Though it is best known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, Marikina is now home to a variety of restaurants that will pique your interest and tickle your taste buds. From all-time breakfast favorites and classic comfort food to Asia fusion with a twist, foodies will have a hard time deciding what to try first. So here are a few favorite restaurants you shouldn’t miss when driving east of Metro Manila.

Fino Deli

Photo via Fino Deli Facebook Page

Fino Deli is the first wine bar and delicatessen in Marikina City.  Aside from a great wine and cheese selection, they serve classic Italian and Spanish fares. The classy and rustic interior sets the right vibe to make sure you savor every bite.

Must try:  Cinco Queso, Truffle Mushroom Pasta, Tomahawk Porkchop

Address: 151 SE Dao, Marikina Heights, Marikina City

Ca Phe Saigon

Photo via Ca Phe Saigon Facebook Page

Hidden in an unassuming house in a Marikina residential area, Ca Phe Saigon is a culinary gem that will satisfy your cravings for Vietnamese food.  This hole-in-the-wall serves a selection of soup noodles, rolls, sandwiches, and salads.  And with a Vietnamese leading the kitchen, you are guaranteed an authentic and healthy meal.

Must try:  Banh Mi, Beef Pho, Vietnamese Coffee

Address: 14 Red Cedar Street, New Marikina, San Roque, Marikina City

 Rustic Mornings by Isabelo

Photo via Rustic Mornings Facebook Page

What’s better than an indulgent breakfast? Breakfast in the garden! Rustic Mornings by Isabelo is a garden restaurant known for its serene al fresco dining setting and all-day breakfast menu. Their international and local brunch dishes are pleasing chow to start – or restart – your day right.

Must Try: Buttermilk Pancakes, Waffle Churros, Tinapa Burrito

Address: 11 Isabelo Mendoza Street, San Roque, Marikina City (6 min drive)

 

Café Lidia

Photo via Café Lidia Facebook Page

Café Lidia is named after its owner, Lidia.  A former shoe entrepreneur, Lidia has successfully established a widely popular restaurant in Marikina known for its pizza and pasta.  This warm, homey cafe is often jam-packed, so make sure to reserve a table beforehand.

Must Try: Pizza, Pasta, Buffalo Wings, Nachos Grande

Address: 64 F. Calderon, Calumpang, Marikina City (8 min drive)

 

Balestier

Photo via Balestier Facebook Page

East meets West in Marikina with Balestier’s unique take on Asian fusion cuisine. Balestier gives a fun new twist to well-loved Singaporean, Japanese, and Italian dishes.  For instance, the Laksa Tsukumen is laksa served tsukemen-style where the noodles are served separately from the broth.

Must try:  Laksa Tsukemen, Hainanese Chicken, Salted Egg Wings,

Address:  14 Nicanor Roxas St, San Roque, Marikina City

Miguel and Maria

Photo via Miguel and Maria Zomato Listings

Miguel and Maria is a neighborhood bar and restaurant serving all-time favorite feel-good food in generous servings.  It is also a cozy drinking spot, offering both international and local brews.

Must try:  Baby Back Ribs, Buffalo Wings, Mashed Potato

Address:  89 Lilac St., Concepcion Dos, Marikina City

 

Krung Thai

Photo via Krung Thai Facebook Page

When you’re craving for some Pad Thai and curry, Krung Thai has got you covered. Krung Thai serves authentic and affordable Thai dishes in generous servings that are big enough to share with family and friends.

Must try:  Pad Thai, Pork Satay, Bagoong Fried Rice

Address:  Marikina Public Market, M Cruz Corner WC Paz, Santa Elena, Marikina City

 

Forget Me Not Café

Photo via Forget Me Not Café

This unforgettable little café serves home-cooked meals that remind you of family dinners and delectable baked treats perfect for coffee and tea.  The hodgepodge of picnic chairs, couches, romantic photos, and dainty flower stencils capture the comforting ambiance of coming home.

Must try:  Roast Beef Sandwich, Nutella Cheesecake, Homemade Corned Beef

Address:  24 Lilac St, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City

 

In love with this foodie’s paradise? Federal Land’s  Siena Towers is only a mere four to ten-minute drive from these restaurants. Located near Marquinton Residences along Sumulong Highway, Siena Towers is a two-tower condominium community with pre-selling and ready for occupancy condominium units for sale.  It offers beautiful and secure homes ideal for starting families.  Residents will enjoy outstanding amenities and proximity to business hubs, shopping centers, and premier schools like Miriam College, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Known for its sky-high towers, luxury shopping, and a large expat community, Dubai is a thriving global city rising within the Arabian Desert. It is no wonder why Dubai is a leading destination of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). With almost 450,000 Filipinos living and working in Dubai, you will surely find “kabayan” nurses and doctors in every hospital and clinic; teachers in international and Filipino schools; architects, engineers, labors in every construction site; accountants, managers, and clerks in every company; sales personnel in every shop; chefs and waiters in restaurants; singers and chambermaids in hotels; and fashion designers, artists, web designers, animators in various freelance businesses. Hence with their diligence and competence, Filipinos in Dubai and other emirates in UAE remitted a total of $1.5 billion or (DH5.5 billion) to support their families back home.

This sunny situation makes Filipinos in Dubai more optimistic with their careers and future. In a 2018 survey of 2,000 Filipino expatriates in UAE, eight out of ten said they are ready to invest in real estate. Many OFWs plans to buy a condominium, house or villa as a retirement nest egg or as a passive supplementary income for their dependents.


A Palm Beach West condo unit can be rented out to young professionals working in the Bay Area Central Business District or resold to a family that is upgrading to condominium living.

Opportune Time for Investments

With numerous infrastructure investments from the government and the private sector, the World Bank sees the Philippines continue to be the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia. Moreover, organizations such as US News and Asia Property HQ also named the Philippines as the best country to invest in the region.

Though the house and condominium prices in the Philippines is rising, the Philippine peso is still weak against the US dollar, boosting the Filipino expatriate’s United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) purchasing power in the Philippine market.

Properties in central business districts such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Bay Area command highest prices due to its high demands and subsequent high returns. In a recent report, global real estate organization Colliers International Philippines sees the capital value to continue increasing with an average price of a prime three-bedroom unit in the secondary market ranging between PHP131,000 and PHP329,000 per sq. meter, increasing between 5% to 6.5%.

Colliers also sees rental yield to grow as developers pop up new supply. At the same time, demand in the secondary market will be sustained by a mix of demand from foreign and local professionals. Thus buying a home to rent out or resell is very attractive.


A Quantum Residences condo unit can be converted into a dormitory to cater to students studying in the university belt or to young professionals working in Makati Central Business District.

Property Recommendations

For first time investors, it would be prudent to start with a moderate risk investment that has potential for high returns. Condominiums on the fringes of Makati, Pasay and Quezon City have a lower capital but relatively high demand from young professionals working on the central business district and mid-income families that are upgrading to condominium living.

Condominiums near leading universities are also good investment opportunities to rent to college students coming from various parts of the country. Condominiums in Marikina can be advantageous for its proximity to the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College.

Properties in Cavite should entice families from Southern Luzon, especially with the completion of the road and train projects that will connect the south to the center.


A Florida Sun Estate house and lot property can be rented out or resold to a family who want to raise children away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila.

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For Filipinos in the Middle East who want to know more and interested invest in various Federal Land projects, visit our property page or join us in the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition on April 26-27, 2019 at Marriott Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

To buy or to rent? That is the question.

The debate of buying vs. renting your home is never-ending with both sides full of valid points. One side says buying a home means security and good investment while the other camp says renting is the smarter move in the mobile times. The thing is, different lifestyles have different dwelling needs. There are several factors to consider such as your financial capacity, career trajectory, family considerations and location.

But what if we take location out of the equation, and place it, say, in Marikina where the place is both charming and urbane, the people are friendly, the history is dignified, and the opportunities are aplenty.

Let’s say a one-bedroom condominium in the distinguished Marquinton Residences is offered for rent at Php 15,000 a month while a one-bedroom condominium in the new Siena Towers is selling at Php 3.4 million with a 20% down payment and Php 24,000 per month amortization for the next 10 years at 9.5% annual interest. Which is the better choice – renting or buying?

Well, there’s no right or wrong answer. The right or wrong choice depends entirely on you, your needs and your plans. You will have to think long and hard when making this decision. To help you, here are some pros and cons of buying and renting.

What are the advantages of renting a condo?

Easy to Move In

Moving into a rented apartment is easy and affordable. For most, you will only need to pay one-month advance and two-month security deposit to move in.

Hassle Free to Move Out

Moving out is as easy when you have not signed 10 years of your life to a home loan. Don’t like the landlord? Move out. Neighbors are becoming annoying? Move out. Moving to Makati? Move out and look for a new condo in Makati.

However, note that your landlord might refuse to return your security deposit even without any damages or repairs incurred.

No Property Tax
As a tenant, you do not own the property. No property, no property tax.

What are the disadvantages of renting a condo?

Increasing Rents
Taxes, repair and association dues in the condo complex may be computed into your rent. Should these costs go up, your rent will increase as well. You have no control over rent increases unless otherwise specified in your lease contract.

Lease Deadline
Tenants have a monthly obligation to their landlords: rent payment. If you cannot pay rent on time because of an emergency, some landlords will understand and give you an extension. Some will not. For some landlords, non-payment of three months’ rent is a basis of eviction.

No Equity
If you have investment plans in the future, buying a condo is the way to go. Though a condo’s market value appreciates slower than a single-family home, a condo still has better investment potential than a rented apartment. Because as a tenant, you do not own the apartment so you cannot build equity. On the contrary, you are helping your landlord build equity.

What are the advantages of buying a condo?

Ownership
There is a sense of pride and security in owning a home. You can do with it as you please. You can paint your unit your violet; install constellation patterns in the ceiling; renovate the kitchen, or get an iguana pet. Most of all, no one will evict you for late rent payments. There is no landlord to answer to.

No Payment Hikes
Unlike in renting wherein you have no control of rent increases, buying a condo for sale gives you several payment options. You can pay through cash terms, or apply for a mortgage or home loan.

If you go the home loan route, your mortgage may have fixed or variable rates – depending on the bank policy, the property value and your financial capacity. For your convenience, your bank or developer will provide you a schedule of fees to guide your check releases.

Build Equity
A condominium unit is a long-term investment that will appreciate over time. Eventually, it will pay for itself and if you play your cards right, can make you money.

What are the disadvantages of buying a condo?

Huge Financial Responsibility
Owning a home costs a lot. Unless you have a truckload of cash to pay upfront, you will need to deal with a home loan that can tie you up for 25 years.

Aside from making sure you can afford the monthly amortization, you should also have a budget for the reservation fee, down payment, closing costs, bank fees, title fees, mortgage insurance, and others miscellaneous fees.

Once those are settled, remember the monthly homeowner’s association (HOA) dues and the annual property tax.

Cost of Selling
When you are ready to put your unit on the market, you might already picture the money going into your bank account. Reality check, selling a unit costs money too. First, you will need a real estate agent, which costs up to 7% percent of your unit price in commission. Then, you will need to merchandise your unit either through an open house or web listing, in which you will need to touch up the unit and fix the minor and major repairs. Lastly, there is the closing cost. Closing costs are expenses over and above the property price including capital gains taxes, business tax, and notary fees.

Maintenance
The least of a renter’s concern is the maintenance and repair of the unit. Condo owners, on the other hand, is responsible for all the repair and maintenance of the interior of their condo. You will have to buy and change that busted light bulb and call your plumber for that clogged toilet.

Buying or renting a condo is always a big financial decision. Your choice would depend on your priorities, plans, and finances. In the end, it is best to pick what suits your current needs and will make the most logical choice in five years. Federal Land, Inc. has several pre-selling and ready for occupancy condominium properties in Marikina City – the renowned Marquinton Residences; the Spanish-inspired Tropical Garden City; and the new urban playground Siena Towers – that will accommodate your various lifestyles, needs, and aspirations.

From the developer of the distinguished Marquinton Residences comes a radiant prime development at the heart of Marikina city – Siena Towers. A modern take on the Italian town of Siena, where rural charm and modern progress abound, Siena Towers goes beyond being a home by providing outstanding lifestyle choices just outside your doorstep.

Siena Towers is a two-tower condominium project offering a beautiful and secure preselling homes in a vibrant community with its own shopping mall a few steps away. Residents of Siena Towers will enjoy outstanding amenities; quaint homegrown retail selections; proximity to major weekend destinations; I.T. business parks; premier schools like the Marikina Science High School, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Center for Culinary Arts, and the University of the Philippines, Diliman; and spectacular views of the Sierra Madre in the East and the Metro Manila skyline in the Southwest.

At Siena Towers, live in an exciting lifestyle playground you can truly call your own.

Made up your mind? Email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph to get your dream condo in Marikina City today.