Since the pandemic started, people have opted to stay safe indoors and get food delivered at home instead of dining out. But for those who are out on errands or bikers on exercise rides looking for a bite to eat, the safest option for dining in is at al fresco restaurants with outdoor seating. Dining with members of your own household offers a relatively safe option compared to dining in mall-based and enclosed indoor establishments.

Here are just a few restaurants with al fresco dining and safety protocols in place where you can enjoy a pleasant meal in Marikina.

Rustic Mornings

Rustic Mornings by Isabelo is a long-time Marikina favorite that offers all-day breakfast, brunch, lunch meals, pastries and coffee. The famous garden restaurant has reconfigured its space to maximize the al fresco seating areas, with cozy nooks spread about in different areas of the garden for more privacy. Each spot in the garden has its own unique theme, giving diners a unique experience every time they visit.

Rustic Mornings serves hearty all-day breakfast and brunch meals like buttermilk pancakes, waffles, all-veggie omelet, cheesy chicken fricassee, Filipino meals, pizza and sandwiches, fresh fruit shakes, coffee and dessert.

Rustic Mornings. 11 Isabelo Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City

Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe

Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe is another relaxing garden cafe in Marikina. Hidden within a quiet, residential area of Marikina Heights, this rustic resto doesn’t get as crowded as other mall-based restaurants. Diners can enjoy meals from the restaurant’s outdoor gazebo surrounded by lush greenery.

Greg & Sally serves homemade family recipes of breakfast and brunch dishes, salads and refreshing herb-based drinks (Pandan Lemongrass, Dalandan Tarragon, Calamansi Mint Coolers) and Pinoy deserts like Buko Pandan using herbs from their garden.

Greg and Sally Tree Garden Cafe. 145 Ipil St cor Champaca, Marikina Heights, Marikina City

Pan de Amerikana

Pan de Amerikana, which has been dishing out pan de sal since the 1950s, now has an outdoor cafe for quick breakfast rides & a grocery pickup and drive-thru/walkthrough for takeout.

They’ve also converted the indoor portion of their restaurant to an exclusive photo area with over 30 IG-worthy spots. Entrance is P250 a head, minimum of 4-10 pax to “Dine & Explore.”

92 Gen. Ordoñez Ave, Marikina, 1811 Metro Manila

Beefalo

Beefalo by Hot Rocks is another local spot located at the far end of Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina. This ranch-style house inspired by vintage roadside pit stops offers a homey backyard dining experience.

Guests can dine in the spacious front lawn decked out in green-checked tablecloths and patio lights. The restaurant’s menu is made up of American staples like ribs and steaks, as well as sandwiches, burgers and pizzas, peppered with Filipino favorites.

Beefalo by Hot Rocks. Lot 6, Block 3, Mayor Gil Fernando Ave, Marikina, Kalakhang Maynila

Inarawan Cafe

Inarawan Cafe is a relatively new coffee shop located in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City that’s fast becoming a neighborhood favorite. The shop serves the best local coffee from Batangas and freshly baked breads by Pastileria. Originally one of the many pop-up coffee stalls that sold coffee along Marilaque, the cafe actually evolved into a permanent coffee shop due to the pandemic.

With their fixed location in Marikina, the tiny cafe has been able to expand their offerings with affordable drinks and rice meals, which guests can enjoy in the cozy open-air cafe. The cafe has grill walls covered in plants, a Japanese bike hanging overhead, wooden benches and tables set up on the sidewalk.

Kape Inarawan. 2 Sampaguita St, San Isidro II, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, Sampaguita Street in front of St. Vincent Hospital.

NOTE: A version of this article was also published in PhilStar Wheels.