Holy Week is actually the best time to be in the city. While everyone is braving the holiday crowds in nearby beach towns or waiting their turn to take a photo with Japan’s cherry blossom trees, Manila is like a ghost town. No traffic. Less noise.
Yes, since Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are regular holidays, most establishments are closed on these days. But, a few spots remain open. These include beloved restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and even cultural and recreational spaces sans their usual crowds.
Here are a few of them, which are either open the whole Holy Week or resuming operations on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, perfect for those who are choosing peace in the comfort of their city homes this time of the year.
NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list but rather a roster of places we recommend you go to based on our prior visits. Some on this list have put out announcements regarding their operational hours, while some have not but we still included them after checking with them.
What to do, where to eat, drink, and shop this Holy Week 2024
Restaurants
Brunch Bureau
Legazpi Village, Makati branch
Open all Holy Week
Mamanams
Makati
Open all Holy Week
Goto Monster
Makati
Open all Holy Week
Milky Way
Makati
Open all Holy Week
Ricksha Streetside Tandoor
San Juan
Open all Holy Week, except Good Friday, Mar. 29
Deo Gracias
Quezon City
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Gubat
Quezon City
Mayaman St. branch open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Half Saints
Quezon City
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Kodawari
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Taqueria Franco
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Cafes
Del Union
Taguig
Open all Holy Week
Masa by Barefoot
Parañaque, Manila, and Taguig
Open all Holy Week
The Black Bean
Parañaque
Open all Holy Week
Yardstick
Makati
Open Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28, Black Saturday, Mar. 30, and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Deuces
Makati
Open Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28, Black Saturday, Mar. 30, and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Type A Coffee
Mandaluyong
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Couch Club
Mandaluyong
Open Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28, Black Saturday, Mar. 30, and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Molly’s Donuts & Asian Cafe Eats
Mandaluyong
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Blocleaf Cafe
Manila
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Bars
The Spirits Library
Makati
Open all Holy Week
Bibio
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30
Fat Cat
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Annex House
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Salary Man
Taguig
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Int. Bar
Quezon City
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Shops and galleries
It’s Vintage
Makati
Open all Holy Week
Hub Make Lab Escolta
Manila
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design
Manila
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
The Mind Museum
Taguig
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Everything’s Fine
Makati
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Bumi and Ashe
Quezon City
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Guava Sketches
Makati
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Saan Saan
Mandaluyong
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Recreational spaces
Rizal Park
Manila
Open all Holy Week
Paco Park
Manila
Open all Holy Week
Intramuros
Manila
Open all Holy Week, except for museums, which will resume operations Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
Quezon City
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Arroceros Park
Manila
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Climb Central
Mandaluyong
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
808 Studio
Mandaluyong
Open Black Saturday, Mar. 30 and Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Reforma
Quezon City
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Ayala Avenue
Makati
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31
Cinema 76
Quezon City
Open Easter Sunday, Mar. 31