La Union Food Trip: 10 Must-Visit Spots for the Hungry Traveler

These days, La Union is known for two things: surfing and food.

Having given birth to a variety of restaurants and cafés, LU continues to draw in tourists not just for its laid-back surf culture but for the potentially epic food trip as well.

Whether you’re heading out to hit the waves or just planning to chill by the shore, make sure to stop by the places in this Eat Sheet to get your fill of some of La Union’s gastronomical bests.

Breakfast at Barefoot at Le Point

If you’ve ever chanced upon Masa, the bakery on a bike traveling around Elyu, you’ll want to hit this spot at Monaliza Surf Resort for a hearty breakfast. Freshly-baked brioche toast, bacon, San Fernando longganisa, eggs, beans, and local mushrooms make up the Full Taglish. Sop up some of that delicious Shakshouka (eggs poached in tomato sauce, water spinach, eggplant, and melted cheese) or Palak Ganern (water spinach with eggs, potatoes, and cheese) with homemade baguette. And who isn’t a fan of French toast? Theirs comes with fresh berries from Baguio.

Barefoot at Le Point
Monaliza Surf Resort, MacArthur Highway, San Juan
(072) 607 1396
Thursdays to Mondays, 8am-2pm

Coffee at Clean Beach

After breakfast, head over to the beach and walk along the shoreline. Head towards Clean Beach for a cup of coffee—this café that promotes sustainability encourages its patrons to be plastic-free. You can even borrow their beach baskets to do a quick clean-up while you walk around, and return to an ice-cold glass of their house blend tea for free.

Clean Beach
134 Beachfront, MacArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan
Daily, 7am-10pm

Lunch at Seawadeeka

All your Asian favorites are at this roadside eatery. Sample their Indonesian chicken satay, nasi goreng, and pad Thai. The Asian street food spot started out as a food truck going around town before settling into a spot across Vessel Hostel along MacArthur Highway.

Seawadeeka
0921 761 1784
San Fernando, La Union
Weekdays, 9am-10pm
Weekends, 8am-10pm

Merienda at El Union or Makai Bowls

After retreating to the beach from the line-up, replenish all that energy you lost in the waves with the famed Grilled Cheese with Bacon Jam and a Dirty Horchata from El Union. You can head up to the second floor to wash that all down with a smoothie bowl or a fruit popsicle from Makai Bowls. Take your plates and bowls down to the viewing deck, which has a great view of the always majestic sunsets of LU.

El Union
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Weekdays, 9am-9pm
Weekends, 7am-10pm

Makai Bowls
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Wednesdays to Mondays, 8am-6pm

Dinner at Chu’s Diner

The newly-opened spot serves authentic Japanese cuisine made by local surf legend Tsuyoshi Takahashi from San Juan, La Union. Fresh sashimi, a salmon poke bowl, cold shabu-shabu, and katsu curry—these are just some of the tasty dishes you can order to end your amazing seaside foodie feast.

Chu’s Diner
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
San Juan, La Union
0975 256 3587
Wednesdays to Mondays, 8am-6pm

Happy Hour at Flotsam and Jetsam, Curious Creatures Taproom, or Shrine of Satisfaction

Depending on your mood, you can choose from several areas to let loose and knock back a few cold ones. For the traveler who’s in the mood to dance the night away, head to Flotsam and Jetsam and order a round of 5-Minute Drinks for everyone. If you want a steady night with one or two cocktails, swing by The Shrine of Satisfaction at The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck. If you’re a beer lover, then you’ll have to sample the brews at the Curious Creatures Taproom on the second floor.

Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel
12500 MacArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan

Curious Creatures Taproom
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Weekdays, 12pm-2pm, 5pm-12mn
Weekends, 12pm-12mn
Closed on Tuesdays

The Shrine of Satisfaction
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
MacArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 6pm-9pm

Midnight snack at Tagpuan sa SJ

There’s nothing like a yummy bowl of steaming hot rice topped with beef tapa and egg or saucy pares after a night of drinking. With that heady buzz from the alcohol, make your way on foot to the corner eatery right beside Vessel Hostel. Order a rice bowl to end your epic LU food trip on a delicious and satisfying note.

Tagpuan sa SJ
Urbiztondo Road, San Juan, La Union
0956 661 7996
Daily, 8am-2am

Planning to explore more of what the North's Surfing Capital has to offer? Find travel inspiration from our La Union Travel Guide.

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