Editor’s note: Due to the local COVID-19 situation and related government restrictions, there may be changes to the operating schedules of the establishments listed below. Please be guided accordingly.

Going on a spontaneous date with friends and trying out new dishes while lounging in an open-air space seems like a distant memory now, no thanks to COVID-19. These days, a quick trip for errands is already a big relief from being stuck in our homes. But the wrath of the pandemic goes way beyond not having the freedom to go out for leisure; it means jobs lost, closures of establishments, and depleted sources of income.

Food parks are one of the things we miss that have been greatly affected by the pandemic. As a tribute, we’ve listed down five of the food parks we badly wish would return to normal operations. Some of these operate via pick-up and delivery orders, while others remain on pause as we wait for things to normalize.

StrEAT Food Park

Located along Maginawa Street in Quezon City, StrEAT is a portmanteau of “street” and “eat.” Rows of stalls used to dot these food park, selling a myriad of street food choices and regional cuisines inspired by Southeast Asia, Korea, Italy, and Mexico. Aside from its mouth-watering offerings, this food park also lured customers because of its rustic ambiance that makes for a nice Instagram backdrop.

Location: 91 Maginhawa Street 1101 Quezon City, Philippines

Open Kitchen

Featuring unique food concepts and vibrant food trucks, Open Kitchen adopted an al-fresco-style dining experience prior to the pandemic, allowing guests to enjoy the cool breeze and starlit skies at night while munching on snacks.

It also used to hold live performances and stand-up comedy acts to entertain guests. One of the must-try dishes from Open Kitchen is Tasty Panda’s signature fried rice meals, which are available for pick-up and delivery at its branch in Rockwell Business Center.

Location: 61 Congressional Ave. Ext. and 34-36 P. Tuazon Boulevard, Quezon City, Philippines / Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan, Mandaluyong City

Le Village Lifestyle Park

Brimming with faux cherry blossoms, this food park in Metro Manila is popular for its beautiful interior inspired by Japanese decors and France’s night markets.  It specializes in Filipino, Japanese, Mexican, and American cuisine, and offers a variety of beverages including wine, beer, and fruit shakes.

Location: E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue corner Cordillera St., Brgy. Doña Josefa Quezon City

The Pallet Poblacion

The neighborhood of Poblacion is home to weekend night-outs and chill vibes. You can find a slew of restaurants and bars within the area including The Pallet.

This food park used to be a go-to place among corporate employees because of its palatable and wallet-friendly foods from its partner tenants. The Pallet remains open for dine-in, following Interagency Task Force's protocols. Some of the food park's must-try finds are Mang Jose BBQ, Taco Mata Manila, Uncle Moe's Shawarma Hub, and INUM by The Rockin’ Chef.

Location: 5804 Doña Carmen cor. Jacobo Sts., Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Philippines

The Yard Underground

The Yard Underground was inspired by the subways of London, with its train carriages that served fusion burritos, flaming pizza, and the popular super giant butterfly squid. The Yard Underground was the offspring of The Yard in Xavierville in Quezon City.

Location: 207 Christian Route, Hill Crest Circle, Oranbo 1600 Pasig, Philippines