Best Restaurants in Manila: Where to Eat in 2024
Manila is no longer just a layover city. The local food scene has moved past simple street skewers into a sophisticated mix of heirloom recipes and high-end modernism. You will find Spanish influence, Chinese heritage, and American portions blended into a distinct flavor profile. The city’s dining landscape is concentrated in pockets like Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), where the service is professional and the ingredients are globally sourced. Whether you want a $2 bowl of noodles or a $200 tasting menu, the variety is staggering. Here is where to eat in Manila right now.
Must-try dishes in Manila
Before scouting locations, you need to know the staples. These dishes define the local palate.
- Adobo: Meat (usually chicken or pork) braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and peppercorns. It is the unofficial national dish and tastes different in every household.
- Sisig: Chopped pig’s face and ears seasoned with calamansi, onions, and chili. It is served on a sizzling stone plate and is the ultimate bar snack.
- Sinigang: A sour soup typically flavored with tamarind. It usually contains pork, shrimp, or fish with local vegetables like water spinach and radish.
- Lechon: Whole roasted pig with crackling skin. In Manila, it is often served with a thick liver-based dipping sauce.
- Halo-Halo: A layered dessert of crushed ice, evaporated milk, and various toppings like ube halaya (purple yam), flan, and sweetened beans.
- Kare-Kare: A rich stew made from peanut sauce with oxtail and vegetables. It is always served with a side of salty fermented shrimp paste (bagoong).
Best restaurants for a splurge
If you want world-class service and innovative plating, these three spots set the standard for fine dining in the Philippines.
Toyo Eatery (Makati)
Chef Jordy Navarra reinvents Filipino ingredients using modern techniques. Toyo has consistently ranked on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The tasting menu takes you through different Philippine regions, turning humble items like the pan de sal or local vegetables into high art. The space is industrial but warm, located in the Karrivin Plaza creative hub.
Mecha Uma (BGC)
This is "Globalist" cuisine with a heavy Japanese lean. Chef Bruce Ricketts is known for his omakase-style approach where the menu changes based on the best catch available. Expect high-quality seafood flown in from Japan, prepared with bold, unconventional flavor pairings. It is intimate, dark, and perfect for those who want technical precision on a plate.
Metiz (Makati)
Metiz focuses on the fermentation processes inherent in Filipino cooking. The menu is a deep dive into sour and salty profiles that are often misunderstood by outsiders. Chef Stephan Duhesme pushes boundaries by avoiding the typical "greatest hits" of Filipino food. Instead, he highlights local produce and indigenous techniques in a minimalist, upscale setting.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the reliable spots where locals go for high-quality food without the formal dress code.
Manam Comfort Filipino (Various Locations)
Manam is the gold standard for approachable Filipino food. They split their menu into "Classics" and "Twists." Their House Crispy Sisig is arguably the best in the city—exceptionally crunchy and perfectly seasoned. It is loud, busy, and consistent. Try their Watermelon Sinigang if you want a refreshing take on the classic sour soup.
Mendokoro Ramenba (Makati/BGC)
This is the best ramen in Manila, hands down. It is a counter-service-only operation where the focus is entirely on the bowl. The Super Chashu is legendary—thick, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. There is usually a queue, so arrive early. They do not offer takeout because they refuse to let the noodles get soggy.
Locavore (Kapitolyo/BGC)
Locavore became famous for its Sizzling Sinigang. They take the traditional sour soup and turn it into a thick gravy served on a sizzling plate with beef short ribs. It is a loud, energetic spot that focuses on using locally sourced ingredients in creative, heavy-hitting ways. It is ideal for group dining where you can share multiple large plates.
Your Local (Makati)
Located in Legaspi Village, this neighborhood bistro serves pan-Asian fusion that actually works. Their Torched Salmon Donburi and Lamb Rendang are standouts. The vibe is "startup cool"—exposed brick, moody lighting, and a great craft cocktail list. It is a staple for the Makati workforce and weekend brunch crowds alike.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don’t need a reservation for these. These spots offer some of the most authentic flavors in the city for a few dollars.
Jolliant (Makati/Various)
For a true "Turo-Turo" (point-point) experience, look for upscale carinderias or food stalls like Jolliant. You point at the trays of prepared food you want, and they serve it with a heap of rice. It is the fastest way to try home-style Filipino cooking like Bicol Express (spicy coconut pork) or Adobong Kangkong for a fraction of restaurant prices.
Binondo Street Food (Chinatown)
Head to Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. Walk down Wai Hang or Ongpin Street. Look for "Fried Siopao" from Shanghai Fried Suan or skewers of fish balls and "kwek-kwek" (quail eggs in orange batter) from street carts. The prices are minimal, and the history is dense. It is a self-guided food tour waiting to happen.
El Chupacabra (Makati)
This started as a hidden taco stall in the backstreets of Poblacion and sparked the neighborhood’s revival. It serves cheap, authentic street tacos and cheap beer. While not Filipino food, it is a Manila institution for budget-conscious diners and the late-night drinking crowd. The pork sisig taco is the perfect cross-cultural snack.
Mang Larry’s Isawan (Quezon City)
If you are near the University of the Philippines, go here. Isaw (grilled chicken or pork intestines) is the quintessential Manila street food. Mang Larry’s is the most famous provider, known for cleaning the organs thoroughly and using a simple, salty marinade. It is cheap, smoky, and local culture in its purest form.
Best breakfast and brunch
Manila takes breakfast seriously, often involving garlic rice (sinangag) and eggs (itlog).
Wildflour Café + Bakery (Various Locations)
Wildflour is the brunch heavyweight in Manila. Their pastries are world-class—specifically the cronuts and kouign-amanns. The breakfast menu ranges from Filipino rice bowls (try the Beef Tapa) to shakshuka and thick-cut brioche French toast. It is the place to see and be seen on a Saturday morning in BGC or Makati.
Apartment 1B (Makati)
This is the definition of a cozy neighborhood spot. It serves upscale comfort food. Their Eggs Benedict and gourmet omelets are consistent, and the atmosphere feels like a quiet escape from the Makati traffic. It is less frantic than Wildflour and better suited for a long, slow morning with a newspaper.
MilkyWay Café (Makati)
A heritage spot that has been around since the 1960s. While they serve full meals, their breakfast and afternoon snacks are legendary. This is the place to try a "proper" Halo-Halo. Their version is balanced and uses high-quality ingredients, widely considered one of the best in the city.
Best rooftop or view dining
Manila’s skyline is best viewed with a drink in hand to escape the heat and humidity at street level.
Mistral (Makati)
Located atop Raffles Makati, Mistral offers a sophisticated view of the city’s financial district. It is less about a heavy meal and more about high-end bar snacks and expertly mixed cocktails. The atmosphere is breezy and refined, making it the best spot for an aperitif before heading to a dinner in nearby Legaspi Village.
Firefly Roofdeck (Makati)
Situated on the 32nd floor of the City Garden Grand Hotel, this spot offers a panoramic view of the Makati and BGC skylines. It is more casual than Mistral, offering a buffet and an a-la-carte menu featuring grilled meats. It is particularly good at sunset when the city lights begin to flicker on.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you don’t want to pick just one spot, head to these districts and walk until you find something you like.
- Poblacion (Makati): Formerly a red-light district, now the city’s coolest neighborhood. It is packed with hole-in-the-wall bars, Japanese yakitori joints, and experimental Filipino kitchens.
- Legaspi & Salcedo Villages (Makati): The more corporate but extremely walkable parts of Makati. On Saturdays (Salcedo) and Sundays (Legaspi), they host outdoor markets with some of the best artisanal food in the country.
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC): The modern face of Manila. It is high-end, pedestrian-friendly, and contains the highest concentration of international franchises and flagship restaurants.
- Binondo (Manila City): For the adventurous eater. It is crowded and chaotic, but the Hokkien-style Chinese food found here is unmatched in the Philippines.
Note: Restaurant hours and reservation policies in Manila are subject to frequent changes; always check their social media pages before visiting.