Filipinos love to eat and to cook. That’s why there are several ways to cook adobo or several types of sinigang. And this is also the not-so-obvious reasons why you’ll find several Filipino restaurants in the country.
If you love food rich in sauce, soy sauce, or vinegar, and if you want them garlic-y too like the typical Pinoys, then here’s a list of the must-eat Filipino restaurants around the Philippines you should check out:
Metro Manila
1. Mama Rosa (Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig) Mama Rosa Restaurant is perfect for those looking for Filipino home-cooked comfort food at affordable prices without letting the quality suffer. Mama Rosa promises to reinvent the taste of Filipino food to suit the changing needs of the Filipino people. Don’t forget to try their Kilawin, SinaingnaTulingan, and Halaan!
2. Ilustrado Restaurant (Intramuros, Manila) Located inside Intramuros, Ilustrado is where the old and the new meet. It’s the perfect mix for Filipino and Spanish from the looks of the place to the food. Cap off your tour of the past with this restaurant. Best to try their Paella and their Sampaguita ice cream.
3. Toyo Eatery (Makati City) Creative is the best word to describe everything in this restaurant — from the name of the restaurant itself to the food they serve. Don’t be fooled by its name because the Filipino food with twists offered in this fine dining restaurant always come with explosive flavors.
Luzon
4. Baracuda Bar and Restaurant (Donsol, Sorsogon) You’d get the freshest seafood (and biggest prawns) you get to personally choose in this restaurant by the beach. They say it’s best to visit this restaurant at dinner time because it has the most amazing sunset view in Bicol.
5. The SOUQ Pampanga (San Fernando, Pampanga) If you’re in the North, this is a must-visit. They offer great quality Filipino food and the place has that homey good ambiance. Some crowd favorites include ginataangkalabasa, kare-kare, and the famous palitaw. And of course, who would go to Pampanga without tasting their sisig?
6. Antonio’s (Tagaytay City, Cavite) Antonio’s is one of the frequently mentioned restaurants in top food listicles ever made. It is known for its freshest salad and its unique and well-curated menu. The restaurant gives off that romantic and classic feel. It’s a high-end type of restaurant perfect for any special celebration.
Visayas
7. Casa Amihan (Anda, Bohol) Casa Amihan has been a crowd favorite. It offers Filipino and Asian food with fresh seafood as their specialty. What makes the experience interesting is the beautiful and calm sea view you see while you eat.
Casa Amihan is a resort but guests are very much welcome to their restaurant. It’s a bit pricey compared to other restaurants around the area but you’ll get the food and service you deserved.
8. Negros Museum Cafe (Bacolod, Negros Occidental) This award-winning restaurant in Bacolod is a must-try! They create their food, such as ham, bacon, and cheese from scratch. They offer food based on the classic international kitchen but made sure everything is out of local products and ingredients, is organic, and has a Pinoy twist.
9. Rico’s Lechon Restaurant (Lapu-LapuCIty, Cebu) Your trip to Cebu wouldn’t be complete if you won’t try the famous Rico’s lechon. Although Cebu has several great lechon restaurants, Rico’s is known for the traditional, very tasty, tender, and moist. They now also added spicy lechon to their menu.
Mindanao
10. Karagatan Restaurant (General Luna, Siargao) There are many fusion restaurants in Siargao, but Karagatan was one of the best-rated restos in the area. You’ll find it inside Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa. Their focus is serving guests their Modern Asian Seafood. Some of the must-tries are their SiargaoMud Carbs, Garlic Pepper Prawns, and Butter Scallops.
11. Rekado Davao (Davao City, Davao del Sur) Rekado Davao is known for its take on the Filipino cuisine. This restaurant takes pride in signature dishes including Kalderobo (where Kaldereta meets Adobo) and fresh lumpia.
Their food serving is good for 3-4 people and their two-storey restaurant can accommodate up to 200 diners.
Filipinos love to stick to the familiar yet at the same time, love to explore and give traditional recipes some twists and upgrades. That’s why these featured Filipino restos try to preserve or reinvent the Filipino food since then. Why not give these restaurants a try and tell us what you think!
Do you have other must-try Filipino restaurants in mind? Share them with us and help us improve this list!
Sources:
https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/
