5 Must-Try Restaurants in Batangas

Batangas is not only known for beaches, diving resorts, and close-knit communities like Horizons Residences, it is also a popular food haven to local tourists. Just like the other provinces near the country’s capital, it is a treasure chest of pleasant surprises. What’s even more mesmerizing is how the province and its people have kept their rich cultural heritage intact. In Batangas, there are a lot of dishes worth trying and restaurants worth driving to. Here’s a list of the stops and dishes that will make your Batangas food trip a great one:

 

Dedek’s Restaurant

In the quiet town of Cuenca, Batangas, sits the family-owned restaurant called Dedek. Dedek’s is a small restaurant that has a homey vibe to it. Of course, the dishes served are downright Batangueño. Plus, it is insanely affordable. Imagine a one-piece fried chicken priced at 30 pesos. Yep, you read it right, it’s 30 pesos, it’s very good, and they even serve it with french fries. Also, their versions of pinaputok na tilapia, lechon kawali, and adobo are worth a try as well.

 

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El Cocinero by Chef Arnaldo

One of Batangas’ gems, El Cocinero by Chef Arnaldo will give you an ambiance that is truly Filipino. Additionally, they have one of the best paellas in the province. Freshly prepared and oozing with flavor, their paellas are mouthwatering, standout dishes with large serving, and with plenty of fresh seafood. The Kare-kare and beef salpicao are equally good as well.

 

Villa Tortuga

More than just a restaurant, Villa Tortuga is an experience. If you fancy dressing up in period costumes and have your shots taken, then go to Villa Tortuga. To get a feeling of being a part of history since you are in a historical place, this place is for you. Villa Tortuga is an ancestral house that was transformed into a tourist accommodation and restaurant. You can have a five-course dinner wearing colonial costumes. The restaurant serves traditional dishes, but the biggest must-try is the suman with tsokolate-eh, which is best eaten after dinner.

 

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Don Juan

It’s not everyday that we get to eat with our hands. Then there’s Don Juan. People claim to stumble upon it looking for coffee but ended up ordering and trying the Boodlelito. It’s not too pricey, with fresh tawilis fish, tender tapang Taal, and chicken adobo in turmeric, complemented by garlic rice. The dishes in this restaurant are truly a Batangueño gastronomic experience.

 

Irene’s Bulalo sa Kubo

Bulalo is a Filipino stew made from beef shanks and marrow bones and is a signature Batangas dish. There are lots of restaurants that cook this dish in the country, each one competing for a place in your best dish list. However, at “Irene’s Bulalo sa Kubo,” not only will you be able to try their famous bulalo, you will also get to try their bestselling dishes such as lomi and authentic Batangas goto.