We’ve passed by Zola Resto Cafe at the corner of Session Road countless times before, but it was only during this last Baguio trip that we finally got to try their food. The restaurant really didn’t attract us since it looked too western and had none of that native Baguio look that seems to automatically pull tourists (who wants western food while in Baguio, right?). Its façade belongs more to a restaurant inside a mall or a hang out strip rather than at Session Road.

Well, looks can be deceiving, we thought that food here would also be expensive. We were quite wrong.

ZOLA SIZZLING BURGER STEAK ~ PHP89.00

We settled on their comfy booth and ordered their chicken cordon blue and sizzling burger steak for PHP89.00 each. Price is certainly not that bad especially when our lunch was slid down the table—serving size was very generous.

ZOLA CHICKEN CORDON BLUE ~ PHP89.00

We dug in. We didn’t like the cordon blue, it was too bland and pasty, its thick breading didn’t help at all. Next up, the sizzling burger steak. This one, we love! The meat was tender and flavorful, with the gravy complementing it perfectly. I had to ask a second serving of their gravy though since it was a bit short (and I’m a gravy monster hehe).

From what I’ve read, Zola Resto Cafe serves good shakes. Unfortunately we were unable to try those out.

ZOLA RESTO CAFE’ ALONG SESSION ROAD

All in all, Zola is a pretty okay place. On the up side, food is good and well presented (depends on the dish), prices are fairly inexpensive, and serving size is quite generous. The downside, service is spotty (very hard to call a waiter), the place was smoky (smoking is allowed inside, this is a gimik place after all), noise level can get a little high, and some of the furniture needs a bit of renovating.

If you’re craving for western food while in Baguio City, Zola Resto Cafe is one place you might want to check out.

 

ZOLA RESTO CAFE ~ UPDATE 2016

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ZOLA RESTO CAFE IS NOW AT THE SECOND OR THIRD FLOOR

I went back to Zola after almost five years and was surprised to see it has moved up, literally.

From its ground floor location at the Patria De Baguio building at the corner of Session and Fr. Carlu Road, just a turn before the famous Baguio Cathedral, it has now transferred to its second floor (or third floor, depending on where you look), Jollibee taking residence on its former space.

LOVELY INTERIORS

The place looks posher than its previous interiors. From its dimly lit entrance, a couple of plush red Victorian-like chairs greet customers—complete with an intricate chandelier above it. The walls are done in velvety grids and the floor is finished in faux dark wooden planks.

LOVELY LAMPS

Indeed, you’ll probably think twice if you have enough money in your wallet as you might’ve accidentally entered an expensive bar and not the Zola that you once spent your student’s allowance on for cheap beer.

THE NEW ZOLA AT NIGHT

As we moved towards the main dining hall, the old familiar Zola reappeared. It was almost the same furniture, table booths, and crowd; mostly students, out for a meal or a bucket of beer. This is one of the things I really liked about Zola, the vibrancy of its young patrons.

EARLY MORNING CROWD AT ZOLA

The restaurant still faces Session Road, albeit on a limited view, since the seats are set with its back against Baguio’s famous thoroughfare. I really wish they’d reposition it sideways to the windows for that ultimate Baguio dining drinking experience. And I really wish they also serve Red Horse too.

Zola Resto Cafe
Address: Session Road cor. Fr. Carlu Road, Baguio
Contact Number: (0915) 904-1977
Email: zola.resto.cafe@gmail.com
Open Hours: 24 Hours Everyday
GPS Coordinates Map: 16.411740, 120.598732

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