Why Quezon City is Still the Best Place to Live in Metro Manila?

Image Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/

You might be reluctant to buy a condo for sale in Quezon City because of traffic, pollution and of the city being overcrowded. But if you’re able to find the hidden gems in this populous place, maybe you’ll start thinking twice. And to answer the question above, one of the reasons is because of Maginhawa Street. The “Food Capital” of the Philippines is Pampanga. Alternatively, this famous street is considered as the “Mini Food Capital” of Quezon City.

Maginhawa Street is not a hidden get, to be honest. Almost everybody who lives, works, and studies near the area is familiar with it. It is a long stretch of food stalls, eateries and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Maginhawa Street and along with its nearby streets are simply a food haven. International cuisines such as Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern and more sprawl all over the place. Surely, you will have a hard time sampling everything they have to offer. It is a time and – yep, don’t forget – money consuming activity.

Filipinos love to eat. Besides singing, taking selfies, and “AlDub”, this is also the favorite pass time of our kababayans. Take for example the making numerous versions of a particular dish, one like the all-time favorite adobo, the “National Dish” of the country. Also the several cooking shows and eat-documentaries on T.V. as if they can’t enough of a single variety and still seek for something exotic. For the foodie-venturous kind, Maginhawa Street is the nest frontier.

I am not a foodie by heart. I’d rather spend my money on books and comics. At least I am able to feed my mind, right? But if there is such a place where books and delicious food blend well together, I am sold. And what a joy! Maginhawa Street is the terrific place to satisfy the bookworm and sweet-tooth in you. Where can you find these? At cafés.

Cafés are not new to entertaining patrons who bring books with them to read. They won’t mind as long you order something. But a café with a library inside? That’s just tops. We, the patrons, absolutely won’t mind. Instead of using (or abusing?) the Wi-Fi connection, it is considerably worthwhile to get lost in a book while sipping a chocolate milkshake. Ugh, heaven personified.

All right, before we get lost further, below are some of Maginhawa Street’s library cafés:


Cool Beans Library Café

It was put up by the owners for a good cause; “helping underprivileged students gain access to good books,” a blogger of ClickTheCity.com says. They serve coffee (from Sagada, Kalinga and Benguet), rice meals, pastas, paninis and desserts.

Find them at: 67A Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Quezon City


AntiTeasis: Books and Brews

This is another place to tuck in and settle with a good book. Try their tasty bagels and donuts, and get hot coffee to water it down.

Find them at: Unit C, 154 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City


Dorissimo Pastries

Sink your teeth into mouthwatering breads, pastries, cakes, and a couple of rice meals. Gulp it down with a shake, latte or other iced or hot drinks. They have a only a small collection of books, though.

Find them at: 122 Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City



The Nook Café

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then this is the place for you, Spot.ph suggests. They serve coffee, cold drinks, cakes, snacks and rice meals.

Find them at: 164A Maginhawa St., Quezon City


In the noisy and busy Quezon City, it is odd to find such cozy and quiet corners where you can chill, drink, and read. The “digital bug” hasn’t spread far and wide yet. Because as long as there are places like these, patrons will surely come back just to finish a book up to the last chapter.

You may also want to check out my favorite places to visit near my unit at Suntrust Quezon City