5 Lent-Friendly Restaurants to Enjoy Different Cuisines in Makati

Being in a largely Catholic country, many people in the Philippines practice fasting and abstinence during the Lenten season. For the 40 days of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, Catholics abstain from meat every Friday. For others, the Lenten season is also a time to examine their diet and explore healthier options.

If you’re celebrating Lent or simply looking for less sinful (a.k.a sugar and calorie heavy) dishes, check out these restaurants that offer delicious alternatives to meat!

Corner Tree Cafe
150 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati

Arroz ala Cubana (Php 255)

Situated along Jupiter Street in Makati, Corner Tree Cafe is a great place to foster peace and self-reflection with its calm interior and surroundings. This cafe has a vegetarian menu so you definitely won’t have a hard time finding a Lent and diet-friendly meal. Many of their dishes are inspired by international cuisines. Be sure to try their Arroz ala Cubana!

Also read: Corner Tree Café in Makati: A vegan’s happy corner

Carpaccio
7431 Yakal Street, San Antonio Village, Makati

Carpaccio di Polipo (Php 480)

UPDATE as of February 2019, Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano has announced their closure:

It is with sincere regret and reluctance to notify you that Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano will be closing permanently its doors on the evening of February 16, 2019, after 24 wonderful years of being one of the leading Italian restaurants in Manila.

Nevertheless and on a positive note, we are happy to inform everyone that we will continue to serve the most popular Italian dishes in our two restaurants in the same building – Chesa Bianca & I’m Angus Steakhouse. In the case of functions, we will be more than happy to attend requirements on the Carpaccio premises.

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Observing Lent will not totally leave you deprived. At Carpaccio, one of the best Italian restaurants in San Antonio Village, going meatless still feels lavish. They have a variety of seafood dishes that are elegantly prepared. Have the Carpaccio di Polipo (octopus) with a glass of fine white wine or two.

Also read: Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano in Makati

Sentro 1771
7431 Yakal Street, San Antonio Village Makati

Sinigang na Fish of the Day in Tamarind and Guava Broth (Php 200 per 100g)/IMAGE SENTRO 1771

If you love meat, abstaining from meat is probably going to make you feel a little down. To lift your spirits back up, head over to Sentro 1771 and order a warm and uplifting bowl of Sinigang na Fish of the Day in Tamarind and Guava Broth, which is made with real seafood goodness and everything that speaks of freshness. The restaurant interior is also very cozy and homey, a place that is ideal for sharing good times with family and loved ones.

Also read: Experience Modern Filipino Cuisine at Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt, Makati

Tsukiji
Milky Way Bldg., 900 Arnaiz Ave., cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati

Unagi Sushi (Php 320)

If you’re looking for great meat alternatives, Japanese cuisine is one of the best cuisines to turn to. A perfect Japanese restaurant to retreat to for a meatless indulgence is Tsukiji, which offers a wide array of flavorful sushi, sashimi, and other seafood dishes that are prepared fresh every day. We highly recommend their hand-rolled sushis like the Unagi Sushi.

Also read: Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant in Makati City

 

Isaribi
Makati Creekside Mall, Amorsolo Cor. V.A. Rufino St., Makati

Fresh Scallops (Php 180)

When you think of a Japanese seafood restaurant, perhaps the first thing that would come to mind is sushi or sashimi. While Isaribi also has them on their menu, they have veered away from that image of a seafood restaurant and instead specialized in grilled seafood. Perfect for the season, they have a variety of shellfish like scallops, clams, and oysters for grilling.

Also read: Isaribi Japanese Seafood Robata Grill Restaurant in Makati