Check out these diverse new restos in the South

One good thing about the Philippine food industry is that it’s never been stale. In fact, it’s exciting how much the industry moves. There are always new restaurants coming over the horizon, new kinds of cuisines to find, and new takes on old favorites to try. We’re a nation of eaters, so it’s only natural that our culinary choices are so vast and diverse.

While there are some openings that we’re still waiting for (international giants Panda Express and Shake Shack being some notable ones), here are some newly-opened restaurants you can already try out.

1. Lampara

Speaking of diverse, Lampara is a new bistro that serves Neo-Filipino cuisine. Fans of the style know how experimental it is, with every Neo-Filipino dish promising a unique experience. Poblacion’s newest resident is making the dining experience even more unique by matching their interiors to their dishes.

2. Cusina Filipina

Cusina Filipina is also a new resident of Poblacion, Makati’s burgeoning food and nightlife district. It’s connected to the similarly newly-opened 1898 Hotel Colonia En Las Filipinas, an establishment that takes its inspiration from the country’s 300-year Spanish rule. Predictably, Cusina Filipina serves Spanish-Filipino dishes in a space reminiscent of the 1900s.

3. Chichario

Latin American cuisine is experiencing its own quiet boom here, with restaurants like Señor Pollo and La Carnita finding moderate success. Even though it’s still ostensibly exotic, because of our long and storied history under the Spaniards, there’s something familiar about the cuisine. Chichario in Alabang is the latest entry into this niche market, and their piri piri chicken has already been making tongues wag. If you’re looking for somewhere to drink, the place turns into a bar at night, too.

4. BirdBox

The concept behind BirdBox (the new food kiosk at BGC, not the new Sandra Bullock movie) is simple: good fried chicken with rice and toppings (you can get kimchi or an onsen egg) in an easy to carry takeaway box. This no-fuss menu is the stuff of dreams for lazy foodies everywhere, so we’ll make this prediction: we’ll be seeing more of this South Korean-inspired joint in the future.

5. Two Chickpeas

Even in 2019, many people still believe that vegan food is both immediately expensive and hopelessly limited. Two Chickpeas of Legazpi Village is the latest to pooh-pooh this idea, serving vegan falafel under 300 pesos. Check this place out if you’re in the mood for some Greek greens.

Featured photo is of Chichario.

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