Things to do in Manila
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Gerry’s Grill
The original location of the now-widespread Filipino restobar chain is across the street from the ABS-CBN television studios.
reviewed
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Café Adriatico
Don’t be fooled by what appears to be a small and informal restaurant; this Malate legend right on Remedios Circle has good Spanish and Italian food to go along with top-notch people-watching.
reviewed
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North Park Noodles
This much-loved fast-food joint serves what some consider to be the best bowl of Chinese noodles in town. It’s a sleek little place with a minimalist stainless-steel style.
reviewed
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Harbour Square
A modest food court overlooking Manila’s marina in the CCP Complex.
reviewed
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Aristocrat
This Manila institution began life in 1936 as a mobile snack cart, and today has branches all over the city, while still being entirely Filipino-owned. It feels like a huge, brightly lit diner, and the massive menu is rich in traditional Filipino staples and favourites.
reviewed
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Intramuros
When Miguel Lopez de Legazpi wrested control of Manila, he chose to erect his fortress on the remnants of the Islamic settlement by the mouth of the Pasig River. Intramuros, as Legazpi's walled city came to be called, was invaded by Chinese pirates, threatened by Dutch forces, and held by the British, Americans and Japanese at various times, yet it survived until the closing days of WWII, when it was finally destroyed by US bombing during the Battle of Manila.
From its founding in 1571, Intramuros was the exclusive preserve of the Spanish ruling classes. Within its massive walls were imposing government buildings, stately homes, churches, convents, monasteries, schools,…
reviewed
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Ziggurat
Half open-air restaurant, half pillow-covered bazaar, Ziggurat takes its inspirations from India, the Middle East and Africa. Don’t let its location just off girlie-bar-laden P Burgos St fool you: this is one of Makati’s best-kept secrets. At the outside bar you can recline and enjoy a hookah in a setting that manages to slightly evoke a desert tent somewhere. The menu is long and includes kebabs, chutneys, curries and Moroccan tajines.
reviewed
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G
Museum Cafe
Much more than a simple refuelling stop for museum patrons, the M Cafe, as it’s popularly known, is a magnet for Manila’s chichi class. The trip-hop ambience and exquisite all-white interior make for an especially artistic experience. The menu is heavy on light bites and sandwiches.
reviewed
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H
Casa Armas
A passionate clique of chowhounds and foodies have been spreading the good word about this Filipino-Spanish spot for years, where tapas, paella, seafood and even entire roast suckling pigs are on offer. There’s a second branch in Makati’s Greenbelt 3.
reviewed
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Italianni's
New York-style Italian food stars, which means thick tomato sauce, great meatballs and big portions. One of the most popular places on this popular strip of restaurants, the staff here takes motivation seriously: group cheers are common.
reviewed
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Bellini's
This hip little Italian café serves good pizzas under the watchful gaze of an eclectic wall of fame (photos of purported customers). It's popular with local artists, many of whom have shops in adjoining storefronts.
reviewed
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Max Brenner
This jazzy outlet of the revered chain of chocolate shops has all the rich drinks and treats you'd expect. There's also a small menu of breakfast items and heartier fare served through the day.
reviewed
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Cafe Via Mare
You can get a snack or a meal at this trendy little spot on a busy corner of the Rockwell Center. The coffee is authentically Italian while the dishes are an upscale mix of Filipino standards.
reviewed
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Dad’s
Most everyone visits Dad’s for its aptly named all-you-can-eat ‘ultimate buffet’, when a mind-boggling array of Filipino dishes are set out in deep serving dishes. Come hungry.
reviewed
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Hap Chan
One of the more popular teahouses, it specialises in hotpot dishes, but also serves dim sum, noodles and rice dishes. It's small, clean and unadorned.
reviewed
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Tasty Dumplings
The name says it all at this modern little place. The meatball soup is excellent.
reviewed
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Rizal Park
Still widely known as 'Luneta' (its name until it was officially changed in the 1950s), Rizal Park is spread out over some 60 hectares of open lawns, ornamental gardens, paved walks and wooded areas, dotted with monuments to almost every Filipino hero you care to mention. It's a pretty area but also shabby in parts, dangerously so near the closed National Museum on P Burgos St.
Every day hundreds of Filipinos come here to stroll, jog, picnic, sing and play music, or just relax away from the swarming traffic. At dawn, various groups gather to practise t'ai chi or the local martial art of arnis, or arnis de mano, a pre-Hispanic style of stick-fighting. There are formalised…
reviewed
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Q
Fort Santiago
Guarding the vital entrance to the Pasig River, Fort Santiago was once the seat of Spanish military power. Designated a Shrine of Freedom in 1950, today it is a memorial to Dr José Rizal, who was imprisoned here in the final days before his execution in 1896 for inciting revolution against the Spanish colonials. It is also a memorial to all Filipinos who have fought or died for the cause of freedom.
reviewed
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Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is set back from Roxas Blvd and constructed in the bombastic style favoured by dictators everywhere. The building has a grand design by noted Filipino architect Leandro Locsin. Inside is an art gallery (admission free; 8am-6pm Tue-Sun), a library (8am-5pm Tue-Fri) and a museum of musical instruments (adult/child P40/20; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun).
reviewed
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Penguin Café
Also known as Rock Ola Café, this is the watering hole of choice among Malate’s artistically inclined bohemian set. The Penguin doesn’t truly come to life until late on Friday and Saturday nights, however, when DJs or live bands set the place on fire. Try to catch a set by the wildly original Pinikpikan, an 11-member folk-rock group that performs here occasionally.
reviewed
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Cafe Havana
Conjure the illusion that you're in Havana just before the city's fall to Castro. You can opt to have an all-Cuban evening starting with Cuba Libre and ending with a Cuban Cohiba Esplendido cigar, with some Arroz a la Cubana in between. It's busy serving local partiers until late and many revitalize with the good fresh fruit drinks.
reviewed
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Carlos Celdran
Something of a Manila celebrity, Carlos is a hilariously eccentric one-man show of Filipino history and trivia. Highly recommended for those with a sense of humour and an open mind. His new Intramuros headquarters, an eclectic store known as La Monja Loca (The Crazy Nun), is sure to become a magnet for Manila’s creative set.
reviewed
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Shawarma Snack Center
It doesn’t sound like much, but this open-air Middle Eastern place serves the richest and most flavourful felafel, matabal, hummus, and kabobs for kilometres around. In the branch across the street is more upscale dining in air-conditioned comfort.
reviewed
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U
Greenhills Shopping Center
Greenhills Shopping Center is somewhat like a flea market, with stall after stall selling DVDs and brand-named clothing of questionable legitimacy. But snoop around and you’ll find quality antiques and the best selection of genuine pearls in the country.
reviewed
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V
Red Crab
This outlet of the small Manila chain is all things crab, from the crab origami decorating the stylish dining room to the myriad of crab preparations on the menu. There's lots of other seafood items on the menu but you can never go wrong with Thai chilli crab.
reviewed