Since COVID-19 struck the Philippines, dining in has been discouraged. In place of this has been deliveries, drive-thrus, and take-outs. Eventually, customers craved for more: We wanted restaurant ambience once again, but without compromising the safety of everyone. Hence, outdoor dining has become the new normal.
In the midst of a pandemic, the benefits of outdoor dining certainly outweigh the cons. However, there remains a teeny bit of a problem: COVID-19 doesn’t cancel out the sweltering heat of the Philippines at all; not to mention, there’s the claustrophobic effect of wearing face shields and masks, too.
In retrospect, dining out isn’t as delightful as we’d imagine it to be… unless we find ourselves in one of these garden restaurants in Metro Manila. After all, #plantsarelife — they provide good shade, purify the air, and make the al fresco experience all in all enjoyable.
Note: While we do our best to stay accurate, some of these places might be temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Rest assured that they’re all still up and running, as of writing.
Garden restaurants in Metro Manila for a presko outdoor dining experience
1. Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe
A quintessential garden restaurant in Metro Manila, Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe offers affordable Filipino food infused with herbs and vegetables. Its ambience has the typical provincial vibe, sprawling with greens, furnished with wooden seatings, and enhanced with romantic outdoor lighting. With its abundant flora, Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe provides a presko dining environment, even when you visit for lunch on a hot summer day!
Address: 145 Ipil St cor Champaca, Marikina Heights 1810 Marikina City
2. Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe
Global flavours, comfort food, healthy choices, and art appreciation — these are what Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe stands for. Originally, the cafe was a celebration of the local community, and guests from all over would gather around to enjoy their gourmet meals.
With the pandemic, the restaurant shifted towards bringing their kitchen to their customers’ table by opening up a speciality grocery store that offers mostly keto, vegetarian, and vegan options. Dining in is still allowed, but customers are now required to reserve their slots in advance.
Address: 28 Maginhawa St. 1103 Quezon City
3. Gubat
A hidden garden restaurant in Quezon City, Gubat advocates sustainable living and prides itself in serving low-waste meals. It serves Filipino dishes in banana leaves, requiring customers to eat kamayan-style. The simple atmosphere of Gubat is what sets it apart — and with their strict protocols now, the experience is more intimate than ever.
To keep their customers safe, dining is limited to 14 people per timeslot. Private reservations are also available. This said, Gubat is still open to walk-in customers but encourages reservations for a secured slot.
Address: Diliman Bonsai Society, CP Garcia, Diliman QC
4. Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant
Perfect for celebrating special moments intimately, Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant provides a romantic ambience for a fancy dining experience. Hidden in a residential compound in New Manila, the restaurant used to be a home with an expansive open garden. Today, the garden functions as the al fresco area which welcomes diners to enjoy their exquisite meals and fine wines underneath the trailing bougainvillaea.
Address: 5 Julieta Circle Horseshoe Village 1112 Quezon City
5. Ninyo Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge
An Asian and European fusion garden restaurant in Metro Manila, Ninyo Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge offers sophisticated gastronomy of both Japanese and French cuisine. Even pre-pandemic, the restaurant has long honoured the privacy of their customers with seatings separated by portières. Now that Ninyo Fusion strictly heeds safety protocols, the restaurant provides private garden tables for each customer.
Address: 66 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights 1108 Quezon City
6. Rustic Mornings by Isabelo Garden
Breakfast persons are widely welcome to dine in Rustic Mornings, a homey oasis that offers divine comfort food and breakfast staples. Nestling its dining areas are plants upon plants, which is unsurprising if you remember the restaurant’s original name: Isabelo Garden.
As it rose to fame, Rustic Mornings expanded to seat over a hundred guests at a time! During COVID-19, the restaurant limits guests up to 50% of its capacity, and accepts dine-in customers on a reservation basis only.
Address: #11 Isabelo Mendoza St. San Roque 1801 Marikina City
7. The Wholesome Table
There is no better time than now to start a healthy lifestyle. An organic garden restaurant in Metro Manila, The Wholesome Table advocates clean and nutritious meals, sourcing ingredients from local and organic products as much as possible.
While the wellness restaurant shut down early into the COVID-19 pandemic, all their branches have officially reopened after a few months. Diners are once again welcome to relish in their favourite green restaurant, safely in their al fresco areas.
Address: Ground Floor Greenbelt 2 Esperanza St, Cor Greenbelt Dr, Ayala Center, Makati
8. Café Ysabel
One of the oldest garden restaurants in Manila, Cafe Ysabel has served Filipino and European cuisine for over three decades now. The elegant ancestral-home-turned-restaurant has won countless hearts for its fantastic food pairings, world-class service, and old-world charm.
To cater to their loyal customers even during COVID-19, Cafe Ysabel keeps its al fresco dining area open. Guests can enjoy their delicious meals under the presko shades of age-old trees.
Address: 175 M.Paterno St. San Juan City 1500 San Juan
9. Avelina’s Kitchen by Healthy Meals Ph
Amid the pandemic, Avelina’s Kitchen continues to thrive, thanks to its delicious heritage dishes and dreamy ambience. Most customers enjoy steak and wine nights at this garden restaurant in Metro Manila; the fancy meals are made more romantic on the roof deck dining area, where guests can dine under the stars.
Address: H Cafe and Events Place, No 2 Scout Limbaga Cor Mother Ignacia, Quezon City
10. Wings N’ Grill Garden
Craving unlimited chicken wings and rice? Wings N’ Grill is definitely the place for this. This garden restaurant in Marikina is largely al fresco, allowing you to enjoy your meals in the fresh, outdoor air. You can even bring your pets if you wish!
Address: 68 Ipil St., Marikina Heights Marikina City
Also read: Outdoor Dining in Manila: 20 Restaurants with the Best Al Fresco Areas
Garden restaurants near Metro Manila: Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna
11. Campo Cabana
Certified plantitos and plantitas will certainly enjoy Campo Cabana, a hidden gem in Taytay. Set up with wood accents and flourishing plants, the restaurant offers an ethereal escape from the city.
Campo Cabana serves Filipino and American meals, including silogs, pasta, and refreshing smoothies. The area is also available for rent for photoshoots and intimate celebrations.
Address: Dentong Ponciano’s Compound, Kaytikling Rotonda, Ortigas Ave Ext, Taytay, Rizal
12. Miguel’s Garden Cafe
Whether you’re in Laguna or Antipolo, you can drop by a quick visit for a visit at Miguel’s Garden Cafe. Both branches are garden restaurants near Manila, and are well-loved by diners for their spacious al fresco areas and well-ventilated indoor spaces.
The restaurant in Laguna offers all-day breakfast, pasta, sandwiches, steak, chicken, and a large selection of salmon dishes. Meanwhile, the newly-opened branch in Antipolo serves gourmet pizza, pasta, cakes, speciality coffee, and tsokolate batirol.
Address: Kota Paradiso, Mabitac, Laguna; Kota Antipolo, Sitio Hopeville, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo, Rizal
Also read: 12 Relaxing Cafes in Antipolo to Escape Manila’s Busy City Life
13. Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant
Longing for a taste of the past? Sulyap Gallery Cafe gives you just that. This multi-awarded restaurant offers both traditional and modern Filipino cuisine, served amid a nostalgic ambience with an artsy flair. So, make sure you enjoy the antique paintings and furniture vis-à-vis flourishing plants when you dine here!
Address: Brgy. Del Remedio, Cocoland Compound 4000 San Pablo City, Laguna
Also read: Greenhouse Cafe Tagaytay Has Over 60 Rare & Exotic Plants
These garden restaurants in Metro Manila prove that presko outdoor dining is possible in our tropical country. Ready to safely pig out again? Dress up in your best picnic outfits and gear up to dine out!
Featured image credit: Campo Cabana | Official Facebook Page
