Ang Pinaka’s Top 10 Restaurants in Ilocos Sur

After touring Ilocos Norte’s homegrown restaurants, GMA News TV’s award-winning info-tainment countdown “Ang Pinaka” went on a search for the best dining spots of Ilocos Sur.

If you ever find yourself in the province and can’t decide where to eat, let this list of restaurants be your guide!

10. CTL Resto Grille


 

CTL Resto Grille is located inside Casa Teofila Lodge, an old Spanish house renovated to accommodate tourists.

CTL Resto Grille specializes on traditional Ilocano dishes. Their bestsellers include pinakbet (P75), buridibod (P95), igado (P85), and pinaupong tilapia (P80).

Check out CTL Resto Grille at Pantay Daya, Vigan City.

9. Leila’s Cafe

Customers will feel at home amidst the colorful interiors and rustic ambiance of Leila’s Cafe. “Para siya talagang bahay,” says, Janina Medina, owner of Leila’s Cafe. “Para ma-feel ng ‘yung hospitability [ng customers.]”

The restaurant offers Ilocano fusion cuisine. Crowd favorites from their menu include longganisa break (or longganisa crepe), bagnet carbonara, bakareta (beef caldereta), bagnet dinardaraan, and Graceland, a crepe filled with peanut butter, banana, and bacon.

Leila’s Cafe is located on General Luna St. Barangay 5, Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

8. Kusina Felicitas




Kusina Felicitas is the main restaurant of Grandpa’s Inn. The restaurants serves authentic Ilocano dishes such as their bestselling pinakbet with bagnet (P180), sinanglao (P190), poqui poqui balls (P125), and dinengdeng with tilapia (P125).

For a taste of true Ilocos, visit Kusina Felicitas at #1 Bonifacio St. Corner Quirino Blvd., Vigan City.

7. Abuelita’s



Abuelita’s is a restaurant located along Mabini street, near the famous Calle Crisologo in Vigan that serves traditional Ilocano fare.

Bestselling items from Abuelita’s menu include their native bibingka (P13 per piece), empanada (P30), croquetas (P40), pinakbet (P40), igado (P45), sinanglao (P55), and dinengdeng (P35).

To satisfy your lutong-bahay cravings, visit Abuelita’s at 39 Gov. A Reyes St. Corner Mabini, Vigan City.

6. Kuboville

Kuboville, or ‘Kubo Village,’ is famous for its mix of traditional Filipino and Thai dishes. From their Thai menu, bestsellers include tom yum (P245) and phad thai (P95). Meanwhile, if you’re craving for Filipino cuisine, be sure to try their beef tapa (P135), locobaco (or chicken Inasal with rice) (P99), and vegetable spring rolls (P35).

Visit Kuboville at Barangay III Salcedo St. Barangay 3, Vigan City.

5. Ihawan sa Caoayan

If you’re craving for inihaw classics such as inihaw na liempo and barbeque, Ihawan sa Caoayan is the place to be. Ihawan sa Caoayan, however, has more to offer than their grilled food. Must-trys from their menu include puque sashimi (P175), prawns with pineapple (P220), sizzling mixed seafood (P195), and ginataang alimango (P400).

Check out Ihawan sa Caoayan at Don Alejandro Quirolgico Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

4. Los Majitos de Vigan

Los Majitos de Vigan, which translates to the little treasures of Vigan, used to be a souvenir shop before being transformed into a restaurant.

Los Majitos serves a combination of Vigan delicacies with a Western twist. Bestselling items from their fusion cuisine include bagnet wraps (P150), nachos platter (P150), carbonara (P100), and longganisa rice omelette (P120).

Visit Los Majitos at General Luna St. corner V. Delos Reyes, Vigan City.

3. Hidden Garden

Originally opened as a garden store in the early seventies, Hidden Garden was transformed into a full-blown restaurant after several queries were made by customers. “Maraming nagtatanong [kung bakit] wala man lang maiinom o makakain inside the garden,” says Francis Flores, owner of Hidden Garden.

Hidden Garden specializes in authentic Ilocano fare. Must-trys from their menu include sinigang na bagnet (P190), pinakbet with bagnet (P150), poqui poqui (P100), and longganisa (P130).

Visit Hidden Garden at 56 Barangay Bulala, Vigan City.

2. Bistro Candon

Bistro Candon was started in 1999 by Peter Nic Rodriguez, an executive chef trained in Switzerland and New York.

Must-trys from Chef Nic’s menu include dinengdeng na papaya with clams (P175), dinengdeng na bamboo shoots with saluyot and inihaw na bangus (P175), vigan longganisa pizza (P185), igado (P185), and poqui poqui with bagnet pizza (P180).

Bistro Candon is located inside the Four Brothers Compound, Candon, Ilocos Sur.

1. Cafe Leona

Cafe Leona is located along Calle Crisologo, right in the heart of Vigan City. It is named after the popular Ilocano poet Leona Florentino, who is also the original owner of the house in which the restaurant is located
 

Despite its Spanish feel, Cafe Leona actually serves a mix of Filipino, Japanese, European and other international cuisines. Bestsellers from this diverse menu include their bagnet bacon maki (P180), longganisa maki (P160), poqui poqui (P130), pinakbet pizza (P325), caoayan special pizza (P350), and bagnet KBL pizza (P375).

–Ang Pinaka Staff/PF, GMA News