Welcome home, Balikbayans!
This one’s for the balikbayans who schedule their trip back home during this time of year in order to spend some time with their families and loved ones. And while it’s true that 2017 was the year that Philippine cuisine finally picked up momentum overseas, there is still nothing quite like homegrown Pinoy fare.
Also Read: 18 of the Best Restaurants To Celebrate Your Birthday in Manila
At the heart of Filipino cuisine is an unmistakable air of comfort and familiarity and these restaurants across the Metro are sure to make your balikbayans feel right at home.
Victorino’s Restaurant
Serving classic Ilocos Norte dishes, Victorino’s is not just about bagnet and Vigan longganisa; though they really are a crowd favorite. You can also try the tinuno na pampano, crispy binagoongan, and kilawin tanigue!
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114 Sct. Rallos St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Quezon City
Sentro 1771
This restaurant is most known for its corned beef sinigang and will be a great place to take your balikbayan friend for Pinoy food with a twist. We also recommend the catfish adobo flakes, touching bangus, and naked lumpia w/ Vietnamese crepe.
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Gubat
For better or worse Gubat is probably the most authentic Filipino meal you’ll have outside of your own home. Its open-aired dining area can be hard for those who can’t handle the heat but at the end of the wait is a selection of classic Filipino dishes that are well-cooked and affordable.
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43 Mayaman St.
Locavore – multiple branches
Locavore serves locally grown and produced Filipino dishes with a French touch from Chef Mikel Zaguirre. It’s consistently on our monthly Top 10 lists and is really a top choice for reinvented Filipino dishes. Their best-sellers are Sizzling Singang, Lechon Oyster Sisig, and Kare Kare wings.
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10 Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig
(02) 632-9600
Romulo Cafe – multiple branches
Romulo Cafe is a museum-style restaurant where you can enjoy Filipino comfort food at its best. Must-try dishes include Boneless Crispy Pata, Binagoongan, and Suman sa Latik.
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32 Dr. Scout Lazcano cor Scout Tuason near Tomas Morato, Laging Handa, Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 332-7275
Lola Cafe + Bar – Tomas Morato
Named after the matriarch of the Sanvictores family, Lola Victoria, this post-WWII era home is one of Quezon City’s most well-kept secret restaurants. Lola Cafe + Bar offers Filipino specialty cuisine by Chef John Mangibin whose repertoire of reinvented Filipino dishes includes Bone Marrow Sisig, Wagyu Salpicao, Spicy Tinapa Pasta, and Kimchi Kaldereta.
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99 Sct Lozano St, Quezon City
(02) 219-3254
Abuela’s – Legazpi Village
Abuela, which means ‘grandmother’ in Spanish, serves Filipino heirloom recipes with a twist by Chef Marco Legasto. Their must-try dishes include Kare-Kare Risotto and Bagnet with Thai Sauce
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2/F Somerset Millenium, 104 Aguirre St, Legazpi Village, Makati
(02) 8805-2713 | (0917) 853-8881
Max’s Restaurant – multiple branches
Max’s Restaurant first opened its doors in 1945, just after World War II. In one way or another, we’ve all been under the roof of “The House That Fried Chicken Built.” Their simple Filipino offerings are reliable and appetizing which is why we keep coming back for more. Aside from their signature fried chicken, our favorites include crabmeat fried rice, Ruby’s favorite crispy pata, and sizzling tofu.
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Tatatito – Legazpi Village
Visit Tatatito, a Filipino Home Kitchen that serves classics like Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, Chicken Inasal, as well as exciting creations such as Sizzling Bulalo Steak, Squid Ink Bamboo Rice, and Ginataang Salmon!
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OPL Building, 100 Don Carlos Palanca, Legazpi Village, Makati
8809-8055
JT’s Manukan Grille – multiple branches
JT’s Manukan is the brainchild of celebrated local actor Joel Torre. The eatery highlights chicken marinated the Ilonggo way. Almost no part of the bird is wasted – they even serve its most interesting parts like isol (chicken bottom), baticulon (gizzard), atay (liver), and corazon (heart). On a cold December night, nothing beats the restaurant’s version of batchoy.
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Aristocrat – multiple branches
Aristocrat, by Lola Asiang’s, is a Filipino restaurant that has been operating since 1936. Their signature Chicken BBQ and Crispy Pata remain constant favorites to this day.
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432 San Andres St. Malate Manila
Sarsa Kitchen + Bar – Legaspi Village
Sarsa Kitchen + Bar (‘sarsa’ meaning sauce in English) was created on the premise that Filipinos love eating food with accompanying sauces or condiments. Celebrity chef JP Anglo, who is from Bacolod, has successfully curated the best of Filipino-Negrense dishes, with little tweaks. Apart from the Inasal, we recommend trying the Sizzling Kansi, Bangus Belly Salad, Pritchon Pancake, and Piaya Ice Cream Sandwich.
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109 Rada St. (Frabella One), Legaspi Village, Makati City
Abe – multiple branches
Abe serves traditional Filipino food, mostly Kapampangan, and gourmet dishes inspired by Abe’s travels around the world. Its concept and design provide the ideal setting for friends and family to dine comfortably and have a good time. From their mains, we love the Klassik Kare Kare and Lamb Adobo. The Choco Eh! Fondue with Fried Suman is also a must-try.
Fun fact: Abé is the restaurant dedicated to the memory of artist-writer, gourmet and bon vivant E. "Abe" Aguilar Cruz.
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Toyo Eatery – Pasong Tamo
Chef Jordy Navarra’s modern Filipino eatery features modern dishes championing local ingredients. His simple, yet innovative dishes are what make the restaurant worthy of all the buzz. While the tasting menu is the best way to enjoy your dining experience, you can order ala carte. We recommend the Bangsilog, Toyo Eatery Three-Cut Pork BBQ, and Garden Vegetables – an ingenious dish that makes use of all the vegetables from the Tagalog folk song, “Bahay Kubo.”
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The Alley at Karrivin, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati
(0917) 720-8630
Manam – multiple branches
Manam is a homegrown concept from the Moment Group and is said to be the home of the best sisig in the metro today. It takes modern Filipino food to a new level with its two-part menu – one side shows the traditional version and the other, the twists. We highly recommend the Crispy Pansit Palabok, Beef Short Ribs Sinigang with Watermelon, Lamb Curry Kare, and Bibingkang Ube. You don’t need to order everything on your first visit, we guarantee this is a restaurant you’ll keep coming back to.
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Cover photo from @romulocafeph
Are you excited to give this list a try? Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram (@bookyapp) and share your best food experiences with us by using the hashtag #bookymanila on your posts. If we missed out on any of your favorites or latest discoveries, let us know in the comments section below!
