If you’ve already tried the hippest restaurants in the South, maybe it’s time to head North and explore an underrated food haven: Marikina. Apart from being the country’s shoe capital, it’s also home to relaxed eateries that serve memorable bulalos, ‘Duterte’ burgers, and other binge-worthy dishes. Don’t know where to start? Check out these eateries below:
1. Goreng Goreng
Craving for a hot, steaming bowl of spicy Laksa? This Malaysian cuisine is the place to go! Although it has a small dining space, Goreng Goreng (which means ‘fried fried’ in Indonesia) takes pride in big and bold flavors, sans any preservatives. Be sure to try their best sellers Mee Goreng Mamak (Stir fried egg noodles in Indian-Malay sauce) and Nasi Goreng (Malay fried rice served with fried egg and a choice of viand)!
Location: 82 Liwasang Kalayaan Street Marikina Heights, Marikina City 1805
2. Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulaluhan
Great news: you don’t need to drive all the way to Antipolo or Tagaytay for a comforting bowl of Bulalo. Located near Marcos Highway, Tapsi ni Vivian (a carinderia-style establishment) has been a crowd-favorite for their bulalo, tapsilog and other Pinoy comfort food staples. The best part? They’re open for 24 hours so it’s perfect for those midnight cravings!
Location: 32 Gil Fernandez Ave., San Roque, Marikina
3. Gokinjo
Obsessed with ramen? Meet your new haven: Gokinjo is a neighborhood Japanese restaurant located in Rainbow Street which offers unlimited ramen for only PHP 250. You can pick from one of their variants (tantanmen, miso, spicy tobanjan, and more), but you can also have them all for an extra charge of PHP 100. If you’re up for a rice meal, though, don’t miss out on their sizzling dishes too like a huge chunk of US ribeye and beef saikoro.
Location: 43 Rainbow Street, Marikina City
4. Signature Burgers
If you’re eating as a group, head straight to Signature Burgers. Here, you’ll find massive burgers, which are perfect for sharing! What sets this burger joint apart from the others is their unique twists (think a gigantic Galaxy-inspired burger). Pair these with their mouthwatering ‘Freak Shakes’ and your barkada is definitely in for a treat!
Location: 15 Col. Divino St., Sto. Niño Marikina City
5. Rustic Mornings by Isabelo
You can find several breakfast spots in Marikina, and Rustic Mornings by Isabelo is easily one of the popular ones. True to its name, the restaurant boasts a rustic interior and a lush garden—you can’t help but love mornings here. They offer an all-American breakfast staples like buttermilk pancakes, crispy waffles, and sausage platters, while keeping it truly Filipino with meals like beef tapa and breaded boneless bangus.
Location: 11 Isabelo Mendoza St. San Roque, Marikina City 1801
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