For these residing within the metro who need a break from town life, La Union is a well-liked weekend vacation spot. Whereas recognized principally for its surf scene, Elyu can also be vacation spot for foodies due to the colourful restaurant scene and numerous meals choices accessible. Together with Pinoy staples and worldwide fare, you can even discover a a number of vegetarian/vegan choices for these on particular diets.
Throughout a current post-pandemic journey with a vegan buddy Celine, we ended up making an attempt principally locations with plant-based meals choices simply because it’s the one place the place she might eat. We additionally hunted down some spots that served craft beer. I’ve additionally had an opportunity to strive different well-liked La Union restos throughout earlier street journeys with Artwork earlier than the pandemic and media journeys through the years.
Whereas some companies shut down throughout the pandemic, it’s good to see the meals scene within the surf city bustling once more. Right here’s a roundup of a few of the most hottest and latest spots in La Union you can dine on this 2023 and past.
Little Canggu
In case you’re lacking worldwide journeys to unique locations like Bali, Little Canggu is a beachfront bistro in La Union that serves Balinese fusion dishes. This cozy al fresco house named after a coastal village on the south coast of Bali presents an incredible view of the ocean and Indonesian staples like nasi goreng, duck, rendang, satay, and extra.
We actually loved Mie Goreng (selfmade noodles, stir-fried greens, tomato and cucumber slices) with mushroom balls as an alternative of rooster and with out the fried egg and scrumptious Tempeh Satay (peanut satay sauce, pickled cucumber and carrots) that we ended up going again for a similar meal. The cafe additionally serves Nasi Goreng, Kentang Fries, Tempeh Chips, Garlic Kangkong, and extra.
Little Canggu. Pentecostal Compound, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. Open 9:30 a.m. to eight:00 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays).
Little Cat Espresso
Little Cat Espresso, which shares an area with Little Canggu, is an efficient spot to get your afternoon espresso repair. The cafe serves freshly brewed espresso together with drinks topped with nitro foam. Cats and occasional, what’s to not love?
Little Cat Espresso serves espresso from 9:00 am to three:00 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays).
Kermit La Union
Kermit restaurant and pizzeria is a widely known restaurant in Siargao, recognized for doling out Italian favorites like pizza and pasta. Their department in La Union, which opened throughout the pandemic, might be discovered on the second flooring of the beachfront facet of the Nice Northwest, a well-liked meals hub in Urbiztondo.
Choices for vegans embrace their Vegan Pizza (topped with Zucchine, artichokes, mushroom, bell pepper, olives and arugula), and Vegan Linguini Pesto. The resto additionally serves a wide array of cocktails, wine, and beer together with craft beer from Monkey Eagle Brewery.
Kermit La Union. The Nice Northwest Philippines Journey Cease & Viewing Deck. 183 MacArthur Hwy, San Juan, La Union. Open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
El Union
El Union is a well-liked homegrown espresso store and roastery that has been serving high quality espresso in La Union since 2013.
Bestsellers right here embrace their grilled cheese sandwich with bacon jam, chilly brew espresso, and soiled horchata. For dessert, check out their basic smores.
El Union. The Nice Northwest Philippines Journey Cease & Viewing Deck. 183 MacArthur Hwy, San Juan, La Union.
Nice Northwest
Each Kermit and El Union might be present in The Nice Northwest Philippines Journey Cease & Viewing Deck, a serious out of doors meals hub alongside the seashore. Whereas some stalls closed down completely throughout the pandemic, these which are nonetheless at present open in 2023 embrace The Shrine of Satisfaction (craft cocktails), Makai Bowls (smoothie bowls and shakes), Papa Bear (Asian dishes), Cling Burgers, Sabong (fried rooster), and Coco Mama (plant-based and dairy-free coconut ice cream), to call a couple of.
The Nice Northwest Philippines Journey Cease, Nationwide Freeway, Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan La Union
Gefseis Greek Grill
Gefseis Greek Grill is a beachside restaurant presents a style of genuine Greek Delicacies at reasonably priced costs. They’ve a wide array right here starting from souvlaki, Greek-style pizza, steaks, sausages, grilled objects, pasta and rice, appetizers, and Greek desserts.
Strive their Souvlaki Blended Platter (is nice for 2) and Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts for dessert. In case you’re within the temper for a drink, Gefseis additionally serves Greek dry wines, beer, brewed espresso, and ouzo, a Greek aperitif.
Gefseis Greek Grill, Urbiztondo Seaside, Urbiztondo, San Juan, 2514 La Union
Clear Seaside
Digital nomads who need a co-working house the place they’ll hang around for the day may need to take a look at the solar-powered Clear Seaside. This pet-friendly, self-service beachfront cafe presents espresso, meals, and snacks you possibly can get pleasure from all through the day. As a method to get vacationers to maintain the seashore litter-free, Clear Seaside presents free drinks to those that take part in a seashore cleanup.
For vegans, the must-try meals choice here’s a Vegan Burger, an all-veggie patty burger with a facet of kamote fries, so you will get a filling meal with out feeling too heavy. You can even decide to swap the milk in espresso with dairy-free choices like soy milk, macadamia milk, hazelnut milk, or oat milk, for a further price.
Clear Seaside additionally serves a couple of native beers, together with Sims & Fots craft beer, which makes use of recent tropical fruits, grapefruit, lychee and zest flavors with a clear wheat ale.
Clear Seaside. Urbiz Backyard Mattress & Breakfast, 134 MacArthur Freeway, Beachfront Collective, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Seabuds
Situated contained in the San Juan Surf Resort property, Seabuds is a restaurant that makes a speciality of plant-based smoothie bowls, smoothies, rice meals, sandwiches, juices, sourdough toasts, desserts, and extra. This cafe has a wide selection of vegan sandwiches like Beetroot Hummus, Pesto, Mushroom and Garlic, and plant-based rice meals served with tofu scramble and garlic brown rice. Additionally they have scrumptious selfmade pastries like vegan cookies, vegan banana bread, peanut butter cups, banana popsicles, and occasional drinks that make use of oat milk.
Seabuds, San Juan Surf Resort. 238 Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. Open every day from 8:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m.
Seawadeeka
Seawadeeka serves a mixture of Indonesian, Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean, and Vietnamese delicacies, together with laksa, pad thai, and curry.
Whereas not all dishes might be veganized, there are some choices for vegetarians together with the Tofu Curry and Bahn Mi with mushrooms as an alternative of meat as the principle filling. For drinks, strive their Thai Milk Tea.
Seawadeeka, Manila North Rd, San Juan, La Union. Open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tipple & Brew
In case you’re not into the noisy consuming scene and simply need a quiet spot to drink, Tipple and Brew Resto Bar is a quaint resto bar alongside the principle freeway that serves a wide range of meals and craft beer choices. This bar carries craft beers from Engkanto Brewery and flavored craft beers on the sweeter facet from Pleased Hour, together with the vegan-friendly Peach Summer time Ale and Passionfruit Summer time Ale you can pair with easy bar chow like french fries.
Tipple & Brew, Urbiztondo Rd, San Juan, La Union. Open Monday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Port San Juan
Whereas we didn’t get to strive the meals stalls right here, we couldn’t assist however discover the massive meals hub Port San Juan alongside the principle street. This newly opened spot brings totally different meals ideas below one roof. One of many new stalls right here is Bebo’s Bombay Burritos, which serves Indian avenue meals like Keema nachos and tikka nachos.
You can even get pleasure from the whole lot from dumplings, to baked truffle oysters, inasal, and extra on the stalls for the last word meals journey.
Flotsam & Jetsam
For these searching for a celebration place to unwind at night time with buddies, Flotsam & Jetsam appears to be probably the most buzzing spot. The restaurant serves pizza, rice meals, makai bowls, and extra, although most guests come right here to drink beer and cocktails. Flotsam carries craft beers from Engkanto Brewery and different native and worldwide beers.
It may be exhausting to get a desk with all the gang, so if you wish to simply strive the meals, strive visiting within the afternoons.
Funky Quarters
Funky Quarters is an alternate boutique lodge/hostel that celebrates artwork, music, and surf additionally runs a bar that makes a speciality of cocktails and avenue tacos. Funky Quarters presents Tacos and Burrito Plates with that may be modified with mushrooms for vegans, served with chimichuri and sambal sauce. Additionally they have a deep-fried squash flower bar chow.
Look out for Funky Monkey, a Belgian wheat ale solely brewed for the bar by Monkey Eagle Brewery. Different must-tries embrace Summer time Slice, a straightforward refreshing Kölsch-style beer brewed with recent watermelon, and Daydream, a light-weight and sessionable pale ale.
Funky Quarters, Brgy. Urbiztondo, MacArthur Hwy, San Juan, La Union. Open Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sunday to Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
