10 Best Restaurants to Visit in Quezon City

RUB offers no-frills American grub with (of course) ribs as their specialty dish, but they’ve got sidings of all kinds, too. It’s for people who don’t mind getting their hands, and maybe faces, dirty. It’s not for people who don’t like small crowded spaces while dining. We recommend Raki’s BBQ Ribs with spiced fried rice and the Pizzadilla. Our insider tip is that reservations are accepted at their other branches.

Backyard Kitchen + Brew is a farm-to-table bar and grill concept from Chef Edward Bugia (of Pino, The Burger Project, and Pi Breakfast and Pies fame). It serves modern comfort food with a twist, as well as a wide selection of beverages and craft beers. It’s for after-office affairs, and for sports and music enthusiasts living in the North. It’s not for early breakfast goers. We recommend the Tinapa & Quinoa Salad, Thrice Cooked Crispy Pork Cheek, Chicken Lollilops and Pizzookie. Our insider tip is that they are open until 2AM for people looking for late night grub.

‘Alab’, which is Tagalog for flame, serves the same ‘burning with passion’ Filipino dishes, but in a way that’s more youthful and forward-thinking. It’s for modern food lovers looking for more than just traditional Filipino food. It’s not for the conservative eaters. Our insider tip is that they also serve unique ice cream flavors that are distinctively Pinoy, such as Laing and Kamote!

Mr. Graham’s is a specialty sandwich shop serving affordable gourmet ‘man-wiches’. The Graham brothers took inspiration from their father, who used to make easy-to-prepare meals for them when they were kids while their mom was out on errands. It’s for people looking for a simple, quick and filling meal. It’s not for people looking for rice meals. We recommend their bestselling Cebuano (their take on the classic cubanos) paired with their self-concocted Apple Soda. Here’s our insider tip: If you prefer something lighter, you could get your sandwiches naked: skip the bread, and have lettuce and filling instead. Read our full feature here.

Ninyo is an escape pad, and it’s not exactly an off-course beach resort but it sure looks like one. Chef Niño heads the kitchen serving his take on modern Asian and European dishes with a hundred of the world’s greatest wines. It’s for couples looking for a romantic garden restaurant inside Manila, so make sure to reserve one of the outdoor private gazebos. It’s not for breakfast dates, and they’re also closed on Mondays. Here’s an insider tip: Men, bring a love lock for you and your lady. P.S. Looking for other garden restaurant ideas in the Metro? Check out our list, here.

RB CTY/Rib City is a fun and interactive restaurant specializing in ribs, but they also offer dishes like pasta, salads, soups and other mains. In line with their restaurant concept, they encourage guests to play and build lego while waiting for orders. It’s for barkada nights out or Saturday playdates with the kids. It’s not for people who are looking for a quiet place to work in. We recommend the Big City with CTY rice or the Twin Tower. Our insider tip is you can now also book tables at Rib City Mandaluyong branch.

The Frazzled Cook is a quirky restaurant put together with the mission of serving good comfort food in a cozy, homey ambiance. ‘Frazzled’, which means completely exhausted, says nothing of the food, but of the passion and hard work put into every dish they serve. It’s for casual but intimate date nights or cozy meals with the family. It’s not for people who don’t enjoy searching for ‘hidden’ restaurants. We recommend the Sizzling Squid, Wagyu Salpicao, Truffle Pasta, and Pancake ala Mode. Here’s an insider tip: The place is easily curtained off into sections, and they also have rooms for smaller private events. Read our full feature here.