Cafe Leona — Restaurant in Vigan

A definite must go to place when in Vigan. It has the feels of an old-time classic restaurant and it’s little nook along Calle Crisologo is the perfect location.

The food here is delicious. You must try their bagnet, pinakbet and Vigan Express. I wanted to try some their pizzas but for lack of time, I decided to forego it. The atmosphere is that of those old colonial movies, where everything is dark and mysterious. The old-fashioned wooden tables and chairs, along with the table runners, all add to the effect.

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, they had to close. They only opened this February and operated on a limited capacity. So it was understandable that the staff was swamped and food takes longer to arrive.

When me and my family ate here yesterday, a lot of people were at Calle Crisologo brought by the travel agencies. Naturally, there was an influx of tourists to the restaurants along Calle Crisologo. And Cafe Leona, being one of the must-go-to places there, experienced a bigger and busier than usual lunch hour. And with staff being at 50% only, they were really swamped. So me and my sister decided to be decent people and waited for our turn. When we arrived, we were fifth in the waiting list. And because we really wanted our family to experience eating here, we decided to wait. We placed our orders while we were waiting so it would be ready by the time we were seated. It was a good move, too, because we didn’t have to wait a long time for our food to be served. I already mentioned that the food here is delicious, so I will not repeat it again. You really must experience it.

I still stand by my recommendation that you need to eat here when in Vigan. But when you do eat here, you have to bring lots of patience and understanding. Trust me, you won’t...

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional dining experience I recently had at your establishment. The culinary delights that I tasted at your restaurant truly transported me back to the flavours of my hometown.

The dish that stood out to me the most was the authentic Ilocano cuisine that was served. The flavours were so reminiscent of home and truly satisfied my palate. The use of natural and fresh ingredients made each bite a delight, and I have to say, I absolutely loved it. It was a true culinary experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

One thing that caught my attention during my visit was the fact that most of the staff were seniors. Their presence reminded me of my grandparents, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. It was heartwarming to see their dedication to providing excellent service, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for them.

The staff's humble and polite demeanor made the dining experience even more enjoyable. Their attentiveness and accommodating nature truly exceeded my expectations. The level of service I received was truly commendable, and I believe it added immense value to the overall dining experience.

I must say that the quality of the food, the exceptional service, and the ambiance of your restaurant have already surpassed some of my favourite dining spots. I can confidently say that dining at your establishment will now become a regular habit whenever I find myself in this town.

Thank you once again for providing me with such a memorable dining experience. I look forward to returning to your restaurant and indulging in more of your...

You may have heard or read about Cafe Leona a number of times when you talk visiting Vigan but there's really nothing extra ordinary about this restaurant in my opinion. Sure, its near the church and Calle Crisologo but I was hoping for that "wow" and gasping moment which didnt come. It looks not historic old but more like neglected old. It could really be the restaurant's motif but the look of it from inside is a bit gloomy. Temperature is fine. Food - uhm, mediocre. Nothing extra ordinary - Sisig had too many mayonnaise in it, Pinakbet was all leafy, no kalabasa hehe, but their Bagnet was all good. 👍🏼 Serving size - they say its for sharing but yeah, whatever - is just ok. The rest are ok.

Service crew - i'll give this a thumbs up. The gentleman who assisted us was very accommodating and suggested us to try the pinakbet. He was ready to assist. Good job, sir! My bad, didnt get his name. So sorry.

Will I visit this again given a chance? Uhm, maybe only when the group Im with wants to. But, it was still a pleasure to have been here...