FOR THE BEST STEAK IN THE CITY
MAMOU

"As a result of her family and friends constantly asking when she planned to open her own restaurant (so that they wouldn't have to wait until her next dinner party!), Malou Fores introduced the now-iconic Filipino steakhouse, Mamou, in 2005.

The restaurant serves home kitchen food - the kind that Malou had previously only shared with her own clan - and the best steak in Manila. Mamou is our go-to spot for special occasions: the food is consistently exceptional, the service team welcomes you like family, and you're always guaranteed a good time.

Our staple order is the Angus rib-eye steak paired with Lorenzo's truffle cream pasta. We bring a bottle of red wine from home to share. This is the first restaurant I visit whenever I return to Manila - it never fails to fill me with gratitude by reminding me of the warmth and hospitality that is exclusive to the Philippines."

FOR A TRADITIONAL HALO HALO
MILKY WAY CAFE

"For many Filipino families, Milky Way is synonymous with after-school 'merienda' or a Sunday family get-together. Formerly an ice cream shop in old Manila, the 1960s institution serves an array of traditional Filipino dishes including crispy hito (catfish), kare-kare (peanut sauce stew), and bistek Tagalog (beef steak).

Its fame is fueled only further by the famous Milky Way halo-halo: a popular everyday dessert (whose name is a Tagalog word meaning "mix") composed of sweet and savory toppings over a bowl of finely shaved ice and condensed milk.

The restaurant uniquely reflects Filipino design through its interiors, too: narra walls, granite counters, and solihiya chairs. Their shelves are filled with homemade products from Milky Way's line of native delicacies if you feel like cooking at home instead of dining in. My personal favorite design detail is that their plates retain the restaurant's logo from 1962 - I've never seen one quite like it."

900 ANTONIO ARNAIZ AVE., MAKATI CITY

FOR THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST
RODIC'S DINER

"Tapsilog is a Filipino term and dish composed of three food items:

tapa (cured meat), sinangag (fried garlic rice), and itlog (egg). It is a simple and inexpensive meal that is traditionally served for breakfast or lunch.

While the dish is easy to make and a staple of Filipino comfort cuisine,

Rodic's Diner champions the space due to its long history and unique recipe.

Founded in 1949, owner Pacita lecson explained that their now iconic-lapsilog was created using her sister's recipe. Together, they devised Rodic's signature shredded-beef composition in order to accommodate children and senior citizens who might have trouble chewing the traditionally tough dish.

First opened within the University of the Philippines' small, corridor-like shopping center, students and nearby families frequently fill up the tiny restaurant space. The institution has been immortalized and depicted accurately in one of Filipino national artist Larry Alcala's famous "Slice of Life" illustrations: a long line formed outside Rodic's of fans awaiting red-checkered boxes of their favorite tapsilog."

900 ANTONIO ARNAIZ AVE, MAKATI CITY

FOR FILIPINO FINE DINING
METIZ

"Opened in 2019, Metiz is a newcomer to (and future classic of) Metro Manila's food and beverage scene. The restaurant's name is derived from the French term

'mestizo' - referring to a mixed ancestry of foreign and Filipino - that reflects chef Stephan Duhesme's own heritage, along with his influences on the native cuisine.

Though it functions as a fine dining restaurant, Metiz is familial and unpretentious.

Stephan and his partner Karen are the most welcoming couple, and the food that they create undoubtedly reflects this spirit. The ever-changing tasting menu never leaves you feeling confused or out-of-the-loop despite making use of refined local ingredients and sophisticated culinary techniques.

Metiz seeks to elevate Filipino cuisine in the most congenial way possible.

They are inspired by traditional recipes, its history, and its lasting effect on the country's culinary culture - but are not strictly bound by them. The restaurant's overacting theme of fermentation (a traditional Tagalog kitchen method) continues even throughout the cocktail menu resulting in bold, flavorful, high-ABV drinks."

KARRIVIN PLAZA, GROUND FLOOR, CHINO ROCES AVE., MAKATI CITY

FOR GOOD FOOD AND A GOOD TIME
PANCAKE HOUSE

"Despite being one of the most popular food chains in the Philippines, Pancake House is home to some of the most satisfying meals. What began as an American-inspired diner has turned into a go-to spot for comfort food across generations.

Founded in 1974, the first Pancake House was attached to the idea of the cinema.

Branches were opened near theaters to serve quick and casual meals to movie patrons waiting for their screening. The brand pushed this concept further by adorning each of their restaurants with trending movie posters - visitors were always excited to see what new posters had been put up.

Pancake House now operates over a hundred branches across the Philippines, and has expanded from serving only pancakes and waffles to offer an array of popular international dishes such as spaghetti, tacos, and chicken.

Everyone has a favorite dish, and almost all our favorites are different.

Whether it's the perfectly-curated house special set, a tray of the "best tacos in town", or the grilled cheese paired with a golden brown waffle - each dish is associated with a good memory and a simple, enjoyable moment."

PASEO DE MAGALLANES CENTER, SANTIAGO SI., MAKATI CITY