Small Talk Cafe in Legazpi City

Small Talk Cafe is no doubt the best restaurant in Legazpi City. They are famous for their Bicolano fusion cuisine which they pioneered since they opened the restaurant back in 1999. Today, Small Talk Cafe has become the center stage of the Bicolano dining scene in Legazpi City. It is here where guests and visitors of the city and of the province usually have their first taste of Bicolano cuisine, and where locals and tourists see politicians and celebrities dining on the next table.

Camalig Pinangat

If you are looking for something traditional, Small Talk Cafe surely has something to offer, such as the Bicolano specialty Camalig Pinangat (P50.00/US$1.10). You don't need to travel all the way to Camalig town just to sample this One Town One Product from Camalig because Small Talk Cafe has a fresh supply of it everyday. You might also want to try their Bicol Express. Small Talk Cafe also serves other all-time Filipino favorite dishes including Sinigang, Caldereta, Crispy Pata and Kare-Kare.

Pinangat from Camalig, Albay 

But if you are looking for food that combines Bicolano cuisine with Western cuisine, then you should try Small Talk Cafe's Fusion Bicolano Cuisine, a product of their culinary innovation.

Caramba Croquettes

For appetizer, you can try the Caramba Croquettes (P135.00/US$3.00). This French original dish is given a Bicolano twist by mixing beef with whole siling mahaba. Siling mahaba are native chilis typically used in Bicol Express and sinigang and have mild chili flavor. They are then shaped in the traditional cylindrical rolls with the stalks of the chilis attached at one end. Finally, they are coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden brown. They are crispy on the outside, but soft in the inside. They are served with a white sauce which balances the beefy flavor of the croquettes and tones down the chili flavor.

Caramba Croquettes

Bicol Express Pasta

For the main course, you can choose among their selection of pasta and pizza dishes. The Bicol Express Pasta (P105.00/US$2.30) is a marriage between the Italian Spaghetti and the Bicol Express creating this wonderful pasta dish. It reminded us of Spaghetti Aglio Olio but with the sumptuous flavor of Bicol Express.

Bicol Express Pasta

Pasta Pinangat

Then there is the Pasta Pinangat (P110.00/US$2.50). At first look you would think it's spaghetti with creamy pesto sauce. As the name says, the sauce is made of pinangat in a white sauce specially created for this dish. The result is this yummy pasta dish that you will never get tired of. It was just as good as how it was when we first tasted it last March 2012.

Pasta Pinangat

Fiery Mayon Stuffed Pizza

The Fiery Mayon Stuffed Pizza (P265.00/US$5.90) literally erupts with rich and hot Bicolano flavors! Underneath the volcano shaped crust are chunks of pinangat, bicol express, tinutungan na gata (smoked coconut milk) and Guinobatan longanisa. After every bite of this pizza is a burst of yumminess followed by a mild chili explosion. Make sure you have a glass of water nearby as this is going to be one hot trip to Mayon you'll never forget.

Fiery Mayon Stuffed Pizza

Mayon Hot Lava

For dessert we highly recommend the Mayon Hot Lava (P240.00/US$5.40). Seven scoops of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream are drizzled with three flavors of sweet-chili sauces: caramel, strawberry and chocolate. They are then topped with bukayo (candied coconut) and pili nuts. The experience starts with a spoonful of sweet ice cream immediately followed by a slight chili aftertaste. Really mind blowing! Our group of five finished this dessert in less than five minutes.

Small Talk Cafe is a restaurant that we highly recommend to tourists who wish to have an authentic and unforgettable Bicolano dining experience. We are sure that, like us, your next trip to Legazpi City wont be complete without eating at Small Talk Cafe.

We wish to thank Maam Didette for inviting us for lunch at Small Talk Cafe and letting us sample their specialty dishes. We truly had an awesome culinary experience with their Bicolano fusion cuisine.

Small Talk Cafe is located near the Legazpi City Hall and the Provincial Capitol of Albay. From the main road (Rizal Street), walk two to three blocks towards the direction of Embarcadero de Legazpi. Turn right into Dona Aurora Street. The restaurant is on the left side of the road (third house from the corner).

Small Talk Café
51 Dona Aurora Street, Legazpi City, Albay
Store Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am-10:00pm
Telephone: (052) 480-1393 / (052) 437-8708
Facebook : Small Talk Café