For people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the metro, Tagaytay is the easiest solution. A mere hour’s road trip transports you to cool weather, refreshing scenery and a unique restaurant scene. Unfortunately, some parts of Tagaytay already look and feel too similar to the city you’re trying to detach from.

Resist the urge to dine at popular Tagaytay food spots, which most people already have on their agenda. Try these obscure restaurants on your next visit for a real escape from the city crowd.

Java Jazz Coffee Shop

442 Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Sungay West, Tagaytay City
0917 483 7399, 0905 415 9411 | Facebook Page | Website
Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm | Sunday from 8am to 10pm
Budget for two – PHP600

The combo of good coffee and chilly weather is hard to top, but this cozy cafe manages to take it up a notch. When beautiful art, delicious grub and affordable prices are added to the mix, what more can you ask for?

Java Jazz Coffee Shop is like an art gallery, but you can lounge on the floor and order from their extensive menu. Go for their local brews, Café De Tagaytay or Kapeng Pinoy, and enjoy it with hot bread. They offer tons of pandesal variations, from kesong puti to tuna and mushroom.

The Lake District

Via zomato.com

Via ph.phonebooky.com

Maharlika West, Tagaytay City
(046) 413 4186 | Facebook Page | Website
Open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 12mn | Friday to Sunday from 11am to 2am
Budget for two – P1,100

The Lake District just opened last year yet it has already gained a strong following, especially from millennials. With its cool vibe, cozy ambiance and scrumptious food, their fast success is no surprise. Ditch the city’s crowded clubs for a chill drinking session at The Lake District. They’re not limited to bar grub, though. You can definitely still enjoy The Lake District as early as breakfast. Their Ultimate Omelette is sure to start your day right.

Cucina Bernardo

Via FB: Angelfields

Via angelfields.info

Angelfields, Tagaytay-Santa Rosa Road, Purok 5 Pasong Langka | Location map
0917 542 4024 | Facebook Page | Website
Open everyday from 7:30 am to 8:30pm
Budget for two – P1,200

Cucina Bernardo is nestled in a gorgeous lush garden that holds weddings and other special events. Look forward to enjoying your meal with a background of huge trees, fresh air and warm service. The place is stunning, but the food in itself is a compelling reason to visit Cucina Bernardo. The kitchen takes advantage of Tagaytay’s fresh produce to create simple yet flavorful dishes. Try their Danggit Salad, Puttanesca and Pot Roast A La Tita.

Amacena

Via FB: One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites

Via FB: Amacena

One Tagaytay Place Hotel Suites, Barrio Sungay, Tagaytay City
(049) 584 4111, 0998 541 1163, 0917 815 7245 | Facebook Page
Open everyday from 7am to 10pm

After a lot of public day dreaming, Janice de Belen and her son Chef Luigi Muhlach finally opened a restaurant of their own just a few days ago. Amacena specializes in Filipino fusion cuisine, so expect Pinoy classics executed with exciting twists. Typical adobo, for example, is transformed into bruschetta with kes0ong puti and grape salsa.

Lime and Basil

Via limeandbasil.ph

Via FB: Lime and Basil Thai Restaurant

9014 J. Rizal Street, Barangay Sikat, Alfonso, Cavite | Location map
0915 627 6393 | Facebook Page | Website
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 9pm
Budget for two – P750

Entering Lime and Basil is like being welcomed into a lovely vacation home. It’s a must-visit for all lovers of Thai cuisine. But even if you’re not, the restaurant’s stunning garden and fresh ingredients are definitely worth a try. One taste of Lime and Basil’s Som Tam or Pad Thai just might convert you.

Milagros Private Kitchen

Via tagaytayliving.com

Via FB: Milagros Home Cooking

1640 Maglabe Drive, Barangay Guinhawa South, Tagaytay City
0917 465 617, 0906 204 3248 | Facebook | Website
By reservation only (3 to 5 days in advance)
Budget for two – P1,200

Milagros Private Kitchen is as obscure as obscure can get. The chances of bumping into people you know (or any at all) are very low. Plus, its beautiful outdoor dining setup is a great contrast to the city. Milagros Private Kitchen serves heirloom Filipino recipes, hailing all the way from Malabon. They have set menus on their website, but they’d be happy to customize one for you, too. Try their tasty, straightforward food and you’ll probably be convinced to take their cooking classes as well.

Don Limone Grill

Via zomato.com

Via zomato.com

4870 General Emilio Aguinaldo Mendez Crossing East, Tagaytay City
0932 873 2316 | Facebook Page | Website
Open everyday except Tuesday from 11am to 11pm
Budget for two – P2,000

Don Limone Grill was originally a popular neighborhood restaurant in Parañaque. After years of good business, their famous cheesecakes found a new, more obscure home in Tagaytay. The move turned out to be a great decision as Tagaytay’s green environment served as a more appropriate background for Don Limone’s Mediterranean fare. Start with one of their platters and then follow it up with a standout main like lamb chops. Don’t leave without trying their famous New York Cheesecake.

Café Voi La

Via tagaytayliving.com

Via heart-2-heart-online.com

Crosswinds Leisure Resort, Iruhin Crosswinds, Tagaytay City
0905 331 4457, 0918 372 7499 | Facebook Page
Open everyday from 8am to 9pm
Budget for two – P1,200

Stepping into Café Voi La is like being transported into a different, more colorful world. The restaurant’s quirky interiors serves as an apt teaser for their food—exciting, flavorful and packed with character. Café Voi La offers a wide range of dishes from various cuisines, but Asian food dominates the menu. Just some must-tries are the Senator’s Salad and their Signature Satay.

This guide was originally published on 8List.ph. Any other obscure Tagaytay restaurants we should visit? Share those secrets below!