La Union is known for its surf scene, however foodies know that it’s additionally a fantastic place to go on a meals journey. Yow will discover quite a lot of Filipino and worldwide delicacies right here catering to every kind of vacationers, from weekend warriors on a funds, barkadas within the temper to occasion, and households with the entire clan in tow.
Whereas there are numerous new locations concentrated within the surf space of San Juan together with vegan-friendly cafes and craft beer spots catering to the youthful seashore crowd, you too can discover different eating places with distinctive ideas unfold out in La Union’s different cities.
I not too long ago acquired to pattern just a few new locations in La Union through the #NLEXLakbay Norte Media tour together with different mainstream media representatives and content material creators on a convoy of Mitsubishi Xpanders. Our cozy rides took us round native haunts in different cities like San Fernando, Agoo, Bauang, Luna, and Bacnotan for nice eats, together with sightseeing, memento procuring, and extra.
In case you’re planning to drive to Elyu quickly, listed here are just a few thrilling new eating places and a few outdated classics you’ll be able to go to in 2024 and past.
Lomboy Farms established in 1972 within the city of Bauang is well-known for pioneering grape farming within the Philippines. You’ll be able to’t miss the indicators promoting grape choosing on numerous farms alongside the highway, a lot of that are family-run companies of earlier staff who discovered to propagate grapes themselves. In 2019, simply earlier than the pandemic hit, Lomboy Farms launched Uvas Cafe, a country farm-to-table winery cafe.
Diners can choose grapes throughout harvest season (3 instances a 12 months), attempt wine tasting, and revel in dishes and drinks infused with grapes and different farm harvests all 12 months spherical. Proper throughout the highway from the primary restaurant is the Grape Barn, a sustainably-designed eating space comprised of upcycled supplies and al fresco seating. The bike-friendly extension space is right for internet hosting personal occasions and gatherings with buffet-style spreads.
Signature dishes right here embody the Grape Pizza, Salad with Wine French dressing, Hen Pesto, Lechon Kawali with Guapple Sarsa, Grilled Fish with Grape Tartare, Stuffed Grape Leaves, and Focaccia Bread. Fruit wines embody Rosa Grape, Wild Blackberry Wine, Guapple Wine, Pitaya Wine, and Dragon Fruit harvested from their vineyards.
Uvas Cafe and Lomboy Farms, #68 MacArthur Freeway, Bauang, La Union
Lakay In the past is a nature park in Agoo with a small hobbit-inspired nook and an al fresco restaurant set in a hilly backyard space. This refreshing backyard and eco-park is full of completely different sorts of Bougainvillea (La Union’s provincial flower), and gives a great spot for sundown views overlooking the city.
They provide tenting grounds and might function a venue for weddings, birthdays, and different particular occasions. Their restaurant serves gentle meals and snacks like rooster, pasta, pizza, iced chilly espresso and extra. In addition they cater meals for occasions with dishes like Pancit Batil Patong, Pan Grilled Clubhouse, Buffalo Wings, and Fishydobo.
Lakay In the past Nature’s Park. Brgy. San Agustin East Agoo, La Union.
In case you’re a fan of artwork galleries and and like searching down secret spots, Ciano Umok in Bauang gives a peaceable retreat. This artwork gallery cafe was based by visible artist Cesar “Ciano” Dumo in 2017.
“Umok” is alleged to be an Ilocano time period for chicken’s nest, which is becoming for a way peacefully nestled the work of native artists are on this open-air gallery amidst pure environment. The artwork gallery has a small cafe serving gentle meals and refreshments like iced espresso and bestseller Halo-Halo.
Ciano Umok Gallery Cafe, Palugsi-Limmansangan, Bauang La Union.
Halo-Halo de Iloko, which has been round since 2004, is without doubt one of the traditional eating locations in San Fernando. Regardless of its distance from the primary browsing space in San Juan, locals and vacationers actually exit of their strategy to dine right here. It’s at the moment positioned in an ancestral house-turned-restaurant, however plans are underway to maneuver to a much bigger location quickly.
This fashionable resto serves Ilokano delicacies that makes use of all-natural, recent and domestically sourced elements. We acquired to attempt specialties like Okoy Tikyosko (Shrimp Fritters), Sinampalukang Buknok (Simapalukang Manok with Buko), Binagoongan, Pinakbet, and extra.
Their signature Halo-Halo, which makes use of native fruits, wafers, and topped with cheese, may be very filling. In addition they have a twist on the favored dessert with their Fried Halo-Halo, which makes use of typical halo-halo elements wrapped an fried in a lumpia wrapper, topped with ice cream, ube, cheese and a cherry on prime.
Halo-Halo de Iloko, Zandueta St, San Fernando, La Union.
In case you’re within the temper for conventional Filipino meals and classic vibes, make sure you try Don Segundo Home of Antiques & Restaurant. This vintage home, occasions house, and restaurant which opened in 2019, serves scrumptious and inexpensive Filipino and Ilocano dishes.
Guests can go searching an outdated home/museum that shows an eclectic assortment of artifacts from the proprietor’s personal assortment or do rustic and vintage-themed photoshoots.
Don Segundo serves scrumptious variations of Dinakdakan, Kare-Kare, Pigar-Pigar, Pork Sisig, Tofu Sisig, and extra in a diner-themed al fresco space. Meals right here was very inexpensive for the standard and portion dimension, so it’s choice for households and teams who need worth for cash meals.
Don Segundo Home of Antiques and Restaurant. Resurreccion St, Luna, La Union.
Nice Northwest Journey Cease is a coastal commune and meals park in San Juan with an evolving lineup of start-ups and cafes.
El Union, a homegrown espresso store and roaster that’s been serving craft espresso since 2013, is the best choice for a espresso repair within the surf city. Bestsellers embody the Horchata, Soiled Horchata, Spanish Latte, Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon Jam, Chilly Brew Espresso, and ‘Smores. I respect how their espresso is served in cups which can be absolutely plant-based and compostable.
The complicated additionally accommodates different retailers, a neighborhood hub, and different restos like Kermit La Union and Sabong Fried Hen, which serve Monkey Eagle craft beer in bottles and on faucet.
Nice Northwest Journey Cease, MacArthur Nationwide Freeway, San Juan, La Union.
Waves Level gives a brand new and distinctive Peruvian beachfront expertise proper alongside the most well-liked surf strip of San Juan. This resto bar that opened in June 2023 gives flavorful and vibrant delicacies influenced by Spanish, Chinese language, and Japanese flavors, with a definite island vibe.
The big and ethereal restaurant with ample parking is positioned proper in entrance of Mebuyan’s Vessell, a public artwork set up alongside the seashore.
We acquired to attempt among the scrumptious bestsellers together with Arroz Chaufa, Bomba Camarones, Pollo a La Brasa, Jalea Mixta, Tuna Cremolata, amongst different dishes. In addition they serve a refreshing Frozen Margarita.
Waves Level is pretty new, and the meals, vibe, and repair listed here are nice, so it’s positively a must-try particularly for barkadas. It’s a fantastic place to sit back by the seashore watching the sundown, listening to music, or taking pictures a recreation of pool.
Waves Level Resto Bar, Brgy. San Juan, La Union
Fancy a calming view of the river earlier than heading dwelling? LU River Farm Resort in Bacnotan is a seafood restaurant that provides river cruises.
You’ll be able to cruise alongside the Baroro River aboard their floating cottages and get refreshing views whereas having fun with Filipino dishes like Kare-Kare, inihaw, seafood paella, dinengdeng, and extra.
Remember to climb as much as the boat’s higher deck for a greater view and to benefit from the breeze. LU RiverFarm Resort additionally gives common cottages docked alongside the riverside and of their predominant restaurant on agency floor.
LU RiverFarmSeafood Restaurant, Km 282 Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union.
Know the place to gasoline up and take restroom breaks
Relying on the visitors, time you allow, and variety of stopovers, and different elements, the drive from Manila to La Union can final anyplace from 5 to eight hours. There are gasoline stations conveniently positioned alongside NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX so that you can refuel, seize fast eats or espresso, and take restroom breaks.
PTT SCTEX, alongside the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Concepcion, Tarlac is an efficient mid-way level for a restroom break on the best way to La Union, with its Photo voltaic 20 restroom, an expensive, air-conditioned, solar-powered public pay bathroom. You can too discover a department of Café Amazon, the most well-liked espresso chain in Thailand right here.
In case you’re Southbound and want a espresso repair earlier than reaching Manila, there’s a Shell station in Mexico, Pampanga with a Starbucks together with different fast-food choices. Right here’s a really helpful NLEX SCTEX Northbound stopover information.
Lower your expenses with fast-food favorites
In case you get hungry in your lengthy drive on the best way to and from La Union or arrive early or late earlier than common eating places open, fast-food joints in gasoline stations and main cities are at all times a protected guess for pit stops.
Pinoy favourite Jollibee has branches in main gasoline stations and a number of branches round La Union together with in Agoo and a newly renovated department in Sevilla the place you will get bestsellers just like the Chickenjoy Breakfast, Tuna Pie, sundae, fries, crispy rooster burger, and extra. Their Combine & Match Combos (which let you choose a favourite predominant and a aspect) solely prices P75 pesos! That is out there for dine-in, take-out or drive-thru.
Don’t neglect to pack snacks and drinks
It at all times helps to carry snacks like crackers or potato chips and maintain them within the automobile particularly in the event you’re touring with the entire household. Munching on one thing can ease crankiness and tedium and may also help you cross the time on the highway.
Don’t neglect to hydrate. Deliver a conveyable cooler to maintain water and canned juice drinks chilly for the lengthy drive. These further drinks may turn out to be useful on the seashore and whereas going round La Union.
Hold necessities useful in a small bag
As an alternative of bringing a big bag, maintain your normal journey necessities like your cellphone, a powerbank, cable, medicines, hand sanitizer and extra in a compact bag like Jansport’s mini-backpacks. Deliver your personal tissue and small cash or payments in case you should pay to make use of restrooms in numerous stops.
Whereas some institutions settle for GCash or playing cards, you should have money readily available for smaller purchases like souvenirs, drinks from stalls, or suggestions for locals who assist take your pictures. Locals at Baluarte Watch Tower provide to take panoramic pictures and human drone video clips inside and outdoors the tower.
Until subsequent time, Elyu!
NOTE: The #NLEXLakbayNorte journey to La Union was organized by the NLEX Company in partnership with the Division of Tourism, DOT-Area 1, La Union Surf Membership (LUSC) and with the assist of Jollibee, Jansport, Mitsubishi Motors, Regionally, and Leslie’s Snacks.
#LovethePhilippines #LoveLaUnion #FindtheOneinRegion1
