Arabela Liliw is where to eat in Laguna if you’re craving for something Italian.
Liliw is popularly known as the “Tsinelas” (slippers) capital of Laguna. A wide assortment of footwear can actually be bought at the place. But aside from its affordable and durable slippers, we found another thing Laguna can be truly proud of. It’s none other than Arabela.
About Arabela Liliw
“Arabela” is a combination of the names of the owners’ children, Ara and Bela. Bobby and Antonette Camello established Arabela in 2003 as an Italian fusion restaurant.
When Arabela Liliw started, they were only selling cakes and brownies. Today, they offer a wide variety of menu to customers – pasta, pizza, fish, and meat dishes.
Arabela Liliw Restaurant
I really delight restaurants that give a homey vibe and Arabela Liliw is one of those. It somehow reminded me of my favorite Mary Grace Cafe. Upon entering, the very low ceiling of the place is noticeable. I’m not used to such kind of interiors and since I fancy high ceiling designs, I felt a little off at first. But when we got to our seats and started chatting, things got immediately comfortable for me. At one point, I thought the low ceiling contributed to the homey ambience of Arabela Liliw. It fits even more as a friendly neighborhood restaurant.
We arrived in Arabela Liliw just in time for lunch. Maybe because it’s a weekend and exactly noon time, the place was overwhelmingly jampacked. But since we were really looking forward to try it, we were willing to wait and we did (for more than an hour).
Arabela Liliw Food
Since our tummies were complaining already, we started looking from the menu of Arabela Liliw. We ordered some appetizer first – Chicken Fingers and Mojos. Feeling like we came from a hunger strike, the appetizer just literally passed from our mouth to our stomach, lol. We consumed it while still waiting outside.
From the simple appetizer of Arabela Liliw, we ordered their thin crust Kesong Puti Pizza. We got intrigued by it because it is not only made with the usual pizza toppings like green bell peppers, onions, black olives, and mushroom. It was uniquely topped with native white cheese. I’d say the unusual combination was good.
For our favorite pizza partner, we ordered three kinds of pasta: Pancetta Magreta, Sirloin Fettuccine, and Seafood in Marinara Sauce. Pancetta Magreta is pasta in olive oil mixed with Italian bacon. Its generous serving of bacon tidbits will definitely put a smile in your face.
However, I like more their Sirloin Fettuccine – served very creamy with lavish meat toppings adding that richer flavor to the pasta.
But among the three, the best for me is their Sea Food Marinara. Its sauce had just the right blend of sweetness. The pasta was tender but was still firm to the bite.
Arabela Liliw definitely know how to make their pasta!
To wrap up our super late lunch, we had Red Velvet Cheesecake and Choco Lava. Both were really delectable and not overly sweet. Desserts from Arabela Liliw certainly rock.
I also very much enjoyed their coffee and I can say they can be lined up with the famous coffee shops in Manila.
Overall, Arabela Liliw is your friendly Italian restaurant offering affordable food that will surely spoil your sweet tooth. How cool is it to think that you have such hidden gem tucked in the neighborhood?
Arabela Liliw Tips
- Arabela Liliw has no designated parking space for customers. We just park at the side of the streets.
- Along the area where Arabela Liliw is located you can find numerous stalls selling locally made footwear. You can check it out because the items are affordable. They look durable, too. Liliw is like the Marikina of Laguna.
- Especially during the weekends, you can come to Arabela Liliw a little earlier than lunch time to avoid waiting for a long time.
Arabela Liliw Laguna
Address: 503 Rizal St. Liliw, Laguna
Operating Hours: Tues – Sun, 12NN – 6PM
Contact Nos.: 0917 899 4871, 049 563 2495
Facebook: facebook.com/ArabelaPH
