(SPOT.ph) If there’s something that Kapampangans are known for, it’s their taste in food. Pampanga has made a name for itself as one of the ultimate food-trip destinations in the country, perhaps made even more accessible by the fact that it is only a couple of hours away from Metro Manila.
San Fernando City, in particular, is one of the easily reachable places for an amazing tour. It’s not only known for its Christmas-lantern displays come December—as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines,” it offers a combination of history, culture, and food. Add these San Fernando legacy restaurants to your bucket list:
Everybody’s Cafe
It’s hard to top how authentically Kapampangan this place is. Established in the early 1950s by Benito and Carmen Santos, it has become an icon of Kapampangan cuisine. The fact that Everybody’s Cafe was a neutral ground for Japanese, Americans, and Filipinos after the war is a testament to the healing power of food. Try authentic Kapampangan dishes like the stuffed-frog dish betute as well as the camaro, which is a plate of deep-fried mole crickets.
Everybody’s Cafe is along Manila North Road, San Fernando, Pampanga.
L.A. Bakeshop
The cheese bread from L.A. Bakeshop makes the two-hour drive out of Manila worth it. Established in 1985 and initially situated in the public market, this establishment has become a cornerstone in making the city a veritable food destination, especially with freshly baked cheese bread that goes well with homegrown tsoko batirol.
L.A. Bakeshop is at G5 Building, Manila North Road, San Fernando, Pampanga
City Grill Restaurant
A Filipino food trip is not complete without a bit of entertainment, and a visit to the City Grill Restaurant addresses this. This KTV restaurant not only allows you hours of fun on the mic, it’s also home to a pretty impressive Boodle Fight and THE Crispy Pata Kare-Kare.
City Grill is along Manila North Road, San Fernando, Pampanga.
Denlim’s Kitchen
While Denlim’s mixes up the gustatory Pampanga experience with its custom dinners and hipster ambience, it honors the Filipino tradition of having family and friends over for a good meal. This is not your regular restaurant, though—a visit requires a reservation because the place only seats 24.
Denlim’s Kitchen is on Maharlika Street, San Fernando, Pampanga.
There are many things to admire about the indomitable Kapampangan spirit, but the province’s mix of cultural heritage and culinary prowess makes it even more inspiring, not just to the locals but to people who would like to move here as well.
With the opening of Shophouse District at Capital Town Pampanga, homegrown gustatory delights find a new home, keeping the culinary and entrepreneurial spirit of the Kapampangans alive. The six-hectare development aims to bring the charm of traditional Pampanga into a modern light.
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