The Best Al Fresco Restaurants For Mother's Day
From pocket gardens to bucolic countryside dining destinations, these are the places to go for amazing meals that mom will approve
Planning to take mom out on her special day? You'll need to find a great restaurant with a beautiful al fresco space, good service, careful adherence to safety and hygiene protocols. And of course, very good food. Here are our favorites to help you choose. Because Mother's Day weekend is so very busy, we highly recommend making a reservation. Have fun!
Al Fresco Spaces
Al Fresco Spaces
The Food Truck by Sofitel
Sofitel’s popular outdoor hangout reopens just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. It’s the perfect casual venue for a family celebration complete with a view of Manila Bay’s gorgeous sunset while you dine on tacos, carnitas, burgers and other grilled specialties over free flowing beer, soda or wine. Open every Friday to Sunday, from 6 PM to 9 PM. For table reservations or inquiries, visit bit.ly/FoodTruckatSunsetBar. Check out @sofitelmanila on Facebook or Instagram. Address: Atang dela Rama, Pasay City.
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Talisay The Garden Café
Enjoy private dinner in a lush pocket garden. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, Talisay is where to go for a taste of Chef Tatung’s beloved comfort food. He’s known for his paella and balbacua, pianggang manok and crisp pork belly adobo. But his new dishes, like the Bacon Quiche, deserve attention too. Call (0919) 877-6321. Check out @talisayqc on Instagram or @TalisayGardenQC on Facebook. Address: Maginhawa Street, Quezon City.
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Florabel
For a most charming and delicious al fresco dining experience, head to Florabel’s to enjoy an elegant and eclectic meal of Continental classics and modern Asian cuisine. May we suggest to begin with an indulgent starter of foie gras, and end with their signature sans rival or chocnut torte? Limited seating is availalbe, so reserve a table early at (02) 8667-3220, 8638-7527. Check out @florabel.ph on Instagram. Address: G/F Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City.
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The Loggia at Palacio de Memoria by Margarita Forés
Old World romance is the mood at Chef Margarita Forés’ most recent venue, The Loggia at Palacio de Memoria. Dine on exquisite Italian cuisine, beneath the open skies. Takeaway or delivery is also available. Call (0917) 717-9654, (0917) 711-3714, email theloggia@margaritafores.com. Check out @theloggiaatpalacio on Instagram. Address: 95 Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque.
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Brasserie Sagana
French chef Marc Aubry is well known for his contemporary French cuisine, proudly made with Filipino ingredients and a masterful technique. Think of eggs in cocoote, or roasted wild duck with dauphine potatoes, with a superb selection of wines and cheeses. Leave room for dessert. Call (02) 8815-8801, check out @saganabgc on Instagram or @BrasserieSagana on Facebook. Address: 3rd Avenue corner 26th Street, BGC, Taguig.
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Mamou
For superb steaks and really good home cooking, head to Mamou. You can order a few juicy slabs of your favorite cut of steak, perhaps with some handmade pasta or the stracciatella we can’t get enough of. The al fresco spaces are airy and comfortable enough to let you happily linger for a long, leisurely meal. For reservation details, check out @mymamou on Instagram or @mamouhomekitchen on Facebook. Branches in Rockwell, Serendra and Ortigas.
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Old Swiss Inn
The restaurant now has an al fresco patio that’s perfect for a family dinner. Order nostalgic favorites like pork gnagi and the fondue. Mother’s Day means extra special food, so ask for the Crown Roast of Lamb, Roast Turkey, with other party platters and pasta meals. These dishes are also available for delivery. Check out @oldswissinn on Instagram or @oldswissinnrestaurant on Facebook. Address: Somerset Olympia Building, Makati Avenue, Makati City.
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Farmer’s Table, Tagaytay
Drive up to Tagaytay and treat mom to a lovely Mother’s Day lunch at Farmer’s Table, the newest restaurant by the Raintree Group. Tucked away inside Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay, you can expect a menu of the freshest and healthiest dish options that don’t skimp on flavor. There are crisp stone-fired pizzas, farmhouse specials like kalderetang osso bucco or bangus a la pobre; roasts, grills, with wine and cocktails. Don’t skip dessert! Call (0905) 387-7993, (0960) 928-3142, and check out @farmerstabletagaytay on Instagram. Address: Nurture Wellness Village, Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II, West Tagaytay City.
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The Fatted Calf
This is one of our favorite farm-to-table restaurants, with its bucolic charm and delicious, wholesome dishes cooked using seasonal ingredients from farms in Cavite as well as locally produced by artisans all over the country, including Negros, Davao and Bukidnon. Don’t be surprised to find the kind of cooking worthy of any high-end hotel restaurant, whether it’s the signature salads, mains like the 10-hour roasted beef shank, to the fresh baked breads. Do leave room for desserr. The chef’s signature rhum cake and her new Orange lavender olive oil cake are must-tries. Seats are limited so please reserve your table in advance. Call (0917) 789-2352, check out @thefattedcalf_ph on Instagram or @thefattedcalfph on Facebook. Address: 23 Belarmino Street, Silang, Tagaytay.
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Firelake Grill
A family-friendly grill with a stunning view of Taal Lake, this restaurant is already a Tagaytay classic that mom will surely love to return to. Their signature dishes are still amazing, like the Blackened beef salad. the saffron herb risotto, and the pineapple carpaccio with ice cream. Call (046) 483-2069, (0927) 914-4604, visit @firelaketagaytay on Instagram or Facebook. Address: Unit 3, Cliffhouse Tagaytay, Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City.
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L’Entrecôte
Chef Martin Kaspar’s Swiss-French restaurant is known for its steak generously brushed with a secret herb butter sauce — so delicious our eyes roll back in pleasure. They have really delicious and healthy dishes too, like an adlai Niçoise salad or the hot octopus with garlic. Plus, we find the ambience charming. Reserve a table online at lentrecotemanila.com/reservation. Check out @lentrecotemnl on Instagram or @lentrecotebistromnl on Facebook. Address: Burgos Circle at Forbes Town Cener, BGC, Taguig.
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Lusso by Margarita Forés
Luxury and good taste are the hallmarks of Lusso, to be experienced in everything from the well appointed tables, the thoughtful service and most especially in the food. Even the burgers are luxurious with foie gras. You’ll find rare seasonal delicacies like angel wing clams (diwal) baked or on pasta, to be enjoyed with fresh baked bread and wine. Reserve a table in advance. Call (0917) 700-5893, (02) 7756-5893, email lusso@margaritafores.com. Check out @lusso_manila on Instagram or Facebook. Address: Greenbelt 5, Legaspi Street, Makati.
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Las Casas, Quezon City
Mother’s Day weekend is filled with fun activities and delicious meals. A Continental buffet for lunch and dinner, with live entertainment, floral backdrops for photo sessions with the in-house photographer, and a take-home box of pastries. Or reserve a table in the gardens or the well-lit plaza for dinner under the stars. Call (0917) 136-6796, check out @lascasasqc no Instagram or Facebook. Address: 134 Roosevelt Avenue, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City.
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a mano
Our favorite casual family place where you know everyone from the smallest kid to the choosiest of titas will find something to love on the menu of classic Italian cuisine. The entire experience is delicious, cozy, casual and fun. Call (0917) 552-6266. Check out @amano.ph on Instagram. Address: R1 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.
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La Picara
For a playful take on Spanish cuisine wth heavy Asian influnces, head to La Picara where every dish is playful and a little different. Think kimchi croquetas, for example, or a Chili Crab Paella with soft shell crab tempura. With great cocktails and a nice wine list, too. Check out @lapicaraph on Instagram or Facebook. Address: 2/F Exchange Stock Market Mall, High Street corner 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
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Kai Neo Japanese
Known for its superb contemporary Japanese cuisine, Kai surprises us this year by offering a Japanese and a Spanish Mother’s Day menu set. Plus, we love the flexibility of being able to order per set or by menu item. There aren’t a lot of tables, though, so please reserve ahead. Call (0917) 852-3654, and check out @kaigreenbelt on Instagram or Facebook. Address: G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati. (Photo: @makeitmakati)
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Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
Treat mom like a queen. Let her choose between two special set menus to celebrate her big day. Available from now until May 9. You can also preorder for delivery For details, please check out @wolfgangssteakhouseph or order online at delivery.wolfgangssteakhouse.ph/mothers-day-specials/.
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La Cabrera
Enjoy an al fresco meal right in the heart of bustling Makati, with the sights and sounds of the city as the perfect backdrop. Indulge in Argentinean-style steaks and the special Dia De La Madre sets good for two or four persons, tha tcomes with a bottle of wine. Also available for takeout or delivery, so you can celebrate in the comfort of home. Call (0905) 290-0703. Check out @lacabrera_mnl on Instagram or @lacabreramanila on Facebook. Address: 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati.
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Lead photo: Sofitel Manila
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