The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted many people’s social activities. Due to public health restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, festivals, live concerts, and other social events have been canceled. Many vacations and large gatherings have also been canceled or postponed. One of the trends of socialize activities was ‘Outdoor dining’. It has been popular before the outbreak began. Unfortunately, people were confined to their homes and were unable to dine out. By then, the trend of outdoor dining had returned, particularly in the south of Luzon.
Dining in Open Spaces
According to scientists, the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted from person to person within 6 feet (2 meters) of each other. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets that are released into the air when people talk, cough, speak, breathe, or sneeze. The COVID-19 virus can spread in some situations, particularly in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, when a person is exposed to small droplets or aerosols that remain in the air for minutes to hours it could be inhaled by persons within the area and could be instantly infected.
On the contrary, outdoor spaces where natural air is constantly moving outside helps in dispersing these droplets. If you haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine, you’re less likely to inhale enough respiratory droplets containing the virus that causes COVID-19 to become infected. As a result, restrictions on outdoor activities had been relaxed and people are going back to enjoying socializing. Moreover, if you haven’t been vaccinated, outdoor dining at uncrowded restaurants with appropriately spaced patio tables is safer than indoor dining. If you are not immunized, keep at least 6 feet away from others in other areas of the restaurant. Avoid self-service food and beverages. Remember to wash your hands before entering and leaving.
Additionally, being outside has additional advantages. It can help you feel less tense, stressed, angry, or depressed by providing an emotional boost. Sunlight can also provide your body with vitamin D. Since outdoor dining enhances the overall food experience by allowing diners to enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the scenery. In line with this, we will be providing you a list of outdoor dining restaurants to experience while traveling in the south.
Also Read: Where Kids Are Allowed In and Near Manila: 10 Kid-Friendly Outdoor Attractions
1. Dear Joe Café
Dear Joe is dubbed as the Philippines’ first letter-writing cafe, since it is built upon the idea where you can write a letter to your special someone. What’s more intriguing is that Dear Joe Cafe will deliver those love letters right to your loved one’s door. You only need to pay Php 50 for the delivery of your mail letters. That appears to be a good deal. This type of service, however, is only available within the country. This new coffee shop serves good food while also providing a place to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
It has several locations in the South, including some with outdoor dining. The setting is certainly charming, and it could have been an ideal place for you and your loved ones to unwind.
2. Windmill at Lausanne
Due to inflation and gas price increases, airfares have been relatively high, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a travel experience to Europe. Luckily, Brittany Corporation’s Crosswinds Tagaytay recently opened the Windmill at Lausanne, a European-themed restaurant that captures the whimsical elegance of the European countryside. Windmill at Lausanne, with its Swiss-style interiors and European cuisine, offers a Schengen experience just a short drive from the metro.
It is a place in the South best for romantic outdoor dining with European food and drinks made with local chocolate give their menu a Filipino twist. You can have these hot to warm up or cold if the weather is still too cold for you.
3. Ruined Project?
Ruined Café is located in Tagaytay’s Crosswinds neighborhood. This secluded café is surrounded by towering pine trees, giving the impression and climate that you are in Baguio. It’s pleasant to walk around the area, feeling the fresh, cool air pass through the branches and leaves of the trees. Furthermore, the place’s interior remains rustic and nature themed. While the industrial ceiling, concrete walls, and wooden furniture contribute to the old and rustic feel of the space. There are numerous tables and chairs available where you can work while sipping a hot or cold beverage. The Ruined Project is a great option for outdoor dining in the South since there is also a balcony where you can lounge, sip coffee, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the view.
Also Read: Work-friendly Coffee Shops in the South
4. NAPA at Crosswinds
Nothing beats delectable food in an alfresco setting, accompanied by Tagaytay’s chilly nighttime weather and glasses of wine. They serve a variety of meals, ranging from breakfast platters to pasta and burgers. While their drinks include both caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages, as well as a wide variety of white, red, and rose wines. If you’re looking for something healthy, they also have kombucha. Outdoor dining in this part of southern Luzon provides a romantic atmosphere at night when the fairy lights are turned on.
It’s no secret that everyone wants to see this trendy new place, and it gets crowded quickly, so arrive early or make a reservation in advance if you want to enjoy the place, its food, and take photos.
Also Read: NAPA at Crosswinds: Must-Visit Cafe in Tagaytay
5. Balai Yllana Garden Restaurant
Balai Yllana is an outdoor dining garden restaurant in the south that serves casual Filipino cuisine. As far as the eye can tell, this location has a homey feel to it. This South Metro Manila outdoor dining gives off a magical garden venue surrounded by lush shrubs and landscaped plants, as well as a cozy, more private terrace area. In this restaurant, you will find a diverse menu based on Filipino cuisine partnered with an extensive drink selection of freshly brewed coffee or homemade iced tea. Balai Yllana Garden Restaurant serves delicious lechón, kare-kare, and chicken wings to customers.
6. Tablo Kitchen x Café
A place which will surely have a pic for our Instagram since almost all spots are instagrammable and relaxing. To achieve that easy-breezy urban vibe, the mix of wooden and metal touches is well-placed and paired with warm tones. Guided by their mission and vision of “Designed and created to be a place of creativity, community, and comfort food” Tablo Kitchen x Café in Las Pinas had proven one of the best places to dine in. TABLO is known to deliver great quality and amazing service on everything from everyday comfort food like their Cream Cheese Wedges to filling main course meals like their Pan Fried Chicken. Furthermore, Plate after plate of modern Filipino fare such as Creamy Beef Salpicao and Herb Lemon Chicken Steak is served.
Responsible Dining
If you decide to dine on the patio, make sure the restaurant has strict anti-mask and social distancing policies. Tables should be at least six feet apart even when dining outside. When not seated, customers should wear masks, and employees should always wear them. It is critical to be responsible so that we do not endanger the lives of unvaccinated people.
