10 Best Filipino Restaurants in Manila

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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).

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.