5 Best Places To Eat In Mexico, Philippines: Dive Into The Cuisine

things to do in mexico philippines
Maria Lona
Maria Lona 
Updated
| 4 min read
Kaycie Gayle Yambao
Endorsed by a Philippines Local Expert
|
Kaycie Gayle Yambao

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” - James Beard. It also is a reflection of a culture that has long been handed down from generation to generation. It is the strength to the body as faith is to the soul. It is an expression and an art. Being able to see and taste authentic ingredients in a unique cuisine is not just an opportunity but a time to challenge and redefine our own idea of what makes an ultimate dish.

1. Cafe Fleur

You know where it's at!

Posted by Cafe Fleur on Saturday, 21 January 2017

This establishment is owned by a Mexico native and Chef Sau del Rosario comes from a history of chefs. He was only around five years old when he made his first “rellenong bangus” or stuffed milkfish. Like his father, Chef Sau studied at the Culinary Institute of America before he pursued his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of the Philippines. His first stint in his career was when he was asked to manage Westin Philippine Plaza, which led him to be part of the first group of chefs to open the famous EDSA Shangrila.

From then on, he explored and honed his skills abroad and the rest is history. Cafe Fleur is his brainchild. It is a bistro that serves the usual meals that cafes serve - shakes, cakes and other free and easy foods. Nonetheless, the place is actually divided into three areas: the area which serves the usual food, across is LEH-LEH, a Thai-inspired comfort food eatery, and the upper level is called BABO, which is a more refined and elegant dining area, that serves authentic Kapampangan cuisine.

Kapampangan cuisine is actually a mixture of Spanish, Malay and even Mexican cuisine. A unique dish to this place is the “nasing biringyi” or chicken saffron rice. But among his specialties, Cafe Fleur is quite known for Tamales Pampanguena. This is Mexican in origin and is both good for breakfast or dinner. Ingredients such as milled rice, fried peanuts with garlic, coconut milk, fish sauce, salted eggs and annatto oil are mixed together and are placed and wrapped in banana leaves. So, if you want a twist on the usual Mexican tamales, try them the Kapampangan way.

CAFÉ FLEUR BY CHEF SAU

Address: L-463B Miranda St. Brgy Sto. Rosario, 2000 Angeles City

Facebook: CAFÉ FLEUR

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2. 1956 Downtown Cafe

The year 1956 connotes an ambiance that hearkens back to times when the turntable was still used to playing an album. The year is also significant to the owner, Chef Claude Tayag, since this is his year of birth. Downtown Cafe’s retro ambiance is complemented by the wooden materials and the colorful hanging lamps within the place. From its atmosphere to the accents, what is most exciting is how the Kapampangan dishes are presented. Trianggulos, is an entree that is actually a type of fried samosa filled with bits of pili nuts, kesong puti or white cheese, spinach, and the star ingredient, tinapa. The creaminess of the dish pairs well with its sofrito dip which is made of garlic, onion and tomato. This Central Asian and Middle Eastern dish with its Kampampangan touch is a good recommendation. Their best seller also includes crispy crablets with pure talangka and the aromatic spring duck with its nine-spice rub. This is Pampanga, with a fusion of Asia’s best cuisines, in retro-style ambiance.

1956 Downtown Cafe

Address: The Quad at Nepo, Nepo mart, Plaridel St, 2009 Angeles City

Facebook: 1956 Downtown Cafe

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3. Everybody's Cafe

Everybody’s Cafe is a cafeteria that started out with simple noodle dishes like pancit luglug, which is made with glass noodles, with a coconut milk sauce, flavored with annatto and shrimp. They also have the “Mami” which is basically just egg noodles, meat, and a good broth. One of the toughest restaurants that has stood the test of time, Everybody’s Cafe started adding unique dishes to its menu, using local ingredients.

They feature tapang kalabaw or sweet sour cured buffalo meat, which is similar to tocino and camaru or fried crickets. They also have betute or frog and minced pork which was actually conceptualized when Mt. Pinatubo erupted and people had nothing to eat. These are just some of the most interesting dishes one can savor at this popular restaurant. This is a family restaurant with authentic and unique Kapampangan dishes and is a timeless place to be.

EVERYBODY'S CAFE

Address: Angeles Branch: 105-106 BPI Arcade, Nepomart, Angeles City

Contact: Telephone: +6345 887 0361 | +6345 435 2085 Mobile: +6392 284 67121 | +6392 284 67121 | +6392 284 23755

Facebook: EVERYBODY’S CAFE

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4. Historic Camalig Restaurant: Home of Armando's pizza

Pasta & Chicken, Camalig Restaurant (Home of Armando's Pizza), Sto Rosario, Angeles, Pampanga READ MORE: http://www.traveling-up.com/food-trip-pampanga/

Posted by Travel Up on Monday, 11 July 2016

Armando’s pizza, at the famous Camalig Restaurant, is known as the National Pizza or Pambansang Pizza. The place brings you back to a place of old, with its iron window grills, wooden trusses and old furnishings. Originally a rice granary, the building was converted into this homey and cozy restaurant. Armando’s Best Pizza is one of the bestsellers here, with its heavy toppings of pepperoni, ground beef, mushrooms, green bell peppers, Canadian bacon and a fair amount of cheese - you can’t go wrong! Another suggestion is to try the Marco’s 3-way Pizza which is topped with a mix of tuyo or dried fish, tinapa, chicken adobo and covered with sundried tomatoes and kesong puti or white cheese.

Next, it’s time to try a pizza that elevates the dish to a whole new level. Doy’s Kapampangan Pizza is topped with salted duck eggs, Longganisa or Kapampangan sausage, onions and pickle relish and it’s mouth-watering. After that, you can cool down with an interesting and refreshing “kamias” shake. The Mexican cuisine with the Kapampangan touch is just as exciting.

Camalig Restaurant

Address: Angeles City Pampanga, Angeles City

Facebook: Camalig Restaurant

Tip from Trip101 local expert

Kaycie Gayle

Kaycie Gayle
Philippines

Camalig Restaurant Angeles City Pampanga

While waiting for your food, you may roam around the restaurant to see the kitschy displays placed on unimposing shelves. You may also look at the photos hanging on the walls to have a slice of history of the town. One of my favorite desserts here is their Fried Ice Cream which is crunchy on the outside but soft and cold inside. 

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5. Abe's Farm

Posted by Connie Abaquita on Tuesday, 27 December 2016

This place brings you the atmosphere of the province, with its nipa resthouse, coupled with bamboo and antique elements. A commendable place for a big treat, the word “Abe” refers to a friend in Kapampangan, making this just the right place for families and friends. You can have a variety of Kapampangan cuisine here, simple and savory but with the grandest presentation.

A treat of a rice cooked with shrimp, wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots steamed in a bamboo shell is interestingly delicious. Young fresh ferns with salted red eggs in a light salad dressing is delightful to the palate and a tamarind shake is something you just need to taste.

Abe's Farm

Address: Ayala 0987 Magalang, Pampanga

Contact: +63 917 8085130

Website: Abe’s Farm

Tip from Trip101 local expert

Kaycie Gayle

Kaycie Gayle
Philippines

Abe's farm Pampanga

Sikreto ni Maria, Bamboo Rice, and Tamarind Shake are some of the reasons why I like going back to this restaurant. Also, the ambiance of this place is so relaxing. After feasting on the local dishes, you may explore the compound and see the spa facility, casitas, and swimming pool. There is also a museum at the far end of the property, where you can see the memorabilia of Emilio Aguilar Cruz, a notable local artist in the country.

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A unique treat

Mexicojf2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ramon FVelasquez used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The best of the world’s different cultures, history, and traditions are expressed in Mexico in so many ways. But nothing is more fulfilling than tasting it yourself. One can encounter unique treats from different parts of the world in Philippine’s culinary capital, Mexico, in Pampanga province.

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Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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This article has been endorsed by Philippines local expert Kaycie Gayle Yambao

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An educator who never believes that a doctorate degree is enough to explore a wonderful world. A mother of three who loves to bake, design and learn new things each day and an adventurer who never...Read more

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