Fancy a visit to the bustling district of Bonifacio Global City? This modern wonder may be where all the business buzz is happening in the metro, but it also boasts tons of gems and attractions for a great weekend out. Of course, your exploration here calls for a foodie crawl among its ever-growing culinary scene! Think dining spots with spacious interiors, al fresco areas, and even private rooms. If you’re planning to eat outside, consider our list of the best BGC restaurants and cafes for a chill dining experience!
Also read: BGC Bars: 10 Best Chillnuman Spots in Bonifacio Global City
Best BGC restaurants with al fresco spaces to chill at
1. Gallery by Chele
Since luxurious fine dining is often housed indoors, an al fresco upscale restaurant like Gallery by Chele merits a warm welcome. Dine on the restaurant’s rooftop and bask in the night lights of the bustling cityscape. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a hard day’s work.
Providing an innovative gourmet cooking “eatsperience” is the man behind Gallery by Chele. Chef Chele Gonzales has been running the restaurant ever since it was known as Gallery VASK, the name that made it to the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants twice.
2. La Picara Manila
Hungry for paella? Make a beeline for La Picara Manila, a three-year-old BGC restaurant that serves arguably the best Spanish cuisine in the area. If dining close to the treetops of an urban jungle suits your “chill” vibes, then this one’s your best pick. Muy bien, muy bien indeed.
3. Sariwon Korean Barbecue
Annyeonghaseyo, sam-g lovers! Take your OG samgyup-squad to Sariwon and treat yourselves to a next-level Korean dining experience. Korean barbecue restaurants usually evoke an edgy atmosphere with all the smoke and sizzle. Well, not this one. With cream-white fancy seats and a grand interior design, Sariwon Korean Barbecue will calm your nerves and fill your bellies. The restaurant also sets up tables outside for an al fresco Korean indulgence.
Also read: Samgyupsal Manila: 10 Best KBBQ Restaurants to Satisfy Your Cravings
4. 205
Make a toast for a breezy afternoon dining experience at 205. Pair their classic truffle pizza with some happy hour cocktails to cap off your long day. Their al fresco seats are limited, so give them a heads-up for an early reservation. And if you feel like your chill night out is bitin, you can order their bartender-mixed cocktails, so you can enjoy them at home, too!
5. Pool House at Grand Hyatt Manila
Looking for a place to dine underneath the stars? Head over to Pool House on the sixth floor of Grand Hyatt Manila. It’s one of the BGC restaurants serving international cuisine with perfectly grilled seafood and meat selections. Poolside gazebos are also available for a more intimate setting. Best if you arrive there before sunset — the city views during golden hour are a sight to behold.
6. Samba
Samba, Manila is another hotel-based restaurant, one that’s located on the eighth floor of Shangri-La The Fort. Order Ceviche Limeno, Anticucho de Pulpo, or their other flavourful Peruvian dishes for a true South American treat. Its stunning views of the city guarantee a chill dining night for your friends or family. If that’s not enough, you can also vibe to the rhythm of lively tropical beats playing to the harmony of Samba’s cuisine.
7. The Wholesome Table
Craving healthy comfort food for brunch? The Wholesome Table never disappoints the late-morning diners, thanks to its all-day breakfast faves ranging from toasts and pancakes to Pinoy silog meals. Not only does it serve your go-to brunch dishes, but it also strives to change the way you eat one plate at a time. With its food made only with the freshest, natural, and organic ingredients, you’re sure to start your day right grabbing a bite at The Wholesome Table!
Also read: 10 Best Cafes in Makati for Caffeine Addicts and Brunch Lovers
BGC restaurants offering private dining rooms
8. Canton Road
If you prefer to chill in an indoor dining experience instead of al fresco, we got you covered! One of your best private BGC restaurants is Canton Road. If you’re up for a closed-door Chinese diner in what looks like a room made for people on Forbes’ list, then this one’s for you. Think celadon-coloured patterns and premium silk panels. True to its name, this BGC restaurant specialises in signature Cantonese cuisine presented in a contemporary fashion.
9. Ogawa Manila
Check out this highly raved traditional Japanese restaurant, Ogawa Manila. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best of its kind. Seafood ingredients are shipped fresh from Japan, hence Ogawa’s authentic-tasting sushi and sashimi. For this reason, gastronomes endure long queues for available seats, especially on weekends.
Since Ogawa Manila’s common dining space is usually very crowded, the area may not meet your chill dining expectations. So, hit them up days or weeks ahead to reserve their private dining rooms. As seen on Ogawa Manila’s Facebook page, a lot of Filipino celebrities have frequented these private tables, including Sarah Labati and Liza Soberano, the latter even revealing this as her favourite Japanese restaurant!
10. Lorenzo’s Way
If you’re searching for BGC restaurants with Filipino dishes, Lorenzo’s Way is the way to go. Adobo, sinigang, caldereta, diniguan, and pinakbet are a few of their recipes that’ll bring nostalgia right to your taste buds.
If you’re planning to take your family or friends to unwind with familiar-tasting food, you can’t go wrong with Lorenzo’s Way. Reserve their private dining rooms and do your much-needed catching up. Share a halo-halo or leche flan for dessert while you’re at it.
BGC cafes for your caffeine fix and sugar cravings
11. Wildflour Cafe
If you fancy well-baked pastries, Wildflour Cafe has some perfect seats for a chill afternoon. The cafe is situated along 4th Avenue corner 26th Street of BGC, where many people pass by. It can get a bit crowded during peak hours, but the food and ambience here are good enough to compensate. Try their pastry board for a complete dough-filled feast.
12. Sunnies Cafe BGC
Every angle of Sunnies Cafe makes for an Insta-worthy capture. Its LA-inspired interior design will surely get your appetite for a light meal or even a sip of tequila. Now, who’s down for a boozy brunch?
13. Elephant Grounds
There’s no denying Elephant Grounds must be on the list of chill spots in BGC. Their wall art says it all: Coffee n’ chill. You can choose to relax in the cosy seats inside the cafe or stay in their al fresco area. Order your preferred coffee and take a bite of their popular Gouda-grated fries with aioli dip.
Also read: 10 Best Mountain Cafes in the Philippines for Your Peak Coffee Experience
14. St. Louis Cafe
All the way from the land down under, St. Louise Cafe is here to bring you delectable Australian-European brunch bites. With its dessert bar and cafe concept, your sweet tooth is surely in for a treat! The cafe serves up churros, crepes, waffles, and other dessert-like breakfast creations for your sugar fix. Alternatively, opt for its granola bowls, handmade pasta dishes, salads, and toasted sandwiches for something more filling. Bon appetit, indeed!
15. Auro Chocolate Cafe
From cacao to cafe, Auro Chocolate’s flagship store is the newest addition to BGC’s buzzing cafe scene! Serving all things sweet and sugary, it makes for an ideal haven for coffee and chocolate enthusiasts alike. Beyond its carefully crafted choco-based offerings, you can also enjoy a range of savoury treats, from light appetisers to rice bowls and staple brunch meals. Oh, did we mention that its interiors are just as stunning and enticing, too?
Also read: Coffee Shops With Free WiFi: 15 Metro Manila Cafes to Work or Study
That’s it for our round up of some of the best BGC restaurants and cafes to hang out at and enjoy delectable eats and drinks. Need suggestions for chill spots outside of BGC? We can also help you out! Check our lists for Metro Manila, Antipolo, Tagaytay, and Cebu. Happy dining!
Featured image credit: St. Louis Cafe | Official Facebook Page
Facebook image credit (L-R): St. Louis Cafe; The Wholesome Table | Official Facebook Page
