Gubat QC Review: Kamayan Dining in a Hidden Forest in Quezon City

Every time I arrive in Manila for a vacation off the ship, I always meet my son first thing after landing. He’s currently in Manila for his master’s at UP Diliman, so it’s something we both look forward to. And it’s almost always over dinner.

I let him choose where we go. Most of the time, he brings me to places in Glorietta or BGC—usual spots, a bit more polished. But one time, he took me somewhere different. No fancy setup, just a simple restaurant.

Simple—but it turned out to be exactly what I’d been craving the whole flight.
Food on the plane is okay—I even find myself looking forward to it when the FAs start serving meals—but nothing really compares to a proper meal on land.

That night, he brought me to Gubat QC in Diliman, Quezon City. What caught my attention right away was the kamayan-style setup—eating with your hands on banana leaves.

It’s located at 43 Mayaman Street in Diliman, Quezon City—easy enough to find once you’re in the area, and worth checking out if you’re looking for something a bit different.

As you enter, you’re surrounded by trees and plants, just like what you see here. There are warm lights hanging around, and the whole place feels like you’re dining in a small forest. What makes it even more interesting is that it’s right in the middle of a busy city, yet once you’re inside, it feels a bit removed from all that.

There’s no complicated setup. You just sit down, food comes out, and you eat. That simple.

If it’s your first time at Gubat, don’t overthink the menu. Everything comes with adobo rice, egg, and pako salad, so you’re already getting a full meal.

I didn’t include prices here since they may have changed since we ate there, but overall, it’s still reasonably priced for the experience.

Here are a few good picks:

Lechon Kawali
Crispy pork. Hard to go wrong.

Halabos na Hipon
Light, fresh shrimp. Not too heavy.

Daing na Bangus
Classic. Salty with a bit of tang—goes well with rice.

Beef Tapa
Slightly sweet and salty. Easy favorite.

Daing na Pusit
A bit stronger in flavor, but good.

Longganisa
Sweet, garlicky, and very familiar.

For Sharing: Dinakdakan
Good for 1–2 people. Nice to add if you want extra on the side.

We thought one serving was good for one person… so we ordered two.
When the food arrived, that’s when we realized—one order would’ve been more than enough for both of us.

Food here is meant to be eaten kamayan-style. If you’re not used to eating with your hands, it might feel a bit different at first. But for me, growing up enjoying meals this way, it just felt right. Nothing fancy—just eating and enjoying the food the way I’ve always known.

What to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning to visit or order from Gubat, it’s pretty straightforward. There’s an additional ₱10 per meal for takeout or delivery packaging, and if you’re getting drinks to go, it’s best to bring your own container since they don’t provide one.

Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s strictly first-come, first-served, so timing matters if you don’t want to wait. Also, takeout orders don’t come with utensils, so bringing your own spoon and fork is a good idea—especially if you’re not used to eating kamayan-style.

For orders, it’s best to send a message via text or Viber to 0966-6271522. They prefer no calls, especially when things get busy in the kitchen.

Gubat is the kind of place you go to when you just want a good, familiar meal and enjoy it the simple way. For me, it brought back how I’ve always liked eating— eating with hands.