Where to Eat in Vigan: Best Restaurants & Must-Try Local Food

10. Café Bigaa

Photo by Vigan Plaza Hotel

Known for its authentic Ilocano cuisine, Café Bigaa takes pride in its Vigan Longganisa, Bagnet, Igado, and Sinanglao. Café Bigaa also serves Western dishes like pasta. One of its classic favorites is the Rusangis pasta with cream sauce with a local shellfish as its main ingredient.

This cozy and rustic-themed restaurant is inside the 130-year old Vigan Plaza Hotel. Its name “Bigaa” is an Ilocano word referring to a taro plant, where the city of Vigan locally derived its name.  

One of their best-sellers is Vigan Sampler, perfect if you want to try all the popular Ilocano dishes in one platter. It comes with Bagnet (crispy pork belly), Longganisa (Spanish sausage), Pork Daldalem (pork liver in vinegar and soy sauce), Pinakbet (steamed vegetables in fish or shrimp sauce), and Sinanglao (boiled cow innards with kamias and bile).

9. Café Leona

Photo by @maggiepesky09 and @jowwwjowwww on Instagram

Serving a fusion of local and Western cuisine, Café Leona is one of the frequented restaurants in Vigan along Calle Crisologo. Come nighttime, the cafe’s outdoor dining is full of guests who like to appreciate the beauty of the famous cobblestone street with all the lights and rustic charm of the surrounding Spanish-built structures.

Beside Café Leona is a statue of its owner, Vigan’s famous Ilocano poet, Leona Florentino. Adding to the cafe’s refreshing ambiance are its Ilocano dishes that are perfectly blended with Japanese and Italian flavors. Among the local favorites at the cafe include Pinakbet, Vigan Longganisa, and Bagnet.

On top of their Japanese menu is Bagnet-Bacon Maki with sashimi and sushi rolls. This special Ilocano-Japanese meal has Bagnet or crispy pork belly wrapped in seaweed nori and a crunchy bacon strip. Another flavorful dish with a unique Ilocano and Italian twist is their woodfired Pinakbet Pizza topped with Vigan Longganisa.

8. BarTech

Photo by BarTech

Famous for being the first and only dinner buffet in Vigan, BarTech is a well-lit restaurant with live acoustic music along the historic Calle Crisologo. BarTech derived its name from the Ilocano word “bartek” which means “to be drunk”. 

Aside from alcoholic beverages, they also serve appetizers such as Bagnet Frittos, Dinakdakan (grilled pig ears and liver with calamansi dressing, onions, and chili pepper), Tokwa’t Bagnet, and Calamari Rings.

You may even choose from their rice meals with meat and fish toppings such as Fried Bangus, Chicken Teriyaki, and Beef Tapa. BarTech Vigan also takes pride in their well-curated Bagnet dishes, including Bagnet Longganisa, Pinakbet with Bagnet, Bagnet Kare-Kare, and Bagnet Sinigang. You can also try their Vigan Platter with Poqui-Poqui (eggplant and scrambled eggs).

7. Kusina Felicitas

Photo by Kusina Felicitas

Started as a humble restaurant at Grandpa’s Inn in 2004, Kusina Felicitas is committed to giving its guests a true-blue Ilocandia culinary experience. Stepping through the doors of the heritage Vigan restaurant will make you feel as if you’re going back in time as early as the 18th century.

Photo by Kusina Felicitas

Kusina Felicitas serves not only dishes from the Ilocos region but also the nearby towns of La Union, Benguet, Kalinga, Cagayan, and Apayao. A taste of their Ilocano cuisine will introduce you to the awe-inspiring and vibrant food culture of the provinces in Northern Luzon in just one sitting.

Among their must-try Ilocano dishes are the Pipian na Manok (Chicken Sinigang) and Sinanglao (beef innards and skin soup). Kusina Felicitas also serves the region’s most-loved dishes such as Pinakbet (mixed vegetable stew with shrimp paste) and Bagnet (crispy pork belly).

6. Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang Restaurant 

Photo by Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang Restaurant

Located less than 4KM away from Plaza Burgos and Calle Crisologo, Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang Restaurant is probably one of Vigan’s best-kept secrets. It serves the best Chicken Inasal and Ilocos Empanada in town. Inside Hidden Garden Vigan, you will find bamboo walls and native decors adding to its traditional and festive ambiance.

Photo by Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang Restaurant

Their menu comes with native delicacies and authentic Ilocano cuisine. Some of their must-try dishes include Bagnet Sisig and Ukoy (crispy deep-fried fritters with shrimp, onions, and tomatoes).

Lilong and Lilang’s special Empanada is stuffed with mung bean sprouts, shredded carrots, grated green papaya. Adding to its meaty taste is the Vigan Longganisa stuffed into the crispy taco shell rice flour. For dessert, they have a Native Halo-Halo served in a coconut shell. During laidback afternoons, you can head to the Coffee Corner to enjoy a cup of tea or iced cold beer.

5. Irene’s Vigan Empanada 

Photo by Irene’s Vigan Empanada

One of the longest-running empanada shops in Vigan is Irene’s Vigan Empanada, with its main branch located along Calle Crisologo. While this Ilocano delicacy is served almost anywhere in the province, Irene’s Vigan Empanada recipe stands out from the rest. It has been around for decades and has become a go-to empanada place since 1930.

Their special recipe of empanada originally came from the great grandmother of the restaurant owner, Irene Santos. To continue her empanada legacy, Irene decided to establish the empanada shop in Calle Salcedo. Their Vigan Empanada is unique as it comes with different fillings such as tuna, adobo flakes, crab, chicken, beef, sisig, and Bagnet.

Many locals and tourists drop by the restaurant to grab a bite of Irene’s signature empanada filled with savory Vigan Longganisa and egg. Their best-seller is the Special Pork Longganisa Empanada, dipped in Sukang Iloco or the local vinegar. 

4. Casa Jardin Empanada and Okoy 

Photo by Casa Jardin Empanada and Okoy

Hailed for its flavorful Ilocano cuisine, Casa Jardin Empanada and Okoy is a cozy restaurant amid a lush garden at the heart of Vigan. It is strategically located at Delos Reyes Street Corner Mabini Street, only a block away from Calle Crisologo.

Started as a small eatery in Vigan, Casa Jardin Empanada and Okoy have transformed into one of the go-to restaurants for two of Vigan’s famous Ilocano delicacies, the Okoy and Vigan Empanada. One of their specialty dishes is the crispy foot-long Vigan Empanada King. 

You can pair their signature Empanada with Double Special All-Meat Okoy or Ilocano shrimp omelet with tomatoes and onions. Both of these popular Ilocano dishes have a special vinegar sauce on the side. 

3. Casa Vicente Restaurant

Photo by Casa Vicente Restaurant

Favored by couples for its romantic ambiance, Casa Vicente Restaurant is a rustic bar and restaurant located at V. de Los Reyes Street corner Bonifacio Street. Before it became a resto-bar, it was the former stone house of the late Senator Vicente Singson. 

Casa Vicente Restaurant has an expansive indoor dining space filled with well-preserved furniture. At the corner of the restaurant, you can find an exclusive table and sitting area reserved for guests planning to have their romantic proposals.

Photo by Casa Vicente Restaurant

Casa Vicente has their own take of Ilocano dishes, which are prepared and cooked the Italian way. Their Bagnet has a modern twist and is cooked using the Italian Porchetta method. The pork belly is delicately stuffed and roasted for four hours at most.

Guests can choose from three of their best-sellers such as the steak dip, bonito’s favorite, and bone marrow with mixed vegetables. The bonito’s favorite is composed of pasta and a main course dish. Its pasta dish comes with Spanish sardines, while the main course highlights include Vigan Longganisa, green and black olives, and mashed potato.

2. 1995 Studio Café 

Photo by 1995 Studio Cafe

Conveniently located at Calle Crisologo, 1995 Studio Café is a modern restaurant and cafe that offers an array of beverage choices, salads, and dinner options. If you’re looking for other food in Vigan aside from Bagnet, 1995 Studio Café has you covered! 

Photo by 1995 Studio Cafe

For appetizers, their Honey Garlic Chicken Wings is a must-try. It also comes with other flavors such as Barbeque, Classic Buffalo, Honey Sriracha, Salted Egg, and Garlic Parmesan. Other snack favorites that you can indulge at the cafe include Nachos Supreme, Cheesy Dynamite with Cajun Mayo Dip, Calamares Fritos, and Tacos.

While you’re at it, you can take a sip of their signature milk teas, fruit teas, frappes, smoothies, and hot teas. Then, you can pair your chosen beverage with their delicious breakfast meals, pasta dishes, pizza, and crepes. Of course, a perfect Vigan breakfast won’t be complete without having Bagnet and Vigan Longganisa.

1. Calle Brewery 

Photo by Calle Brewery

(UPDATE: Please note that Calle Brewery closed down in June 2024.)

Last but definitely not least on our list is Casa Lourdes' Calle Brewery, the home of local craft beers and smoked meats in Vigan. It is along Calle Crisologo and less than 200m away from Syquia Mansion Museum.

At the entrance of the brewery is the long bar where they serve their home-grown crafted beers. Behind the restaurant is the local brewery where the production of craft beers takes place. From milling to packaging, Calle Brewery takes the 7-step brewing process very seriously to ensure the authenticity of their local beers.

Photo by Calle Brewery

Calle Brewery has five specialty beers named after local heroes such as Salakot ni Diego (honey-flavored beer), Espada ni Lapu-Lapu (bittersweet beer), Canyon ni Panday (fruity finish), Bigote ni Antonio (a bit citrusy), and Kabayo ni Gabriela with a strong kick of coffee and caramel.

Apart from craft beers, they also serve smoked meats and fresh seafood. You should try their Shrimp Set Fiesta Mix that comes with shrimp, clams, and oysters. For the main course, Two Meat Plate Combo is highly recommended, which includes pork belly and beef brisket. To cap off your hearty meal, try their Tablea Chocolate with ice cream on top.

Have a Satisfying Historic Food Escapade in Vigan

For the best Ilocos culinary experience on your next heritage tour to Vigan, make sure to try different Ilocano dishes and bring home native products of Vigan as keepsakes. If you’re wondering where to buy Bagnet in Vigan, you’ll be surprised that various restaurants offer plenty of choices such as Bagnet bagoong, Bagnet sisig, and Bagnet chicharon.

Before planning your next vacation in the Philippines, refer to this list to discover where to eat in Vigan. Browse our collection of Vigan tours and Ilocos tours, our recommended Vigan hotels, take note of the top Vigan tourists spots and  Vigan activities to make the most of your trip.