Don't let the exterior environment deter you from coming to this amazing Filipino restaurant. Once inside you're transported to a place that serves delicious Filipino food. The dishes we ordered were all authentic tasting made with fresh ingredients. The sizzling sisig was prepared just like in the Philippines-grilled pork cartilaginous skin in spices topped with an egg. Portions are huge and bonus points for the live karaoke entertainment. read more

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Came here for the private party on a Sunday. If you want to experience a Filipino party, have a private event here lol. It's a karaoke bar with big screens and loud speakers. The walls absorb the sound and the disco lights are flashing. The main entertainment being the guests themselves with all the signing talent. It was a buffet setup with all the party staples. The food was yummy!! And a good variety of veggies, chicken, beef, pork, seafood. The owners and staff were very friendly and attentive, and everything seemed to flow well. There were about 50 guests and it did feel a bit too crowded and tight. read more

Manila Bistro - private party - yummy! - Beer Bar Near Me - National City, California

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Manila Bistro is the latest Filipino eatery to operate out of this suite in National City. It's part of a long strip mall with plenty of parking spaces. The exterior looked a bit shady in the evening with gates that appeared to be more suited for an establishment other than a restaurant. The inside was set up like a large lounge with karaoke offered nightly(?). Beware because that will make a noisy atmosphere if you visit during such hours like I did recently. A sat at corner table near the bar and service counter in the back of the room. A multi-page menu featured offerings broken down by protein type along with appetizers, noodles, rice, soup, platters, desserts, and drinks. My meal started with an order of the Lumpiang Shanghai from the list of 12 appetizers. Six pieces of fried spring rolls were filled with ground pork, celery, carrots, egg, and spices. They had a good crunch to the exterior. A dip of sweet chili sauce was provided on the side for dipping. For an entree, I selected the Pancit Mix that consisted of thick (Canton) and thin (Bihon) noodles that were stir fried with pork and vegetables. The pork was a mix of lap cheong and pork belly pieces. I think I preferred the thin noodles (rice vermicelli) versus the thick noodles (flour stick). I noticed a few shrimp were also tossed into the dish by the kitchen. The serving size was decent for the $20 price tag. I gave a 3.5 star rating for my dining experience at Manila Bistro based on the ambiance and food quality. read more

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Been going to this place since it was Gapo. Love the karaoke singing! Food was good, but took a long time though. And we're charged for something we ordered but never received. read more

I recently hosted a private event at Manila Bistro for a 55th bday celebration. and the experience was wonderful. The food was excellence and many of our guest shared very positive feedback. Staff were attentive, respectful, and professional making sure everything ran smoothly. I also appreciated the cleanliness of the restaurant, especially the well-maintained restrooms. One small suggestion would be to consider adding another stall for women when hosting larger events to help reduce waiting time. The owner was approachable and easy to work with during the planning process, all of my request were accommodated. I highly recommend Manila Bistro for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Baptism, or any special occasion. Our guest left with great memories. Thank you for making our celebration so memorable! read more

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we came here to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday! the food is delicious and atmosphere is great! it really does feel like a little taste and experience of the philippines. the owner was managing the karaoke and was extremely attentive, kind, encouraging, and supportive. he made our experience amazing! the only negative is that one of the servers was extremely rude and condescending. while she was cleaning the table next to us and we were trying to ask for something, she snapped at us and wanted to finish cleaning first. its not like we wanted her to help us immediately, we just wanted to let her know so she could help us after she's done. i understand shes doing her job, but as a server and filipino myself, i would've at minimum been kind, with a smile. the only time she showed any kindness was when giving us the bill. but when i was going over the receipt she was standing WAY too close to me and swaying back and forth as if i was wasting her time. i felt so rushed and so cornered into tipping because it felt like she was watching what i was writing. despite the experience with this server, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. the good food and welcoming attitude from the owner more than made up for the service. we will definitely be coming back! read more

We got to this place by chance because the other resto serving Pinoy food were all close for the night (8 pm). So glad we got into the place. The food was great so masarap! We ordered sizzling tofu, like sisig and beef karekare. The service was excellent and the vibes , oh my it was fun, most customers seemed to be so talented in singing! We enjoyed ourselves so much. We will drop by again whenever we are in the area read more

I can't say enough good things about this hidden gem of a Filipino restaurant. From the moment you walk in, you feel it--warm, welcoming, and full of life. The space blends traditional touches with a modern, stylish vibe that somehow feels both elevated and totally comfortable at the same time. The food is absolutely incredible. Every dish tastes like it's made with care and authenticity--rich flavors, perfectly seasoned, and clearly rooted in tradition. You can tell these recipes mean something, and it shows in every bite. And then there's the karaoke... easily one of the best parts of the whole experience. Whether you're going all out with friends or just enjoying the energy, it turns a great meal into a full-on night to remember. This place isn't just a restaurant--it's an experience. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and unforgettable fun. Already planning my next visit. read more

It was my first time coming here and all I can say is it was SO MUCH FUN ! The food and service were a 10/10 and I loved seeing my Filipino Tios and Tias sing! Shoutout to Rica's mom and her coworkers for being such great hosts !! p.s. Hit me up for more karaoke shows read more

Manila Bistro - Beer Bar Near Me - National City, California

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Food was good and the ambience is okay but not quite. We were disappointed with the service where the cashier can't split a check properly like unable to void an entry . Asked to split a check and questioned where the drinks be charged??? And it totally changed the experience when the server came back and commented, "next time let us know you got to split the check upon ordering" what a customer service. Might need a little service recovery on that aspect. read more

Love the vibes, love the food Thank you Manila Bistro, such kind staff and owner! Warm service and a very clean place. We had a great night and so much fun! Perfect for any celebration read more

Very very fun place w nice Pinoy food and great video and karaoke system. Jean and staff are very warm and accommodating. This is a little bit of the Philippines here in San Diego. If you need some merienda and a beer and some good company this is the place. Many visiting entertainers are always stopping in. Fun Place!!! read more

Food is delicious Service staff - very friendly and welcoming Entertainment - excellent Over All Impression 5 stars read more

First time eating at Manila Bistro and I will definitely be coming back! Eating here took me back to my childhood when I got to eat Filipino food every day. It was amazing!! The beef bulalo, sizzling sisig, and kare kare are a must have. My family and I also enjoyed singing karaoke and listening to other customers sing karaoke as well! If you're in the area you definitely need to check this place out. If you love Filipino food, you won't be disappointed!! read more

Inconsistent taste of the food. The first time my husband ordered kambing pinapaitan was so savory but Tonight no good. It doesn't look like and taste like kambing!!! read more

Manila Bistro - Kambing pinapaitan daw! - Beer Bar Near Me - National City, California

I love the atmosphere and the vibe that this restaurant creates. Not only is the vibe amazing but the food is amazing too! I had the bulaklak and crispy pata and let me tell you that it reminded me of the good ol days. Service treated me like family. I will 100% come here again whenever I'm in the area. read more

Excellent food and service. It's a very good place to dine and sing and meet people. The manager was amazing thank you for creating a place like this Manang. read more

Nice restaurant and good food! This place has been completely renovated and it looks modern inside. The Kare Kare was excellent and the sizzling seafood was very tasty! read more