A spread of eight sumptuous dishes were laid on our table for what was supposed to be a simple brunch. Yes, there were also eight of us—one for each—but the problem was each serving was almost good enough for three persons. We’re stumped on how we’d finish everything! We definitely have one deliciously huge problem on our table.

WEEKEND OF NOTHING BUT FOOD AT TAAL VISTA TAGAYTAY

With traveler friends in tow, we headed off to the highlands for the long weekend. While we have only the vaguest Tagaytay itinerary, what’s clear was that we’re gonna eat. A lot. Billeted on one of the three Lakeside rooms of Taal Vista Hotel, we did nothing that weekend but cram our tummies full—a food binge worthy of the seven deadly sins. And we didn’t even have to go out of the hotel to commit it too.

SHOOT FIRST, EAT LATER

Besides a grand view of Taal Volcano, Taal Vista has three restaurants (open even for non-hotel walk-in guests) along its pine-laden grounds. Armed with knives, spoons, forks, and cameras, we were able to sample each of their restaurants offerings and specialties. Suffice it was to say, we went more than a few pounds heavier on our ride back home to Manila.

 

 

THE LOBBY LOUNGE

  FOOD MENU ● DRINK MENU ● OPEN HOURS: 10:00AM TO 11:00 PM SUNDAY TO THURSDAY | 10:00AM TO 1:00AM FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

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Our food adventure in Tagaytay started at midnight at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge. It took us longer than usual to reach the city from Manila due to the weekend traffic, but it was all worth it as we savored the evening’s chilly weather right by the dining hall’s warm fireplace.

As its name implies, the restaurant is set right by Taal Vista’s Tudor-inspired lobby. During the mornings, its floor to ceiling glass windows look out over an expansive lawn with the Taal Lake beyond.

Besides serving drinks and cocktails, they also have a food menu that range from the usual Filipino dishes like lumpiang ubod to very Western ones like burgers and pizzas.

THE LOBBY LOUNGE IS OPEN UNTIL PAST MIDNIGHT ON WEEKENDS

MUST TRY, LOBBY LOUNGE’S CLASSIC BURGER. ANGUS BEEF WITH BACONS AND CHEDDAR.

CRISPY TAAL LAKE TAWILIS, THE FISH IS FOUND ONLY IN TAAL LAKE

REALLY GOOD SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE FROM LOBBY LOUNGE’S CREATE YOUR OWN PASTA MENU

LUMPIANG SARIWA, MIXED VEGGIES WITH PORK AND SHRIMP. ANOTHER MUST TRY.

QUATTRO FORMAGGI PIZZA—MOZZARELLA, GORGONZOLA, PARMESAN, & FONTINA CHEESE

 

 

VERANDA BUFFET RESTAURANT

  BREAKFAST HOURS: 6:00AM TO 11:00 AM ● BUFFET RATES: BREAKFAST PHP950 | LUNCH PHP1,100 (+250 WEEKEND) | DINNER (FRI, SAT) 1,350

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Veranda was the restaurant we usually wake up to during our Taal Vista stay as this is where they hold the daily complimentary breakfast buffet for hotel guests. The flood of Continental and Filipino fares doesn’t end at breakfast though, the feast goes on the whole day! Veranda also serves buffet during lunch and dinner, every single day of the week. If you’re looking for buffet in Tagaytay, this is definitely the place to head over to.

Located at the ground floor of the hotel, right beside the Lobby Lounge, its has a lovely interior set with machuca-esque tiles and dainty furniture. There are outdoor seats overlooking the lake, perfect for Tagaytay’s chilly mornings.

During our stay, I even noticed a roving musical trio performing from table to table to the delights of the diners. On weekends, they have cultural presentations right on the dining hall itself.

VERANDA RESTAURANT AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF TAAL VISTA

THE BUFFET SPREAD CONSISTS OF FILIPINO AND WESTERN DISHES

THE BREAD CORNER, THEY HAVE READY-MADE SANDWICHES TOO

CRISPY BIA AND CHAMPORADO, THE PERFECT BREAKFAST DUO

CEBU LECHON BELLY, ONE OF OUR FAVORITES ON VERANDA’S LUNCH AND DINNER BUFFETS

A HOT TRAY OF ROASTED CHICKEN, ONE OF THE BETTER DISHES AT THE VERANDA BUFFET

DESSERT CORNER, UNLIMITED CAKES, HALO HALO, AND ICE CREAM

 

 

TĀZA FRESH TABLE RESTAURANT

  MENU ● HOURS: MON-THU 11:30AM-3:00PM & 6:00PM-10:00PM | FRI 7:00AM-3:00PM & 6:00PM-10:00PM | SAT 7:00AM-10:00PM | SUN 7:00AM-6:00PM

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Our best meal at Taal Vista came from their TĀZA Fresh Table restaurant. Located on a small stand-alone structure along the gardens of Taal Vista, its seating capacity might be far limited than the two previous restaurants but its food choices more than make up for it.

Its name came from the word taaza, an Arabic term which means fresh. And it’s one of the things TĀZA prides itself with. The restaurant sources most of its ingredients from local suppliers and uses fresh-from-the-garden herbs, spices and vegetables. They serve mostly specialized International dishes that range from slow-cooked meats to handmade pastas.

TAZA HAS LIMITED SEATING CAPACITY, WHICH IS PART OF ITS EXCLUSIVITY

ASIDE FROM YOUR ORDER, THEY HAVE A PASTRY BUFFET DURING BREAKFAST

TAZA’S SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! MUST TRY.

AND THEIR FRENCH TOAST IS MORE LIKE A BACON TOAST!

TOMAHAWK PORKCHOP, EXTREMELY GOOD AND WITH EXTRA LARGE SERVINGS TOO

WASN’T ABLE TO TRY THE EGGS BENEDICT BUT MY FRIENDS VOUCH FOR ITS DELICIOUSNESS

STEAKS AND EGGS, MADE FROM NOTHING BUT THE BEST RIBEYE WAGYU MEAT

 

 

Taal Vista Hotel Tagaytay
Address: Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, 
   Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: +63 (2) 917-8225 | +63 (46) 413-1000
Email: reservations@taalvistahotel.com
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GPS Coordinates Map: 14.095389, 120.934293
~ TAAL VISTA HOSTED OUR MEALS. VIEWS & OPINIONS, ALL MINE.