Al fresco dining has really made a comeback in the Philippines because of the pandemic. Since restrictions eased earlier this year and COVID cases are down, families and barkadas are dining out all together again during weekends, but many still prefer to meet up in al fresco spaces for safety. While mall-based restos with open air dining are an option, scenic places near Manila like Tagaytay and Tanay have just boomed with al fresco cafes and pop-up coffee stalls.
But because gas is so expensive these days, nearer destinations are becoming more appealing. For those based in the metro, Antipolo is always a popular destination that has an out-of-town feel and great views, but is still relatively near the metro and easy to drive to if you just wan to to enjoy a quick brunch or coffee with friends. For bikers, Antipolo is also one of the most popular spots near Manila to bike to for coffee or weekend rides.
Here’s a roundup of some al fresco cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining in Antipolo, Rizal.
Ahon Coffee
For cyclists, Ahon Coffee has become the go-to coffee spot in Antipolo since it opened in 2021. Located along Sumulong Highway, this minimalist cafe serves good coffee and light snacks like cookies and pastries that bikers can enjoy outdoors in a calm and serene environment.
Like many other restaurants located along the Antipolo ridge, Ahon Coffee offers a great view overlooking of the cityscape.
Ahon Coffee, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo.
Kaulayaw Cafe
Kaulayaw Cafe is another popular spot in Antipolo that specializes in locally sourced coffee, which you can enjoy with a great view. From the restaurant’s airy third floor open-air dining area, guests can soak in the views of Rizal’s sea of green and Metro Manila’s skyline.
The cafe has well designed interiors reminiscent of the kind of restos you usually find in Baguio or Tagaytay.
Their menu consists of a mainly morning specials (suman, cheese rolls, ensaymada), toasts, pancakes, sandwiches, rice bowls and pasta ideal for breakfast, brunch or light snacks in the mornings to early afternoons. They also serve local craft beer.
Take note that parking here is very tight and waiting times to be seated and for food can take long during peak dining hours.
Kaluayaw Cafe, 23 Sumulong Hwy, Sta. Cruz, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal
Miguel’s Garden Cafe
Miguel’s Garden Cafe is one of the newer dining destinations in Antipolo that’s become popular with families and barkadas.
The garden restaurant is located along the main Antipolo highway and has relatively good parking (with parking spaces available on both sides of the road) compared to other Antipolo spots.
They serve a wide range of dishes, including breakfast meals, pizza, chicken, pasta, snack items, coffee, and more. Food is a bit on the pricey side and some dishes could still use some improvement, but the ambiance here is pleasant as long as you get there when it isn’t too crowded. The cafe is also bike-friendly and pet-friendly.
Miguel’s Garden Cafe. Kota Antipolo. Sumulong Highway. Sitio Hopeville, Antipolo
Burrow Cafe
Burrow Cafe is an underground cafe carved beneath sloping terrain in Antipolo. The lush space has large airy windows that give diners a view of the surrounding forest.
Burrow Café serves all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch menu at set hours and events (by reservation) for special occasions.
This is a great destination for tita dates, small events, pictorials and pre-nup shoots.
Burrow Cafe. 113 Beverly Hills Ave., Beverly Hills Subdivision, Antipolo, 1920 Rizal
Crescent Moon Cafe
Crescent Moon Café is an artistic restaurant best known for serving Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine and selling pottery products from the studio of Lanelle Abueva-Fernando.
The main al fresco dining area of Crescent Moon Cafe is situated within landscaped gardens and koi ponds, which adds to the refreshing natural appeal of the place. Guests can also opt to dine outside under the trees.
Some dishes here include Glass Noodles with stir-fried vegetables (P280), Beef Rendang (P380), Lemongrass Pork Belly (P370) and Fried Catfish with a choice of sambal or sweet and sour sauce (P270). One of their specialties is the Alagao Salad (P300 good for 2-3 people), an adaptation of the Thai street food and snack miang kham.
The Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio, Sapang Buho Road, Brgy. Dalig, Antipolo City.
Maura’s Place
Maura’s Place by Mela and Mai is a rustic restaurant that offers a great spot to enjoy sunrise and sunset dining with a view.
Located within Pagrai Hills Subdivision in Barangay Mayamot, Maura’s Place offers al fresco dining with great views overlooking the Metro Manila skyline.
The restaurant serves country-style rice meals, pasta dishes, rustic pizzas, sandwiches, fruit shakes and more during the day, and wine and cheese type platters at night.
Maura’s Place by Mela and Mai. 0011 Granada Street, Pagrai Hills Subdivision, Unit II, Antipolo, Rizal.
Cafe Rizal at Pinto Art Museum
Pinto Art Museum is one of the top spots to visit in Antipolo, so visitors who get hungry after walking around the galleries will probably probably gravitate towards Cafe Rizal by Peppermill, the museum’s in-house restaurant.
Cafe Rizal has an extensive menu with almost 100 dishes from appetizers to desserts.
The menu has Filipino and other various international cuisine options including Japanese, Thai, French, Spanish, Mexican, and more.
Cafe Rizal by Peppermill, Pinto Art Museum, Sierra Madres St. Antipolo Rizal.
Kape Sina Una
Kape Sina Una was one of the first local mobile coffee shops that popped up with an al fresco setup along the Marilaque highway when quarantine restrictions started to ease in 2020.
The simple roadside cafe started out just as a small stall with a couple of folding tables and umbrellas along the road and some patio lights to add to the cafe mood.
From one stall, this enterprising cafe has evolved into several branches offering freshly ground coffee with a great view of nature and fresh air to weekend road trippers and cyclists.
- Kape Sina Una – Antipolo, Marcos Highway (Marilaque Road), Sitio Calumpang Barangay San Jose Antipolo City.
- Facebook Page: Kape Sina Una
