Food Trip: Where to eat in Angono and Binangonan, Rizal (updated 2023)

The towns of Angono and Binangonan in Rizal offer an alternative destination where you can admire art and enjoy food trips near Manila. Angono, known as the “Art Capital of the Philippines,” is home to quirky folk art museums, art galleries like the Blanco Family Museum, and homegrown restaurants that serve native and exotic cuisine.

The neighboring town of Binangonan is also considered a cradle of arts in Rizal. It’s here where you can find the famed Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs (the oldest known work of art in the country) and ArtSector Gallery and Chimney Cafe, an art and food spot that’s grabbed the interest of folk from Metro Manila.

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Food Trip: Where to eat in Antipolo (updated 2023)

Al fresco dining has really made a comeback in the Philippines because of the pandemic. Since restrictions eased earlier this year and COVID cases are down, families and barkadas are dining out all together again during weekends, but many still prefer to meet up in al fresco spaces for safety. While mall-based restos with open air dining are an option, scenic places near Manila like Tagaytay and Tanay have just boomed with al fresco cafes and pop-up coffee stalls.

But because gas is so expensive these days, nearer destinations are becoming more appealing. For those based in the metro, Antipolo is always a popular destination that has an out-of-town feel and great views, but is still relatively near the metro and easy to drive to if you just wan to to enjoy a quick brunch or coffee with friends. For bikers, Antipolo is also one of the most popular spots near Manila to bike to for coffee or weekend rides.

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Where to eat in Maginhawa: Top restaurants to try in 2023

After almost three years of socially distanced dining and making do with home delivery, this is the year to reconnect with family and friends for weekend food trips. While some well-loved establishments along Maginhawa, the “eat street” permanently closed, other restaurants adapted by providing more al fresco dining options or shifting to delivery. Others, which shut their doors, have reopened or branched out.

Here are a few new restaurants and old favorites around the Maginhawa and Malingap neighborhood of Teacher’s Village and nearby UP Diliman in Quezon City where you can go food tripping this 2023.

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Food Trip: Where to eat and drink in Sagada (updated 2023)

After a day of hiking, caving, biking, and other adventure activities, you’ll definitely work up an appetite while in Sagada. Even if you’re just on a chill staycation, you’ll probably get really hungry just walking around town because of the cooler weather and steep roads.

While the small mountain town has fewer dining choices than Baguio City, it’s worth checking out all the unique homegrown restaurants that make use of local ingredients and highlight the rich mountain culture.

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Where to eat in Maginhawa: Top 10 restaurants to try in 2022

With everything happening in the world, sometimes you just have to count your blessings. And one of the things I feel thankful for is that we live in a great neighborhood with lots of good food options.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has left some casualties in the neighborhood Maginhawa restaurant scene. Sadly, the beloved watering hole Tomato Kick has closed down, with a modern new structure currently being built in the place where the old house used to stand. Maginhawa icon Van Gogh is Bipolar also closed its doors amid the lockdown.

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New al fresco cafes with stunning views in Tanay, Rizal

Marilaque, the highway that spans Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon, has always been our go-to destination for weekend rides. For those based in cities in the North and East of Metro Manila (like Quezon City, Pasig, Marikina, etc.), this highway leading to Infanta through the Sierra Madre Mountains is the favored destination for road trips, much like Tagaytay for Southerners.

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Where to eat in Naga City: New al fresco cafes and outdoor dining spots

I recently revisited my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region for the first time since the pandemic started. Like other places impacted by the lack of tourism the past two years, there have been a lot of changes to the food scene.

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Food Trip: Naga City (updated 2022)

NOTE: As of June 2022, many restaurants in Naga City have closed because of the pandemic. I’ve rearranged this list to highlight those that are still currently operating for reference, but have retained the list of old restos in case they still reopen in the future. Most of the restaurants below are those within the main Naga City proper. Post-pandemic “Uptown Naga,” the area of Pacol and Carolina has also become popular for al fresco dining.

In recent years, my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region has become a rising foodie destination. Every visit means that there are new restaurants waiting to be sampled, as well as old favorites that just have to be revisited.

Bikol cuisine is known as being spicy and sweet. Sili (chili peppers) and coconut milk (gata) are used in a lot of dishes, as well as pili nut products for desserts and a unique relish. Here’s a look at some of the best places where you can savor the flavors of Bikol (compiled from numerous visits to Naga to visit my folks), as well as some of the new restaurants worth checking out.

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Bike-friendly craft beer destinations in and near Manila

For road bikers and urban cyclists, coffee rides have become a big thing for weekends. There are just so many new minimalist cafes that have popped up all over the metro that you can ride to every week just to go somewhere new or hang out on those Tambike rides with friends.

But for mountain bikers, there’s nothing quite like a mug of ice cold beer to beat the heat and help you relax and recharge during longer weekend rides, night rides, and bike camping.

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Al fresco dining spots in Bonifacio High Street

Al fresco dining has been the pandemic’s saving grace. Providing safe yet enjoyable ways to delight in a good meal, and rediscover the joy of the great outdoors.

Most of the time, though, al fresco dining is only available in out-of-town restaurants which isn’t really practical when you’re not up for a long drive. The good news is that you no longer need to drive out of the city to find must try al fresco dining options.

At Bonifacio High Street (BHS), you can find all-time crowd favorites and date spots offering outdoor dining, allowing you to savor all sorts of cuisines to suit your taste without having to go very far.

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