If you are in or close to Tagaytay and you are craving for good Filipino breakfast, then try Balay Dako. Balay Dako means “Big House”in Negrense. Situated at the heart of Tagaytay, this restaurant proudly serves Filipino food.
You can’t miss Balay Dako’s Filipino breakfast buffet. Buffet is available only during weekends and holidays. They don’t accept reservation, you have to be physically present and secure a number to get into their buffet queue. Buffet breakfast starts at 7:30 AM up to 10:00 AM. As early as 6:00 AM, there are already guests waiting at Balay Dako’s waiting area for the buffet breakfast.
At exactly 7:30 AM, they will start calling numbers. You need to be early so won’t miss the 1st seating for breakfast. By the way there’s no “time limit” here – but generally guest are already done with breakfast after 1 and a half or two hours after 7:30 AM.
If your number is called, you will need to go down the basement area – this is where they have the buffet breakfast setup. You won’t regret this, the view below is magnificent! You’ll get to see a good view of the Taal lake from downstairs!
So while waiting for your number to be called, you can take a look at the Balak Dako shop. This is at the left-end of the waiting area. Pastries, frozen meats and other Balay Dako signatures are available and sold here. Best sellers here is the Balay Dako Piyaya – a must try!
Buffet breakfast spread is huge here – all Filipino and that’s pretty impressive. At the far end of the buffet area, you’ll see guests lined up for the “make you own”omelet and friend rice. Grab a bowl and put there all the stuffs that you want with your egg omelete and fried rice. From variety of mushrooms to cheese to ham to beans plus more! You wil be given a number and as your “make your own”omelete and fried rice will be delivered to your table fresh!
All typical Filipino breakfast staples are here – longanisa, tapa, bangus, adobo, hash corned beef, stir fried vegetables and many more. Grab a plate and try all these! Aside from the main breakfast spread, Balay Dako is famous for its “fresh”corned beef. This is really good!! You’ll keep coming back for more.
Don’t miss other food options avaialble. You can get the “not so typical”breakfast option like balut and penoy! Yes, you heard it right – you can enjoy balot and penoy here in Balay Dako. A god spread of Filipino “kakanin”is also available here – suman, palitaw, bibingka, sapin-sapin, puto and more! Not to mention that they have ÿear-round puto-bumbong here .. freshly baked!
The must try Balay Dako’s piyaya is also available. You also need to try other pastries as part of the breakfast buffet – cheesebread, ensaymada and more! Kapeng barako is also a must try here plus the “batirol” hot chocolate. You’ll surely get more once you taste this unique chocolate hot drink.
Take your time, as i said, there’s no time limit to this breakfast buffet. But I’m sure you’ll be very full after an hour. With all the wide buffet spread here, you’ll keep coming back for more! Beverages, by the way, are also available. There are juice options and infused water. Try the infused water, so refreshing!
Aside from the very good breakfast buffet, all guest here are on for a good view and photo of the Taal Lake. There’s a good outdoor area where the “Balay Dako” sign is situated. This side of the building has a magnificent view of the Taal Lake! By the way, many guests actually prefers dining outside this outdoor area for breakfast. However, in our case, we opted to go in-door since we are expecting a ‘high heat-index that day.
If you are dining here with kids, you can get them fresh milk and cereal. There’s also champorado available which your kids will surely enjoy! The ambiance here in the dining area is just so conducive to having a good breakfast with the family.
Balay Dako’s breakfast is priced at Php1,200 exclusive of government tax. If you have elders or pwd with you, they get 20% discount plus VAT-free.
Most of the guests here are really families getting the most of their weekends. A very good breakfast place serving delicious Filipino breakfast and not to mention the IG-worthy view of the taal lake. Parking, though, is quite a challenge here. Be here early so you don’t experience the hassle of waiting for parking slot.
There are already guests queued for Lunch ala-carte at around 10:00 AM, so parking is something that you need to consider when trying Balay Dako. For us, Balay Dako is a thumbs-up. Good food, good breakfast.