Cafes and restaurant chains have proliferated in modern-day Cavite that dining options can be overwhelming. Many of these have streamed in from Manila, often eclipsing the local eateries. Aside from Tagaytay where homegrown food and coffee businesses give the giants a run for their money, it can be hard to choose where to eat in Cavite. So, we’ve listed down the most delicious food spots you shouldn’t miss on a food trip in Cavite. From heritage Caviteño dishes to unique dining concepts, these restaurants offer flavors you can only experience in the province.
Bulalo Restaurants in Tagaytay
- Balay Dako
Location: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Hwy, Tagaytay
Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Mon – Fri), 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Weekends & Holidays) - Aozora
Locations: 95 Anna Marianne St., Maharlika East / SVD Rd. cor. Tagaytay-Calamba Rd. / Purok 154, Tagaytay-Calamba Rd.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. - Mahogany Market
Location: 10 Mahogany Ave., Tagaytay City
Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (may vary per store)
Bulalo is synonymous with Tagaytay, and with the many restaurants offering it, some have made an effort to stand out by offering their own version of this hearty beef soup. Some restaurants like Balay Dako have turned it into a saucy dish on a sizzling plate, while Aozora has given it a Japanese twist in its signature Bulalo Ramen. If you simply want the original taste of bulalo, head to the local-favorite Mahogany Market where you can get a generous serving at a reasonable price.
Of course, there’s more to Tagaytay than just bulalo. Check out these cozy cafes with stunning views of Taal Volcano!
Make the most out of your visit to Tagaytay with this sightseeing tour or a spa treatment at Nurture Wellness Village.
Farm and Garden Dining in Silang
- The Dining Room at Gourmet Farms
Location: Km. 52 Aguinaldo Hwy, Silang, Cavite
Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m (Mon – Thu), 7 a.m. – 8 p.m (Fri – Sun) - Chateau Hestia
Location: J. Hernandez St., Purok 5, Brgy. Bukal, Silang, Cavite
Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Tue – Sun) - Asiong Caviteño Restaurant
Location: Buenavista St., Brgy. Bucal, Silang, Cavite
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The underrated town of Silang shares a lot of similarities with its close neighbor Tagaytay. The climate is cool, nature is teeming, and exceptional food abound. You get all of these by finding restaurants nestled in a farm like The Dining Room at Gourmet Farms, offering Italian and Mediterranean dishes made with farm-fresh and handmade ingredients.
There are also hidden gems like Chateau Hestia and Asiong Caviteño Restaurant, a little challenging to reach by commute but worth the detour for their lush garden ambiance. The former offers European specialties, while the latter gives you a taste of Cavite’s heritage cuisine.
Malen’s Restaurant in Noveleta
Location: 9025 Magdiwang Hwy, Santa Rosa, Noveleta, Cavite
Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Throughout its nearly two decades in business, Malen’s has grown from being a small bakery to offering full meals and even catering. The restaurant also harbors a piece of history. The owner herself is a descendant of well-known revolutionary General Mariano Alvarez, and the restaurant has a mini-museum that displays family heirlooms and antiques. Some of the specialty dishes also pay homage to Cavite’s history, such as Gomburza Pizza starring a three-cheese blend with pesto and garlic.
Calle Real Restaurant in Tanza
Location: 8 Santa Cruz St., Brgy. Poblacion, Tanza, Cavite
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Calle Real is a restaurant situated inside a graceful, well-preserved ancestral home built in the 1920s. The restaurant itself has been in business for over 20 years, and you’ll get that air of nostalgia in its rustic, old-fashioned dining interiors. It serves local fare with Spanish influences like paella and heritage dishes like Calandracas and Sotanghon Negra, both made with sotanghon noodles and locally sourced ingredients.
If you like the quaint ambiance of ancestral houses, check out these other picturesque heritage restaurants near Manila!
Modest Carinderias in Cavite City
- Cantina de Tita A
Location: 375 P. Burgos Avenue, Caridad, Cavite City
*Currently for pickup and delivery only; contact 0905-293-8456 - Bernie’s Kitchenette
Location: 843 Midtown Bldg. Molina St., Caridad, Cavite City
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. - Aling Ika’s Carinderia
Location: Cavite City Public Market, San Roque, Cavite City - Pat and Sam
Location: 506 Padre Pio, Caridad, Cavite City
For an exciting budget-friendly food trip, head to the little peninsula of Cavite City, a historic port town bounded by Manila Bay and Bacoor Bay. Venture along P. Burgos Avenue, a major thoroughfare that leads you to prominent carinderias or small eateries like Cantina de Tita A and Bernie’s Kitchenette. Both offer classic dishes such as pancit pusit (squid) and bacalao (salted codfish stew).
For snacks and food souvenirs, grab some sticky rice delicacies like bibingkoy (a cross of bibingka and tikoy) from Aling Ika’s Carinderia and bibingkang samala (glutinous rice cake made with coconut milk) from Pat and Sam.
Find more adventures in nearby provinces like Laguna and Batangas that you can book on KKday!
*Featured image via Balay Dako & Calle Real Restaurant
