Five Specialty Restaurants for a Chill Date Night

Where to head next in Metro Manila?

Date night with your favorite person is always something to look forward to. The tricky part is keeping things interesting by figuring out where to take them next. In the post ahead, we round up choice specialty restaurants for you to check out if the mood for your next date night is chill and laidback.

Crosta Pizza

Crosta Pizzeria is a must-visit joint. Earlier this year, it was one of the Filipino restaurants named in the Asia-Pacific edition of “50 Top Pizza,” an Italian-based awards-giving body.

This specialty restaurant began as a grab-and-go cloud concept in 2017 and rapidly expanded since. The owners took seven years to perfect the dough—a delicious, chewy sourdough that amplifies Crosta Pizzeria’s toppings.

This resto makes it easy to enjoy pizza every day, but its first-class flavors will make date night extra special.

Ramen Ron  

Remember Ukokkei? It’s the iconic restaurant on Arnaiz (formerly Pasay Road) known for sending away presidents and business tycoons that’s gotten a second life in 2021. Award-winning chef Margarita Fores and her son Amado decided to freshen up the brand and rechristened it Ramen Ron last year. Partnering with the original chef Tamura-san, they began selling DIY ramen kits before officially opening a physical establishment in Rockwell, Makati.

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of Chef Tamura’s noodles during the rainy season?

Xiao Long Kan

Situated on one side of the Fort Strip, this gem is Manila’s Szechuan hotpot heaven. You can easily spot the restaurant thanks to its distinct green-painted walls. Upon entering, you will also be amazed, no doubt, by its Van Gogh-inspired interiors. 

Perfect for spicy food lovers, Xiao Long Kan is a place to get your fill of everything from beef, fish balls, tofu, bean curd, and vegetables, to the more unconventional options such as tripe and duck intestines. 

With so many ingredients to choose from, a date night here means a feast. Come with empty stomachs!

Yokohama Meat Kitchen 

Another one of Manila’s specialty restaurants, Yokohama Meat Kitchen is a go-to for comfort food located on Jupiter Street. If you and your partner are big meat eaters, you’ve likely heard of this place before.

The spacious, casual restaurant specializes in Japanese yakiniku with various types of savory meat on the menu. Despite its no-frills atmosphere, Yokohama Meat Kitchen is noteworthy for its authenticity, friendly staff, good service, and premium menu items. Booking a spot for a night of grilled beef, vegetables, and highballs here will transport any couple straight into the heart of Tokyo. 

Kashmir 

Kashmir is another well-known Arnaiz stronghold. Once owned by three Indian sisters, this is known as the first Indian restaurant to open in Manila. It got its start in a pension house’s basement before moving to its iconic location. Now, under the hands of a new owner, it’s joined the bevy of restaurants in Bonifacio Global City—with an updated look and a streamlined menu. 

Relish the soothing and spicy flavors of Indian cuisine with your partner, starting with the delicate fukna (a pastry appetizer with onions and tamarind chutney) through the saucy rogan josh, to the sweet pistachio-topped gulab jamun.

With the unpredictable weather, it’s perfectly understandable if you want to spend date nights at home, too. Bring date night to you when you order from specialty restaurants via GrabFood. Here, you can use your Globe Rewards or Birthday Rewards for extra discounts on your order!