Went to Wai Ying in Binondo last weekend with my family and it was exactly what we needed after a…read morelong day exploring. The dim sum cart came around quick, and we loaded up on hakaw, siu mai, char siu bao, and those amazing crispy taro puffs--everything was hot, fresh, and tasted just like the old-school spots back home. The spare ribs were tender and saucy, not overly sweet, and the yang chow fried rice had that perfect wok hei. Service was friendly even though it was packed; our server made sure we had hot tea refills without us asking. Super affordable too--we fed six of us and still had leftovers for under 2k. Total comfort food win. Definitely heading back next time we're in the area. Five stars all the way!

What's the big draw? Long queue for late lunch on a week day? I don't get it. We ordered HK style…read morefried noodles, spare ribs, siomai, roasted duck congee, roasted duck and asado rice. I can summarily declare that all the items we ordered were below our culinary standards in the following order from worst to not so bad. HK style fried noodles, the sauce was peanuty tasting poured over noodles. Horrible looking. The congee is not very appealing to the eyes and the palate. The duck was bony. The congee itself was barely hot. Siomai was no good either. The roasted duck with rice again lacking presentation appeal. The tofu skin roll is ok thus the 2 star. The waiter was very green. Served our sodas without glasses. Avoid and don't believe the hype.

I have always been a fan of any place that offers food with an amazing value. The food court at…read moreRobinson's has this place called Handaan which delivers just that. I like their combo meals because it strongly reminds me of some of the meals I sued to have as a student. Instead of having one dish, you get a combination of several dishes in small portions. This way you get to try out all these different flavors at no extra cost. It's kind of hard to find those sort of places nowadays especially at a food court. Handaan mainly sells Filipino cuisine. The price is just right and I've seen the servings and had a taste of their grub and I have to give it a thumbs up. To give it anything less than that would be a great injustice. Sincerely though, if you're loooking for a decent place to eat while spending a small amount of money at a food court, you'd probably be safe going for this one.

Ask any Binondo guy or girl and they would probably know about Ang Tunay Beef House. This place is…read morean institution, a best-kept secret of the locals. It's a place to get really good Chinese food that you can't get anywhere else. It's Chinese food that you know is Chinese but not quite the same as your typical fast food joint. Here, they don't have Yang Chow Fried Rice or Sweet and Sour Pork. Instead, they serve Steamed Lapu-Lapu, Fried Frog Legs, Pork Intestine, Duck Soup and Kiampong. See what I mean? Its kind of exotic but not quite. It's kind of Chinese, but not exactly. One this is for sure, Ang Tunay Beef House is amazing! Though I'm sure that not a lot of people would appreciate this type of cooking, Ang Tunay Beef House uses some of the most aromatic herbs and spices that I never really used by the more typical Chinese restaurants. Perhaps authentic? Not quite, But more of a different type of Chinese cuisine that uses fresh ingredients, herbs and spices to bring out the best flavors in every dish.

This is my first time to try and I was not dissappointed! Elated to have tasted the clear soup…read morestock without the grime and you could ask for extra serving without the charge. Munched through pure beefy goodness without ever thinking that you're muching on bubble gum. The discomfort left my futile body upon consumption, a comfort food that you'd definitely go back to over and over again.

I popped into Ilustrado during a sunny afternoon stroll through Intramuros and it felt like…read morestepping into a beautiful old Manila postcard. The place is tucked away in this charming historic building with high ceilings, antique touches everywhere, and that perfect mix of Spanish elegance and warm Filipino vibes. We started with the classic adobo and some crispy pata that was perfectly crunchy outside and tender inside--seriously flavorful without being greasy. Then the highlight was the stuffed chicken relleno; juicy, packed with chorizo goodness, and that gravy just tied it all together. Ended with the famous sampaguita ice cream--never had anything like it, floral and refreshing in the best way, like eating flowers but in dessert form. Service was attentive and friendly, they even remembered our drinks without us asking twice. Parking was easy in their private lot too. Such a lovely, relaxed meal in the middle of the city--definitely one of my favorite spots now. Five stars all the way!

This is an old-world Spanish and Filipino fusion restaurant in historic Intramuros. I found the…read morefood was good, but I got my appetizer after my main. I recommend Adobo Bagnet, and Lengua con Setas. Unique Desserts: Known for its unique Sampaguita Ice Cream The decor was a little worn out, but I noticed that the more stylish, formal main function hall was reserved for special events. I guess this area was where the romantic reviews I read came from

This place is awesome - pay for the cultural show its buffet, it's worth it!…read more It's located near Intramuros tourist areas and the ambiance is so pretty! Many tables of tour groups but the service is excellent and I absolutely loved the cultural show taking you through Philippine history. Very well executed!! The buffet is quite diverse and a great way to try Philippine cuisine en masse. Highly recommend!

Barbara's is a solid choice for lunch if you are visiting Manila in the Philippines. We had a…read moreblast! What stood out about this restaurant was the exceptional customer service and the cultural dancing while you eat delicious traditional Filipino food buffet style. I don't know if it's because they cater to tourist that makes this place so special but I left here feeling very full and very happy from the cultural performances. What was also fun was after the performances they invite the visitors from different regions of the world up to the stage and taking a picture with the dance performers. It provided a great keepsake to take back home. They also perform different songs from around the Philippines and the different dialects they speak and where they are from providing an educational opportunity. One of the songs was from the region, where my mother's father is from which is why I took a trip to the Philippines to learn more about my grandfather's culture and homeland. This touched my soul deeply and will never forget my time at Barbara's. The food was outstanding and very tourist friendly. I went up two times to partake in the delicious offerings from the buffet. I think the best thing about this place too is to have experienced all of this in an air-conditioned building. It was a nice reprieve from the 90+ degrees Fahrenheit with humidity weather that I endured in Manila. I also attended another restaurant with the cultural performance, and it was outside, and the experience was not as special due to the weather. So that's why I can't say enough good things about how I was treated and the yummy food that I ate and the beautiful cultural performances I admired at Barbara's. Highly recommend Barbara's while visiting the Philippines .

One of the best casual meals I've had in Manila. Chicken katsu was crispy, Korean style pork was…read morevery delicious and the Banana Rhuma sweet lumpia was incredible. I couldn't remember what it was called, so I looked it up just now and learned that this place is the birthplace of the recipe! Wow! Totally recommend.

Mang Tootz is a large carinderia just beside UST. It is also absolutely the best carinderia in the…read morewhole wide world. While other carinderias settle themselves with the usual fare, Mang Tootz serves dishes nobody would even dream of sticking in a virtual hole-in-the-wall. The place is absolutely brilliant. The joint first became famous because of their Chicken Tenders, and after having them for myself, it's not hard to see why. Tender, juicy, delicious, with just the right amount of breading, these tenders wouldn't be out of place in a more upscale restaurant. In fact, we should ask these upscale restaurants to check out the tenders for themselves to see how it's done. You have a selection of sauces to choose from, including tartar sauce and teriyaki, so you can really enjoy these tenders the way you want to. Mang Tootz is now famous for their most excellent turon, which they call "Banana-rum-a" (I hope that's how it's spelled). Small, finger-sized turon, deep-fried with an infusion of rum and a dusting of cinnamon powder, the brilliantly crispy candied outer shell covers a banana core that is, to borrow from Masterchef Australia, "Barstin' wid flavah!". And if these two dishes aren't enough, they have a whole selection of food to choose from, from the expected but brilliantly done (Liempo and Sisig, my goodness that sisig), to the unexpected (Korean Beef Ribs, Kebabs, etc).

The experience was surprisingly nice and very enjoyable. It was like having a meal at your…read moregrandparent's house. The dishes were well-made, comfort food. Nothing earth shaking in terms of flavors, but everything tasted familiar - the way it should. I love this place for that. I'm not a big fan of fusion and deconstructed food dishes. We specifically loved their gambas, kare-kare, roast pork, leche flan. Apart from the good comfort food, what will make me return again and again to this place are the staff and the ambiance. - the staff - some of them have been with the Legarda family since tita Moning was alive. There was even a brochure write-up introducing all the staff to the guests. I love how the owner is goving much credit and appreciation to the staff. As a result, the staff were really very warm towards the guests. It wasn't just professional courtesy. I could feel that their service came from the heart (especially Tining). - the ambiance - too often, old ancestral houses converted to restaurants end up just being a shell structure of the house with a restaurant inside. This isn't so for La Cocina. One could still feel the heart and soul of the home as it once housed the Legarda family. It wasn't a restaurant in a shell structure of an old house. It was a restaurant in a home. At the end of the meal, it felt like we had eaten at our lola's house not in just any other restaurant.

Time travel and food is not a common combination to have, but stepping inside La Cocina De Tita…read moreMoning is to be transported back to Manila's opulent past. The restaurant-cum-ancestral house offers patrons a dining experience like no other. To start things off, you are given a tour of the mansion and told tidbits and stories pertaining to the Legarda family. The tour starts in the first floor and you gradually make your way up where you'll eventually be led to the dining area. Describing it as extravagant and exquisite is putting it mildly. There are rose petals strewn about the length of your table. There are literal bells you can pick up and ring to get the attention of the help. The whole experience is surreal. The food itself isn't bad. It's obviously inclined towards Spanish fare given the Legarda family's heritage. It's not the best though. Paying a visit to La Cocina De Tita Moning is something I'd recommend. Not for the food, but for the whole experience involved as a whole.

Food was really good. Service is a little bit slow but servers were courteous. Will definitely…read morecome back on my next visit.

One of the best restaurant I visited in the Philippines,a catholic themed establishment that serves…read moreItalian,Spanish and Filipino cuisine,historical place , I believed run by priests and nuns. Considered as mini museum for its interiors showcasing historical photos and artifacts. Upon entering ...its like you just step back in time,from decors and furnitures its really a feel of the past... somewhat eirie to me. Theres so much good foods from the menu,they actually have silvanas for the dessert. Silvanas(Sylvanas) cookie version of sansrival,a frozen cookie consisting of layer of buttercream sandwiched by two cashew- mirengue wafers and coated with cookie crumps. Appez: We ordered Ukoy or squash fritters dipping sauce is vinigar with crushed garlic and red chilli,for me this one is just ordinary maybe because I usually cook this at home and mine is an all out ukoy really yummy though. Main entree; We got crispy pata deep fried pork leg this one was so good the skin very crispy while the meat is very tender and flavorfull,I tried the fried tawilis a local sardines endemic to the Philippines,we ordered kare-kare a beef stewed in special sauce with peanut butter and mixed asian veggies,very very good its side is sauteed shrimp paste. We actually ordered a lot so I can try most of the dishes but the one that really a bomb was the Paella Negra or also known as the arroz negra,its a dish originated from Valencia Spain main ingredient is the squid and its ink,it also has clams,shrimp and some other seafood.::mixed with cooked rice and baked, the final product is black in color when served. I was blown away by this one so much flavor into it,so much meat from the sea,the color is kinda scary but when you taste it olala the best. Huge serving in here. We got fresh buko juice and other freshly squeezed fruit juices. For our dessert Halo-halo or ice catchang and we tried their silvanas both were so delish that you wish to eat more in every bite. A different place to dine in,pateo seating is also available,take out as well,busy busy place because its located just opposite of a morethan century old catholic church named San Agustine. Good for group and kids friendly,wash room is not the cleanest place on earth but not dirty though. Excellent service well somewhat slow because it was a busy dinner time when we came by. I would like to revisit this place when i will be back to the Philippines. I also recommend this place specially for foreigners who love to try the kind of cuisine they serve and to feel the ambiance of an old restaurant that still operational. I cant review the pricing of foods in here because my brother paid for everything and I havent seen the bill... 5 star rating based in interior designs and quality of foods,by the way its not easy to find a parking paid or free... busy all the time and its location is in the heart of intramuros Manila. Kudos!! Mabuhay! Another pride of the Filipinos.. so proud of this place... im lovin' it...

Mendiola is littered with a lot of mini canteens, but only a handful are ever worth a visit since…read moreit means spending time and money. I've graced Gracia's Mini Canteen more times that I can count. It's one of the best places for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In fact, it's my go to place when I find myself to burned out to think about where to eat since it's the choice that I can't go wrong. Most of their orders are served on these small round sizzling platers so every meal is as fresh as it can get. Most of their menu is Filipino, but their chicken, pork and beef are served in different flavors. They come in honey, sweet and sour, sweet and spicy, creamy mushroom, buttered, or cheese. It's small time and around the corner canteen looks betray the quality of its food and service. Their lemon sauce is made with real lemon. Their honey is from a local source and not one of those off the shelf brands you'll find in a grocery. Their mushroom sauce is made with Campbell's soup. I mean, need I go on? They also have something different on their menu each day. This makes their menu refreshing with each 24 hours that pass. Their canteen is also a mini grocery selling toiletries, pens, and other essentials that students might need.

Are you looking a different food fast chain? Well, this will surprise you. This Filipino restaurant…read morecombines from American food to Italian food: hamburgers and fried chicken with sphagetti with tomate sauce or mash potato. But Looking for quality? Here you will not find. The food is of poor quality and the amount is not excessive. But it's cheap food, so for a time of hunger, it can serve. The place seemed loud but if that pretty clean.

This brand was slightly less clean. I've been to other branches that were bustling with more people…read moreand still maintained cleanliness.