Ortigas Center is one of the business districts in the Philippines. Situated between Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and Pasig, Ortigas Center is a bustling business and lifestyle hub in Metro Manila alongside Makati Central Business District (CBD), and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. In this article, we will explore the energetic Ortigas Center such as activities to do and a vibrant dining scene for a gastronomic adventure
Parks in Ortigas Center
The first thing on our list is open and public green spaces. The development of Ortigas Center also provides ample parks within the vicinity of the residential and commercial properties. This is one of the reasons why both local and international investors choose this business district as their base of operations. The parks that you can visit inside Ortigas Center are:
Ortigas Park
Despite its size, Ortigas Park is where students and young professionals can just chill and unwind in the middle of the day. It is surrounded by lush trees and lawns where anyone can just sit under the shade.
The 600-square-meter park is also just a few walks away from food shops and restaurants that capture the attention of someone working in the area. Plus, it is highly accessible by residents living in condominiums, professionals, and students who want to unwind while being just a few walks away from the malls in the city
Greenfield District Central Park
The Greenfield District Central Park is a buzzing public space, especially during the weekends. Here, anyone can have a picnic, jog, or just play among their friends without worrying about the noise and pollution of the city. This park is a perfect spot for a family day out as it also has a playground for kids. You can bring your pets without worries as well, as the park is pet-friendly. Also, the central park hosts events, and live music and promotes emerging businesses on specific dates so that they can get more seen by the public.
Parks have a great impact on anyone’s health. There is a research study that if there is a space dedicated to one’s recreation where family and friends can interact, play, and embrace nature it can have a positive effect on one’s physical and mental health.
Malls in Ortigas Center
Ortigas Center is iconic for its high-end shopping centers just standing across or beside each other. This also presents a wide array of places to discover in the city and maybe find your favorite shops and activities with your family, friends, and colleagues after spending a long day at work. Some of the highly-visited malls in the business district include:
SM Megamall
If someone says mall in Mandaluyong how can we forget SM Mega? SM Megamall is one of the biggest malls in the country. This particular houses hundreds upon hundreds of shops that you will never run out of things to do. The Mega Fashion Hall is also famous for its iconic attraction, an ice skating rink. The SM Ice Skating is the first of its kind in the city and you don’t need to travel far from home just to skate like in musical plays and ice skating competitions.
If you want to have a fun weekend, walk around the ice skating rink and you’ll see several activities like archery, laser tag, and the Megatrade Hall where conventions and book fairs are held. Are you into watching the latest movie? Why not watch them in IMAX? SM Megamall has both 2D and 3D Cinema Theaters for everyone to enjoy and just fully immerse in the narrative with pure visuals and acoustics as if you are there yourself.
Do you plan to go to SM Megamall? They are just beside MRT-3 Ortigas Station and if you are driving by car you can either go through C-5 Road and turn right to Doña Julia Vargas Avenue or through EDSA and take a U-Turn under Shaw Station facing Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
Podium
The Podium is one of the stylish malls in the Ortigas Center. The mall showcases its modern-style architecture with high-end cafes and restaurants inside the premises. Not to mention there are also art galleries, 5-star cinemas, and a skygarden on top of the mall with a staggering view of the city skyline.
The Podium is a lifestyle destination for someone who is either tired after work or individuals who want to hang out with their families. Furbabies are also welcome inside the Podium there is even a paw park in the garden as well as a walking path if you want to exercise a little before you go to work, class, or recreational activities while being surrounded by plants and fresh air.
Shangri-La Plaza Mall
Shangri-La Plaza Mall is another shopping center located in Mandaluyong City. Located in the middle of SM Megamall and Greenfield District, this particular mall has always captured the minds and hearts of both residents and tourists in the city. Shangri-La Mall wows its guests with its intricate interior design and affordable stores to shop from.
The ambiance of each floor is as if you are inside a hotel and the spacious interiors where you can see the whole building are mesmerizing if it is your first time to see it. The prime location of Shangri-La Plaza at the heart of Ortigas CBD is one of the reasons it is not only visited by locals but also by foreigners and expats who are doing business in the area. It is a great place to close deals or chill and unwind with your co-workers.
Malls are one of the central figures of Ortigas Center beside renowned companies, corporations, and top educational institutions. This is one of the places where students, professionals, and families come together whenever they have ample free time, especially during weekends and holidays. Shopping centers also have an integral part in Philippine society where it transforms the urban living of those around them.
Ortigas Center’s Dining Scene
After all the efforts you’ve done what do you want to do? Ortigas Center is full of a myriad of choices in terms of restaurants and food shops. It is also home to some of the iconic restaurants namely:
22 Prime
Are you in the mood for a high-quality premium steak after a long day at work? Look no further than 22 Prime. This steakhouse is situated on the 22nd floor of Discovery Suites and offers some of the best steaks in the city, as well as a diverse range of cuisine. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll be struck by its stunning interior design.
Enjoy what their menu has to offer especially their signature USDA Certified Prime Grade Angus Beef, Tomahawk, and Surf which provides 3 signature sauces such as Black Truffle Cream, Tarragon Bearnaise, and Piquillo Pepper Sofrito which transforms the dish into a whole another level.
Yūgen Japanese Restaurant
Do you want to experience a Japanese Restaurant without leaving the country? Come and experience Yūgen Japanese Restaurant where guests can immerse in Japanese culture as reflected by their food and tranquil ambiance. Taste authentic Japanese cuisine from appetizers to the main dish.
Some of the dishes that you definitely order are their Zensai (Appetizers), Noodle Special, Robatayaki Selections, and their A La Carte cuisines such as beef, pork, and vegetables. The visuals of the restaurant transport you to another place and so is their service. The restaurant is situated on the Ground Floor of The Crescent Condominium if ever you wish to experience a glimpse of Japan in Pasig City.
Las Flores
Las Flores is a Spanish Restaurant in The Podium. It offers a cozy and intimate ambiance with its dimly lit interiors, wooden furniture, and Spanish decors, perfect for an intimate dinner with your special someone or for a night out with friends.
Las Flores boasts of its authentic Spanish cuisine, serving a wide variety of tapas, paella, and other Spanish dishes, all made with the freshest and finest ingredients sourced locally and abroad. They also have a carefully curated selection of Spanish wines and cocktails that perfectly complement catch-ups among friends or just chilling with colleagues on Friday night. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent service, Las Flores is worth a visit for those who are looking for an authentic and memorable Spanish dining experience in Ortigas Center.
Ortigas Center is full of surprises, there is nothing better than experiencing it firsthand. The business and lifestyle district is full of life and maybe with just a few strolls, you can find the ideal place for you. The parks, malls, restaurants, and cafes are only some of the places you can visit around the development. Traveling in and out of this part of Metro Manila is also convenient and accessible through a series of interlocking public transportation terminals and train stations that connect the Ortigas Center to the rest of the Metro. Not to mention major thoroughfares such as Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and C-5 Road that link the CBD not just to the region but also to neighboring provinces in South Luzon. If you are thinking of going to this vibrant business hub this is the sight. Take a walk around the pedestrian-friendly Ortigas and see what surprises you.
Author Bio
Emman Bernardino is a Content Writer for HousingInteractive. He currently focuses on SEO and blog writing. Emman also studied at the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Literature. He has a great passion for writing and continues to strive to be a better version of himself. During his free time, he enjoys driving on the open road or even watching documentaries and historical films.
