ExPat Philly

Our list of the best Filipino restaurants in Manila will certainly please all those who fancy discovering the myriad of flavours inherent in Filipino cuisine. Saying that this cuisine is hearty is an understatement. Blending native, Asian, Spanish, and North American influences and flavours, Filipino food is rich and generous.

As Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, it attracts people coming from all over the country. This diversity makes the Filipino dining scene of Manila eclectic and very interesting as each chef has their own culinary background according to the island he or she comes from. Check out Manila’s most popular local diners displayed below, and forget your diet – It’s holiday time, after all.

1: Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant

Great for: Filipino Cuisine

Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant serves genuine Filipino cuisine with a real Filipino ambience. Located on General Luna Street, resident musicians play serenades during lunchtime, before being joined by dancers in the evening, offering guests a very pleasant show while they enjoy their dinner. If you come to Manila and want to have an authentic Filipino experience, then Barbara’s should be your place of choice.

Location: Plaza Sans Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Monday–Thursday from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm, Friday–Sunday from 11am to 2.30pm and from 6pm to 9pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 527 4083

2: Bistro Remedios – Malate

Great for: Chic Venue | Filipino Cuisine

Bistro Remedios is a chic venue dedicated to Filipino cuisine and culture. Located right opposite Remedios Circle – hence its name – this elegant venue is famous for the quality of its local dishes. Many locals eat here for its festive ambience, rocked by a trio of talented guitarists and singers.

Bistro Remedios (formerly Ang Bistro sa Remedios) opened in 1984 at the corner of Remedios and Adriatico Streets. It was named after the street it was on.

The restaurant moved to its present location at M. Adriatico Street in 1998. The Restaurant draws in foreigners as well as locals hankering for authentic, homestyle Filipino food. It remains in the heart of Malate as a hands-down favourite for Filipino Cooking for over 33 years.

From gising-gising (spicy Filipino vegetable soup) to kare-kare (meat stew), many classic local foods are available here, and they are simply exquisite.

Location: 1911 M. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila

Open: Monday – Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM and 6 PM – 11 PM

Phone: +63 (0)2 523 9153

3: The Aristocrat

Great for: Serving Filipino Specialties

The Aristocrat is a long-established restaurant in the capital city of the Philippines, dating back to 1936. It’s so successful that The Aristocrat has several branches throughout Manila. The restaurant serves a wide range of Filipino specialities at reasonable prices, though the house speciality of honey-cured chicken barbecue has been a favourite for generations. Drinks include beer, juices, soft drinks and mineral water.

Location: 423 San Andres St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: 24/7

Phone: +63 (0)2 524 7671

4: Abe’s Restaurant

Great for: Filipino Cuisine

Dedicated to the memory of the Filipino artist-writer and gourmet, Emilio Aguilar Cruz, Abe’s Restaurant has many branches throughout Manila. It serves a delicious Filipino-Kapampangan cuisine inspired by Abé’s travels all around the island country.

The restaurant’s specialities include lamb Adobo with popped garlic, pork lengua Estofado (pork tongue braised in tomato sauce), and betute (roast chicken).

Location: Mcarthur Avenue, Bonifacio Global, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 11am to 3pm and from 6pm to 11pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 856 0526

5: Sarsa Kitchen & Bar

Great for: Contemporary Filipino Food with a Twist

Sarsa Kitchen serves contemporary Filipino food with a twist. This popular chain of restaurants has around 6 branches around Manila. Featuring a modern and warmly coloured décor, the restaurant is not only reputed for the quality of the food it serves, but also for its courteous personnel and relaxed atmosphere. The most popular dishes include some classics of Filipino cuisine such as kalabasa, gising-gising, and binakol.

Location: SM Mega Mall, 202 EDSA Cor Dona Julia Vargas Ave Ortigas Center, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 914 3482

6: The Singing Cook & Waiters

Great for: Local Cuisine | Musical Entertainment

Get ready for the ultimate musical dining experience at The Singing Cook & Waiters. The restaurant was founded by Chef Ongpauco, who also created the crispy pata – a deep-fried pork delicacy that’s very famous all around the Philippines.

This unique restaurant serves delicious local cuisine prepared by an energetic kitchen team, who sing and dance at the same time. Mixing food and entertainment is a great idea, especially when both of them are of quality.

Location: Roxas Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 11am to 3pm and from 6pm to 11pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 832 0658

7: Romulo Café

Great for: Old Fashioned Filipino Comfort Food

Romulo Café was named after Carlos P. Romulo, an important figure of international diplomacy in the mid-20th century. Photos of the owners’ famed ancestor are part of the restaurants’ décor.

Romulo Café serves old-fashioned Filipino comfort food, along with vegetarian dishes. Most of the recipes used in the restaurants are family’s heirloom recipes.

Location: 148 Jupiter St. corner Comet St., Bel-Air, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 11am to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm

Phone: +63 2 478 6406

8: Manam Comfort Filipino

Great for: Contemporary Filipino Cuisine

Manam Comfort Filipino is a chain of restaurants that counts 4 branches in Manila. Featuring a contemporary Filipino décor, the restaurant serves home-cooked Filipino cuisine, including classic and slightly twisted dishes. The house crispy sisig (pork hash with rice and egg) and the original sinigang (sour and savoury stew) are some of Manam Comfort Food. 

Location: Ayala Center Makati, Makati City, Esperanza St, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 7am to 11pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 625 0515

9: MilkyWay Café

Great for: Traditional Filipino Cuisine

MilkyWay Café, located on Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, has 5 separate dining venues within its 3-storey building. Azuthai (Thai), Cirkulo (Spanish) and Pop’s Candy Store (sweet things, obviously) occupy the first floor, while the 3rd floor hosts Tsukiji (Japanese). The 2nd floor is where you’ll find MilkyWay Café, which serves genuine Filipino cuisine. Its décor highlights the restaurant’s 50 year-long history. 

Location: Milkyway, 900 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Monday–Saturday from 11am to 10pm (closed on Sundays)

Phone: +63 (0)2 843 4124

10: Gerry’s Grill

Great for: Classic Filipino Cuisine

Gerry’s Grill’s 1st outlet is located near the corner of Pedro Gil and Adriatico Streets in Ermita District. It became a chain that features over 80 branches locally and internationally. Its extensive menu of classic Filipino dishes is also highly recommended, especially the kare-kare (Philippine stew complimented with a thick savoury peanut sauce). Prices are slightly higher than other restaurants in the area, yet remain reasonable.

Location: Natividad Lopez St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines

Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Phone: +63 (0)2 353 4266