Cuenca, Batangas Food Guide: 10 Budget-Friendly Spots You Need to Try
- Cuenca is proudly known as the "Home of the Bakers," and Luis Bakery is the non-negotiable first stop for cheese rolls, ensaymadas, and dedication cakes that give the big names a run for their money.
- For laid-back hangouts with a view of Mt. Maculot, Inarah Cafe and Cafe Raya are worth a visit, best enjoyed for the ambiance.
- Don't skip the unexpected gems, like Dreambake's oven-baked pizzas and Oasis Auto Care & Cafe's surprisingly good specialty coffee while you wait for your car wash.
If you've been following my adventures, you already know I'm always on the hunt for the best eats wherever I go. Now that I'm based in Batangas, that mission has gotten even more exciting, because I finally get to explore the food scene right in my own backyard (literally!): Cuenca.
Cuenca is best known as the "Home of the Bakers." But trust me, there's so much more to it than warm pandesal and ensaymada. This small but lively municipality is packed with cozy cafes, hearty Batangueño comfort food, and a surprising mix of local and international flavors. So grab a snack (you'll want one after this) and let's dig into the budget-friendly spots I've personally tried around my town!LUIS BAKERY
Address: National Highway, Poblacion 1, Cuenca, BatangasHours: 7AM – 8PM
Parking: Plenty of space (dedicated parking for customers)
You really can't visit Cuenca without stopping by for its breads and pastries, and Luis Bakery should be first on your list. Their cheese rolls give Mary Grace a run for its money (minus the price tag), and their ensaymadas and chocolate dedication cakes hold their own against the likes of Mernel's and Red Ribbon, both in price and flavor. Whenever we have guests over, Luis Bakery treats are always part of the welcome spread, and they make for one of the best pasalubongs you can bring home.
Fun fact: Luis Bakery isn't the only reason Cuenca earned its "Home of the Bakers" title. Rosales Bakery is another local favorite, especially for their Spanish bread (just a tad too sweet for my taste, but still worth a try).
Rating: 5/5
INARAH CAFE
Address: General Luna Street, Poblacion 3, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8AM–9PM | Weekends, 8AM–10PM
Parking: Limited street parking
My go-to order here is the passionfruit sparkling drink, their 2-piece special suman (the one drizzled in caramel sauce is a must), and their seriously cheesy fries. It's the kind of place where you can just hang out with friends while soaking in the view of Mt. Maculot. Great vibes all around.
Rating: 4/5
BARSOY
Address: Col. P. Pasia Ave, Poblacion 2, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: 8AM – 8PM
Parking: Limited parking in front of the restaurant
We were a bit on the fence after our first (and so far only) visit here. It's a pay-per-order setup, so we tried two dishes: their pinakbet and dinakdakan. The pinakbet leaned a little too mild for our taste, and the dinakdakan had so much mayo mixed in that the usual smoky, tangy flavor, that it got a bit lost underneath it all. With that said, Barsoy has since gotten a facelift, upgrading from an open-air setup to a fully enclosed space that now feels more like an events venue. We're hoping the food has leveled up along with the renovation, and we'd love to give it another shot soon.
Rating: 2/5
DREAMBAKESCO PIZZA
Address: Poblacion 3, National Highway, Cuenca, Batangas (across Petron Gas Station)
Hours: 11AM – 9PM
Parking: No dedicated lot; side street parking at your own risk
We're big fans of Dreambake's pizzas, especially their buy-one-take-one deals. The dough comes out wonderfully chewy with that golden, oven-baked crust that tells you it's the real deal. They've got a wide range of flavors to fit different budgets, whether you're a student or just craving pizza on a weeknight. Our usual orders are the beef & bacon and the pepperoni. Bonus points too for Sir Eugene, the baker and owner himself, whom we got to meet in person one night. Super friendly and accommodating.
Rating: 5/5
FELIPO
Address: 16 National Highway, Barangay San Felipe, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: Mon–Thu, 9AM–10PM | Fri–Sat, 9AM–11PM
Parking: Plenty of space (fits 3–4 cars) right in front
We've ordered from Felipo a handful of times, usually while waiting for our car to finish up at the carwash nearby. Their halo-halo was just okay, felt like something was missing. We've since skipped their Pan-fried Chicken Pesto after the chicken and pasta came out a bit too oily and the bread was tough to chew through. Their calamares, though, were fried just right. But the real star for us is the Spanish-style Tuna Fettuccine. It's so consistently good that these days, it's the only thing we order whenever we swing by.
Rating: 4/5
KIKS KITCHENETTE
Address: National Highway, Ibabao, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: 9:30AM – 9:30PM
Parking: Side street parking at your own risk
Nothing fancy here, but they do have an extensive menu with a mix of Filipino and Indian-inspired dishes. We tried the tapsilog (the beef was a little on the chewy side, and the rice a bit oily) and their chicken biryani. The biryani itself was a little mild-tasting for our liking, though the accompanying sauces really helped bring it to life; we genuinely enjoyed those. Having tried a lot of authentic biryani during our years living in Dubai, this version still has some room to grow. But it's not a bad option if you're craving something different in Cuenca.
Rating: 2/5
OASIS AUTO CARE & CAFE
Address: Barangay San Felipe, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: 8AM – 8PM
Parking: Fits 3–4 cars if not full with carwash customers
Oasis is honestly a one-stop-shop. We've had our car washed here plenty of times, and the best part is you get to relax at their in-house cafe while you wait. The food genuinely holds up, too. Our favorites include the sardine and olive pasta (a bit oily, but still so good), the tapsilog (great flavor and even better plating), and the passionfruit calamansi tea, which has become my usual order (shoutout to my favorite barista, Jaja, who already knows exactly what drink I want before I even ask). Their specialty coffee drinks are also worth trying, especially the pinipig crisp latte. Prices run a little higher across the board, but worth every peso.
They also have a water refilling station. We get our water from them (twice a week), but we've stopped ordering since we haven't been able to reach their usual delivery guy lately. Not sure why, but it might just be the distance from our place. Wish we knew the reason why!
Rating: 5/5
SUSAN'S EATERY
Address: M. Malvar Street, Barangay 3, Cuenca, Batangas (near Cuenca Institute)
Hours: Hours not posted online, best to call ahead
Parking: Limited side street parking only
We turn to Susan's Eatery on days when cooking at home just isn't happening. The prices run a bit high for the portions, so it's not an everyday thing for us. But their fried lumpiang gulay, adobong pusit, and specialty palabok are genuinely worth it. We usually order their palabok platter whenever we have visitors over, and it's always a hit. At ₱850, it easily feeds 8 to 10 people, which makes it a solid choice for gatherings. The owner, Sir Jordan, is also incredibly accommodating, even with very tight, same-day orders.
Rating: 4/5
CAFE RAYA
Address: 3rd Floor, FJ's Building, Ibabao, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: 2PM – 10PM
Parking: Limited parking along the highway, park at your own risk
The food and drinks here were fairly average, nothing that really stood out. The beef tapa was on the dry side and a bit tough to chew, while the luncheon meat was decent but nothing memorable. But what really makes Cafe Raya worth the visit is the rooftop view of Mt. Maculot. It's a lovely spot to unwind with a drink and good company.
Rating: 3/5
CASA ALEJANDRO
Address: Imelda's Garden, Sitio Sablay, Barangay Poblacion 8, Cuenca, Batangas
Hours: 10AM – 7PM
Parking: Plenty of parking available outside Imelda's Garden
The food here left us a bit underwhelmed, especially considering the price point. The view, on the other hand, was lovely. So what did we order? Well, we tried their ensaladang talong, which tasted fine despite not looking too fresh. We also got some grilled squid, which was fairly tough and swimming in more sauce than it needed (though a generous serving size). My husband ordered sweet and sour pork with rice, which sadly, arrived a little soggy. Overall, it was a decent enough experience, but not one we're in a rush to repeat. The staff, though, deserve a mention. They were warm and attentive throughout our visit.
Rating: 2/5
That wraps up my current list of budget-friendly food spots in Cuenca! Whether you're after fresh-baked pasalubong, a scenic cafe hangout, or a hearty meal after a long drive, our small town in Batangas definitely has more to offer than meets the eye. We hope to see you in Cuenca soon!
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
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