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 on.), this freeway resulting in Infanta by the Sierra Madre Mountains is the favored vacation spot for street journeys, very like Tagaytay for Southerners.
A decade in the past, after we began frequenting this space, there weren’t a whole lot of locations to eat apart 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 motorbike riders. Via the years, newer locations have been established like Cafe Katerina, Martessem, Paseo Rizal, and Lutong Pugon which made the freeway much more common 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 retailers and an entire new crop of family-friendly al fresco eating places with well-designed interiors focusing on several types of delicacies and serve prime quality espresso in comparison with the standard brewed and 3-in-1 choices of the previous.
The realm is changing into an alternative choice to Antipolo and Tagaytay with regards to 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 as of late.
Listed below are among the latest al fresco eating places and cafes alongside Marilaque simply established from 2021-2022 (that I’ve personally been to) in your weekend meals journey and occasional rides. There are nonetheless a LOT of recent developments within the space.
NOTE: The record is organized when it comes to 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)
Except for Kaulayaw Espresso’s department in Antipolo, which might get fairly crowded and exhausting to park on weekends, there’s a brand new department in Cuyambay that provides a extra chill place for riders and cyclists to loosen up and have espresso on weekends. Kaulayaw Espresso is situated in a small space referred to as Cuyambay X, which has a number of cafes with completely different meals ideas accessible by 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 motorbike riders and cyclists. The primary al fresco space provides a comfortable spot with an amazing 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 parking zone.
However in case it’s raining or is simply too scorching, the cafe additionally has an enclosed eating space just a few steps down with large glass home windows that also provides an amazing view and safety from the weather. What’s nice concerning the cafe and the opposite restos right here is that they have been constructed constructed round present bushes. It seems 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 among 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 provides beautiful unobstructed views of the mountains and Laguna Lake. The cafe feels very pure, because it makes use of a whole lot of wooden accents and appears to have been constructed round present bushes on the ridge, which I undoubtedly respect.
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 just some meals choices, they will deal with high quality.
Kamala Cafe is a bit hidden and straightforward to overlook, because it’s situated early on in Marilaque simply throughout the street 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 would like a spot that’s a little bit bit quiet.
Tanay Highlands Cafe
When you’re touring with your loved ones or a big group, Tanay Highlands Cafe is among 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 amazing spot for group picture ops.
I feel Tanay Highlands Cafe provides one of the vital photogenic views within the space, since you get an amazing 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, provides all-day breakfast meals, pasta, sandwiches and attention-grabbing drinks like Ube Halaya Latte, Chocnut Nostalgia and S’Mores Mocha drinks. The place is pet-friendly and bike-friendly as effectively, with a number of racks for patrons. 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 offered 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 in addition 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 trustworthy, the meals might nonetheless use some enchancment when it comes to presentation and style (particularly for the value), 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 form of saved the go to.
Wyndell’s Al Fresco
For households/clans and bigger teams, Wyndell’s Al Fresco is among the hottest eating places to dine within the Tanay space. From the doorway, it doesn’t look too large, however Wyndell’s provides a surprisingly massive area the place company can dine with a view.
There’s a small cafe close to the doorway for fast snacks and drinks, an open air grill that provides steak and seafood like grilled oysters, and even a Ok-BBQ al fresco restaurant for unli samgyup. Additionally they serve just a few worldwide beer manufacturers and native craft beer like Loopy Carabao, which continues 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 whole lot of dishes to select from. They generally have dwell music right here at evening. Parking is usually a large tight alongside the freeway for automobiles because it’s situated beside a whole lot 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 situated at Sitio Mayagay 1, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. The strategic location at a bend of the street means guests get entry to an amazing panoramic view of the mountains.
The cafe has just a few kubo sort huts and gazebos for teams, but additionally has a semi-enclosed and roofed multi-level eating space with nice interiors that can entice households and {couples}.
The cafe serves good espresso and dishes like Rooster Caesar Salad, Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowls), and Pesto Pasta (decisions toppings Tempura or Grilled Rooster), 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 situated 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 evening 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. Yow will discover this on the winding street previous Paseo Rizal and Pranjetto earlier than the intersection to Sampaloc.
It’s a small however chill restaurant with an overlooking view that provides just a few pizza dishes, pasta, and occasional. Yeyi’s could be very common for group motorbike rides, so it could actually get crowded particularly throughout weekends.
La View Cafe Resto Resort
La View Cafe Resto Resort, which opened simply final December 2021, provides an incredible view of the Sierra Madre Mountains. It’s situated earlier than Jariel’s Peak on the border of Infanta. The resort has free WiFi and has safe and spacious parking for every type of autos.
La View resort provides distinctive lodging good for households and {couples}, together with A-frame cabins and has an infinity pool overlooking the mountains, for about P4,000/evening.
The resort is situated in an space recognized for getting very chilly at evening and through the Ber months, so be certain that to convey a jacket for the “Baguio Feels” particularly when you’re staying in a single day or happening evening rides.
The meals choices have been fairly good and the serving measurement parts have been beneficiant. Restrooms have been fashionable and clear. Even when you’re not staying in a single day, it’s price a go to only for meals, espresso and the superior view.
Acquired every other suggestions? Be happy to depart a remark beneath. Observe me on Instagram for extra meals journeys and adventures!
