When in need of relief from the concrete jungle, find inspiration, fresh air, and vibrant food on a day trip to these delicious restaurants. Taste regional delicacies and go on a mini food tour by hitting up these spots which are less than three hours away from the metro. 

1. Angeles, Pampanga | Bale Dutung

Made famous by lanky snarky foodie Anthony Bourdain, Pampanga’s Bale Dutung is seriously worth the approximate two hour drive north west. Run by husband and wife team Claude and Mary Ann Tayag, this reservation-only restaurant serves heirloom recipes from the region by way of set menus. The food is soulful and sumptuous, with choices of menus such as the Anthony Bourdain Menu, that includes barbecued chicken tails with crab fat rice, crispy roast pork flakes wrapped in a tortilla, and the signature seafood kare kare. The Kapangpangan Menu, however, includes regional delicacies like fried spring rolls and adobong quail. 

2. Tagaytay, Cavite | Balay Dako

Antonio’s needs no introduction, but the latest addition to chef and restaurateur Tony Boy Escalante’s Tagaytay restaurant empire might not be known to some. On the menu at Balay Dako are hearty Filipino dishes that don’t lack flavour or inspiration as well as terrific cocktails. There’s virtually every Filipino dish under the sun offered here, whether its Spanish or Chinese-inspired — from kalderetang kambing (PHP460) to Pancit Canton (PHP370) to Sinuteng Pusit (PHP530). Apart from these near-perfect a la carte dishes, head south on the weekends for their breakfast buffet (PHP650 for adults; PHP400 for children). It’s a lavish spread of Filipino favorites like beef tapa, bangus, kesong puti, and pancit alongside a great spread of freshly-baked breads, fresh juices, and local desserts. 

3. San Pablo, Laguna | Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant 

Just under a two hour drive down south is the charming Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant. Located on the property of this restaurant and bed and breakfast are two wooden heritage homes filled with an abundance of antiques and fascinating art pieces. Following the style of the space is a menu which reads uber traditional. It’s populated with simple yet tasty dishes like pancit molo soup (PHP190), sotanghon guisado (PHP240), and beef salpicao (PHP550). If you’re craving for something not from our shores, there are decent enough western dishes on offer too, such as fish and chips (PHP320) and cheese rolls with garlic dip (PHP195). 

4. Antipolo, Rizal | Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery

Spend the day wandering about Antipolo’s lovely Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery which includes a pottery shop filled with Lanella Abueva-Fernando’s rustic ceramics as well as a cafe that specializes in Southeast Asian dishes. The food here is vibrant and fresh but the hitch is there is no a la carte menu, only a daily menu filled with the day’s freshest produce. Despite the fact that the menu is unpredictable, you can look forward to their signature dish of miang kam, a Thai starter that is comprised of fillings like minced green chillies, red onions, and ginger wrapped inside peppery betel nut leaves. 

5. Nasugbu, Batangas | Kainan sa Dalampasigan

Kainan sa Dalampasigan has been around since 1971 yet still manages to keep the crowds rolling in. This Batangas restaurant features heritage recipes by the Limjoco family, and the space is as homey and inviting as your favorite tita’s house. The large dining hall is surrounded by luscious tropical landscaping and water features as well as loads of cozy nooks to fall in love with and linger in. Provisioned here is a well-rounded menu of Filipino favorites. Don’t miss the daing na bangus (PHP375), which is one of their house specialties and one can see why as its generous on the meat, perfectly salty, and fried to a gold brown crisp. Also try the balot sa dahon (PHP250) that’s a mix of adobo, shrimps, bagoong, and white rice wrapped in a banana leaf. 

6. San Pablo, Laguna | Patis Tito Garden Cafe

Lauded designer Patis Tesoro and her husband Tito Tesoro’s San Pablo restaurant and bed and breakfast is an exquisite place. It’s a space that’s “open to everyone who desired to be reacquainted with Philippine heritage through food, nature, art, and architecture.” The surrounding rich foliage and fresh air provides a perfect setting to tuck into the home-style Filipino fare that’s offered here. Start with a family-sized chicken kinulob (PHP1200) that  features a soup of chicken, potatoes, carrots, bacon, and chorizo served in a clay pot and cooked over a charcoal fire. Then move on to mains like the fresh water tilapia (PHP285) which is deep-fried and served with coconut, ginger, and mango. Before heading home, hit the road with a belly full of home-made ice cream (PHP65 per scoop) that comes in flavors like coffee, roselle, and peanut butter. 

7. Dolores, Quezon | Kinabuhayan Kafe

About three hours drive from Manila is the whimsical Kinabuhayan Kafe which is run by the eccentric Jay Herrera. A former theatre designer and lover of all things creative, Herrera applies his innate artistry into his food, creating family-style set menus near Kubli Springs. Although the price of a meal here highly varies on your dietary preferences and what time of day you’re coming, you can look forward to exquisite salads with exotic garnishes, mushroom risotto, and banana fritters with ice cream. Stay the day and traipse around the neighborhood to discover hot springs and fresh water rivers.