Best of Manila: 50 Great Restaurants of 2017

ILLUSTRATOR Warren Espejo

(SPOT.ph) If there's one thing worth highlighting from the past few years, it has to be the Metro's ever-dynamic food scene. We saw the rise of a lot of homegrown eateries in 2017 that went back to basics, whether they're located in quiet little neighborhoods or set amid the hurry and scurry of the city. Restaurants that focused on comfort classics were king—from luxe and indulgent, to familiar with a twist—while a few international franchises also made their mark. We've listed down this year's most striking dining destinations. Which ones have you tried?

Restaurants are listed alphabetically. This list has been limited to restaurants that opened between November 2016 and November 2017.

See our previous lists:

Best of Manila: 50 Great Restaurants of 2016

Best of Manila: 100 Great Restaurants of 2015

Best of Manila: 50 Great Restaurants of 2014

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Amare La Cucina
91 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Contact: 0929-823-7313

Amare La Cucina runs on the principle that less is more without actually feeling like less. Leaning towards traditional Italian food, Amare combines a family-friendly air with a penchant for maximizing every ingredient. For first-timers, their Al Arrabiatta is a winner despite its simplicity, which Italian cooking is really known for. Plus, did we mention the chock-full of crispy, golden bacon atop its al dente fusilli?

Must-tries: Al Arrabiatta, Pizza Con Prosciutto

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Any Any
Hole in the Wall, 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City
Contact: 801-1230

Chef Nicco Santos of Hey Handsome and Your Local does it again—this time, on a smaller scale. Think Singaporean hawker joint minus the shabby and dingy feel. Any Any at Hole in the Wall offers some of the best Southeast Asian street fare in the Metro. Here, Chef Nicco goes back to basics. His straightforward, one-page menu is divided into two major parts: Roti Prata and Nasi Lemak, each coming in very satisfying and tasty variations.

Must-tries: Cheese Roti Prata, Beef Nasi Lemak

Read more about Any Any.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

B.A.D. Late Night Breakfast Bar
The Palace Complex, 11th Avenue, Uptown Bonifacio
Contact: 0917-550-9999

More like a gritty dive bar than homey brunch nook, B.A.D. redefines what an “all-day breakfast place” should be. After all, you’re already having breakfast past morning hours, so why not break the rules further? The Chillaxilog, with thick chunks of chicharon bulaklak, a fried egg, and a chili-and-tomato-relish is so unforgettable you’ll want to have it more times than your doctor would probably think wise.

Must-tries: Chillaxilog, Bacon & Cheddar Waffle, B.A.D. Arroz Caldo

Read more about B.A.D. Late Night Breakfast Bar.

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

Bakere Café

Three Brixton Building, 3 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Home-baked goods are easy to come by, but the consistency in freshness and flavor that’s hard to find. Those are two things you’re always sure to get at Bakere. Eleanor Galang a.k.a. “Baker E” used to sell her pastries and fluffy ensaymadas from her house, but when her son RJ noticed that more and more people were placing orders, they finally decided to set up shop in Kapitolyo. The homey vibe of the café complements the warm feeling you would get with just a bite of their pastries. But aside from the baked goodies, they also serve filling plates of pasta and sandwiches that will leave you more than satisfied.

Must-tries: Ensaymada, Cheese Cupcake, BXU

Read more about Bakere Café.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Balestier
14 Nicanor Roxas Street, Barangay San Roque, Marikina City
Contact: 794-6199

Created by young couple Mandy Diaz de Rivera and Chef Mikee Rodriguez, Balestier in Marikina combines the modern, chill vibe of urban Singapore and the homey flavors of the city-state’s street food at affordable price points. Their Laksa Tsukemen is an easy favorite, giving diners a bowl of laksa broth with ramen noodles on the side, tsukemen-style.

Must-tries: Cereal Prawns, Laksa Tsukemen, Hainanese Chicken

Read more about Balestier.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Bijin Nabe By Tsukada Nojo
2/F S Maison at the Conrad, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Contact: 809-1268

This Japanese restaurant’s bijin nabe or “beauty hotpot” could be the tastiest beauty secret ever. Like any beauty routine, having this hotpot requires a bit of ceremony, from melting the collagen of the highly-prized Jidori chicken into a broth, to mixing in the chicken balls, prawns, and fresh vegetables, but the process adds to the luxurious experience. Plus, the intoxicating richness of the broth, the fork-tender chicken, and fresh mildly sweet vegetables are more than enough rewards for your patience.

Must-tries: Bijin Nabe, Chicken Nanban

Read more about Bijin Nabe By Tsukada Nojo.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

Bistro Madrid
G/F Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
Contact: 470-1675

A traditional Spanish restaurant isn’t one without Spain’s banner dishes like paella, jamon, fabada, and some fine Spanish wine. Bistro Madrid, helmed by Chef Juan Carlos de Terry, reacquaints you with the basics of Spanish cuisine by serving no-frills dishes from across the country’s regions. Come with an empty stomach and order the Bistro Madrid Gran Paella that’s good for three to four hungry diners. It’s a dish you shouldn’t miss, with its perfectly seasoned Bahia rice cooked in a deep saffron-stock broth and topped with chorizo, vegetables, and locally sourced seafood. Delicioso!

Must-tries: Lamb Shank in Chilindron Sauce, Bistro Madrid Gran Paella, Jamon Ibérico

Read more about Bistro Madrid.

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

Bistro United
D-Strip Building, 20 United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Contact: 706-1668

Chef Mia Capay of Bistro United wants to change how people feel and think about Filipino food. We’d have to give it to her—the chef doesn’t want to change the flavors of her dishes, but rather enhance each ingredient to let it shine. Their Porchetta Kare-Kare, for one, is a scene-stealer, with a chunky slab of pork in the middle of burnt-orange and green hues from the kare-kare’s rich peanut-based sauce and crisp veggies. Kapitolyo folks are lucky to have this restaurant in their neighborhood.

Must-tries: Porchetta Kare-Kare, Tilapia Ice Cream, Crispy Ribs with Bone Marrow Rice

Read more about Bistro United.

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

Blocleaf Café
1850 M. H. Del Pilar Street, Malate, Manila

Blocleaf’s quiet, peaceful ambience makes you feel as if you have the quaint little café to yourself. They source their beans locally from Kalsada Coffee and they whip up the perfect sandwiches, pasta, and cakes to match. With a great coffee blend in a cup, a savory meal to munch on, and a sweet dessert finish, you’ll soon be making this white-walled café and its brightly lit interiors your new coffice.

Must-tries: Latte, Longganisa Pasta, Avocado Cheesecake

Read more about Blocleaf Café.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Boutique Burger Kitchen
G/F The Fort Strip, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City
Contact: 0917-893-4913, 964-2050

A great patty could make or break a burger so it’s no surprise that Chef Carlos Miguel poured his attention into creating the best beef patty in his quest for better burgers. The result is a flavorful blend of Black Angus from Nevada, Wagyu from Idaho, and Kitayama Wagyu from Cagayan de Oro. Add sweet and fluffy Hokkaido milk buns, the freshest toppings, and homemade sauces, and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for a burger that's anything less than this.

Must-tries: Classic Cheeseburger, French Flair, Gourmet Burger Steak

Read more about Boutique Burger Kitchen.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Common Folk
79 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City
Contact: 277-6357

With “No bad days” written in bright, neon pink lights on the wall, you know only good things can happen at this quiet little nook hidden along White Plains. Take a sip of their not-too-sweet Café Latte while catching up on work to give you an extra energy boost. If you want something a bit sweet and warm, order their Milk + Cookies combo. Or you can also fill up with their snacks like the Salmon to Love, a witty take on crunchy toast topped with smoked salmon.

Must-tries: Café Latte, Milk + Cookies, Salmon to Love

Read more about Common Folk.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Epilogue

G/F S Maison at Conrad Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

If the bright-red geometric patterns on the walls of Epilogue look familiar, it’s because it was designed by the same person behind Kill Bill’s famous Gonpachi. The interiors perfectly complement the Japanese-slash-European menu. It was put together by four Japanese chefs who have trained around the world to perfect their respective specialties, whether it be pastries, pasta and pizza, steak, or bread. Foie gras adds a rich and velvety taste to the Maestro, a tenderloin that’s already mouthwatering on its own. You’ll also wish their Wagyu pizza, topped with Sriracha and creamy mozzarella, will never run out of slices. You’ll have a great dining experience no matter what you end up ordering because you know you’re only choosing from the best.

Must-tries: Foie’s Gold, Wagyu Pizza, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Read more about Epilogue.

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

IMAGE Jilson Tiu

Famry
Hole in the Wall, 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City
Contact: 801-1230

Famry is proof that great things do come in small packages—or in this case, in small food stalls. The street market-inspired stall at Century City Mall’s Hole in the Wall keeps their menu compact, with only four dishes in total, and while each one isn’t overly fancy, you get the impression that a great deal of care was put into constructing each and every item. It’s a fact that doesn’t get any more apparent than in the rice bowls: The Minced Pork Rice packs a medley of textures and flavors in a bowl that’ll cost you less than what you’ll expect, with the distinct sweet-spicy flavor of five-spiced minced pork contrasting perfectly with the crunchy tang of the pickled vegetables, and rich soft-boiled egg. Don’t miss the Bunplings, too—as their bun-shaped sign proudly declares, they are “fresh, hot, plump,” and most importantly, satisfyingly delicious.

Must-tries: Bunplings A.K.A. Shenjianbao, Minced Pork Rice, Spicy Dumplings

Read more about Famry.

IMAGE Kai Huang 

IMAGE Kai Huang

FOO’D
G/F Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City
Contact: 0917-711-4469

Chef Davide Oldani burst into the local food scene with something that seemed almost mythical: A fine-dining course that costs less than a thousand pesos. But that’s exactly what he did at FOO’D, with a three-course dinner going for P800. The price gets even more impressive when you finally sample Chef Davide’s creations. The Cipolla Caramellata, his signature starter, covers the full spectrum of flavor and textures in a single bite, with a sticky-sweet caramelized onion tart, and 24-month aged Grana Padano prepared two ways: As a gelato and as hot cream. With Chef Davide’s precise attention to detail and the way ingredients play off each other, his dishes can only be described as art.

Must-tries: Cipolla Caramellata, Veal "All'Olio", Lemon Curd

Read more about FOO'D.

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

Goryeo Korean Dining
Restaurant Promenade, U/GF Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Parañaque City
Contact: 555-5799

This Okada restaurant steps it up a notch by serving premium cuts of beef like a tender prime rib or brisket amid luxe interiors and impeccable service. Besides their mouthwatering Korean barbecue, Chef Hojin Lee whips up a sublime kimchi jjigae that stays true to its traditional Korean recipe.

Must-tries: Dwaejigogi Kimchi Jjigae, Haem Pajeon

Read more about Goryeo Korean Dining.

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

Hibana
G/F The Grand Midori, Bolaños Street, Makati City
Contact: 519-1088

This Japanese restaurant in Legazpi Village first made waves because of their soy-sauce ice cream, and while the buzz is very much warranted, it’s not the only thing Hibana has going for it. Chef Mark Tan works with only the freshest seafood from Japan, adding his creative, if slightly eccentric, touch to Japanese classics like sushi, tempura, karaage, and more. It’s best to order seafood here: Just from the name, you can be sure the Chilled Miso Butter-Poached Prawns will make mouths water, while their Hamachi Kama or yellowtail fish collar is grilled to succulent perfection.

Must-tries: Chilled Miso Butter-Poached Prawns, Hamachi Kama, Soy Sauce Ice Cream

Read more about Hibana.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IKOMAI & TOCHI
G/F ACI Group Building, 147 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Contact: 816-4588

If you’re a weekend-market fan, you might have come across IKOMAI & TOCHI on one of your trips to Salcedo Market.  Inspired by Japanese street food, this elegant little restaurant in Makati City serves dishes based on Chef Hide Saeki’s heirloom recipes. A bestseller is the Moriawase, an assorted kushikatsu set that includes their perfectly crisp and succulent chicken karaage, which first gained popularity at the Saturday bazaar.

Must-tries: Tuna Poke, Moriawase, Ikomai Taco

Read more about IKOMAI & TOCHI.

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

Jin Joo Korean Grill

5/F SM Aura Premier, C5 Road corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City

It’s been hard to keep up with the Korean barbecue joints popping up around town, but Jin Joo is a definite standout. You’ll spend a good hour or two just mixing and matching all the options on their varied menu. They have eight flavors of marinades for your samgyeopsal, and if that’s not enough to get you grilling, then maybe their flaming hot and incredibly cheesy dishes will.

Must-tries: Jin Joo’s 8 Flavours, Fire Chicken with Cheese

Read more about Jin Joo Korean Grill.

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

Jing Ting
UG/F City of Dreams Manila, ASEAN Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque City
Contact: 800-8080

The interiors of this picturesque restaurant at City of Dreams are inspired by the hutongs or narrow alleyways of Beijing, which is why it comes as no surprise that their food is a reflection of the dishes that abound in mainland China. Jing Ting’s noodles are made fresh daily by Chef Yang Chen Fei. At the far end of the diner is the kitchen where you’ll see him work his magic—but what will thrill you more is the food. Sample their Shanxi Noodles with Minced Pork and Eggplant, or al dente noodles blanketed in a savory meat sauce.

Must-tries: Mushroom Pork Dumplings, Shanxi Noodles with Minced Pork and Eggplant

Read more about Jing Ting.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

Kiss the Tiramisu
Three Central, Valero Street, Makati City
Contact: 0917-111-5477

Opening in Hongade in 2015, this dessert café continues to draw crowds in Seoul, a fact you’ll cease to be surprised about once you have a spoonful of their signature Original Tiramisu soft-serve. Kiss the Tiramisu reinvents the classic cake into a cold treat, with vanilla soft-serve made purely with milk, plus all the elements that make a tiramisu what it is: Chocolate and mocha cookie crumble, coffee sauce, and dark chocolate shavings. But what elevates this dessert is a generous dollop of mascarpone cheese, making the soft-serve richer and creamier, and adding a pinch of saltiness that gives the sweet elements extra oomph.

Must-tries: Original Tiramisu, Matcha

Read more about Kiss the Tiramisu.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

Kushikatsu Daruma
2/F Uptown Mall, Uptown Bonifacio
Contact: 946-7374

Walk down the streets of Dotombori and you just might stumble upon a cool diner with a mascot wearing a mischievous smirk on its face. Thanks to the Tasteless Group, you don’t have to go all the way to Osaka to try Kushikatsu Daruma’s golden, deep-fried delights. From chicken fillet and veggies to a decadent foie gras, even the pickiest eater wouldn't run out of choices because this vibrant restaurant has over 40 kushikatsu variants to choose from. The kushikatsus are served with their tangy signature sauce but just keep in mind: No double dipping!

Must-tries: Beef, Asohos, Foie Gras

Read more about Kushikatsu Daruma.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Kyo-to Kaiseki Restaurant
G/F 199 C. Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City
Contact: 805-7743

You don’t come across a lot of kaiseki restaurants in the Metro, which automatically makes Kyo-to special. But it isn’t just that—the culinary prowess of Chef Ryohei Kawamoto should also be lauded. The Japanese chef ensures that the food that goes on every plate is top-notch, from freshness and quality down to presentation. The beauty of Kyo-to is that every visit gives you a brand new experience as its five- to seven-course meals heavily depend on the ingredients they have on hand. A word of advice: The best seats are at the counter.

Read more about Kyo-to Kaiseki Restaurant.

IMAGE Marikit Singson

IMAGE Marikit Singson

Little Flour
G/F World Plaza, 4th Avenue corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City
Contact: 777-7383

Wildflour’s younger sibling is already becoming a star in its own right. Standouts on their menu are the sumptuous Filipino-inspired rice bowls, based on the ones served at L.A.-based Sari Sari Store (also owned by Wildflower’s Walter Manzke and Margarita Lorenzana-Manzke). Their velvety Cassava Cake is also well on its way to sharing cult-favorite status with Wildflour’s Coconut Pie.

Must-tries: Sisig Rice Bowl, Blueberry Pancakes, Cassava Cake

Read more about Little Flour.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

Marugame Udon
B7 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City

We’ll always love ramen but it’s high time we put the spotlight on a different kind of Japanese noodle: The udon. Marugame Udon (known as Marugame Seimen in Japan) is a master of the dish, getting the firm-yet-chewy texture of perfectly hand-stretched wheat flour noodles down pat. The noodles shine even when soaked in the beefy broth of their signature Beef Ontama Bukkake Udon, retaining a delightful chewiness. Marugame Udon doesn’t just stop at serving you perfectly cooked noodles either, letting you in on the full Japanese udon shop experience with a self-service counter and your choice from golden-fried skewers to pair with your bowl.

Must-tries: Beef Ontama Bukkake Udon, Curry Udon, Gyudon Rice

Read more about Marugame Udon.

IMAGE Sandra Dans

IMAGE Sandra Dans

Mr. Roboto
G/F Alabang Town Center Corporate Center, Muntinlupa City
Contact: 817-5604

Set against a backdrop of the robots that filled your childhood (and Bender from Futurama), Mr. Roboto serves up sushi plates that are a mouthful with how sizable they are. You’ll be amazed at how they seamlessly put together squid ink with sushi rice and how their choice of sauces—like tuna and teriyaki sauce—make a lip-smacking, savory taste. Head chef Danni Ramos received training from the famed Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco but she and manager David Mendoza are determined to give Japanese food a refreshing new twist with their own take on known favorites.

Must-tries: Nori Nachos, Mr. Roboto Maki, Steak and Uni Nigiri

Read more about Mr. Roboto.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

Mulberry Door by nawwTy’s Kitchen
G/F 8 Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle
Contact: 810-5427

This is one of the prettiest garden-themed restaurants in the city. Opened by Trish Panlilio of The Gourmand Market, Mulberry Door boasts a menu that’ll make your brunch dates brighter with their dressed-up classic dishes. “This is luxe comfort food,” says Trish’s son and co-owner, Matteo Panlilio. Don’t leave without trying the Matteo’s Lamb Burger with Homemade Taro Chips, which boasts a juicy lamb patty topped with Emmental and blue cheese in between toasted croissant buns.

Must-tries: Flan by nawwTy’s Kitchen, Matteo’s Lamb Burger with Homemade Taro Chips

Read more about Mulberry Door by nawwTy's Kitchen.

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

IMAGE Jericho San Miguel

Nikuya
G/F Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
Contact: 0927-144-2881

If you’re always torn between wanting Japanese and Korean food, Nikuya at Estancia Mall is a godsend as it melds everything you love about both cuisines. K-barbecue? Check. Donburi? They have it. Owner Grace Lee says she was inspired by her travels to Tokyo, where she would try a lot of Japanese-Korean fusion restaurants. You don't have to go far as you're sure to get the best of both worlds at Nikuya.

Must-tries: Yukwhe, Karubi Charcoal Grill

Read more about Nikuya.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Nono’s
G/F UP Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City
Contact: 958-5713

Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto makes dining at Nono’s a feast of comfort food. It’s definitely the place to go to if you&rsquo