Restaurants in Manila

[Deep]

Will be in Manila at some point this year. I have been told many times that the food in Philippines in general is pretty awful, especially the actual Filipino food (no offence to any Filipinos!)

Anyone care to recommend some good restaurants?
I'm not a big steak fan, but anything else I will eat.

Thanks

[TwigtheWonderkid]

You have to have balut from a street vendor. Fertilised duck egg boiled and served a few days before hatching.

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Friday 30th May 15:31

[wisbech]

Casa Buenas near the airport

https://www.newportworldresorts.com/dining/casa-bu...

Up market Filipino food. It’s where my client has taken me - can recommend

[Deep]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

You have to have balut from a street vendor. Fertilised duck egg boiled and served a few days before hatching.

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Friday 30th May 15:31

Funnily enough I saw that on a YT video last night, not for me though lol

[Deep]

wisbech said:

Casa Buenas near the airport

https://www.newportworldresorts.com/dining/casa-bu...

Up market Filipino food. It s where my client has taken me - can recommend

Thank you!

[daqinggregg]

Lot’s of TV chefs/youtubers will have you believe street/peasant food in every location is the best, that maybe the case sometimes, but certainly not always the case.

Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia all have their own distinctive styles, with some incredible offerings. Philippines I found, was generally some rice, with something slapped on the side.

When on holiday, I like to try the local food. I’ve tried Pilipino food in the Philippines and Hong Kong (has a large Pilipino population) I just found it uninspiring.

My guess for many, sustenance is more of a priority than taste, possibility I was unlucky and I missed out on some hidden gems, but I wouldn't spend too much time trying to search them out.

I didn’t try Balut, I prefer my meat to have at least seen the light of day, before I chow down on it.

[Mark V GTD]

If you re looking for a posh (ish) place try Blackbird, opposite Peninsular Hotel in Makati (the building itself used to be the terminal building for the original Manila airport so it s quite interesting and the food is great). For everyday chow I generally head to Chilis in Greenbelt or one of the many TGI Fridays around the city. Italianis is also a good quality chain.

The Greenbelt mall also has a good selection of higher end restaurants serving local style food if you want to explore the Philippine cuisine without resorting to the street food.

If you want a wide choice of western food options head to BGC as there are dozens of decent restaurants there.

For all those journeys I strongly recommend the Grab app in order to avoid tedious negotiations within local taxi drivers.

Edited by Mark V GTD on Sunday 1st June 11:27

[Deep]

Mark V GTD said:

If you re looking for a posh (ish) place try Blackbird, opposite Peninsular Hotel in Makati (the building itself used to be the terminal building for the original Manila airport so it s quite interesting and the food is great). For everyday chow I generally head to Chilis in Greenbelt or one of the many TGI Fridays around the city. Italianis is also a good quality chain.

The Greenbelt mall also has a good selection of higher end restaurants serving local style food if you want to explore the Philippine cuisine without resorting to the street food.

If you want a wide choice of western food options head to BGC as there are dozens of decent restaurants there.

For all those journeys I strongly recommend the Grab app in order to avoid tedious negotiations within local taxi drivers.

Edited by Mark V GTD on Sunday 1st June 11:27

All noted, thank you!