Editor’s Picks: The Best Drive-In Restaurants To Visit Right Now
Not up for indoor dining just yet? Here’s a fun, no-contact way to eat out!
Dining out has changed a lot in the past two years. We now have streetside dining, curbside service, and my favorite at the moment — the park and dine. Also called drive-in dining, this entails having your food served in your vehicle.
Here’s how it works. You drive to the restaurant and park your car. A carhop comes running to take your order, or better yet, in many cases you can preorder online, via Facebook Messenger, or even scan the QR code of a menu posted in the parking area. The food is brought to your car, served on trays that can be cleverly attached to the windows or the steering wheel. Now all you have to do is relax, play your favorite music, chat with your carmates, and enjoy!
Drive ins are actually not a new idea, it's a retro practice from the '50s that's suddenly relevant again. And while you can arguably drive-in at almost any restaurant (as long as they consent to serve you food in your car), there’s something to be said for a restaurant that has meticulously planned for drive-in diners — they will have planned their service procedure carefully and will have those nifty trays and other paraphernalia that make the experience so comfortable and enjoyable. If you want to know more about drive in dining in Manila, click here. And for my personally recommended restaurants for the ideal park-and-dine experiences in town, click through the gallery below.
Drive-In Directory
Drive-In Directory
Diamond Hotel
All the charm of hotel dining with the added element of adventure. Savor Japanese and Chinese specialties like salmon sashimi, chasyu ramen, and Spaghetti Mentaiko. Choose pastas, sandwiches or popular main dishes like Slow Cooked Braised Beef Belly. The bento combo sets are a fun choice for drive-in dining. Check out the menu at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. Park and dine is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and p.m. To reserve, call (02) 8528-3000, (0975) 792-1473 (8 am to 5 pm only), or email restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com. Check out @diamondhotelph on Instagram. Address: Roxas Boulevard corner Quintos Street, Manila.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Diamond Hotel
Specially-designed lap tables are provided so you can dine in comfort. The meals come in disposable packaging, with wrapped utensils, bottled water and sanitation kits. We recommend you preorder your meal to cut on waiting time. Check out the menu at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. Park and dine is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and p.m. To reserve, call (02) 8528-3000, (0975) 792-1473 (8 am to 5 pm only), or email restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com. Check out @diamondhotelph on Instagram. Address: Roxas Boulevard corner Quintos Street, Manila.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Bamba Bistro
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the south. You’ll find superb gourmet comfort food like this sinful, sexy French Onion Mac N’Cheese. Specials include Boneless Buttermilk Fried Chicken with either Filipino spaghetti or with kimchi fried rice, and Steak ala Manila with truffled scrambled eggs and garlic rice. Address: 57 Aguirre Avenue corner Arsenio Luz, BF Homes, Parañaque. Call (02) 8519-7097 or check out @bambabistro on Instagram.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Bamba Bistro
A fitted tray makes dining in your vehicle oh-so-easy. Just park, put on your favorite playlist, and let your food cravings take over. Address: 57 Aguirre Avenue corner Arsenio Luz, BF Homes, Parañaque. Call (02) 8519-7097 or check out @bambabistro on Instagram.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Drive By Taco Shop
The taco craze is far from over, and when the craving hits you, just @drivebytacoshop and order theri homemade corn tortillas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. We love the Extra Spicy Pulled Beef Taco made with beef brisket stewed in tomato sauce and chilies. Try something different and get Marv’s Goat with goat eat stewed in tomatoes, apples and caradmom. Address: 256 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque. Call (0977) 348-9211 or check out @drivebytacoshop on Instagram.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Drive By Taco Shop
Put in your order and get this nifty tray that fits on the steering wheel. Easy peasy! Tip: their Mexilog rice meals are really good! Address: 256 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque. Call (0977) 348-9211 or check out @drivebytacoshop on Instagram.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Hackensack
With its vintage trays that hang from your car windows and the 1950s-style burgers, Hackensack offers the ultimate retro park-and-dine experience. Park and dine on hefty burgers, wings and rice plates.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Hackensack
Tailgate dining is a popular option, too! Just park, call in your order and feast. Address: Devour Food Hub, 1216 E. Rodriguez Street, Quezon City. Check out @hackensack.ph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Mimi & Bros
For comfort food the whole family will love, it’s always Mimi & Bros. Truffle Honey Butter Fried Chicken, those irresistible Dirty Birds, Lola’s Ragu and 6-Hour Beef Short Ribs hit the spot every time.And kids just love the corndogs, cheesey fried chicken, and the huge smash burgers. The ordering system is fully automated to remove unnecessary contact with staff. Just park your car, scan the QR code on the standee, and follow the order and payment instructions. A fun family pitstop. Address: G/F Crossroads Building, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Check out @mimiandbros on Instagram or Facebook.
Photo Credit: RESERVE HERE
Lead photos: Diamond Hotel, Hackensack
Top Stories
Metro Beauty Picks Of The Week
BEAUTYMar 14, 2023