Tampuhan Cafe was named after a painting of the great Juan Luna, a reproduction of which hangs on its walls. Owned by spouses Benj and Marj, this charming place offers meals as basic as tapsilog and pastas like carbonara and pesto tinapa. Lunch for three, with drinks, was less than P500.( I always pay full price for my meals and hotels so I can objectively review a place).
This is a cafe you would expect to find in a heritage town. There are the customary “batibot” chairs but what I found more interesting were the tables topped with glass using capiz windows painted white. Ingenious and very creative.
Upstairs are two rooms, with a third being furnished to receive guests. There is a common area for dining. All furniture from the rooms to the common areas make guests feel like they are traveling back in time. I did not stay for the night, but I learned that the rooms, airconditioned, go for P850, breakfast included. The toilet and baths are common for the guests, found at ground level. One can say this is part of the heritage village experience – – – in my tours of the grand mansions, they did not have en suite bathrooms in those times.
Tampuhan Cafe is between Villa Tortuga and the Basilica. Parking can be arranged by the owners at the vacant lot at the rear. The cafe/B&B is easy to find along the main street of this heritage town.
I love this cafe and the casita upstairs. Your post allows me to reminisce my visit to this heritage town this past summer. Although I didn’t get to step inside the other heritage houses (my group got into town past 5pm), I still enjoyed the walk, the view and the visit to the Basilica and the market. I plan to do a second trip to Taal during my next balik-bayan and, perhaps, stay the night. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos.