Experience Makati

Makati City is recognized as the country’s primary central business district and financial hub.

But the thriving city is not all about work. It is about fun, too, with its wide array of entertainment, lifestyle and cultural options.

Tourism has always been pushed by the city government and they continue to innovate their tourism strategies for visitors to fully know and enjoy what Makati City has to offer.

In September 2022, Makati launched its MakaTurismo website. In May 2023, the city government of Makati and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched cultural bus tours to promote the city’s heritage sites and lifestyle through a transportation system as part of DOTr’s “Hop On, Hop Off” program.

Then in July 2024, Makati City launched its tourism campaign “Visit a Better Makati” to showcase its cultural heritage, development programs and commercial lifestyle.

For tourists in the city who only have 48 hours to spare, we have listed a suggested itinerary of places to visit, food to enjoy and experiences to consider while visiting the exciting city of Makati.

DAY 1

Breakfast: Brunch Bureau (2F, 1 Proscenium Office Bldg., Estrella Drive, Rockwell Center)

Start your day at the Brunch Bureau. —PHOTO FROM BRUNCH BUREAU/FACEBOOK

Want an elevated breakfast before starting our Makati tour?

Brunch Bureau is located at the Proscenium building of Rockwell Center. It is an ideal breakfast option as it offers unique and comforting dishes and an extensive assortment of caffeinated drinks. Inspired by global brunch scenes, Brunch Bureau serves Banana Bread Eggs Benedict, Pesto Chicken and Mangoes, and Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Cappuccino. They also offer the popular Filipino brunch item, silog. For coffee enthusiasts, the restaurant is noted for their espresso drinks like the Seven Seeds Golden Gate blend, which uses Australian beans, and their Brunch Bureau house blend, which offers a fruity and balanced roast. The Brunch Bureau is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Brunch Bureau (Photo from Facebook)

Destination #1: Sts. Peter and Paul Church-Makati (5539 D. M. Rivera St., Poblacion)

Saints Peter and Paul Church welcomes the faithful. (Photo from Makati website)

A few minutes away from Rockwell Center is the oldest church in Makati. Sts. Peter and Paul Church, also known as San Pedro Macati Church, is a significant place of worship located in Brgy. Poblacion—the city’s culture and heritage district. The 404-year-old church is recognized as an “Important Cultural Property” due to its remarkable cultural, artistic and historical significance to the entire country.

Sts. Peter and Paul Church (Photo from Makati website)

Built in 1608, it has a Baroque architectural design with the typical style of colonial mission churches. Although it underwent numerous renovations and designs over the years, the original features of the church, such as the retablo and its bells, are still present. It is home to the images of Nuestra Señora de la Rosa and the Sto Niño de Pasion, which can only be found in Makati.

Destination #2: Power Plant Mall (Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Poblacion) or the Salcedo Weekend Market (Jaime C. Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village)

Salcedo Weekend Market never fails to attract locals and tourists. —PHOTOS FROM WEBSITE OF MAKATURISMO

After a visit to the historical church, you can take a short walk back to Rockwell Center and spend some time at the Power Plant Mall. This high-end mall provides a unique experience for shoppers. Its four-level complex includes more than 300 establishments housing a mix of specialty brands, a supermarket, lifestyle retailers, themed restaurants and state-of-the-art cinemas.

Rockwell Power Plant Mall

If you are in the city on a weekend, make sure to visit the Salcedo Weekend Market. Enjoy a variety of fresh produce, artisanal goods and delicious food in a very welcoming community market setup. Sometimes, they even have themed festivities. Make sure to check their official Facebook page if they are available on the date of your visit.

Lunch: Romulo Café (148 Jupiter corner Comet Street, Bel-Air)

It’s always a good idea to dine at Romulo’s. (Photo from website)

For a fulfilling lunch, head to the Makati branch of Romulo Café and indulge in comfort Filipino food cuisine. A number of their dishes are made from their family’s heirloom recipes, like their best-selling chicken relleno, their highly recommended kare-kare and their popular deboned crispy pata binagoongan. For dessert, the ever famous Filipino dessert halo-halo is highly recommended.

The ambiance of the restaurant will also add delight to the dining experience. It is elegant and chic but relaxed and not over-the-top. They accept walk-ins but recommend making reservations.

Destination #3: Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library (Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, San Lorenzo)

Ayala Museum

The Ayala Museum is a must-visit place for people interested in art, history and experiencing the rich heritage of the Philippines. As one of the most prominent private museums in the country, the Ayala Museum makes Philippine history, art and culture accessible to the public through engaging exhibitions and exciting programs. Ayala Museum is home to the country’s first digital gallery, an immersive touchscreen experience that allows guests to digitally explore objects from the museum and library collections. The museum is celebrating its 50th year in 2024. The museum is closed on Mondays and special holidays and events so it’s recommended to prebook your ticket before your visit to be sure it’s open when you come.

Filipinas Heritage Library (Photo courtesy of Ayala Museum)

On the sixth floor of the Ayala Museum is the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL). Established in 1996, the FHL is the other half of Ayala Foundation’s Arts and Culture Division. It is a one-stop digital research center in the Philippines and they have preserved documentary heritage with a focus on the formative period of Philippine nationhood (1930-1950s). There is a separate fee if you will use the FHL.

Afternoon Snack: Museya Kafe (Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, San Lorenzo)

Museya Kafe (Photo from Instagram)

After taking in the sights of Ayala Museum, take a trip to its resident cafe, the Museya Kafe. The brainchild of Margarita Fores, the chef behind Cibo, Lusso and The Loggia at Palacio de Memoria, and Asia’s top female chef according to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2016, the cafe opened in April 2023 and has since provided museumgoers and Makati visitors alike with delicious food and a calming ambience.

Located on the Museum’s ground floor, Museya Kafe boasts a fully alfresco environment with a laid-back, intimate atmosphere, perfect for winding down and taking a breather after a trip. Sit back, relax and enjoy some of its delicious dishes, like its locally-sourced Arabica coffee, Tarragon Tea, or Calamansi Cheesecake to cap off your visit to the Museum.

Museya Kafe is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Destination #4: Greenbelt Mall or Washington SyCip Park (Legazpi Street, Legaspi Village)

Makati central business district beckons.

Keep the zen mood by taking a trip to the Washington SyCip Park after your afternoon coffee. Lush with vibrant greenery and tall trees, the Park offers a temporary respite from the concrete jungle that is Makati. It was named after its titular business tycoon in recognition of his contributions to the local business sector and sits across the spacious Legazpi Active Park, which you can also choose to explore if you find the time.

Rich with gazebos and pavilions, Washington SyCip Park is also home to sculptures by the multimedia artist Impy Pilapil. Some of the most notable sculptures include the “Wishing Stone,” where visitors can, as its name suggests, write down their deepest wishes and desires, the obelisk-like “Faith” pointing to the sky and the Stonehenge-style gate “Entry.”

If you want to shop some more, you can also opt to head to the Greenbelt Mall just adjacent to the Ayala Museum. Greenbelt Mall has a garden in the middle of its shopping and dining areas. Greenbelt offers retail, dining and entertainment options for those who want to spend and splurge.

Dinner: Green Bar (106 Aguirre, Legazpi Village)

Blackbird and Green Bar are just some of Makati’s many dining options that meet every budget. (Photo from Facebook)

To wrap up your first day in Makati, have a guilt-free, delicious dinner at Green Bar. Ever since its inception in 2014, Green Bar has delighted its customers with its plant-based dishes that could satisfy even the most discerning of palates. Through the use of locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, such as homemade cheeses and meats, Green Bar’s offerings are not only flavorful, but also help reduce negative environmental impact without opting out on taste.

Try its fan-favorite dish, the Breakfast Burrito, a savory and creamy wrap with a hint of sweetness made from scrambled tofu, baby spinach, roasted potatoes, vegan Hollandaise sauce and seitan sausage. Its vegan gourmet donuts, which come in a variety of flavors ranging from crunchy peanut butter to raspberry vanilla, can also make for a delectable dessert to cap off your dinner. If you’re looking for something more filling, try the restaurant’s Hot Bowls, such as its Truffle Mushroom Udon, which is made from udon noodles, white mushroom sauce and grilled mushrooms, or the BBQ Seitan Rice Bowl, a rice meal that comes with BBQ seitan, coconut creamed kale, broccoli and squash.

Green Bar is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

DAY 2

Breakfast: Cartel Deli (Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, 119 LP Leviste St., Salcedo Village)

Carte Deli (Photo from Facebook)

Start your second day in Makati the right way by getting your fill at Cartel Deli, Makati’s “Little Spain” and a casual neighborhood cafe-deli-bar. They offer a wide range of selections in their breakfast menu options, among others. Enjoy Signature Tapas in their Croquetas, Gambas al Ajillo and Salpicao, as well as their All Day Breakfast which include omelets that come in three options: shiitake mushroom, ham and cheese, and tomato mozzarella. They also have their Breakfast Bowls, which offers savory and tart breakfast options such as Vegetable Moussaka, Bacon Bowl, Fruit Plate and Eggs and Croissants and Fruit Plate.

No matter the preference, Cartel Deli has something for everyone. There are also pasta, pizzeta, salad, sandwich options and—for big groups and appetites—thin house paellas, meats, seafood, and family sizes menus.

Cartel Deli is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Destination #1: Everything’s Fine Books and Gallery (Prince Tower, Salcedo Village, 14 Tordesillas)

Everything’s Fine (Photo from Instagram)

You can never go wrong with a quick stop in a bookstore to follow up a quaint breakfast. Fortunately, the Makati-based Everything’s Fine Books and Gallery has set up shop to house not just hard-to-find books and local literature but also a space for art, community, and advocacy. Founded in 2019, Everything’s Fine is also a small independent press that has published local writers such as Don Jaucian, Zea Asis, and Richard Bolisay, to name a few. It also has an art space for poetry reading sessions and exhibitions, as well as a bookshop where you can find titles by a whole other range of writers like Linda Ty-Casper, Sylvia Plath, Simone de Beauvoir, and Lydia Davis.

Lunch: Filling Station Bar Cafe (5012 P. Burgos Ave., Poblacion)

Filling Station Bar Cafe is open all day and night. —PHOTOS FROM FILLING STATION BAR CAFE / FACEBOOK

“Play, drain, and refill” for lunch in this 50’s-style diner located in Poblacion, Makati. Filling Station guarantees a unique dining experience that is American-made—from their space decked out with an extensive collection of authentic American memorabilia and decors down to their extensive menu of classic American meals. Make lunch very fulfilling with Filling Station’s burger, sandwich, pizza, and pasta options or, better yet, their Station Specialties menu which includes the Shelby (tenderloin tips), John Wayne’s Rib Eye, Ribs ‘N Mash, and their customer favorites Camaro (baby back ribs) and De Soto (tenderloin steak), among many other options. Customers also have the Filipino Favorites menu filled with Filipino lunch staples. Feeling extra adventurous? Try their Sizzling Bulalo!

Filling Station Bar Cafe (Photo from Facebook)

Filling Station Bar & Cafe is open 24/7.

Destination #2: Yuchengco Museum (RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue)

Yuchengco Museum (Photo from website)

The Yuchengco Museum opened its doors to the public in 2005 and has since served its primary goal of fostering greater public appreciation for art. The museum was created to house the art collection of Alfonso T. Yuchengco, an ambassador, businessman, diplomat, philanthropist, patron of the arts, and advocate for education. Their commitment to public art appreciation and extensive art collections make the Yuchengco Museum the perfect place to spend the afternoon filled with art, thought, and education.

The museum also regularly puts up international, local, cultural, historical, and even design exhibits and programs for all to enjoy. Much recently, they featured renowned Filipino writers in an exhibit titled “Roots and Paradoxes: The Filipino Voices of Carlos Bulosan and Carlos Villa”, which was on display from April until Sept. 11, 2024. In January to July 2024, the museum also displayed five remarkable paintings by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo made possible by the Danilo Soriano Family Foundation.

Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

Afternoon snacks: Habitual Coffee (Paseo Heights, Salcedo Village, L.P. Leviste Street)

Habitual Coffee ready to welcome patrons. (Photo from Instagram)

Take a quick break from your trip by visiting Habitual Coffee for your afternoon snack. This quaint cafe is situated along Leviste St. in Salcedo Village and focuses on offering the highest grade drinks and Aeropress-brewed coffee, making for a quality beverage each time. Its convenient location and spacious environment also make it a biker-friendly cafe, perfect as a pit stop on a fun ride.

Habitual Coffee (Photo from Instagram)

Try its signature Aeropress or Pourover, or take a gander at its Sea Salt Caramel Latte, which you can take either hot or cold based on your preferences. You can also choose from one of its artisan teas–the Chai Latte or Provence Rooibos, Yerba Mate, or Earl Grey. If you’re not in the mood for coffee, you can opt for a hot or iced chocolate drink, made from 70 percent Dark Trinitario from South Cotabato by Risa Chocolates. The cafe also offers brunch meals for hungry customers, such as its Samgyup Bowl or its Bacon Bowl.

Habitual Coffee is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Destination #3: Ayala Triangle Gardens (Ayala Avenue & Paseo De Roxas Street)

Ayala Triangle Garden, one of the city’s pockets of green.

If you are in Makati, one of the staple places you need to visit is the Ayala Triangle Garden. Sitting on the former site of Nielsen Field, the first commercial airport in the Philippines, Ayala Triangle Garden is a 2-hectare city center park. It was also noted as the virtual lungs and urban oasis of the Makati Central Business District (CBD).

The Ayala Triangle Gardens are a welcome sight for weary eyes. (Photo from Facebook)

The garden was opened to the public in 2009 and showcases public artworks created by local artists Ovvian Castrillo-Hill and Ral Arrogante. It also houses hundreds of various types of trees, including rain trees, golden palms, fire trees, orange jasmines, and podocarpus.

As the day fades into night, this garden provides space to unwind and destress not only for tourists but also for employees around the CBD. There are many kinds of shops and restaurants around, which can meet people’s various daily needs.

Experience Christmas magic at the garden park. (Photo from Facebook)

If you visit from November to early January, stay until the evening and experience the Christmas magic that transforms the garden park. In addition to serving as a place of recreation, the Ayala Triangle Gardens also hosts the yearly Festival of Lights as well as various music festivals.

Dinner: Blackbird (6752 Makati Ave Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle)

Blackbird and Green Bar are just some of Makati’s many dining options that meet every budget. (Photo from Facebook)

If you want to experience a classic and elevated dining experience, visit one of the award-winning restaurants in the heart of Makati. Located in the Nielson Tower, just in the Ayala Triangle Garden, The Blackbird is a contemporary European and Asian fusion restaurant that radiates simple elegance not only with its beautifully-prepared food bursting with flavors.

Established in 2014, the restaurant’s Art Deco premises were what remains of the airport’s passenger terminal and control tower preserved and renovated over the years. The restaurant’s bar and lounge are located in what was once the check-in area of the airport, with an oval grill room in the passenger terminal, a private room in the control tower, and an outdoor bar and dining space where the tarmac used to be.

The Blackbird is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Destination #4: Poblacion Nightlife Spots (Poblacion)

Poblacion Nightlife (Photo from WYP/Instagram)

End your 48 hours in Makati City by experiencing the famous Poblacion Nightlife in the vibrant district of Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. Aside from being a cultural and heritage district, Poblacion is also considered one of the go-to places for a night out on the town. It’s an area that contains a variety of bars and restaurants that are within walking distance—depending on how you like to party.

The Poblacion district is quiet during the day but transforms into a bustling center for excellent food, drinks and entertainment at night. (Photo from Filling Station Bar Cafe/Instagram)

These bars and restaurants will typically hype you with energetic music, unique interior concepts and styles, atmosphere, and delicious foods and drinks.

Poblacion Nightlife (Photo from Alamat Filipino Cuisine/Instagram)

If you don’t like to drink and party, just visit the district and see the streets of Poblacion light up and sparkle at night.

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