Visiting any place isn’t complete without tasting its sumptuous cuisines. The same goes for everyone who will be visiting the Philippines. This Asian country is a melting pot of oriental cuisines mixed with Western influence. If you’re hungry and looking for a place to dine, you should consider these eight famous restaurants in the Philippines. Some of them are restaurant chains, so finding a branch should be easy!
1. The Aristocrat
The Aristocrat was established in 1936 in the capital city of Manila. It used to cater to middle-class to upper-class customers, but it has now infiltrated a bigger market.
As a restaurant chain, The Aristocrat has dozens of branches all over the country. If you’re in the Metro Manila area, you can visit any of the branches in Makati, Roxas Boulevard, Quezon City, Sta. Cruz, Ermita, and several malls. The branches in Roxas Boulevard and Jupiter Makati are open 24/7.
It’s a serious business to survive for more than 80 years in the food service industry. From the tasty Adobo sandwich sold in Luneta Park, the family managed to expand its business into a famous restaurant chain. The Aristocrat made this happen through their delicious menus that you can taste anytime you want.
One of the best-sellers in their menu is their BBQ Classics. From breakfast to dinner, you always have something to enjoy in The Aristocrat.
Price-wise, their delicious meals are very affordable. You can enjoy their three-piece chicken barbecue for roughly $4.25. Nowadays, they also offer online deliveries in case you prefer staying in your hotel room.
Price range: Low to mid
2. Gerry’s Grill
For those who are fond of grilled meals, you should head straight to Gerry’s Grill. This is another restaurant chain with branches here and abroad. From its very first outlet in Manila, Gerry’s Grill has boomed into 80+ branches. Aside from the Philippines, this authentic Filipino restaurant now titillates Singapore, U.S., UAE, and Qatar.
Gerry’s Grill pays homage to its Filipino roots through its extensive Filipino menu. It takes pride in its best-seller kare-kare and its signature barbecue they call ‘G-Cue’. For those looking for something familiar, this restaurant is a good option.
Whether you’re craving for some grilled pork, beef, chicken, and more, Gerry’s Grill is the best stop-over during your trip. They also have in-house alcoholic beverages like margaritas, zombie pitchers, Long Island, and more.
In Metro Manila alone, Gerry’s Grill has about 35 branches scattered all over key cities and malls. From Luzon to Mindanao, Gerry’s Grill has a strong presence.
Like most restaurants, Gerry’s Grill offers online deliveries for those who don’t want to get out of their rooms. You can also avail of their food packages if you’re holding a gathering or party.
Price range: Low to mid
3. Barrio Fiesta
Barrio Fiesta is probably one of the pioneers when it comes to authentic Filipino restaurants. They started as a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Malabon during the 1950s. Currently, Barrio Fiesta has passed on to multiple generations of the family. It now has over 50 branches in the Philippines and abroad.
One of the most popular products of Barrio Fiesta is their bagoong (shrimp paste). Even before they established their restaurant chain, their bagoong has taking rounds in the city and nearby provinces. Their first restaurant opened in Caloocan and has since multiplied to dozens of branches. It was in 1992 when the family opened their first international branch in Milpitas, California.
Barrio Fiesta serves authentic Filipino food, including their best-selling kare-kare. They also serve house specialties like garlic chicken, Bulalo steak, chicken lechon, seafood, and more.
If you’re looking for casual dining for a low price, Barrio Fiesta is a great choice. In the Metro Manila area, they have branches in major malls like S.M.S.M. City North EDSA, S.M.S.M. Megamall, and Ali Mall. They also have branches at Makati Avenue, Malate, U.N.U.N. Avenue, Greenhills, South Triangle, etc.
Barrio Fiesta is also a kid-friendly restaurant in case you’re traveling with your family.
Price range: Low to mid
4. Cabalen
If you’re looking for a buffet restaurant where you can satisfy all your Filipino food cravings, Cabalen is the place to be. Cabalen started in the province of Pampanga, which is dubbed as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. The word ‘Cabalen’ is a Kapampangan word that means ‘mate’ or ‘fellowman’.
The rise of Cabalen as a unique eat-all-you-can buffet is rooted in its menu. They elevate the concept of buffet restaurants through its own commissary and warehouse that process their dishes’ ingredients.
Currently, Cabalen has about 70 outlets all over the Philippines, as well as a break-through branch in San Bruno, California. Before, Cabalen used to be a cook-to-order service in the province. In just a short period, the first Cabalen restaurant was opened in West Avenue, Quezon City, back in 1986.
In fact, Cabalen also owns restaurant chains like Concept Mangan, Cerversaria, EatsPinoy, and more.
You must try their specialties during your visit, including kare-kare, calderetang baka (beef), dinuguan, beef mechado, and pork sisig. If you want something exotic, you should try the ginataang kuhol (snail cooked with coconut milk). If you want, you can avail of their delivery service around Metro Manila.
Price range: Low to mid
5. Binalot
Like Barrio Fiesta and Cabalen, Binalot offers authentic Filipino food. The name ‘Binalot’ actually means ‘wrapped’. It’s a homage to the classic Filipino tradition of wrapping food from fiestas using banana leaves. The restaurant adopted this concept and groomed it to suit the mainstream food industry.
Binalot started in 1996 with the aim to break the monotony of western fast-food chains in the country. The conception of Binalot also marked the rebirth of Filipino classics like adobo, sisig, longganisa, and more in the market.
From its small stall in Shaw, Binalot now has 37 stores offering 12 Filipino cuisines. They also offer low-budget meals to cater to low-income customers as well as students.
To make their service sustainable, Binalot has a Seed to Plate program where they plant and harvest their own banana leaves.
Currently, Binalot has branches all over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, except Mindanao. They also recently opened a branch in Little Manila in Dubai.
As for the menu, Binalot is all about authentic Pinoy flavors. They offer pancit (noodle dish), longganisa, sisig, grilled pork, fiesta adobo, and more. You can order them in solo servings or bilao (woven basket).
Price range: Low to mid
6. Bacolod Chicken Inasal
Bacolod Chicken Inasal hails from none other than the province of Bacolod. Inasal is a cooking process where the meat is marinated in a special mixture then chargrilled for a smoky flavor. Bacolod Chicken Inasal captured the taste buds of Filipinos with its signature roasted chicken and other Filipino favorites.
From their humble start back in 1993, Bacolod Chicken Inasal have conquered the Luzon market with multiple branches.
Some of its best-sellers are Visayan dishes like Chorizo de Cebu, Laswa ni Lola, Pancit Molo, La Paz Batchoy, and more. If you want something more familiar, you should try their signature Chicken Inasal where you can choose the cut that you prefer. They also have sizzling meals served on hot plates.
Currently, Bacolod Chicken Inasal has 20 branches in Metro Manila and the entirety of Luzon. You can visit their stores in Makati City, Greenhills Shopping Center, Glorietta 2, and more.
Aside from their solo meals, Bacolod Chicken Inasal also offers function packages and party packs. You can also avail of their Grill Station for on-the-spot grilled chicken preparation in a kiosk. This is perfect for parties and gatherings.
Price range: Low to mid
7. Café Ysabel
Café Ysabel is a beloved restaurant that bid farewell in 2017 after 36 years in the industry. Its closure was dubbed as ‘an end of an era’ by many food experts and its patrons. But about a year after its closure, the famed café announced that it would reopen. From its rustic location in Guevarra Street, San Juan, it was reopened in a new spot in Greenhills.
Café Ysabel is loved by many for good reasons. For one, they were housed in a 1930 Spanish-Filipino that gives a historic and rustic vibe. But if there’s one thing that makes them memorable, it would be their mouth-watering strawberry shortcake. Other best-sellers include their Truffle Pizza, Sopa Ysabel, Prawns Thermidor, and more.
It’s an excellent gastro destination in the city, plus it offers familiar flavors for Western tourists. You can also try their in-house buffets and personalized menu.
If you want to dine in a quiet and relaxing place, Café Ysabel will not disappoint. This is a good option if you’re not into a lot of Filipino food.
Although Café Ysabel changed its home, it still bears the same sumptuous flavors that have been passed on to generations of the family who owns it. The place is also laidback, which is perfect if you want some quiet time.
Price range: Mid
8. The Singing Cook & Waitress
Filipinos always come up with unique marketing techniques for their businesses. Proof to this is the Singing Cook & Waitress. In this restaurant, you’ll be treated not just to delicious food; but also to a musical number. This restaurant features an actual singing crew that serves and cooks meals.
The restaurant takes pride in traditional Filipino music and culture. If you want an authentic Filipino experience, this is the place to be. There would be singers who will serenade you while you enjoy a hearty meal.
This is a bustling and energetic place where you will surely have fun. Everyone has a smile on their faces, and you’ll get to watch free performances of Filipino folk dances. Even their security guard sings!
While you fill your eyes with the additional happy treat, you can also taste some Filipino classics. You can try their lumpiang shanghai (spring rolls), calamares, baked tahong (mussels), Pinoy ensalada, and more irresistible offers. Their menu is a gastronomical adventure with a foreign touch. They have teppanyaki, too, if you some Japanese flavors.
The main branch of Singing Cook & Waitress is located in Ongpauco Building along Roxas Boulevard. They also have branches in Laguna and Tarlac.
Overall, this restaurant is so good they received the 2017 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence. When you dine here, there will never be a boring moment. It’s a great way to end a tiring day.
Price range: Mid
Conclusion
These famous restaurants in the Philippines are just some of the dining wonders you need to see in the country. Their menu is the reflection of the country’s rich culture and hospitality. Above all, Filipino restaurants embody Filipino generosity and the endless passion for filling hungry stomachs.
What do you think of these restaurants? Which do you plan to visit soon? Let us know below!
