Dahon at Mesa - Tagaytay — Restaurant in Tagaytay

It was evident that the restaurant was struggling to manage the influx of customers. Despite the crowded atmosphere, we decided to give it a try, hoping for a satisfying dining experience.

Unfortunately, the food failed to meet our expectations. Every dish we ordered lacked the vibrant flavors we were hoping for, leaving us underwhelmed. It felt as though the dishes were prepared without much attention to seasoning resulting in a bland and unmemorable meal.

Adding to our disappointment was the extensive waiting time. We patiently waited for over an hour for our food to be served, only to be met with cold dishes upon arrival. It was clear that the kitchen was overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with the demand, leading to a lack of quality control and timely service.

Moreover, the restaurant's waste management was concerning. Throughout our meal, we couldn't help but notice a lingering stench in the air, indicating poor waste disposal practices. This not only detracted from the dining ambiance but also raised concerns about hygiene and sanitation standards.

Despite these shortcomings, our server, Phol, stood out for his exceptional service. Despite the chaotic environment, he greeted us with a warm smile and went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met. His professionalism and dedication were commendable, and he was the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing dining experience.

While Phol's outstanding service deserves recognition, the lackluster food quality, excessive waiting times, and poor waste management overshadowed our visit to Dahon at Mesa. Therefore, I regrettably have to give it a...

🌄 Breakfast with a View: Dahon at Mesa, Tagaytay Currently on vacation with the fam, and we were on the hunt for the best breakfast spot with a view of Taal Volcano—and wow, Dahon at Mesa delivered.

From the moment we arrived, the place brought back that comforting, homey feeling—like waking up to the smell of garlic rice in a Filipino kitchen. You know that vibe? Exactly that.

🍽️ The Food The food was freshly prepared and served within 30 minutes max, depending on how busy it is. In our case, we only waited around 15 minutes. (Pro tip: place your order first before heading off for those Instagram shots—you’ll thank yourself later.)

I ordered the Tapsilog, and it did not disappoint.

The tapa was tender, with just the right chew—seasoned with that signature sweet-salty soy marinade and grilled to slightly charred perfection.

The sinangag (garlic fried rice) was fragrant and not overly oily, with golden bits of fried garlic that added the perfect crunch.

The itlog (sunny-side-up egg) had crispy edges and a soft, runny yolk that tied the whole plate together beautifully.

🌿 Ambience What really sets this place apart is the incredible view of Taal Volcano. Few spots capture its natural beauty as splendidly as this one. Whether you're seated by the window or out on the deck, you're guaranteed that perfect backdrop. 📸 Taking photos here with Taal in the background? Absolutely worth it.

🙌 Service The staff were amazing and very attentive—always checking in and making sure we had everything we needed. Really warm, genuine...

The food was very good! Every time we’re in Tagaytay, we always make sure to dine here because of the ube suman with leche flan.

The first time we came here, they didn’t have Kansi Bulalo, so we just ordered regular Bulalo. But since the Tagaytay weather was cold and windy, it wasn’t as enjoyable because the food got cold easily.

Today was our 5th time eating here, and we were excited to finally see that they had Kansi Bulalo on the menu. It was really good! However, we were disappointed because the soup portion was so little. I kindly requested for a bit more soup, and the staff told me it would be ready in 15 minutes, so we waited but he was kind to gave us a regular bulalo soup too. - I’m not a fan tbh.

By the time we finished eating, I had saved some meat for takeout, hoping to pair it with the soup. After 15 minutes, I followed up and the staff said he had already gone to the kitchen twice but it still wasn’t ready. I told him I could wait again since we still had time like 40 minutes before they closed.

But then he told me that the kitchen manager might get upset because he already went there twice. I was honestly surprised—I just wanted a bit more soup of that Kansi soup I was craving for days, and I was more than willing to wait.

And the first lady staff told us that the guy who offered us the soup made a mistake—it wasn’t actually Kansi that was being cooked in the kitchen, but just regular Bulalo soup.

I hope next visit, they put...