Enjoy fresh air and a scrumptious meal at these gorgeous garden restaurants in Quezon City
Whenever we’re in need of some de-stressing and just want a quick bonding moment with our friends or loved ones, dining out is always everyone’s go-to option. However, one fun way to make your usual reunion extra special is dining al fresco! Although your favorite restaurant’s air-conditioned indoor sitting is a much-needed respite from Manila’s heat, dining outdoors has some real benefits.
Having your meal out in the open helps boost your levels of Vitamin D, improves your mood, and even aids your immune system. Plus points if the restaurant of your choice has delectable meals and Instagrammable decors that will make your next catch-up session all the more memorable! If you’re looking for places to dine al fresco with your gang, check out these garden restaurants in Quezon City.
1. NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge
Residents of Loyola Heights may have the upper hand over the rest of the people living in Quezon City because amongst their midst is NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge. The upscale dining destination is set at Chef Niño Laus’ ancestral home, surrounded by a garden. Big groups can benefit from their large dining spaces indoors, but if you’re in for a special date night, you can ask to dine at their gazebos for two.
Lovers of modern cuisine will surely enjoy NINYO’s offerings. They’re known for blending Asian and European flavors beautifully, giving customers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Pair it with a glass of their fine wines, and you’re in for an unforgettable evening.
NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge
- Address: 66 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00am-9:00pm
2. Earth Kitchen
If you’re looking for a healthy meal and also want to dine for a cause, head to Earth Kitchen in White Plains! This cozy garden restaurant in Quezon City is a joint project between Got Heart Foundation and Hizon’s Catering. They aim to provide dishes that are good for your body and the environment by sourcing their ingredients locally and adapting the farm-to-table approach.
Earth Kitchen has a relaxed dining set up where guests can savor their meals while being surrounded by vibrant plants and trees. As for the food, they have a selection of international and local dishes, which you can also enjoy as a vegan. Their Spaghetti with Meatballs is one of their best-selling dishes that will light up your gloomy week!
Earth Kitchen
- Address: 10 B-10 Katipunan Ave. Ext., White Plains, Quezon City
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00am-7:00pm. Strictly by reservation through their Facebook page
3. The Frazzled Cook
For long-time Quezon City dwellers, Tomas Morato is always everyone's preferred hangout spot. If you’re itching to explore this part of the city again, call your friends and meet up at The Frazzled Cook. The eccentric restaurant became famous for its off-beat interiors, making it every Instagrammer’s dream. They also opened an al fresco dining area where guests can try their yummy dishes in a safer but picturesque environment.
The Frazzled Cook specializes in “international cuisine served in a quirky home-cooked style." They have your favorite pizza and pasta dishes, as well as hearty meat and poultry entrees. One dish you should not miss is their Paella Negra. Every rice-loving Filipino will fall in love with its dark grains soaked in squid ink, topped with a generous serving of various types of seafood.
The Frazzled Cook
- Address: 78 Sct. Gandia St, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00am-10:00pm
4. Gubat
Planning a reunion with your fellow plantitos and plantitas while in Quezon City? Head to UP Diliman and have your upcoming get-together at Gubat, Diliman Bonsai Society’s very own garden restaurant. Regardless if you have a green thumb, you and your loved ones can reserve their space for two hours where you can enjoy their outdoor dining area all to yourself while being serviced by their staff.
Gubat serves familiar Filipino dishes and a couple of classic merienda choices that anyone will enjoy. But don’t underestimate their humble menu because each item is packed with flavor! Their fried chicken, which comes with fresh vegetables and salted egg, is a crowd favorite.
Gubat
- Address: Diliman Bonsai Society, CP Garcia, Diliman QC
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00am-8:00pm. Strictly by reservation
5. The Hummingbird Rooftop Bar
If you’re up for some drinks, The Hummingbird Rooftop Bar is a nice change of scenery from your usual bar or watering holes. This open-air spot located at the rooftop of Stonehouse Hotel in Quezon City is light and airy, with plants and various greeneries everywhere. They also have homey interiors with a nice view of the city, perfect for your Instagram shots while devouring their food and drinks.
The Hummingbird will quench your thirst with its wide array of drinks, ranging from cocktails to stronger beverages. Their food menu is also impressive. Aside from your usual bar chow items, they also have filling, elevated Asian dishes you can try. Their one-of-a-kind baos, including chicken, pork, and beef, are must-tries.
The Hummingbird Rooftop Bar
- Address: 1315 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00am-9:00pm, Strictly by reservation through their Facebook page or by contacting 09451334751
6. Garlic Kitchen
Maginhawa is known to house various restaurants and cafes offering different types of cuisines. If you’re yet to tick all your must-tries here, add Garlic Kitchen to your list. This garden restaurant in Quezon City has a beautiful outdoor dining setup, mixing its natural surroundings with hints of industrial design. At night, it becomes the perfect date spot for lovers once its string of bulb lights comes to life!
True to its name, Garlic Kitchen specializes in Asian-Western fusion cuisine, blending most of its dishes with garlic. One item you should get is their Garlic Infused Lechon Baka. The beef dish will remind you of classic roast beef and comes with a piece of bone marrow.
Garlic Kitchen
- Address: #56 Maginhawa, Diliman, Quezon City
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00am-8:00pm
7. Talisay The Garden Cafe
If you’re missing the flavors of Cebu, another Maginhawa restaurant that you should try is Talisay The Garden Cafe. Chef Tatung Sarthou, the owner, transformed their house into this sleek and modern-looking dining establishment, but still with a homey feel. They also opened their garden to guests for those who prefer to dine al fresco.
Chef Tatung brought his most loved Filipino dishes to Talisay The Garden Cafe and gave them an elevated interpretation. Their melt-in-your-mouth Lengua Con Setas, made with ox tongue and decadent mushroom gravy is one of their signature items.
Talisay The Garden Cafe
- Address: 44 Maginhawa, Diliman, Quezon City
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00am-8:00pm. Strictly by reservation
8. Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant
A list of garden restaurants in Quezon City will not be complete without Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. This oldie but goodie is one of the city’s finest, serving French Mediterranean cuisine and top-caliber wines sourced from all over the world. They also became popular for their whimsical atmosphere, making it a prime date destination and even wedding venue of choice by many couples.
Don’t worry about finding a spot here because Lemuria has plenty of seats for its guests. However, reservation is required, so contact them in advance. As for the food, every item on their fine-dining menu is worth the splurge. Indulge yourself in any of their steak offerings, like their Cape Grim Angus or SRF Gold Label Wagyu.
Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant
- Address: 5 Julieta Circle, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City
- Opening hours: Friday-Sunday, 4:00pm-8:00pm. Strictly by reservation
9. Provenciano
Provenciano is one of the staples in Maginhawa, Quezon City if you’re craving Filipino food. This fine-dining restaurant will make you feel like you’re back at your childhood home in the province with their eye-catching interiors filled with classic Filipino trinkets and displays. But if you’re into dining outdoors, they’ve also opened up their front garden to hungry diners.
Provenciano’s food offerings are obviously Filipino through and through. You can find almost all of your comfort food here, plus a couple of Spanish dishes. But their main attractions are their Crispy Pata and the holiday favorites: Bibingka and Puto Bumbong.
Provenciano
- Address: 110 Maginhawa, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, 1101 Kalakhang Maynila
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00am-9:00pm
10. The Porch by Casa Verde
The last on our list of garden restaurants in Quezon City is technically not a garden but a porch. Fans of Cebu’s Casa Verde don’t need to fly to the Queen City of the South to try their famous ribs and stop by The Porch. Although they have an indoor sitting area, their al fresco setup is a refreshing and picturesque alternative if you’re craving the outdoors.
The Porch offers familiar American food items like buffalo wings, steaks, and milkshakes, but the real star here is their humongous burger. The Might Ton is made of 1kg-USDA tenderloin patty topped with bacon, cheese, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. The 12-inch beast can be shared by 3-4 people.
The Porch by Casa Verde
- Address: 113 Anonas Ext, Diliman, Quezon City
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00am-8:00pm