Places to eat -- Baguio City

I've been living in Baguio City eversince I was born. Baguio is a small city. It is a tourist destination but living here sometimes make me feel like there is not much to see anymore. Almost all tourist destinations here are like "been there, seen that" so on a day out, eating places take my number one go to destination :)

minsan hindi na lang "saan tayo pupunta?" kundi pati "saan tayo kakain?" narin.
Me and my friends rattle our brains to get that one sparkling idea of where to go  or where to eat, yet again.haha :)

so here, some of the best places to get a good meal in the city of pines. I may not know all the good places to eat at but here are my picks.  Take note of the prices. All of them are affordable (coming from a nursing grad with no big income) ;p

*indicated price ranges are just estimates, from what I can remember*
*** -- a real favorite. restaurants worth going back to, again and again :)

*IN RANDOM ORDER*

Vizcos @ Session Road *** (beside Don Henricos and Ocha Asian Cuisine)
-- They offer pizza, pasta, set meals, cakes and pastries. I usually go back to this restaurant because of my love for pasta. Their set meals are also good. I love their butter garlic sauce in one of the set meals I ordered before, chicken cordon bleu perhaps? I am not sure. One of their best sellers is their strawberry shortcake. I personally feel homey and cozy with their foods and I always go out full and satisfied :) You can also choose size servings, for pizza and pasta.
--estimated price range: 120-300/ personal meal.

Cucinino @ Porta Vaga ***
-- We always eat at this small and quaint place. You can see their spot while you walk along the wide corridors of the shopping center. They serve pasta, paninis, sausages and salads. The place seats only a limited amount of people considering their location but the food in this place is worth your money and the prices are really really affordable. I love their aglio olio and pomodoro pasta, FGS/ fresh garden salad (I am a sucker for the vinaigrette dressing) & Bratwurst sausage. They have "pasta of the day" that changes each day and that is off the menu.
-- estimated price range: 65-150. Iced Tea @ 15 php only :)

Solibao / Ganza (session road)
--- Solibao has been a long standing restaurant in Baguio City and what I go back for in this place are their Shawarma and Puto Bumbong. They have the best shawarma and puto bumbong. Those are the only things I like there since I kinda had several bad experiences with some of the food there. Solibao also has a fancier branch at the Heritage Mansion along Abanao extension. By fancier, I mean, better interiors, elegant white plates and more courteous service staff.
--estimated price: 50 php for Shawarma and 45 php for 2 pcs of puto bumbong smothered with butter and muscovado sugar :)


Sizzling Plate (session road)
-- Been eating their Grilled Pork Chops while growing up. Used to love them as a kid and I still do now. This is a lunch/dinner staple here in the City. They serve soup as appetizer. I am not a fan of their drinks/beverages so from several experiences, I learned to suit myself with mineral water and in can softdrinks :) Their sansrival is to die for (hey you sansrival addicts! )
--estimated price range:  80-200 php/personal meal.

Little John's (Camp John Hay Commissary)
-- My parents love their baby back ribs here. It is actually their best seller. Sandwiches are good too. This is a kid friendly resto as kids can have their share of crayons and brown paper (used as placemats) to exude creative juices. the resto also frames worthy works of art by customers  :)
--estimated price range: 150-300/personal meal.

Happy Tummy ( right across Wright Park)
-- Actually went to this place last Valentine's day. It offers asian cuisine with emphasis on Thai food. At the exterior, it looks like a simple shack and inside are wooden tables and seats catering also to a limited number of customers.  The food was good and according to a staff there, the Tom Yum Shrimp soup is one of their best sellers. We ordered that one and while its good, I think it was really gingery in taste, a sore throat reliever (accdg to rijel who had sore throat at the time we ate there) and I think it would appeal mostly to our early elders,parents and aunts perhaps? Their pad thai is just ok since I do not love peanut taste on foods. The winner here was the squid and thai fried rice we ordered. A friend suggested to order their tilapia with mangoes (?) but only heard of that after eating at the place. :)
--estimated price range: 120-250/ single food order. They also have set meals.

Woodnymph Korean Restaurant *** (SM Baguio top floor)
-- I love Asian food and since being hooked to Korean cuisine, this K-Resto has been on my list. You can choose from bento boxes to single food orders. Love their Spicy seafood soup (red) and chicken teriyaki. Side dishes are also a plus plus. They serve tea, free of charge, upon request. I think :)
--estimated price range: 130-350

Hodori *** (Mabini near Olympian Lanes)
-- Another asian place to eat at. YOu can choose from a variety of Korean and Japanese dishes here. We usually order Bulgogi if we come here in groups. they also have side dishes and a friendly service staff.
--estimated price range: 140-280/ order.

Jinho Korean Barbeque (session road)
-- Had ramyeon here first time around with some friend and during the second time around, we had Samgypsal ( minimum of 2 orders) and kimchi soup/stew. This place is where I witnessed what seems to me as authentic Korean Barbeque in terms of how to cook it.  The owner was obviously a Korean Lady with a high pitched voice.  There is not much to choose from their menu but it was fine.

O Mai Khan Mongolian Restaurant (upper session road)
-- People frequent this place for their eat-all-you-can mongolian buffet open only for certain times during the day :)
--estimated price range: 150-280


For good Asian restos that are present on other places as well:
1. Mann Hann (SM Baguio)
2. David's Tea House (SM Baguio)
3. Prince Plaza Hotel (Legarda)
4. Rose Bowl
5. Central Park

Tried, tested, Famous and Easy to spot:
1. Don Henricos
2. 50's Diner
3. Cafe by the Ruins
4. Mario's
5. Volante
6. Good Taste Restaurant
7. Cottage Gi's (SM Baguio)
8. Gilligan's Baguio
9. Barrio Fiesta

O.M.G / Oh My Gulay (La Azotea, Session Rd.)
--vegetarian food in a creative environment. You can see art pieces of local artists here. This place is an inviting and cozy spot to hang out with friends. The real winner here is the interior.

Gecko *** (Session Road)
--coffee place. We always hang out here during the late nights where we would just munch on their tapas, have hot chocolate, some beer and just chill :)

Retro's Diner (Session Road, La Azotea)
--food in a usual diner. Open for 24 hours. Service is kinda slow but food is alright. :)

Bambenny (Marcos High Way)
-- pasta, pizza and fries. nice interior and friendly staff. would recommend their pizza :)

Kaffe Klatchse ***(City Camp Entrance)
-- A coffee and music place. People would just hang out here and have coffee, listen to the live band at night and chill. they also have munchies to serve. The place is a little jam-packed at times and you would mostly see young adults in this place. Not much of an appealing place to moms,dads and aunts or uncles. :)

Cafe Will (M.H Del Pilar Rd.)
-- I think this is a Korean owned coffee, munchies and music place. the place is cozy and large. you can choose from various couches, tables inside and out. Some of the items are kinda pricey but it is worth the stay with friends. a hang out place.

PNKY Travel Cafe ( Leonard Wood Rd.)
--quaint, cozy and fresh. there is also a bed and breakfast here. the food tastes good, kinda pricey but still affordable. I would love to have their tuna rolls again :)

Bliss Cafe (Inside Hotel Elizabeth, Gibraltar Rd.)
--Vegetarian Cafe. This was actually where I celebrated my 22nd birthday. The owner was so nice. Their Crepe is to die for! :) Asian inspired decor :)

Mr. Ramyun (Assumption Road and Kaplan Building near Baguio Center Mall)
-- This is a student friendly noodle place. You would find typical korean noodles and delicacies here made very affordable, commercialized and student budget friendly. We come here for our usual craving of ramyun, korean spicy noodles. :)

I pretty much squeezed my brain but I still feel like I still missed out on some good places to eat here in Baguio City. Well, updates are to follow.

yawn. sleepy me.
hoped I helped you, if ever you landed on this page :)

for those excited to experience Panagbenga, look forward to Session Road in Bloom :)