From one theater fan to anothergolden crown, here’s some practical advice: Eat before you watch a show. 

It is, after all, almost three hours spent inside the theater, and a 15-minute intermission is barely enough time to go for a snack. But the good news is that most theaters are located near a lot of good restaurants and cafes. 

Another piece of advice, based on personal experience: You’ll definitely want to eat again after the show. For certain shows, some alcohol may be necessary to down not just the bites, but the thoughts and feelings post-show, too. 

The upcoming restaging of original Filipino musical “Mula sa Buwan” is lucky to be based at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, located within a mall. It’s also just a few minutes away from some of Makati’s most popular restaurants today (yes, you might’ve seen a bunch of these places on your TikTok FYP). 

So as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In this case, do as the theater folk do, and load up before a show—or do your post-show debriefing over drinks—at these Makati spots. 

We asked the cast of “Mula sa Buwan” for their recommendations so you can plan your day at the theater ahead.

Address: HMA773, 775 J. P. Rizal St, MakatiTime: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. dailyDistance from the theater: ~900m (5-minute drive)

Assembly Hall is one of the cafes that may well be any young creative’s ideal. Aside from an extensive coffee menu, the space is conducive for remote work, thanks to its spacious tables and numerous outlets to charge devices. Its modern interiors also make it very Instagrammable.

Recently, they’ve also begun to beef up their food menu. Aside from a selection of pastries, they’ve added brunch items to their menu, from sandwiches to pasta.

Jillian Ita-as, who is reprising her role as Gabriel in “Mula sa Buwan,” recommends visiting the cafe if you want to caffeinate before watching a show. “What I would recommend is their campfire latte. Get it iced. May malaking marshmallow siya na amazing,” she gushes.

After 6 p.m., the coffee shop closes, and its hidden next door space, called HereAfter, opens.

“But if you are the type to want to drink and talk about the show after, you could also go to the same place because they serve cocktails,” Ita-as adds.

(A personal tip: If you liked the campfire latte, you can get a boozy version of it at HereAfter.)

Address: 109 Esteban, MakatiTime: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. dailyDistance from the theater: ~2-3 km (15-minute drive)

This specialty coffee shop originated in Siargao and its warm interiors coupled with its al fresco space decked with wood accents and wicker chairs hark back to its summer destination roots.

More than its aesthetics though, Spotted Pig also serves a sizable menu of good coffee and hefty all-day brunch meals. 

They take pride in their baked goods, too, with several croissant sandwiches on the menu, in flavors both savory and sweet. The strawberry croissant, for example, is stuffed generously with a sweet cream, adorned with sweet-tart strawberries, while their croissant BLT packs the flaky, buttery pastry with strips of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, egg, and a generous drizzling of sauce. 

MC Dela Cruz who plays Christian in this 2024 run of “Mula sa Buwan” has his own favorite brunch pairing from this cafe: “‘Yong katsu sando, sobrang laki niya, parang hindi kaya ng isang tao. Sobrang sarap,” he says. “Super must-try din ‘yong sea salt latte.”

Address: Xanland Building, 152 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, MakatiTime: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, Sundays; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed on MondaysDistance from the theater: ~3km (15-minute drive)

Seltsam is another day-to-night concept located at the rooftop of the Xanland Building along Makati’s Amorsolo Street.

This greenhouse-style space features an eclectic (if not “strange,” as their name in German suggests) mix of furniture and decor, making it a visually interesting spot. 

Jerom Canlas, who is taking over the reins of the role Tato for the “Mula sa Buwan” 2024 run, describes Seltsam as a “breakfast place, but at night it becomes a chill-numan place na may tumutugtog na bands.” With Seltsam’s iconic patchwork couch and resident Siamese cat in view, chill sounds just about right. 

Address: GF, Ayala Malls Circuit, MakatiTime: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays to SundaysDistance from the theater: ~3-minute walk

Overdoughs has long been known for their advocacy of supporting and providing employment for deaf individuals. Their branches are mostly run by their deaf partners, and they also promote learning and using Filipino Sign Language through regular workshops. 

From kiosks in malls, the bakeshop has expanded to having their own cafes. The Circuit branch is their second and most recent stand-alone cafe. The menu has also expanded to more than just doughnuts and beignets. In their cafes, they offer a variety of dishes, from pizzas and pastas to rice bowls. 

Gab Pangilinan, who is reprising her role as Roxane, personally recommends Overdoughs’ empanadas and their Spanish latte, which is made with cold brew.

Address: G-1, Makati Square, Fernando, MakatiTime: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. dailyDistance from the theater: ~3 km (15-minute drive)

Lovers of Japanese cuisine often flock to a block of restaurants along Chino Roces Avenue. Called Little Tokyo, it houses a variety of Japanese restaurants, each with their own specialties. Across this beloved Makati food mecca, in the block occupied by Makati Central Square, is another Japanese restaurant called Manmaru.

Its facade may look deceiving, looking like a large izakaya-type restaurant. But upon entry, a stone path marked with a large torii leads into a larger dining space, with small private rooms enclosed by Japanese-style wooden panels.

Canlas’ favorite from Manmaru’s extensive menu is their gyu-enoki maki. As the name suggests, the dish features clusters of enoki mushrooms wrapped in beef strips. 

Address: 245 Primo Rivera cor. Pablo Ocampo Ext., La Paz, MakatiTime: Open 24 hours dailyDistance from the theater: ~1.7 km (7-minute drive)

Another recommendation Canlas and the Nolisoli team agreed on is Goto Monster, known for their hefty servings of Filipino meals, from goto (with all sorts of toppings) to silogs.

Their signature goto, made golden by being cooked with turmeric, can be ordered plain or with delectable toppings like bagnet, beef tripe, shiitake mushrooms, and even chicharon bulaklak. 

Their all-day silogs feature classics like beef tapa and chicken adobo, to more indulgent ulam like bagnet and sisig. The silogs also come with two generous servings of egg and a salad made with mustasa leaves.

Not to be missed are their ice cream pops, and refreshing fruit shakes like calamansi mint and cucumber mint. For lighter fare, go for the tokwa with talong chips, or their fresh spring rolls. 

They’re also open for 24 hours, making this a perfect option if you’re filling up before or after a show.

Address: 1200 Makati Ave. cor. Kalayaan Ave., MakatiTime: Open 24 hours dailyDistance from the theater: ~2km (10-minute drive)

One of the OG casual Chinese restaurant chains, North Park was originally a seafood restaurant in Binondo founded in 1988. Now it has expanded to become a common sight in malls, offering delicious and affordable Chinese food.

The Makati Ave. branch is a particular favorite for Pangilinan and husband and co-actor Myke Salomon, who plays MSB’s lead, Cyrano. Being open 24 hours daily makes it a perfect go-to restaurant, as their shows often end late at night.

“Masarap pumunta sa North Park kasi madalas ‘yon na lang ‘yong bukas,” Pangilinan shares. Their usual orders includes dishes like vinegared tofu and broccoli with oyster sauce. 

“Since post-show siya, I usually order honey lemonade, warm, pero kung walang show the next day, I order cold soya bean milk,” Pangilinan adds. Salomon’s drink of choice meanwhile is a good ol’ iced fresh lemonade.

Address: GF, Ayala Malls Circuit, MakatiTime: 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. SundaysDistance from the theater: ~3-minute walk

Shows packed with themes and messages (much like “Mula sa Buwan!”) sometimes demand a debriefing over drinks. Salomon’s post-show go-to is just a few meters away from the show’s current home theater, and located right below the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater. Tap Station is an open-air bar offering a wide variety of drinks, mostly focusing on beers.

“Nando’n ‘yong iba’t ibang klase ng imported beers and Filipino beers,” Salomon says. 

The beers on tap are labeled with their own numbers and craft brewers of origin. Pangilinan personally recommends #34, Berry Red, by local brewer Craft Swipes.

The couple also recommends ordering Tap Station’s burger, sausage plattergolden crown, and mussels.

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