Love local, always.
While Filipino restaurant concepts are finally earning (long-overdue) recognition overseas, the local culinary scene continues to thrive. This year, we saw a lot of our homegrown chefs draw inspiration from both local and international cuisines and reinterpret them to suit our tastes. Keep reading to see which establishments made the cut in our list of the best homegrown concepts!
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From Italy to Mexico and Korea to Vietnam, Metro Manila’s dining scene has truly become a melting pot thanks to the young and innovative chefs and restaurateurs who pushed the envelope in 2017. These are the ones we loved:
Salta! by Pappare – UP Village
Salta! by Pappare serves Italian roast chicken, ribs, pork chops, sausage and steak all cooked in their charcoal-fired Rotisserie. They also serve their famous CRABonara, brick oven Neapolitan pizzas and giant sangrias. Read the full feature here.
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38 Mayaman St. UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City
(0917) 830-9290
La Chinesca – BF Homes
Chef Bruce Ricketts’ previous Mexican pop up concept now has a permanent location. Enjoy fresh tacos like Tripitas made with beef intestines & Guisada de Res made with beef shoulder & lengua and drinks.
Reservations are not accepted
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248C Aguirre St, BF Homes, Parañaque
(02) 738 0724
Ping Pong Diplomacy – SM Aura
East meets west in this progressive Chinese diner by Chefs Noel Mauricio and Him Uy de Barron. Influenced by the bold flavors of the Chinese cuisine, Pingpong Diplomacy offers a different perspective on your Chinese and American favorites with dishes like Typhoon Shelter Grilled Prawns, Lump Crab and Salted Fish Fried Rice, and more.
Also featured in: SULIT: 12 Dimsum Restaurants That Will Fit Your Budget Any Time of the Month
Reservations are accepted
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3/F SM Aura, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 960-4271
Famry – Century City Mall
Famry serves up quick snacks like fried or steamed dumplings, crispy egg pancakes, or rice meals like Minced Pork Rice.
Reservations are not accepted
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Hole In The Wall, 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave, Poblacion, Makati
(02) 801-1230
Teppan Okochi – Fort Bonifacio
Teppan Okochi is a fine dining Japanese restaurant by Grand Chef Akihiro Okochi of Osaka, Japan. They serve dishes like okonomiyaki, Hiroshima oyster teppanyaki, wagyu teppanyaki, and unagi.
Reservations are accepted
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Unit 7, G/F Ore Square Building, 31st St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 813-0051; (0917) 795-0051
Nono’s – UP Town Center
Nono’s, owned by Chef Baba Ibazeta- Benedicto (same chef behind Classic Confections), offers modern Filipino comfort food favorites. Their bestsellers include Homemade Fried Chicken Mac and Cheese and Pepito Steak Sliders.
Reservations are not accepted
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Level 1, Phase 1B, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 958-5713
Souv by Cyma – Fort Bonifacio
This Greek inspired restaurant is the newest concept of Chef Robby Goco that serves Greek favorites like Lamb and Pork wrap, salad and bowl, Beef Kalamaki and Prawns and Shellfish Makaronada.
Did you know? Souv, short for “souvlaki”, is a Greek dish of skewered grilled meats.
Reservations are accepted
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Net Park Building, 5th Ave, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0949) 481-9621;(02) 964-6422
Hamaru Yakitori & Sushi – Visayas Ave.
Staying true to its name which means “go crazy over”, Hamaru is seriously crazy to surprise you with its modern izakaya menu consisting of sushi, yakitori, sashimi, and unique cocktails. Read our full feature here.
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The Food Hive Food Park, #80 Visayas Ave, Vasra, Quezon City
(0917) 105-5832
Sibyullee Flavors of Seoul – Ayala the 30th
Sibyullee is the third concept of the Happyfoods Group and award-winning Korean restaurateurs Mr. Sung Rah and wife, Mrs. Yoo Chang. They serve modern Seoul BBQ and street food dishes like the Volcano Kimchi Fried Rice, Galbi Cheese Barbecue and Tornado Potato. Read our full feature here.
Also read: 13 Crave-Worthy Bibimbap Spots You Need To Try in Manila
Photo from Booky
Reservations are not accepted
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G/F Ayala Malls The 30th, 30 Meralco Ave, Ortigas, Pasig
(02) 958-6986
Roice’s Restaurant – Tomas Morato
Roice’s is a restaurant and bar with a cozy ambiance. It is ran by a group of friends who are all foodies and drinkers.
#EATSale Alert: Download Booky and get P500 discount if you book and dine at Roice's. This promo is valid only until December 20. READ MORE!
Photo from Booky
Reservations are not accepted
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112 Sct Delgado St, Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 514-4004
Soru Izakaya – Maginhawa
Influenced by the Robotayaki style of Izakaya, Soru Izakaya offers a tasteful blend of after-work gastropub drinks accompanied with fresh Japanese eats. From sashimi plates and savory yakitori combinations to refreshing beverages and speakeasy cocktails, Soru Izakaya completes the whole modern Japan experience by offering you a glimpse of the Tokyo night life. Read more here.
Reservations are not accepted
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140 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Diliman, Quezon City
(0917) 704-0515
Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe – Quezon City
Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe offers International cuisine and is owned by Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco. The place is quirky and has a lot of personality; its a fun date place for artsy couples. Their bestsellers include the Spaghetti Al Nero, Vietnamese Beef Stew and Mini Elote Mexicano
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Reservations are not accepted
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25 A Roces Ave, Quezon City
(02) 662-0880
Nha Em – SM Aura
Nha Em, which means “my home”, offers family recipes of Vietnamese favorites. They offer pho, fried rolls, crispy crepe and iced Vietnamese coffee.
Update: The restaurant is opening its second branch soon at The Podium!
Reservations are not accepted
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5/F Sky Garden, SM Aura, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Alegria Cozinha Moderna & Sangria Bar – Fort Bonifacio
Alegria offers Latin flavors with a modern twist on dishes like elote, paella, aglio olio, fajita, as well as different flavored sangrias.
Reservations are not accepted
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4/F C3 Annex (Uniqlo Building), 7th Ave cor 30th St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0945) 264-7828
Kazunori – Pasong Tamo
Kazunori in Pasong Tamo is another Japanese restaurant concept from the people behind Yushoken Ramen and Mendokoro Ramenba. The sushi bar offers hand-roll sushi, as well as: freshly-made and quality dishes like omurice and katsudon.
Also read: 15 Must-Try Restaurants in the Metro for Unique Uni Dishes
Reservations are not accepted
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G/F Mazda Showroom, 2301 Chino Roces Ave, San Lorenzo, Makati
(02) 989-3152
Poison Coffee & Doughnuts – Pasong Tamo
Poison Coffee and Doughnuts offers uniquely-flavored doughnuts like garam masala, vanilla glaze, and egg custard brulee, as well as coffee.
Reservations are not accepted
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Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati
(02) 752-0327
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