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Best Restaurants in Quezon City

Best Restaurants in Quezon City

Quezon City Metro Manila, Philippines Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Cultural Context

Filipino cuisine reflects the country's the colonial past and commerce relations. It emphasizes a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and savory flavors. Staples include rice, fish, pork, and various vegetables.

Each influence added layers to the culinary identity, creating an unique and complex gastronomic landscape.

Dining Customs

  • Kamayan: Eating with bare hands, typically over banana leaves. Always use your right hand.
  • Communal Dining: Dishes are often shared family-style.
  • Dining Etiquette: Wait to be invited to eat. Offer food to others before serving yourself.
  • Utensils: Most Filipinos use a spoon and fork; the spoon is the main eating utensil.

Flavors & Regions

Ingredients

Rice, garlic, onions, ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, calamansi, patis (fish sauce), and bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).

Dominant Flavors

Often a mixture of sour (vinegar, calamansi, tamarind), salty (soy sauce, fish sauce), and savory (garlic, onion, meat bases).

Regional Diversity

Quezon City does not feature distinct regional cuisine within the city; however, its diverse population means you can find restaurants specializing in various regional Filipino dishes.

Meal Times

  • Breakfast (Almusal): Typically between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
  • Lunch (Tanghalian): The heaviest meal, usually between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
  • Dinner (Hapunan): Typically between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
  • Merienda: Mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks are frequent and can be substantial.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes

Adobo

The national dish. Meat (pork, chicken, or both) braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and peppercorns. It displays a savory and tangy flavor.

Widely available in almost all Filipino restaurants.

Sinigang

A sour and savory soup, often with pork (Baboy), shrimp (Hipon), or fish (Isda). Tamarind (sampalok) provides the sourness.

Available in most Filipino eateries.

Lechon

A whole roasted pig, known for its crispy skin and tender meat. Often served at celebrations.

Many specialty "lechon houses" operate in Quezon City.

Street Food & Beverages

  • Isaw: Grilled chicken or pork intestines on a skewer.
  • Kwek-Kwek: Quail eggs dipped in orange batter and deep-fried.
  • Fishball, Kikiam, Squidball: Deep-fried processed balls with various sauces.
  • Taho: Warm silken tofu with arinbal (brown sugar syrup) and sago.

Drinks & Snacks

Non-alcoholic Beverages

Calamansi Juice, Buko Juice (fresh coconut water), Sago't Gulaman (sweet drink).

Alcoholic Beverages

San Miguel Beer (Pale Pilsen, Light), Red Horse Beer (stronger lager), Tanduay Rhum (local rum).

Dining Options

Fine Dining

Quezon City features several upscale restaurants, especially in zones like Eastwood City, Tomas Morato, and within luxury hotels.

  • Provenance at Seda Vertis North.
  • Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant.
  • Both Filipino and international cuisine.

Mid-Range & Casual

Find abundant mid-range restaurants throughout Quezin The city, especially in commercial centers, malls, and dining hubs.

  • Tomas Morato dining options.
  • Maginhawa Street eateries.
  • Eastwood City restaurants.

Budget Eateries & Street Food

Carinderias and street food stalls display affordable local dishes. Fast-casual dining chains are also widely available.

  • Carinderias everywhere for budget-friendly meals.
  • Street food stalls in busy areas like Maginhawa Street.
  • Local chains like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and Chowking.

Markets & Food Halls

Local Markets

Farmers Market in Cubao features fresh produce, seafood, meat, and a lively food court. Kamuning Market also has food stalls.

Offers diverse local goods.

Food Courts

Many malls feature extensive food courts, and specialized food parks exist in areas like Maginhawa or Congressional Avenue.

Variety of cuisines in one place.

Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian & Vegan

Increasingly available, especially in health-conscious cafes and international restaurants.

Halal Options

Dedicated Halal restaurants are limited in Quezon City. Some international hotel restaurants may display options upon request.

Gluten-Free

Awareness grows but is not widespread. Clear communication with restaurant the employees are needed.

Allergen Awareness

Always inform staff about severe allergies. Filipino cuisine often uses nuts, seafood, soy, and dairy.

Culinary Experiences

Classes & Tours

  • Cooking Classes: Some local culinary schools or private chefs display Filipino cooking classes in Metro Manila, accessible from Quezwithin The city.
  • Food Tours: Several companies display guided food tours that explore local markets, street food, and specialty restaurants. Often focus on specific areas like Maginhawa Street or Binondo.
  • Farm Visits: Less common within Quezon City itself. For farm visits, travel outside Metro Manila.
  • Food Festivals: Quezon City hosts various food bazaars, evening markets, and occasional food festivals, especially around specific holidays.

Unique Concepts

Maginhawa Street

Famous for its independent, quirky, and themed restaurants displaying diverse cuisines at student-friendly prices.

A hub for unique dining.

Food Parks

Open-air dining complexes feature multiple food stalls and often live music. New ones continue to emerge.

Dynamic dining spots.

Seasonal & Beyond

Seasonal & Festival Foods
Bibingka (Christmas)
Puto Bumbong (Christmas)
Fresh Mangoes (March-June)
Dietary Resources

Online searches using "vegetarian Quezon City" or "Halal Quezon City" are useful. Apps like HappyCow provide information.

  • The happycow application.
  • Language translation apps.
  • Local community groups.
Special Request Tips

Clear communication with restaurant staff is vital for specific dietary needs.

Confirm ingredients carefully, especially for fish sauce (patis) or shrimp paste (bagoong) in vegetarian dishes.

External Food Resources

Dining Pointers

Always observe local dining customs, especially when invited to someone's home.

  • Be open to trying new flavors.
  • Portion sizes can be generous, especially family-style.
  • Tipping is appreciated but not strictly mandatory in casual eateries.
  • Wash hands before kamayan dining.
  • Enjoy the diverse culinary journey!