THINGS TO DO IN BAGUIO: Cultural Art and Food Discovery Tour in Baguio City

Recently, this Pinoy Adventurista contributor joined fellow travel and lifestyle writers on a Baguio Discovery Tour hosted by Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio. Despite having visited the City of Pines more than a dozen of times in the past, there’s always something new to discover in this city. On this trip, we dined at numerous restaurants that further presented the rich-tasting gastronomical culture of Baguio and some heritage and cultural arts landmarks of the city. In a lot of way, this discovery tour of Baguio supplemented the belief that even with previous excursions to this summer capital of the Philippines, a return trip to Baguio is always a winning travel choice.

TOP PICKS: Must-try Homegrown Restaurants in Baguio

Definitely, "food tripping" should be on top of your "to-do list" when visiting Baguio City. I've been to Baguio City many times in the past. What I love most about visiting the "City of Pines" is its wide array of homegrown restaurants serving local and international cuisines. Here are some of the must-try homegrown restaurants in Baguio City that I've personally tried and I recommend them for you to try too.

Must-try Restaurant In Baguio City: FOTD Resto Cafe

FOTD Resto Cafe (Food Of The Day) is one of the newest casual dining restaurants in Baguio City. Located along Naguilian road in Quezon Hill, they have been creating a buzz at Baguio City's dining scene because of their awesome selection of gourmet Filipino and Chinese dishes as well as their sumptuous pizza, pasta, burgers and coffee drinks.

WHERE TO EAT: Restaurants in Baguio City (PART 2)

Certainly, Baguio City is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. But aside from visiting its endless tourist spots and attractions, you should also not miss tasting its wide selection of interesting dining destinations. When traveling to the "City of Pines", eating should be one on top of your "to do list." Here are some of the restaurants in Baguio City that may help you decided where to eat on your next visit.

NEW RESTAURANTS IN BAGUIO: Grumpy Joe Restaurant

Grumpy Joe Restaurant in Baguio City

Baguio City has always been known for its cool climate and awesome tourist spots. But beyond its endless attractions, it also offers a wide array of cuisines and delicious dishes that will surely satisfy anybody's cravings. During my latest trip to Baguio City last March 2014, my friend brought me to one of the newest restaurants in Baguio City. It has been creating a "buzz" in the city as locals and tourists are willing to wait and fall in line just to have a taste of their yummy treats.

RESTAURANTS IN BAGUIO: Pizza Volante at Ayala Technohub inside Camp John Hay

When in Baguio, as much as possible I try only the local restaurants. Those that you can only see in Baguio. One of a must-visit is Pizza Volante, a home-grown restaurant that is considered as one of the best Italian restaurants in Baguio city. They offer freshly made and delicious Pizza and Pasta dishes that has been known for years among local residents and tourists visiting Baguio City.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Rasa Pura Singaporean Seafood Restaurant

Rasa Pura Singaporean Seafood Restaurant is the first and only Singaporean restaurant in Baguio City that offers authentic Singaporean cuisines. Their kitchen is headed by Singaporean master chef Joseph Teo, who uses imported spices from Singapore to assure the authenticity in taste and flavor of their dishes. "Rasa Pura" which literally means "City of Taste" reflects the evolution of Singapore's food culture. Dining at Rasa Pura felt like I was instantly transported to Singapore with their mouthwatering and delectable Singaporean dishes.

Bencab Museum and Cafe Sabel, "An Amazing Place to Appreciate Art in Tuba Benguet"

The BenCab Museum is one of the most beautiful museums I've been to. Located along Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet, it is a four-level building which houses our National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera's (BenCab) art collections. BenCab Museum has nine galleries, a cafe and one function room for workshops, seminars and other art-related activities. From time to time, it also showcases exhibits from different contemporary artists from Manila and different parts of the country.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Sage /saj/ Restaurant

Sage (pronounced as saj) is one of the newest restaurants in Baguio City. Located at 95 Military Cut-off Road, it's a bit far from the heart of the city yet offers an awesome dining place that is easily accessible by car or by public transportation. Opened just a year ago, Sage Restaurant promises to offer sumptuous meals that would tickle every guest's most discriminate palate.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Tradisyon, "Pinoy Comfort Food" at Azalea Residences

One thing that I really look forward to whenever I got the chance to check-in to a hotel is the buffet breakfast that comes the morning after. Azalea Residences' buffet breakfast is served at their in-house restaurant called Tradisyon, "Pinoy Comfort Food", located on the ground floor of the hotel. Getting up early in cold Baguio City weather is quite hard; but for 2 mornings during the Baguio Food Tour 2014 held last March, we got up early so we could experience Tradisyon Restaurant's breakfast buffet.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Alfoncito's Place, "Original Italian Style of Cooking with a Twist"

Alfoncito's Place is one of the newest restaurants in Baguio City which specializes in Italian cuisines. Located at the lower ground floor of EDY Building along Kisad Road, it is away from the busy downtown area of Session Road. Alfoncito's Place opened in September 2013 and serves pastries, coffee, sandwiches, shakes, pasta and more. Their menu boasts of their "original Italian style of cooking with a twist". That we have to find for ourselves...

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO: Ketchup Food Community's Rancho Norte and Happy Tummy Thai-Filipino Restaurant

Ketchup Food Community features home grown food concept-restaurants in Baguio that make up a "food community" of dining places in one area. Located along Romulo Drive near the Wright Park, the community is composed of Rancho Norte, Happy Tummy, Canto, Rumah Sate, and Green Pepper. The best thing about this place is you can order from any of the restaurants, stay in another restaurant and they will deliver the food where you chose to be seated.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Le Chef's Breakfast Buffet at The Manor, Camp John Hay

Having enjoyed a visit to the Le Chef at The Manor last year, I was ecstatic when I learned that they will be hosting us again on this edition of Baguio Food Tour 2014. Le Chef is The Manor Hotel's all-day dining restaurant inside Camp John Hay. The restaurant, hailed as one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Baguio is known to offer appetizing Filipino and international cuisines set in a refreshing log cabin atmosphere.

WHERE TO EAT: Restaurants in Baguio City (PART 1)

Baguio City is a top tourist destination in the Philippines because of its all year-round cool and temperate weather. Its accessibility from Metro Manila, makes it a favorite among local and foreign tourists seeking for a quick getaway. Aside from Baguio's endless tourist spots and attractions, it is also a foodies' haven, with its numerous restaurants, cafes and dining places offering wide array of food options featuring the city's freshest produce of fruits and vegetables that will surely stimulate your taste buds. So if you're looking for good places to dine, where to eat and what to eat, check out this list of restaurants in Baguio that I have personally tried.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Turf Lounge and Bar in Laubach Road

"Your space, my space, our space", that's the concept of Turf Lounge and Bar in Baguio City. Located along Laubach Road, it is one of the newest "chill places" in the city. Upon entering the bar, I instantly noticed the long bar area with bottles of drinks placed high up on the wall. This is a great place to chill and have some drinks and maybe meet new friends.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Le Chef at The Manor, Camp John Hay

Le Chef is an all-day dining restaurant at The Manor inside Camp John Hay. The restaurant, hailed as one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Baguio is known to offer appetizing Filipino and international cuisines and cocktails. We went to Le Chef for an afternoon snacks as part of Baguio Food Tour 2013. It's my first time at The Manor Hotel and I was really amazed with its plush and cozy look.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Hill Station at Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road

The gastronomic adventure in the "City of Pines" continues. This time, we're dining at Hill Station, one of Baguio City's most regarded restaurant. It is located at the ground floor of Casa Vallejo, a century-old building restored a few years back as a bed and breakfast hotel. It's easy to find the hotel as it is located very close to SM Baguio. Upon arrival at the hotel, we made our way towards the basement where a bar area greeted us.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Zola Resto Cafe in Session Road

We're now on our 2nd day in Baguio City. For breakfast, we were invited by Zola Resto Cafe to sample on their new dishes that will be included on their menu this month. But since we woke up late from partying all-night at Purple Lounge, we we're not able to wake up as scheduled. Hahaha! The supposedly breakfast at Zola Restaurant Cafe became brunch.

WHERE TO EAT AND PARTY IN BAGUIO CITY: Purple Lounge at Upper Session Road

The moment we stepped inside Purple Lounge, I felt a certain vibe that somehow brings me back to the time when I used to party hard. The time when I work hard and party harder. But that was long time ago. Hahaha! Anyway, we were invited by Purple Lounge to experience the night life in the City of Pines. It is one of the hippest party places in Baguio City where you could have a drink and party all night. Located along Upper Session Road Extension, it is favorite hangout place among college students, young working professionals and even tourists visiting Baguio City.

WHERE TO EAT IN BAGUIO CITY: Te Quiero Tapas Bar and Restaurant at Microtel Inn and Suites

It was about past 8:00 in the evening on our first night in Baguio when we decided to go out for dinner. From our accommodation, we walked for about 15 minutes towards the direction of Victory Liner Bus Terminal where Te Quiero Tapas Bar and Restaurant is located. It was a chilly night as we made our way to the restaurant who invited us for dinner for us to sample on their dishes. You wouldn't miss it as Te Quiero's beautiful facade is definitely an eye catcher.