If you’ve ever passed by Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City, then chances are, you’ve passed by Miguel’s Garden Cafe without knowing it. Isn’t it interesting how you can pass a busy street so many times, yet totally miss the good stuff lurking there?
We were in Antipolo City for Sunday lunch with my mom, but who knew Antipolo City on a Sunday was crowded? It was the weekend and everyone else was there! What’s more, the restaurant we wanted to visit was inaccessible, no thanks to some campaign sortie that blocked our way. I considered going back to restaurants like Tipulo and Burrow Cafe, but we’ve been there before. I wanted to check out a new place. While driving around, we drove past the sign for Miguel’s Garden Cafe off Sumulong Highway, and I made a mental note to check it out. I quickly checked their Facebook and Instagram profiles and made reservations for the next day, Monday, because why not?
They had both indoor and outdoor seating. Even if the indoor seating only had one table occupied, we chose outdoor seating, which was easier to get to.
I wanted to try their pasta and pizza dishes, so that’s what we did. We ordered some Gambas with Mushrooms first.
My mom, my husband and I ordered a trio of pasta dishes – Aglio Olio with Shrimps, Chicken Alfredo Pasta and Spicy Tuna Pasta.
Our server recommended that we try one of their pizzas and suggested Michelle’s Supreme Pizza.
It was topped with bacon strips, bell peppers, olive and basil.
Hubby ordered their Tsoko Mestizo made from tsokolate batirol and fresh milk topped with whipped cream.
I got my eternal favorite Mango Shake.
Since we ordered and ate quite a lot already, we didn’t order desserts anymore. They had ube cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, brazo de mercedes, etcetera.
Plants, plants, plants! The plantitas and plantitos out there will truly enjoy these. They’re up for sale.
They sell snacks like polvoron, banana chips, among others.
Now here are some of the little details that I like.
Verdict:
Love the outdoor eating space. It has fairy lights, so I’m sure it looks pretty at night.
Love the accessibility, especially for my senior citizen mom who walks around with her helpful little cane. Miguel’s Garden Cafe team also assisted her and ensured we were seated in a comfortable spot.
Love the plants all over the place. There’s just something relaxing about them.
Love the small touches that make it IG-ready. The plates alone were too precious!
Love the parking. Yes, even the parking is worth mentioning. Instead of ripping out the trees to make room for the vehicles, they kept the trees intact and worked around it so it can give the necessary shade we need when it’s too hot.
Love how the restaurant is easy to miss and hidden, but not really.
Of course, I did wonder – was it simply the excitement of finally being out and about after a long time of not eating out? Perhaps, but their dishes were well-prepared. The outdoor setting surrounded by trees made it easier to relax and not worry about things. It was truly a welcome respite from the stresses of the pandemic.
Address:
Miguel’s Garden Cafe at Kota Antipolo
Sitio Hopeville, Sumulong Highway
Antipolo City, Rizal 1870, Philippines
FYI: there are three branches of Miguel’s Garden Cafe. This blog post is about the Antipolo branch.
📍Kota Paradiso, Mabitac, Laguna – Open daily from 7am to 7pm – 0945 240 5924
📍Kota Antipolo, Sumulong Highway (across Haven of Angels) – Open daily from 7am to 10pm – 0977 603 1152
📍Kota Katipunan, Blue Ridge A – Open daily from 11am to 9pm – 0945 270 6447