Gaia Cafe and Crafts – Where to Eat in Sagada
Gaia Cafe and Crafts is one of those places that you find and it beckons you in.
Gaia Cafe and Crafts
Situated a good 30 minutes walk from the centre of Sagada and a short walk from Sumaging Cave you will find a rickety looking structure, built from local materials, hanging over the edge of a cliff with a great view of Kapay-Aw Rice Terraces and a cool constant breeze blowing through.
Gaia Cafe and Crafts
So after finishing our two hour underground tour of Sumaging Cave with my companions, Marcos (Detourista) and Gael (ThePinaysolobackpacker), we decided to take lunch and rest up for a couple of hours at Gaia.
Gaia Cafe and Crafts is run and owned by Gawani Domogo. Gaia’s Manifesto states “aside from herbs and spices, we use organic raw sugar, unrefined sea salt, naturally-brewed soy sauce and locally-manufactured vinegar in your food. No MSG or any artificial flavors have been used.”
Plenty of room to relax and enjoy a few hours
Gawani has also made sure that Gaia is 100% zero waste by recycling or reusing non-degradables, growing alot of their own vegetables and discouraging the use of plastic. They will not let customers have “takeaways” unless they bring their own food containers too.
Gaia also has a claim to fame because of a Filipino movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” ( That Thing Called Destiny) had a scene filmed there. Because of this film there has been an increased number of tourists flocking to Sagada.
There is also a small gift shop where you can buy good quality clothing and locally made handicrafts such as bags and jewellery and a selection of teas. There’s a library you can borrow a book from and read while waiting for your food, or relaxing and simply enjoying the breath-taking views over the rice terraces. Gawani named the library after her father who, she told me, just loved his books.
Gaia Shop and Library
Gaia serves Vegan and Vegetarian food which is freshly cooked for each order, so it can take time for your order to arrive, so prepare yourself with a book or enjoy the views across the rice terraces. The CR design is also very original and worth investigating.
Gaia has some unique decor for its CR and well worth a look
So how about the food i hear you asking ……….
I was really in need of a coffee when we arrived there but was in two minds about ordering as i had found the brewed coffee in Sagada to be very disappointing, but Gawani assured me that Gaia’s coffee was different….. and it was. The coffee had rich, wholesome taste of arabica coffee and with a couple of sweets to accompany it was very enjoyable……… ***** recommended
Arabica brewed coffee at Gaia
For the main dish i ordered Vegetarian Adobo…… which according to the menu is made from seitan/gluten, potatoes and carrots cooked in naturally-brewed soy sauce and organic vinegar, with bay leaves and black pepper and to drink the Camote Quencher caught my eye on the menu.
Description of the Camote Quencher on the menu
As i had never tried a vegetarian adobo (or even knew that one existed) i was intrigued……….
I didn’t expect the Camote Quencher to be pink but despite the colour tasted really good. A nice sour fermented taste and really healthy into the bargain.I can imagine the Bontoks and Kankanaeys drinking this after a hard days work in the fields ( menu description)………. ***** recommended
Camote Quencher
The vegetarian adobo actually tasted very good. I liked the texture of the seitan, it had the tender taste and feel of meat and the flavour of the adobo sauce just lingered in the mouth. The red rice which is locally grown had a nice nutty taste. The red rice is blended with white rice and is rich in protein, iron, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorous, which makes for a good healthy option and that is what Gaia is all about. ***** recommended
Vegetarian Kebab, Vegetarian Adobo and Vegetable Burger
In my opinion Gaia Cafe and Craftsshould be on everyones list. A spelunking trip to Sumaging Cave should always be rounded off with a really healthy meal at Gaia on the way back to Sagada town.
Myself with Gawani,Gael and Marcos at Gaia, Sagada
How to get to Gaia Cafe and Crafts
The best way is to follow the road downhill from the tourist centre in town all the way until you see a sign for the left turn to Sumaging Cave. Follow this road passing the entrance to Lumiang Burial Cave and keep walking. Soon you will see Gaia on the right side. Sumaging Cave is a further 5 minutes walk.
Gaia Cafe and Crafts is open from 09.00 to 19.00 everyday
Remember …. if you want a takeaway you will need to bring your own containers to carry the delicious food in.
Contact Gaia Cafe and Crafts
Mobile +6349 137 6777
+6315 727 6831
Facebook Page: Gaia Cafe and Crafts
Gaia Cafe & Crafts
Ambasing
Sagada,
Mountain Province
Philippines
Are you still here in the Philippines? Never been to Sagada yet but I’m sure your experience was awesome!
Yes still here and lovin it 🙂
Wow, what a unique place to eat in!! This looks like so much fun, I’d love to bring my kids. Thanks for sharing and putting this on my radar 🙂
The food looks amazing!! I will be adding Gaia to my list!! I’m hoping to visit the Phillipines this year!!
Yum! Everything you had looks so good. I love the Vegetarian Adobo dish and that pink drink. What did the sweets taste like that came with the coffee?
Wow this place sounds amazing! I love that they are so eco friendly and serve delicious veggie food! That little gift shop is so cute too!
Looks like my kind of place. I loved traveling around the Philippines and spending time at places like this. Never made it to Sagada but when I do I’ll stop here.
The food and location look amazing! What a great experience 🙂
What a cute little chalet! I’ve never ate in such a place, Indiana Jones’ style! And the food looks yummy!
I should not have read this post hungry. That looks amazing, even if it’s a bit out of the way to get it. Yum!
Wow! Lovely Sagada! Now I know where to eat in Sagada. Thanks!
The best place i found there 🙂 Excellent food and hospitality . Say hi to Gawani for me too 🙂
I definitely will try that this year. The last time i went to Sagada, i was alone. Hihi. Now im bringing my love with me. “That thing called Tadhana”? Be ready hahaha
Great. Have fun there and try their Camote Quencher 🙂
Oh my god I missed a gem in Sagada! How come I didn’t know about this until now. Well at least I have something to look forward to when I go back. Thanks for sharing! I’d love to try that vegetarian adobo.
You certainly did !!!!! Make sure you visit there next time and mention to Gawani you first read it here 🙂
I suddenly miss my ‘comfort foods’ when I saw your photos. It’s been quite a while now since the last time ate red rice 😉 Thanks for sharing!
The Red rice of Sagada was very wholesome and tasty. I enjoyed eating it very much there.
It looks fantastic! I have never heard of this town, but I might have to do some research!
Well worth the effort. The food was delicious. Hope you get to try it soon Elizabeth 🙂
I love chicken Adobo, so the vegetarian version sounds amazing. The Camote Quencher sounds like the perfect drink after a spelunking adventure.
Yes Miranda, the Camote Quencher did its job after the spelunking in Sumaging Cave
That camote quencher looks delicious! I love having juice that is made from random fruits!
It was very tasty Prianka.Cant wait to return there for some more 🙂
Sounds like a great place! I have pinned it for my hopeful trip next year!
you will enjoy it there Karilyn.
Looks delicious! I’ve never been to the Phillippines but I’ll definitely be keeping this in mind for when I do! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You should try and get there Madi, Sagada has some beautiful areas for hiking as well as good food.
I love innovative entrepreneurial and community service combinations, and Gaia Cafe has a compelling mix. Everything looks delicious. We have yet to visit this region, but you’ve planted a seed. 🙂
Betsy, Its well worth making the effort to get there. The Philippines has so much to offer 🙂
How was the coffee there? I heard a lot of good things about the Arabica from Mountain Province.
Excellent. Really enjoyed the Coffee that Gawani served. Lots of flavour.
Ooooh…I’ve always wanted to visit Sagada. Will totally keep your tips in mind when I finally get to do so. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Okay now I completely regret not coming here when I was In Sagada in May. I have read and heard so much about it but I was too stubborn because it’s vegetarian.
Erica, You really missed out by not going there. Besides the delicious food there are great views over the rice terraces and if you get to meet Gawani, she has some good stories to tell. As a blogger you should also be open to trying different cuisines, activities etc. There aren’t many authentic vegetarian restaurants in the Philippines either that i have come across but Gaia Cafe is the real deal 🙂
I was able to visit this place last year September 2014 and it’s my favorite place in Sagada.. organic food never fails to melt me. 🙂
Excellent food there and such a nice spot to have a restaurant overlooking the rice terraces 🙂
We found this place on our way to Sumaguing Cave, but it was closed when we got there. The food looks very, very delicious! We should try this out on our second visit to Sagada sometime next year.
Thats a pity. You really missed out on some excellent food. Hope its open for you next visit. I recommend the adobo and camote quencher.