I’ve been living in the South for a couple of years now, and I can safely say that it’s an exciting time for foodies living in the South right now. There are so many new and old gems waiting to be discovered in Calabarzon – especially in Batangas!
Last Monday, I had the chance to visit one of Lipa’s well-loved restaurants, Publiko Kitchen Cafe. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, you’ll feel right at home there. Here’s a rundown of what I thought of their restaurant.
Ambiance
The industrial/modern interiors looked inviting; Mexican-themed artwork hung on the walls, which made for interesting decor. Tasteful lighting fixtures and hanging plants complete the look, adding a dash of green to an otherwise masculine-looking space.
The place was not crowded, but that’s probably because I got there before the start of the dinner rush. According to the staff, the place gets busier around 7 PM, especially on weekends and payday, so it’s best to go there a bit earlier.
The air-conditioned area has good lighting and seats, but when I was there, there was a baby crying a few seats away from me. That can’t be helped, of course, but that made me think that when I visit again in the future, I might ask for al fresco seating instead. I think that’s better for intimate conversations.
Menu
They’ve got a little bit of everything on their menu: from Filipino comfort food to Korean-style fried chicken, they clearly want to cater to a diverse crowd. They also serve some well-loved Western dishes like pasta and fish and chips. You can find their menu here
Food
Here are some of the dishes I tried:
Sizzling Goto Bang (₱370): This dish is a Publiko Kitchen Cafe take on sizzling bulalo. It consists of beef floss, tripe, lengua, beef intestine, and bulalo gravy. The rubbery texture of the tripe along with the chewy goodness of the beef intestine and the garlicky bulalo gravy made for an exciting explosion of flavor. I liked it. My only complaint is it’s far too much for just one person.
Bacon and Mushroom Spaghetti (₱210): This dish had a tangy creaminess to it. I like how the mushrooms and bacon crisps were done well.
Hot Spanish Latte (₱140): This drink was as sweet as I expected. (I don’t know why I asked for this when I know I hate dairy in my coffee.) But if you’re looking for good coffee that’s not as sweet as other coffees out there, this is a good bet.
Creamy Spinach and Artichoke (₱320): This was mouthwatering. Try it with their spiced honey and truffle honey dips.
Don’t miss these when you visit Publiko Kitchen Cafe:
- Get free coffee with any meal from their All-Day Breakfast Menu from 8 AM to 11 AM
- Try their best-sellers: Crispy Pata, Crispy Kare-Kare, Beef Caldereta, and their Blazing Buttered Shrimp
- If you’re looking for an events space with catering and free venue styling and sounds, you can reserve their mezzanine area. It’s a private, cozy space that can easily seat up to 30 people.
Service
The service was great! Publiko Kitchen Cafe’s staff were courteous, attentive to the customers’ needs, and eager to serve. They regularly ask their customers if there’s anything they need, and I appreciate that.
Another positive point for me is that they are a pet-friendly restaurant, so if you want to treat yourself and your furry friend, you’re very welcome there.
A whole new experience
To my readers from Lipa City, you might be surprised how Publiko has transformed since the pandemic. After all, they might have already heard of Gastro Publiko – Publiko’s old name – as one of the first gastro pubs along Ayala Highway. Ms. Carmi Flores, Publiko’s Marketing Head, shared that their decision to shift to a more family-friendly brand was driven by their desire to serve a broader audience.
Now featuring an expanded menu and a new rockstar in their menu – their great coffees – they opened up a new way for their patrons to relish their experience. Whether you’re planning a casual catch-up over drinks with a friend or a hearty dinner with your family, you’ll find something for you at Publiko.
To wrap it up
Overall, Publiko Kitchen Cafe is a great place to dine with friends and family. The food is delicious, the menu extensive, the ambiance casual and relaxed, and the service excellent.
And did I mention that their servings are huge? One dish can easily fill two persons. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good place to eat in Lipa, Batangas.
Contact Publiko Kitchen Cafe
Address: J.P Laurel Highway, Lipa City, Batangas (Google Maps)
Hours of Operation:
Sunday – Thursday 8:00AM – 1:00AM
Friday – Saturday 8:00AM – 2:00AM
🥡 Order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.
📲 Visit the Publiko Kitchen Cafe Facebook Page
All the information here is up-to-date as of October 7, 2023. If there are any updates that need to be made, please email me at hello@janisnarvas.com.