How Novotel Manila Araneta City Is Ushering In A New Dining Era

Novotel Manila Araneta City has been serving and taking care of their guests for a decade now.

In its 10th year, they are embarking on an exciting new path, refreshing their culinary identity with a suite of new and reimagined dining concepts designed to bring together global flavors, sustainable sourcing, and a more conscious approach to food.

Spearheaded by three culinary visionaries, the hotel’s latest chapter is anchored in creativity, community, and mindful living. As Cluster Executive Chef for Outlets Athena Tuble reflects, “Dining has always been about more than what is on the plate. It is about discovery, comfort, connection, and the moments we share around food.” 

Freshfinity: The Buffet Reimagined

At the center of this culinary evolution is Freshfinity, a modern buffet concept at Food Exchange Manila led by Chef Athena Tuble. Moving beyond mere abundance, the concept blends responsible dining with a careful balance of global inspiration and Filipino expression.

For PHP2,799 nett her head every Friday for dinner and every Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner, you, too, can experience their buffet layout that unfolds across a total of six distinct culinary stations. The Maharaja showcases fragrant spices and richly layered Indian dishes. Flavors of Asia features handcrafted dim sum and regional favorites. Sakura Sumi delivers Japanese precision with fresh salmon and tuna sashimi, premium maki, and other specialties. Cucina Italiana serves freshly prepared pasta and artisanal pizzas. Brasserie Maison combines premium meats and seafood. And lastly, Butcher’s Block celebrates proper roasts with chef-selected cuts carved to order. 

Aligned with this transformation, Freshfinity isn’t just about serving great global food. Behind these offerings are real efforts to reduceReduceA cooking technique in which a liquid is simmered until some of the water evaporates, thickening its texture and concentrating its flavor. Home cooks reduce sauces, stocks, and glazes, andGo to Reduce Glossary food waste, as well as strong partnerships with local Filipino farmers, fishing communities, and family-owned suppliers such as Meliomar, A2Z, Metro Pacific, and Auro Chocolate. These collaborations bring sustainably sourced produce, seafood, cacao, coffee, and fruits to the table while uplifting local livelihoods and traditions.

Indulge Gelato & Bakery: A Sweet Return 

Aside from launching Freshfinity, Novotel Manila Araneta City is also rolling out two other additions to their food catalogue, one of which is something they are bringing back.

For those seeking everyday sweet and savory treats, the newly reopened Indulge Gelato & Bakery returns with refreshed interiors and a broader lineup of sweet and savory creations directed by Cluster Executive Pastry Chef Angelique “Angel” Llantanda. 

The pastry counter is stacked with standout baked goods and desserts. Treats like the Matcha Croissant, Strawberry Ribbon, Pain au Chocolat, Mango Shortcake, Matcha Biscoff Cheesecake, Triple Chocolate Mousse, Brownie Pain Suisse, Tuna Danish, and Coffee Bun are almost impossible to resist.

Playing with contemporary bakery trends and Filipino comfort classics, the pastry kitchen also offers the Chicken Adobo Pocket, Longganisa Egg Danish, Buko Danish, and the Ube Cheese Croissant.

Gourmet Bar New Menu: Plants Take Center Stage

Created and curated by Cluster Executive Chef for Banquet Michael Ramos, Gourmet Bar by Novotel introduces a new plant-forward menu focused on vegetables, grains, and legumes without sacrificing flavor. Grounded in Novotel’s Four Pillars of Life campaign (Eat, Sleep, Move, and Meet), the offerings emphasize that eating well should never feel like a compromise. It should be pleasurable, intuitive, and deeply nourishing.

Featured plant-forward dishes include the seared cabbage steak layered with miso cream, furikake, and crisp nori; a bibimbap made using cauliflower rice served with vegetables, edamame, crispy tofu, and sesame gochujang; and their Brown Lentils and Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl served with fresh vegetables, avocado, and a miso-turmeric dressing.

The Novotel Manila Banquet Kitchen, also led by Chef Michael Ramos, received Halal certification. This significant milestone only broadens the hotel’s means of hospitality by having the ability to cater more inclusively to meetings, conferences, weddings, and social celebrations.

An Appetite to Serve

A hotel’s ultimate job is to be accommodating in every sense of the word. In the hospitality industry, true service means going above and beyond to ensure every guest feels welcome, and the food should be no exception. 

By launching Freshfinity, reimagining Indulge Gelato & Bakery, introducing plant-forward options at Gourmet Bar, and achieving Halal certification for its banquet kitchens, Novotel Manila Araneta City is showing a renewed commitment to being food-conscious, creative, and inclusive.

After ten years of service, the hotel is proving that this milestone chapter isn’t about simply adding more to the buffet line, but about considering what deserves a place on their guests’ dining tables.

Driven by a clearer sense of purpose and an unwavering appetite to serve, Novotel Manila Araneta City is ready for its next great decade.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freshfinity, and where is it located?

Freshfinity is a modern buffet concept located at Food Exchange Manila inside Novotel Manila Araneta City.

It is available every Friday for dinner and every Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner, priced at PHP 2,799 nett per person.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

See Full Bio

What kind of food is served at Freshfinity?

Led by chef Athena Tuble, the buffet offers six distinct food stations (The Maharaja, Flavors of Asia, Sakura Sumi, Cucina Italiana, Brasserie Maison, and Butcher’s Block), of which are created using meat, fish, and produce from local suppliers and partners.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

See Full Bio

Are there any unique pastries served in Indulge Gelato & Bakery?

Yes. They offer sweets like Matcha Croissant, Strawberry Ribbon, Pain au Chocolat, Mango Shortcake, Matcha Biscoff Cheesecake, Triple Chocolate Mousse, Brownie Pain Suisse, Coffee Bun, Buko Danish, and the Ube Cheese Croissant.

In terms of savory options, they have the Chicken Adobo Pocket, Longganisa Egg Danish, and Tuna Danish.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

See Full Bio

How does the new menu at Gourmet Bar by Novotel emphasize wellness in eating?

Created by chef Michael Ramos, the new menu is plant-forward, focusing on vegetables, grains, and legumes without sacrificing flavor.

Some highlights from their menu include their Seared Cabbage Steak and Cauliflower Bibimbap.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

See Full Bio

In what ways is Novotel Manila Araneta City trying to be inclusive with the food they serve?

The Novotel Manila Banquet Kitchen received Halal certification, broadening its ability to cater more inclusively to meetings, conferences, weddings, and social celebrations.

Laura Mendoza Writer

Laura admits that she is a slow eater. She prefers to take her time with the food she likes to eat and the stories she wishes to write. Having graduated with a Creative Writing degree, she comes from a background in writing fiction and poetry. Because of this, she has set herself on a creative mission to explore and delve into what other modes and channels exist for stories and narratives to be told, expressed, and shared with others. For Laura, food as a medium is an exciting proposition. Behind every dish, every ingredient, and every cooking technique, there lies a history worth discussing, a human being worth listening to, a lived experience worth gleaning from. As a means to satiate her appetite for learning about and understanding new and known things, she aims to be the kind of food writer who is approachable, reliable, and personable to readers.

See Full Bio