It’s no secret that the province of Rizal hides some of the best places near Metro Manila for breathtaking views.
Antipolo, Rizal’s capital city, has long been a favorite go-to destination that people head whenever they want to enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline. Many locals refer to the Antipolo hillsides as “overlooking”, because of the fact that it does overlook quite a view.
But other towns with hilly areas like Binangonan and Tanay in Rizal are also favorites of riders and road-trippers.
Here are just a few spots near the metro where you can go for quick drives to enjoy a pleasant meal or drinks with a view.
Art Sector Gallery and Chimney Cafe 360º
ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Cafe 360º is an art gallery, restaurant and special events place located in Eastridge, a private subdivision in the town of Binangonan. This café perched on a hill offers a panoramic view of Laguna Lake, the Sierra Madre Mountains, Pililla Windmills and offers a great spot to enjoy the sunset, moon, and city lights.
The cafe serves hot and iced brewed coffees, tea, soft drinks, beer, cocktails, mocktails and wine. Their menu changes depending on the month. Their January to February menu had a range of soups, salad, sandwiches, Pizza and Pasta, appetizers, and some main dishes in the P199 – P299 price range.
Take note, that there’s an entrance fee to enter the space, and it can get a bit crowded during weekends, but it’s a great spot for weekday rides especially if you go early. The drive up is a bit steep, but the view is worth it. There are actually 2 entrances to Eastridge Village that you can pass to get in.
An alternative route if you’re coming from Antipolo is to pass through Manuel L. Quezon Extension to reach the back subdivision gate near the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs. This route is more scenic and less congested compared to the main highway that passes through Cainta and Taytay.
- ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Cafe 360, Lot 18 Block 178 Eastridge Executive Village, Col. Guido Rd, Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal.
- Entrance fee: P200 per person, P225 holidays.
- Open from Tuesday to Sunday: 1:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Closed on Mondays for Private Events.
- Facebook Page: ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Cafe
Established in 2019, Kaulayaw Coffee is one of the newer dining destinations along the Antipolo ridge, specializing in locally sourced coffee. The term “Kaulayaw” translates to “close companion” and this café offers a chill pit spot for Antipolo road trips. From the restaurant’s airy third floor open-air dining area, guests can soak in the sprawling views of Rizal’s sea of green and Metro Manila’s skyline.
The cafe serves ethically sourced and locally grown coffee made with local coffee beans like Sagada, Benguet, and their own blend. For meals, they have mostly morning specials like suman, cheese rolls, ensaymada, toasts, pancakes, sandwiches, rice bowls and pasta dishes ideal for breakfast, brunch or light snacks in the mornings to early afternoons.
They also serve a few local craft beers on their menu including Nipa Brew, Crazy Carabao and Alcalde Brewery (a small batch brewery from Cainta), as well as Kombucha, Tequila, Italian Wines, and Whiskey, which go great for sunset and evening visits.
- Kaulayaw Coffee. 23 Sumulong Highway, Sta. Cruz, Antipolo, Rizal.
- Open from Tuesday to Friday: 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Facebook Page: Kaulayaw Coffee
Cloud 9 Antipolo Hanging Bridge 360 view
Cloud 9 is a hotel and resort that offers 360-degree views of the city. A popular activity among visitors is to cross the hanging bridge to get to the 360 View Deck.
The bridge and view deck offers unobstructed views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and Metro Manila skyline. The 7th Heaven exit bridge going back is another hanging garden walkway covered with a trellis of plants and flowers.
After enjoying the view, visitors can also head to grab a bite to eat at the airy overlooking restaurant, which serves appetizers, family-style Pinoy favorites, beverages, cocktails, wine and more.
- Cloud 9 Sports and Leisure Club, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo
- Rates: Walk-in entrance for hanging bridge: P60 per person. Hotel guests and diners at the restaurant get free entrance to the hanging bridge, but they need to present their receipt or room key to the guard on duty.
- Open daily from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Facebook Page: Cloud 9 Antipolo Hanging Bridge
Maura’s Place by Mela and Mai is a relatively new restaurant that offers sunrise and sunset dining with a view. This secluded restaurant is located within Pagrai Hills Subdivision in Barangay Mayamot, a part of Antipolo off the main highway. The cozy, home-style restaurant looks like something you’d expect to find in Tagaytay or Baguio.
Their upscale menu will appeal to couples out on dates or special occasions, families, and ladies out to brunch with friends. The restaurant serves a variety of country-style rice meals, pasta dishes, rustic pizzas, sandwiches, fruit shakes and more during the day, as well as beer, wine and cheese type platters at night.
- Maura’s Place by Mela and Mai. 0011 Granada Street, Pagrai Hills Subdivision, Unit II, Antipolo, Rizal. Strictly by advanced booking and reservation only. Slots are available for Sunrise and Sunset Dining.
- Facebook Page: Maura’s Place
Ricardo’s Vista del Cielo is a family-owned restaurant where you can enjoy the cool and fresh air and a good meal with stunning views of the Sierra Madre mountains. It’s one of the newer restaurants located along the Marikina-Infanta Highway or Marilaque Highway in Tanay popularly frequented by riders and road trippers during weekends. Those who go early (around 5:30 am), are sometimes treated to a sea of clouds here.
The restaurant’s menu is a mix of Filipino favorites like bulalo and sisig and a few Spanish dishes. Most main dishes are served family-style and good for sharing among 3-4 pax.
Ricardo’s is actually a private home converted into a bed and breakfast with both outdoor and indoor dining areas, so it feels very homey. The establishment has a few native gazebos set around the gardens where you can enjoy the natural view outside. The restaurant also has a covered roof deck area with large tables for groups.
- Ricardo’s Vista Del Cielo. Marcos Highway, Mayagay 1, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal
Facebook: Ricardo’s Vista del Cielo
