Taste the world at the City of Firsts’ world-class dining spots

At the heart of Quezon City, Araneta City is making itself more than just a shopping and entertainment hub by turning into a dining destination that celebrates flavors without borders.

With the opening of Gateway Mall 2 two years ago, the “City of Firsts” continues to expand its dining clusters where foodies can now embark on a global gastronomic journey without leaving the metro.

Restaurant Collection

Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

Gateway Mall 2’s premier culinary destination is its Restaurant Collection, headlined by the Forés family of celebrated chef Margarita Forés. Known for bringing Italian flavors closer to the Filipino palate, Forés’ group expands its reach in Araneta City with a mano, Mamou, and Grace Park. Each restaurant carries a distinct identity: a mano with its handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, Mamou with its famous steaks and hearty comfort fare, and Grace Park with its farm-to-table approach that highlights fresh, local ingredients. Together, they represent the family’s commitment to quality dining rooted in passion and craftsmanship.

The collection goes beyond the Forés brand, offering a mix of established and new names that broaden the city’s dining landscape. Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill brings premium cuts and New York steakhouse tradition, while Abe celebrates Filipino heritage recipes passed down through generations. Cochi Bistro adds a modern bistro flair, and global names like Choi Garden (Cantonese), Botejyu (Osaka-style Japanese), Coco Ichibanya (Japanese curry), and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory (desserts and pastries) round out the international offerings. Seafood lovers will find fresh catches and refined dishes at TungLok Seafood, a Singapore-based group known for its innovative Chinese cuisine, while Hossein’s brings the rich, spiced flavors of Persian and Middle Eastern dining. For everyday gatherings and coffee rituals, UCC Park Café and Starbucks Coffee secure prime locations in the mall, ensuring that the Restaurant Collection caters to every kind of craving, from the refined to the familiar.

Coliseum Plaza

Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

Right beside the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, Coliseum Plaza makes dining part of the entertainment experience. This curated hub offers both convenience and variety for concertgoers, sports fans, and casual diners looking to grab a bite before or after events at the Big Dome. International brands add excitement to the mix: Shake Shack brings its signature burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and frozen custards, while Mo’s Burger offers Japanese-inspired burgers with fluffy rice buns and bold flavors. Tim Ho Wan, the world-famous dim sum specialist from Hong Kong, serves its Michelin-acclaimed pork buns and other Cantonese delights, making it a crowd favorite.

Local comfort food finds its place here too. Manam dishes out Filipino classics with playful twists, from sisig to its signature house pancit, while Nono’s pairs hearty meals with its well-loved cakes and desserts. With both indoor and alfresco seating options, the plaza gives diners flexibility—whether it’s enjoying a laid-back meal under the lights of Araneta City or a quick stop before heading into a show.

Asian Village

Upper Ground, Gateway Mall 2

Adding to Araneta City’s global appeal is the Asian Village at Gateway Mall 2, a bustling dining hub that celebrates the flavors of Asia under one roof. The space gathers both Michelin-acclaimed and everyday favorites, giving diners the freedom to move from one cuisine to another in a single visit. Highlights include Hawker Chan, the world’s first Michelin-starred hawker stall from Singapore, known for its soya sauce chicken rice; Yoshinoya, offering hearty Japanese beef bowls; Tong Yang, where guests can enjoy the Korean-style grill-and-hotpot experience; and Panda Express, with its Chinese-American crowd-pleasers like orange chicken and chow mein.

The variety extends beyond main meals to snacks and desserts. Llao Llao serves creamy Spanish frozen yogurt with customizable toppings, while French Baker brings fresh-from-the-oven pastries and breads. Familiar international names like Subway and Pound add fast-casual comfort, and the opening of the country’s largest Mary Grace Café offers a cozy escape with its signature ensaymada and tsokolate. With its mix of beloved brands and award-winning kitchens, Asian Village creates a vibrant, borderless dining journey that captures both the diversity and dynamism of modern Asian food culture.

World Kitchens

Level 4, Gateway Mall 2

Gateway Mall 2’s centerpiece is World Kitchens, a five-star full-service food hall that gathers 15 show kitchens led by celebrated chefs from around the world. The 2,500-square-meter space blends global flavors, upscale interiors, and AI-powered dining, where diners can scan a QR code at their table to browse a unified digital menu, order across different kitchens, and enjoy personalized recommendations on future visits, making the experience as seamless as it is indulgent.

Each kitchen showcases culinary expertise rooted in heritage. Filipino favorites are reimagined by Chef Jessie, while HK Ma’s Bistro serves refined Cantonese plates. From Japan, the Tuna King Masaki Watanabe presents sashimi at Kuro Maguro and unagi at Unagi Yukimitsu, while The You No Men offers Osaka-style ramen. India’s Prana delivers bold curries, and Dario Pizza & More serves wood-fired Neapolitan pies. Other standouts include Asador de Manila with its Spanish grills, Chef Fung Private Kitchen from Singapore, and Shinshima with premium wagyu teppanyaki. To round out the mix, Lepak serves inventive cocktails and Sticky Sweet offers Japanese-inspired desserts, completing a lineup of more than 250 dishes spanning eight countries.

Palenque

Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2

For a more Filipino-centered experience, Palenque offers a fresh take on the traditional food market. Here, visitors can enjoy regional specialties from across the country, all in one lively space.

Palenque ransports diners on a vibrant food crawl through the Philippine archipelago, offering regional dishes crafted by celebrated chefs. Designed by culinary icon Claude Tayag, this Filipino-themed food arena showcases specialties like Al Puruganan’s B.E.L. Iloco featuring bagnet in various renditions, Chef Tatung’s Tindeli with its deli-style favorites, and Palm Grill serving ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) fare.

Wolfgang Premiere Lounge

Level 4, Gateway Mall 2

Those looking for a touch of luxury can head to the Wolfgang Premiere Lounge, a premium extension of the famed Wolfgang’s Steakhouse brand. Located in Gateway Mall 2, the lounge offers diners a chance to savor world-class steaks and fine dining plates in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. Its menu is crafted for both everyday indulgence and special occasions, cementing Araneta City as a destination for refined tastes.