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Outdoor dining and al fresco restaurants in Maginhawa

Kara Santos

UPDATED: November 2021

With most tourism establishments still closed and travel still generally restricted, going to a restaurant to eat out is one of the few allowable activities people can do in the city. Dining out gives people a semblance of normalcy and a break from staying home and cooking the entire week.

While it’s still safer to get food delivered compared to dining in, if you do choose to eat out for special occasions or in between errands, it’s best to choose places with outdoor seating and good ventilation. A lot of restaurants in the area have evolved with pandemic times and changed their dining set-up to cater to meet the restrictions.

Here’s an updated list of some spots with outdoor dining and al fresco restaurants in the Maginhawa neighborhood of Quezon City that are currently operational as of November 2021.

Talisay the Garden Cafe

Talisay the Garden Cafe is a modern Filipino restaurant that features elevated classic Filipino food and heirloom recipes.

The renovated ’60s split-level type house along Maginhawa Street offers an airy space with wide glass windows giving a refreshing view of the garden and a few benches, which offer a natural backdrop for taking photos.

This 2021, the restaurant moved their tables from the indoor dining area to the garden area, for a secluded and romantic al fresco dining experience. The whole space also doubles as a garden venue for small weddings, events and pre-nup shoots.

The restaurant offers dishes like Jamon de Talisay (P640), Chicken Pianggang (P420), Paella Mixta (P790), Cassava Cheesecake (P220/slice) and more. This resto is located along a quieter side of Maginhawa Street, where there’s more space for parking right in front of the restaurant and along the street.

Talisay Garden Cafe, 44 Maginhawa, Diliman, Quezon City

Pino / Pipino

Pino Resto Bar recently renovated their restaurant space and reopened at the end of October 2021 with an al fresco vibe and well-ventilated indoor dining set-up. There are now large windows all around the restaurant and a bike rack for cyclists.

The restaurant also serves vegetarian options from sister restaurant Pipino, for those who want something healthier. They serve coffee, all-day breakfast and brunch favorites, merienda fare and more. While the windows of the main dining space are usually closed and air-conditioned in the morning and lunchtime because of the heat, they open all the windows 5pm onwards for a more al fresco feel.

Pino Resto Bar / Pipino. 39 Malingap Street. Open daily from 7am-9pm. Instagram: @pinorestoph

Provenciano

Popular family restaurant Provenciano, which specializes in heirloom and original Filipino cuisine, has converted its typically crowded parking area into an outdoor dining area.

Those who live in the neighborhood can now enjoy familiar home-cooked Filipino favorites in the new al fresco dining spot under the trees while car owners will just have to find another place to park their vehicles.

The restaurant also still serves Christmas favorites Bibingka and Puto Bumbong all year around from the Nipa Hut inspired stall by restaurant’s main entrance. Delivery and takeout is also available.

Provenciano, 110 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Garlic Kitchen

Garlic Kitchen is a casual garden restaurant that serves Asian-Western fusion with garlic-inspired dishes like burgers, lechon baka, chili wings, pasta, and even garlic ice cream.

The main dining space is in an airy outdoor garden space under the trees. The place also doubles as an event venue for small gatherings. 

Garlic Kitchen, 56 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Uno Cinquenta Lifestyle Park

Uno Cinquenta Lifestyle Park is a 600-sqm al fresco dining space and food park that attracts neighborhood foodies for its wide selection of easy to eat comfort food like pizza, noodles, wings and milk tea. The compound also has its own cozy neighborhood-style pub and a wine bar.

The second floor balcony area above some of the food stalls offers a refreshing spot to just hang out and enjoy a couple of drinks outside the house.

Current food park stalls include:

Uno Cinquenta Lifestlye Park. 150 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Z Compound Food Park 

One of the first food parks in the area. This continuously evolving food park offers a laid-back and bike-friendly destination with varied food options. It’s located right next to a car wash and laundromat so it’s a good place to get snacks while doing errands in the area.

Current stalls offer street style Thai cuisine, Shawarma, ramen and gyoza, and home-cooked specialties. It’s also one of the few places in the neighborhood that offers vegan-friendly pizza and other finger foods. The latest addition is a small stall selling ice cold coffee and hot coffee.

Current food park stalls include:

Z Compound. 33A Malingap, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, Kalakhang Maynila

Sagul Malingap Food Park

Another food park along Malingap Street that promotes local art and live music. They were closed most of the lockdown but started operating again as of October 2020 with some brand new food stalls and a couple of bike-related shops in a huge gym-like space.

Current food options include: Hawker Hainanese Chicken, Takoyakiks, Grub Central, Yusuf’s Shawarma and Sagul Bar, among others.

Sagul Malingap Food Park. 43 Malingap, Diliman, Quezon City

Mayaman corner Mahinhin Street

A streetside food strip in a secluded area of Teacher’s Village that contains several small restos including Kanto Pares, Adobo House, Kopi Roti and Salta! Italian Rotisserie Chicken Bar. 

This is one of the more bike-friendly dining destinations in the neighborhood, with bike racks recently put up in front of Kopi Roti.

Mayaman corner Mahinhin Street, Teacher’s Village, Diliman, Quezon City

Warung Indon

Occupying the same space as the former Indonyaki, Warung Indon specializes in Indonesian Asian Cuisine. The second floor balcony set-up offers an open air place to dine.

I highly recommend the Ayam Goreng and Terong Balado here. They’re also available for takeout and delivery.

Warung Indon, 61 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Shao Kao Grillery

A homey 2-storey restaurant right outside a family home in the Teacher’s Village area that serves shao kao or Chinese street-style barbecue.

The best place to sit is in the second floor open-air balcony with a mural showing all the different Maginhawa landmarks.

Shao Kao Grillery. Masinsinan St., Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Hot off the Press

An old residence that’s been converted into a spacious and airy restaurant that serves specialty coffee made with beans sourced from Benguet, pastries, pasta, sandwiches, and rice meals.

The cafe has a few tables in the front patio area of the main restaurant where you can dine outdoors, plus another outdoor dining area at the back of the house. 

Hot off the Press, 163 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City 

Cazuela

Cazuela offers Spanish colonial cuisine like Gambas al Ajillo, Callos, Paella, churros and more. The simple open-air stall can be found in a secluded spot right beside a car wash along Maginhawa. They also offer takeout and delivery options.

Cazuela, 4 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

The Porch by Casa Verde

Homey resto that originated in Cebu hidden along Anonas Street. They serve ribs and comfort food. The outdoor dining space is located in the porch area of the main restaurant. Spacious parking available.

The Porch by Casa Verde, 113 Anonas Ext, Diliman, Quezon City

NOTE: Many other indoor restos in the area have adjusted to the new guidelines by providing a few tables and chairs right on the street or sidewalk for customers. However, seating can be limited.

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