LIST: Must-try food spots at the newly established Gateway Mall 2
For some Pinoys, Cubao—also known as Araneta City—is the hub of the metro. It has been a desirable location for shopping, leisure, entertainment, and of course, dining for years now.
In case you didn't know, the food scene at the City of Firsts has become even more exciting as the much-awaited expansion of Gateway Mall has been completed. The new establishment houses various crowd-favorite restaurants, with some that used to only be accessible outside Quezon City.
If you're on the hunt for food spots that can make your tummy happy in Cubao, look no further as PhilSTAR L!fe has rounded up newly opened restos you can enjoy at Gateway Mall 2.
Tim Ho Wan
Chinese feast, anyone? Tim Ho Wan's newest branch is now open in Araneta City.
Located at the Coliseum Plaza, the "world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant" is available for late-night dining, even after an exciting concert or a thrilling sporting event at the Big Dome.
Among its best-sellers are baked BBQ pork buns (P214), prawn dumpling (P238), and vermicelli roll with BBQ pork (P238).
Hawker Chan
Up for a Singaporean food experience? Hawker Chan has your back as the restaurant just introduced afternoon menu items as low as P99.
You can delight in a merienda bowl at the Upper Ground A of Gateway Mall 2 from Mondays to Fridays, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.—from chicken wonton rice bowl to wonton noodle bowl, among others.
You can also enjoy its festive Platefulls that come with Hawker Chan's soya sauce chicken (P585) as well as char siu (P847), roast pork (P821), fried pork (P287), and roast duck (P1,698-P3,395).
Pound
Pound, a homegrown joint known for its burgers, just opened its 11th spot at the Upper Ground A of Gateway Mall 2.
You can satisfy your burger cravings with its Pound Burger (P265), which you can also get as a slider. Each serving comes with lettuce, tomatoes, mustard relish, crispy onions, and a tangy Todd English sauce, all sandwiched between two soft brioche buns.
llaollao
How about some frozen yogurt? The well-loved yogurt brand in Spain has become more accessible with its new store at the same Cubao mall.
Located beside Pound, Llaollao lets you enjoy frozen yogurt with various toppings and sauces to choose from, from fruits to chocolate and beyond.
Their best-selling combos include Lotus Biscoff caramelized biscuit sauce with strawberries, chocorock sauce with strawberries, Chips Ahoy cookies with Lotus Biscoff caramelized sauce, and Chips Ahoy cookies with chocolate hazelnut sauce, among others.
Manam
Whether you’re treating balikbayans who are looking for a taste of home or introducing foreign friends to the flavors of Pinoy cooking, Manam could be a good bet as it offers a modern take on classic Filipino dishes. It's located at the Coliseum Plaza just beside Tim Ho Wan.
Here, you and your loved ones can bond over festive Filipino dishes including crispy sisig (P215), gising-gising (P170-P690), crispy pancit palabok (P265), and more.
You can try its ube + sago drink (P190) if you're up for something refreshing or puto bumbong with muscovado butter (P145) to cap off your meal.
Tong Yang Grill & Shabu-Shabu
Hot pot is always a good idea. If you're craving it, the new Tong Yang might be perfect for you.
Located at the Upper Ground A of the Cubao establishment, Tong Yang offers an eat-all-you-can experience (P688-P788) from meat to seafood as well as a good assortment of vegetables for hot pot and grill sessions.
Shake Shack
Located beside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the seventh branch of Shake Shack in the country features sports-related themes like their Stand For Something Good wall that resembles a basketball court's free throw line. There are also murals by Quezon City artist and muralist Bitto.
You can enjoy pre-selected combo meals like the Classic Shack (P585), which features the best-selling Shack Burger, a side of fries, and a 16-ounce lemonade.
If you love hotdogs, the Hotdiggity Shack (P575) is a must-try as it includes the restaurant's cheese dog, a side of fries, and a 16-ounce lemonade.
Grace Park
How does a Filipino-inspired Italian restaurant sound? If it sounds appetizing, Grace Park might be your new go-to at the mall.
In this culinary innovation by Margarita Fores, Asia’s best female chef in 2016 who has been at the forefront of delicious Italian restaurants in the country, farmhouse cooking shines through a variety of dishes with a myriad of flavors and textures, like its best-selling Negros organic lechon.
Located on the ground floor of the mall, Grace Park is known for its crowd-favorite items like the Ilonggo batchoy bone-in US prime rib-eye (P5,185/500 grams) and Cubao soy garlic lamb chops (P835).
a mano
Speaking of Italian dishes, a mano offers classic Italian food like linguine vongole (P725) and spaghetti cacio e pepe (P665) as well as beloved pizza flavors like margherita con bufala (P665) and quattro formaggi (P675).
The restaurant is situated on the ground floor, just beside Grace Park. Pictured below is the new Foccacia di Recco, which has white and dark milk chocolate, cream cheese, Nutella, pistachios, strawberries, and powdered sugar, offering a good way to end your a mano visit.
Abé
Classic Pampanga-style Filipino food has long been perfected by Abe.
At the new mall, you can strengthen your ties with your family over largely portioned meals of Pinoy favorites.
Located on the ground floor just across Grace Park, the restaurant has bestsellers like ube sinigang (P620), crispy tadyang (P685), and puchero (P425).
Dunkin' Bev Concept Store
Looking for a fun place to chill with friends? The Dunkin' Bev Concept Store has a casual hangout spot where you can enjoy original and new takes on your favorite caffeinated drinks.
The Dunkin' Bev Concept Store is located at the second level of Gateway Mall 2. What makes it different from other Dunkin' stores is it offers specialty beverages like the Pinoy Coco Espresso (P99).
More food spots coming soon at Gateway Mall 2
Aside from the restaurants above, Gateway Mall 2 will also feature other hot dining spots including Panda Express, Mary Grace, Mamou, Ramen Nagi, Dooki Korean, and Tsokolateria.
You can also expect unique food hall concepts like a Pop District Center that offers Korean-related food and items.
Palenque, a Filipino-themed food arena is also coming to Araneta City. It highlights signature cuisine from different parts of the country like Bale Dutung of Chef Claude Tayag, Al Puruganan’s Ilocos cuisine, Chef Tatung’s Cebu offerings and delicacies, Palm Grill from Zamboanga, Sea Salt Davao Grill, and Chinoy's Chicken Fandian.