FAUSTINA’S, Los Banos – Dining Delight in the South

faustina's restaurant sign

On my sister’s yearly visit to the Philippines, I was given a very important task to fulfill. Find an unforgettable place to take her to, and make new memories. Now if you know my sister the way I do, this can give you a headache. For one, she is well traveled and loves good food. For another, I am rarely out of the house.

With this important challenge, I set out to do my homework – given the limited time that she would have here in the Philippines (only a two-week vacation); I knew that the range of places to bring her to would be limited. It should be somewhere that was near, but would also afford us a bit of travel time so that we can enjoy the ride, and the view.

Fortunately, I already have a purpose – since we all love food, I scoured the internet for those hole in the wall places that we are so fond of, and then I found my inspiration: Faustina’s of Los Banos, Laguna.

Whether you are just passing through or a local, this is one special restaurant that you must include in your list of to go places. Located in the heart of UP Los Banos, Faustina’s is touted as one of the best food stops in Laguna province.

faustina's restaurant interior design

But before you drop everything and go there, remember to make a reservation. The reason for this is that the restaurant is very small and cozy. Especially if you are going with a group, it is best to let them know in advance so that they can reserve a spot for you and your companions.

How to Get There

If you are coming in from Manila, you have to take a bus that will drop you off at UP Los Banos. From there, you can ride a jeepney that goes inside the campus. There is no worry of getting lost, you can ask for directions, and people will gladly give you the details to the restaurant. If you will be using your own transport, take the SLEX out of Manila and exit at Calamba – just drive straight along the National Highway and then turn right going to UP Los Banos.

What to Expect

Upon arriving, you will see a very cozy space that is actually very small – just around four tables or so that are arranged very simply. The walls look quaint and a combination of purple and plain white; I actually loved the special décor that they did of the spoons and forks on the wall. They also have framed blackboards with simple written messages – that time we went there was during the Christmas Holidays, so the message was related to the season.

faustina's restaurant dishes

While we were there, we learned that Faustina was actually the name of the mother of the restaurant’s owner. They also used copies of her letters as the backdrop for their menu cover.

faustina's restaurant wall decorations

For a small place, the menu offering is surprisingly extensive and within a fair price range. The dishes can cut you back by around Php 400-500 per person (desert and drink included). If you are going with friends, you can share especially if you wish to taste a bit of everything. They serve a variety of dishes including beef, fish and chicken. They even have pasta and pies. But when you are there, make sure to sample the house specialty: Silindro ribs. They grill it right outside the restaurant and it tastes really yummy that once you have tasted it, you will definitely want to come back for more.

Because we came with kids, we had the opportunity to sample their ribs, pasta and Aussie beef and lamb pie. Everything tasted great but I did not like the pie too much. It was authentic beef and lamb, and my nose can smell the meat – so I was not able to enjoy as much. Other than that we loved everything.

faustina's restaurant desserts

Of course, no meal would be complete without desert. We tried their Banana Choco Hazelnut crepe and red velvet cupcake. The red velvet was not exceptional, but the crepe – the plate was so clean that it looked brand new and unused when we were done with it.

If you happen to be in the area soon, do not hesitate to take a side trip and drop for a visit. Faustina’s in Los Banos is a great place to stop for good food and ambiance. It can even be a romantic getaway from the Metro for you and partner.

As for my sister? Well, I would say that I have definitely met her expectations. The time spent at Faustina’s was something that was gastronomically memorable. Definitely going back for seconds.

For more information see below details:

Faustina’s
Lola J Building, Ruby St, Los Banos Subd
Barangay Batong Malake, Los Banos, Luzon, Philippines
Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/faustinas.lb
Contact number: +63 49 501 1509).

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