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Road Trip Restaurants: Manila East Road

Kara Santos

Updated: January 2016

Aside from Marcos Highway / Marilaque, the Manila East Road is another popular destination for cyclists, riders and road trippers. This highway traverses the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Laguna, starting from the junction of Ortigas Avenue in Taytay, Rizal all the way through towns surrounding Laguna de Bay and ends at a junction with the Pan-Philippine Highway in Calamba City.

If you’re going for a day trip, the towns surrounding Laguna de Bay are a good place to rest and take a pit stop. Aside from the scenic view overlooking the lake, you can also visit the Wind Farm in Pililla. The spot is already fast becoming a tourist attraction for riders, cyclists and road-trippers. Here’s a directory of some of the restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat during your road trips here.

The viewpoint along Manila East Road overlooking Laguna Lake is a popular stop for riders and bikers. You can see Talim Island in the distance. You can also buy drinks and snacks from vendors here to recharge for the uphill climb ahead.

NENG’S GALLEY

An open air restaurant that serves Filipino fare, Asian dishes and group meals. Most of the main dishes here are good for 2-3 persons. Was on a solo ride when I visited the place, so I just ordered the Tapsilog (P90), which looked and tasted pretty good. They serve breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Plus points for presentation and friendly service.

Neng’s Galley also offers group meal packages (P2400; good for 10 pax), which consists of four family-style sharing dishes (ex. Inihaw na Liempo, Crispy Pata, Fried Chicken, Bulalo), plus rice, iced tea, pitchers & dessert.

Neng’s Galley. Manila East Road, Barangay Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal, 1980 Tanay, Rizal (near Cheska Rice Mill)

STEFANIE’S KITCHEN GRILL & RESTAURANT*

A decent looking restaurant right next to a large Caltex Gas Station along the highway, so it looks like a good place for a pit stop. It was closed when I passed by, but will check it out next time I go to the area.

THE DAILY BEANS COFFEE LOUNGE & RESTAURANT*

A cafe that serves a mix of breakfast, brunch, Filipino, French and Italian food as well as sandwiches and seafood. I haven’t eaten here yet, but the place and food looks good based on their Facebook photos.

Km. 56 Manila East Road, Brgy. Hulo, Pililla, Rizal

BULAWAN FLOATING RESTAURANT

One of the older and more well-known restaurants along the Manila East Road. This resto has been around for a while and looks a bit run down, but it still serves some pretty good meals like crispy pata, bulalo and seafood. The restaurant itself doesn’t really float, but diners can eat in different cottages separated by bridges and ponds. Fishing activities are offered here. For a fee, you can catch fish in their pond, and have it grilled or cooked in their kitchen.

I really enjoyed the crabs cooked in gata and ensaladang talong (highly recommended) during our last visit. The restaurant has a spacious and secure parking lot for all types of vehicles. You can get a good view of the Wind Farm on the hills from the road here. Friendly service. Food can be a bit expensive though. Expect to spend about P300-P400 per person especially if you order multiple dishes & drinks. Good for families and big groups.

Bulawan Floating Restaurant. Km. 59, Manila East Road, National Highway, Halayhayin, 1910 Pililla, Rizal
  • Restaurant hours: Mon – Sun: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
  • Tel. no: 5853234
  • Email: bulawanresto@gmail.com
  • Facebook page: Bulawan Floating Restaurant

HACIENDA PISONG KAPE

A popular pitstop and landmark among road bikers and cyclists in Pililla, Rizal. This humble roadside carinderia offers cheap turo-turo food and goto as well as drinks and coffee. I don’t have a photo of the place yet, but it’s a little past Villa Lorenza, which is across Bulawan Floating Restaurant.

KAWAYAN FARM

This is a farm in Pililla, Rizal that sells bamboo seedlings and also runs a restaurant serving Pinoy meals. There’s an enclosed dining space near the entrance that can seat larger groups, while the airy dining spots with bamboo walls and floors at the back are ideal for families or smaller groups. The food is mostly family-style Filipino fare, with a few dishes making use of bamboo shoots like labong (a spicy Bicol express dish) and lumpia (egg roll filled with lettuce and bamboo shoots).

The resto has a nice view of Laguna Lake. Restrooms are clean and well-maintained. Spacious and secure parking lot for all types of vehicles. You can see the wind turbines up close from here.

Kawayan Farm Restaurant. Km 63 East Road, Brgy. Halayhayin, Pililla, Rizal

KAFE PARADISO MABITAC

Located inside Kota Paradiso Farm Estates, a real estate area being developed as a subdivision complex, Kafe Paradiso is an al fresco restaurant serving all day Breakfast, Filipino and Western dishes. Breakfast meals like Beef tapa and Longganisa are reasonably priced at P99 each with refillable coffee. Bestsellers include
Crispy Buntot ng Tuna, Bulalo, Sisig and Kare-Kareng Lechon. Combo meals like Kare-Kareng Lechon with Rice & Lumpiang Ubod or Tinapa Rice with Liempo Strips cost P349 to P399 (good for 2).

The restaurant has clean restrooms and secure parking for all types of vehicles. It’s located across a Bee Farm, which you can visit after eating. Just look out for the red Dutch-style windmill along the road in Mabitac that you’ll pass after the Pililla Wind Farm. Good for groups.

Kafe Paradiso, Kota Paradiso Bgy. San Miguel, Mabitac, Laguna

SIERRA HILLS EXOTIK

A large touristy restaurant that serves Pinoy fare and some exotic dishes (subject to availability). Pleasant ambiance and good for big groups.

It can get really crowded and service is slow especially during Holy Week, when road trippers head to visit the historic churches in the Laguna area, but it’s an interesting destination in itself.

Sierra Hills Exotik Restaurant. National Highway, Brgy. Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna

NOTE: This list was compiled from several motorcycling, biking and road trips by car to the area. Will update this list regularly. Feel free to leave suggestions on other good places to eat along Manila East Road. 🙂

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