Marilaque, the freeway that spans Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon, has all the time been our go-to vacation spot for weekend rides. For these primarily based in cities within the North and East of Metro Manila (like Quezon Metropolis, Pasig, Marikina, and so forth.), this freeway resulting in Infanta by way of the Sierra Madre Mountains is the favored vacation spot for highway journeys, very similar to Tagaytay for Southerners.
A decade in the past, once we began frequenting this space, there weren’t a variety of locations to eat aside from Mang Vic’s, Sierra Madre Resort, Pranjetto Hills, Frank’s Bulalohan, and Jariel’s Peak which simply served budget-friendly meals for cyclists and bike riders. By the years, newer locations had been established like Cafe Katerina, Martessem, Paseo Rizal, and Lutong Pugon which made the freeway much more in style amongst riders and households searching for wider meals choices.
READ MORE: Highway Journey restaurants alongside Marilaque (2018)
However for the reason that pandemic hit in March 2020, the realm has simply boomed with pop-up espresso outlets and a complete new crop of family-friendly al fresco eating places with well-designed interiors specializing in several types of delicacies and serve top quality espresso in comparison with the standard brewed and 3-in-1 choices of the previous.
The realm is turning into an alternative choice to Antipolo and Tagaytay in terms of meals journeys and trip resorts. With extra households searching for scenic locations close to Manila for meals journeys and urbanites who only in the near past received into biking and motorcycling through the pandemic, there are much more eating places to select from lately.
Listed below are a number of the latest al fresco eating places and cafes alongside Marilaque simply established from 2021-2022 (that I’ve personally been to) to your weekend meals journey and occasional rides. There are nonetheless a LOT of latest developments within the space.
NOTE: The record is organized by way of distance coming from Quezon Metropolis with the closest ones first. I’ve included their location on Googlemaps for simpler reference.
Kaulayaw at Cuyambay (Cuyambay X)
Apart from Kaulayaw Espresso’s department in Antipolo, which might get fairly crowded and arduous to park on weekends, there’s a brand new department in Cuyambay that gives a extra chill place for riders and cyclists to chill out and have espresso on weekends. Kaulayaw Espresso is positioned in a small space known as Cuyambay X, which has a number of cafes with completely different meals ideas accessible by way of one entrance, together with Kamala Cafe, which serves Thai meals and Midoriyama Ramen Bistro, a Japanese restaurant.
Kaulayaw Espresso is the primary space you’ll spot proper subsequent to a small parking space for bike riders and cyclists. The principle al fresco space presents a comfortable spot with an important view the place cyclists can take pleasure in espresso with their bikes simply parked subsequent to them or at the least in plain sight of the car parking zone.
However in case it’s raining or is just too scorching, the cafe additionally has an enclosed eating space a number of steps down with broad glass home windows that also presents an important view and safety from the weather. What’s nice concerning the cafe and the opposite restos right here is that they had been constructed constructed round current bushes. It seems to be like a extremely chill place to take pleasure in a cup of espresso with family and friends.
Kamala Cafe
Kamala Cafe, opened in 2022, is likely one of the latest al fresco eating places within the Rizal space. The country cafe, which can also be a part of Cuyambay X, serves genuine Thai delicacies and presents gorgeous unobstructed views of the mountains and Laguna Lake. The cafe feels very pure, because it makes use of a variety of wooden accents and appears to have been constructed round current bushes on the ridge, which I undoubtedly admire.
Kamala Cafe serves a targeted menu of Thai dishes, together with Pad Thai, Satay, Tom Yum, Thai Iced and Scorching Espresso, Sticky Rice and Mango, and extra. Since they’ve only a few meals choices, they will give attention to high quality.
Kamala Cafe is a bit hidden and straightforward to overlook, because it’s positioned early on in Marilaque simply throughout the highway from Pico de Pino. The cafe makes use of the identical entrance as Kaulayaw Coffes’s Cuyambay department. That is good for {couples} on dates and small teams if you’d like a spot that’s somewhat bit quiet.
Tanay Highlands Cafe
If you happen to’re touring with your loved ones or a big group, Tanay Highlands Cafe is likely one of the finest choices as a result of it’s very spacious, has sufficient parking for automobiles and has a large view deck that’s an important spot for group picture ops.
I believe Tanay Highlands Cafe presents one of the crucial photogenic views within the space, since you get an important unobstructed view of mountains with the Pililla Windmills within the distance framed by Laguna lake, and a lush forested space with pine bushes proper in entrance.
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This new al fresco restaurant specialty Café, presents all-day breakfast meals, pasta, sandwiches and fascinating drinks like Ube Halaya Latte, Chocnut Nostalgia and S’Mores Mocha drinks. The place is pet-friendly and bike-friendly as nicely, with a number of racks for purchasers. The area additionally serves as an occasions place & tenting spot.
Ichan Tanay Viewpoint Dampa
Ichan Tanay Viewpoint Dampa is a brand new al fresco eating spot proper beside Cafe Katerina that serves meals, espresso supplied by Kape Natividad, and beer. The resto has a small backyard with a touristy Tanay signal for picture ops.
Based mostly on the title of the place, I used to be anticipating the place to specialize primarily in seafood, however additionally they had typical breakfast meals, pizza and pasta, together with the seafood choices like Salmon Sinigang, Seafood Kare-Kare and Chargrilled Squid. We ordered the Squid Sisig and Grilled Scallops.
To be sincere, the meals may nonetheless use some enchancment by way of presentation and style (particularly for the worth), however the place itself was nice. I used to be stunned to search out Boondocks Session Ale and Katipunan Craft Beer being served on faucet right here (P195/250 ml mug), which sort of saved the go to.
Wyndell’s Al Fresco
For households/clans and bigger teams, Wyndell’s Al Fresco is likely one of the hottest eating places to dine within the Tanay space. From the doorway, it doesn’t look too huge, however Wyndell’s presents a surprisingly giant area the place visitors can dine with a view.
There’s a small cafe close to the doorway for fast snacks and drinks, an open air grill that gives steak and seafood like grilled oysters, and even a Okay-BBQ al fresco restaurant for unli samgyup. Additionally they serve a number of worldwide beer manufacturers and native craft beer like Loopy Carabao, which remains to be uncommon within the space.
The meals right here is a little more dear than different restos alongside the Marilaque strip, however the view is nice particularly round sundown and there are a variety of dishes to select from. They generally have dwell music right here at night time. Parking generally is a huge tight alongside the freeway for automobiles because it’s positioned beside a variety of different eating places, however there’s a safe parking space on the premises for bikes.
Café Marisse
Cafè Marisse is an overlooking bar and restaurant positioned at Sitio Mayagay 1, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. The strategic location at a bend of the highway means guests get entry to an important panoramic view of the mountains.
The cafe has a number of kubo kind huts and gazebos for teams, but additionally has a semi-enclosed and roofed multi-level eating space with nice interiors that may entice households and {couples}.
The cafe serves good espresso and dishes like Hen Caesar Salad, Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowls), and Pesto Pasta (selections toppings Tempura or Grilled Hen), amongst others.
Kabsat Grill and Restaurant
Established in June 2021, Kabsat Grill and Restaurant is an al fresco restaurant that serves Filipino delicacies, pasta, sandwiches and extra. It’s positioned in Sitio Mayagay 1, Brgy. Sampaloc (in between Villa Gavina Resort and Pranjetto Hills resort).
NOTE: We visited in July 2021 when the place was only a month previous, and haven’t had an opportunity to take a look at new dishes. It’s a pleasant chill spot for night time rides if you wish to take pleasure in homey meals and dwell music.
Yeyi’s Pizzeria & Cafe
Just like the title suggests, Yeyi’s is a Pizzeria and Cafe in Tanay. You’ll find this on the winding highway previous Paseo Rizal and Pranjetto earlier than the intersection to Sampaloc.
It’s a small however chill restaurant with an overlooking view that gives a number of pizza dishes, pasta, and occasional. Yeyi’s may be very in style for group bike rides, so it could possibly get crowded particularly throughout weekends.
La View Cafe Resto Resort
La View Cafe Resto Resort, which opened simply final December 2021, presents a tremendous view of the Sierra Madre Mountains. It’s positioned earlier than Jariel’s Peak on the border of Infanta. The resort has free WiFi and has safe and spacious parking for all sorts of autos.
La View resort presents distinctive lodging good for households and {couples}, together with A-frame cabins and has an infinity pool overlooking the mountains, for about P4,000/night time.
The resort is positioned in an space identified for getting very chilly at night time and through the Ber months, so ensure to carry a jacket for the “Baguio Feels” particularly in case you’re staying in a single day or occurring night time rides.
The meals choices had been fairly good and the serving dimension parts had been beneficiant. Restrooms had been fashionable and clear. Even in case you’re not staying in a single day, it’s price a go to only for meals, espresso and the superior view.
Acquired another suggestions? Be happy to go away a remark under. Observe me on Instagram for extra meals journeys and adventures!
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