Eating healthier is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions.
Looking to get back in shape after all the holiday get-togethers? Or maybe you’d like to do your part to help save the planet? How about trying the Veganuary challenge?
Veganuary is an annual global movement where people pledge to try a plant-based diet for the entire month of January. While you don’t necessarily have to commit to the whole month or become a full-fledged vegan, exploring plant-based options at least once a week might be an achievable goal that comes with health, environmental, and ethical benefits.
In the past few years, we’ve seen new health food stores and vegan/vegetarian cafes pop up in various neighborhoods and plant-based products being sold in mainstream grocery stores. This suggests evolving food preferences for the typically meat-heavy Filipino diet.
Global market studies reveal that the growing demand for plant-based options reflects increased health consciousness, environmental concerns and ethical values. Having healthy, sustainable food options in a specific residential or commercial area can improve community well-being and wellness, and attract people who prioritize these values.
Here are some neighborhoods around Metro Manila that offer plant-based food picks for healthy food crawls and weekend supply runs.
Makati
Makati has a few restaurants specializing in vegan fare, particularly in Poblacion, an area frequented by international tourists and backpackers.
Cosmic is a well-known vegan Filipino restaurant and cafe known for transforming traditional Filipino comfort food into plant-based dishes. Here, you can find meatless versions of sisig, kare-kare, and sinigang in a cozy setting.
Gnostic, from the same team as Cosmic is the country’s first vegan, non-alcoholic “dry bar” and cafe, offering creative booze-free cocktails, specialty coffees, and plant-based appetizers in a trendy space. For those taking the Dry January challenge, this is a sober yet fun alternative to traditional nightlife in the area, with unique mocktails and non-alcoholic beer.
Other plant-based picks in Poblacion include Hummus Elijah, WILD, and Corner Tree Cafe, which relocated above El Chupacabra from its original spot on Jupiter last year.
Quezon City
Quezon City also has a good number of vegan restaurants in various foodie neighborhoods, worth exploring.
Greens is a popular plant-based pick in the Scout area near Tomas Morato, known for its vegan versions of Filipino dishes and a comfortable garden setting. Wabi-Sabi Noodle House, also in the Morato area, offers Japanese-inspired vegan dishes like ramen and gyoza.
The Maginhawa neighborhood, near several universities, is another great food hub for any type of cuisine. Popular plant-based restaurants that have been around for years include Pipino Vegetarian (sister restaurant of Pino), Veggie Guys and Little India.
Imanji Herbivores’ Plate, which opened in 2025, is an affordable carinderia with plant-based combo meals served turo-turo style, fresh juices and plant-based coffee. They also run a small vegan grocery for meatless alternatives.
Gulay Lang, a stall inside Z Compound, also offers vegan meals through a weekly subscription service and serves plant-based heritage ice cream in a fun, food park setting.
Mandaluyong & San Juan
There are a few good plant-based picks in the Mandaluyong area and San Juan as well.
The Roti Shop, which has a branch in The Podium, serves Malaysian and Singaporean hawker-style food with a few clearly labeled vegan starters and mains. Odd Cafe is a specialty coffee shop offering plant-based coffee along with sweet and savory dishes and snacks.
If you’re looking for variety or want to stock up on plant-based food for the week, check out Good Food Sundays. This Sunday market in Mandala Park, a community center/mall, promotes local vegan, organic and honestly produced food and drinks, with unique food finds from home-based cooks and small businesses.
And if you want to experiment in the kitchen to save on food costs, The Vegan Grocer in Addition Hills in San Juan, offers a wide selection of vegan meats, healthy ingredients, and seasonings, perfect for plant-powered dishes.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) & Pasig
Those residing or staying in the Taguig area can also find a few options in and near Bonifacio Global City.
The Wholesome Table offers healthy, organic dishes with vegan choices in a modern setting. Meanwhile, Shaka Cafe, which has a branch in Forbes Town, is known for acai bowls and smoothies, and WILD plant-based cafe has a branch in Uptown Mall.
Cosmic from Makati also has a branch located in Kapitolyo, Pasig, near BGC through the Kalayaan Bridge. There’s also The Farmassist, a vegan restaurant and minimart offering Filipino and international dishes such as rice meals, sisig, dumplings, burger steak, adobo, pasta, noodles and more.
This year, why not treat eating healthy as an adventure? Dining out in restaurants with plant-based options and exploring other neighborhoods might be the key to finally making the switch.
SIDEBAR: Tips for switching to a plant-based diet
1. Start slow. Make the transition by swapping one day a week (like Meatless Mondays) instead of switching all meals completely.
2. Gradually commit to one meal a day, like plant-based breakfasts every day, as part of your routine.
3. Learn simple plant-based recipes and experiment at home.
4. Stock your pantry with plant-based alternatives.
5. Make slow swaps when you cook (ex., use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk or mushrooms for ground meat).
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