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Recommended Reviews - Balay Dako
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Great place to savor authentic Filipino food with an amazing views. Service was great. Emyl our attendant was so mindful. They worked as a team so our food was served on time. We ordered Kansi Pusit sisig Kangkong with sili Fried salted pork Fried Tawili with suka Tried their Biko pie was ok Turn with Langka Halo halo Overall it was great. I just hope that they warmed my Biko pie before serving.
After being away from the Philippines since my younger days, I was invited to come back and present under the U.S. Fulbright Programs last month (June 2025). Our team was brought to, according to the driver, one of Tagrytay's best, the Balay Dako, as we toured the Tagaytay Highlands to ease ourselves of the charring humidity and enjoy the views of Taal and its vicinities. My brother hailed the tastes of their (Bulalo) Boiled and Soupy Fresh and locally sourced Beef broth with a large femur of meat, cartilage and tasty morsels, enriched with cabbage, pechay, potatoes and other aromatics. The broth was beyond measure and the beef was soft and as I offered the bones, the muscles just fell off the cartilages. We enjoyed the soup and never looked at such soups better than this one. The waiter explained that they source from the freshly butchered beef in town and use them as son as they get to the restaurant, they also use the freshest ingredients from the market. We also had the "pakbet" which is a sautéed combination of vegetables and other ingredients, pork in particular and desserts like halo-halo, a cold mixed of nuts, ice cream, milk and beans, etc...it was creamy and sweet to the tastes... What was endearing here was a view of the Taal Lake enamored by the misty cold air and an elevated viewing restaurant platform which made me feel like dining on earth while in heaven? Call it overrated but having food in a place where you feel pampered like a King or Queen, is to me, classic and an experience others can only dream about... Parking was abundant and a gift shop is also located on the lower floor. The waiters and employees are smiling always and greets you like a friend, very humbling considering I don't see this while in Taiwan, HongKong, Vietnam, or even in Korea? No wonder, the world often go along with their, It's More Fun In The Philippines advertising one liner. So, if you're in the Philippines, get an Uber to take you to Balay Dako and enjoy the highlights of Philippines cuisine and Filipino hospitality, like no other. Mabuhay!
This is the 2nd time I've been to Balay Dako 1st. In 2017 and the latest is Oct. 19, 2025, if I can only give 10 stars I would. This place will never disappoint you especially me, I love all the foods they serve, delicious to the max! Servers are very attentive. We ordered Bulalo, Kare Kare, lumpiang sariwa, Pakbet, Daing na Bangus, Letchon Kawali, Tortang alimasag, the best for me is my favorite Puto Bongbong( Sorry, I forgot to take pix) Green mango juice is an eye opener for me, I just love it. Let's not forget the ambiance at its best! I will keep coming to this place whenever I can visit. All in all, it's simply the BEST!!
Not having been to Tagaytay in over 15 years, I am reminded how beautiful Tagaytay is. That being said, traveling to get to Balay Dako on a Sunday afternoon and parking was horrible! But that has more to do with the road infrastructure (construction delays where we were coming from) and quite a bit of people on the road that day. After managing to park (there was quite a bit of parking but even more people), we walked in to a lot of people in the waiting area. Fortunately, they had seating for those waiting along with a shop to the left selling various types of food including pastries. I highly recommend having a field day and splurge on the packaged pastries there - having arrived back in the US, I'm thoroughly enjoying them all to the point where I'm googling to see if I can order some of this online and shipped here ha! The place itself is a lot larger than I expected. From what I observed, there were two floors of seating. We were seated on the 2nd level, which gave us the opportunity to walk outside and observe the breathtaking view. Amazing! The food itself was a hit and miss. We had a party of 7, and ordered various food ala carte. Bangus Ala Pobre, Fried Inasal, Sinigang Ng Baboy, and a few others I honestly don't know the name of ha! What caught me off guard was when they asked on various occasions whether we would like our sinagang (soup) topped off or refilled. That was definitely new to me and appreciated. The Halo Halo Klasiko and slushies were great! What I appreciated was the service. With the amount of patrons at this establishment, I saw all the workers roaming around tending to everyone. I'd definitely like to visit this place again in the future. Very memorable.
Thanks to my Yelp friend Ronnel S. for reviewing Balay Dako since his post and pics piqued my interest. We were in Taygaytay and needed a place to go for lunch. With Balay Dako bookmarked for months, it was the perfect opportunity to check it out. Balay Dako hits all the marks for ambiance, service and food. Everything was amazing and to have Taal volcano with the lake as your backdrop is the cherry on top. Our group of 7 ordered a number of dishes and our standout favorites were the following: *Marinated Bistek Tagalog (Beef Steak) *Palabok *Chicken Inasal *Halabos ng Hipon *Fried Hito (stuffed fried catfish) There are plenty of seats overlooking Taal so no matter where you are, you're bound to get an amazing view. You will need to get there early for a parking space. This is a wonderful restaurant to enjoy a traditional Filipino meal. A bit on the pricey side but worth every single peso. Don't miss it!
Suggest bringing big appetites or lots of family members and friends to enjoy eating here. We drove from Manila and arrived a little after opening. In the parking lot we received a ticket and had to provide it to the cashier once we closed our check. Inside we stood by the fresh piyaya station and watched the nonstop making of them. We ordered a package to go at the end so we could take it back with us. So good. We finally were seated by the window and had a nice view of the Taal volcano. The menu here showcased a quite extensive selection of Filipino dishes. The portions were bigger than we expected so had a lot of left overs. I think the staff could do a better job explaining serving sizes especially for those of us who have not eaten here before. Some of our favorites were Pinakbet fried rice - will definitely feed more than 4-5 people! Palabok - best we've eaten in awhile Callos - lots of beef tripe and chorizo sausage Escabecheng Pla Pla - perfectly fried and paired well with the sweet sour sauce Puto bumbong - buttery and soft. Service was good overall with lots of servers. Would come back if we visit Tagaytay again.
Awesome place to enjoy a lunch or dinner with spectacular view of Taal lake and volcano. Fresh air , bird song , stillness of time while enjoying home cook meals at its best whether with family, friends and love ones. Food are authentic Filipino showcasing its regional best like bulalo and other classic dishes. Service is world class the Filipino hospitality, respect , true service to accommodate guest request and always deliver with smile.
Food choices are overwhelmingly good, so we had to pick what we know we can finish. Service was a bit lagging although we were sat fairly quickly. Place smelled good because of the bakery and all the dishes they prepare were familiar. We bought baked goods after a big meal and we ate them at the condo for post dessert even though we had dessert already at balay dako.
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Tagaytay! It's right off of the mountain with the amazing views of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. It stays absolutely busy for good reason! The restaurant has limited parking so make sure you get there early enough to make a few circles because the traffic can be terrible on the main road. While you wait, go and checkout the in-house bakery and the downstairs area because the views are endless. The region is well known for their Bulalo dish (a Filipino Beef Marrow Stew), which is a staple soup that is made by cooking beef shanks and bone marrow until the collagen and fat has been melted into the clear broth; vegetables of your liking are added on but typically includes cabbage, corn, and green onions. I personally am a big fan of their version and as soon as my fiancé tasted it, he understood and had an epic reaction. The waiters will also refill your bowl of bulalo soup as many times as needed, so don't worry!! The menu is huge so I would personally prepare ahead of time and make sure that you're ready for a family style meal, because all meals are intended to bring your family together in the Philippines! Top picks and safe for not-so-adventurous Americans: Lechon Kawali, Sisig Na Baboy, BULALO NA BAKA, Sitaw at Giniling na Baboy, Stir Fried Chili Eggplant
Love the food! This is like the mid level restaurant chain of Antonio's. There's always a line to dine in here, but to beat the crowd make sure to arrive by 11 and you will surely be seated right away. The ambiance of the restaurant is very relaxed and homey, feels like you're eating in a familiar settling. The servers are all smiling and very attentive. The service is great! Food. We have their bulala (must order), the meat is tender and the soup is very tasty. We also had the kare kare, but I like the bulalo better. Dinuguan is good too! For drinks I had green mango shake and my mom tried their guyabano drink, all very good. For dessert, we had the palitaw and bibingka, the palitaw brings back my childhood! It's so simple and the taste is what I remembered. Overall, this is one of the best dining place in Tagaytay.
Ambiance - very nice restaurant with excellent view of Taal Lake and volcano. Service - very good service. Servers were very attentive. When we asked the receptionist outside for an area where we could take an unobstructive picture of the view (as opposed to the screened window), she directed us to take bottom steps outside the restaurant. It turned out that there was renovation in that area thus, it was inaccessible. When we explained this to her, she then pointed us to the second floor of the restaurant which had a patio with a perfect view. It didn't make sense for her to direct us to the bottom stairs initially because it was steep and inconvenient. Food - we ordered Kare-kare (disappointingly tasteless but had real ox tails), palabok (on the salty side and did not have the depth of flavor I was hoping for; however, it had a lot of ingredients such as crunchy chicharon, shrimp, etc), fresh lumpiang ubod (tasted good), crispy lumpia with lumpiang ubod inside (very good) and pork bbq (my favorite). I wish we had a choice of serving sizes especially for the kare-kare and palabok but both were large servings. We took home the leftovers. Unfortunately, the kare-kare was spoiled by the next day. Could it be several days old already? We placed the leftovers in an ice chest with ice so...I would probably not be back. Manam had better tasting dishes and had serving size options. Sorry.
The location and view from the restaurant were stellar. We only wish the food were the same. We're expecting to be blown away but it was somewhat disappointing. The Kare Kare and Sisig took the biggest hit of lacking flavor and was not savory at all. To make long story short, for the price, it could be better. The service was exceptional. The place was very nostalgic. It makes you feel at home. Maybe this place was hyped up and made our expectations high especially when you're hungry. Manam set the benchmark for us and we were expecting the same or better.
This has got to probably be one of the most grand places to dine along the Tagaytay crater with an overlooking view at Taal Volcano. The old-style house theming had been executed well starting from the house's facade, to the hallway and stairs, up until the dining area and wall portraits. Food is also done right. I loved our orders of the spicy spareribs, tawilis, and specially the bulalo. My only gripe with the tawilis was that some pieces were already a little too large to be eaten whole. It may come out a little too spiny or bony. The bulalo was exceptional. The listed weight of around 1 Kg to 1 Kg+ was almost true to weight and we were surprised with the serving amount. The meat portion was even a little more than enough for our group of 7 people. Balay Dako paired their Bulalo with a home blend of tamarind and olive oil. The added oil surprisingly complents the soup and makes it a little more flavourful. Lastly, it worked perfectly that we arrived around 11 AM or 10 something on a Wednesday noon. We were still able to find seating. My tip will be to try to come early to be able to select a spot with a good, unobstructed sightline to Taal Volcano.
A beautiful restaurant,from the ambiance,interior is well done,piaya freshly cooked in the middle and friendly staff.Food is delicious and servings is for sharing.The view is so awesome and fresh air is unforgettable.This is a beautiful family oriented restaurant and we're so happy to be here. read more
Bonus points for the astounding view, excellent service, and side shop to buy takeout goodies. Went for early lunch and got: - Kare Kare: Oxtail was stupendous - tender yet chewy, all around great texture. Generous amount of veggies. Would have liked the sauce to be thicker and have a stronger peanut taste. - Squid Sisig: Never had squid as sisig before and this was interesting. They did it well as it wasn't rubbery at all. Good portion size. - Garlic Rice: Good amount of garlic flakes, would have liked a stronger garlic undertone. - Halo Halo: The star was the two scoops of icecream. The rest of it was meh. A bit heavy handed on the ice. - Icecream: Got a scoop of the taho and it came with the classic syrup and boba. The icecream was smooth and the flavour came across strongly. Pricey but I guess you pay up for the ambiance. Go early as this place gets absolutely packed and frenzy. Explore the rest of Tagaytay while you're there. read more
1 month ago
Food was great but we need to visit their buffets on weekend maybe next time when we're back in the Philippines, highly recommended though and amazing views too while dining read more
1 year ago
Great place to savor authentic Filipino food with an amazing views. Service was great. Emyl our attendant was so mindful. They worked as a team so our food was served on time. We ordered Kansi Pusit sisig Kangkong with sili Fried salted pork Fried Tawili with suka Tried their Biko pie was ok Turn with Langka Halo halo Overall it was great. I just hope that they warmed my Biko pie before serving. read more
1 year ago
After being away from the Philippines since my younger days, I was invited to come back and present under the U.S. Fulbright Programs last month (June 2025). Our team was brought to, according to the driver, one of Tagrytay's best, the Balay Dako, as we toured the Tagaytay Highlands to ease ourselves of the charring humidity and enjoy the views of Taal and its vicinities. My brother hailed the tastes of their (Bulalo) Boiled and Soupy Fresh and locally sourced Beef broth with a large femur of meat, cartilage and tasty morsels, enriched with cabbage, pechay, potatoes and other aromatics. The broth was beyond measure and the beef was soft and as I offered the bones, the muscles just fell off the cartilages. We enjoyed the soup and never looked at such soups better than this one. The waiter explained that they source from the freshly butchered beef in town and use them as son as they get to the restaurant, they also use the freshest ingredients from the market. We also had the "pakbet" which is a sautéed combination of vegetables and other ingredients, pork in particular and desserts like halo-halo, a cold mixed of nuts, ice cream, milk and beans, etc...it was creamy and sweet to the tastes... What was endearing here was a view of the Taal Lake enamored by the misty cold air and an elevated viewing restaurant platform which made me feel like dining on earth while in heaven? Call it overrated but having food in a place where you feel pampered like a King or Queen, is to me, classic and an experience others can only dream about... Parking was abundant and a gift shop is also located on the lower floor. The waiters and employees are smiling always and greets you like a friend, very humbling considering I don't see this while in Taiwan, HongKong, Vietnam, or even in Korea? No wonder, the world often go along with their, It's More Fun In The Philippines advertising one liner. So, if you're in the Philippines, get an Uber to take you to Balay Dako and enjoy the highlights of Philippines cuisine and Filipino hospitality, like no other. Mabuhay! read more
This is the 2nd time I've been to Balay Dako 1st. In 2017 and the latest is Oct. 19, 2025, if I can only give 10 stars I would. This place will never disappoint you especially me, I love all the foods they serve, delicious to the max! Servers are very attentive. We ordered Bulalo, Kare Kare, lumpiang sariwa, Pakbet, Daing na Bangus, Letchon Kawali, Tortang alimasag, the best for me is my favorite Puto Bongbong( Sorry, I forgot to take pix) Green mango juice is an eye opener for me, I just love it. Let's not forget the ambiance at its best! I will keep coming to this place whenever I can visit. All in all, it's simply the BEST!! read more
Not having been to Tagaytay in over 15 years, I am reminded how beautiful Tagaytay is. That being said, traveling to get to Balay Dako on a Sunday afternoon and parking was horrible! But that has more to do with the road infrastructure (construction delays where we were coming from) and quite a bit of people on the road that day. After managing to park (there was quite a bit of parking but even more people), we walked in to a lot of people in the waiting area. Fortunately, they had seating for those waiting along with a shop to the left selling various types of food including pastries. I highly recommend having a field day and splurge on the packaged pastries there - having arrived back in the US, I'm thoroughly enjoying them all to the point where I'm googling to see if I can order some of this online and shipped here ha! The place itself is a lot larger than I expected. From what I observed, there were two floors of seating. We were seated on the 2nd level, which gave us the opportunity to walk outside and observe the breathtaking view. Amazing! The food itself was a hit and miss. We had a party of 7, and ordered various food ala carte. Bangus Ala Pobre, Fried Inasal, Sinigang Ng Baboy, and a few others I honestly don't know the name of ha! What caught me off guard was when they asked on various occasions whether we would like our sinagang (soup) topped off or refilled. That was definitely new to me and appreciated. The Halo Halo Klasiko and slushies were great! What I appreciated was the service. With the amount of patrons at this establishment, I saw all the workers roaming around tending to everyone. I'd definitely like to visit this place again in the future. Very memorable. read more
Thanks to my Yelp friend Ronnel S. for reviewing Balay Dako since his post and pics piqued my interest. We were in Taygaytay and needed a place to go for lunch. With Balay Dako bookmarked for months, it was the perfect opportunity to check it out. Balay Dako hits all the marks for ambiance, service and food. Everything was amazing and to have Taal volcano with the lake as your backdrop is the cherry on top. Our group of 7 ordered a number of dishes and our standout favorites were the following: *Marinated Bistek Tagalog (Beef Steak) *Palabok *Chicken Inasal *Halabos ng Hipon *Fried Hito (stuffed fried catfish) There are plenty of seats overlooking Taal so no matter where you are, you're bound to get an amazing view. You will need to get there early for a parking space. This is a wonderful restaurant to enjoy a traditional Filipino meal. A bit on the pricey side but worth every single peso. Don't miss it! read more
Suggest bringing big appetites or lots of family members and friends to enjoy eating here. We drove from Manila and arrived a little after opening. In the parking lot we received a ticket and had to provide it to the cashier once we closed our check. Inside we stood by the fresh piyaya station and watched the nonstop making of them. We ordered a package to go at the end so we could take it back with us. So good. We finally were seated by the window and had a nice view of the Taal volcano. The menu here showcased a quite extensive selection of Filipino dishes. The portions were bigger than we expected so had a lot of left overs. I think the staff could do a better job explaining serving sizes especially for those of us who have not eaten here before. Some of our favorites were Pinakbet fried rice - will definitely feed more than 4-5 people! Palabok - best we've eaten in awhile Callos - lots of beef tripe and chorizo sausage Escabecheng Pla Pla - perfectly fried and paired well with the sweet sour sauce Puto bumbong - buttery and soft. Service was good overall with lots of servers. Would come back if we visit Tagaytay again. read more
Awesome place to enjoy a lunch or dinner with spectacular view of Taal lake and volcano. Fresh air , bird song , stillness of time while enjoying home cook meals at its best whether with family, friends and love ones. Food are authentic Filipino showcasing its regional best like bulalo and other classic dishes. Service is world class the Filipino hospitality, respect , true service to accommodate guest request and always deliver with smile. read more
Food choices are overwhelmingly good, so we had to pick what we know we can finish. Service was a bit lagging although we were sat fairly quickly. Place smelled good because of the bakery and all the dishes they prepare were familiar. We bought baked goods after a big meal and we ate them at the condo for post dessert even though we had dessert already at balay dako. read more
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Tagaytay! It's right off of the mountain with the amazing views of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. It stays absolutely busy for good reason! The restaurant has limited parking so make sure you get there early enough to make a few circles because the traffic can be terrible on the main road. While you wait, go and checkout the in-house bakery and the downstairs area because the views are endless. The region is well known for their Bulalo dish (a Filipino Beef Marrow Stew), which is a staple soup that is made by cooking beef shanks and bone marrow until the collagen and fat has been melted into the clear broth; vegetables of your liking are added on but typically includes cabbage, corn, and green onions. I personally am a big fan of their version and as soon as my fiancé tasted it, he understood and had an epic reaction. The waiters will also refill your bowl of bulalo soup as many times as needed, so don't worry!! The menu is huge so I would personally prepare ahead of time and make sure that you're ready for a family style meal, because all meals are intended to bring your family together in the Philippines! Top picks and safe for not-so-adventurous Americans: Lechon Kawali, Sisig Na Baboy, BULALO NA BAKA, Sitaw at Giniling na Baboy, Stir Fried Chili Eggplant read more
2 months ago
Love the food! This is like the mid level restaurant chain of Antonio's. There's always a line to dine in here, but to beat the crowd make sure to arrive by 11 and you will surely be seated right away. The ambiance of the restaurant is very relaxed and homey, feels like you're eating in a familiar settling. The servers are all smiling and very attentive. The service is great! Food. We have their bulala (must order), the meat is tender and the soup is very tasty. We also had the kare kare, but I like the bulalo better. Dinuguan is good too! For drinks I had green mango shake and my mom tried their guyabano drink, all very good. For dessert, we had the palitaw and bibingka, the palitaw brings back my childhood! It's so simple and the taste is what I remembered. Overall, this is one of the best dining place in Tagaytay. read more
6 months ago
Ambiance - very nice restaurant with excellent view of Taal Lake and volcano. Service - very good service. Servers were very attentive. When we asked the receptionist outside for an area where we could take an unobstructive picture of the view (as opposed to the screened window), she directed us to take bottom steps outside the restaurant. It turned out that there was renovation in that area thus, it was inaccessible. When we explained this to her, she then pointed us to the second floor of the restaurant which had a patio with a perfect view. It didn't make sense for her to direct us to the bottom stairs initially because it was steep and inconvenient. Food - we ordered Kare-kare (disappointingly tasteless but had real ox tails), palabok (on the salty side and did not have the depth of flavor I was hoping for; however, it had a lot of ingredients such as crunchy chicharon, shrimp, etc), fresh lumpiang ubod (tasted good), crispy lumpia with lumpiang ubod inside (very good) and pork bbq (my favorite). I wish we had a choice of serving sizes especially for the kare-kare and palabok but both were large servings. We took home the leftovers. Unfortunately, the kare-kare was spoiled by the next day. Could it be several days old already? We placed the leftovers in an ice chest with ice so...I would probably not be back. Manam had better tasting dishes and had serving size options. Sorry. read more
The location and view from the restaurant were stellar. We only wish the food were the same. We're expecting to be blown away but it was somewhat disappointing. The Kare Kare and Sisig took the biggest hit of lacking flavor and was not savory at all. To make long story short, for the price, it could be better. The service was exceptional. The place was very nostalgic. It makes you feel at home. Maybe this place was hyped up and made our expectations high especially when you're hungry. Manam set the benchmark for us and we were expecting the same or better. read more
2 years ago
6 months ago
4 years ago
This has got to probably be one of the most grand places to dine along the Tagaytay crater with an overlooking view at Taal Volcano. The old-style house theming had been executed well starting from the house's facade, to the hallway and stairs, up until the dining area and wall portraits. Food is also done right. I loved our orders of the spicy spareribs, tawilis, and specially the bulalo. My only gripe with the tawilis was that some pieces were already a little too large to be eaten whole. It may come out a little too spiny or bony. The bulalo was exceptional. The listed weight of around 1 Kg to 1 Kg+ was almost true to weight and we were surprised with the serving amount. The meat portion was even a little more than enough for our group of 7 people. Balay Dako paired their Bulalo with a home blend of tamarind and olive oil. The added oil surprisingly complents the soup and makes it a little more flavourful. Lastly, it worked perfectly that we arrived around 11 AM or 10 something on a Wednesday noon. We were still able to find seating. My tip will be to try to come early to be able to select a spot with a good, unobstructed sightline to Taal Volcano. read more
3 years ago
First off, shout out to Anthony for the recommendation! We were told that Tagaytay was the spot for Bulalo, and despite the heat it's always a great time for bulalo! The portions are HUGE, so the dishes are perfect for sharing. The beef was a large as my head and literally fell off of the bone. The broth was so delicious that it was gone within minutes. The staff will refill the bulalo with fresh broth upon request. The tsoklate is rich and has a dark chocolate flavor. It was tempting to get a second cup. We had a bit of a wait, but I can understand why. It is definitely worth a trip! The atmosphere is great for events and dinners either with friends and family, dates, or business. It is very busy and parking is scarce. It is loud inside due to the amount of patrons, but again, worth the visit! read more
Gorgeous view in this mansion turned restaurant. Fast paced and family friendly. Food comes out fast, tastes great, and everyone is very welcoming. Highly recommend checking it out. They make piaya fresh nonstop and it took about 45 mins for our order to get made because they were so busy. I suggest you order it when you order your meal so it's ready to go when you finish read more
2 years ago
First of all, the place is impressively beautiful. Everything was tight. The staff were attentive. The food came out very fast. The views of Taal were gorgeous. Its a very nice place. When it came to the food, they will definitely fill you up. As far as the taste, it was good, but I wasnt necessarily blown away with anything. Dont get me wrong, if given the opportunity, Id definitely go back and dine again. read more
You feel you've been transported back to a once not too distant past, where the wealthiest families would have lived in mansions such as "Dako Balay" (Big House). We didn't have much to wait, with a big group such as ours. Incidentally we tried to call ahead but was told it was first come first served only. Big groups started coming in but the house didn't have any issues accommodating everyone. The food came quickly and hot and fresh. The kitchen and the service is a well-oiled-machine, for sure. On one of your trips to the beautiful Tagaytay, do pay a visit to Dako Balay. I know I would probably come here for weekend brunch if my family and I actually lived there! read more
3 years ago
Nice view of Taal volcano from both floors of the restaurant! The food was very flavorful and yummy, and very much worth the price. Ice cream bar downstairs was also very yummy. Had a good experience overall and they had pretty quick and attentive service. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
I'd like to share my experience at one of my favorite restaurants in Tagaytay: Balay Dako. My mom is from Iloilo, so we often crave dishes like Kansi and Batchoy. We also love ordering Bulalo, Halaan, Pusit, Ensalada, Lumpiang Shanghai, and rice. Of course, we always save room for halo-halo or ice cream! The food is delicious, and we often leave with leftovers. Just a tip: if you're dining with a large group, it's best to make a reservation, as they tend to get very busy. The atmosphere is lovely, and the staff is friendly. While service can be a bit slow during peak times, it's always worth the wait, although it can be on the pricier side. Highly recommended! I forgot to capture the food huhu read more
2 years ago
Balay Dako means Big House I believed this is a well maintained ancestral house turned into a huge restaurant and function hall. Situated in Taal and just by the lake so patrons will enjoy the beauty of the famous Taal volcano while enjoying their meals. Homey ambiance and very friendly service with excellent cuisines inspired by the Ilongo. What we had; LUMPIANG SARIWA--fresh spring roll filled with heart of coconut,shrimp and ground pork topped with special sauce with peanuts. One of my oldtime favorite,this one is Ilongo inspired but still tasted very very good. TAWILIS--deep fried fresh water sardines a local delicacy,dipping sauce vinigar with thai chili and crush garlic...mmmmm addictive very crispy plus the blending of the dipping sauce perfect for fish lovers clientelle KANSI-- our soup for this adventure--Ilongo inspired soup dish,combination of beef brsket and pork legs actually confusing if its 'sinigang' or 'bulalo. Cooked with lemongrass,jack fruit and batuan(a fruit that makes a soup sour) it can be fresh,dried or powder. BURONG HIPON (Balaw-balaw) Fermented rice and shrimp orders comes with your choice of veggies.we had the blunched mustard leaves-- in my own province we used fish,same taste though not all can tolerate this dish because of its smell. TORTANG ALIMASAG--Frittata of blue crab meat leeks and eggs.I love this one very versatile it goes with bread(pandesal),rice or just eat it with catsup. Drinks: we got soda,watermelon and dalandan(Local orange) shake amd we tried the GINUMIS--layers of tapioca pearls,gelatin cubes and roasted rice flakes coupled with coconut milk,brown sugar syrup and shaved ice...(such a delish!!) Dessert;HALO-HALO KLASICO--Traditional preserved red beans,sweet purple yum,sweetened plantains,creme caramel,dried rice crispies,jack fruit topped with shaved ice,ice cream,leche flan and evaporated milk..omg such a sugar overload but who cares when you are vacationing it should be DIE-YET and not DIET hahahaha. They charge in Philippine peso so for me its still affordable, good for family and excellent for group,huge free parking lot,the place maintained some decors when it is used as a residential home,very clean.Patroled by security guard so vehicles are 100% safe. By the entrance a space allocated as a grocery and souvinier shop,upscale and gourmet sardines available and other goodies too. In the middle of the house is like a big open oven this place is known to cook fresh piaya or piyaya Ilongo flat bread filled with musucado sugar now adays with variations and flavors ube/taro is popular as well. Highly recommended,for all tourists and locals visiting the area of Taal this is indeed one of the best place to enjoy Filipino dishes and cuisines inspired by Ilongo cooking. Mabuahay! read more
2 years ago
Watching the magnificent volcano while enjoying the food was the best experience. Food was authentic and flavorful. Service was prompt and attentive. Considering the place was busy for lunch our order came out in a timely manner. The only negative experience was that the vegetarian Kare Kare wasn't served hot. It was barely warm like it was waiting to be picked up. I like my food hot. Overall a great experience. Definitely coming back!!! read more
If you ever venture into Tagaytay then you have to check out balay dako. The food is here is great and the view is amazing. Their special noodles and dalandan juice is great. I also like that they have Filipino inspired ice cream flavors. Definitely a must try! read more
2 years ago
we've been visiting them for their breakfast buffet once a year. good food. good ambiance. great view of the taal lake. read more
We came to Tagaytay to celebrate my husband's birthday. He hadn't been to the lake with the volcano in the center since he was a child, so we were both excited to come. Unfortunately, we came during a storm, but undaunted by the gale, we decided to still have a celebratory lunch and headed to Balay Dako. We hadn't called ahead as others suggested, but by sheer luck we didn't have to wait long for a table, despite the fact that there was still a crowd of people in there waiting during the storm. We ordered the Pampano fish, the beef short rib caldereta, tempura prawns, and the lumpia shanghai along with some garlic fried rice, along with some other items. The service is very professional. Our soda and water were kept filled, and there was always someone at hand to fulfill our requests. My love truly enjoyed his fish, and the short rib calderata was especially tender. We didn't get to see the lake as the beautiful view we had had been grayed out by the storm, but we still enjoyed our experience. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like a fine dining experience in Tagaytay. read more
I was supposed to be in the Philippines right now, but considering the state of the world, I'm at home. Next best thing I guess is reminiscing what could've been! In Negrense, Balay Dako means "Big House" which upon arriving, you will notice the restaurant is set in a "Big House." I didn't know it at the time, but Negrense or Negrosanons are the native people at Negros, the island where my father is from in the Philippines. I guess this was the perfect place to get back in touch with my roots? Back in the day, family compounds were built around a large central home and the Balay Dako became a gathering place where families and friends came together to celebrate life's events. I tried Balay Dako for the first time during my last visit to Tagaytay. I read that no visit to Tagaytay is complete without bulalo and so, I was on a mission to try the dish and saw that they offered it here. The restaurant is easily accessible and right on the main road in Tagaytay. They have a large parking lot and we were able to find parking right away. Upon walking in, I was impressed by the high ceilings and ambiance. This was my first time in a more upscale restaurant in the Philippines, but it still felt homey and welcoming. There is a deli/gift shop on the left and a waiting area on the right. Although we had a semi-large party of 8, we didn't wait very long and were seated within 15 minutes. Their menu features many traditional Filipino dishes that really highlights the diversity of Filipino cuisine. We ordered a range of dishes that included bulalo na baka, soup (sinigang ng balay, maybe?), fried fish (tawilis, I think?), lumpia shanghai, kare kare klasik, and more. The bulalo na baka consisted of beef shanks, chinese cabbage, string beans and blackened onions all in a delicious broth. OMG, absolutely the best bulalo I've ever had. Piping hot, flavorful, and incredibly tender beef. What more could I have asked for? It hit the spot, satiating those cravings, and I still dream about it to this day. I also enjoyed the lumpia shanghai and the kare kare. My whole family and I pretty much wiped out all the dishes and left nothing behind. Their menu is so extensive and there's so much more I would like to try in the future, especially their desserts. My only regret from the whole experience was not asking for a table with a better view. The restaurant overlooks Taal Volcano and has an amazing view from many vantage points! I didn't realize how expansive the restaurant was and that there were multiple levels at the time. Luckily, we visited their lower level and were able to get photos and enjoy the view for a bit. I will definitely ask for better seats next time to make our meal all the more sweeter. The volcano did erupt a few months so I'm not sure how much has changed since then. All in all, Balay Dako is a very fitting name for this restaurant with it's multiple levels and event/function areas. It truly felt like a place to come together and connect with family and friends over a delicious meal. If you're craving solid Filipino cuisine with the ambiance and service to match, I would highly recommend a visit to Balay Dako. read more
4 years ago
I've been going here since it opened. Food and service is impeccable. If you want good Filipino cuisine, this is the place to go. Plus, you get a nice view of the Taal volcano. It's worth the drive and make sure you come when it's not rush hour or busy times (such as dinner). read more
3 years ago
The food, service, and ambiance were excellent! Loved our lunch here. Worth the wait and we got the best table in the house! read more
Balay Dako is a beautiful place. High quality Filipino cuisine that is probably better than the dishes your Lola prepared for you. The Piaya is probably the most outstanding menu item that I've tasted for the first time and it was GLORIOUS! The only problem is I ate so many that it spoiled my appetite for the main dishes. Quality cuisine in a beautiful location - so why the poor marks? Well...I believe it was the water that made me sick for the next two days with a bacterial stomach bug. For you balikbayans out there...beware the tap water....or chug a Pale Pilsen first to sterilize your stomach before your meal. read more
2 years ago
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