I was browsing through my mobile photo albums when I stumbled upon one that perfectly encapsulated my trip to Siargao Island last year. Siargao has become a favorite destination among tourists in the Philippines, and it's a must-visit for many reasons. It's amazing to think that despite being a relatively small island, Siargao has so much to offer, especially when it comes to food.

I've been meaning to write a separate post about my overall trip to the island, but this blog focuses on my dining experience at Lyma Siargao. After a tiring day of island hopping, I started looking for somewhere to eat. I'd come across Chef Marc on Instagram and discovered that his restaurant, Lyma, serves exceptional food. The timing was perfect; I was still in the General Luna area waiting for my ride back to my homestay, so I thought, why not have dinner at one of the best restaurants in Siargao?

Lyma describes its menu as a delectable fusion of Spanish, French, and Asian influences. Promising, right? It's also one of the most highly recommended restaurants on the island, so I had to find out why. I'm glad I did because I had a truly satisfying dining experience and loved everything I tried. 😋 Lami kaayo tanan. 😜

Let's hope they open a branch somewhere in Cebu someday. But for now, if you ever find yourself in Siargao, Lyma is a great dining option. I don't think you'll be disappointed! 😉

WAGYU BOMBON

24h slow cooked Kitayama locally raised Wagyu in a crispy dough, 7 days fermented black garlic mayo, lokal herbs

For my appetizer, I chose Lyma's Wagyu Bombon. I absolutely love the delicate texture of Wagyu beef; tender, savory, and incredibly satisfying. What made this dish even better was the crispy pastry, which added a wonderful contrast in both texture and flavor. The black garlic mayo was rich and flavorful, yet balanced enough not to overpower the star of the dish. Every element worked harmoniously together, making it a memorable start to the meal.

CATCH OF THE DAY

Fishermen's catch, served with wild garlic meuniére, capers, mojo verde, fondant potatoes, Siargao seaweed, crispy leeks

I had a heavy lunch earlier that day, so for dinner, I was looking for something lighter and easier to digest. I'm sure all of Lyma's main courses are worth trying, so I asked one of their staff members for a recommendation.

He suggested the Catch of the Day, which features freshly sourced fish, exactly what I had been craving. The dish is served with potatoes and meunière sauce, a classic French butter sauce. As someone who loves potatoes, I thoroughly enjoyed the pairing. The fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, while the creamy, buttery sauce complemented it beautifully without overwhelming its natural flavor.

BURNT BASQUE CHEESECAKE

Creamy carabao cream cheese, semi-cured cheese, with a caramelized top

For dessert, I ordered Lyma's Burnt Basque Cheesecake, one of their bestselling treats. The moment I took my first bite, I immediately understood why it's so popular. It was absolutely delicious, rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. In fact, I'm craving a slice right now while writing this post.

If you ever find yourself dining at Lyma, do yourself a favor and order their cheesecake. Trust me, it's worth it.

WATERMELON FIZZ

Sweet, ultra-refreshing summer drink

I didn't put much thought into my choice of drink; I simply wanted something refreshing and fruity. Their Watermelon Fizz perfectly satisfied that craving.

I would have loved to try their coffee and wine selection as well, but I was planning to rest once I got back to my homestay. Besides, I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, so I'm always careful about having even a sip of an alcoholic drink.

   I don't consider myself as a chocolate buddy but I won't say no to chocolates. I mean, who doesn't like chocolates? lol you gotta be kidding if you'd say you do.

    Recently, I went out for an appointment and found myself in a very cozy and "chocolatey" cafe called The Chocolate Chamber. It is a quaint place that serves a number of food variants that serves a great deal of chocolates. The place looks amazing, it's beyond artistic and aside from the smell of the chocolate wafting throughout the place, you can also smell the owner's passion in serving their customers.

    While I was staying at the cafe, I found out that the business has a very solid foundation. Aside from the charms of the place, what is most interesting about it is that their chocolate products were all made from pure Tablea. It is a local Filipino chocolate produced from Cacao beans. A chocolate drink made out of it is called "sikwate" here in our country.

     I consider the drink as something typical and traditional, but what they serve in The Chocolate Chamber is way cooler because I bet they are made to perfection. I'm not flattering the drink, its taste made me declare that it is. And you'll know why when you check out the place by yourself and try their products. lelx

     Here are some photos that I took from my very quick visit of The Chocolate Chamber. And sorry, the photos aren't looking great because I only have my phone with me :)

     How pretty is the flower that they use in their tables? I don't know if you guys know the flower, but in the Philippines we call it Cadena de Amor. It literally means Chain of Love. Chos! It look like a small version of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms, but they grow in vines not in a tree. I remember there's a place that I used to pass by going to school before where such flowers grow. Well now, the flowers are gone because a mall is now erected in the place where it once grew.
      Okay, enough of that. It's just that it's been quite long since I saw the flower again and the sight of it just made me feel nostalgic.
     Such a cool note. Can you believe that I found this at their comfort room? lol hahahha yes, even their comfort room is looking so dope.
      Look at that big chocolate fountain? too bad it doesn't have chocolate during my visit. But you can imagine right? ahahha
     I only ordered a drink from TCC. I got a cup of Chocolate with Lavender drink that costs 210php. Quite expensive for a cup right? But it's totally fine because it is amazing!

    It was served to me with a cookie and a glass of water. I love how thoughtful they are to their customers. The cashier and the guys who served me the drink were very kind too and yes, even their guard! It's a really good place to visit.
You may have seen some of the photos above if you have followed me on my Instagram account. lol