7 Restos In Metro Manila To Add To Your Solomaxxing Date List

Have you taken the time to get to know yourself lately? While we love the joy of spending time with friends or the thrill of getting to know someone new, there's also a certain peace that only comes with hanging out with yourself.

Not only do you get time to recharge, but discovering what you enjoy doing on your own helps you maintain your own identity even with your friends or someone special. After all, one of the most important relationships you have is with yourself!

Ready to take yourself out on a date? Here are seven places around the Metro that'll make you excited to hang out by your lonesome—no syncing your sched with someone else required!

Location: See a list of Yakiniku Like branches

There's no need to wait for your next group hang to satisfy your yakiniku cravings, thanks to Yakiniku Like. Dining solo here doesn't feel awkward at all; in fact Yakiniku Like encourages it with your own personal grill where you can grill your meat-of-choice to your desired doneness.

Their yakiniku sets are perfectly tailored for one, too, and each comes with your choice of meat plus rice, miso soup, and kimchi or lettuce. True to the authentic yakiniku experience, the meat doesn't come pre-seasoned—instead, you can choose from a variety of spices and dipping sauces at the table. 

Location: Ground Floor, The Atrium, Makati Avenue, Makati City

If you're an artist, a journaling fiend, or just loves to collect stickers and anik-anik, you're most likely a regular at Common Room. But did you know that their biggest branch at The Atrium in Makati City has a hidden cafe?

Called The Mess Studio, this art haven combines a shop that spotlights local artists, a library of art books, zines, comic books, and more, and a cafe powered by Convenience Coffeehouse.

Choose from comfy couches where you can lounge around with a book or craft project or a proper chair-and-table with nearby sockets for a productive work session.

Plus, The Mess Studio also offers the Craft Pass and the Seat Pass. Both passes, which come in Half-Day or Whole Day, come with a reserved seat, Wi-Fi access, and access to shared art supplies but the Craft Pass also comes with a DIY craft project you can work on during your stay. (Don't worry if you can't get a Pass though as it's not required to hang out!). 

Location: G/L North Parking Building, SM Mall of Asia, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City

You might be surprised but yes, you can treat yourself to a solo hotpot date!

Shaburo21 offers Korean-style shabu-shabu, and their restaurant interiors reflect that aegyo-ful Korean vibe with light-wood tones, lots of plants, and warm lighting perfect for your aesthetic solo-date vlog.

Even their solo hotpot stove is minimalist and aesthetic! Shaburo21 has both cozy nooks and bar seating so you don't have to worry about feeling awkward while dining solo.

Plus, we love that their shabu-shabu sets are budget-friendly: For less than P300, you can get their signature Shaburo21 Shabu which already comes with broth, meat, mushrooms, and veggies.

Location: Upper G/F, Uptown Mall, Uptown BGC

One advantage of going out solo is you can usually be seated faster at hyped-up places like Japanese hamburg restaurant Hikiniku to Come. The great thing about Hikiniku to Come is that they're worth the hype.

Both groups and solo diners get seated around their open kitchen-slash-grill station, where you can watch beef patties formed and grilled upon order.

Hikiniku to Come only offers one menu item, the Hikiniku to Come set which comes with three beef patties plus unlimited rice and a raw egg plus instructions on how to best enjoy your patties.

You'll want to savor every bite, and you'll be glad you got to experience it by yourself. 

Location: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Paseo De Roxas corner Makati Avenue, Makati City

We love a restaurant built for solo dining, and Kong is no exception. With a stone counter that wraps around an open kitchen, you get a front-row view of all the grilling and wok action.

Kong specializes in Aussie-Asian food which makes for lots of fun dishes like the Chicken Burger with Sriracha and Pineapple or their signature Chili Jam Noodles. 

Location: 88 Esteban Abada Street, Katipunan, Quezon City

In the mood for a cozy reading session? Hygge Library Cafe from Baguio City just opened their first Metro Manila branch in Katipunan, called Hygge Book Apothecary.

You can bring your current read or find your next one from their stacks and shelves of over 1,000 books—they also have a book swap area where you can trade an old read for a new one.

Then get cozy at any of their comfy couches with a drink and pastries like cookies and blondies. Hygge Book Apothecary is also a great place to get productive, with work nooks and sockets. 

Location: 129 Bautista Street, Salcedo, Makati City

True to the Japanese people's penchant for solo dining, Inosho Ramen in Salcedo also features bar-type seating so you can enjoy your noodles in peace. Ramen may be in the name, but Inosho has also become famous for their tsukemen or dipping ramen.

Solo dining means no one can judge you for getting a little messy with the signature Inosho Tsukemen, which comes with a rich tonkotsu-gyokai dipping broth and 12-hour slow-cooked pork. Prefer some heat? The Mapo Tofu Tsukemen brings the spice with fiery mapo sauce, Sichuan peppers, and chili flakes. And if you're in the mood for a drink to cap off your solo date, Inosho also makes handcrafted cocktails.