Image Credit: @christabautista / Instagram.com Before you scoff at the word healthy, the hummus (P250) in this vegetarian gem is undoubtedly a stand-out. Whether slathered on warm pita bread or scooped with a spoon, the homemade concoction is delicious enough to convince meat eaters to consider going vegetarian. Fill your table with the harder to pronounce items like the Shakshuka (P180), 2 eggs cooked any style inside a pita, and Burekas (P210), cheese, spinach, or potato filled puff pastry, and leave the restaurant with guiltless satisfaction.

Shake off the midday lull and go on an adventure in the middle of busy Makati. The Escape Hunt in Ebro street offers live “escape the room” puzzle games where players are given 60 minutes to search for clues before time runs out. Themed games include a murder mystery, a hunt for lost items, and a mysterious spa incident. The rooms are popular for team building activities or for an alternative bonding experience with friends. Prices start at P2000 for two people.

Image Credit: @buckysnotabrownie / Instagram.com Famous for their different take on brownies, or not-a-brownies, Bucky’s offers more than just those sweet squares of fudgy goodness. It’s always a good idea to pair your non-brownies with the Softserve Waffle Cone (P100). Or take your Bucky love to the next level with their Blonde Buckygato (P160), softserve topped with salted caramel and a shot of espresso. But aside from all the delicious treats on their menu, Bucky’s is simply a great place for an afternoon hangout.

Image Credit: @jessicazafrascats / Instagram.com Forget about food for a moment and drop by this cool arts and performance hub. Pineapple Lab is an incubator of artistic expression where up and coming artists are able to showcase their work to the public. Past exhibits featured artworks by Solenn Heussaff, Jappy Agoncillo, and Rob Cham. Watch out for their year-round events and expand your knowledge on the local art scene. Who knows? A visit here might awaken the artist in you.

Image Credit: @thewildpoppy / Instagram.com Bright colors and friendly chatter will greet you from the street below -- everyone seems to know each other here. The Wild Poppy’s short but well-curated menu consists of perfected Asian dishes and signature cocktails. Crowd favorites include the Yaki Tomorokoshi (P165), grilled corn with yuzu-aioli and kesong-puti, a Japanese twist to the Mexican Elote, and the Pokpok bites (P190), an elevated version of fried chicken chops with laksa leaves and shallots. Of course, all these pair well with any of their signature cocktails like the Lazy Lemons (P190), bourbon infused with lemongrass, lemon juice and some spices, and the Hornet’s Mojito (P190), dark rum with a mix of honey, mint-leaves, brown sugar and lime juice. Drop by for dinner or for chill late night drinks, but make sure to make a reservation because the place gets packed!

Image Credit: @miahmoises / Instagram.com Before Poblacion was labeled as a food neighborhood, Ringside’s multi-colored sign lit up the dark streets of late-night Makati. Ringside is particularly famous for their midget boxing, a 3-minute match between two contenders. Here, guests can volunteer as referee by ordering tequila, and deciding who the winner is by the end of the fight. To join, volunteers have to order 3 shots (around P400 each) 1 for each boxer, and 1 for themselves. Although Ringside’s version of entertainment might not appeal to everyone, sitting front row as scantily clad characters is the secret recipe for a night to remember.

Planning to hangout in Poblacion? Make sure to book your hotel with Traveloka!]]>