Part 2 : Bataan Adventures | Where to Eat in Bataan (Updated 2017)

Being an avid hiker and foodie, I've grown very fond of visiting  Bataan.  This province offers several hiking trails (check my post here) passing verdant forests and nicely decorated cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a proper cup of coffee and affordable comfort food. It is also highly accessible from Manila via land travel, making it a good option for a short but rewarding out of town adventure. 

Here's a list of restaurants in Bataan where you can enjoy satisfying meals. 

ANGELITOS (Orani)
The restaurant's name which means little angels (male) was inspired by the owner's 3 young boys, Miguel (after St. Michael), Rafael and Gabriel.This 2 year old family owned restaurant has a homey ambiance and serves any type of food that the family enjoys. 

Dishes are flavorful and priced affordably -100 Pesos above for the main dishes and 20 Pesos above for the desserts. Specialty includes, pork binagoongan and creamy tofu (my fave!). The restroom which has a mini garden is also nice! 
Angelitos
M plus C Building, Tenejero
Orani, Bataan
Contact Number : +63 (047) 237 0743
Facebook Page here
Location map
Related Post : Bataan Tourism | Angelitos 
Notes : Located along a national road, easily reached via tricycle at the town proper

SAVERDE (Abucay)
Located in a side road close to the highway, this home turned restaurant and badminton center offers a memorable plate of beef tapa rice,  marinated beef with rice, nicely enveloped in omelette.  If you like it sweet and savory, you'll enjoy their version of this Pinoy favorite. Another must try is the buttermilk bread. Similar to French toast, the aptly sweet chunky slice of bread is great to be paired with brewed coffee. Price range : 20-75 Pesos. 
Saverde
Gabon St., Abucay, Bataan
Location Map here
Facebook Page here
Business Hours : MONDAY TO SATURDAY, 3:00pm - 12:00mn
Contact Numbers : +63 (047) 633 5270 | (0906) 458 0230

CHOCO-LATE DE BATIROL (Pilar)
This restaurant located within the complex of a gas station serves Filipino dishes and its specialty, hot chocolate prepared with batirol, a wooden object used to whisk the hot pot of a melted cacao beans. It also has a souvenir shop where you can buy snacks to bring back to family and friends.  Dishes start at 200 pesos above and local delicacies such as bibingka, suman at 80 Pesos above. Hot chocolate starts at 100 Pesos.  

Choco-Late de Batirol 
Total Gas Station, Roman Super Highway, Alauli, Pilar, Bataan
Location map here
Business Hours : Monday-Sunday 06:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Contact Numbers : +639228882873 / +63 (47) 6331445
Facebook Page here

THE FOOD PROJECT (Orion)
The restaurant's layout reminds me of a very hip food park with its black walls and wooden tables (perfect for flatlays :P), ideal for young people who want to dine with their friends. Equally pleasing is its food - a fusion of Western and Filipino favorites. Rice meals are at 79 Pesos above. I enjoyed their Sisig rice, nachos and the ribs, their bestseller. I normally don't eat ribs but my seatmate ordered one and it looked so nice, I had  to try it.  

The Food Project
Balagtas, Orion, Bataan
How to get here : (Directions taken from their FB page)

From Central Terminal in Balanga ride a jeepney bound to Orion, when you reach Orion, Shell Gas Station, walk at about 15 to 20 meters going to Orion National Highschool. 
Location map here
Facebook Page here
Business Hours : Tuesday-Sunday, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM 
Contact Number +63 (04761) 21647
Notes : it's an open-air restaurant and a bit far from the main road. If you're driving, check the location map above for directions

IMA'S PAMANGAN 
Popular for serving Kapampangan and Filipino dishes. Their buffet is a must try for first timers. The spread features numerous dishes that are characteristically Kapampangan,  satisfyingly full of flavor. From the outside, it looks like your typical eatery by the road and I was surprised to discover that beyond its small doors is a wide dining area that can accommodate big groups with its long wooden tables. Its's also air conditioned and the ventilation is actually nice. Buffet is at 200 Pesos. Ala carte dishes are also available. As this place can get really packed during peak hours, contact them for reservation on the number below. 
Ima's Pamangan
Gov. J.J. Linao AlaUli
Pilar, Bataan
Location map here
Business Hours : Daily at 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Contact Number +63 998 564 0275/+0917-572-4703
Facebook Page here
Note : This is located on the same road going to  Mt. Samat, before the long and winding road up the mountain.

ESPADA GRILL- serves grilled tilapia, pork liempo, chicken bbq/inasal and other Filipino dishes. Try their  Monday buffet, a bang for the buck at 195 PHP/head inclusive of meat, vegetables and seafood, dessert and drinks. 
Price Range : 195 PHP for buffet, every Mondays from 11AM-2PMand 5PM-9PM  
Regular Meals start at 100 PHP. Bundles for those dining with a group are also available. 
Address : National Rd. cor Batungbakal Subdivision, Sta. Rosa, Pilar
Facebook Page : Espada Grill

AMANDA'S - offers Filipino cuisine. Every dish we tried here was delicious! I recommend the pinakbet and practically any meal they have that has tilapia. :P 
Address : Villa Carolina Subd., Puerto Rivas,  Balanga
Facebook Page : Amanda's

MT. TARAK GUESTHOUSE & RESTAURANT - offers a wide selection of fusion meals and solo meals named after different types of adventurers like Hunter's 109 Meals, Backpacker Pork Schnitzel, Excurtionist Pollo Al Jerez, Hiker's Chicken Al Ajillo and more.  Try their specialty, Pollo Iberico Antojo, slow-cooked roasted whole chicken that takes an hour to prepare. 
Price Range : Solo meals start at 109. They also serve dishes for sharing. 
Address : MAAP Road, Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan.
Contact Numbers : +63 917 534 28 87 (mobile) or +63 (047) 6121093 (landline)
Facebook Page : Mt. Tarak Guesthouse and Restaurant

LOLENG'S HUTIEU-AN (Morong) 
This eatery offers Filipino and Vietnamese food. It is named after its owner, Aling Loleng and hutieu, a noodle soup dish. Aling Loleng  is a Filipina who used to work in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center (PRPC) in Morong. During her stint at the center, she gained Vietnamese friends who taught her their cuisine. *PRPC operated from 1980-1994 and  hosted refugees coming from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. The PRPC served as their homes while the refugees waited for the processing of their papers to resettlement  countries like the United States, Canada and Norway.(Source : Inquirer
Price Range : starts at 50 PHP
Address : Mayor St. Brgy. Binaritan, Morong, Bataan
Business Hours : 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)

STREGATO GELATERIA (Balanga) 
This pretty cafe  prides itself in serving gelato that has  "less fat, less sugar, but has more intense flavor than ordinary ice cream". Aside from gelato, they also serve rice meals, sandwiches and pastas. 

Price Range : 200 PHP below for the food and 150 PHP below for the blended drinks
Stregato Gelateria
Stregato Gelateria
Galeria Victoria Mall, Balanga
Facebook Page : Stregato Gelateria
Business Hours : Daily, 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Notes : It is just outside the entrance of Galeria Victoria Mall, near Dunkin Donuts

THE BEANERY (Balanga, Dinalupihan)
A local chain of  cafes that serves tea, coffee and beautifully plated meals. It's Bataan's version of Starbucks but with cozier interiors! This is one of my favorite cafes in the country and I make it a point to visit a branch when I'm in Bataan. 
Price Range : 120 PHP above for the pastas and around 120 PHP above for the coffee
The Beanery
The Beanery Main Branch, Capitol Drive, San Jose, Balanga City
Facebook Page : The Beanery
*There are two branches in Balanga. One is a few blocks across Crown Royale Hotel.

PLAZA BREW (Balanga)
Located right next to  one of the nicest hotels in Bataan, The Plaza, this cafe serves moist cakes and designer donuts. It is cozy yet formal enough to be a venue  for small business meetings. It is a few steps away from Stregato Gelateria and just in front of Plaza Mayor de Balanga. 

The Plaza Brew
J.P. Rizal Street, Balanga
Location map here
Facebook Page here

Note : Business hours and location may change. Please double check with the restaurant before visiting.

Check out this posts by fellow bloggers on other places to eat in Bataan. 
Love Mindanao Deliciously Yours, Bataan
Blissful Bataan by Turista Trails

Related Posts : 
Part 1 : Outdoor Adventures & Other Places to Visit in Bataan  | Part 3 : Where to Stay in Bataan

How to Get to Bataan?
From Manila, take a bus to Balanga, the provincial capital or to Mariveles, the last municipality. From Balanga, there is a central terminal with trips to other municipalities in the province.

The bus company, Bataan Transit has terminals in Avenida (Manila) and Cubao (Quezon City). For contact information and schedules, visit Bataan Transit’s website or their Facebook Page. Tickets can also be booked online through their partner website, Pinoy Travel.

Another reputable bus company plying routes to Balanga and Mariveles is Genesis Transport which has terminals in Cubao and Pasay (closer to both international and domestic airports). For schedules, contact +63 2 709 0803 or visit their Genesis Transport Inc.’s Facebook Page. Travel time to Balanga takes 3 hours depending on traffic while Mariveles is roughly 90 minutes away from Balanga. 

I've also written about Bataan on Looloo, check article here.

Should you need assistance in arranging your trip or getting additional information  to any of the destinations mentioned above, get in touch with the provincial tourism of Bataan.
Bataan Tourism Center (Balanga) - located along the Roman Highway, Bataan's major highway where public bus and vehicles pass by.  It more than just an office,  it's a destination itself, featuring a gallery, landscaped garden and a souvenir shop selling affordable products from Bataan such as bottled fish, shrimp paste, arrowroot cookies, mussel chips, cashew nuts and more!
Email : bataan_tourism@yahoo.com
Contact Number : +63 (047) 237 4785
Facebook Page : Bataan Tourism
Website : 1Bataan

NOTE : This post was made in collaboration with the provincial tourism of Bataan. I've also been visiting the province a lot lately for personal trips and it has become one of my favorite places because of its accessibility from Manila and good food. 

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