Cocina del Sol — Restaurant in Baguio

Where Rain Turns Into Magic: Our Enchanting Lunch at Cocina del Sol”

We arrived at Cocina del Sol in the middle of a Baguio downpour. We sat on a covered veranda that made us feel like we were outdoors: the rain was pouring all around, cascading from the roof like tiny waterfalls dancing in the air. You could hear and see the rain so vividly that, when it intensified, we had to raise our voices a bit to hear each other — but it only made the moment more cozy and romantic. It felt as if nature itself was performing a prelude just for us.

We were immediately informed that food would take at least 30 minutes to prepare. And we were glad — it meant nothing was reheated from yesterday, but instead crafted fresh with care. We appreciated the staff’s honesty and attentiveness.

The menu was extensive, like a novel you want to savor line by line. Once we ordered, I noticed how cozy the place felt. The European-style interior, the real wood-fired oven, neatly stacked firewood, and the mind-blowing aroma of burning wood created a homely warmth that embraced you better than any blanket.

The staff were caring, though a bit uncoordinated — if you told one waiter you wanted tea at the end of your meal, another might already be rushing over with your cup. But in these small imperfections, you could feel their genuine eagerness to please.

The first dish to arrive was the Kale Salad with vinaigrette dressing, after 20 minutes. I don’t know why it took so long — the kitchen looked busy like a beehive — but when I tasted the salad, all concerns disappeared. It was divine. We asked for the dressing on the side, and they did bring it separately, though a small amount was still mixed into the salad itself — just enough, and it was delicious. This matters to us: in the Philippines, greens often drown in mayonnaise without mercy, but here, ingredients and flavors were treated with respect.

Next came the pumpkin soup — hot, creamy, and comforting like a warm hug on a rainy day. Then arrived two main dishes: seafood pasta and Salmon Ahumado. The pasta was excellent: perfectly al dente with a rich taste of the sea. But the salmon was disappointing — just rice with fish and salad, nothing more. It lacked character or excitement. For ₱600 and nearly an hour of waiting, I expected more — perhaps I was spoiled by the unforgettable salmon at Outlook Steak and Grill, which cost the same but left a lasting impression.

But everything was redeemed by dessert: the legendary Crema Catalana, baked to a caramelized crust. It was the perfect finale: a slightly bitter espresso on the side and a spoonful of sweet, creamy magic. In that moment, the rain outside didn’t feel cold anymore — it became music that made you want to hug the whole world.

₱2400 for four dishes, dessert, and three drinks — it’s not cheap for Baguio, but every minute and every bite were worth it. We’ll keep this place in our hearts and can’t wait to recommend it to our friends.

The only downside: there’s...

April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday It is our last day in Baguio to celebrate my 67th birthday with my wife and son. We have been to the best restos in the city like Craft 1945 (dinner 31Mar23), Lemon and Olives(lunch 01Apr23), Mario's(dinner 01Apr23) and all have excellent meals and service.Looking forward, Cocina Del Sol was recimmended to us and decided to try their lunch on my birthday. We ordered seafood pasta which is good but the next viands are terrible.We ordered half Chuletillas Cordero( 3 pcs. lamb chops,) which is rubbery and undercooked(maanggo ang lasa), half Pechuga de Pato(7 small pcs.duck meat slices) which is also not tasting good with an aftertaste, half Callos (very small slices of fatty tripe soaked in oily sauce),Quattro Formaggio 4 cheese pizza(not so good and oily), the hot sauce tasted weird (a taste of guava with red chilli).A small cup of Lava Cake to serve as a birthday cake which is passable. We also ordered 1 watermelon shake, 1 canned calamansi wirh ginger and honey. When we asked for our bill, we are shocked by the amount which is more than 6000 pesos.When my son reviewed and computed the handwritten bill, the total is only 3,855 for all items we ordered including a 50pesos T.D. Box (?)not more than 6000 as posted. This is without the senior citizen's discount for myself and my wife. We asked the cashier to recompute because it would be difficult for them to justify the total amount posted at more than 6000 as against the amount of items ordered. The recomputed bill is only 3,855. Is this a deliberate attempt to make the customer pay more?(hindi pwede magkamali ang calculator) Likewise, we asked how they came up with the SC discount of 180 pesos only for a bill of 3,855? To our knowledge, total bill divided by 3 persons will be the individual amount per head, with the 20 percent discount deducted for the SC per head.What is appalling is that the cashier cannot explain how she came up with the discount(Attention:NCSC).It was a very bad and terrible experience on my birthday.The receipt issued is also not an official receipt and without the name of the restaurant (Attention:BIR, Baguio City LGU, is the place tax-mapped?).The service was bad, we asked twice for a glass for the canned drink, nothing was given and when we asked for the bill to be reviewed, alll the servers disappeared. We have not heard anyone to admit or apologize for the mistake on the total amount of more than 6000 pesos, not even the cashier who wrote the bill on an unofficial receipt na walang letterhead ng resto. To rectify tinakpan ng white ink at inilagay yung bagong amount which is way less than 6000 pesos. I kept the receipt as evidence.We have pictures in the place.Good only for picture taking, bad food and...

Wedding Catering Review: Cocina del Sol – Worth Every Bite ❤️

When planning our wedding, one thing we both agreed on from the very beginning was this: good food is a must. We wanted our guests to enjoy the celebration not just through the program and ambiance—but also through the food. After all, great food makes lasting memories.

We discovered Cocina del Sol during the Love Frangeli Bridal Fair, and booking them was one of the best decisions we made. I’ll admit, at first, the pricing felt a bit intimidating. But after experiencing their full service, I can confidently say—it was worth every peso. In fact, it felt like we got more than what we paid for.

The Food: Flavorful, Fresh, and Full of Heart

From the starters to the desserts, everything on our menu was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. One of the absolute highlights of the night was their porchetta. I wasn’t expecting it to be that good—the meat was incredibly tender, and the skin was perfectly crispy. Even the leftovers stayed tender the next day (yes, we were amazed too!).

Another crowd favorite was the paella. The flavors were rich, balanced, and absolutely satisfying. What stood out to me was the quality of the ingredients—even the crab was top-tier. It wasn’t just for show; it tasted as good as it looked.

And let’s talk about the panna cotta—another surprise hit! We spotted several guests sneaking back for a second serving. It was light, creamy, and the perfect sweet ending to a savory meal.

The Service: Professional

Beyond the food, we were also impressed by their service team. The servers were polite, attentive, and very professional throughout the event. What made the experience even more memorable was the live cooking stations—a fun and interactive touch that doubled as entertainment for our guests. It gave the whole reception an added sense of warmth and energy.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, Cocina del Sol didn’t just meet our expectations—they exceeded them. From the taste and quality of the food to the service and presentation, everything was done with care and passion. If you’re a couple who values good food and great service, we absolutely recommend them.

They helped make our big day even more unforgettable—and for that, we’re truly...