Isdaan Floating Restaurant: Thailand of the Philippines

Isdaan Floating Restaurant is located in Calauan, Laguna, an average 2-hour long drive from Metro Manila. It also has 2 other branches located in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. This is a Thailand-inspired but very Filipino lively place. It has big Buddha statues like the one you can find in Thailand. It also plays local festive music, the performers are in Filipino tribe costumes. This place is easier to find as this is located along the national road. I will place a guide at the end of the post so you can be guided.

Once you arrived at the place, you will be welcomed by the crews holding the menu. They will ask you to wait especially during lunch time as it is usually the peak time so it's better that you give your orders immediately to cut the wait once you've seated. There is a booth where you can stay while waiting, a nook with free costumes which you can try out to kill the time of waiting (so you won't hear the grumbling of your stomach if you arrive there very very hungry during peak hours). Once they called your name, you will be escorted to the table they reserved for you.

The food options are pricy, very pinoy, typical, and taste nothing special except for the crispy pata. It's the place and experience you would come for.

After eating, you can stay a little longer and enjoy the place. But please be mindful of bamboo floors, some of the bamboos are too weak, you might fall and get wounded, or worse, wet by the mini lagoon! Despite having a very naturey vibe, the place has a very hot temperature.

You can also ride on a boat which roams around the small place for free. But we decided to take photo ops instead.

It's a good place to visit especially with family, loved ones, or friends. But not the place you would go back to.

So, how can you get to the place?

By Private Car

From Metro Manila, head to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and take turn to Calamba exit. From Calamba, follow the road going to Los Baños and head straight to Sta. Cruz. You can use WAZE or Google Maps. It is on the right side of the national road.

By Public Bus

From Alabang, ride a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (not the one with a signage Calauan). Ask the conductor or driver to drop you at Isdaan Floating Restaurant. As mentioned, the restaurant is located at the right side of the road and can be easily seen due to the large signage and loud festive music.

From Buendia, ride a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Ask the driver or conductor if they will pass through Isdaan Floating Restaurant.

Going back, you can wait for a bus either going to Alabang or Buendia, just located in the front of the Isdaan (other side of the road).

Entry and use of cottage is free. All you have to pay for is your choice of food.

If not planning to go home yet, you can visit below places:

• Makiling Botanical Gardens
• Nagcarlan Cemetery
• UPLB Museum of National History
• Bunga Falls
• Fertility Tree, etc. (check out google to give you more options)

See you in my next post! Thanks for dropping by.

Hugs,