Hello, everyone! It’s been a long long time since I, Mr. Eats, had the motivation and energy to write about something. 2019 flew by so fast and a lot of things had happened. I got lazy taking photos, attending events, and going places. I just realized that I had enough of that. Now that it’s 2020, I will really try my best to produce more content in here and in our social media accounts. In this edition of EATSplorations, I will be sharing one amazing EATSperience that I had back in October 2019 with my friends from Discover MNL, Cebu Pacific, and Aisela Travel. To cut the long story short, I tagged along during one of the Discover Travel Series trips and lucky enough for me, it was in PAMPANGA! Yes, Pampanga, The Culinary Capital of the Philippines. That’s why I decided to come up with this blog post, 8 Must-Try Restaurants in Pampanga! Of course, I personally tried these 8 restaurants and each has its own magic. If you haven’t tried these 8 restaurants yet, hopefully, this EATSperience of mine will encourage you to visit Pampanga to EATSperience them, too!
8 Must-Try Restaurants in Pampanga!
First of all, this EATSperience would not have been possible without my friends from Discover MNL! Thank you for allowing me to discover Pampanga with you! Also, huge thanks to their travel partners Cebu Pacific and Aisela Travel! Make sure to read Discover MNL’s 7 Fun Things To Do in Pampanga on Your Next Trip article, the link can be found below.
***The restaurants are arranged in no particular order***
#1 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: 25 Seeds / Cafe Fleur by Chef Sau Del Rosario
Address: 2F Dycaico Ancestral House, Barangay Sto. Rosario, Angeles, Pampanga
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/25seeds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/25seeds/
Contact no.: +63905 257 7149
25 Seeds / Cafe Fleur is the baby of one of Pampanga’s and Philippines’ best chefs, Chef Sau Del Rosario. The place is known for serving local, regional, and international farm-to-table dishes. Although it has an expansive menu, 25 Seeds /Cafe Fleur still prides itself on amazing Kapampangan dishes like Sisig Paella, Bulanglang, Tamales, Pata Tim, and Macadamia Kare-Kare just to name a few.
Never ever leave 25 Seeds / Cafe Fleur without having this, the Macadamia Kare-Kare! Fatty and meaty pork belly with an amazing crackling. It goes perfectly with Chef Sau’s velvety, rich, and very tasty macadamia kare-kare sauce! If you are looking for a reason to travel all the way to Pampanga to EATSperience something out of this world, this may be THE dish.
#2 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Angeles Fried Chicken
Address: 1992 Marlim, Balibago, Angeles, 2009 Pampanga
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelesfriedchicken/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelesfriedchicken/
Contact no.: +6345 322 4448
Angeles Fried Chicken (AFC) is Pampanga’s favorite fried chicken! It has been in business for around 50 to 60 years and has fed so many locals and tourists alike. Of course, their Fried Chicken is THE recommended item but their menu has so much more to offer. They also have Sisig, Japanese Chicken, Camaron Rebosado, Fried Rice, Hamburger, Pancit, and so on. It’s like a one-stop-shop for every craving that you may have!
The Camaron Rebosado is one of the things that you must really try! This Pinoy-style ebi tempura is coated with a thick batter that’s fried to crispy perfection and paired with a sweet and sour sauce. Make sure to bring the whole barkada or family when you drop by AFC so that you can try out all their amazing and affordable dishes! The classic fried chicken, camaron rebosado, and fried rice will be my go-to dishes when I return to AFC
#3 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Jun Jun’s Pampanga
Address: Angeles City Nile Street, Corner Brozos Street, Angeles City 2009
Website: http://junjunspampanga.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junjunspampanga.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junjunspampanga/
Contact no.: +6345 625 6556
Jun Jun’s Bibingka & Barbecue Restaurant or Jun Jun’s Pampanga for short is a classic Filipino family restaurant that serves up classic Filipino favorites like Pinoy-style Chicken and Pork Barbecue, Sisig, Bibingka, BBQ Liempo, and Siomai just to name a few. One of the things that I really enjoyed at Jun Jun’s is their Sisig. It’s very simple and straightforward. Probably one of the best sisig versions that I’ve had in a long time.
The star of the show at Jun Jun’s is the Chicken Barbecue! It’s what I enjoyed most at Jun Jun’s, too. Jun Jun’s Chicken Barbecue really has the classic Pinoy barbecue flavors. It’s sweet, tangy, and a little salty. You can eat it with or without soy sauce, calamansi, and chili because it’s already awesome on its own. Make sure to order two sticks and a lot of extra rice. Believe me, it’s that good! I will surely come back for more of the Barbecue and Sisig!
#4 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Apag Marangle
Address: Jose Abad Santos Ave., Sta. Barbara, Bacolor, Pampanga 2001
Website: http://apagmarangle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apagmarangle/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apagmaranglebacolor/
Contact no.: +63922 888 0568
Apag Marangle is both a restaurant and a tourist destination in one location because it sits right in the middle of a fish pond. Apag Marangle literally means hain sa bukid or “served in a farm” in English. It is known for serving both classic and unique Kapampangan dishes with the backdrop of a beautifully designed landscape. To maximize your Apag Marangle EATSperience, make sure to dine there during the daytime so that you can see its amazing beauty.
I was able to try their Buro, Sisig, Sinigang, Camaru (fried crickets), Catfish, and many many more. However, what I was impressed with the most is their version of Betute (Fried Stuffed Frog). It was my first time to eat anything frog and I can honestly say that I loved it, thanks to the expertise of Apag’s chef! It tasted very clean, really tender, tasty, and surprisingly, memorable. I would definitely come back here again for it and hopefully, next time, during the daytime.
#5 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Abe’s Farm
Address: 98 Livestock Village, Barangay Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga 2011
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abesfarmph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbesFarmPH/
Contact no.: +63917 808 5187
Abe’s Farm is another place that’s both a tourist destination and a restaurant. It has, of course, a huge restaurant that serves some of the best Kapampangan food and regional Filipino food in the province. Also, it is a premier lifestyle destination because of its accommodations, spa, and it even has its own museum.
I was able to try their Sinigang na Guava with Bangus (milkfish), Bamboo Rice (which I ate a lot of because it was so damn delicious!), Buro, Sisig, Paco Salad, Pork Binagoongan, and Bringhe (photo above). Among all the dishes that I tried at Abe’s Farm, the Bringhe and Bamboo Rice were my favorites. Both dishes were full of amazing flavors and love! I would come back to Abe’s Farm again and hopefully, stay there for a night or two to just eat and chill with my family. What a lovely place!
#6 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Aling Lucing Sisig
Address: Glaciano Valdez St., Brgy.Agapito del Rosario, Angeles City 2009
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucingcunanan/
Contact no.: +63906 288 8905
Aling Lucing is known as the Sisig Queen because she invented or re-invented Sisig. I have tried their sisig years ago and I was really a big fan of it. Aside from their famous sisig, Aling Lucing also has a wide array of grilled dishes and Kapampangan dishes. The place looks way bigger now than a decade ago but it still is very simple, no airconditioning, and a tad filthy.
I was able to try their Barbecue and Chicharong Bulaklak. Both items were pretty impressive but the thing that would definitely make me come back for more is still their SISIG! The Sisig of Aling Lucing is still THE BEST SISIG ever. Fight me, haha! It’s creamy, tangy, and smoky. The ratio of meaty, crispy, and fatty parts is just perfect. Every single bite has all three important components. Definitely, a legendary sisig EATSperience that you all must try at least once in your lifetime!
#7 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy
Address: Brgy. San Angelo, San Andres St, Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilasPampanga/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milaspampanga/
Contact no.: +6345 888 6727
Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy is one of the most famous restaurants in Pampanga! One of its specialties is the Tokwa’t Baboy (photo above) that’s healthy and sinful at the same time. They are also known for their Sizzling Sisig and many other Filipino and Kapampangan dishes. When our group dropped by for lunch before heading back to Manila, it was really really packed. TIP: Be there early, because the area has limited parking slots and it can get really busy inside the restaurant during peak hours.
Another must-try Sisig in Pampanga! Mila’s Sizzling Sisig one of the best I’ve ever had. It is super crispy, smoky, and meaty. However, it’s not as creamy and fatty as Aling Lucing’s which can be a good thing if you are health conscious. I would come back for this and the Tokwa’t Baboy when I visit Pampanga again. It’s like Batman and Robin. You cannot have one and miss out on the other. Good things like them come in pairs!
#8 Must-Try Restaurant in Pampanga: The Original Razon’s
Address: O.G. Road, San Juan Nepo Betis, Guagua, Pampanga 2003
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/razonstheoriginal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/razonstheoriginal/
Contact no.: +6345 900 1144
The house that Pancit Luglug and Halo-Halo built, The Original Razon’s! It was nice to cap off my Pampanga food trip with some snacks and a cold treat. The Puto and Pancit Luglug were as good as I expected it to be. Savory and sweet complementing each other perfectly in every single bite. The Kapampangans are so blessed to have such an institution of a restaurant in The Original Razon’s!
THE BEST HALO-HALO EVER! Yes, I love my halo-halo simple. Sweetened Bananas, Macapuno, Shaved Ice, Milk, and Leche Flan. That’s it. No more, no less. This was the fairytale ending of my Pampanga food trip with Discover MNL, Cebu Pacific, and Aisela Travel. The cherry on top of an unforgettable trip! That’s it for this edition of EATSplorations, until next time!!!
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Awesome list! Just wondering which restaurant do you think has the best sisig in Pampanga? I’d love to know so we can try it out when we visit there.
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Hi! Thank you! My favorite is Aling Lucing. 🙂 It’s a real classic sisig!
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Try sisig at Mila’s Tokwat baboy.
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Yes! We did 😀 It’s included on this post 😀
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