With its cool weather and beautiful scenery, Tagaytay is often the top destination pick for Manila dwellers looking for a quick escape. It is also home to many food spots, many of which spotlight the best of Filipino comfort food. But if you’re on a search for new restaurants and cafés to try, you better include this hidden gem along Tagaytay-Calamba Road.
Established in July 2022, Lula Café is one of the latest addition to Tagaytay’s food scene. Perched on a quiet street along the main road of Tagaytay, the caféoffers a bird-in-flight view of a mountain and greenery across perfect for the Gram. Its name is hailed from the Filipino saying “nakakalula,” but don’t worry, Filipino with acrophobia will find it hard not to love the vibe of this humble food spot.
Inside Lula Cafe (Photos courtesy of Jacy Medina and Lula Café)
At the core of Lula Café are its food and drinks. Being the sister café of Antipolo’s The Burrow Café, guests can expect nothing but healthy eats and drinks to come out of its kitchen.
“We are always mindful in making our food healthy, locally sourced (as much as possible) and also creative,” co-owner Andie Gamboa tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “We source our ingredients mindfully like we would purchase from the local market and buy our bacon from artisans. We also support Rural Rising's rescue (for fruit or vegetable) buys. Small details like knowing the back story of an ingredient (and which farmer it supports) make the dish extra special to us.”
Tapa and eggs; Watermelon and fried cheese salad (Photos courtesy of Lula Café)
Through The Burrow Café, diners got to know more about their organic offerings. Since it catapulted into fame, reservations are harder to get for customers. Opening Lula Café helped the team to offer more of its artisanal eats, but with a different experience.
“They love that it's easier to get a seat at Lula as The Burrow is always booked out in advance,” Andie says. “They all love the delicious food, calm ambiance, and breathtaking mountain view.”
As for what to try in the café, diners shouldn’t miss trying its popular dishes such as the Fresh Catch Ceviche with Calamansi Gastrique, No Meat Taco, Watermelon and Fried Cheese Salad, and Poutine with Truffle Essence. It also serves reimaginations of classic Filipino dishes like tapa and eggs, Bitoy's lechon kawali, Adlai Caldo with chicken, and gising-gising rice. Foodies can also opt to go on a worldwide flavor adventure with its Salmon Fillet and Black Rice Risotto and Herb Roast Chicken and Walnut Rice Pilaf au jus. For desserts and drinks, one can never go wrong by ordering its Suman Mangga Kasuy, French Toast Brioche, sparkling soda with fresh fruit juice, and iced mocha.
French toast brioche; Bitoy's lechon kawali (Photos courtesy of Lula Café)
Apart from its culinary work and idyllic views, Lula Café is also becoming a home for local crafts. Every now and then, it hosts various events and workshops—weaving sessions, painting workshops, and artisan bazaar—in its space.
“Part of our core belief is to support local as there is so much talent in our country,” Andie muses. “We invite local artists to conduct their workshops or some would shoot us an email or just message us on our social media accounts if they want to collaborate on a workshop. It's very special to us that we are able to provide a nice, bright open space with wholesome delicious food to the artists and their students.”
With its mission to push forward thoughtful dining, local crafts, and supporting Flipino producers, Lula Café is definitely making its own stamp in Tagaytay. Plus, did we mention it has a to-die-for view?
“Our whole team put a lot of soul and heart into what we do,” Andie says. “Our staff is very helpful and happy to serve the guests, the view is a breathtaking mountain jungle, and the food is delicious and thoughtful.”
Lula Café is situated in the heart of a subdivision that's located on the main road of Tagaytay just off Sta. Rosa exit. To know more about it, visit itswebsiteor @lulacafe.ph on Instagram.
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