Best Restaurants in Manila: Where to Find Authentic Filipino Food

Manila is a city that thrives on flavor, culture, and stories told through its cuisine. Whether you’re craving Filipino food, exploring Metro Manila, or looking for the best restaurants in Manila, this guide will help you discover places worth visiting. From fine dining restaurants to cheap eats, there’s something for every traveler’s taste and budget.

Where to Eat in Manila Go For The Best Filipino Food

Food in Manila isn’t just about eating—it’s an immersion into history and community. Here, you’ll find a balance of traditional recipes, modern creativity, and soulful comfort dishes. We’ve divided this list by fine dining, mid-range, and cheap eats so you can pick the right dining spot for your trip.

Fine Dining Restaurants

1. Sarsa Kitchen + Bar

Sarsa has become one of the best restaurants in Manila for modernized Filipino dishes. Chef JP Anglo blends local classics like kare-kare and sisig with inventive plating that still stays true to their roots. Each bite feels familiar yet new, making it a must-try if you want authentic Filipino cuisine in a contemporary setting.

What to Order: Crispy sisig, grilled chicken inasal.
Address: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Operating Hours: 11AM – 10PM.

2. Gallery by Chele

Located in Bonifacio Global City, Gallery by Chele offers fine dining restaurants manila rooted in local flavors. Expect multi-course tasting menus featuring seafood, tropical fruits, and foraged greens from across the Philippines. It is one of the top Manila restaurants for those who want artful dining with Filipino restaurant flair.

What to Order: Seasonal tasting menu.
Address: Clipp Center, BGC.
Operating Hours: 5PM – 11PM.

3. Toyo Eatery

Awarded for its innovation, Toyo Eatery redefines Filipino food through storytelling and artistry. Dishes like the three-item silog and vegetable-forward plates reflect the country’s culinary heritage while adding a modern touch. It’s a place where tradition meets fine dining restaurants, making it one of the best Filipino food Manila experiences.

What to Order: Silog menu, pancit palabok.
Address: Chino Roces Ave, Makati.
Operating Hours: 6PM – 10PM.

Mid-Range

4. Manam

Manam is beloved for its “small, medium, large” menu concept, allowing diners to try Filipino dishes in different portion sizes. It’s perfect for groups or solo travelers eager to sample variety. Known for Filipino cuisine with both classic and modern twists, it remains one of the best restaurants in Manila for everyday dining.

What to Order: House sisig, sinigang na beef short rib.
Address: Multiple branches in Metro Manila.
Operating Hours: 10AM – 10PM.

5. Café Adriatico

Café Adriatico is a timeless gem in Metro Manila. Located in Malate, this cozy café serves Spanish-inspired Filipino fare with rich history. It has been a gathering spot for artists, writers, and travelers for decades. The atmosphere complements its heritage menu, cementing its place among the best Manila restaurants.

What to Order: Callos, chicken gallantina.
Address: Remedios Circle, Malate.
Operating Hours: 9AM – 11PM.

6. Locavore

Locavore highlights farm-to-table dining, turning everyday dishes into creative, mouthwatering meals. Their take on Filipino food uses locally sourced ingredients presented with flair. It’s a great example of how Manila restaurants innovate while respecting tradition.

What to Order: Sizzling sinigang, oyster sisig.
Address: Kapitolyo, Pasig.
Operating Hours: 11AM – 11PM.

Cheap Eats

7. Mang Inasal

For budget travelers, Mang Inasal is the go-to for comfort meals. Famous for unlimited rice and smoky chicken inasal, this chain has become an icon of Filipino cuisine. It’s proof that the best Filipino food Manila isn’t always found in upscale places—it’s often in simple eateries with a crowd of locals.

What to Order: Chicken inasal, halo-halo.
Address: Multiple branches across Metro Manila.
Operating Hours: 10AM – 9PM.

8. Jollibee

No list of cheap eats in Metro Manila is complete without Jollibee. Known worldwide, Jollibee menu is adored for its sweet-style spaghetti, crispy chickenjoy, and budget-friendly meals. It’s more than fast food—it’s a cultural icon that every traveler should try to understand why it’s considered among the best restaurants in Manila for casual dining.

What to Order: Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, peach mango pie.
Address: Multiple branches nationwide.
Operating Hours: 24 hours (select branches).

9. Pares Retiro

Pares Retiro is a staple for late-night diners in Manila restaurants. Their beef pares, garlic rice, and soup combo are filling, affordable, and flavorful. For under a few dollars, you can enjoy a full meal that feels distinctly Filipino. This eatery embodies the true spirit of cheap eats Manila.

What to Order: Classic beef pares, bone marrow pares.
Address: Retiro St, Quezon City.
Operating Hours: 24 hours.

Location Map: Restaurants in Manila

To help you navigate easily, here’s a quick overview: Fine dining options are clustered in Makati and BGC, mid-range gems are spread across Pasig, Malate, and Quezon City, while cheap eats Manila favorites like Jollibee and Mang Inasal are everywhere in Metro Manila. This mix ensures great food is never far away.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MANILA

Dining in Manila is an adventure that reflects the Philippines’ rich culinary heritage. From the artistry of fine dining establishments to the comfort of cheap eats, the city’s food scene is diverse, affordable, and deeply rooted in culture.

Whether you’re after world-class Filipino cuisine, iconic dishes at Manila restaurants, or everyday favorites in Metro Manila, you’ll find options that satisfy both your palate and curiosity. The best Filipino food Manila offers is about more than flavor—it’s about connection, history, and shared experiences.

FAQs: Restaurants in Manila