10 Really Good Spanish Restaurants in Manila

(SPOT.ph) What's not to love about Spanish food? They're all about fresh ingredients; typically generous portions; flavors vivid and satisfying; and comfort reigning supreme. It sure doesn't hurt that restaurants serving just that are everywhere here in the Philippines and especially in Manila.

But in a sea of options, there are standouts.

What makes a good Spanish restaurant will, of course, always be a subjective matter. But there are a few qualities that make for a banger spot we'd never stop raving about, reasons for us to keep coming back year in and year out. Great ambience, service that makes you feel like family and, obviously, they gotta serve good food—soulful, flavorful dishes that satisfy physically, emotionally, maybe even spiritually.

Here are 10 restaurants that fit the bill, ranging from old players whose consistently great dine-in game has kept us and others devoted to newcomers that absolutely deserve a space in your bucket list.

Also read: 
The SPOT.ph 50 Great Restaurants of 2023: Best of Manila and Beyond  
10 Great Places for Spanish Food in Metro Manila 
Top 10 Tapas Places in Manila

Our favorite Spanish restaurants in Manila right now:

Cantabria by Chef Chele Gonzalez

Cantabria is at once an homage to the hometown of Chele Gonzalez (ergo, its namesake), as it is a playground for the chef to make tapas and other Spanish favorites his own. Their space on the roof level of The Westin Manila is at once spacious—seating up to 75 people—as it is cozy, thanks to the place's warm tones and use of homey patterns. Seafood figures heavily, and the menu manages to represent both the classic and contemporary end of the Spanish-food spectrum. They’ve got excellent takes on the likes of Gambas al Ajillo (P990) and the show-stopping Rodaballo a la Parrilla (P2,000/100 grams) a.k.a. grilled whole wild turbot. You can also dive into their distinctly Chele plates, which includes the Wagyu and Ikura Toast (P990) that bring to mind bite-sized surf-and-turf; Ostra de la Casa (P450), fresh oysters with sherry mignonette plus green apple and chives for added zest; Tartaleta de Viera (P950), or tartlets of scallops, celeriac puree, white chocolate, and caviar; and from the mains, Presa Iberico con Patatas y Mojos (P2,400) or grilled Iberico pork with green and red mojo sauces.

Cantabria is at Roof Level, The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Cirkulo

There’s a reason Cirkulo has been a favorite of expats and high-profile folks since opening in 1995. The Chef J. Gamboa-owned establishment consistently serves superb tapas, paella, meaty mains, and more, and with the restaurant’s low-key elegant feel, it’s the kind of place you can bring whoever you’re looking to impress—your in-laws, your boss, your date. Much of their lineup consists of well-executed classics: Croquettes de Setas (P330/five pieces) with a lush mushroom bechamel filling; Salpicao (P695) with beef tenderloin cubes kept tender; Paella Montaña (P1,495) that marries portobello mushrooms, roasted garlic, asparagus, and truffle oil; and the standout Cochinillo Asado (starts at P6,975/half) . Other signatures include the Costillas de Res al Carbon (P1,495) or Josper-grilled U.S. Beef short ribs; and the Cabeza de Cerdo (P695)—their take on sisig using suckling pigs.

Cirkulo is at G/F Milkyway Building, 900 Arnaiz Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Origine

BGC’s relative newcomer Origine prefers to do away with the frills and instead focus on doing tradition justice—after all, their menu comes courtesy of Spanish chef Alexandra Cacho, formerly of Gaudi and Tapella. Cacho drew from her experiences living in San Sebastian and Málaga and studying under Basque chef Ignacio Muguruza in coming up with Origine’s menu, which covers most of your textbook Spanish fare popular with Filipinos. Servings are generous, whether you go for the Paella Marisco (P1,500), which is saffron rice dotted with shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, and fish; the Chuleton (P5,185), or Angus prime rib with accompaniments of patatas a la pobre and red peppers; and the standout Pollo Iberico (P2,540) or Iberico chicken that’s marinated and cooked low and slow in olive oil until meltingly tender.

Origine is at L/1 Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 McKinley Parkway, Aura Complex, Bonifacio Global City.

Txoko

Basque and Castilian influences come together at Txoko, resulting in an eclectic menu where the old and new cross paths. Expect subtle twists and premium ingredients sourced locally and from abroad: Foie Gras Micuit (P790) gets a fruity counterpoint with a mango disc and balsamic reduction; an earthy mushroom paella gets an extra-rich upgrade with grilled bone marrow in the Setas y Tuétano (P1070); and grilled fresh pineapples deliver sweet contrast in the Lengua ala Parilla (P1,300). For bigger groups, bookmark their specials available for advanced preorders: Cuarto de Lechazo (P8,950) or Spanish suckling lamb quarter; Tomahawk (P1,050) cooked in their Josper oven; and more. Sure doesn’t hurt that the restaurant in Legazpi Village exudes quiet chic.

Txoko is at 102 Esteban Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.

Terraza Martinez

Chill isn’t a word you’d typically associate with a Spanish restaurant. But Terraza Martinez begs to differ from the more classically dark and brooding character of other Spanish spots, instead going for a laid-back vibe reminiscent of a beachside nook. Makes sense; Chef Luis Martinez is known for heading Spanish-Mediterranean dining spot Alma in Siargao. Having spent much of his younger years in Valencia, he brings an especially solid seafood game to Terraza Martinez, with specials that include the soul-soothing seafood stew known as Zarzuela de Pargo (P1,250), and a melt-in-the-mouth Bacalao Confitado (P1,650) using cod flown in fresh from Spain. The paella isn’t to be missed, either, especially if you go for the Paella de Langosta (P2,800) or lobster paella, or the uber-indulgent Fidefoie (P1,500), a fideua-like dish of shredded duck confit, sliced duck magret, wild mushrooms, and foie gras grated on top right as it’s served.

Terraza Martinez is at Shangri-La at the Fort, 30th corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.

Bar Pintxos

Pintxos are one of those deceptively simple dishes where, when you’ve got a truly well-made version using good ingredients, the whole well transcends being a sum of its parts. And locally, few understand the art of a good pintxo quite like Bar Pintxos—it’s in their name after all. On the menu are topping combinations of the likes of the Jamon-Allioli (P158) with minced jamon bound together by mayonnaise; the Salmon (P238) that brings together smoked salmon, goat cheese-yogurt caviar, and honey; and the Foie (P480) with buttery foie gras and an apple compote—all excellent with their Sangria (P320). Mind you, that’s just part of what Bar Pintxos can bring to the table; don’t miss their A+ tapas like the Huevas Estrelldo (P370) or fried egg, chorizo, and fries and the Rabo de Toro (P790), a stick-to-your-ribs dish of braised ox tail.

See a list of Bar Pintxos branches.

Manduca

With a name that refers to the term used in Asturias to call on people to eat, Manduca is a warm invitation for tapas, pica-pica, heavier meat and seafood dishes and so on, all by Chef Amado Garcia Fernandez. Their bright and welcoming space is an excellent setting to bring over family members and constants, be it for a small get-together or a grand reunion. On their menu are casual bites like Tuna Tartare (P690) with avocado and pomelo; Cocas, or Spanish flatbreads in variants like the Iberica (P590) with chorizo and cheese; grilled meats like Striploin (starts at P2,450/300 grams); and the must-order Cachopo Asturiano (starts at P1,790) for two—a breaded cutlet of veal with jamon serrano and manchego cheese.

Manduca is at G/F Commercenter Building, 31st Street and 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City and G/F One Ayala Mall, 1 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Terry’s

Though primarily a specialty food grocer, Terry’s has proven to have a solid dine-in food game that always, always satisfies. The deli-slash-restaurant’s chef Juan Carlos de Terry has backgrounds in music, chemistry, and Oenology, all of which give him insight in both the creative and technical sides of cooking. The resulting menu features both traditional dishes and more experimental numbers, many of which come with stories behind them printed on the menu. Their lineup has, admittedly, changed over the years, but the flavors on their dishes are always on-point, thanks in no small part to their use of fresh produce and ingredients from Spain (also sold in-store!). Of the dishes, you can’t go wrong with the Jamon Serrano and Chicken Croquettes (P560/six pieces) with thin, crisp breadings and creamy interiors; the Chistorrado (P1,295), a rich plate of Valencia rice cooked with Chistorra, piquillo peppers, and melted cheese; the stick-to-your-ribs Cocido Madrileño (P1,670) complete with chorizo and morcilla Ibérico bellota, beef shank, pork belly, chicken, and Andalusian chickpeas; and the Super-Cochinillo Confit (P1,325) served with arroz bomba risotto and caramelized shallots and peaches.

See a list of Terry’s branches.

Deo Gracias

Deogracias is home-style Spanish food but young and refined—as young as the spirit of its tattooed chef Alex Del Hoyo Gomez, and as refined as the '60s QC abode its served in (the retro meets homey chic interiors are by the great Eric Paras). The dishes are made with the best ingredients available to Gomez's kitchen, and interpreted from recipes of the abuelas of his birthplace. Start with the Tartar de Vaca Roll (P460), an itty bitty truffle pan-toasted brioche sandwich packed with a wonderfully mushy beef tartare with crispy shallots. Next, proceed to the Secreto Iberico Y Papas Arrugas (P1,300), which is slices of lightly grilled meat from the shoulder of an Iberian pig. And don’t leave without having spoonfuls of the Arroz del Senyoret (P1,330), a seafood paella with roots in Alicante, Spain. The Deogracias presentation may be refined but that’s not to say the flavors here are not rich. They are, that’s why we love a glass of Coke on the side, for the occasional frugal sip. Because the restaurateur behind Deogracias is power pastry chef Heny Sison, it is wise to have a dessert or two, so try the Tarta de Queso Manchego, (P640) which is Chef Heny's sophisticated take on the Basque burnt cheesecake. She also might still be serving her Helados Queso Machego (P360 per serving, P185 if in a cone), which is her limited edition summer ice cream.

Deogracias is at 12 11th Jamboree, Diliman, Quezon City.

Txanton

Consider Txanton the Spanish dining spot for the chic set, or just for anyone who appreciates the finer things—particularly when it comes to food. This small shop in Chino Roces Avenue is best known for their tastings of specialty food items, but they do offer a selection of superlative Spanish dishes served within their sleek, modern space. With top-caliber ingredients stocking their kitchens, Txanton gives both simple and more elaborate dishes the luxe treatment that, for their quality, are reasonably priced. Start with a Jamon Experience Tasting (P1,395; additional P950 for wine pairing) then move to starters like the Carpaccio de Presa Iberica (P595) or acorn-fed Iberian pork shoulder carpaccio and Pimiento de Piquillo Confitado con Anchoas (P1,995) or confited piquillo peppers with codesa anchovies; tapas like Huevos Rotos con Jamon or eggs fried in extra-virgin olive oil with your jamon of choice (starts at P445 with Gran Reserva jamon); plates of meat and seafood like Pulpo a la Brasa (P995) or roasted octopus; U.S. Wagyu Rib Cap (P5,695/approximately 300 grams); and more.

Txanton is at 2/F Alegria Alta Building, 2294 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

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