The Philippines truly is a melting pot!
Fusion food is a playground for chefs to push culinary boundaries and explore combinations of flavors. And if you think Avengers: Endgame is the most ambitious crossover in history, then you haven’t had the privilege of trying sisig prepared the Italian way.
Here are some of the best fusion food restaurants in Metro Manila, where one bite will transport you across the sea and to different continents.
Ono Poke
Ono Poke is a fusion restaurant that serves traditional Hawaiian poke bowls. Their spicy tuna crunch consists of tempura flakes, nori, cabbages, and furikake topped with a spicy mayo sauce to bring all the flavors together. If you’re looking for something more western, Ono Poke’s kalbi short ribs consist of USDA prime short ribs, mac salad, and a savory kalbi sauce.
Catchin’ Up Pub
Catchin’ Up Pub’s cuisine is traditional Filipino food, Thai, and a bit of Italian thrown in the mix. Their sisig is sure to make the Kapampangans proud, as it’s made the traditional way. The pad thai, on the other hand, has the authentic cilantro and nutty flavor found in the streets of Bangkok.
Booze and Brews
Booze and Brews offers classic Filipino food fused with East Asian goodness, as well as American cooking. Take their calamari which is locally served with vinegar, but at Booze and Brews, it’s paired with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce originating from Korea. They also have flavors from Japan, like the pink salmon yakitori.
View menu on Booky
G/F, 108 H. V. Dela Costa, Aguirre Bldg, Salcedo Village, Salcedo Village, Makati, Metro Manila
House of Wagyu
If you want to step outside the Asian cuisine hemisphere, try House of Wagyu and its American and European fusion food. The star of the show is, without a doubt, their wagyu steaks. It’s umami-filled, tender, and indulgent. And if you want to expand your palate, try the escargot, a snail sauteed in garlic, butter, and white wine.
Liam & Louis Gourmet Cafe
Liam’s and Louis Gourmet Cafe is mainly an American-inspired restaurant that also serves Filipino, English, and Thai food. One of their signature dishes is the southern fried chicken that comes with fluffy belgian waffles. Similarly, the tortang talong and eggs benedict both make for hearty breakfast meals. You can then wash them all down with their refreshing thai pomelo.
View menu on Booky
Calle Industria St, The Strip Circulo Verde, Quezon City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Lemon Tree Kitchen & Cafe
Located in Scout Magbanua, Lemon Tree & Kitchen is a cafe that serves Filipino food and a variety of Asian dishes. Their ginataang caldereta is creamy, rich, and tasty. Similarly, their Japanese hamburg has a melt-in-your-mouth and juicy meat that should cater to Filipinos.
View menu on Booky
18 Sct Magbanua , Scout Magbanua, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Mazu Asian Restaurant
If you’re looking for traditional and familiar Asian food, then Mazu Asian Restaurant is for you. Their tonkatsu ramen is one of the dishes that put them on the map, as the rich and savory broth pairs well with the tender, fatty pork belly. If you’re in the mood, you can wash this filling meal down with San Miguel Light or a bottle of soju.
225 Bistro
225 Bistro is a Filipino-American cafe located in Scout Torillo, Quezon City. Their all-day breakfast menu is a good enough reason to visit the store, as the adobo flakes bowl is the perfect meal to start your day. And if you’re not in the mood for something heavy, the peach french toast or the country omelet is filling enough but not overbearing.
View menu on Booky
26 Sct Torillo St, Scout Torillo, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Bistro Noval
Bistro Noval offers a unique take on fusion, as it combines traditional Italian pasta with flavorful Filipino viands. For example, their tapa pasta is a perfect combination, as the domineering tapa matches the light and subtle flavor of the pasta. They also have Korean egg drops with flavors like spam, pancit canton, bacon, and more.
View menu on Booky
1177-B Dapitan St cor Padre Noval St, Manila, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila
The Gold Room
If you choose to dine with them, The Gold Room can bring flavors from all over Europe straight to your table. Baked brie is a classic French food that has a creamy interior with a slightly melted texture. Meanwhile, their gambas is inspired by the Spanish dish that features shrimp, olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes for the added heat.
View menu on Booky
112 Sct Delgado St (Basement Bar of Delgado 112), Tomas Morato, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Jones All Day
Jones All Day’s menu consists of Japanese, Thai, and Italian food. Their katsu dynamite lives up to its name, as the combination of sriracha mayo, unagi sauce, and tobiko makes for dynamic flavors. Similarly, the thai crudo has an acidic and aggressive flavor that pairs well with the subtle white fish taste. Lastly, their pizzas are savory, cheesy, and fresh, like how the Italians intended them to be.
View menu on Booky
G/F, 11th Ave, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila
Flaming Wings
With branches across the south, Flaming Wings is starting to gain much-deserved recognition. We recommend trying their chicken parmigiana, as the cheesy fillet perfectly complements the Italian herbs seasoning. And if you want something more flavorful, the caramelized spam offers a sweet take on the classic salty canned food that’s cut through by the acidic, spicy kimchi rice.
717 Deli
717 Deli serves classic sandwiches from all over the world, so you’re getting a new adventure with every order. For starters, we suggest trying their Philly cheesesteak made with beef chuck, onions, cheddar, and provolone. If you want something with less carbs, the halibut fish and chips is a modern take on the classic English dish, but 717 honors the traditional way it’s cooked by using a beer batter.
View menu on Booky
53 Connecticut St, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila
The Coconut Club
Located in BGC, The Coconut Club has an assortment of cocktails and alcoholic drinks you’ll find all over the world. For one, their slushies have various flavors like blue hawaiian, strawberry fizz, rum coke, low-rider, and more. You can also try their kiss mai tai, made from spiced housemade rum, pineapple juice, and cherry juice. Lastly, The Coconut Club also has tasty desserts, like their mango sago and ube macapuno.
View menu on Booky
G/F, 7th Ave, Bonifacio High Street Centrale, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila
Chef Laudico OK Cafe
Located in the busy streets of Ortigas, Chef Laudico Ok Cafe is a cafe that serves high-quality Filipino-American food. One of their best sellers is the Angus beef tapa, marinated in natural spices and served with rice. Their Angus beef kare kare has slow-roasted Angus beef, adding a new layer of punch to the already complex flavors of kare-kare.
View menu on Booky
G/F , Meralco Ave , Renaissance Tower Condominium, Pasig, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Panco Cafe
Are you looking for something different? Try Panco Cafe, located mainly in Makati. This place serves Melbourne coffee and elevated Filipino food. The mushroom avocado is an Australian staple with croquettes, mushrooms, and an avocado spread. They also have a classic Melbourne breakfast with shrimp, eggs, and salad. Additionally, the inasal chopped salad is a fun reimagining of southern-Philippine cooking.
Cache Coffee & Cocktails
Cache Coffee & Cocktails serves Asian-American fusion, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. One of their best sellers is the steak and eggs served with kimchi fried rice. If that seems heavy, it’s because it is. The dish is perfect for Filipinos who can’t get enough of rice. Similarly, the Cache fried chicken is a worthy signature dish, as the dry rub permeates throughout the chicken and is reinforced by the frying process.
View menu on Booky
206A, Onyx Rd cor Sapphire Rd, Parc Chateau, Ortigas, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Sourdough Cafe
Sourdough Cafe has different offerings from all over the world. One fan favorite is their risotto which comes in flavors like mushroom, prawn, and squid ink. They also have steak with rice to cater to Filipino needs, err, tastes. Lastly, you can’t talk about Sourdough without talking about their classic carbonara which even Italians can be proud of.
Cravings
Cravings is a dainty and homegrown dessert show located in the heart of Quezon City. Satisfy your sweet tooth by trying their chocolate caramel cake or double chocolate cake. You can tone down the sweetness level by ordering their carrot cake with pineapple chunks and chopped walnuts. We also recommend their Devil’s food cake, it has a light coffee custard layer and marshmallow icing.
View menu on Booky
28 Maginhawa St, UP Vill, Quezon City, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Brunch Bistro
Brunch Bistro in Paranaque serves a different take on Filipino classics. For one, their bourbon sisig has an added smokey caramel sweetness thanks to the reduced alcohol. The baby bangus is also more fragrant as it’s perfumed with herb garlic, making it perfect for brunch.
View menu on Booky
15 President Ave cor Don Rufino St , Parañaque, BF Homes, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Want to discover more of the best places in the Metro? Download Booky today and be first in line for the latest news, hottest promos, and biggest discounts on all things food!
