From special seafood grills to the best of Italian cuisine, a great dining experience awaits in Araneta City

Apart from being the prime venue of the country’s top-notch entertainment, Araneta City is also a melting pot of local and international flavors making it a true foodie’s paradise. For years, it has been the second home for family and friends searching for a great dining experience. Its mission of bringing happiness to the hearts (and tummies) of Filipinos continues today with the help of homegrown and global brands. 

Earlier this December, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle was treated to a food crawl, exploring the best eats and drinks the City of Firsts has to offer. Below are some of the restaurants and dishes that should be on your bucketlist on your next Araneta City food trip.

First stop: Dampa Paluto sa Farmers Market

Celebrating the freshest catch and other Filipino-favorite dishes is Dampa Paluto sa Farmers Market. The food spot is home to many local brands that are sure to offer Filipino dishes that are truly comforting. But if you’re craving seafood dishes, the best place to dine is at Jonna Seafoods Paluto. Eating there is like having a feast near the beach. What you shouldn’t miss trying is its Sulit bundle, a bilao featuring a smorgasbord of delicious seafood dishes such as baked shrimp and stuffed squid with lato (seaweed) and salted egg on the side. Something that will bring fire to your taste buds is its Chili Crab. The subtle saltiness and sweetness of the steamed crabs blend well with the spice of the sauce. 

Second stop: Cibo 

Located inside Gateway Mall is a piece of Italy courtesy of Cibo. Led by Chef Margarita Forés, the restaurant is a testament to her mastery of Italian cooking and her love for Filipino food. For the season, the restaurant brings to the table its holiday offering featuring dishes that will make you say delizioso. The Pizza Tartufata offers a taste of luxury with its mozzarella topping and mushroom-truffle paste. The Ravioli Spinach Ricotta is a true celebration of Italian flavors courtesy of sweet-sour tomatoes, olive oil, and basil. Something truly delectable is its La Bistecca, a 500 grams perfectly medium rib-eye steak cooked with charred tomatoes, onion, and lemon.

Third stop: The Oasis

Ambiance plays a key role when it comes to dining. And the best place to eat while savoring a beautiful scenery in Araneta City is at The Oasis. A fully air-conditioned garden inside Gateway Mall, The Oasis offers a space where you can enjoy the eats and drinks you purchased in the shopping center. As for our recommended food, the best eats to enjoy at the man-made paradise is from Sachi and Rasa. The restaurant offers the best Japanese and Singaporean cuisines. What you should try is the Beef Kwey Teow, flat noodles dish stir-fried with beef. Also not to miss are the Crispy Squid and California Maki. 

Fourth stop: Pizza Hut

Forget your diet as Pizza Hut is ready to take you on a carb-loading adventure with its pizza and pasta creations. For the season, its latest pizza creation uses seven different kinds of cheese—calling it cheesy is an understatement. Its Ultimate Cheesy 7 Pizza features in one pan mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, cream cheese, Hokkaido milk cheese, gouda, and Emmental cheese. The pizza is made more delectable with the addition of creamy sesame sauce. If that’s not enough, the cheesy experience continues in its crust with its bite-sized pockets filled with Cheese Fondue. Turophiles will definitely go nuts!

Fifth stop: Dairy Queen

After feasting on the best savory eats, we hope you still have room in your stomach for dessert. And what better place to indulge in sweets than Dairy Queen? Known for its iconic Blizzard, the ice cream brand now offers a different kind of decadence with its Chocolate Truffle series. Its newest lineup features flavors such as Truffle Berry, Truffle Almond, and Truffle Brownie that will surely delight kids and kids-at-heart.

Last stop: Gourmet Bar

End your foodie journey with fine desserts and sips at the Gourmet Bar in Novotel. Apart from its classic Ube Tiramisu cake and Mini Four-glass Shooter Dessert Platter, what you should indulge in at the restaurant are its holiday offerings—Classic Tsokolate Batirol, Bibingka, and Puto Bumbong. The Gourmet Bar also offers new ways to enjoy traditional Filipino delicacies with its holiday gelatos featuring flavors Bae-bingka, Frosty Purple-licious, and Minty Snowman. 

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