Balay Dako, Tagaytay

Our family had a vacation in Stilts Calatagan a few weeks ago and on the way there, we stopped to have lunch in Tagaytay. My mother-in-law suggested that we eat in Balay Dako since she just ate there a few days ago and she was raving about how nice the place was.

Balay Dako actually means "Big House" in Negrense. They're part of the Antonio's Group of Restaurants and they serve Filipino food.

The facade is already pretty impressive and more so the inside, which was even lovelier. Honestly, all I could think about was how nice it would be to have a wedding here or even a pre-nup pictorial.

Comedor is the Filipino restaurant on the 2nd level. I believe it has a seating capacity of about 250 so you can just imagine how spacious the place was. The kids were having a field day running around! Good thing there weren't that much people yet. ;p

We arrived at about 11:30am and it was a Monday so we had no problem getting seats. But around 1pm, the place was already packed considering it was a weekday! I heard it can get crazy during the weekends, so better make a reservation if you can.

There's a great view of the Taal volcano by the windows, but the screens kind of obstructed the view especially when taking pics. The Terraza Bar and Grill on the top floor has a veranda though, for a nicer view of the lake.

We were a large group and we were seated in different tables so I wasn't able to take a pic of everything we ordered. Here's some of the food we ate though.

Tawilis (P210)
Fried freshwater sardines. A local delicacy.

onions, ginger, sili, garlic

Malutong na Tadyang Baka (P380)
Deep-fried beef ribs

Tortang Giniling na Baboy (P320)
Egg frittata flavored with ground pork

Liempo (P290)
Grilled pork belly

Satay Rice (P55)
Fried rice with annatto oil

For dessert, I actually ordered Mango Sago con Leche but they mistakenly gave me mango ice cream instead. They changed it after but I still got plain mango sago, when the description on the menu said "pudding". Oh well, any mango dessert is fine by me. :)

Mango Sorbetes (P55)

Mango Sago con Leche (P130)
A dessert pudding of mango, tapioca pearls and condensed milk

Maja Blanca (P75)
A coconut and corn pudding topped with caramelized coconut cream curds

Ice cream anyone?

They also have a store where you can buy different goodies and delicacies. Hubby said the cheese rolls were so good (he didn't even leave some for me and when we came back to buy, it was sold out na haaay!).

they even sell night gowns!

Overall, we had a great dining experience since the food was good and surprisingly affordable. But the whole ambiance of this place is really something we would come back to again and again. Definitely a great place to dine in Tagaytay with family and friends.


BALAY DAKO by ANTONIO's
Tagaytay-Nagsugbu Highway,
4120 Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines
(Besides Leslie’s and Max’s across Magallanes Square in Tagaytay)

(046) 483-4847 / (+63) 943-264-1680

Balay Dako is open for all-day family style dining in Comedor, from 11am-9pm Mondays-Thursdays and Sundays, and 11am-10pm on Fridays & Saturdays.

Terraza Bar and Grill is open daily from 4pm-12mn for signature cocktails and pulutan favorites. They offer live entertainment such as DJs every Friday and Saturday, and an acoustic night every Sunday.

Filipino Breakfast Buffet is available on weekends and national holidays from 7am-11am at Terraza.

Website: www.antoniosrestaurant.ph/balay-dako
Facebook: www.facebook.com/balaydakotagaytay