15 Crazy Restaurant Concepts to Experience in Manila
If you love music, cars, planes, movies, and many more in between, then you should definitely save this list.
In the world of food today, it’s not just about the taste anymore. More often than not in this digital era, it’s about food presentation, ambiance and how ‘instagrammable’ your restaurants and dishes are.
READ MORE: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Metro Manila this month!
In this list, we curated a mix of unique and one-of-a-kind cafes and restaurants around the metro that will surely get you excited. Foodies who love Instagram will most likely be the first to complete this list.
Seoul Train Korean BBQ – Tomas Morato
Seoul Train Korean Barbecue is a locomotive train-themed restaurant that offers Korean grilled meats, galbi tang and other traditional dishes. Take a photo inside the train and their graffiti walls and win a prize from their arcade crane machines.
Recommended dishes: Bul Samgyeop (₱370), Galbi Tang (₱370), Dolsot Bibimbap (₱350)
Insider tip: Get up to ₱100 off your bill!
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#28 Sergeant Esguerra Ave, near Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City
(0917) 772-2203 | (02) 8287-2446
Megawatt – N. Domingo
Megawatt is a power plant-themed, a carwash concept diner and is the first solar-lighted restaurant in Manila. It is a family-owned business and specializes in Tex-Mex dishes including burritos, pizzas, ribs, burgers and more.
Notable dishes they offer: Keto Fries (₱185), Crab Tomalley Over Shirataki Noodles (₱358), Frosted Mango Cake (₱185/slice)
Insider tip: Get Buy 1 Get 1 Criozzas in various flavors from Sunny Side Bacon, Chipotle Beef, Truffle Mushroom, to Milk Custard.
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41A N. Domingo cor Gilmore Ave, Valencia, Quezon City
(02) 501-2987
Mitsuyado Sei-Men – Blue Bay Walk
Mitsuyado Sei-Men is an international franchise by the UCC Group and is widely known as ‘The House of Tsukemen‘ (meaning ‘dipping noodles’). Blue Bay Walk is their second branch (the first one being on Jupiter St.) and has the same beautiful old town Japanese-themed interiors.
Notable dishes they offer: Green Matcha Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen (₱180), Char Siu Ramen (₱280), Curry Don Set (₱320)
Reservations are accepted
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Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps – various branches
Blue Posts is a casual ocean-themed ‘Wharf in the City’ seafood shack that specializes in bags by the pounds of shrimps, mussels and crabs served with your choice of sauce. The strict ‘eat with your hands’ table culture is also a move towards a ‘hands off your gadget’ dining experience.
Recommended dishes: Captain's Catch - Shrimps (₱573), Buttered Cereal Shrimps (₱573), Crispy Panga (₱55/100 g)
No reservations accepted
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Genki Sushi – various branches
Genki Sushi from Japan is the pioneer of Kaiten Sushi, or sushi served on a revolving conveyor belt or speed trains, in this case. Menu includes a variety of fresh and quality sushi, maki, ramen, tempura and more.
Recommended dishes: Kake Udon (₱190), Chirashi Don (₱480), Salmon Sashimi (₱250),
No reservations accepted
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The Nook Cafe – Maginhawa
Harry Potter fans rejoiced at the news of a Potter-themed book cafe. From the walls down to the menu, The Nook Cafe aims to be everyone’s little corner for recess by transporting muggle guests to the magical world of ‘the boy who lived’.
Recommended dishes: Club Sandwich (₱160), Longganisa Bolognese (₱155), Sour N Cream Chicken Wings (₱180), Vietnamese Style Iced Coffee (₱120), Butterbeer (₱100 for Harry Size)
Reservations are accepted
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164-A Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
(0915) 974-3660
Plane Bistro – Espana Blvd.
Plane Bistro is an air travel-themed restaurant offering the experience of dining “inside” an actual airplane, on plane seats with windows to boot. Even more exciting is being served by uniformed flight attendants/crew.
Recommended dishes: Cheesy Beef Nachos (₱180) and Classic Fried Chicken (₱149)
Reservations are accepted
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1920 Espana Blvd. cor. Kundiman St., Sampaloc, Manila
Gerry’s Jeepney – various branches
A restaurant featuring one of the country’s most popular mode of commute, the jeepney. Customers are served classic Filipino favorites like grilled foods, sisig, binagoongan and lechon kawali, boodle-style. If you’re lucky, you can even get a seat inside an actual jeepney to dine in.
Notable dishes they offer: Gising-Gising with Crispy Dilis (₱105), Cubao Yale (₱810 for 2-4 people), Camaraon Rebosado (₱240)
No reservations accepted
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Hello Kitty Cafe – Uptown Mall
This Sanrio-themed cafe serves cute character-inspired dishes, pastries and desserts that kids will surely love. Not to mention they’re cute for your Instagram feed!
Recommended dishes: Choco Mango Crepe (₱235), French Toast with Peanut Butter and Jelly (₱495), New York Style Cheesecake (₱355 for small), Spaghetti Bolognese (₱375)
Insider tip: Get up to ₱300 off your bill!
Reservations are accepted
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3/F Uptown Mall, 36th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0932) 426-7753
The Washery – various branches
Yes, even if you’re a hipster, you still have to wash your flannels. The joint in QC is where you can do your laundry while sipping on fresh brews and munching on cafe food. This is The Washery’s 2nd branch but it is the first branch with a cafe concept.
Notable dishes they offer: Salted Chocolate Cake, Espresso, Hazelnut Latte, and Caramel Frappe
No reservations accepted
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Brick Burger – Pasig
The first Lego-themed burger joint in the country, Brick Burger serves up all American dishes, most especially burgers in fun “lego” buns.
Notable dishes they offer: Cheesy Mac (₱210), Nacho Tuesday (₱230), Darth Burger (₱250), Buttered Wings (₱175)
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Hampton Gardens Arcade, C Raymundo Ave, Maybunga, Pasig
(0917) 713-2467
DC Superheroes Cafe – Mega Fashion Hall
A restaurant that embraced its theme as seen in the displayed comics, toys, and merchandise, as well as the plating of their food, DC Superheroes Cafe is a restaurant for DC fans, comic book geeks, and colorful food lovers alike.
Notable dishes they offer: Duck Fat Fries (₱260), Flash-Roasted Chicken Wings (₱360), Mac and Cheesemeister (₱370), 12-Hour Glazed Pork Belly (₱480)
Insider tip: Get up to ₱300 off your bill!
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4/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong
(02) 8477-5673
Game Over PH: Respawn – Xavierville Ave
An arcade bar filled with activities from video games to karaoke, Game Over PH doubles as a restaurant where it’s encouraged that you play while eating finger-licking finger food and delicious comfort food.
Notable dishes they offer: Chicken Skin (₱119), Salmon Pesto Rigatoni (₱169), Sizzling Shrimp Gambas (₱229), Spam Fries (₱199)
Insider tip: Get a Karaoke Session with Food and Wine or the Use of their Large Couch with Chicken Wings and Unlimited Beer and more at a discounted price!
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31 Xavierville Ave, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(0945) 335-5333
Derive Cafe – Madison Galeries
Serving up 80s inspired interiors, activities, and international comfort food dishes with a twist, Derive Cafe is the restaurant to be if you’re looking for a major throwback.
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Crossover Appetizer Sampler Set (₱650), Triple Cheese Burgertime (₱260), Porky Sisig Tacos (₱220), Bowzer Adobo BBQ Ribs (₱250), Cafe Latte (₱120 for 12 oz), and Mr. Chocnut Chocolate Frappe
Insider tip: Get up to ₱300 off your bill!
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4/F Madison Galeries, 398 Don Jesus Blvd, Cupang, Muntinlupa
(0917) 711-4937
Movie Stars Cafe – Eton Centris
Movie Stars Cafe is a movie-themed restaurant, bar, and cafe that features all sorts of movie memorabilia, employees in your favorite movie character costumes, live stage performances, and movie-themed dishes.
Notable dishes they offer: Chicken Little Appetizer (₱320), Julius Ceasar Salad (₱500), Black Panther Main Dish (₱460), and La La Land Dessert (₱280)
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(02) 7987-1111 | (0917) 140-1111
Don’t forget to share your food experiences with us, you can tag @bookymanila or use #bookymanila on Instagram to join in on the fun of our humble foodie community. Also make sure to add these places up on your Booky ‘Must Try’ lists, to vote for them on the Hot 100, just move them to ‘Favorites’ after you’ve tried them.
If you’re not already enjoying the offline convenience of Booky, it’s free to download on iOS App Store and Play Store. For restaurant owners, make sure your details on the Booky app is complete and up to date, read this.
When someone asks you to stop eating.
