Manila restaurants and dining guide
The Philippines has an incredible choice of cuisine
Eating plays an important role in the Filipino culture, and there are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from in Manila. While tracking down traditional food is simple, many of the restaurants here also serve authentic dishes that hail from all over the globe. Dishes start from just US$5 going up to US$30 for real gourmet treats, and what follows in an overview of some of the finest dining options that the city has to offer.
Recommended restaurants in Manila
La Cocina de Tita Moning
A range of delicious dishes are served in this enchanting Spanish-era mansion in this beautiful restaurant. (315 San Rafael Street, San Miguel District, Manila, tel: +63 (0)2 734 2146) $$
Café Juanita
This popular café has been serving Asian treats such as prawns pickled in garlic sauce and Vietnamese spring rolls for decades. (2 United Street corner West Capitol Drive, Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig, tel: +63 (0)2 0357) $$
Prince Albert Rotisserie
The all-you-can-eat continental buffet here is excellent value, while the restaurant’s specialities include duck liver lightly marinated in medoc wine and pan-fried veal loin. (Intercontinental Hotel at 1 Ayala Avenue, Makati, tel: +63 (0)2 815 9711) $$$
Abe Restaurant
A great place to try Filipino delicacies, highlights include lamb adobo with popped garlic and chicken supreme. (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, tel: +63 (0)2 856 0526) $$
Café Ysabel
The menu here is prepared by renowned Filipino chef Gene Gonzales, and among the offerings are dishes such as crispy pork binagoongan, pasta vegetalie aglio and US braised beef belly, which are served up in a stylishly modern café. (455 P. Guevarra Street, San Juan Metro Manila, tel: +63 (0)2 726 9326) $$$$
Heaven ‘n’ Eggs
Serving up hearty portion of comfort food, this is the perfect place to satisfy cravings for dishes such as sandwiches, pasta and pancakes. (Fuente Circle, Eastwood City, Quezon City, tel: +63 (0)2 912 1172) $$
Kamayan sa Nayong Pilipino
This cheap and cheerful restaurant specialises in unique Filipino seafood and noodles dishes. (Nayong Pilipino Park, MIA Avenue, Pasay, tel: +63 (0)2 812 3247) $
M (or Museum Café)
This stylish restaurant provides just the right mood for a romantic date, and young lovers can sit and sip guava and lychee shakes while gazing into each other’s eyes. (Glass Wing, Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue, Makati, tel: +63 (0)2 757 3000) $$
The Red Crab Seafood Club
Seafood lovers who crave something a little bit different can dine on dishes such as crab casino and ginger crab prepared by top chefs. (Shop 210 Level 2 Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati, tel: +63 (0)2 757 4129) $$
Price guide
$ – dishes under $3; quart of beer $1; whiskey shot $1.50;cocktails $2
$$ – dishes $3-10; quart of beer $1.50; whiskey shot $2; cocktails $2.50
$$$ – dishes $10-20; quart of beer $2; whiskey shot $2.50; cocktails $3
$$$$ – dishes over $20; quart of beer $3; whiskey shot $4; cocktails $5
Le Souffle
Classic French dishes such as Pan Fried Goose Liver Salad are served with a twist in this gourmet restaurant. (Amorsolo West Building, Residential Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati, tel: +63 (0)2 890 6543) $$$
Via Mare
Oyster lovers will be in heaven as they munch they dine in style on dishes such as linguini with oysters and oyster shish kebabs. (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyongtel: +63 (0)2 +63 (0)2 0350) $$$
Crustacia
Fresh crabs and lobsters are cooked in a delightfully different way here, while dishes such as chicken chorizo in yellow curry and tenderloin beef strips served in red curry always prove popular with diners. (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City, tel: +63 (0)2 910 4096) $$$
Jollibee
This local fast food can be found all over the Manila and the rest of the Philippines and is a great place to grab a quick burger while browsing for bargains at the mall. $
