Cyma Greenbelt Makati  –  with CG Hisona  in strifes

Cyma Greenbelt Makati: A Greek Dinner After Decades 

There are restaurants you remember because you dine there often. Then there are restaurants you remember simply because you haven’t been there in years—but one sight of the name brings everything back.

That was Cyma for me.

It had been decades since I last dined at Cyma. Being based in Bacolod, where there is no Cyma branch, the restaurant had become one of those Manila food memories from many years ago.

So, on our recent Manila trip, I wasn’t actually planning to eat there.

It Was Raining, and We Didn’t Want to Go Far

We had just arrived in Manila and were staying near Greenbelt. The rain was coming down, and neither of us wanted to venture too far.

Greenbelt was the perfect choice. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, so we simply walked around looking for something that would work for dinner.

And I was specifically looking for something low-carb.

Then we passed by Cyma.

I saw the familiar name and suddenly remembered their food.

It had been so long.

I thought, Why not?

The funny part was that neither CG Hisona nor I was really hungry. We had already eaten at Silay Airport before our flight, and after arriving at NAIA Terminal 3, we even had coffee.

But CG had one simple argument:

We should still grab something before retiring for the night.

And apparently, that was enough reason to have dinner.

Cyma Greenbelt 5, Makati

The Cyma we visited is Cyma Greenbelt 5, located on the 2nd floor of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Mall, Makati City. The restaurant’s official website confirms the Greenbelt 5 location.

The place was fairly busy when we arrived, but it wasn’t overly packed. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long and were able to get a table for two.

Since we weren’t really hungry, we decided to keep things simple.

We ordered just three dishes.

Grilled Calamari  | Cyma Greenbelt Makati

The first was the Grilled Calamari.

This was probably the easiest dish to identify from our meal. Cyma’s current menu describes it as grilled calamari with garlic-herb extra virgin olive oil, lemon and Greek oregano, served with grilled country bread.

And yes, it was very well grilled.

Tender. Flavorful. Definitely not gummy.

That’s important when it comes to calamari. Overcooked squid can quickly become rubbery, but this one was cooked just right.

The lemon also helped brighten the dish, making it a particularly enjoyable choice for our relatively light dinner.

The Lamb | Cyma Greenbelt Makati

Then came the lamb.

I won’t pretend to identify the exact preparation because Cyma has several lamb dishes on its current menu, including Paidakia, Cyma Lamb Chops and Lamb al Ajillo.

What I can say with certainty is that the lamb was very good.

It was tender and, most importantly for me, had none of that strong gamey smell that can sometimes be associated with lamb.

The meat itself was cooked beautifully.

The sauce, however, was a little strong for my personal taste. But that’s subjective. The lamb itself was excellent, and the roasted potatoes made the dish even more satisfying.

And considering that I was trying to keep dinner relatively low-carb, I simply enjoyed the lamb and didn’t make the potatoes the star of my plate.

A Simple Salad

We also ordered a simple salad with feta cheese and lemon.

Nothing complicated.

Just greens, feta and lemon.

And that’s exactly what I wanted that evening.

Fresh. Light. Simple.

It balanced the richer lamb nicely and gave us something refreshing alongside the grilled calamari.

The Service Deserves Mention | Cyma Greenbelt Makati

One thing I particularly noticed at Cyma was the service.

I liked that the servers introduced themselves by name when attending to us.

It’s a small gesture, but it makes a difference.

There was also a point when we were asked not to sit at the table yet because they were still preparing and setting it. Instead, we were invited to wait outside and browse the menu while they finished.

I appreciated that.

It showed that they were paying attention to the dining setup rather than simply rushing guests to a table that wasn’t ready.

Throughout our meal, the service remained professional and attentive.

CG Hisona

How Much Did We Spend at Cyma Greenbelt 5,  Makati ?

For the three dishes we ordered—two main dishes and one salad—the bill was a little over ₱3,500, if I remember correctly.

That may sound expensive for a dinner for two, especially considering that neither of us was particularly hungry.

But Cyma has never really been a budget dining destination.

Looking at its current menu, the Grilled Calamari is ₱532.77, while lamb dishes currently range from about ₱1,180 for Cyma Lamb Chops to ₱1,875 for Lamb al Ajillo. Salads can also range from around ₱500 to more than ₱1,000, depending on the selection and serving size.

So our spending was consistent with the restaurant’s current pricing level, although our actual bill may have included taxes, service charges, drinks or other items not visible in the three dishes we remember ordering.

Cyma is not necessarily for everyone.

And that’s okay.

Some restaurants are meant for an inexpensive everyday meal. Others are for when you want good food, generous portions, professional service and a dining experience that feels a little more special.

Cyma belongs more to the latter.

More Than Just Dinner

What made this particular visit memorable wasn’t simply the food.

It was the memory attached to it.

I hadn’t eaten at Cyma in decades.

I wasn’t even hungry.

We had already eaten at Silay Airport. We had coffee at NAIA 3. It was raining. We wanted to stay close to the hotel.

And yet, one familiar name at Greenbelt brought back an old dining memory.

That’s one of the things I love about food and travel.

Sometimes you don’t go looking for a particular restaurant.

Sometimes the restaurant finds you.

And after all those years, I’m glad we stopped.

The grilled calamari was tender.
The lamb was beautifully cooked.
The salad was simple and fresh.
The service was professional.

And most importantly, it was good to taste an old favorite again.

For me, that’s what this Cyma visit was really about.

A little Greek food. A little nostalgia. And a rainy Manila evening well spent.

This is a personal dining experience for The Happy Trip. Menu items, prices and restaurant details may change over time.

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