Kapitolyo Crawl: Your guide to unique finds at Pasig’s food haven

If there’s a place in Metro Manila which brought the concept of ‘foodie’ and ‘destination restaurants’ alive, then it’s definitely the village of Kapitolyo in Pasig.

With homegrown favorites such as Café Juanita owned by Dr. Boy Vazquez, and Three Sisters Restaurant, which has been operating for decades leading an array of other concept dining spots, this area in Pasig is definitely a must-visit if you’re looking for a place that offers delicious dishes and unique dining experiences.

Thanks to the homey vibe of the whole community, this has encouraged many restaurateurs to open more concept restaurants that appeal to diners of different tastes and backgrounds. The streets of Kapitolyo are literally a food-lover’s haven, with various local and international menus enticing each visitor in between houses!

Food Heaven

If you want a great start to a Kapitolyo Crawl, then Café Juanita is a must-visit. This kitschy restaurant with its flamboyant interiors and delicious comfort dishes like sinigang na corned beef and sticky toffee pudding, is a popular among families and friends who live in the area.

For simpler but nevertheless delicious fares, Three Sisters is the place to be. The updated resto (which used to sport a rather dated interior), is home to delicious barbecue that’s considered the best in the city. And at P48/ pc, you will never go wrong when visiting the place.

More recent additions that’s making a name for itself in Kapitolyo includes Poco Deli, a pub/deli that offer various wines along with delectable sausages and cheeses. Charlie’s Grind & Grill, on the other hand, has unforgettable burgers and hotdog sandwiches that go well with their Vanilla Milkshake.

For cheaper finds, visit Bull Chef, a bulaluhan, and Kanto Free Style All-day Breakfast.

Kapitolyo is also not short of international finds. There’s Uncle Moe’s for juicy kebab, Banois for Vietnamese noodles or Pho, Cool Ramen for Japanese, and Oriental Pearl, formerly known as Jade Palace for Chinese cuisine.

Lifestyle hub

Because of the popularity of Kapitolyo as a dining place, the village has expanded to other businesses as well catering to urban needs like fitness and leisure. Ace Water Spa for example, opened their second branch at Kapitolyo, offering their popular water-therapy park.

Brixton street, on the other hand, has lifestyle strips that’s definitely worth a visit – Heima, a novelty store, has knick-knacks and furniture ranging from cute to kitschy. The charming, brightly-lit store is filled with novelty items from stationaries, bags, chairs, lighting fixtures and other furnishings for both home and office.

Beside it is a skate and coffee shop called Easy, and it is exactly what its name conveys — a skateboard and longboard shop where visitors can also enjoy a good cup of joe.

Just above it is Urban Ashram, a yoga center, while beside it is Co-lab, an open work space for those looking for a comfortable work area.

There is also an Edgy Veggy outlet which offers pastries and dishes for the health-conscious individuals.

Although technically not part of the village, right across Kapitolyo is a growing lifestyle hub called Capitol Commons, which offers its own array of restaurants and a fitness park to boot.

Constant reinvention

Through the years, Kapitolyo has re-invented itself from mere village hang-out place, to an all around lifestyle area. New restaurants like Locavore, which was made famous for their sizzling sinigang na bulalo, is one of the best examples of its evolution – businessmen have kept up with the times and made sure that they offer something different to compete with other restaurants.