Bataan, a 3 to 4-hour drive from Manila via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is a rising road trip destination near Manila. This province best known for historical landmarks like the Shrine of Valor at Mt. Samat and cultural destination Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar also has spots that will appeal to foodies.
Along with classic eateries like Loleng’s Hu Tieu-an, Ima’s Flores Pamangan and humble grill houses, Bataan also has a few modern new cafes serving international comfort food and coffee, ideal for stopovers during long drives.
Not sure where to eat in Bataan? Here are a few new cafes in Bataan that we got to visit during a #NLEXLakbay Norte media tour around Bataan in July 2024 that you might want to try.
READ MORE: Travel Guide: Bataan
d’Barlits Bistro
d’Barlits Bistro is a family-run venture that serves Filipino comfort food with global flavors. This cafe established in 2022 aims to share well-loved family recipes for locals and tourists to enjoy in a cozy space.
Try their Vinaigrette Salad, Buffalo-style Chicken Wings, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Clubhouse Sandwich, Cream Puffs and Vanilla Chiffon Cake paired with coffee, tea or soda. Coffee specialties include Vanilla Bean Latte, Salted Caramel Latte, Dirty Matcha, Affogato Latte, and Spanish Latte. The contemporary cafe can also be booked for private events and catering.
d’Barlits Bistro, Abigail’s Commercial Space, Kaparangan, Orani, Bataan.
Mesa Feliz
Mesa Feliz, which translates to “happy table,” offers a unique dining experience, combining comfort food with a welcoming atmosphere. The cafe, which opened in 2022, serves intercontinental cuisine showcasing in-house smoked meats such as Smoked Chicken Quesadilla, Beef Shortplate, Pork Belly, and Ribs slow-cooked for 12 to 18 hours.
They also serve brick oven pizzas like Prosciutto Crudo, Truffle and Margherita and pasta dishes like Seafood Tomato Basil Pasta.
For a local flavor, try their Bataeño specialties like Aurora’s Fried Itik, Bataan Tinapa Pate (smoked fish) and Chips, and Bilukaw Lemonade made with leaves from a native batwan-like plant typically used as a soup souring agent.
For lighter snacks, you can pair coffee (Iced Caramel Latte, Iced Mocha) or beverages with desserts like Lemon and Strawberry Tart, Salted Caramel French Toast or Chocolate Ganache Cake. The compound, which also contains a flower shop and an al fresco garden area, can be booked as an event space for private celebrations.
Mesa Feliz, Enrique Garcia Sr. Ave., Balanga City, Bataan.
Why Not Coffee Bataan
Need a pick-me-up after a long drive? Why Not Coffee is a cozy and aesthetic cafe perfect for chilling out with good brews and comfort food. This cafe, which opened in August 2023, serves a wide range of hot and iced coffee-based drinks like Frappes, Iced Coffee, hot coffee and milkshakes, Iced Tea and other non-coffee drinks.
They also offer a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, pasta, appetizers, entrees, salads, All-Day breakfast and waffles. Try their Grilled Cheese, Truffle Burger, Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken, Carbonara with Egg, Gambareti, and more. Why Not Coffee is conveniently located along the highway in Balanga, with spacious parking, making it a good pit-stop for road trips.
Why Not Coffee Bataan, Roman Super Highway, Balanga, Bataan.
Villa Amanda
Villa Amanda offers family-style Filipino favorites in a restaurant hidden behind a local swimming pool resort. While this neighborhood haunt in Abucay has been around for years, they recently refreshed their interiors with a new look. Even if you aren’t swimming, you can still visit the restaurant for reasonably priced home-cooked meals.
Villa Amanda specializes in seafood, with resort ponds onsite for catching fresh fish. Bestsellers include Pesang Tilapia, Inihaw na Tilapia, Nilasing na Hipon, Sinigang na Tilapia, Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, and Sisig.
Villa Amanda Resort and Restaurant, Plaza Capitangan, National Road, Abucay, Bataan.
Local food specialties and souvenirs in Bataan
If you’re looking for unique dishes or pasalubong items, the most popular food products in Bataan are tinapa (dried/smoked fish), Araro (arrowroot cookies), bottled fish, biscotti, cookie balls, toasted mamon bites, cashew products and cashew butter. Except for tinapa (which is sold at local markets), most food products are available at the Bataan Tourism Center and Souvenir Shop.
You can also shop for handicrafts from local livelihood industries like capiz ornaments and decor, walis lasa (brooms made with tiger grass), and stylish wooden bags and baskets from Pulo (Purveyors of Local) here. This complex in Balanga houses the provincial tourism office, a Bataan World War II Diorama, and a new outdoor park and jogging trail on the grounds.
Bataan Tourism Center, Roman Superhighway, Balanga, Bataan