Forget what you know about food parks.
After a surge of food park openings in the Metro and even in neighboring provinces in the last three years, these communal open-dining spaces have grown to be a familiar, busy sight. And it’s easy to spot one (or three or five) right off the bat.
Food parks are known to offer novelty dishes—from ice cream on churro cones to sushi cradled in rice taco shells to huge sculptural desserts served in mason jars. Most flock to these places not only to satisfy their curious taste buds, but also to snap a new post for the ‘Gram.
The fierce competition for likes drives some food park entrepreneurs to push their design concept envelope to levels of ridiculousness. (Yeah, we see those tacky gimmicks.) But there are some who see the wealth of potential in these trendy food spots.
Rooftop Food Park in Quezon City may have jumped on the food-park bandwagon, but don’t dismiss it just yet. This three-story parking building-turned-food complex has more to offer its patrons than just Instagram-ready dishes and decor.
With over 20 food stalls to choose from, and more to open soon, Rooftop virtually has everything you and your friends are in the mood for—be it sisig, crispy ulo, wagyu cubes or even tempura.
What’s more, it seems its proprietors have found solutions for food-park goers’ two major concerns: dining space and parking. Here, huge groups will never have to worry about table reservations.
The food hub, which had its soft opening last April, can serve as many as 1,200 customers. Its main dining area, located on the second floor, can accommodate 700 people, while the bar on the roof deck has enough space for an additional 500 who want to drink and dine at the same time.
The food complex has devoted the first level for parking, with car slots totalling 50. An adjacent lot is also available if the car park is fully occupied. Let’s also not forget its air-conditioned toilets—with all the amenities, including a bidet!
But what truly separates Rooftop Food Park from the rest is its promise to be the ultimate hang-out destination.
At Rooftop, the fun doesn’t end after you get stuffed with food park goodies. Before you move on to your bucket of booze, play a round of ping pong or beer pong with your friends at the food hub’s dedicated play areas. There’s also a karaoke room for those who want to sing the night away.
It hosts live bands, mini concerts and other kinds of small events on its second floor. In fact, when we visited the food hub, there was a calligraphy workshop going on. It’s also a food park of possibilities. Rooftop’s Jeff Chua revealed to us some of the plans for the food complex, like adding a basketball court and video game rooms.
Aside from its bar, Hidden Vine, which serves a multitude of local and foreign brews and a slew of cocktail favorites, Rooftop’s top floor is also being eyed as the food park’s main event space. The management is looking into hosting car shows, live concerts and other events. They’re also thinking of transforming the open-air roof deck into a night market come the weekend.
The establishment wants to introduce cashless payments, too. They designed tap-and-go cards to help foodies stick to their budgets—perfect for a birthday treat, celebratory dinner or just a casual night out. With these loadable and reusable cards, Rooftop is going to be, as Chua said, “the Timezone of food parks.”
Visit Rooftop Food Park at Lot 3 Block 4, Regalado Ave., Neopolitan Business Park, Greater Lagro, Quezon City (near SM Fairview). It is open 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., daily.