Very enjoyable meal, friendly & helpful staff.Awesome food, fab staff, fab wine! Lovely food, my…read morecongratulations to the Chef and the rest of the staff! ambiance was so good.. i really love it food is 1000/10 service is 100/10 ambiance 1000/10

This place is way overpriced and on top of that they have bizarre extra fees too…read more Drinks and food are just ok. Views are nice: basically a rooftop city skyline. But for the high price, the quality, quantity and services are seriously lacking. They also have strange extra-charges. For example if you ask the left-over food boxed they will charge you a substantial fee for that! We had never seen or heard of such policy anywhere else and they don't inform you of such bizarre fee in advance either! The humidity and pollution don't help this place either. Will not go back and don't recommend it.

Cafe Ilang-Ilang truly one of the best international buffets in the Philippines along with Sofitel…read moreHotel before they closed down the Spiral Buffet. Excellent customer service along with international meals offered and plenty of food options at Cafe Ilang Ilang. By far this is one of our favorite hotel buffets in the Philippines. The International buffet has everything from traditional classic Filipino food items to Mediterranean, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mexican and American cuisine. There are so many food items and some of the food items they serve are not served at other eateries and restaurants as they are only exclusive here at Cafe Ilang Ilang. We look forward to our next visit and dining here at Cafe Ilang Ilang will family and friends. We will recommend Cafe Ilang Ilang to all our friends and family that frequent Philippines as we know they will absolutely like it here.

Was offered free buffets for 3 of the 4 people staying in the room. One person is a bit expensive…read morebut was definitely worth it if you have it for free. The service was nice and quick both when at the table and going through the buffet lines. There is a lot of tables so it can be a little loud and I'd recommend getting there early as it does fill up. The food itself was pretty tasty! If you're from abroad, it's a nice introduction to a lot of Filipino food while also providing comfort food for other cultures. Would recommend getting authentic Filipino cuisine elsewhere but still a nice option

We visited this place so my American friend can experience good Filipino food. I'm so happy that…read morethis place were able to provide that for a reasonable price. I'm also happy with the quality of service that they give to me and my foreign friend. I ask them if they can charge my phone and they were able to do that for me. Maybe just a minor improvements with the service but overall it's good, and also the food is Instagram worthy, I'm glad that they put an effort when it comes to presentation. The place is not connected to the hotel so you cannot charge it to your room. From what I can see from the place they don't specialize on online orders and delivery so keep it in mind. They are renting a space in the Ocean Park so their schedule and everything else is based on the agreement with the Park. The things I wish they have. - They don't have their own WiFi but there is a public WiFi that you can use. So you can still take pictures of the food for Instagram. - They don't have Brown Rice or Multi-Grain rice so for the health conscious individuals just keep that in mind.

I'm pretty sure I've been to a few Gerry's Grill branches around the metro and this one was quite…read moredifferent. For me, it's the grand view of Manila Bay that made this restaurant stood out the most. But the food took a very long time to prepare as what I can recall, nothing really special about it. Slightly Recommended; 5.5/10

We came for a late lunch, and left feeling satisfied. Like others have said, the seating is outside…read moreon the pier, which can be a little warm later in the day. Our ice melted quickly in our drinks. All in all, the portions are decent. Our part of two did leave with some left overs. Highlights: The Adobong Kangkong was cut into manageable pieces and was mixed into a delicious sauce. Lowlights: The pancit canton was made with ramen noodles. It was good, but it couldn't really be called pancit canton with the wrong noodles. Mixed bag: The Caldereta was sweet which my husband loved and I didn't, and our halo halo didn't have enough ice in them, even though they were tasty. I'm giving it a four nonetheless because I enjoyed the little Sheldon like seabird that kept us company. He wouldn't allow anyone on his log, chasing away a rude sparrow that dared to try to sit there. Plus, the food was good, even if some of the ingredients were incorrect.

The sweet and sour lapu-lapu was overly sweet and lacked balance in flavor. The halo-halo was also…read morenot that good and did not meet expectations. Overall, the food felt overpriced for the quality served. The service was poor and very slow, which made the dining experience disappointing. Although the restaurant is located in the middle of the beach, the ambiance was still not that enjoyable or relaxing. Overall, the place seems overpriced mainly because of the location rather than the quality of the food and service.

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

Part if the H2O hotel on 2nd floor…read more Dinner and sitting outside on the water watching cruise ships sail in is where it's at. Comfy chairs, lounge pillows and bad pina colada. Food at dinner is good though a bit light for what you pay for. There was only like 4 chicken pieces in my chicken adobo. And they have a tasteless egg on top. Whole squid was tender and juicy. Avoid this place for breakfast as the omelette had whole chunked cheese, cold and flavorless. Pork Adobe was like eating hard cow hide. Ambiance outside: 4 stars Breakfast food: 2 stars Dinner food: 3 stars Value: 3 stars

This is an odd place to me. It looks as if it's one HUGE food court at one glance, but I looked at…read morethe menu and it turns out it's just one place altogether. If anything I ordered here was extraordinary, it would be the iced tea. I just can't forget the reaction of my sister to the face I made after just one sip. She laughed so hard the entire lunch we've spent in Makan! Okay, let me describe to you their perfect iced tea. It's not instant for sure. I can taste the lovely bitterness of the tea leaves this was extracted from. It almost tasted like a real fresh, literal tea with ice. Even the slight flavor of lemon sweetened by honey was oh-so delicious. It was the most perfect Iced tea I ever had in the Philippines! Oh, they also have an awesome Bagoong Rice. And pad thai that has sorta "kunat" nuts. But mostly, you can come here for the iced tea. It's just perfect.

Since I could remember, THE Aristocrat RESTAURANT has been a regular go-to eatery for my family…read moreduring most if not all visits to Manila, Philippines. Needless to say, during my November, 2024 vacation, I had to stop by here for a snack or meal which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, the 13th. Established in 1936, The Aristocrat is one of the oldest restaurants in Manila and historic landmark recognised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines with a marker at this original location on Roxas Boulevard, recognizing its contribution to Philippine culinary history. An iconic spot famed for its homestyle Filipino delights like Lumpiang Shangahi (₱415), Crispy Pata (₱975), and Halo-halo (Blanco ₱160, Regular ₱180, and Specia l₱220), the long-loved brand has won the hearts of Filipinos across the country and is still a favourite up to this day. Situated in the vibrant Malate district, conveniently on Roxas Boulevard, the venue offers diners a picturesque view of Manila Bay, which adds to its charm. The place also has ample parking in the private lot and the interior design is clean and well-maintained. With the onsite bakeshop and store, bright lighting, and 24-hour service, The Aristocrat captures diner vibes while welcoming guests to a warm family-style setting with tables grouped together. Showcasing the best of Filipino culinary culture, the extensive menu at Aristocrat boasts bold, lively flavours served in satisfying portions. Signature dishes include the celebrated Chicken BBQ & Java Rice combination, widely considered "the best chicken barbecue in town," and the iconic Aristocrat Adobo Flying Saucer (₱190), a toasted, circular bread pocket filled with savoury chicken adobo. Each dish is thoughtfully presented and every bite serves as a rich celebration of Filipino cuisine. Below are some of what we ordered at my most recent visit: Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (₱175) - This was Uncle Bolo's order. He enjoyed the shredded ubod (heart of palm) sautéed with pork and shrimp, perfectly wrapped and generously poured with the savoury-sweet and thick peanut sauce topped with ground peanuts and fresh garlic. Crab & Corn Soup (₱98) - The thick, creamy broth filled with sweet corn kernels and shredded delicate crab meat was enjoyed for its warm, savoury flavor, mirroring traditional Filipino-Chinese comfort food. Fried Lumpiang Ubod (₱188) - I'm not a fan of lumpiang ubod, but those who ate this starter enjoyed the crispy texture of the eggroll, especially paired with the spiced vinegar. Gulaman at Sago (₱98) - The Filipino sweet, thirst-quenching iced beverage of gelatin cubes with chewy tapioca pearls in a brown sugar syrup was refreshing and beautiful in presentation. Kare Kare (₱925) - Each spoonful of this classic peanut-forward stew of beef and vegetables was full of flavour. Bistek Tagalog (₱450) - This classic, comforting rendition of the Filipino beef steak, featuring thinly sliced lean beef marinated in savoury soy sauce and tangy calamansi juice and topped with caramelized white onions was impressively tasty and tender. Pinakbet na Baboy (₱330) - This dish featuring a medley of vegetables - such as eggplant, green beans, and bittern melon - and pork sautéed in a savoury shrimp paste is one of Mom's favourites. Unfortunately, she wasn't super impressed with Aristocrat's version. Ginataang Laing (₱225) - This Filipino comfort dish of taro leaves and pork bits cooked in coconut milk and topped with shrimp and siling labuya (small, fiery chili pepper cultivar) was richly creamy, slightly spicy and deeply aromatic. 3-PC Chicken Barbecue (₱345) - This is Aristocrat's iconic dish, often cited as the flagship meal of the legendary Manila-based establishment. Their famous Chicken Barbecue is composed of three pieces of chicken (typically drumsticks and/or leg/thigh cuts) that are marinated, skewered, and grilled to a tender, juicy, and smoky finish. Served with Java Rice (a bright yellow-orange-coloured, savoury rice) and homemade Atsara (a Filipino pickled dish made from grated unripe green papaya) both of which bring out the tastiness of the smoky chicken. Pork Barbecue (₱300) - Two sticks of tender, marinated pork skewers grilled to perfection, typically served with Java Rice and Atsara. Dalyn replaced the Java Rice for white rice to complement the sweet, smoky bites of pork. Fresh Green Mango Shake (₱180) - My shake of fresh succulent green mango fruit blended with light syrup and crushed ice was a perfect balance of tangy and sweet - YUM! THE Aristocrat RESTAURANT's warm, polite and attentive service with nostalgic ambiance and delectable, well-presented dishes have made the establishment a beloved spot for both locals and tourists alike, a must-visit for the heart and soul of authentic Filipino fare.

Just got back from a quick weekend in Manila and hit up The Aristocrat for dinner on our last…read morenight--jet lag had us starving at like 11 p.m., and thank God this place never closes. Walked in and it felt like stepping into a living museum of Pinoy comfort food: those old black-and-white photos everywhere, the framed stories about Aling Asiang, the whole spot just humming with locals and travelers alike. We loaded up the table with the classics--boneless chicken barbecue that was smoky-sweet perfection, dripping with that thick peanut sauce, a mountain of java rice to soak it all up, sizzling sisig that popped with every bite, and their halo-halo to finish because why not go full send? Everything tasted like someone's lola spent hours perfecting it: bold flavors, generous portions, nothing skimpy. The staff hustled hard even with the late crowd, refilling calamansi juice without us asking and keeping things warm and welcoming. It's not flashy or Instagram-fancy, but that's exactly why it's so good--it's real, hearty Filipino home cooking done right in a place that's been doing it forever. Left full, happy, and already missing it. Easily the best meal of the trip. Five stars all the way.

Massive quantities at a reasonable price. You look at the menu and the prices seem high until you…read moreget the food and realize a small is enough for two. I can't image what a large feeds.

Food are all good and delicious. I will not recommend the cold cuts not worth it in a Chinese…read morerestaurant. Service is great. Ambiance is much better than typical other Chinese restaurant. Overall I enjoyed the food and since the restaurant has been there forever they maintain the quality and taste they are famous for.

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 .

Staying at the Hotel H20, we were given a voucher for the bar which seemed like a nice welcome…read more However, the service at the bar was horrible. First, we called from the hotel room if it was ok to make a reservation. We made one for 8pm. We asked if it was ok to sit in the cabana. The answer was yes but.. he failed to inform us that it would be an additional $45 dollars. Why wouldn't that detail be mentioned on the phone? I mean, I can afford $45 that wasn't the point but don't you think because it was an additional cost it's just something that should be mentioned? Because what if the person couldn't afford the $45?? He got the name for the reservation. Upon arrival, the man behind the bar kept saying "Table 11" to the person seating us . He didn't even ask our name. I asked about the cabana because that's what we said on the phone, but he kept saying "Table 11" because it was $45. Uhh ok well I can afford it but now we don't want to sit in the cabana. The waitress handed us the menus and left us for 10 minutes. The problem I have is that upon handing me the menus, we should've been told what was NOT available from the menu that night. Because what happened was......we decide on what we want and when she takes our order , we're told it's not available. We say something else and it's still unavailable. It was a complete waste of time . By that time we just chose whatever and was ready to get out of the place . Not once were we even checked on during our meal. There was a total of 4 occupied tables that night and they still couldn't manage to get the correct dishes to the correct tables. The fries come with a cheese sauce per the menu and it didn't come with it. After pointing it out, it took them 10 minutes to get me the cheese which by then the fries were cold! I asked 2 times for the food to be packed up for take out and it wasn't done. I finally got up and asked the man wearing the suit to package my food. I wouldn't recommend this bar to anyone in the area. Even if the P1400 was free I didn't think it was worth it.

It was Valentines Day 2015, and we were at the Manila Ocean Park. I am, on principle, against the…read moreexploitation of animals, but my lobster wanted to take me to Yexel's Toy Museum inside the Park (and I am a huge geek at heart) so we ended up buying tickets to the Park itself. After exhausting all of the activities (and getting ourselves exhausted and hungry in the process), we needed a place to sit down. We found White Moon Bar quite by accident - there were no signs, and we had no idea it was there. We just found a couple of tables in an open area facing the sea and we sat down - it was only after we were approached by a waiter when we realized that it was an al fresco restaurant. The food was decent, albeit on the pricey side. The kicker though was the view. Like I said, it looked out to the sea and we were here in the late afternoon. The famous Manila Bay sunset was in full swing, and we had the best seats in the house.