a nice family dinner. The ambiance was impeccable, the type that’s perfect for those who plan to propose for an engagement with a partner and for those who’d like to celebrate any special occasion.

A group of musicians serenaded us with classic love songs like Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Runaway, etc. These songs can make you gaze endlessly into the eyes of the one you love or sing along and enjoy a fun moment as they play.

The menu was excellent across the board. We decided to order their best-sellers, from appetizers and mains to desserts to experience all the “tried-and-tested” hits.

Food rundown:

Tzatziki with Lettuce Chips – This refreshing yogurt dish is served all over The Eastern Mediterranean whether as part of a mezze or an accompaniment to meat dishes.

Hummus

Amalfi Prawns – Crispy and succulent prawns marinated in salt, pepper, olive oil, parsley, coated with bread crumbs and pan-fried

Mushroom Soup – Creamy and aromatic; made with fresh mushrooms

Italian Pork Chop – A grilled loin chop seasoned with fennel and pepper; with fresh tomato salsa

Fish Souvlaki – ‘Catch of the Day’ kebabs marinated in olive oil, lemon and herbs

Chicken Kebabs – Marinated in cumin and home made yogurt

Ai Funghi Pasta – Spaghetti with mixed fresh mushrooms, basil and garlic

Panna Cotta with Lemon Sauce, Lavender Crème Brûlée, Pavlova (meringue topped with whipped cream, bananas, kiwis and passion fruit coulis), and Grilled Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream

Everything from the colorful seats and cushions, flower arrangements, architectural details and ornaments, to the variety of dishes were carefully selected to create a unique experience. For these reasons, Mediterranean-themed Marcia Adams is almost always packed, so it’s best to try calling or sending them a message online to book a reservation.

3. Girasol (American, Filipino, Italian)

We attempted to check Breakfast at Antonio’s since it was just near La Bella but figured that it might take us forever to get a table. The queue of the cars outside was too long, and it occupied one whole lane of the street outside already!

We drove away for an alternative decent breakfast place that’s also a good brunch option. Girasol not too faraway drew our attention instantly. We walked into the classy, quiet “events place” and got ourselves a fine meal. While waiting for food to be served, the waitstaff offered to tour us to the wine cellar, and we gladly accepted.

We shared a plate of egg florentine; it’s big enough for two, unless you’re too hungry! 🙂 It’s a heavenly combination of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, poached eggs, and smoked ham on wheat baguette with hollandaise sauce and served with a mixed salad on the side. Get a little bit of everything in each bite! If you ever need a classy morning pick-me-up and didn’t want to feel guilty afterwards, this is for you.

Next, we had chicken arroz caldo which turned out to be super delicious! You can’t lose with this one. If you’re a fan of porridge for breakfast or brunch, order with confidence. It’s a great Sunday morning treat indeed, or any day for that matter!

4. Farmer’s Table Tagaytay

Serving only the freshest ingredients from farm-to-table goodness in the midst of nature, Farmer’s Table is an escape to the countryside offering the truest hospitality aside from amazing food. Located at Nurture Wellness Village, it’s a must-visit restaurant especially if you like to be surrounded with nature when dining. It’s also a great venue when you’re thinking of introducing Mom and Dad to the person you want to marry–and you need to do most of the impressing. 😉

That aside, what really sets Farmer’s Table apart from others is that the freshness and the quality of the vegetables are the star of every bite–at least in the vegetarian dishes we had. From the appetizers to the mains and drinks, the vegetables here will make you want to hug the nearest farmer! Once your plate is filled with artfully-presented Filipino comfort food classics, you’ll all be set for one of your best meals in recent memory.

Food rundown:

Hothouse Crispy Cauliflower & Broccoli with Spicy Buffalo Sauce and Bleu Cheese Dip

Hot & Crispy Stone-Fired Proscuitto di Parma Pizza – topped with arugula and a sweet balsamic drizzle

Kalderetang “Osso Bucco” – beef shanks in a deep kaldereta sauce with bell peppers and carrots, topped with malunggay, basil, pesto, potatoes, and malagos pecorino

Thai-Style Langka & Vegetable Curry – langka, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, cashews with their house-made Thai coconut kale curry sauce

Laing served in a coconut shell topped with fresh chilies and coconut cream

Farmhouse Cooler: Signature Pineapple Kale Smoothie – Nurture Farm’s Curly Kale, Fresh Pineapples, and Fresh Mint

Wrap Up

Itching to get outside, feel the sun on your skin, and get some fresh air? Tagaytay is a culinary haven in the south with a growing number of locally owned restaurants, cafes, and neighborhood foodie spots. Check these recommendations out! You’ll love lounging in these scenic areas and enjoy scrumptious meals at good value.

About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.