I always look forward to brunch or dinner on Sundays! With new restaurants popping up in Manila, there’s a wide array to choose from.
FAVOURITES TO RE-VISIT
But along with the new, the classics remain unperturbed and always worth revisiting such as Mamou for its quality and fairly-priced steak and Via Mare for its Filipino fare.
CLASSICS WITH A TWIST
Though Mamou also serves some serious pasta and its own hearty renditions of Filipino fare, Via Mare’s next-gen version, Manam, has proven to be the “it” place for family and friends’ gatherings with its perennially full branches all over the metro at all times of the day. Must-tries at Manam include its sisig, watermelon or corned beef sinigang and pancit palabok.
NEWER EATS
What’s also exciting about Manila are the spots that serve as safe spaces for anything new. One such spot is the Maginhawa strip in Teachers’ Village, Quezon City, a thriving area known for cheap but delicious eats for university students. One recent family favorite we have there is called Gubat (translates in English as “jungle”) where utensils are unheard of and ceramic plates are replaced with banana leaves. Its simple Filipino menu is a palate cleanser and a fun and unique alternative to the usual haunts of the city.
We would come here after spending an afternoon walking/jogging around University of the Philippines’ century old beautiful tree-lined academic oval, which is conveniently closed off to transportation on weekends, while trying street eats like balut, fish balls and sorbetes ice cream.
CASUAL VIBES
Similarly, in the heart of Makati’s financial district, is the Legazpi Sunday Market where fans of the flea x farmers’ market vibe can enjoy sifting through an assortment of locally made products / sourced produce while ruminating on tasty street food, some with a gourmet touch.
Nearby, Paseo de Roxas along one side of the Ayala Triangle is also closed off on Sundays with cafe and bakery pop-ups. We enjoy meeting up with friends here on a weekend morning to people watch and watch a variety of dog breeds being walked, while the kids play in the playground.
WEEKEND FOOD TRIPS
If one is willing to drive up north of Manila to Pampanga, Denlim’s private dining in San Fernando is a must try with friends who love food, as well as artist Claude Tayag’s Bale Dutung in Angeles.
