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Familiar restaurants and fast food chains are comforting because you know what you’re getting with every order. However, as a foodie, it’s important to look past the popular chains to unveil a treasure trove of hidden gems. These restaurants offer unique flavors, cozy atmospheres, and unforgettable dishes.
Also read – Table for One: Must-Try Solo Foodie Field Trips
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, it’s crucial to take the path less traveled to discover eateries to elevate your dining experience. Here are 20 must-try hidden gem restaurants in Metro Manila.
Myons Cuisine
Located in the busy streets of Quezon City, Myons Cuisine offers culinary excellence at affordable prices. Their crispy kare-kare clocks in at P560 and can feed up to three people. Similarly, their signature dishes can be shared by two. Meanwhile, the baby back ribs, wagyu salpicao, and mahi-mahi florentine all cost less than P1,350.
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390 Mayon Ave cor Calamba St, Quezon City, Lourdes, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Kosumosu
Tucked in the party district of Makati, Poblacion, is Kosumosu, a Japanese-inspired restaurant that serves high-quality food. A fan favorite of theirs is the big bang chicken bao, which has chicken katsu, togarashi hot butter, slaw, and steamed ube brioche bun. We also recommend trying their galaxy gyoza, a dumpling made with ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, cabbages, and other umami-filled ingredients.
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5421 Gen Luna St, Poblacion, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Lunes Everyday Dining
If you’re dining with friends, Lunes Everyday Dining is for you. Not only do they have flavors sure to blow you away, but Lunes also has a newly-introduced boodle feast that comes with garlic rice, squid, lechon belly, liempo, chicken inasal, and all the other boodle fight must-haves.
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6060 R Palma St, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila
Dominique’s Kitchen
A place where students can unwind, Dominique’s Kitchen is making a name for itself among Thomasians. They have student-friendly meals, such as the kare-kareng bagnet, priced at P165. And don’t let the price fool you, as the flavor is nothing but cheap. Their famous tapa could square up against more well-known establishments, which is a bold statement considering it only costs PHP 150.
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1085 Padre Noval St cor J Barlin St, P. Noval, P Noval, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila
Tolit’s Peri-Peri
If you’re in the mood for peri-peri, we recommend checking out Tolit’s. This quaint diner is slowly building an empire in the Metro on the back of its distinct, yet delicious, peri-peri chicken. Their chicken comes in four different spice levels, the spiciest called the peri bomb. They also have non-chicken options that match in taste, such as the grilled liempo, back ribs, and fried chicken.
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McArthur Hwy, Caltex Lolomboy, Bulacan, Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan
The Frazzled Cook
Located in the Scout area, the Frazzled Cook serves comfort food sure to brighten up your day. One fan favorite is their seafood paella, which has sauteed chicken bits topped with seafood and pork sausage. Frazzled Cook’s fried chicken with gravy should also bring back childhood memories, as the salty and tender chicken pairs well with the rich and tasty sauce.
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78 Sct Gandia St, Tomas Morato, Laging Handa, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Cafe Meema
Cafe Meema is a cafe in Malate that has everything you’re looking for. If you’re craving some form of silog, their solo meal has different viands such as tapa, chicken, pork, and pork belly. It’s also a fine place to spend time with friends, as you can share their fries, nachos, and chicken liver pate.
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G/F Bldg 1, CCP Complex, 1202 Bukaneg St, Harbour Square, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Flossom Kitchen + Cafe
Flossom Kitchen + Cafe offers an all-day breakfast menu with classic and unique dishes. Their fluffy cream pancake has different flavors, such as tiramisu, ube, and strawberry. They also have an English breakfast with two pancakes, ham, bacon, mushrooms, and more. However, the steak and eggs with cajun rice or potato wedges are the show stopper.
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187 N Averilla St, San Juan, Sta Lucia, San Juan, Metro Manila
Hing Chun Tea House
If you’re looking for an underrated Chinese place, we recommend checking out Hing Chun Tea House in Quezon City. From dim sums to soup, Hing Chun has a variety of must-try dishes. Their stuffed eggplant is a tasty dish that clocks in at P160. However, the Szechuan chicken is the dish that will make your visit worth it. The chicken is delectable and has a nice kick thanks to the Szechuan peppers’ innate hot flavors.
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86 Malakas St, Quezon City, Pinyahan, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Pablo’s Taqueria
Pablo’s Taqueria is a restaurant near UST that specializes in tacos and burritos. If you’re looking for something different, try the sisig burrito with egg, as the pita bread makes for a perfect vessel for the classic Filipino dish. They also have a chicken adobo birria that comes in three different sizes, making it a perfect for-sharing snack.
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G/F, 1254 Asturias St cor Laong Laan St, Fusebox Lifestyle Complex, UST, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila
Burnt Bamboo
Burnt Bamboo is a restaurant that elevates classic Filipino barbecue. We’re fans of their grilled hotdogs, chicken inasal, and pork belly liempo, all staples in Filipino barbecue parties. Burnt Bamboo also has street food favorites, like betamax, chicken and pork isaw, lugaw, and isol, to name a few.
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4/F, 9th Ave cor 36th St, Uptown Mall, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila
Kabab and Curry
Makati is home to numerous under-the-radar restaurants, but we’d argue there’s not one that compares to Kabab and Curry. They serve Mediterranean dishes, such as chicken tikka, chicken green boti, beef kebab, and more. They also have biryani for rice lovers, with different options like beef, chicken, mutton, prawn, and fish.
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20 Jupiter St, Jupiter, Bel-Air, Makati, Metro Manila
Ramen Daisho
As the name suggests, Ramen Daisho is a Japanese-inspired restaurant located in Makati. You’ll find their menu familiar, as they serve Japanese staples like mixed tempura, shio ramen, gyoza, fish teriyaki, and different bento meals, among others. Their biggie meals are perfect for diners who want to indulge in Japanese cuisine, as it has comes with different proteins, dumplings, and drinks you can choose from.
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7248 Malugay St, Assembly Grounds at The Rise, San Antonio, Makati, Metro Manila
Al Jograts Persian Grill
Hidden gems don’t necessarily have to be expensive. Take Al Jograts, for example, as their dishes are all budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor. Their shawarma and wraps all cost under P150, with varying options like chicken, beef, keema, and falafel. They also have rice meals priced at P190, such as their double beef rice and chicken kebab rice.
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1226-A V Concepcion St, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila
G? Unliwings, Ribs & More
Take a break from the usual buffet and Korean barbecue options by dining at G? Unliwings, Ribs, and More. For only P300, you can enjoy unlimited wings and rice with different flavors like buffalo, sweet chili, garlic parmesan, lemon glaze, and more. Student-friendly meals are also available, such as their shanghai rolls rice meal, which costs P79.
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6 Knights of Columbus St, Fatima – Valenzuela, Marulas, Valenzuela, Metro Manila
Trece Cafe & Kitchen
Trece Cafe and Kitchen makes use of the jaw dropping backdrop of Cavite, as you can enjoy a cup of joe and snacks on the side. As for the food, the cheesy spam and potato fries are a good blend of savory and salty, while the chicken wings are a flavor explosion that comes in buffalo, garlic parmesan, and 7 spices. And if you need an extra boost, we recommend giving their espresso or americano a try.
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Km 45 Governor’s Dr, Cavite, San Agustin, Trece Martires, Cavite
Happon Ramen House
Happon Ramen House is a Japanese-inspired restaurant in Maginhawa, Cepede, and Belfast. They pride themselves in serving budget-friendly traditional Japanese cuisine, such as the spicy miso ramen that costs P248. Their bento meals cost P248, and they’re served with rice, veggies, and different protein options like tonkatsu, karaage, chicken teriyaki, and yakiniku, among others.
Burnt Edges
If you’re looking for something fancier, we recommend giving Burnt Edges a shot. Their Caesar salad is refreshing and has bold flavors, with customizable toppings like shrimp, chicken, and wagyu cubes. However, it’s their bags-by-the-pound menu that takes the cake. Choose how you want the protein cooked, whether it’s boiled, grilled, or fried. They have options ranging from shrimp, mussels, crabs, and chicken, with numerous signature sauces to tie it together.
Comida China de Manila
Comida China de Manila is a restaurant that offers Chinese cuisine. Every bite will transport you to Binondo, as they have classics like camaron rebosado con jamon, ampalaya con carne, pinsec frito, hototay, and more. Of course, the Chinese experience isn’t without noodles. For that, their comida china chow mein or the seafood pancit canton should hit the spot.
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G/F, Eulogio Rodriguez Jr Ave cor Calle Industria, S&R Libis-Bagumbayan, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Cheng Dynasty Hotpot
For as low as P599, you can get unlimited hotpot here at Cheng Dynasty. Their broth base is diverse, featuring unique soups like squid ink, native chicken, karou shoyo, and more. For the meat, they serve duck blood, bull penis, sliced lamb, and more traditional cuts like pork belly, shrimp, and squid.
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625 NS Amoranto Sr St, Amoranto, Sienna, Quezon City, Metro Manila
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