18 Best Restaurants With Outdoor Dining In Manila
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As if it were not enough that COVID is a major health crisis, the pandemic has grown into a social crisis too. Families, friends, significant others, and even work mates have been going for months on end separated from each other. And with no gatherings, no endless kwentuhan and kumustahan, and barely any meaningful in-person interaction, then the act of celebrating good company over delicious food, once a cornerstone of Filipino life, has (hopefully just temporarily) disappeared.
We truly miss the freedom to be around each other and have a great meal together. Filipinos associate food with the best things in life—birthdays, long holidays, once-in-a-lifetime occasions—and this will never really change, not even by a year-long quarantine.
Thankfully, many of our favorite restaurants and watering holes have now reopened, beckoning customers back and allowing them to experience a little taste, so to speak, of pre-pandemic life.
This January, as we gear up for a whole new year ahead, we give you a list of 22 restaurants that have safely reopened and offer quarantine-friendly outdoor dining options. From Spanish tapas and Japanese fusion and Southeast Asian grub to Filipino Sunday brunch spots, these are our picks for the best restaurants around Metro Manila with al fresco dining!
Outdoor Dining
Outdoor Dining
EDGE at Discovery Primea
Located on the 16th floor of luxurious Discovery Primea, and conveniently in the center of Makati's Central Business District, Edge is the ideal place for outdoor dinner and drinks. The view is spectacular. If, in 2020, you were confined to life within the four walls of home, Edge gives the sense of space and freedom you're craving with its 180-degree view of Metro Manila's cityscape. Perfect spot for moon-gazing. For more information, visit @discoveryprimea on Instagram or @discoveryprimeamakati on Facebook.
Photo Credit: @discoveryprimea
Blackbird at the Nielson Tower
We love the serene beauty of Blackbird's outdoor dining area, set inside the Ayala Triangle Gardens. It's a nice escape from bustling (and let's be honest, often constricting) city life, what with its organic design and seamless incorporation into the park that envelopes it. To make a booking, please call (02) 8828-4888, (0917) 889-2782. For more information, follow @blackbirdatthenielsontower on Instagram or Facebook.
Photo Credit: @blackbirdatthenielsontower
Maria Luisa's Garden Room at The Makati Garden Club
Most people haven't heard of this place, which is no surprise because it's one of the oldest private dining restaurants in the city. Maria Luisa's Garden Room sits at the corner of EDSA and Ayala Avenue, and is one of the most charming spaces in Manila. Come here for delectable French cuisine with a Scandinavian twist. Dining here is exclusive for members or friends of members, but it's definitely worth signing up for. Check out @maria.luisas on Instagram, or @marialuisasgardenroom on Facebook.
Photo Credit: @marialuisasgardenroom on Facebook
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Mijo Comfort Food
Poblacion Makati is home to a ton of retaurants, bars, pubs, and pop-ups with personalities more colorful than the rainbow, and among them is Mijo Comfort Food. It's unassuming and familiar, which could very well make it your new quarantine dining go-to joint. Drop by for nostalgic Spanish-Filipino comfort food. To book a table, call (0917) 149-0140, or follow @mijo.ph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @mijo.ph
LUSSO by Margarita Fores
Remember when Greenbelt was a mall always teeming with life? It's quieter nowadays, but that somehow works for Lusso. Located in Greenbelt 5 in a strategic corner next to the mall's koi ponds, it's a lovely place for lunch or dinner, beautiful in the daytime and in the evening.
Photo Credit: @lussogastrobar on Facebook
The Test Kitchen MNL
If you're anything like us, you've lost count of how many times you've eaten Filipino homecooked meals and tasted the same flavors. It's a small price to pay for staying safe from getting sick, but should you really, really, and we mean really want to treat your taste buds to something exciting, The Test Kitchen MNL at Rockwell is ready to welcome you. To make a reservation, call (0977) 288-5751. Follow @thetestkitchenmnl on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @thetestkitchenMNL on Facebook
Grace Park
So many families are longing to go back to old dining out routines, and for Filipinos, that includes heading over to their family's favorite restaurants. Grace Park in Rockwell fits the bill; not only is it a favorite among so many, but it's awesomely one of the restaurants we love to get our comfort food fix at that now allows dine-in customers. A meal here will feel like a semblance of our old lives, pre-health crisis. To make a reservation, visit @graceparkdining on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @gracepark
Le Village The Lifestyle Food Park
The thought of going to a crowded food park might be a little scary to even imagine at this time, but Quezon City's Le Village has adjusted accordingly - and we couldn't be happier! If you miss nights out with friends and spontaneous meals out with great company, this is the place for you. For details, visit @levillagelifestyle on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @levillagelifestyle
Mirèio at Raffles
Here's a second spot in Makati that doesn't just serve delicious food and lip-smacking drinks, but feeds the soul, too. Raffles Makati's Mirèio has a beautiful view to boast of, one that'll make you feel like you're on top of the world, even for just a few hours. And a menu of French and Provençal delights. Visit @mireioatraffles on Instagram for more details.
Photo Credit: @mireioatraffles
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Nikkei Nama Bar
Japanese-Peruvian cuisine is especially good at Nikkei, so we're glad to be able to put them on this list. Try their ceviches with leche de tigre, their Nama bowls, bento boxes, and craft cocktails. Follow @nikkei_nama_bar on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @nikkei_nama_bar
Spices at The Peninsula Manila
If you're the kind to enjoy ambience alongside good food, you need to head over to The Peninsula Manila where they transformed a little part of their outdoor space into a pocket al fresco area for their award-winning restaurant Spices. Rustling leaves, cooing birds, and a gentle breeze paired with your dish and drink of choices makes for dining out perfection. Call (02) 288872888 or follow @thepeninsulamanila on Instagram or Facebook.
Photo Credit: @thepeninsulamanila
Manila House
One of the best things about Manila House in BGC is that its outdoor dining area is always transforming; it could mimic a countryside cafe today, and tomorrow, it could be a scene straight from a contemporary piece of art and by evening of the same day, it could be different again with just the addition of pretty fairy lights. Pick any time of the day to dine here and you'll never go wrong.
Photo Credit: @manila_house
a mano
There's always something comforting about a hot plate of Italian food (maybe it's the carbs?) and with the year we just had, we deserve to feel comforted in our most favorite way. Food is definitely at the top of our list, and when we get to enjoy in a place where the atmosphere where people are happy to be where they are, glad to be out and about, and having lighthearted conversations with each other, every forkful tastes a whole lot better. Come to a mano at the Powerplant Mall for an experience just like this.
https://www.instagram.com/amano.ph/ | Photo Credit: @powerplantmall
Las Flores
The Spanish and Filipinos have a shared heritage for a love of food and how it plays such a central role in connecting with others. You can be sure that the guys at Las Flores BGC are celebrating being allowed to welcome patrons and seeing people reconnect and enjoy themselves every time they come over with extra-yummy meals.
Photo Credit: @lasflores.ph on Facebook
Bar Pintxos
When was the last time you enjoyed delicious Spanish tapas? Maybe a bite of some gambas, or some zesty octopus, or what about some melt in your mouth beef and sweet-spicy peppers? You don't have to think. Instead, make a reservation at Las Flores in BGC where you can sample all the flavors you've been dreaming of for months! Follow @barpintxos on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @barpintxos
Mamou
Mamou at the Powerplant Mall has joined the mall's effort in adjusting to the times by participating in its #RockwellGoesStreetside campaign. Located along the mall's Lopez Drive side, it's extended its dining area onto the street where diners can enjoy their favorite dishes in a picnic style area for a whole new experience. With bright lights hanging over you in a canopy, it's a nice respite from everything we've all had tp deal with in the last months.
Photo Credit: @powerplantmall on Facebook
Sheraton Manila
Here is arguably one of the most unique quarantine experience solo diners, couples, and small groups can experience! Sheraton Manila set up these igloos meant to isolate different patrons as they dine in the same space, but they're pretty cute on their own, too!
Photo Credit: @sheratonmanila
Sunae Asian Cantina
Cool, crisp meals await at Sunae Asian Cantina at BGC. Serving fresh Southeast Asian meals and snacks with a twist, this is a quirky spot that's great to visit if you're longing for a quick city adventure.
Photo Credit: @sunaeasiancantinaph
