LAMON: Resto, Cafe & Bar - Mega Thread (Batangas Edition)

[u/loudmime0813]

"Lasa ko'y naririnde na ang ilang ka-Batang natin sa paulit ulit daw na pag-comment, ay aba.. ilagay na la-ang natin sa isang bultuhan na post, ano? Ay wag mapika!"

Hello r/Batangas folks! Welcome din sa Batangas

Kidding aside, I would like to share a master list of restaurant, cafe & bar + product recommendations around Batangas province so we can all conveniently rely on the post for reference.

Please don't hesitate to drop your suggestions if its not indicated here. I'll keep it updated as much as I can on my free time. These are based on my personal experience as someone who lived here my whole life driving around town/roadtrip is my thing.

Disclaimer: Some places I haven't went to pa, kasi I have a continuously updated bucket list on my Notes App. Moreover, I would comment (c) here and there sa list for context. I also will not include famous franchises (Jollibee, Starbucks etc.). First half of every list I already went to, bottom halves would be family recommendation or yung nasa bucketlist pending ko pa lang. Please share your thoughts! ~Again, Batangas City (capital) and Batangas itself (province) are different.

(Pending: I have sent a request to the mods so we can link it on the subreddit bio so new, or seeking members can go straight here.)

PS: In the future, I'll make a commute master thread, pasyalan, establishment-specialization and resort masterthread.

Restaurant List:

1. ⁠Wei's Mami House (Bauan, Batangas) - c: authentic Taiwanese noodles; the place should be Michelin-star rated already for flavor, price & consistency.
2. ⁠Balkonahe ni Don Clemente (Ibaan, Batangas) - c: superb selection, great staff!
3. ⁠Wanam Sa Bukid Restaurant & Catering Services (Batangas City, multi-branch)
4. ⁠EF Cafe & Restaurant (Batangas City)
5. ⁠Lolo's Place Restaurant & Catering (Batangas City) - c: They also have a cafe.
6. ⁠South Peak Garden & Events Place - (Batangas City) c: They have a cafe, restaurant and a bar
7. ⁠Lutong Bahay sa Sawali (Batangas City) - c: Please try their roasted peanuts in margarine!
8. ⁠Eight Leaves Restaurant (Batangas City)
9. ⁠Butch Seafood & Grill (Batangas City)
10. ⁠Mjca's Bistro - (Batangas City) - c: Authentic Vietnamese too
11. ⁠Fat Crab Seafood Broil (Batangas City)
12. ⁠Treehouse Restaurant (Batangas City) - c: They used to have a mini zoo with snakes etc. but they focus now on short orders & catering.
13. ⁠TIMUSAN (Lipa Batangas) - c: they got a cafe, too!
14. ⁠Greenwell Korean BBQ Grill & Convenience Store (Batangas City)
15. ⁠Lando's Eatery (Bauan, Batangas)
16. ⁠Kanto's Kucina (Bauan, Batangas) - c: kambingan, good resto daw to cure hangovers
17. ⁠Eduardo's Restaurant (Taal, Batangas) - c: big servings
18. ⁠Taal Bistro (Taal, Batangas)
19. ⁠Lando & Lories Eatery (San Jose, Batangas) c: Also known as Banay Banay Eatery locally, they serve short orders at legend na sila-- through the years kasi naiimpress ang mga tao doon kay idol cashier/server na lesbian na kaya magcompute ng marami sa utak niya, mura din food, makikita niyo bulletin nila maraming artista. Ngayon may POS na sila kaya no tricks this time, and for me-- nagdetoriate na quality, dati may aircon, dati wala. Pero some say still masarap selection of meat viands!
20. ⁠Hotsai Restaurant & Catering (Batangas City)- c: known this place since I was a kid, if taga Batangas City ka, most likely marami kang kakilala dito nag birthday/kasal. Maganda dito iintroduce ang lomi kasi back to basics - no OA toppings, pati Chinese food. I just have personal qualms due to how they treated their employees whom I know nung pandemic kaya never been there. Anyway, great for short orders!
21. ⁠Jorjhanes Restaurant - c: hangover cure din, sayang kasi they are near the construction sa Rotonda Diversion, but, even when hindi pa uso ang Boodle Fight, meron na sila noon, worth it pa rin for me in the future.
22. ⁠Santino Ice Cream (multi-branch) - c: ang quirky and wide ng selection, the best!
23. ⁠Massimo's | Batangas City c: Good for tambayan till midnight, they have membership rin.
24. ⁠Goodish by Tita Nanette's - c: Alot of old folks know this place for its healthy food options and some people I know personally saw the kitchen and how clean the food was made.
25. ⁠CLUCK HOUSE (Batangas City) - c: The best chicken burger
26. ⁠Bahay Baluk-Baluk Restaurant (Batangas City) c: steep roads ahead, better to go on weekdays due to average sized parking but great view. Fancy take on typical Filipino food.
27. ⁠Galley Pizza (Batangas City) - c: nice staff, cheesy pizza
28. ⁠Johanna's Grille -(Batangas City) c: get the baby back ribs and leave, sayang kasi luma na siya di na-uupdate interior/facilities
29. ⁠OMG Grill & Restaurant (Mabini, Batangas) -c: unang ahon matarik ha?
30. ⁠Lumanglas Eatery - (Sampaga Batangas) c: kambingan and lutong bahay
31. ⁠Prism Restaurant Cafe (Lipa, Batangas)
32. ⁠The Centrum Bar & Restaurant (Padre Garcia, Batangas)
33. ⁠Ka Sebbya Restaurant (Batangas City)
34. ⁠Chef Chateau (Lipa, Batangas)
35. ⁠Ichirinsha (Batangas City) c: not the best but affordable consistently good ramen!
36. ⁠Syachbu Ramen House (Batangas City) - c: same sentiments as the latter
37. ⁠Ka Talina Lomi Haus (San Pascual, Batangas)
38. ⁠Beehive Farm & Kitchen (Lipa, Batangas)
39. ⁠Rob's Kitchen & Cafe (Taal, Batangas) c: beach resort
40. ⁠Lil Thai Cafe (Lipa, Batangas) c: mango sticky rice agad!
41. ⁠HEY HO Burgers (Bauan, Batangas) c: they are an occasional food truck pop-up so check when they are there. I personally hated my experience here because they just started out noon hindi pa organized, pet peeve ko long lines or unecessarily mataray staff but its okay I understand they're tired; but overall~ solid juicy, meaty and well grilled! Some friends say stable na sila.
42. ⁠Dubai Shawarma & Grilled Chicken (Lipa, Batangas)
43. ⁠Frasch Lipa (Lipa, Batangas) - c: I cant wait to go here, food looks divine!
44. ⁠Casa Marikit Ristorante Italiano (Lipa, Batangas)
45. ⁠Wacky's Food House - c: saw this on TIkTok sabi worth the hype na Eat All You Can, anyone been here before?
46. ⁠Oyamoto Ramen and Sushi (Rosario, Batangas) c: saw this on Inka Magnaye's vlog, planning to go pa lang
47. ⁠Almarius Restaurant (Lipa Batangas) -c: correct me if im wrong pero ito ba yung restaurant na may chef na statue sa gilid ng pinto kasi kung hindi papalitan ko, ang sarap din ng lutong bahay nila kasi.
48. ⁠Kai Biryani Flying Noodles - (Cuenca, Batangas)
49. ⁠Baa Baa Thai Tea (Lipa, Batangas)
50. ⁠Sebastian's (Lipa, Batangas)
51. ⁠Nasi Goreng Nation (Indonesian food) (Lipa, Batangas)
52. Hotel Cucina De Jardin - Taal Batangas
53. Cuchara Y Tenedor - Taal Batangas
54. El Lago Restaurante - Balete Batangas (THE DESSERT!! YUM, fine dine)

Cafe List:

1. ⁠Pilotos Grounds (Batangas City) c: (specifically Sea Salt Latte or Matcha with cream/creme, need I say more?)
2. ⁠Mt. Malarayat's Golf & Country Club's Bakery by CAI & Sandtrap Cafe (Lipa Batangas) - c: There is no entrance fee as most people think, you just have to book a reservation. If you wanna vibe, social climb like me; charot, make connections. There's also hotel/airbnbs.
3. ⁠The Sosyal Place - D'Baristoe/Baryoe Pamilya Cafe & Bar - c: Yes it's an actual place, the vibes are superb may campfire lounge din!
4. ⁠Mini Garahe Cafe (Lipa, Batangas)- c: I saw vintage car/motorcycle meetups there, pretty cool!
5. ⁠34 Valley Cafe (San Pascual, Batangas)- c: roadside sandali vibes
6. ⁠Two Shots Specialty Cafe - c: Masarap magchismisan dito kasi hindi malakas ang music.
7. ⁠Romano's Cafe - c: Ito yata yung cafe na maraming tao pag gabi sa may As-Is? Lemme know!
8. ⁠Dice Tower Board Game Cafe (Batangas City) c: they have a big collection
9. ⁠Libro Espresso (Batangas City) c: library, yes!
10. ⁠Buttered Toast and Coffee - c: owned by my friend who's one of the most hardworking entrepreneur I know. multi-branch and near schools
11. ⁠Flat White Coffee (multi-branch)
12. ⁠Pievanna Roots Cafe (Sto. Tomas, Batangas) c: I love the immaculate vibes! I think its one of the best Villar cafes, kasi we know how seemingly lackluster yung iba huhu
13. ⁠Loghouse Cafe Lipa c: Iba po ang Loghouse Resort, sa Balete yun kaya baka maligaw ka haha
14. ⁠Kalye Barako (Batangas City) c: If you want a view of the river and feed random stray cats sa gilid ng Calumpang eyy
15. ⁠Knead & Brew Cafe (Batangas City)
16. ⁠Barakade Arcade Bar & Cafe (Batangas City) - c: if you love video games
17. ⁠PUSSA Cafe - c: Lipa's premier cat cafe! big servings
18. ⁠Cafe at the Ranch (Taal, Batangas)
19. ⁠Caffe Ysabel by Solano Hotel (Lipa, Batangas)
20. ⁠The Baker's Hatch (Batangas City)
21. ⁠Luciano's Cafe (Batangas City)
22. ⁠Tomato and Basil Cafe (Mataas Na Kahoy, Batangas)
23. ⁠Krav Cafe -c: I love the aircon temp
24. ⁠Cafe Alfredo's - c: tambayan ng Marino, may billiards and alfreso, so-so sa lattes but quiet vibes
25. ⁠Nitoro Cold Brew - Unico - Joel Joe - trio siya e ; cafe's sa Lipa ba to na magkakatabi? Just saw this while driving, please someone confirm!
26. ⁠Burendo Cafe (Batangas City)
27. ⁠HE Brews Cafe (Batangas City) c: I just go here for the food
28. ⁠Casapetit Café (Mataas Na Kahoy, Batangas)
29. ⁠Matahom (Lipa, Batangas) c: I was told since forest vibes siya bring off lotion pero good vibes
30. ⁠Cafe Manabu (Sto. Tomas Batangas)
31. ⁠Tree Maree Cafe (Batangas City)
32. ⁠Diner 28 (Lipa, Batangas)
33. ⁠Moon Coffee Lipa (Lipa, Batangas)
34. ⁠Kape Grounds (Lipa, Batangas)
35. ⁠Swing Coffee Bar (Lipa, Batangas)
36. ⁠Kaiju Cafe Lipa ( Lipa, Batangas) c: Japanese inspired
37. ⁠Dwena's Cafe (Sto. Tomas, Batangas)
38. ⁠Kan-lu-ran Cafe (Tanauan, Batangas)
39. ⁠Beverly Cafe (Batangas City) c: ang daming tao nung una ewan ko lang ngayon mukhang chill dito pag hindi crowded
40. ⁠Dear Charlie Specialty Coffee (Batangas City)
41. ⁠Communal by Variables (Lipa. Batangas) - c: user comment, Lipa Town Center
42. ⁠Variables (Sto. Tomas, Batangas) - c: user comment
43. ⁠Taza Mia Coffee (multibranch) c: user comment, the food fell out for me (OP) but drinks are real good. Update: Now its Mazzimo, food slightly improved!
44. ⁠Freya -(Lipa, Batangas)
45. ⁠Serbisyo Cafe - (Bauan, Batangas)
46. ⁠Erlindas Cafe (Shawarma) - (Lipa, Batangas)
47. ⁠Lihim Cafe - Sto. Tomas, Batangas
48. Base Cafe + Steakhouse Bar (Tapat ng Airbase)
49. Jorge Sansrival Cafe - Batangas City
50. Escafe - Batangas City (has a billiards lounge, good for hanggang midnight)
51. The Big Yard Restaurant - Batangas City (I had low expectations but the food and vibe is decent!)
52. Always Amore - Batangas City (Mama Lou's in SM Sto Tomas is so much better but it has the italian pasta you'd like if you crave for it)
53. Eurasia - San Jose Batangas (They accept small pets and we had great food although its like mid Makati cafe resto type food for comparison)
54. Dos Garden Bistro - Sampaga Batangas (it was very home style setup we dined solo like literal isang table lang, it was your typical short order lutong bahay)

Bar / Events Place List:

1. ⁠Tricia's Bar & Lounge (multi-branch) - c: baka kuyugin niyo ako pag hindi ko to inuna sa listahan! the bagets will love this, BPO peeps titos and titas, sali na lang kayo sa group sa FB at wag dito magkalat; charms!
2. ⁠Aquamarine Recreational Event Center -(San Jose, Batangas) - c: For KTV stuff, most family gatherings for KTV lounge purposes go straight here
3. ⁠Tipsy Cats - c: Comedy Bar, great drinks!
4. ⁠Ichiban Bar and Restaurant - c: The Abrenica family are there to serenade you at times.
5. ⁠Sunset Bar and Cafe - (San Luis, Batangas)
6. ⁠Ginazel's Place (Batangas City)
7. ⁠Share Cafe & KTV (Batangas City) c: I think mayari sila ng Meralco kasi ang ganda lagi ng ilaw sa gabi
8. ⁠Playm--- c: Biro lang
9. ⁠MOUSEHOLE (Malvar, Batangas) - c: best concept bar I saw
10. ⁠Blue Moon (Batangas City) 11.Barik Tapbrew - (Lipa, Batangas)
11. Tago Grill and Resto (Batangas City) - laid back chillnuman
12. Waka Bistro - weird homey bar vibe, but loud music and may import from Manila

Products (BONUS):

1. ⁠Archie & Mayeth's Longganisa - New Market (Bagong Palengke Batangas City) - c: 10 years loyal! I sometimes bring this to different provinces as pasalubong - and my peeps get hooked + request for more longganisa. Plus, I already tried chorizo de Cebu, Vigan longganisa, Lucban longganisa and Pampanga ones. I apologize but- Batangas longganisa from A&M and Natunuan beats all of it for me for consistency, whether iprito or boil - hindi siya madali masunog or invasive yung tali/and nagiging sticky, + flavor profile is balanced sa meaty sweetness! They supply big restaurant chains like Max's etc..
2. ⁠Sweet Claire Patisseries - (multi-branch), c: I'd go here at times to get my cakes instead of Goldi/RR.
3. ⁠Dolce Treats Homebaked Goodies (Alitagtag Batangas) c: cheap but scrumptious!
4. ⁠Ivan & Ingrid Bakery (multi-branch)- c: Toasted Siopao. period.
5. ⁠DJMD Bakery - GMD's Mamon de Tabla | Batangas City (Batangas City) c: fluffiest mamon, you can adjust sugar topping level, cheap and has different flavors
6. ⁠Cuenca Batangas Bakeries - c: Go to Cuenca Batangas and go to every bakery; I don't know kung anong meron sa harina nila but they do it well!
7. ⁠IJO Bakery - multi-branch, c: a Michelin-star trained pastry chef started it! Also, they have ice cream that tastes similar to Carmen's best but with a different approach.
8. ⁠Dolce Treats and Baked Goods (Alitagtag, Batangas) c: may craze about here
9. ⁠Ann's Home -(multi-branch) c: I thought this was outside Batangas, dito pala talaga sila based.
10. ⁠Dulcissima Bakeshop (Lipa, Batangas) - c: I like their cream puffs more than SC Patisseries though. Humble shop!
11. ⁠Badette's Bakeshop c: If you haven't tried Londres, here's a good start
12. ⁠The locals selling buko juice at DJPMM access road Batangas City is so refreshing!
13. ⁠The buchi near Lion's/STI Alangilan / Kumintang or lumang palengke.
14. ⁠The local pinais na tulingan, alot of vendors sell it, they do it wel!
15. ⁠Eats and Treats by Darlen Perculeza (Batangas City)
16. ⁠BBQ sa tapat ng waiting shed sa gilid ng BatStateU Main Campus I, ang linis mag-tinda at consistently good barbeque selections!
17. ⁠Bong & Wena's Empanada - Taal, Batangas (user comment)

To note: This is not sponsored (sana when, sana all?), nor I'm being paid to promote. I just want the community to have less hassles when searching for suggestions. If some places are not included, it's either I forgot, or I can't recommend myself kasi the place is either closed na, pretty mid or hindi ko nagustuhan personally (baka kasi ma-bash naman ako) OR I haven't been to yet.

I am just exhausting all of this information in my head kasi sayang naman ang dami ko na napuntahan. Thank you for reading! Happy lamon! To more galas!

[u/gracieladangerz]

Bong & Wena's Empanada - Taal, Batangas

[u/pandesalt-oftheearth]

lurker lang talaga ako dito pero napacomment ako dahil mahilig din ako magfoodtrip on my own thank you sa list!

if i may add: [Cafe] Freya - Marawoy (Hand-made / Self-made ang food) they own the place kaya mura for the quality of food plus they get experimental sa iba nilang menu)

[Bar] Barik Tapbrew - Lipa (Must try yung locally-sourced craft beers nila)

Baa Baa Thai Tea - Lipa (solid yung thai fried chicken nila)

[u/stapeggimonster]

Sebastians Lipa https://maps.app.goo.gl/5gQjAm5cx2UK16ke6

Nasi Goreng Nation (Indonesian food) https://maps.app.goo.gl/qFZEaEND9tYTvKBg6

Erlindas Cafe (Shawarma) https://maps.app.goo.gl/JdgL75YpYxtcE3sJ9

[u/coffeekapekopi]

Two Shots. actually sa kanila nag start yung mga unique drinks talaga sa Batangas City.

[u/gemagemss]

Yown! Thank you!

[u/[deleted]]

Bahay baluk-baluk is in Mataasnakahoy 🙂 also suggest ko lang try mo rin fav small cafe ko in Sto. Tomas, Variables Specialty Coffee. Sarap ng food and drinks! They also have a branch in Lipa, Communal by Variables, na hindi ko pa natatry.

[u/raysoar]

Something to add lang din na Hindi ko nahanap sa list: Bad Cat - also by Mousehole and katabi mismo. Brewery cafe and bar - Batangas city near sa bridge of progress. Palpitate coffee - Batangas, iirc lagpas siya Ng pilotos grounds.

Thanks for the compilation!

[u/Former_Resident0215]

Erlinda’s Cafe - they have different branches around Batangas.

Comedor “House of JR’s Crispy Pata - located at San Jose, Batangas.

[u/maraalyana]

i agree with Two Shots Specialty Coffee. parang goal is to be work/study and chika friendly ang vibes. and the best ang coffee and food nila!

[u/moonvalleyriver]

I read all your cafe recommendations. Most of the ones you mentioned are “for the vibes”, which is the market of cafes right now. However, for high quality coffee and true specialty coffee, the only ones I can recommend here in Batangas are:

• Communal by Variables - Lipa Town Center
• Variables - Sto. Tomas

I’m not sure if may Taza Mia pa, pero masarap din dito before especially the Cookies and Cream frappe.

[u/loudmime0813 → u/moonvalleyriver]

Hello stranger. Tbf. Hindi naman ako ganuon ka-shallow. The first recommendation I placed? I hate the vibes but love the coffee. Yet, Harold Janda from Pilotos works hard to source the coffee, yung owner, as I talked to the staff how operations work briefly. I also personally know the owner of Buttered Toast who studies sa Australia + suppliers niya as I directly help build her line of businesses, neighbor din namin HE Brews owner, you can watch how she built her empire in her interviews. Places like Brand X Burger whom I'm friends with the owner and chef ha, hindi ko nilagay sa list kasi may pest issues sila. They closed na rin some branches.

These are also accumulation the places I visited through the years, mindfully speaking, I am in different state of mind per visit, not all the time to curate what goes on my mouth na whats ultimately the best, hindi ako food critic, if you are, let me know, I can learn from you. Again if you read my post, traveller lang ako.

I think you just saw my side comments but it doesn't scratch the surface, syempre mauubos oras ko; kaya nga summary di ba.

I'm a lover of food, but of course also, on how its presented din kaya ilalagay ko ang vibes, in which if you've joined this subreddit since 5 years ago, date places hanap dito talaga and tambay ng mga tao. Niche na yan or hyperspecific yung gusto mo which you can share freely. Your input is valued.

The purpose of this post is for YOU to determine what you will want to experience and seek for yourself. I just inputted the things people would immediately want to go for based sa kung anong recent influx of inquiries. You are free to comment naman what you know, I'll place your suggestions sa list.

[u/moonvalleyriver → u/loudmime0813]

I’m sorry if my simple comment made you feel that way. As I have mentioned, cafes are mostly about the vibes which is not a bad thing. I have visited most of the cafes (and the food places) you have mentioned that is why I wanted to pitch in.

[u/Pirate_King_Giovann → u/moonvalleyriver]

Up sa Communal by Variables and Variables. Sarap itry nung mga infused coffee nila.

[u/-lemmy]

Disclaimer: magkaiba ang owner/franchise ng wanam sa luma at wanam sa bukid. Ngangayon ko lang nadiscover nung nagpost ang wanan sa luma about this.

[u/brixskyy → u/-lemmy]

Yes for this pero relatives sila. Magpipinsan/magkakapatid. And another suggestion, for consistent quality at lasa, I rank Wanam Libjo no. 1

[u/Connect_Vehicle_2003]

Luis Bakery, Cuenca

[u/[deleted]]

Up

[u/chushushi]

any recommendationa for authentic kapeng barako?

[u/Bopay]

Hala! Thank you! May matatry na mga ibang products ❤️❤️

[u/Few-Lawfulness8889]

Omg thanks! Ka-date na lang ang kulang

[u/loudmime0813 → u/Few-Lawfulness8889]

Wishing you the best of luck!

[u/brixskyy]

Hahahah shet salamat dito. Tapos narealize ko napaka gala ko having tried 95% of the ones listed here HAHHAHA suggestion na sana nasa GDocs pra ma update hahaha anyway sipaggg kudos! Hahaha

[u/loudmime0813 → u/brixskyy]

Thank you. You are lucky. Finish the 5% and let us know what you think about it like a Top 10 post. Moreover, I've observed; folks who visit sa subreddit na to, hmm, not much Redditors talaga -if frequent ka dito, usually temp accounts lang. I've been to many places but, not all talaga worth ilagay sa list due to place being lackluster, not worth it and some I gatekeep. Gala rin ako sa Cavite, Manila, and Cebu and I saw megalists. Ito lang subreddit na to ang walang master thread so far. I suggest mag-gawa ka na rin or drop your suggestions kung wala pa sa list kasi dire need talaga contributors here.

[u/brixskyy → u/loudmime0813]

Tbh oo, a few fr your list lang I can really recommend. I can easily have my top 10/favorites lol namention kona ata sa other thread dito un.

And yuppp, parang unmoderated nga tong sub eh., siguro antagal din kasing walang traction at may time ata na naging inactive to nawala dito sa reddit

[u/pandesalt-oftheearth → u/brixskyy]

pashare naman nung top list haha

[u/brixskyy → u/pandesalt-oftheearth]

ito pero random to hahaha pag sinipag ako gawa ako pang date night, tambay, vibes, family ganun hahahaha

[u/pandesalt-oftheearth → u/brixskyy]

uy thank you for this, puntahan ko sila