GAIA CAFE is a community-based Kankanaey cafe by Gawani in Ambasing, Sagada. Its tree-house-inspired cafe made from scraps is located on a cliff with a 270-degree view of the valley on the way to Sumaguing Cave.
The name means “Mother Earth” in Greek, and they only serve organic, community-sourced ingredients from around Sagada. The menu is mostly vegetarian, but not limited to it.
Here’s what to expect in this cafe featured in the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana”…
GAIA CAFE AND CRAFTS
Ambasing, Sagada, Philippines
Mobile: +63 949 137 6777 (Smart) +63 915 727 6831 (Globe)
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturdays 11.00am to 7pm
Facebook: Gaia Cafe and Crafts
SAGADA TRAVEL GUIDE 2017 Series:
• SAGADA Itinerary DIY: The Road to Sagada (2017) @FordPhilippines
• YOGURT HOUSE SAGADA: Best Breakfast Place in Sagada! (2016 Review)
• GAIA Sagada Cafe: That Famed Cafe in “That Thing Called Tadhana” (Review)
• SAGADA CELLAR DOOR: Agadulay’s Kitchen Igorot Dinner and Sagada Craft Beer Experience! (A Review)
• LOG CABIN: A Cozy Retreat in Sagada (A 2016 Review)
• LUMIANG TO SUMAGUING CAVE: Conquering Sagada’s Cave Connection!
• SAGADA DEATH RITUALS: On Hanging Coffins, Panag-Apoy and Echoes of Old Igorot Traditions
• SAGADA’S MARLBORO: Basking in a Sea of Clouds at Kamanbaneng Sunrise Peak! (Photo Essay)
• SAGADA ORANGE PICKING Guide at Rock Farm Inn (Photo Essay)
• BIYAHEROES: The Best Online Bus Booking Platform in Manila! Try it!
Best to sit in the coveted corner tables with the awesome view of the Ambasing Valley.
From this view, you can see the Namsung, Ambasing, Balugan or Bugang, Ankilang, and Suyo neighborhoods.
Gaia Menu: Pasta & Noodles, Rice Meals, Soup, Muffins & Cookies, Snacks, Sandwich | Hot drinks, cold drinks, bottled drinks
Best to eat here for brunch when they have a full stock of ingredients. Make sure to order immediately upon arrival before you wander into the shop.
We love the Inabel products with different weave patterns for bags, camera straps, and fashion apparel. We bought our colorful weaved travel backpack from here.
Gawani is a graduate from the University of the Philippines and a local Kankanaey who decided to go back to her hometown to establish her social enterprise.
Salad Mix (P80). The day’s combination of raw tomatoes, carrots, sugar beets, cucumber, lettuce, sayote, or other local vegetables.
Fresh sweet vegetables from Sagada are so good that even our boys loved it.
Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich (P75). Wheat bread with sugar-free peanut butter, slices of ripe bananas, and fruit jam.
I was skeptical at first about this healthy sandwich but loved it the moment I took my first bite.
Humus Sandwich (P85). Toasted whole wheat bread with a filling of humus, tomatoes, cucumber, and lettuce.
Another vegetarian sandwich that did not disappoint. It’s a good savory starter but a bit heavy with the hummus and the bread.
Gaia Camote Fries (P95). Fried sweet potatoes drizzled with lemon and spinkled with raw sugar.
Order these healthy fries upon arrival because cooking can take some time, especially when they have a full house for lunch.
You can check out all their features in this window wall. Look for the movie scenes shot in the cafe.
Noodle Soup with Egg & Kimchi (P145). Mildly spicy noodle soup with egg and vegetables; Kimchi on the side.
The most raved about dish by our boys. I guess the noodles were very comforting in the cold Sagada weather. I like the touch of spiciness from the kimchi.
Vegetarian Adobo (P120). Seitan, potatoes, and carrots in naturally-brewed soy sauce & organic vinegar, with bay leaves, garlic.
If you are looking for a rice meal, order this faux meat adobo that tastes good with its sauce.
Miki Mi Na (P125). Sagada-made squash noodles sauteed with green beans, carrots.
My kind of vegetable pasta. Tastes like eating pancit canton but healthier.
Tomato Basil (P165). Home-made sauce of fresh tomatoes with basil in olive oil.
You can taste how fresh the tomatoes and basil are in this pasta dish.
The noodle and pasta dishes were the runaway winners that made the boys very happy. It’s very important to satisfy the kids when you travel.
Tofu & Seaweed (P135). Tofu with tomato sauce wrapped in sea weed.
We ordered this last but this was our favorite! It’s like a lasagna of tofu and seaweed.
Chocolate Muffin (P35). Vegan and very chocolate-y; no animal products included.
My wife Rache loved this!
We loved the healthy vegetarian meals at GAIA CAFE! Its farm-to-table approach coupled with its sustainable homemade philosophy, plus the magnificent Sagada view, makes this one of the best cafes in the country.
Order the Noodle soup with Egg & Kimchi, Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich, Vegetarian Adobo, Tofu & Seaweed, and yummy Chocolate Muffin. Budget about P250/head.
This is the best place for brunch in Sagada, especially if you’re on your way to Sumaguing Cave. Just note that they do run out of ingredients and service could be slow during peak times.
Congrats to Gawani and team for this awesome cafe concept in Sagada!
GAIA CAFE AND CRAFTS
Ambasing, Sagada, Philippines
Mobile: +63 949 137 6777 (Smart) +63 915 727 6831 (Globe)
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturdays 11.00am to 7pm
Facebook: Gaia Cafe and Crafts
SAGADA TRAVEL GUIDE 2017 Series:
• SAGADA Itinerary DIY: The Road to Sagada (2017) @FordPhilippines
• YOGURT HOUSE SAGADA: Best Breakfast Place in Sagada! (2016 Review)
• GAIA Sagada Cafe: That Famed Cafe in “That Thing Called Tadhana” (Review)
• SAGADA CELLAR DOOR: Agadulay’s Kitchen Igorot Dinner and Sagada Craft Beer Experience! (A Review)
• LOG CABIN: A Cozy Retreat in Sagada (A 2016 Review)
• LUMIANG TO SUMAGUING CAVE: Conquering Sagada’s Cave Connection!
• SAGADA DEATH RITUALS: On Hanging Coffins, Panag-Apoy and Echoes of Old Igorot Traditions
• SAGADA’S MARLBORO: Basking in a Sea of Clouds at Kamanbaneng Sunrise Peak! (Photo Essay)
• SAGADA ORANGE PICKING Guide at Rock Farm Inn (Photo Essay)
• BIYAHEROES: The Best Online Bus Booking Platform in Manila! Try it!
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meals. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Even the restrooms are cute, but you have to pay for maintenance of the facility.
P.P.S. You can take a habal-habal, walk, or drive your own car to visit Gaia in Ambasing. Just follow the signs going to Sumaguing Cave.
I want to go here! It looks like a dream.