Where to Eat in La Union: Grab Some Sulit Grub At These 11 Food Spots For as Low As Php 70!

Team Klook

Last updated 15 Mar 2024

Photo Credit (L-R): @greatgamble and @sabongfc on Instagram

Discover the best eats in La Union - all at an affordable price!

La Union, aka the Surfing Capital of the North or Elyu, is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Only a 4-hour drive from Metro Manila, this surfer’s paradise is excellent for those who want to catch some waves, learn how to surf, or relax in a sweet beachside accommodation even just for the weekend.

But if you're looking for other things to do in the famed surf town, you'll be glad to know that La Union is also a great destination for a food crawl, too! There’s an assortment of La Union restaurants with various offerings—from Asian fusion cuisine to Tex-Mex, to Proudly Pinoy, and of course, fresh-from-the-water seafood! Plus, most of their menus are affordable, with prices ranging from P70 to 300 for solo orders with many sulit group orders for the whole barkada and fam.

Want to know where to eat in La Union during your next surfing or beach retreat? Check out our recommendations!

Budget-friendly La Union Food Stops

Papa Bear Asian Smokehouse
Great Gamble Seafood Shack
Seawadeeka
Amare La Cucina
Choka
Makai Bowls
Tagpuan
Mad Monkey’s
Sabong Fried Chicken
Olas Banditos

La Union Restaurant Guidelines

Operating at half capacity
Minors aged below 21, as well as seniors over 60, will not be entertained
Mandatory sanitation, temperature check, and filling up of health declaration form will be expected from guests
Face mask and face shield are required while inside establishments
Physical distancing is strictly observed

* Guidelines may change without Klook's prior notice. For more updated information, contact the listed restaurants.

1. Papa Bear Asian Smokehouse

Situated in Urbiztondo, home to beaches frequented by surfers, Papa Bear Asian Smokehouse is a convenient place to get a hearty grub post surf. This La Union restaurant offers Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine favorites like nasi lemak, sambal pork, rendang, char kway teow, and more. You’ll feel like you’re dining in these neighboring countries with each rich, flavorful bite!

While they’re known for their meaty meals, they also offer a tasty vegan kare kare and Thai salad if you’re looking for some yummy veggies. Plus, you can have a filling meal starting from P180 for their sambal pork and up to P340 for their beef rendang. You can also customize your meal with add-ons such as egg and sambal sauce!

Papa Bear Asian Smokehouse

Address: The Great Northwest Philippine Travel Stop and Viewing Deck, McArthur Highway, Urbiztondo 2514 San Juan, Philippines
Contact Details: 0945 823 0219 / papabearlaunion@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 11AM - 2PM, 5PM - 9 PM Wednesday - Sunday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

2. Great Gamble Seafood Shack

Want to munch on the thickest, juiciest shrimp you’ll ever have while watching the waves lap against the shore? Then the Great Gamble Seafood Shack is one of the best restaurants in La Union for you to visit!

They don’t just serve your usual seafood recipes—they’re famous for their creative seafood pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and rolls. One of their best sellers is the Classic Quarter Pounder: brioche rolls topped with ¼ lbs of fresh scallops, shrimps, and crabs.

In this seafood joint, expect to spend around P180 to 300, with one of the cheapest meals being the crab pasta at P180 and the happy median being the scallop rolls priced at P220.

Great Gamble Seafood Shack

Address: The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck Urbiztondo, La Union, Philippines
Contact Details: 09178055955
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

3. Seawadeeka

Where to eat in La Union for the best Thai dishes and Asian street food? Head on over to Seawadeeka (sea what they did there?), a joint that was once just a food truck but now has a permanent restaurant in San Fernando, La Union—and in the hearts of tourists and locals as well.

Located across Vessel Hotel, you can head here for a hearty meal after your beach escapades or before calling it a day in your hotel room.

You’ll love their pad thai, nasi goreng, sambal, and even their peanut sauce side! Their turmeric rice, chicken pandan, and rendition of spring rolls are also serious hits with customers. The best part? Their most expensive meal is only P220!

Seawadeeka

Address: Manila North Rd 2514 San Fernando, Philippines
Contact Details: 0927 381 1692
Operating Hours: 9AM - 10PM on Weekdays | 8AM - 10PM on Weekends
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

4. Amare La Cucina

Going back to the lovely Urbiztondo, San Juan, we have Amare La Cucina, one of the best restaurants in La Union that serves scrumptious food and Instagrammable opportunities.

While the other restaurants offer Asian and proudly Pinoy cooking, Amere La Cucina is known for its Italian menu—and yes, that means pizza! What makes their pizza special is that they’re baked in a traditional fire brick oven that adds a layer of flavor and smokiness.

Their pricing is also great for dates, barkada outings, and family bonding: their Media Meals, which are good for 1-2 pax, range from P200 to 400, and their Grande Meals, which are good for 3-4 pax, range from 600-800.

Amare La Cucina

Address: La Roca Villa Resort Hotel Surfer's road La Union PH, Urbiztondo Rd, San Juan, 2524
Contact Details: 0917 721 2684 / amaresanjuan@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 10:30AM - 8PM Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday-Monday | 10:30AM - 8:30PM Friday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

5. Choka

If you and your friends, family, and even your office squad want to know where to eat in La Union for the best deals and seaside views, then Choka is the perfect pick. Their tasty assortment of tray meals are good for 8-10 pax ranging from P1,000 to 2,500. You can choose from their crunchy spring rolls, crispy fish, savory beef casserole, salpicao, and more!

Choka’s extensive menu also includes some hearty breakfast meals like waffles dusted with sugar, laden with strawberry jam and filling snacks. And with its cozy nipa huts and beachside location, Choka is the perfect place to chill before, in between, or after your surf session.

Choka

Address: Southbeach National Highway, Brgy. Urbiztondo San Juan, Philippines
Contact Details: chokacaters@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 7AM - 10PM Monday to Thursday | 7AM - 11PM Friday to Sunday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

6. Makai Bowls

Looking for wholesome and plant-based meals? Makai Bowls’ has you covered—their smoothie bowls are 100% dairy-free, made of fresh fruits and oats, with no added sugar, artificial flavoring, and ice.

Their assortment of smoothie bowls combines the freshest local produce to make superfood packed with all the nutrients that will keep you feeling charged during your beach trip. One of the stars of the smoothies is acai juice, which is nutrient-dense rich in antioxidants. While their offerings are heavy with nutrients, they aren’t heavy on your wallet, as prices range from P220-290.

Makai Bowls

Address: The Great Northwest Philippine Travel Stop & Viewing Deck 2514 San Juan, Philippines
Contact Details: makaibowls@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 8AM - 6PM Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday | 9AM - 5PM Tuesday | 10AM - 4PM Thursday | 10AM - 6PM Friday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

7. Tagpuan

Tagpuan means meeting or gathering place in Filipino, and this restaurant definitely fits the bill. Tourists and locals alike flock to Tagpuan for classic Pinoy comfort dishes, from lugaw, silog bowls, and the famous Elyu bagnet. The best part? You can get their delicious dishes starting from P70 to P120!

Tagpuan

Address: Urbiztondo 2514 San Juan, Philippines
Contact Details: 0915 857 3892 / tagpuansj@loveunion.co
Operating Hours: 8AM - 12AM - Mondays | 6PM - 12AM - Wednesday | 8AM - 2AM - Thursday - Sunday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

8. Mad Monkey’s

Mad Monkeys is a burger joint in Urbiztondo, San Juan, that offers tasty, sky-high burgers minus the sky-high prices. These include the S.O.S burger with beer battered onion crisps, tangy roasted garlic sauce, melted cheddar beer sauce, and the La Bleuger with blue cheese and caramelized onion.

You can also get creative and pick add-ons to give your burger a personal flair. Their burgers start from P225, and the most expensive ones go for as much as P310. You can also add some fries or onion rings on the side for only P85 each.

Mad Monkey's

Address: Brgy. Urbiztondo, Manila, North Road, San Juan, La Union
Contact Details: 09563325808 (Globe) / 09498438599 (Smart) / madmonkeyslu@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 11AM - 7PM Daily except on Tuesday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

9. Sabong Fried Chicken

If you’re a fried chicken enthusiast searching for the best restaurant in La Union to satisfy your crispy cravings, then the search is over!

Sabong Fried Chicken doesn’t just serve your usual fried chicken; they have an assortment of unique and mouth-watering flavors to choose from, such as the Korean Soy plus Gocho Mayo, Honey Bagoong, and Elyu Original.

It’s also a great place to go by yourself (you know, if you’re soul searching) or with friends and family, as you can get three pieces for P180, 6 for P350, and 9 for P520.

Sabong Fried Chicken

Address: Brgy. The Great Northwest Philippine Travel Stop and Viewing Deck 2514 Urbiztondo, Philippines
Contact Details:0917 827 4919
Operating Hours: 11AM - 7PM Daily except on Tuesday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

10. Olas Banditos

Spice up your La Union food trip with Tex-Mex cuisine! Olas Banditos is a beachside, open-space food joint that offers all the Tex-Mex favorites: burritos, tacos, quesadillas, churros - you name it. You can even grab a beer or two to go with their nachos and fries, no one’s judging here!

What makes Olas Bandito’s offerings unique is how they can match the Pinoy palette while maintaining its Mexican cuisine roots. The best part? Everything is under P300!

Olas Banditos

Address: National Highway, Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union 2514 San Juan, Philippines
Contact Details: 0920 473 7303 / olasbanditos@gmail.com
Operating Hours: 9AM - 11 PM Monday to Thursday | 9AM - 12 AM Saturday to Sunday
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram