When the pandemic first struck the Philippines, dining in was immensely discouraged. In place of this were deliveries, drive-thrus, and take-outs. Eventually, customers craved more: We wanted restaurant ambiences once again, but without compromising the safety of everyone. Since then, outdoor dining has become more appealing.
However, there has remained a teeny bit of a problem: the sweltering heat of the Philippines. The solution? Dining amidst plants. These garden restaurants in and near Metro Manila understand how plants provide good shade, purify the air, and make the al fresco experience just more enjoyable.
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
Global flavours, comfort food, healthy choices, and art appreciation — these are what GypsyMaginhawa by Chef Waya stands for. Initially, the cafe was founded to celebrate the local food community, and guests from all over would gather to enjoy their gourmet meals.
With the pandemic, the restaurant shifted towards bringing their kitchen to their customers’ table by opening a speciality grocery store that offers mostly keto, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Address: 28 Maginhawa St. 1103 Quezon City
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.
Address: Diliman Bonsai Society, CP Garcia, Diliman QC
Perfect for celebrating special moments, 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
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
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.
Address: #11 Isabelo Mendoza St. San Roque 1801 Marikina City
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 its 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
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
If you’re a cafe hopper, you’re probably familiar with Tablo already. With branches in Tomas Morato, Las Piñas, and Parañaque, this restaurant has become quite a hit across Metro Manila with its signature interior decorations: lush indoor plants and modern bohemian furniture. The flamboyant ambience sets the mood for the satisfactory menu, which offers a wide selection of dishes, from salads to rice meals to pasta platters. Their beverages don’t miss, either! You can order coffee, shakes, cervezas, cocktails, and wine — they have quite an expansive list of F&B, so best visit with a group of friends and have everything for sharing.
Also read: 14 Coffee Shops in Quezon City That You Have to Visit
No shame in visiting a cafe for the ‘Gram. If you’re interested at all in aesthetic cafes, make sure to drop by Cafe Guilt, which has been an Instagram favourite for its rustic atmosphere. You can either feast inside for a cool meal or dine al fresco. Either way, you’ll be surrounded by tropical garden plants, chic artwork, and pleasant servers. As for the food: Cafe Guilt has decent meals, whether you’re in the mood for guilt-free or “full-of-guilt” dishes. They also have coffee, milkshakes, smoothies, and cocktails.
Also read: The Most Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Metro Manila
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
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
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
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
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
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