As exciting as it is to see chain restaurants opening their doors in the City of Pines for the first time, nothing beats a uniquely Baguio meal. Here are just a few of the meals and desserts we’ve enjoyed over the past months that you (mostly) won’t find anywhere else. Remember to dine responsibly – mask up, put on a face shield for good measure, and don’t forget to fill out your contact tracing form at the door.

Kiniing Chao Fan at Cafe Cueva, Ili Likha

Ili Likha is home to several dining establishments, so whether you’re situated at the ground floor or the basement, you’re spoiled for choice. Cafe Cueva has a nice selection of healthy, filling food, including a few varieties of fried rice. Kiniing is a pork product preserved by curing and smoking. The kiniing bits in Cafe Cueva’s chao fan add a nice salty, savory kick to the dish.

Cafe Cueva is located in Ili Likha Artist Village at #32 Assumption Road. Find them on Facebook for more photos and information.

Meatball Spaghetti and Mozarella Sticks at Xtremely Xpresso Cafe

Found along Brent Road, Xtremely Xpresso offers heavy meals for hungry people. Their meatball spaghetti is just the right amount of tangy and topped with parmesan cheese. If you can’t get enough cheese, or you’re just coming in for a snack, try their mozarella sticks, too. They also offer soups, salads, pizza, and more.

Xtremely Xpresso is located at #3 Brent Road. Check out their website to learn more, and to see their full menu.

Pigar-pigar at Edsyl Canteen

A favorite of local students (and anyone on a budget), Edsyl Canteen serves a variety of lutong bahay. My favorite is their sizzling pigar-pigar, loaded with meat and vegetables. This hearty meal consists of slices of beef (sometimes cow, sometimes carabao) and liver, onions, and cabbage, generously seasoned and fried, then served with white rice. It originated in Dagupan, Pangasinan, where it is a popular street food.

Edsyl’s Canteen and Refreshment is located at R. Palma Street – from Legarda Road, turn left onto Urbano Street then take the first right. Like and follow their Facebook page for more information.

Flank Steak at The Outlook Steak & Grill, Grand Sierra Pines Hotel

The Outlook is a great place to go for dining with a view, especially if you’re in the mood to watch the sunset. Their flank steak is a bit more budget-friendly than the other cuts but no less delicious, and is accompanied by soft, fluffy mashed potatoes and some string beans and cherry tomatoes. You can swap out the side dishes if you feel like pairing it with something else – just check out the menu or ask the waitstaff.

The Outlook Steak & Grill is located in the Grand Sierra Pines Hotel at #43 North Outlook Drive. See their menu and make a reservation on the hotel website and learn about their upcoming events and promos on Facebook.

Sweets at Lemon and Olives

The go-to place for Greek fare in Baguio is Lemon and Olives, but they offer more than just their fabulous souvlaki plates and moussaka. When you pay them a visit, be sure to check out their selection of desserts. We love their chocolate pralines with a crunchy center and greek yogurt topped with crushed walnuts and honey – a healthy alternative to their sinful cakes and pastries.

Lemon and Olives is located at #26 Outlook Drive. Check them out on Facebook for updates, photos, and their full menu.

Cheesecakes at That Little Cafe

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That Little Cafe is an airy, Instagrammable spot at the rooftop of The Orchard Hotel. Their menu features an assortment of food from baked sushi to wings to kare-kare. Lately, we’ve been heading over there for coffee and dessert. Their cheesecakes are wonderful for pairing with coffee or tea, or to top off a hearty meal with a view of the city.

That Little Cafe is located at the 6th floor of The Orchard Hotel, at #53 Legarda Road. For more information, hit them up on their Facebook page.