Tagaytay never ceases to amaze. Trust me, I live there. Living in Tagaytay asks for constant discoveries of feature-worthy restaurants and blissful places. I can’t keep up sometimes! However, I love supporting local businesses here, especially underrated ones. While everyone clamors for Bulalo spots, how about an OG tapsilog run in Tagaytay? Aside from the cool climate and picturesque scenery, Tagaytay is known for its delicious and affordable tapsilog. Here are five underrated tapsilog places that you should definitely try when you’re in Tagaytay.
1. Hello Cafe
Located in Maitim Second East, Hello Cafe is an up-and-coming cafe that aims to add coffee to Tagaytay’s profile. Apart from its ambience and friendly baristas, this coffee shop is quaint yet huge in opportunities to become one of your go-to cafes in Tagaytay. It is known for its specially curated coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks, but they have a guaranteed menu to knock your beanies off.
Price: P290
This is a personal recipe of one of the owners, Aaron Paul Charvet. (His beef salpicao is also a must-try!) It also has a generous serving of garlic-buttered fried rice with a perfect, runny egg. However, you can ask for it scrambled, poached, or sunny-side-up.
According to the Hello Cafe team, they don’t have Foodpanda or Grab Food yet, but you can order beforehand and have it to go. Pro tip: Eat it while it’s hot! Best paired with Classic Cacao with cinnamon or Hello Cafe Hot Chocolate. Check out their menu here: Facebook | Instagram
2. Klara’s Kafe
Klara’s is located along Mahogany Avenue with a vast parking space! We frequent here for Bulalo, Crispy Kare-Kare, and of course, their tapsilog!
Price: 290
This cozy and Instagrammable cafe offers a wide selection of food and drinks, but their tapsilog is a standout. Their beef tapa is marinated in a secret sauce for 24 hours before cooking, resulting in a flavorful and tender meat that’s perfectly paired with garlic rice and a sunny-side-up egg. The cafe’s floral wall and swing also make for a perfect backdrop for your photos. All of their beef items come from Mahogany—a known provider for best-tasting beef in Tagaytay. This quiet favorite is also available during their buffet breakfast every Saturday and Sunday.
This restaurant is also a perfect place for big groups, office meetings, friends, and family. Check out their menu here: Facebook | Instagram
3. Cofioca Tea Zone Tagaytay
Cofioca is located along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. While their milk teas and desserts are popular among customers, their tapsilog is a hidden gem that’s worth trying. Thanks to my friend Katrina of Happy and Busy Travels for accompanying me here.
Price: 159
Their beef tapa is tender and flavorful, and is perfectly paired with their tasteful milk teas and coffee. The cafe’s cozy and relaxed ambiance also makes it a perfect place to hang out with friends and family.
Cofioca Tapsilog may not be the most well-known spot for tapsilog, but it definitely deserves more attention! This humble eatery serves up some seriously delicious tapsilog, with generous portions of perfectly cooked rice, savory beef tapa, and a sunny-side up egg that’s just the right amount of runny. It’s a winning combination that’s sure to leave your taste buds happy and satisfied. So if you’re a tapsilog lover looking to try something new and exciting, give Cofioca Tapsilog a try and discover a hidden gem that’s definitely worth the visit! Give its Instagram a visit!
4. Kuya Chad Pares ‘N Tapsi
Kuya Chad’s Tapsi and Pares is a hidden gem that’s definitely worth a visit for any tapsilog lover! Despite being underrated, this eatery serves up some of the tastiest tapsilog dishes around. The beef tapa is perfectly seasoned, tender, and juicy, while the garlic fried rice is a great complement to the savory flavors of the tapa. But what really sets Kuya Chad’s apart is their pares, a sweet and savory beef stew that’s cooked to perfection. It’s a unique addition to the classic tapsilog meal, and one that’s sure to keep you coming back for more. So if you’re looking for a new tapsilog spot to try, don’t overlook Kuya Chad’s Tapsi and Pares—you might just discover your new favorite dish! Order ahead cos their lines are long! Check out their menu here.
5. Papa Prito
Located near the iconic Tagaytay Rotunda, Papa Prito serves up some of the best tapsilog dishes around. Despite being underrated, this restaurant’s tapsilog dish is a must-try for any food lover.
Price: P148
Their beef tapa is cooked to perfection. It’s juicy, tender, and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning. The garlic fried rice that accompanies the beef tapa is also cooked to perfection, making it the perfect complement to the savory flavors of the tapa. But what really sets Papa Prito’s tapsilog apart is the special sauce that’s drizzled over the dish. This sauce is a unique blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and spices that are made in-house. It’s the perfect finishing touch to the dish, elevating the flavors and making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Despite being underrated, Papa Prito’s tapsilog has amassed a loyal following of customers who keep coming back for more. And once you taste it for yourself, you’ll understand why. Don’t let its humble appearance fool you—the food here is nothing short of amazing. View their menu here.
Tagaytay is your fastest sweet escape
If you’re looking for a quick escape from the busy streets of Metro Manila, Tagaytay is definitely a place to visit. Not only does it offer a cool and relaxing ambiance, but it’s also known for its mouth-watering cuisine, particularly tapsilog.
Tapsilog, a combination of beef tapa (dried or cured beef), sinangag (garlic rice), and itlog (egg), is a classic Filipino dish that never fails to satisfy our cravings. While there are many places in Manila that offer tapsilog, Tagaytay has a few hidden gems that are definitely worth the trip.
So the next time you visit Tagaytay, don’t forget to drop by these places and enjoy a hearty and filling meal. Trust us, it’s worth the trip!
