Quests When in Makati
By Trisha Anne Tuviera
A TikTok video influences you to visit Makati, but one problem…you don’t know where to start. Do you explore cafes? Visit the parks? Ask a friend to meet you? Roam the malls? Find somewhere to sit down and eat? Find ukay spots?
Makati is a good place to wander because there’s always something to do, somewhere to go, or a view worth seeing. For Gen Z, this is what makes Makati appealing. “Makati Maxxing,” is not just simply about visiting the most trendy spot, but rather making the most out of the city by going on little quests.
Makati can be overwhelming with the amount of choices. But whether you’re there on a budget or looking to maximize your time, Makati has the place for you.
But what are these places that Gen Z are actually visiting when in Makati?
Food for Thought
Before embarking on a city quest, you may want to eat good food.
Makati offers a diverse range of food options from pop-up stalls, small restaurants and lavish dining locations. Food places in Poblacion, Salcedo, Legazpi Village and Greenbelt have become hot spots for hungry crowds looking for their next satisfying feast.
“...[T]hey really have everything there.”
Joaquin, a local, shares that he likes going to eat in Makati. He emphasizes that restaurants usually spread apart in other cities can be collectively found in Makati. He states that their city becomes a type of “food court” for these establishments. He additionally recommended his favorite food spots:
Sweet Ecstasy (Temporarily Closed)
An open-air burger place located at 27 Canopus, Cor Jupiter, Makati. The place serves burgers, sides, milkshakes and more. According to reviews, the place has good food and atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Joaquin claims that Sweet Ecstasy has the best burgers in Makati. Prices range from Php 260.00 to Php 550.00.
Mendokoro Ramenba
A Japanese ramen restaurant located in Unit 14 & 15, Soliman, Makati. The restaurant’s simple counter-service setup makes the place feel cozy. It’s a nice and homey meal with fast service. In Joaquin’s opinion, they have the best ramen in Metro Manila. Prices range from Php 470.00 to Php 1,000.00
Onlypans Taqueria
A taco shop located at 5663 Don Pedro, Poblacion. This small shop with outdoor seating serves different Mexican dishes like their Quesa Birria Tacos, Carnitas and Pescado. Joaquin praises the shop’s service, good vibe and food. Prices range from Php 190.00 to Php 400.00
Although they’re good eats, Joaquin states that these food spots are more pricey. They’re just a few places that you can try if your main goal in Makati is to eat good food.
Other places to try as recommended by other Gen Zs:
Oden House
An underrated Japanese restaurant located in Dela Rosa Car Park, 1 Dela Rosa Street, Legazpi Village. They serve classics like Gyoza, Donburi, Noodles and special lunch sets. Reviews mention having great food, but Japanese people tend to crowd the place after work hours. Prices range from Php 120.00 to Php 1,000.00.
Crosta Pizzeria
A small pizza joint located in Salcedo Village, 104 HV Dela Costa, Cor L.P. Leviste Street. It serves what most people call the best pizza in the metro. Prices range from Php 500.00 to Php 1,000.00
Sisigsarada
A jollijeep that sells affordable sisig meals. They can be found Beside 7/11, along 104 Rada, San Lorenzo, Legazpi Village. Prices range from Php 50.00 to Php 200.00.
Meals can become a reason to meet with friends, regain energy, or simply an excuse to sit down and pause. And to these Gen Zs, getting spectacular food for reasonable prices and a good atmosphere is essential when maximizing their time in the city.
Classic Sips
If you’re in the city just for a quick pick me up, Makati cafes are the way to go. Like its diverse food selection, Makati offers a variety of coffee shops that you can experience. Whether you want to roam the city with a drink or somewhere to sit and work, Makati has a blend of cafe experiences to choose from.
Marc, a Gen Z working in Makatishares how the fast paced work environment causes him to rely on coffee for a burst of energy. The nearby coffee shops in Makati help him meet his body’s demand for caffeine before working shifts.
He mentions Habitual Coffee in Paseo Heights, L.P. Leviste Street is his go to spot. It’s close to Jaime Velasquez park which guarantees a good view when visiting the shop in the morning. Marc says that the coffee is not that pricey but is still good quality. Their prices range from Php 100.00 to Php 500.00.
Other Gen Z Makati goers also love cafes for the ambiance. Julia, a regular visitor, is not a fan of coffee or matcha, but loves cafes. She specifically mentions the following coffee shops in Poblacion:
Good sh*t coffee
A relaxing and cozy neighborhood cafe located at 5872 Enriquez Street, Poblacion. Julia highlights her love for the cafe’s pastries which are definitely a must try. Their prices range from Php 120.00 - Php 200.00
Saglit by Flower Ranch Cafe
A small flower and coffee shop located at 5936 Gloria, Poblacion. Julia shares that this cafe has great non coffee options for people who are not the biggest fans of coffee or matcha. She underscores the cafe’s flowers are a nice touch, offering a top tier ambiance.
Other cafes as recommended by Gen Z Makati enthusiasts:
Odd Cafe
A plant-based coffee shop located on the 7th floor of Finman Centre Building in Salcedo Village. It offers plant-based drinks and snacks, with a cozy interior design. Their prices range from Php 190.00 to Php 450.00.
Oolah!
An artsy cafe located on the lower ground floor of Cityland III in Legazpi Village. It blends specialty coffee and creative matcha drinks with their vibrant and cozy interior. Prices range from Php 225.00 to Php 400.00.
Wildflour Cafe
A cafe located in Greenbelt known for its tasty pastries and coffee, with a variety of menu options. Ram, a Gen Z Makati goer, buys from them after 6:00 PM because pastries are sold 50% off. Coffee and Pastry prices range from Php 170 to Php 330. Main dishes range from Php 500 to Php 1000.
We Yearn for Community and Leisure
Apart from food and drinks, Makati is also a great place to do the things you love and hangout with great people. Sometimes it becomes less about the destination and more about the activities and company.
For young adults, a place can become valuable because it gives them somewhere to meet with friends on a weekend, hangout after class, or even chill after work. Makati gives you tons of options on where to go and what to do for leisure.
A common Gen Z leisure activity is walking in open areas like parks. Julia mentions that a walk around Legazpi park and surrounding areas instantly puts her in a good mood. Marc shares the same about Jaime Velasquez park. He visits the park for sanity walks to shake off work tension and stress. Additionally, these parks offers weekend activities and events like pop-ups and markets.
Other people like going to the connecting malls like Greenbelt, Glorietta and One Ayala. These are their usual go to spots because there are a number of activities to choose from in just one place. Similarly, Makati Cinema Square offers the same variety of activities with good food, ukay and according to Julia, “...[S]ome random things you wouldn’t expect to see.”
However, sometimes leisure, friends and food are just inseparable. Marc understands that meals are better shared with friends especially after a tiring work day. El Chupacabra is one of his favorite spots to go to with friends. Located in 5782 Felipe, Poblacion, this unassuming pub sells street tacos with satisfying servings. Marc also says that it’s a place where he can share a beer with his buddies and talk while eating good food — talk about a Makati night life!
These diverse spaces for leisure and connection are central to Makati’s identity as an accessible city. And at its core it becomes a place for everyone. This is where the idea of “third space” comes in. Traditionally, third spaces refer to places outside of home, work and school where people can socialize and connect. In practice, it may look different, especially in places where people feel comfortable staying for a while.
Makati’s appeal partly comes from the number of these possibilities sitting close together.
Somewhere to Just Exist
With Makati’s ample list of activities, perhaps the most underrated Makati activity is having nowhere to be, having no planned itinerary and just spontaneously navigating the city.
This extends the idea of “Makati Maxxing” beyond just chasing viral destinations, to maximize the city experience. Maximizing the Makati experience is not just consumption, but also finding other meaningful activities that are worthwhile.
Maxing out a Makati visit may look different for everyone. Whether you’re walking through parks, discovering a new cafe, meeting with friends, visiting pop-up markets, or finding a quiet place to do work, you dictate how to maximize your Makati experience.
It then becomes less about how many places you can visit in Makati and more about the quality of your experiences.
What it Means to Experience Makati
At the end of the day there’s no one way to experience Makati, and maybe that’s what makes it worth exploring. In the words of Ram:
“Going to Makati is unlocking new parts of it everytime you visit.”
You can come for the food and stay for the people. You can come to do work but end up exploring. You can come with a full itinerary and abandon it halfway.
For Gen Z, “Makati Maxxing” can be understood as a desire to make the city experience a part of their lives, not by spending more, but by finding more ways to use the spaces available around us.
