Eat Healthy! Be Happy!
Baguio City is a haven for vegetarians, thanks to its location in the Cordillera region, known as the vegetable bowl of the Philippines. The abundance of fresh produce means plenty of options for vegetarian and plant-based meals. On my recent visit to the City of Pines, I had the pleasure of dining at Health 100 Restoreant on Magsaysay Avenue. This humble and unassuming eatery offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, with vegan options available, all at very affordable prices.
When I found out we would be making a side trip to Liwliwa Beach before heading home from Lake Mapanuepe, I had to check if we could stop by Kwentong Dagat. It's a lovely beachside resort with rustic and charming A-type cabins serving 100% plant-based meals. So after enjoying the expansive shoreline and playful waves of Liwliwa Beach, my companions and I decided to have lunch there.
You will find cafes that serve some exceptional coffee blends and side food dishes that go well with coffee. Check out the list and let us know how many have you visited!
Whenever I visit a new location, I always make it a point to try the local cafes before I go for the commercial ones when I yearn for coffee. It’s always interesting to see the local culture and flavor in small and homegrown cafes. I used to shift back and forth to Manggahan in Pasig since I rented a place there before. And just in the neighborhood, right across the street where I stay, is Bantai Coffee. A cozy little cafe on the 2nd floor of a building is filled with charm, nostalgia, and good coffee.
It was hidden in plain sight. The “Gubat” signage is even so inconspicuous I passed by it twice and didn’t easily notice. Little did I know, that ensconced behind the bamboo walls and door, there’s a little al fresco dining restaurant inside. Gubat QC does feel like being inside a forest (gubat is a Tagalog word that means forest) with its lush environment surrounding the wooden tables and benches of the dining area. Everything feels organic. From the food, the banana leaves as plate and even the way people eat - kamayan style (with bare hands).
I had an impromptu ride to Antipolo one fine Friday morning. The weather was ideal for a ride - cool with passing clouds. Being in Pasig, Antipolo was quite accessible. The plan was to ride up to Hinulugang Taktak and Antipolo Church and have brunch along the way back. Agos Cafe was noticeable on my way up passing by Hollywood Terraces along Sumulong highway. I thought it would be nice to have coffee and a snack here on my way down.