La Union is famous for its surf scene, but foodies know that it’s also a great place to go on a food trip. You can find a variety of Filipino and international cuisine here catering to all kinds of travelers, from weekend warriors on a budget, barkadas in the mood to party, and families with the whole clan in tow.

While there are a lot of new places concentrated in the surf area of San Juan including vegan-friendly cafes and craft beer spots catering to the younger beach crowd, you can also find other restaurants with unique concepts spread out in La Union’s other towns. 

I recently got to sample a few new places in La Union during the #NLEXLakbay Norte Media tour along with other mainstream media representatives and content creators on a convoy of Mitsubishi Xpanders. Our comfy rides took us around local haunts in other towns like San Fernando, Agoo, Bauang, Luna, and Bacnotan for great eats, along with sightseeing, souvenir shopping, and more.

In case you’re planning to drive to Elyu soon, here are a few exciting new restaurants and some old classics you can visit in 2024 and beyond.

Uvas Cafe by Lomboy Farms

Lomboy Farms established in 1972 in the town of Bauang is well-known for pioneering grape farming in the Philippines. You can’t miss the signs advertising grape picking on various farms along the road, many of which are family-run businesses of previous employees who learned to propagate grapes themselves.

In 2019, just before the pandemic hit, Lomboy Farms launched Uvas Cafe, a rustic farm-to-table vineyard cafe. Diners can pick grapes during harvest season (3 times a year), try wine tasting, and enjoy dishes and drinks infused with grapes and other farm harvests all year round.

Right across the road from the main restaurant is the Grape Barn, a sustainably-designed dining area made from upcycled materials and al fresco seating. The bike-friendly extension area is ideal for hosting private events and gatherings with buffet-style spreads.

Signature dishes here include the Grape Pizza, Salad with Wine Vinaigrette, Chicken Pesto, Lechon Kawali with Guapple Sarsa, Grilled Fish with Grape Tartare, Stuffed Grape Leaves, and Focaccia Bread. Fruit wines include Rosa Grape, Wild Blackberry Wine, Guapple Wine, Pitaya Wine, and Dragon Fruit harvested from their vineyards.

Uvas Cafe and Lomboy Farms, #68 MacArthur Highway, Bauang, La Union

Lakay Ago

Lakay Ago is a nature park in Agoo with a small hobbit-inspired nook and an al fresco restaurant set in a hilly garden area. This refreshing garden and eco-park is filled with different varieties of Bougainvillea (La Union’s provincial flower), and offers a good spot for sunset views overlooking the town.

They offer camping grounds and can serve as a venue for weddings, birthdays, and other special events. Their restaurant serves light meals and snacks like chicken, pasta, pizza, iced cold coffee and more. They also cater meals for events with dishes like Pancit Batil Patong, Pan Grilled Clubhouse, Buffalo Wings, and Fishydobo.

Lakay Ago Nature’s Park. Brgy. San Agustin East Agoo, La Union.

Ciano Umok Gallery Cafe

If you’re a fan of art galleries and and like hunting down secret spots, Ciano Umok in Bauang offers a peaceful retreat. This art gallery cafe was founded by visual artist Cesar “Ciano” Dumo in 2017.

“Umok” is said to be an Ilocano term for bird’s nest, which is fitting for how peacefully nestled the paintings of local artists are in this open-air gallery amidst natural surroundings. The art gallery has a small cafe serving light meals and refreshments like iced coffee and bestseller Halo-Halo.

Ciano Umok Gallery Cafe, Palugsi-Limmansangan, Bauang La Union.

Halo-Halo de Iloko

Halo-Halo de Iloko, which has been around since 2004, is one of the classic dining destinations in San Fernando. Despite its distance from the main surfing area in San Juan, locals and tourists really go out of their way to dine here. It’s currently located in an ancestral house-turned-restaurant, but plans are underway to move to a bigger location soon. 

This popular resto serves Ilokano cuisine that makes use of all-natural, fresh and locally sourced ingredients. We got to try specialties like Okoy Tikyosko (Shrimp Fritters), Sinampalukang Buknok (Simapalukang Manok with Buko), Binagoongan, Pinakbet, and more. 

Their signature Halo-Halo, which makes use of local fruits, wafers, and topped with cheese, is very filling. They also have a twist on the popular dessert with their Fried Halo-Halo, which makes use of typical halo-halo ingredients wrapped an fried in a lumpia wrapper, topped with ice cream, ube, cheese and a cherry on top.

Halo-Halo de Iloko, Zandueta St, San Fernando, La Union.

Don Segundo House of Antiques & Restaurant

If you’re in the mood for traditional Filipino food and vintage vibes, be sure to check out Don Segundo House of Antiques & Restaurant. This antique house, events space, and restaurant which opened in 2019, serves delicious and affordable Filipino and Ilocano dishes.

Visitors can look around an old house/museum that displays an eclectic collection of artifacts from the owner’s private collection or do rustic and vintage-themed photoshoots.

Don Segundo serves delicious versions of Dinakdakan, Kare-Kare, Pigar-Pigar, Pork Sisig, Tofu Sisig, and more in a diner-themed al fresco area. Food here was very affordable for the quality and portion size, so it’s a good option for families and groups who want value for money meals.

Don Segundo House of Antiques and Restaurant. Resurreccion St, Luna, La Union.

Great Northwest Travel Stop

Great Northwest Travel Stop is a coastal commune and food park in San Juan with an evolving lineup of start-ups and cafes.

El Union, a homegrown coffee shop and roaster that’s been serving craft coffee since 2013, is the top choice for a coffee fix in the surf town. Bestsellers include the Horchata, Dirty Horchata, Spanish Latte, Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon Jam, Cold Brew Coffee, and ‘Smores. I appreciate how their coffee is served in cups that are fully plant-based and compostable.

The complex also contains other shops, a community hub, and other restos like Kermit La Union and Sabong Fried Chicken, which serve Monkey Eagle craft beer in bottles and on tap.

Great Northwest Travel Stop, MacArthur National Highway, San Juan, La Union.

Waves Point

Waves Point offers a new and unique Peruvian beachfront experience right along the most popular surf strip of San Juan. This resto bar that opened in June 2023 offers flavorful and vibrant cuisine influenced by Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese flavors, with a distinct island vibe.

The large and airy restaurant with ample parking is located right in front of Mebuyan’s Vessell, a public art installation along the beach.

We got to try some of the delicious bestsellers including Arroz Chaufa, Bomba Camarones, Pollo a La Brasa, Jalea Mixta, Tuna Cremolata, among other dishes. They also serve a refreshing Frozen Margarita.

Waves Point is fairly new, and the food, vibe, and service here are great, so it’s definitely a must-try especially for barkadas. It’s a great place to chill by the beach watching the sunset, listening to music, or shooting a game of pool.

Waves Point Resto Bar, Brgy. San Juan, La Union

LU RiverFarm Seafood Restaurant

Fancy a relaxing view of the river before heading home? LU River Farm Resort in Bacnotan is a seafood restaurant that offers river cruises.

You can cruise along the Baroro River aboard their floating cottages and get refreshing views while enjoying Filipino dishes like Kare-Kare, inihaw, seafood paella, dinengdeng, and more.

Be sure to climb up to the boat’s upper deck for a better view and to enjoy the breeze. LU RiverFarm Resort also offers regular cottages docked along the riverside and in their main restaurant on firm ground.

LU RiverFarmSeafood Restaurant, Km 282 Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union.

Travel tips for long drives to La Union

Know where to fuel up and take restroom breaks

Depending on the traffic, time you leave, and number of stopovers, and other factors, the drive from Manila to La Union can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. There are gas stations conveniently located along NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX for you to refuel, grab quick eats or coffee, and take restroom breaks.

PTT SCTEX, along the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Concepcion, Tarlac is a good mid-way point for a restroom break on the way to La Union, with its Solar 20 restroom, a luxurious, air-conditioned, solar-powered public pay toilet. You can also find a branch of Café Amazon, the most popular coffee chain in Thailand here.

If you’re Southbound and need a coffee fix before reaching Manila, there’s a Shell station in Mexico, Pampanga with a Starbucks along with other fast-food options. Here’s a very useful NLEX SCTEX Northbound stopover guide.

Save money with fast-food favorites

In case you get hungry on your long drive on the way to and from La Union or arrive early or late before regular restaurants open, fast-food joints in gas stations and major towns are always a safe bet for pit stops.

Pinoy favorite Jollibee has branches in major gas stations and multiple branches around La Union including in Agoo and a newly renovated branch in Sevilla where you can get bestsellers like the Chickenjoy Breakfast, Tuna Pie, sundae, fries, crispy chicken burger, and more. Their Mix & Match Combos (which allow you to pick a favorite main and a side) only costs P75 pesos! This is available for dine-in, take-out or drive-thru.

Don’t forget to pack snacks and drinks

It always helps to bring snacks like crackers or potato chips and keep them in the car especially if you’re traveling with the whole family. Munching on something can ease crankiness and boredom and can help you pass the time on the road.

Don’t forget to hydrate. Bring a portable cooler to keep water and canned juice drinks cold for the long drive. These extra drinks could come in handy at the beach and while going around La Union.  

Keep essentials handy in a small bag

Instead of bringing a large bag, keep your usual travel essentials like your phone, a powerbank, cable, medicines, hand sanitizer and more in a compact bag like Jansport’s mini-backpacks. Bring your own tissue and small coins or bills in case you need to pay to use restrooms in various stops.

While some establishments accept GCash or cards, you need to have cash on hand for smaller purchases like souvenirs, drinks from stalls, or tips for locals who help take your photos. Locals at Baluarte Watch Tower offer to take panoramic shots and human drone video clips inside and outside the tower.

Till next time, Elyu!

NOTE: The #NLEXLakbayNorte trip to La Union was organized by the NLEX Corporation in partnership with the Department of Tourism, DOT-Region 1, La Union Surf Club (LUSC) and with the support of Jollibee, Jansport, Mitsubishi Motors, Locally, and Leslie’s Snacks.

#LovethePhilippines #LoveLaUnion #FindtheOneinRegion1