In the past decade, many food businesses have emerged in San Juan, La Union to cater to tourists who go there for the beach. Today, the town isn’t just known for surfing but for its food spots that have become destinations themselves.
You can turn your vacation in the surf town into a gastronomic trip by going to these La Union restaurants, cafes, and food spots. Or, you can also visit them between surfing and swimming sessions.
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Image credit: @elunion
El Union Coffee is a coffee shop set in an establishment that looks like your grandparents’ cozy provincial home. It’s located in The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop & Viewing Deck, an eco-conscious food and lifestyle hub in Urbiztondo.
The coffee shop’s signature drink is the dirty horchata (P160, ~USD3.06), a Mexican spiced rice-milk drink with an El Union twist – an espresso shot. For something more familiar, their cold brew latte (P160, ~USD3.06) is also highly recommended.
Dirty horchata
Image credit: @elunion
El Union Coffee’s drinks are made with beans both sourced from the Philippines and imported from abroad, roasted in their in-house roastery.
If you want to feel like you’re having El Union coffee by the beach anywhere you are in the country, they also ship specialty coffee beans and grounds nationwide.
Address: The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop & Viewing Deck, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Thu–Tue, 8AM-6PM | Closed Wednesdays
Telephone: 0945 483 4825
El Union Coffee’s website | Facebook | Instagram
Surfer’s Bowl
Image credit: @mrjycnls
Those who want to have something healthy in the morning or any time during the day can go to Makai Bowls, a cafe that’s best known for its smoothie bowls.
Their Surfer’s Bowl (P280, ~USD5.35) has house-made granola, pineapple, melon, banana, papaya, beets, honey, and coconut water. While this seems like a light meal, it can get you through a morning of strenuous activities such as surfing.
If you’re craving something savory, you can also opt for their mushroom or tomato pesto sourdough sandwiches.
Address: The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop & Viewing Deck, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Thu–Tue 8AM-5PM | Closed Wednesdays
Makai Bowls’ Facebook | Instagram
Bagnet rice bowl
Image credit: @markyeats01
Tagpuan Sa San Juan is for delicious eats that won’t ruin your budget. It serves Filipino comfort food, so you’ll feel as if you’re at home.
Among this food spot’s must-try recipes is the Ilocano dish bagnet (P140, ~USD2.68) or deep-fried pork belly. This is served with a generous serving of rice, tomato, and a hard-boiled egg.
Tagpuan Sa San Juan also has other well-loved, Filipino protein dishes such as chicken adobo (chicken marinated in soy sauce and vinegar) and beef pares (braised beef stew).
Address: National Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Wed 6AM-12AM | Thu–Sat 8AM-2AM | Sun–Mon 8AM-12AM | Closed Tuesdays
Telephone: 0915 857 3892
Tagpuan Sa San Juan’s Facebook | Instagram
Honey-bagoong fried chicken
Image credit: @niconicdao
Sabong Fried Chicken‘s unique honey-bagoong-glazed (fish paste) fried chicken (P260, ~USD4.98) mimics the Filipino dish kare-kare, served with nutty dipping sauce and smoked eggplant. And of course, a Filipino meal isn’t complete without rice so it comes with rice doused in chicken oil.
This food spot also offers fried chicken in foreign flavors we love such as Korean soy and Szechuan-style chicken.
If you’re not up for a rice meal, you can also get Sabong fried chicken by the bucket and share it with friends.
Address: The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop & Viewing Deck, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Thu–Tue 11PM-2PM, 5PM–8.30PM | Closed Wednesdays
Telephone: 0917 827 4919
Sabong Fried Chicken’s Facebook | Instagram
Pizza with Burrata
Image credit: @kermitlaunion
Siargao’s Kermit restaurant also serves Italian cuisine up north in San Juan, La Union.
Among Kermit La Union‘s wide selection of pizzas is Pizza Cabugao which is topped with the Filipino sausage longganisa and bell peppers. There’s also vegan pizza that has zucchini, artichokes, mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, and arugula.
However, this La Union restaurant’s best-seller is the Pizza with Burrata (P580, ~USD11.09), which is cheese made with mozzarella, stracciatella (buffalo milk cheese), and cream.
An Italian restaurant, Kermit La Union also has plenty of pasta and risotto options to suit every palate.
Address: Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Tue 4PM-10PM | Wed–Sun 12PM-10.30PM | Closed Mondays
Telephone: 0960 508 2561
Kermit La Union’s Facebook| Instagram
Beef grilled cheese
Image credit: @masabybarefoot
Masa Bakehouse carries croissants in case you want a taste of France while you’re at the beach. But besides this, the cafe also has panaderya (local bakeshop) staples such as Spanish bread (soft bread roll with sugary filling) and pan de coco (bread roll with sweetened coconut meat filling).
The bakehouse has also introduced a twist to pandesal. Their Pandequilla – a fancy portmanteau of pandesal and mantekilya or butter – is essentially an extra buttery version of the Filipino dinner roll.
The cafe also offers beef grilled cheese (P250, ~USD4.78) in brioche or sourdough bread, a filling meal you can have on the go.
Address: San Roberto Street, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 9AM-5PM | Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Telephone: 09684441496
Masa Bakehouse’s Facebook | Instagram
Beachfront seats
Image credit: @marizzapizzaa
Kabsat La Union is a beachfront restaurant with plenty of sitting areas on the beach where you can watch the sunset while enjoying drinks.
Cocktail
Image credit: @kabsatlaunion
It holds Happy Hours from 3PM to 6PM which allows guests to get cocktails on a buy one, get one deal.
Kabsat La Union also serves tangy kinilaw or ceviche, which, according to some foodies, pair well with margaritas. You can also have a meal at this La Union restaurant as they serve many other Filipino dishes.
Address: Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8AM-11PM | Sat–Sun 6AM to 11PM
Telephone: 09175565116
Kabsat La Union’s Facebook | Instagram
Sashimi
Image credit: @megmontaus
Chu’s Diner in San Juan serves fresh, clean-tasting sashimi (starts at P800, ~USD15.32). If you like fresh fish with a few frills, such as mustard and greens, they also have poke bowls (starting at P280, ~USD5.36).
Besides these raw fish dishes, the diner also serves a wide array of other Japanese food, including soba noodles and yakinikudon (beef bowl) for a more filling Japanese meal.
For quick snacks, Chu’s Diner also offers takoyaki and gyoza.
Address: The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop & Viewing Deck, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 072 619 4234 | 0966 257 2465
Chu’s Diner’s website | Facebook | Instagram
Choco hazelnut cakes
Image credit: @laguladesserts
Take your sweet tooth to a treat with La Gula’s over-the-top pastries such as chocolatey Ferrero Rocher croissants and cute, flower-shaped mango, strawberry, and sea salt caramel tarts.
If you want your La Union vacation to seem fancy, get the mini choco hazelnut cake (P185, ~USD3.54). This has a smooth, shiny chocolate glaze and if that doesn’t scream opulent enough, edible gold flakes too.
La Gula also offers a variety of coffee drinks to go with your sweet desserts.
Address: Fatwave Surf Resort, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Opening hours: 7AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 0956 011 7143
La Gula’s Instagram
Surfing isn’t all you can do in San Juan. With these La Union restaurants, cafes, and food spots, you can easily turn your surf town vacation into a gastronomic experience.
However, consider yourself warned. La Union restaurants, cafes, and food spots take their food game seriously – you’ll be sure to return home counting the days until your next trip to San Juan.
More about La Union:
Cover image adapted from: @niconicdao and @masabybarefoot
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