Power Plant Mall

Perhaps the best mall in Makati, and arguably the Metro, is the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center. Don’t let the industrial name fool you: this mall is far from the unsightly, smoke-belching images of a power plant. Taking its name from its origins as an unused thermal power plant, it was transformed into a chic, upscale shopping hub housing thoughtfully selected stores and establishments. Around for nearly two decades, Power Plant is a shopping favourite that has aged well, improving instead of deteriorating with time. It is clean, well-maintained, and conveniently laid out. The recent opening of a new wing further added dining options and cinema theatres. Being just the perfect size, it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large nor limited and lacking. Most restaurants are concentrated on the bottom level and the new annexe; the top level houses the cinema, a bookstore, and child-oriented establishments; while high-end boutiques pepper the floors in between. It hardly ever gets too crowded, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and even just window shopping. A very relaxed, airy atmosphere flows throughout the mall thanks to its multi-floor atrium and live piano music wafting through the floors. Pro tips: On weekends, they hold a baker’s fair at the basement level, where regulars stop by the different tables for their specialties. Keep an eye out for Costa Brava’s scrumptious chicken mushroom pie. And should you find yourself in Manila around Christmas time (which slowly begins around September), make a point to visit this mall. They have among the best, most tasteful Christmas decor in the Metro.