Team Out of Town
Foodie Guide to 8 Must-Try Restaurants in Calamba, Laguna
Just a few hours away from Manila, you’ll find the quaint town of Calamba, more famously known as the birthplace of the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal. It has also become a crowd-favorite come summer, where team buildings and family outings usually take place in its famed resort village along Pansol.
However, not many people know that there’s so much more to enjoy in Calamba, Laguna, aside from the hot spring resorts and the historical house of Jose Rizal. Though not as famed for its cuisine, Calamba still has a few notable food spots you might want to try when you’re in town. Read on to know more about our most recommended (also tried and tested!) places to eat in Calamba, Laguna!
For the budgetarians
Why spend more on food when you can have great food at a cheaper price? For those on a budget and would just like to try less expensive meals, we’ve got options for you!
Tuding’s Original Porkchop Haus
By the name itself, Tuding’s prides itself on its main star–porkchop. This pork chop house was built in 1985, which started as a roadside kiosk in Sta. Rosa and that eventually opened more branches in nearby cities.
Their bestseller, of course, would be its own version of porksilog (porkchop, sinangag, itlog) served with a generous amount of tasty fried rice, sunny side up egg, and their original pork chop recipe. Make it tastier by adding spice powder to their vinegar sauce, and there goes the best porksilog meal you’ll try in Calamba. You’ve got to try their other silog meals too– they have tapa, tocino, longganisa, and bangus to offer! If you’re a fan of homestyle cooking, you’ll surely love this local favorite.
Location: Brgy. Real, Calamba, Laguna
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Website: https://www.tudings.com
Ton-Ton’s Sisig
You might not have seen this name yet on the list of must-tries in Calamba, but this deserves a spot on this list. Ton-Ton’s sisig, a small eatery with many branches within Calamba, is your top choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal that will satisfy your appetite.
Ton-Ton’s Sisig is known for serving the “Best Sisig in Town” for many budgetarians. It’s as budget-friendly as it can get, for its serving only costs less than a hundred peso. It’s best flavored with their famous chili oil, and there goes the best pork sisig you can ever try in Calamba. Add that with a fried egg to make it more delicious! Aside from sisig, they also offer carinderia-style dishes which can save you from petsa de Peligro but still with a taste that’s worth your penny.
Location: Crossing, Calamba, Laguna (behind SM Calamba)
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tontonsisigofficial/
For Sharing (Good for Families)
Looking for the perfect place to end your family outing in Pansol? We’ve got restaurants that can accommodate groups of people with their dishes which are all good for sharing!
Lutong Pilipino ni Aling Ely
If you’re a fan of Filipino cuisine, let Lutong Pilipino ni Aling Ely satisfy your cravings. This homestyle restaurant is found along the main road leading to Pansol (on the left side, if you’re coming from Manila). This charming little family restaurant has also been one of the longstanding Filipino restaurants in Calamba.
This restaurant is best known for lechon (roasted pig), which is a hit, especially during special occasions. Tip: make sure you pre-order as their lechon sells out fast! True enough, their lechon is one of the best there is in town– crispy lechon skin + rice + special gravy = perfection. Aside from lechon, their menu favorites include laing and dinuguan.
Location: National Highway, Brgy. Halang, Calamba City
Operating Hours: 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alingelys
Aviles: The Original Bulalo
Another local favorite in Calamba is Aviles. It’s also one of the oldest restaurants in town, having been operating since 1965–which tells you that they’ve got decades to prove they have dishes you’ll want to come back for.
The restaurant’s specialty is bulalo, a tasty, savory soup dish made of beef and bone marrow. It’s the ideal dish to order, especially for family lunch, as it has a generous serving good for sharing. Runners up on their best dishes would be kare-kare and mechado, which will make you order more rice! Aside from their beef specialties, they also serve pork, goat, and vegetable dishes which are just as delicious as their bulalo!
Location: National Highway, Brgy. Real, Calamba, Laguna
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/avilesbulalo
Ding-Hao Chinese Cuisine
Since the 80s, Ding Hao has always been the go-to restaurant of many Calambeños for every occasion, be it a birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or graduation day–name it, they’ve hosted it. This restaurant is best known for its authentic Chinese dishes that are always good for sharing.
When in Ding Hao, don’t forget to try their assorted cold cuts for appetizers and the fish fillet with sweet and sour sauce for the main dish. Even their Yang Chow rice is worth trying as it’s already tasty as it is even without pairing it with the main dishes yet! Bring the whole family or your friends and celebrate your special occasions at Ding Hao for a perfect sumptuous meal.
Location: Brgy. Uno, National Highway, Calamba, Laguna
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dinghaoresto/
RSM Lutong Bahay
This homey restaurant is famed for serving Filipino dishes. RSM Lutong Bahay is an ideal destination for those who would like a taste of delectable Filipino food. The restaurant has branches in nearby cities and has been a favorite by many locals for its good-for-sharing meals.
Their specialty dish is seafood, but locals rave about their bulalo too. You should also try their sisig and kare-kare. It’s a family-friendly place as their dishes are mostly good for sharing. They have a very nice traditional place too, with the restaurant filled with wooden accents in both their indoor and outdoor seating. It has also become a balikbayan-favorite which makes it one you must visit if you miss the taste of authentic Filipino cuisine.
Location: Bacnotan Branch, Brgy. Real, Calamba, Laguna
Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RSMBacnotanBranch/
For Out of Town Dates
Want to go on a quick getaway with your significant other? You’ll find good ones in Calamba, too! Check out our suggested restaurants for your spontaneous food trip dates that won’t break the bank!
Ipponyari Japanese Restaurant
There aren’t many Japanese restaurants in Calamba, but Ippon Yari is one must-try if you love Japanese cuisine. They have four branches which include Calamba, Sta. Rosa, Cavite, and Batangas. Aside from locals, you can definitely know it’s authentic by the number of Japanese customers they have who can vouch for their food!
Ippon Yari has an extensive menu that makes you come back to try all of their dishes! They have ramen, soba, udon, donburi, katsu, yakiniku, sushi, premium sashimi, and more. Their must-try, besides their sushi platter, would be the Unadon or the grilled eel rice bowl. They also have a variety of beverages to pair your dishes with. The best thing about Ippon Yari is that it’s affordable enough for such sumptuous food–it’s one of the restaurants where you’ll get your money’s worth.
Location: Brgy. Real, National Hi-way, Calamba, Laguna
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ipponyarijapresto
The Steak Cartel Laguna
One of the newest must-try restaurants in Calamba is The Steak Cartel. True to its name, they offer various steaks such as ribeye, wagyu, and more. This steakhouse also serves as a deli where you can buy cheese, sausages, and wines to pair your meat with. Since they serve premium meats, it’s one of the places you go to for a fancy meal. If you’re looking for a perfect date place in Calamba, this could be your best choice.
The Steak Cartel also offers burgers, pica-pica, and desserts, so you’ll never run out of choices on what to eat in this steakhouse. They have plenty of meat cuts to choose from, which you can cook at home as they also offer take-out and delivery services. Meat lovers will surely rejoice when you try this steak place!
Location: 2nd Floor, D’Fresco Building, Brgy. Halang, National Highway, Calamba, Laguna
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Sunday) Closed every Tuesday
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thesteakcartel
Note: Prices and operating hours may change without prior notice. Check each of the restaurant’s website or Facebook page to know of their guidelines.
Have you tried other restaurants in Calamba that are not on the list? Share with us your own favorites in the comment section below!
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