For a time, I frequented Sta. Lucia Mall for physical therapy sessions at a clinic there. After each session, I would look for a place to eat nearby. One day, I discovered iVeggie Restaurant on Google Maps. Although it was a kilometer away, I decided to walk the distance and give it a try.
Plant-Based Restaurant, Café, and Grocer
Walking along the wide pedestrian section of Marcos Highway was surprisingly pleasant. After 15 minutes, I arrived at the HMC Building, where iVeggie Restaurant is located on the ground floor. The space is moderately sized, combining a café vibe with a small grocery section at the back. The interiors are clean and simple, with a few dining tables that can accommodate about 10 people.
The mini grocery is a nice touch, offering imported vegan products, including noodles, seasonings, and ready-to-eat plant-based meats. I especially loved their vegan sausage sticks—perfect for travel and hikes.
Vegan À La Carte Meals
After several visits, I was able to sample a variety of their dishes, and a few quickly became favorites. The Vegan Crunch and Lumpiang Shanghai stood out. Both had generous servings that were great for sharing.
If you’re craving the taste and texture of crunchy fried chicken, the Vegan Crunch is an excellent alternative. It features mushrooms coated in a delightfully seasoned, crispy batter served with vegan gravy.
The Lumpiang Shanghai was packed with flavorful veggie meat and mushrooms. It paired perfectly with either tomato ketchup or spicy sauce. The serving was hefty—I had to take half of it home!
For rice options, they offer plain, turmeric, chao fan, yang chao, and pineapple rice, catering to a range of flavor preferences.
On one visit, I tried their Carbonara Pasta, which, unfortunately, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The sauce was more soupy than creamy, which isn’t my preferred texture for carbonara.
Rice Meals
Their rice meals are a great value and make for a complete, filling experience. I tried both the Chao Fan with 2 Dumplings and the Chao Fan with 3 Bola-Bola. Both were satisfying; the choice depends on your flavor preference.
Cool Desserts
For dessert, I indulged in their Blueberry Bingsu, which was a delightful treat. Another time, I tried their Turon (caramelized fried banana wrap), a comforting and tasty dessert.
A Welcome Addition to Antipolo
It’s refreshing to find a vegan and vegetarian restaurant along this stretch of Marcos Highway, especially amid a lineup of fast-food chains. The prices are budget-friendly, the servings are generous, and most of the flavors are satisfying. While there’s room for improvement in a few dishes, their offerings are a welcome addition to the area.
I would also recommend checking out their grocery section, especially if you’re looking to stock up on travel-friendly vegan snacks.
I’ll definitely return to iVeggie Restaurant, Café & Grocery whenever I’m in the area.
iVeggie Restaurant, Cafe & Grocery
Address: Unit 102 HMC Building Along Marcos H.W. Mayamot, Antipolo, Antipolo, Philippines
Contact: +63968.342.3213
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday 10AM - 8PM
Facebook: /iVeggieRestaurant
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