Restaurants in Philippines
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A
Persian Palate
A popular franchise dishing up generous helpings of reasonably authentic Indian and Middle Eastern food. It advertises spicy food, but even the ‘hot’ curries are quite mild. Its menu includes a rarity in Cebu City – a large vegetarian selection. Other branches exist at Ayala Center and Crossroads in Lahug.
reviewed
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Masferré Inn & Restaurant
The food here is among the best in town, but what really makes this place stand out are the awesome, powerful prints of the late Sagada-born photographer Eduardo Masferré. Ask the proprietor for a tour of the Masferré Gallery, which is just outside of town. Rooms were under renovation when we visited.
reviewed
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B
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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C
Cafe by the Ruins
The interior is awash in art, foliage and sculpted wood. It specialises in Cordillera-inspired Filipino dishes. Try the eggplant omelette with carabao cottage cheese for breakfast, or the suman at tsocolate (hot chocolate and sticky-rice cake) for afternoon tea.
reviewed
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D
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
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E
Caffe Ricco Renzo
Something like a modern-day piano bar, but with pastries and espresso instead of gin and tonic. The real draw, of course, is the building it’s located in: the International Design Center. There’s live jazz on Friday night.
reviewed
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F
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Part of the chain found throughout town, this is a better choice than the chain whose name rhymes with 'sucks'. It's a smart setting inside and out, and the drinks are many and varied. Good iced tea and free wi-fi.
reviewed
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G
Heaven ‘n Eggs
QC’s best all-day breakfast spot does American classics (omelettes, steak and eggs) and Filipino surprises with equal skill and precision. There’s another branch next to the entrance of Glorietta 4 in Makati.
reviewed
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Grilla Bar & Grill
Grilla is conveniently located in Makati. It’s a fine place to sample Pinoy specialities like sizzling gambas (shrimp) and crispy pata (pork leg) and drink San Miguel by the bucketful.
reviewed
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H
Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant
Manila's best Thai restaurant is hidden away on the second level of the Dusit Hotel Nikko. The dining room is elegant, befitting the 'royal' moniker. The cuisine is both lavish and inventive.
reviewed
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I
Harbor View
Located on a jetty and overlooking Manila Bay, it’s no wonder Harbor View has become a legendarily romantic date destination. Sushi, super-fresh seafood and Filipino fare are on the menu.
reviewed
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Sulu Thai Restaurant
Sulu Thai is an unassuming eatery with a thick menu, with helpful photos of all the dishes, including seafood entrees, vegetarian dishes, crispy spring rolls and spicy soups.
reviewed
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J
Bistro Remedios
Food from Pampanga province is the speciality here, including many exotic and unusual dishes, like fried frog legs. The nicely relaxed ambience is traditionally Filipino.
reviewed
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K
Dome
A French bistro in a part of town not blessed by many restaurants, Dome has good breakfasts, sandwiches and salads served through the day as well as pasta and pizza.
reviewed
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L
President Tea House
No relation to President Restaurant, this place is boldly decorated and is as neat as a red-and-white pin. The dim sum is great and there's much more on the menu.
reviewed
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Pizza Volante
The pan pizza here is tops in town, and it’s not a bad place for a beer either, especially after everything else has closed. It also has a delivery service.
reviewed
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M
Ling Nam Noodle Factory & Wonton Parlor
The name alone should tell you that the noodles are fresh here. Pots steam like mad, air conditioners roar and happy patrons lap up tasty and simple fare.
reviewed
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MXT Tea House
This Chinese tea shop is probably best known for its superb and very affordable dim sum. Cold noodle soups and steamed dumplings are also big hits.
reviewed
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Bana’s Cafe
This artsy place specialises in coffee and breakfast (great omelettes). Its narrow balcony overlooks a gorge and catches the morning sun.
reviewed
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Real Coffee & Tea Café
Real Coffee & Tea Café, next to the Bom Bom Bar, is a good place for fresh coffee and all-day breakfasts and omelettes.
reviewed
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Eddie's Place
Eddie's does the usual thing; its best asset is its central, beach-front location.
reviewed
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N
Forest House
Unbeatable mountain setting, but wildly inconsistent food.
reviewed
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roadside carinderia
The kind of food stalls commonly found in some Southeast Asian countries are conspicuously absent from the streets of Manila, but there are roadside carinderia . These basic eateries, often family owned, display a selection of pre-cooked dishes on a counter or in a glass case. They usually include adobo (pork and/or chicken cooked in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic), sinigáng (pork, fish or prawns in sour soup) and various preparations of bangús (milkfish, native to the Philippines). These places are called turu-turò (literally point-point) as ordering is a simple case of pointing at whatever takes your fancy.
reviewed
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Greenbelt Shopping Mall Restaurants
You are only limited by your ability to choose when you eat in Makati. There's something for every budget and taste. In fact the restaurants in the Greenbelt 2 and 3 shopping malls are among the best and most popular in Manila. On any night, hordes of people stroll past the many fine restaurants on various levels pondering which one to select. It's a fun scene.
Almost every place in Makati, especially those in Greenbelt, has both air-con dining rooms and large outdoor patios that are perfect for people-watching.
reviewed
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Kailui
Close your eyes and you might think you were in a lovely Balinese restaurant – waiters in red sarongs glide barefoot across wooden floors, colourful paintings, sculptures and masks adorn the walls and there’s a general air of sophistication. The menu is small and simple. Choose from a few varieties of seafood, all served with vegies. There’s a delightful fruit mix dessert, served in a hollowed-out coconut. Reservations are recommended, especially for groups of four or more.
reviewed