Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro in Domicillo Tagaytay

I’ve been gushing non-stop about Domicillo Tagaytay, so now I’d like to highlight one of the restaurants located inside—Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro. If you’re familiar with Spanish-themed Galli Village Cafe in Maginhawa and Makati, Aozora is owned by the same company.

The restaurant is located on the highest level of the design hotel, where you can enjoy and take in the view of Taal.

There’s no doubt the food served is authentic—the Cupcake and I met Head Chef Seiji Kamura, who prepares and cooks everything using the finest organic ingredients.

As a fan of Japanese food, I can easily tell you where in Manila to go if you’re craving for something delicious and authentic. In Tagaytay, I will definitely recommend Aozora.

For our lunch the Friday we were there, we got to try several dishes. The first was their Tuna Avocado Salad—the first bite made my eyes light up literally because I never expected the combination of tuna and avocado to taste so light and refreshing. The flavors dance in your palate, and I had to stop myself from eating bite after bite to save space for the other dishes. When there were only a few pieces left of the tuna, I even asked the Cupcake to stop getting so I could have it all! Haha! It was that yummy.

Tuna Avocado Salad

The next dish served was the Aozora Ramen (Php 295), which is inspired by Tagaytay’s infamous bulalo, to give it a unique and delightful flavor. One bowl is big enough to be shared, but if you have a huge appetite, you might want to have it all for yourself because again, I may have hoarded a large portion of the bowl to myself. I particularly enjoyed the soup, as it complemented the cool weather.

The last dish we had was the Grilled Pork Belly, which was something the Cupcake hoarded. The meat was really tender, and I love how it was perfectly seasoned by a light teriyaki sauce. It’s not too fatty either (in fact, it had more lean meat than fat), so you won’t feel heavy nor bloated.

Apart from unforgettable dishes, we also got to try their signature Aozora Iced Tea, made with lemongrass and home-grown mint leaves. By home-grown, I mean they  grow it right outside the restaurant (in the veranda). Our friendly waiter pointed the plant out to us as he served the iced tea.

The night before we covered the restaurant, we also tried their Crunchy Kani Maki, Asahi Beer, and a pot of cold sake (Php 190). It was such a relaxing feeling, especially because we came straight from work and were really looking to unwind.

Aozora is definitely a restaurant I’d love to keep coming back to whenever I’m in Tagaytay. After all, it’s such a pleasant experience to be eating my favorite cuisine while enjoying a great view or under the starry sky. It’s the ideal place for a romantic date, family outing, or barkada get-together.

When you’re looking to go out of town either for an overnight stay or a day trip, Tagaytay is one of the most accessible and most visited places in the country. Make each trip memorable by dining in Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro.

To know more about Aozora, visit their Facebook page here or contact Christine Arriola-Villongco at chitsarriola@yahoo.com or 09063501704. For reservations or advanced orders, call 09155038800 or (046) 413 4486.

Aozora Japanese Cafe + Bistro in Domicillo Tagaytay

Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm

58 General E. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite