10 Greenbelt Restaurants That Are Worth the Splurge

Greenbelt restaurants are some of the classiest spots in Makati to wine and dine. Offering a diverse range of food, each restaurant in this upscale mall has perfect premium selections that are worth their weight in gold. So if you want to experience the excitement of gastronomic luxury, here are the best to consider.

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Classic for timeless food

1. Sentro 1771

When a restaurant stands for more than a decade in the same place, no one can doubt its flavours. Sentro 1771’s dishes continue to exceed its patrons’ expectations. Their endless pursuit to constantly reinvent Filipino cuisine has provided them impressive longevity among food options in Greenbelt.

Filipino food lovers will appreciate just how adventurous Sentro’s palate is, as regulars would call this a Greenbelt constant. Its best-seller? Corned beef sinigang. That alone proves how Sentro can create something special out of such a simple Filipino dish. It is as delightful as you would expect from the staple Filipino comfort stew. 

Most of the time, the beef in their stew would appear pink, as their cooks would first brine it with salt and some spices for a few days. Every bite of that beef is tender and tight with flavour. Pair it with vegetables from the stew and over steaming rice for a delectable and nourishing meal. Doesn’t this culinary calibre excite you for the future of Filipino food?

Also read: 10 Classic Restaurants in Intramuros for Timeless Filipino Cuisine

2. Sugi

There are a lot of classic , one of the oldest being Sugi. For three decades, this fine Japanese dining spot has consistently proved that their palates are as sharp as their knives. Every plate is an elaborate feast for the eyes and mouth.

You won’t find the usual bowl of ramen in Sugi. Instead, expect traditional Japanese food selections. Their chefs use Japanese cooking techniques to their fullest extent, and these are evident in the dishes they serve: sushi rolls cut clean and precise, grilled meats tender and easy-to-eat, and vegetables always fresh and crunchy. 

Their menu can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from, and choices can be too diverse for a casual diner. For a good summary of what they have to offer, order the jo kaiseki full course meal. It consists of 10 dishes, all of which are different, which work together to create a harmony of flavours only found in the best of Japanese cuisine. It’s like dining in the villages of Kyoto!

3. Kimpura

It seems like Japanese restaurants in Makati have a way of staying strong as years go by. Another addition to classic is Kimpura. This restaurant has been serving its patrons for 50 years; with the food that they put out, they apparently have no plans of mellowing out.

Kimpura offers the best of both worlds when it comes to Japanese cuisine; their menu ranges from simple dishes like yakisobas or ramen to more extravagant options like teppanyaki. The chefs in Kimpura also have a dramatic flair: Watch them cook your food on a big iron grill while flipping eggs and setting your food on fire for a show! In Kimpura, every meal is a performance.

4. Peking Garden

There are many choices when it comes to Chinese cuisine all around Metro Manila. For the premium pick when it comes to , you can’t go wrong with Peking Garden. Starting out in the early ’90s, Peking Garden has long been home to some of the best that Chinese cuisine has to offer.

Order their impressive xiao long bao right away. It’s a standout among their dim sum choices for being so delicate but generous with broth and flavour. No one will judge you for eating too much of it because they’re just that good.

Of course, you can’t go to Peking Garden without eating Peking duck. It’s in the name, after all! And they’re proud of bearing the namesake dish, too, because their best-seller is sublime. The bite is crisp, light, and lean: the marks of a stellar Peking duck. The best part is that they cut this with efficient speed and precision, so you don’t have to wait too long.

Also read: 10 Restaurants in Binondo for Your Next Food Crawl

with lighter options

5. The Wholesome Table

If you think mindful eating means bland food, The Wholesome Table will prove you wrong. Only the freshest ingredients make their way into this restaurant’s kitchen. So whenever you decide to take your lunch here, be early. They only accept walk-ins, and since they’re normally packed, they may run out of fresh ingredients later in the day.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean exclusively devouring vegetables. The Wholesome Table also offers protein sourced directly from farms. As a result, they are able to provide free-range eggs, meat from grass-fed cows, and wild-caught seafood. This dedication to organic eating, combined with a slew of culinary influences, makes meals in this Greenbelt restaurant guilt-free while still flavourful and tasty.

6. Chimara Feel Good Kitchen

If you need a quick pick-me-up or a sizable meal that won’t make you too bloated while shopping in Greenbelt, Chimara Feel Good Kitchen is happy to serve. Their menu has an abundance of highly nutritious options to keep your energy up sans the extra calories. If you’re looking for a new healthy favourite, Chimara may just have what you’re looking for.

Start out with their pepper maple chicken wrap for an easy eat. It’s delicious whether you decide to have it in the restaurant or on the go. They’re also pretty generous with sauces, so it won’t hurt to ask for a bit of extra. They’re healthy, after all, so you can guiltlessly indulge!

Also read: 10 Healthy Habits for Everyone to Start the Year Right

Best for wining and dining

7. Barcino

Barcino is an easy pick for special dinners. This restaurant specialises and celebrates excellent Spanish food and wine. All their food is delectable, from their appetisers to their main course meals. 

Paella is the star of their menu, as the restaurant puts it together incredibly well; they serve various types of paella, with every recipe boasting a consistent and beautiful marriage of flavours. It will have you digging and finishing the dish the moment it’s served.

Tie your hearty meal all together with their sweet and exciting sangria for an unforgettable night.

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8. The Perfect Pint

If you’re looking to get buzzed but don’t like wine, The Perfect Pint has your fix. This restaurant not only cooks good food but also has a microbrewery inside it. With this, they concoct and create a range of craft beers that are enjoyable and uniquely their own.

Start your night out at The Perfect Pint by ordering a few food items. For starters, their cheesesteak pizza is topped with everything easy to eat: Think fried shoestring potatoes, slices of beef, and a generous heap of melted cheese resting on a crispy dough. The pizza can be deceptive for such a carb-heavy dish because you’ll crave it again the moment you finish the last slice.

If the pizza leaves you parched, here comes the beer! There are brews inspired by traditional recipes. The usual malt and hops bring a creamy texture with a bitter taste. But for a distinct brew, try the Street Smart Pale Ale. It’s filled with refreshing mango, pineapple, orange, and lemon notes that provide a light contrast and a perfect pint to the pizza, no pun intended.

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9. Gilak by Hossein’s

Iranian cuisine is something you don’t often come across in Metro Manila. But Gilak by Hossein’s has not only managed to bring authentic Iranian cuisine but Mediterranean and Indian cuisine to the mix as well. These complex influences combined make some of the most breathtaking culinary experiences Greenbelt — and Metro Manila — has ever had.

It can be overwhelming to pick one out of the many dishes that Gilak has, so let’s start with something simple: beef shawarma or kebab platter. You can count on their chefs to elevate the simplest of dishes like these. But if you’re in the mood for a special dish, order one of their curries! Many discerning diners will enjoy piecing and tasting the chemistry behind this decadent and fragrant dish. Finally, don’t forget the wine, which goes great with most of their items.

10. Dillinger’s 1903 Steak & Brew

You can’t have steak dinners without fine wine. Fortunately, Dillinger’s 1903 Steak & Brew has this in spades. This restaurant always makes sure that the price of their food is worth it and more. Even if you don’t like steaks, Dillinger’s has options that are just as good as a three-ounce plate of ribeye.

This restaurant also has full-course options, so you can count on eating the best they have to offer without thinking too much. If you aren’t in the mood for ribeye, you can try their tender and delectable lamb chops, or the light and delicate flavours of Norwegian salmon in chimichurri. From the appetisers, to the cook of the protein, down to the cocktails that you’ll drink, Dillinger’s will have you covered. All it takes is a reservation call.

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There are still so many that are consistently making their mark on the mall. The culinary options are constantly evolving as a gastronomic pub, and the variety of cuisines that make their way to the mall can be overwhelming. But when you find yourself second-guessing what to pick, keep this list handy.

Featured image credit: Fabio Achilli | Flickr. Facebook image credit (L-R): SUGI Japanese Restaurant; Barcino | Official Facebook Pages