From a traveler’s
perspective, Bataan is an underrated tourist spot that surprises its visitors
with both natural and man-made attractions. But from a foodie’s perspective,
it’s a place that’s rich in both culinary history and modern food culture. If you want to discover
Bataan through a gastronomical tour, here are some "Where to Eat in Bataan" places you shouldn’t
miss out on!
1. The Food Project
The Food Project stylishly
plates up comfort food favorites and serves them at very affordable prices.
Fusing together Western and Filipino food, their assortment of appetizers, rice
meals, and refreshing drinks are best enjoyed with a group of friends.
The vibe here is hip and laid back, its flat lay-friendly wooden tables perfectly matching the restaurant’s outdoorsy atmosphere.
How to get here: From
Central Terminal in Balanga ride a jeepney bound to Orion, when you reach
Orion, Shell Gas Station, walk at about 15 to 20 meters going to Orion National
High School.
The
Food Project can be found at Balagtas, Orion, Bataan. Open from Tuesday-Sunday,
3:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
2. Ima’s Pamangan
Experience Kapampangan
cuisine with a touch of Bataan-style cooking at Ima’s Pamangan! It has become a
popular food stop for tourists en route to Mount Samat and for good reason:
lip-smacking good food. What’s a better way to satisfy one’s hunger than by
feasting on a number of popular Pampanga’s dishes in a relaxed, carinderia
setting?
The best part is, it’s
only ₱200 for an eat-all-you-can meal here!
Ima’s
Pamangan can be found at Gov. J.J. Linao Ala-Uli, Pilar, Bataan. (Located on
the highway leading to Mount Samat).
3. Choco-late de Batirol
Filipinos love merienda
and it’s never complete if there’s no mug of something hot and comforting to
drink. Enter Choco-late de Batirol’s specialty: hot chocolate drink prepared
with batirol–a wooden stick that is used to beat smelted cacao beans into a
thick, rich-tasting chocolate drink. To accompany your hot mug of
chocolate-de-batirol, pick from an assortment of local delicacies such as suman
and bibingka.
Bikers going to and from
Mount Samat love to stop by this place to rest and re-energize with a
satisfying merienda.
Choco-late
de Batirol can be found at Total Gas Station, Roman Super Highway, Alauli,
Pilar, Bataan.
4. Angelitos
Angelitos is a charming,
family-owned nook that was named after their three youngest boys: Rafael,
Gabriel and Miguel (yes, all saintly names!) In here, you get to relax in a
comfortable setting filled with cozy corners as well as savor flavorful
Filipino dishes that have been prepared with with opulence and passion.
Located beside the highway
of Orani, this place is the perfect pit-stop for either lunch or dinner when
passing by the province of Bataan.
Angelitos
can be found at M plus C Building, Tenejero Orani, Bataan.
5. Saverde
Restaurants in Bataan are
surprisingly getting more creative and one such establishment is Saverde. For
one, they’ve elevated the humble beef tapa by enveloping the garlic rice with
an omelet and topping it off with shreds of tapa!
They cook up mostly popular
Filipino cuisine with a twist which they then serve in a very Instagrammable
way.
Saverde
can be found at Gabon St., Abucay, Bataan.
6. The Beanery
Forget Starbucks and all
the other posh cafés in Metro Manila. The Beanery, Bataan’s homegrown coffee
chain, is just as great with its elegant interior, delicious plated meals and
rich-tasting coffee, tea and non-caffeine drinks.
You’ll turn into a Beanery
convert in no time!
The
Beanery can be found at Capitol Drive, San Jose, Balanga City. There’s another
branch located a short walking distance away from Crown Royale Hotel in
Balanga.
7. Stregato Gelateria
You can finally indulge
your sweet tooth without feeling bad about yourself because Stregato Gelateria
serves guiltless but tasty gelato in different flavors! Aside from their
gelato, one can also order pastas, sandwiches and rice meals.
This is definitely a good
place to eat, hang out, and not have to worry so much about ruining your diet.
Stregato
Gelateria can be found at Galeria Victoria Mall, Balanga.
8. Loleng’s Hutieu-an
Unknown to many, the
Philippines opened its doors to refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during
the Vietnam War. Most of the refugees migrated to the United States and Canada
but they impacted our local cuisine in their own way.
Aling Loleng, a Filipina
who used to work in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center in Morong, has
made it her mission to preserve these foreign influences. Today, Loleng’s
Hutieu-an serves up various types of Vietnamese dishes such as the Hu Tieu
Noodle soup, the Banh Mi bread and the Vietnamese Pho.
Loleng’s
Hutieu-an can be found at Mayor Street, Binaritan, Morong, Bataan. Open every
day, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
9. Mount Tarak Guest House & Restaurant
This in-house restaurant
of Mount Tarak Guest House serves an array of mouth-watering appetizer, pizza
and pasta, dessert and main entrée dishes. Some of their bestsellers include: Creamy Spiced Mussels, Pork Sisig Pasta, Grilled
Porksteaks in Herbs, Valencia, Negra and Marinera Paella, 3-cheese pizza,
Nachos Magnifico, Mount Tarak Platter, Mushroom alfredo, Sizzling Gambas,
Boneless Crispy Pata and more.
Mount Tarak Guest House & Restaurant is located at Kamaya Point Rd,
Mariveles, Bataan
10.
Espada Grill
This laid-back roadside
place serving Filipino buffet food is perfect for group of friends wanting to
mix a decent meal and an engaging table conversation. Don’t expect fancy
interior nor Masterchef plated dishes
- as this is as good as any lutong-bahay
joints can go.
Espada Grill can be found
at Calero Street, Balanga, Bataan
Open every day, 10:00 AM –
10:00 PM
Photo credits: Loleng’s Hutieu-an (Yen D), Stregato (Ann Margaret), Saverde (Hazel M) and Angelito's (Celineism)
