Gubat: This Open-Air Restaurant Serves Delicious Filipino Food on Banana Leaves and They Don’t Provide Utensils!

Yes, you eat with your bare hands!

Gubat is a Filipino eatery hidden, as its name suggests (“gubat” is jungle in Filipino), literally in a garden. Its first branch in C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City is located inside the Diliman Bonsai Society, and it’s so easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

It was started by Biboy Cruz, the man behind Baler, Aurora’s Kusina Luntian. This restaurant also serves food on banana leaves. So Gubat employs the same concept, and borrows some of Kusina Luntian’s menu items.

When you enter their C.P. Garcia branch, it feels like you’re trekking in a jungle.

Let’s now talk about the food, which is one of the best Filipino food I’ve ever tried. No wonder it got the attention of Eater (it’s listed as one of the best restaurants in Metro Manila) and food vloggers.

I tried their Adobong Baboy (pork stewed in soy sauce and vinegar). While adobo is usually saucy, Gubat’s version is on the dry side and feels like a jerky. That’s understandable because it should be eaten with bare hands.

Nevertheless, I like its texture and even the flavor. I can certainly taste the vinegar.

Another item I tried is the Piniritong Manok (fried chicken). While it’s crisp and juicy, I find it a bit too salty for my tastebuds.

But this is overcompensated by their Lechon Kawali (deep-fried pork belly). It’s crunchy and fatty, and probably the best version I have ever tried! Don’t forget to dip it in their vinegar, which brings it to another level!

Don’t miss out on their Dinakdakan. Traditionally, this dish is made of pig head parts dressed with calamansi (Philippine lime), chilies, and onions. But Gubat’s version is a derivative of their lechon kawali. So imagine the crunch and fattiness of their deep-fried pork belly added with the flavors and textures of ginger and onions. Yum!

Along with the lechon kawali, this is easily another of my favorites in Gubat!

All rice meals are served with adobo rice, salted egg, and Ensaladang Pako (fern salad). I just find the salad too sweet for me.

For the side, I had the Pritong Talong + Buro (fried eggplant with fermented rice). The buro has a fermented, sour taste, so it took some time for me to get used to it.

To wash down all the food, I got their bestselling Turmeric Iced Tea. It’s too spiced for my tastebuds but at least I felt healthy. LOL.

Gubat is one of the best food experiences you can ever try in Metro Manila. Their food is great, the ambiance is like no other, and the experience of eating with bare hands is truly Filipino. If I have a balikbayan (homecoming) relative or friend, this is one of the first spots I’ll bring him/her to. I highly recommend Gubat to you!

P.S. They just opened another branch at Mayaman Street in Diliman, Quezon City.

C.P. Garcia Branch Address: Bonsai Society, President Carlos P. Garcia Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11AM-9PM

Mayaman Branch Address: 43 Mayaman St., Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10AM-9PM

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