Must-see restaurants in Manila

  • Van Gogh is Bipolar

    Manila

    Every bit as interesting as it sounds, this chaotic restaurant inhabits a tiny space packed with curios and artworks. It's run by artist Jetro, who cooks…

  • Coffee Empire

    Manila

    A chic industrial open-plan warehouse setup with hessian sacks of single-origin green beans on display in the glassed-in 'green room', plus drawers of…

  • Sala

    Manila

    Arguably Manila’s finest restaurant for almost 15 years, this refined European bistro is headed by Scottish chef-owner Colin Mackay, who also runs People…

  • Locavore

    Manila

    Locavore uses locally sourced ingredients to stunning effect, creating French-inspired takes on Filipino classics like Bicol exprés (spicy minced pork),…

  • Hummus Eliajah

    Manila

    The speciality is hummus combined with pine nuts, falafel or egg, but the tastiness extends to pita wraps, shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy sauce) and…

  • Las Flores

    Manila

    With a slick industrial interior and an authentic menu of Catalonia–inspired tapas and mains, Las Flores is justifiably one of Manila's most popular…

  • El Chupacabra

    Manila

    Bringing the Mexican street-food craze to Makati, El Chupacabra is a grungy open-air taqueria cooking up a mouthwatering selection of soft corn tortilla…

  • Casa Armas

    Manila

    Foodies have been enamoured with this cavernlike Spanish restaurant for years; it's best known for tapas favourites such as calamares a la plancha alioli …

  • Cafe Adriatico

    Manila

    An old-time Malate favourite, this romantic corner bistro is best known for its classic Filipino merienda (afternoon snack) menu and fine people-watching…

  • Mecha Uma

    Manila

    Manileños are crazy about Japanese food, and nobody has caught that wave like top chef Bruce Ricketts at Mecha Uma. A US–trained Filipino, he fastidiously…

  • Blackbird

    Manila

    For a romantic night out, you can't beat Blackbird. It's in the art-deco Nielson Tower, a historic 1937 airport control tower, with dining in the old…

  • Yardstick

    Manila

    This serious coffee shop doubles as a wholesaler of single-origin beans and La Marzocco equipment. It's in a bright, airy space with a roasting area out…

  • Wholesome Table

    Manila

    It's all about healthy cuisine here, much of it locally sourced from organic, grass-fed creatures and/or plants. The menu is all over the place,…

  • Wholesome Table

    Manila

    It's all about healthy cuisine here, much of it locally sourced from organic, grass-fed creatures and/or plants. The menu is all over the place,…

  • Señor Pollo

    Manila

    The makers of El Chupacabra have created another wildly popular Latin-inspired street-side cafe in Poblacion, this one on up-and-coming Ebro St. The…

  • Pipino Vegetarian Food

    Manila

    In QC's trendy Maginhawa area, Pipino specialises in creative vegetarian takes on Filipino classics. Here you'll get anything from tofu lemongrass skewers…

  • Commune

    Manila

    Commune sources its own coffee beans from around the Philippines – the beans of the month are written on a large blackboard wall, along with the schedule…

  • Apartment 1B

    Manila

    A dependable expat fave hidden in the Makati residential district Salcedo Village, Apartment 1B is known for delicious stick-to-your-ribs continental…

  • Victorinos

    Manila

    With its chequered tiled floors and antique furniture, there's more than a hint of elegance at well-heeled Victorinos, yet its prices remain very…

  • Smith Butcher & Grill Room

    Manila

    Smith serves great steaks in a roomy contemporary space near the heart of Makati's central business district. Choose between prime Angus, Wagyu and…

  • TimHoWan

    Manila

    Michelin-starred in Hong Kong, this dim sum institution was an instant smash upon opening in Manila in 2014. It's a more sanitised experience than its…

  • Matoi

    Manila

    This authentic Japanese eatery is divided into two parts: a tiny seven-seat sushi bar operated by the owner/chef and open from 5.30pm daily; and the main…

  • 12/10

    Manila

    This is a sleek Japanese izakaya (drinking spot) run by a Filipino chef in Makati's arty Guijo St neighbourhood. There are fancy cocktails and Japanese…

  • Negative Space

    Manila

    There's a Japanese touch to this third-wave coffee shop, where you'll find matcha, Japanese pour-over coffee and mains like gyudon (beef and rice bowls)…

  • Tweedle Book Cafe

    Manila

    Sort of looks as its name suggests – a cutsie-wootsie cafe populated by a decidedly random selection of books. The main appeal is the enticing menu of…

  • Beni's Falafel

    Manila

    Everything on the menu of this unassuming Yemeni-owned eatery is original and done to perfection. The shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce) and…

  • Harbor View

    Manila

    This longstanding and popular fresh seafood inahaw (grill) restaurant juts into Manila Bay. The breezes can be delightful on sweltering days, but check…

  • Bistro Remedios

    Manila

    An excellent place to sample Filipino cooking, with food from Pampanga province a speciality here. There's an extensive vegetarian menu and a few…

  • Fowl Bread

    Manila

    Manila's most famous chicken sandwiches include a slab of signature crispy chicken skin (spicy preferred). Or order garlic noodles topped with…

  • Charlies Grind & Grill

    Manila

    This institution in the well-regarded food district of Kapitolyo near Ortigas cooks up Manila's best burgers – go for the double black Angus burger topped…

  • Dampa Seaside

    Manila

    A real local experience (and institution), here you trawl the attached wet market for your desired ingredients (preferably seafood) and then choose one of…

  • Polland Hopia Cafe

    Manila

    A classic Tsinoy (Chinese Filipino) bakery marked by an awesome 1950s-style neon sign on Escolta St. Thin-crust hopia – dense sweet cakes filled with mung…

  • Tomatito

    Manila

    A big, open, bustling new bistro that dishes out self-described 'sexy' small plates like the signature salmon TNT, albondigas (homemade meatballs) and…

  • Ilustrado

    Manila

    Set in a reconstructed Spanish–era house, this is fine dining of the stiff-upper-lip variety. Traditional Spanish Filipino dishes like paella join salmon,…

  • Aristocrat

    Manila

    Aristocrat began life in 1936 as a mobile snack cart and is so iconic that it has its own historical marker. A replica of the old Ford canteen is…

  • Quik Snack

    Manila

    Also known as Amah (Grandma) Pilar's after its founding matriarch, this Chinatown institution has been serving its trademark ku-tsai-ah (Chinese empanadas…

  • Kite Kebab Bar

    Manila

    Mediterranean street food is the name of the game here. Besides the basics (hummus, keema) you'll find original surprises like Wagyu kebabs, lamb ribs and…

  • Corner Tree Cafe

    Manila

    The Corner Tree provides a tranquil escape from busy Jupiter St, not to mention heavenly vegetarian fare that even diehard meat-eaters will love. The…

  • Mantra

    Manila

    Mantra represents the very best of contemporary Indian cuisine in the Philippine capital, serving divine dhal and other vegetarian dishes and plenty of…

  • Shawarma Snack Center

    Manila

    A Manila institution, the Shawarma Snack Center serves the richest and most flavourful falafel, mutabal (eggplant dip), hummus and kebabs in downtown…

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