For those who like to escape the Manila heat, Baguio, Philippines is a beloved holiday destination with its cool climate and scenic landscapes. But a vacation in the country's summer capital will not be complete without sampling the scrumptious food that can only be found at its local restaurants and cafes. Ignore your usual craving for fast food – which you can always get in Manila anyway - and check out these 3 favorite food haunts when dining out in Baguio.

1. 
   Cafe by The Ruins. With a menu that mostly features natural ingredients unique to the region, this fine dining restaurant offers an eclectic selection of dishes that appeals to a wide variety of tastes. Its cuisine includes pasta, sandwiches, rice meal specialties, vegetarian fare, desserts, and pastries. It also serves coffee, tea, and hot chocolate for those looking to warm themselves with a light meal or merienda. The cafe also occasionally plays host to art exhibits, poetry readings, and dance performances, adding to the overall artsy ambiance of the place while showcasing the talents of local artists at the same time.
   
2. 
   Bliss Cafe. As a business that follows the Buddhist principle of ahimsa or the avoidance of violence, this restaurant offers a mainly vegetarian menu to its patrons. However, this does not mean the food is bland or lacking in flavor. Each dish features fresh local ingredients and are prepared in such a way that is both appetizing and filling. This cafe-resto serves a delicious range of salads, pasta, burritos, sandwiches, and desserts, albeit with a healthy vegetarian twist.
   

1. 
   Star Cafe. One of the oldest restaurants in Baguio, Star Cafe has been serving irresistible Chinese food for years. It may not be as elegant or big on ambience as other restaurants in the city, but it more than makes up for this with its fantastic menu. Diners can enjoy warm meals of noodles and soup as well as breakfast dishes such as crab meat omelet. The place is also known for its vast array of quality breads that include beef empanadas, cinnamon rolls, and the classic pandesal. A must-try however, is the cafe's famous Star Rice.
   

When in town to check out these interesting eating places, find a Baguio inn or hotel that will keep these cafes within easy travel distance. Microtel Inn & Suites – Baguio for example, is located along Upper Session Road and is just minutes away. You can also save on your room expenses since it is currently offering a special promo that treats you to an extra night for free. Buffet breakfast comes with the package, and is valid from November 12 to December 15, 2011 only. Not a bad deal, especially if you plan on staying longer to see the other local attractions. So book those Baguio accommodations now and get started on your gastronomic adventure!