Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in San Juan for December 2016

Pig Tales Gastropub is a tucked away restaurant that prides itself for its reinvented bacon-infused dishes. From the name of the restaurant itself, you instantly get that they cater to pork-lovers. It’s for lunch-outs with your workmates or for excellent grub and drinks after hours with your friends. It’s not for vegetarians, there aren’t many options. We recommend the Mozzarella Balls, Kofta Balls, and the Pig Slab. Insider tip: Pig Tales comes out with a special country-themed menu each month. Last month it was Japanese! Read our full feature here.

Chef Laudico Guevarra’s, by chefs Roland and Jacqueline Laudico, is a 1920s heritage house converted into a restaurant and events place where guests can enjoy an upscale but affordable Filipino buffet dining experience. It’s for special business meetings or big family celebrations. It’s not a place to treat your friends if you’re on a tight budget. We recommend the angus beef tapa, kare-kare, grilled gindara and cream dory with mango curry sauce. Our insider tip: Their clean plate policy charges you P100 for every 100 grams left. P.S. Buffet price is half for kids 4 feet and below.

Carousel Creamery is a neighborhood dessert parlour boasting 101 classic and whimsical flavors of premium handcrafted ice cream, made in small batches. Customers can enjoy scoops (single, double or triple), a sampler plate of 5 or even takeaway pint-sized tubs. It’s for families and friends who want to catch up and bond over ice cream. It’s not for diabetics or foodies who need to cut down on sugar. If you’re adventurous, we recommend the Beer & Chicharon, Wasabi, Red Pepper Walnut and more. Our insider tip: Ask the servers for the ingredients list, especially for those with nut allergies. P.S. Free taste all the flavors you want, don’t tell them we told you!

Eggspresso is a new all-day brunch cafe that serves egg-centric dishes and coffee. They also serve desserts like ice cream, cakes, muffins, and more. It’s for breakfast lovers with a preference for all things coffee and eggs. It’s not for Sunday brunches as they’re only open Mon-Sat. We recommend the Protein Punch, Eggs in Hell, Eggs in Heaven, and KSP Rice. Our insider tip: Check out their homemade salted egg chips! Read our full feature here.

Tuan Tuan, which literally means ‘to put together’, best describes the restaurant’s goal of putting together the best of Hong Kong comfort food in a French brasserie setting. It is a homegrown concept from the Lugang group. It’s for casual but fancy and affordable lunches or dinners. It’s not for people looking for dim sum, breads and pastries. We recommend the US Premium Beef Rib and Tendon Curry, Braised Ox Tongue, Pork Snow Buns, and Salted Egg Custard Snow Buns. Our insider tip: Don’t go mild on your Laksa.

Tomo Japanese Dining is an authentic Japanese restaurant serving classic dishes in an offbeat refurbished house with modern, minimalist Japanese interiors. It’s for people who are fans of Sugi Japanese Restaurant, the same Chef heads the kitchen here. It’s not for Little Tokyo loyalists. We recommend the Australian Wagyu Steak, Kari Kari Kari Yaki oysters, Mackerel sashimi, and their aburi sushi. Our insider tip: No need to worry about parking because they have lots of space, but you may have to prepare cash as they don’t accept credit cards yet. Read our full feature here.

Kraken Takoyaki is a humble Japanese food stall serving up authentic Osaka-style takoyaki – no squid, no crabsticks, no shrimp, no ham and bacon, just real octopus. It started as a campus favorite along Taft Ave.; this is its second stall. It’s for foodies looking for the best movie snack their 98 pesos could get. It’s not for those looking for a restaurant dine-in experience. We recommend the Miso Butter Corn, Japanese Curry and their bestselling 2-cheese takoyaki. Our insider tip: Kraken Takoyaki offers catering / party package services.

WAFU is a modern Japanese restaurant that speaks of class and elegance from interiors down to food. It’s helmed by the new executive chef, Chef Nobuyoshi Onishii, former Sushi Master from the renowned Midori Sushi in Japan. It’s for intimate gatherings or relaxing catch-up sessions with your family and friends. It’s not for those looking for good Japanese food on a tight budget. We recommend the U.S. Flat Iron Steak, Sukiyaki Cut Beef, and Oyster Teppan. Our insider tip: Check out their Php999 promo, where you are given 2 hours to enjoy teppan-all-you-can at their teppanyaki stations on the second floor. Book ahead as there are limited slots per seating time. See more photos here.

Hai Chix & Steaks is a restaurant where East meets West under one roof. It is an Asian fusion restaurant specializing in steaks and Hainanese chicken dishes. It’s for everyone craving some Asian and American specialties without having to visit 2 different restaurants. It’s not for vegetarians. We recommend their bestselling U.S. Angus Ribeye and the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Our insider tip: Have your steaks cooked medium. P.S. It recently opened a third branch in Salcedo Village.

All the way from Tokyo, Dohtonbori is Japan’s #1 okonomiyaki restaurant chain that offers the first cook-your-own okonomiyaki experience in Manila. This is its first branch in the Philippines. It’s for foodies who enjoy DIY meals, don’t worry the servers can also cook for you. It’s not for people who prefer American-style pancakes. We recommend the Deluxe Okonomiyaki, Four-Cheese and Dohtonbori pizzas, and their premium yakiniku. Our insider tip: Skip the queue, you can now book a table through Booky at their Greenhills and SM North branches!