Pop Talk: Healthy and hearty restaurants in Manila

Filipinos are known to love their meat -- chicken, pork, beef-- you name it, there's probably a restaurant dedicated entirely for it.

But for our kababayans who prefer to abstain from eating animals or their by-product, there are some hidden gems in the metro that are known to serve healthy and tasty plant-based dishes.

Fortunately, with the help of Pop Talk, finding these gems aren't so hard to find!

Check out three Pop Talk-approved vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the country's capital:

1. Lucy In The Sky Cafe

Vegan food from Lucy in the Sky Cafe / Source: aurusfeal (IG)

Address: 222 Wilson St., Greenhills, San Juan City

Named after The Beatles' song “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds,” this cute little vegan retreat is known for their vegan cuisines that'll have meat lovers asking, “Is this made out of vegetables?”

With their array of wheat-based, tasty viands such as barbeque, sisig, and longganisa, carnivores could easily be tempted to switch lifestyles by the end of each meal.

As Tonipet Gaba puts it, “It has the meat taste without the guilt.”

2. Hillside Cafe and Juice Bar

Tasty offerings by Hillside Cafe and Juice Bar / Source: hillsidecafeph (IG)

Address: 57 Mother Ignacia Ave., Diliman, Quezon City

Amid the gastronomic restaurants in Tomas Morato, Timog and Quezon Avenue lie a promising health cafe called Hillside Cafe and Juice Bar.

This little nook offers locally sourced foods colorfully presented in dishes that are delightful to the eyes and the stomach.

Pop Talk suggests going for their Homemade Lentil Malunggay Humus, Beancurd Chicharon with spiced vinegar, Hillside Greens and Mango beets, and Roast Potato and Globe Eggplant.

“Sobrang sarap niya at sobrang healthy,” tells Tonipet upon tasting their signature Roast Potato and Globe Eggplant.

3. Fresh Press

Interiors of Fresh Press / Source: GMA Public Affairs (YouTube)

Address: 134 Timog Avenue, Diliman Quezon City

Just right across GMA Network is the little humble restaurant that is Fresh Press, established in January 2017.

This restaurant boasts of healthy offerings from salads, wraps, various kinds of pasta, and cold press juices that ranges from PhP 60 to PhP 260.

Tonipet's favorite would have to be their vegan wrap mixed greens, lemongrass juice, Mexican salad, and of course, their signature vegetarian curry.

He said, “It's nice and it's pleasantly sweet and savory at the same time.”

Switching from a meat-based diet to a plant-based one is easy with these restaurants that are at your reach. They're not only good for your overall health, but we hear they're also pretty friendly to your wallet.

Have you tried any of these? Which one do you like best? Let us know!