Tayo na sa Antipolo: Discover Antipolo’s dining scene

ANTIPOLO, Philippines — By the slopes of Sierra Madre Mountains, about 26 kilometers east of Manila, lies Antipolo City, immortalized in a folk song for being arguably the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines.”

Named after “tipolo” (breadfruit) trees abundant in the area, Antipolo was once connected to Manila via steam train and the Manila Railroad Company, forerunner of today’s Philippine National Railways.

Hence, from before World War II to the 1990s, when long distance travel was still unpopular and when airfares were still exuberant, Filipinos from Manila would spend the weekend in Antipolo to go to church and pay respects to the Virgin of Antipolo or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, which was brought to the city from Mexico in 1626 and has been enshrined in the Antipolo Cathedral.

But through the years, Antipolo has burgeoned into what former President Benigno Aquino III described as a “highly-urbanized city,” becoming a haven not only for tourists, but for foodies, as well. Nowadays, motorcyclists come in droves to explore the city and its new dining hotspots.

For those looking for a new ritual to accompany their pilgrimage to the city, check out these diners recommended by restaurant search and discovery service Zomato.

Eggs for Breakfast Café  Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Eggs for Breakfast Café

Velada Estate, 21 Don Juan Street, Villa Cecilia Subdivision, Lower Antipolo, Mambugan, Lower Antipolo, Rizal

Offering Asian cuisine in a café setting, Eggs for Breakfast specializes in all-day breakfast composed of soups, salads, omelets, pastas, pancakes, French toasts, cereals, desserts, smoothies, coffee, and tea.

For first timers, try French Toast with Berries, Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas, Deconstructed Hashbrown, and new dishes such as Filipino Platter, USDA Prime Angus Ribeye Steak, Seared Tuna Steak, and Grilled Barbecue Porkchop.

Other specialties include “comfort brunch,” which includes burgers, hash browns, and “Huevos Rancheros” or classic Spanish brunch of Mexican beans with a spicy blend of tomato chili sauce, topped with a cracked egg and served with crispy tortillas.

For a truly heavy breakfast, try One Pan Breakfast, the café’s version of a full English breakfast and is actually an entire platter of imported sausages, bacon, beans, tomatoes, roasted potatoes, eggs, and shitake mushrooms.

Average spending here is pegged at P500 for two or P250 per person.

Eggs for Breakfast Café serves all-day breakfast. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

The café specializes in Asian cuisine. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Tahanan Bistro

22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm Subdivision, San Roque, Upper Antipolo?

Tahanan Bistro  Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

This Filipino-international fusion restaurant offers five-course set meals for P1,200, good for sharing. The sets include both Filipino and international delicacies, ranging from Filipino comfort food like Kaldereta and Dinuguan, to exotic, imported ones such as Narangha (orange, roasted pistachios, homemade ricotta, and mint leaves).

For starters, try Ukoy (crispy shrimp cakes, green mango, jicama, carrots, cashew, house-blend vinegar dressing, anchovy extract). For main course, there are Valenciana (chicken ballotine, red bulgur, roasted garlic, longganisa, capsicum, quail eggs, mango salsa) and Laing (fresh house-made pappardelle, crispy fillet of fish, shrimps, clams, white wine, and taro leaves sauce), among others.

For dessert, try Ube (purple yam & white chocolate lava cake, cheese ice cream, edam crisp) and Mansanas (vanilla panna cotta, apple puree, lemon whipped cream, gingerbread crumb, apple jelly, apple crisp).

Also try the signature Tahanan drink, a concoction of green mango, calamansi juice, gin, simple syrup, and grenadine sugar.

The bistro changes its menu every three to four months. Average spending is approximately P2,400 for two people.

Tahanan Bistro is a Filipino-international fusion restaurant that offers five-course set meals. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

For dessert, try Ube (purple yam and white chocolate lava cake, cheese ice cream, edam crisp). Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Yellow Bird Café x Kitchen

Lot 3 Block 2, Mission Hills Boulevard, Mission Hills Subdivision, San Roque, Upper Antipolo

Nachos, okoy and lumpia. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., the café serves all-day breakfast ranging from the starters (Crunchy Okoy, Nachos), to salads like Smoked Salmon Fresh Salad with Vinaigrette; entrees such as Pork and Squid Adobo and Gising-Gising; chef’s specials like Baked Lemon Chicken; Chicken Pesto pasta; and desserts like Red Velvet Cake, Pistachio Sponge Cake, Mango Cheesecake, and Sacher Torte.

Nachos. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Red Velvet Cake, Pistachio Sponge Cake, Mango Cheesecake and Sacher Torte. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV