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    Manileno

    4.6 (59 reviews)

    Manileno Photos

    Business Info

    MANILENO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Manileno

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    Reviews With Photos

    Halo halo dessert
    Darla E.

    I love everything about this restaurant! The owner is first and foremost so personable and responsive to all your needs from the moment you enter the door. She's truly a gem! I also absolutely love the upstairs dining room. It's modern and yet intimate in the seating arrangement. The space is well managed for groups as well as small parties. The artwork, the 3D printed table numbers, the unique lighting throughout just lends to great conversation and a great atmosphere. On to the food. We tried the 5 piece lumpiana and the pork adobo. We lost our minds over the adobo, I could slurp the gravy if it weren't unladylike! The pork was super tender and the flavors were on point! The portion is quite large so you can easily share it between two people. I wish I had a bigger stomach but I had to save room for dessert. For dessert we got the famous halo halo, which translates as mix mix in English. It's shaved ice and ice cream and coconut jellies and beans and some crunchy stuff and it's got ube and matcha too. It's literally everything and once you mix it all together you just get a little taste of everything in each bite. I thoroughly enjoyed it! You absolutely need to visit!

    Mocha pastry and seasonal latte
    Anna G.

    Always amazing. Super friendly service, answered all of our questions. We got our baked goods and drinks to go today but dining in has always been a treat in the past.

    Leah N.

    Wow this place desserts tend to sold out fast. We came here on a Saturday morning about twenty minutes after this place open and most of the desserts were already gone. When we got here there was already a line. We ended up getting ube ensaymada and blueberry fruit tart along with ice latte with extra ube foam. I like the ube ensaymada. I would definitely recommend to go right before they opened especially on a Saturday to try to get the other popular desserts for the next time tip.

    Outside Front
    Ted Anthony U.

    Overall Rating: 4.33 If you enjoy Jollibee spaghetti, I suggest ordering the Spaghetti and Chicken combo. -------------------------- Tips -------------------------- Parking - Street -------------------------- Breakdown -------------------------- Experience: Togo order Price: **** - The food is delectable, but it's pretty expensive. Food & Drink: **** - Bistek Tagalog - The flavor is average. I would expect Bistek Tagalog to be sour. - Lumpia - Tastes delectable; you won't go wrong because it's loaded with savory meat inside toppings. - Spaghetti and Chicken - Spaghetti - "It tastes delectable, like Jollibee spaghetti." - The balance of cheese and sweetness melts in your mouth. - Chicken - It's very crunchy, but the meat inside tastes bland. Customer Service: ***** Ambiance: N/A Cleanliness: N/A Each category is rated on a 0 to 5-star scale, with a rounded overall rating. -------------------------- Disclaimer -------------------------- Although I may not be a professional critic, my review is based solely on my experience. I assure you that my evaluation is entirely unbiased and not influenced by any form of compensation from the establishment. I aim to provide an honest and accurate assessment to assist those seeking an informed review.

    Menu
    Giang P.

    I absolutely love the addition of Filipino restaurants in the St. Louis area. I was only able to try the cafe portion and not the dining in options. I can't wait to come back and try what they have for dining in. The restaurant is located in the neighborhood right off of South Grand. There are plenty of street parking spots but if you hate parallel parking then it could be an issue. All of the baked items looked soooo good!!!! I wish I could try them all. I ordered the Ube Ensaymada because to be honest it's probably the most eye-catching item. It tasted so yummy. The bread was soft and chewy with rich ube cream that wasn't too sweet. It was the perfect combination with the shredded cheese (I believe) sprinkled on top. There were various drinks to choose from and we went with the Pandan latte. The coffee flavor was strong (in a good way obviously) but it overpowered the Pandan flavor a bit. Overall still a very good drink. The price is a little high for a coffee shop albeit deserving. I will come back for sure to try out the rest of the menu!

    Menu
    Sean M.

    From my vantage point, Tower Grove South has another gem of a restaurant that is on the cusp of filling its tables every weekend and being a runaway success. The venue itself is gorgeous upstairs and downstairs, and the food is consistently delicious--every single item we ordered was outstanding, and the service that EJ provided was equally fantastic. Even the cocktails and the French wine were delicious! We started with two orders of the Lumpiang Gulay ($7.50)--crispy and light vegetarian spring rolls served with a dipping sauce--and the Manileño wings ($15)--a generous portion of perfectly crispy and super flavorful wings served with a homemade ranch-style sauce. For entrees we had the Bistek Tagalog ($28), Palabok (glass noodles, $29), and the table favorite Pork adobo ($26). I personally loved the noodle dish the best, but all three were fabulous. We finished with a strawberry tart and the mango cheesecake, both phenomenal. We had been wanting to try this restaurant for some time now, and we were delighted from start to finish. The decor and service were the icing on the cake--thanks again, EJ! We will definitely return!

    Sara G.

    Finally got to try Manileño, an authentic Filipino restaurant on South Grand! It's such a cute aesthetic, perfect for lunch or dinner date. The aroma of spices hits you as you walk in. The menu features a variety of Filipino dishes, from hearty stews like adobo. They were out of the pescatarian dish I went for so our server hooked me up with a shrimp dish and I don't know what it was called but it had a coconut milk base with veggies and shrimp and it was delicious! Manileño was made possible by the dedication of the Torio family under the cook boss, their matriarch, Josie Seele. Josie always wanted to own a restaurant so here we are. Please stop in and support!

    Sinigang
    Hong L.

    SourSingang soup isn't favorite soup in Saint Louis!! Also the spring rolls are super fresh and flavorful. Definitely be back soon.

    Quyen H.

    We had such an amazing dining experience at Manileno. We were welcomed warmly from the moment we walked through the door.Our server EJ was so sweet and kind. Both of the bakery and dining area are so aesthetic and gorgeous. - Buko pandan latte and Ube latte (9/10): very good with subtle sweetness, but I think the espresso was too strong and overpowered the flavor of Ube/pandan - Ube ensaymada (10/10): soft and cheesy bread filled with Ube halaya. It was served freshly baked so the bread was so fluffy and the warmth brought out the sweetness of the Ube filling. It's such a good pair with the coffee - Lechon kawali and Pork shish Kabobs (10/10) served with 2 lumpia, rice, and pickled on the side. The pork belly was very crispy and crunchy. The pork skewers were very flavorful and tender. Overall, we were satisfied with both the food/drink quality, and service. Definitely recommend and we"ll return.

    Lechon Kawali
    Jeremy C.

    Dropped by and loved the food. Includes a bakery and cafe attached to the main dining area, and lots of good food options. The specials were good and the classics were there. Service was great and very friendly, though the prices were slightly higher than I'd like, but it's a great date spot. Got the lechon kawali and they give you a fork and spoon, but after the first bite I had to use my hands. Would return!!!

    Bistec tagalog
    MaryAnn B.

    Great dining space upstairs. Light cheery and comfortably decorated. Our servers were family members and couldn't have been more friendly, helpful and exuded pride in their restaurant. Wouldn't say not child friendly, but more an adult setting and menu. Most of the dishes ordered by our group were delicious, but all had a slight bit of spicey heat to them. Nice cocktail menu. Prices were a bit high, but portions generous (28.00 for chicken curry I thought was a bit high). All in all a pleasant dining experience.

    Dzuy T.

    Prefacing this review by saying I only tried the bakery. This place is one of my favorite dessert places in STL now! The desserts we tried weren't too sweet, really letting the fruit flavors carry, especially with the raspberry tart. The cheesecake was a little frozen which made it hard to eat so so I would want to try it again another time. The only gripe I have is that the ube latte didn't have a very strong ube flavor but it was really pretty to look at, at least. Although the desserts are more on the expensive side, I would come again to try other things + the staff is super sweet and kind.

    Natalya R.

    Manileno, the newest addition to the Filipino culinary scene in STL, is a unique gem nestled in the heart of the city on South Grand Boulevard, a stone's throw away from Tower Grove Park. I've had the pleasure of experiencing this culinary delight at various times of the day, exploring both their restaurant and coffee shop sides. The restaurant itself is welcoming, and it is a two-story restaurant with a second floor where the main dining area and the bar are, while the first floor has a smaller dining area and a coffee shop. I ordered mojito cocktail drinks and puny*ta, which were delicious. As for food, I ordered lumpiang Shanghai, bistek Tagalog, and palabok as the main entrees. For dessert, my mom and I ordered strawberry crepe cake! The food was so good, tasted authentic, and was close to what I had grown up eating in the Philippines. I highly recommend their bistek Tagalog, one of my favorite Filipino dishes! I highly recommend this restaurant if you are in STL and looking for a Filipino restaurant that tastes authentic.

    Ube Latte and Buko Pandan Latte

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Omg I have found the best place everything they have is top notch tasty and addictive. You won't be disappointed

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    2 years ago

    Second visit here. Amazing service, drinks, desserts! Perfect atmosphere to meet with friends!

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    2 years ago

    Great service & delicious food! Had the ensaymada & ube latte. Both were incredible. Will definitely return when I'm in the area.

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    2 years ago

    Food and service were outstanding! I agree it is a bit pricey bit we absolutely loved everything!!

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    2 years ago

    authentic Filipino dishes! the real deal! try them out!!! staff was so welcoming! will be back for sure!

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Manileno

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    The Fattened Caf.

    The Fattened Caf.

    4.9
    (157 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Good people! Great food! Different but nice vibe and ambience…read more Went with a friend and we were both greeted warmly by all. Questions about the food were answered with a genuine smile. We both ordered the Filipino style chicken BBQ. To me it was somewhat similar to chicken teriyaki but better. I enjoyed everything on the plate. They all paired well together. I found myself eating the cabbage before anything else. I dipped it into the side cup of vinegar type sauce. My friend asked staff what the sauce was for and was told it's to dip the chicken in but he eats it on everything. . I took his advice and dipped my chicken in it and the combination was similar to a sweet and sour chicken. I also poured a little on my rice and that taste was good as well. The inside of the place has a cool relaxing vibe. The only problem I had that I drove past the restaurant twice without noticing it. I have added pictures from across the street hopefully that's helpful to someone else. I will definitely return soon if not this upcoming week for lunch.

    I was in the area and decided to give The Fattened Caf a try, and I'm so glad I did! I got the…read moreFilipino Style Chicken BBQ to-go. Although the wait was quite long (25 minutes), the wait was worth it! The chicken was cooked perfectly (not dry at all) and the sauce seasoned and sweetened (but not too much!) the chicken to perfection! The Java rice was also absolutely heavenly, and the cabbage atchara/seasoned cucumbers added a freshness that accentuated every bite. Service was super friendly, and there was also a cute and homey set up with sofas, fun chairs, and a coffee table (dining tables were further inside of the restaurant). Would be a great spot to spend time/study!

    Photos
    Upstair's Seating
    Upstair's Seating
    Ube banana pudding
    Ube banana pudding
    Menu

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    Menu
    Filipino Bakery Cafe & Market

    Filipino Bakery Cafe & Market

    4.1
    (82 reviews)
    12.6 mi

    I was in town for a volleyball tournament and stopped to pick up a takeout order from a neighboring…read morespot when I stumbled upon this gem. As soon as I walked in, there was a one-man band playing guitar, freshly prepared food by the counter, and shelves filled with bakery items--it had such a welcoming atmosphere. The staff were incredibly friendly. I decided to order some lumpia to go, and while they were preparing it, I took some time to browse the bakery and market section. I ended up grabbing several bag of chips and a slice of cake as well. The lumpia were perfectly crispy with great flavor, and the cake was incredibly moist. Next time I'm back in town, I definitely want to try the ube bread!

    I really wanted to love this place. We recently moved from SoCal, so having Filipino comfort food…read morenearby felt reassuring especially on a night when I didn't feel like cooking. I know it's hard to compare restaurant food to home-cooked meals, and I wasn't expecting to be wowed. "Mid" would've been fine, but unfortunately, this fell below that for us. We ordered the menudo, chicken adobo, bangus, and lechon. Both the menudo and chicken adobo were noticeably sweet and not in a subtle way. The bangus only came as half with the combo (I'm not sure if that's standard), which was a bit disappointing since I'm used to getting a whole bangus. The lechon had a slightly off taste possibly from the oil used. I ended up cutting it up and putting it in the air fryer, which helped a bit, especially with Mang Tomas. My kids were excited for the ube bread, but there was barely any ube. Thankfully, I had ube jam at home to add more. That said, I'm still glad this restaurant is here representing the Filipino community. It's wonderful that they host gatherings and bring people together. I do think there's room for improvement, especially when it comes to showcasing Filipino food well for those who may be trying it for the first time.

    Photos
    Filipino Bakery Cafe & Market
    Filipino Bakery Cafe & Market
    Inside

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    Inside
    Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill

    Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill

    4.3
    (125 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Family-owned & operated

    I joined friends next door for happy hour. Buzz's offers table service via QR code to the bar. The…read morebar also carries a small cocktail menu as a nod to Hawaii. I would like to preface this review by saying that I lived in Hawaii for five years. I have always been a plate lunch enthusiast. I was happy to see that Buzz's menu offers everything you could want to make a delicious meal reminiscent of the islands. Traditionally, plate lunch includes two scoops of rice, a scoop of mac salad, and a protein. Sticky sweet teriyaki sauce on chicken or steak, or crispy chicken katsu, or maybe Kalua pork are all good options. I went with the kalbi ribs and garlic shrimp. The kalbi was done well. The garlic shrimp missed the mark for me. In fairness, my frame of reference is Giovanni's shrimp truck on the North Shore of Hawaii. This shrimp was dry and was missing the garlic butter sauce. We also tried the lumpia, manapua, kalua sandwich, and an order of loaded fries. This is just a small portion of their amazing menu. I'm confident there is something for everyone. My favorite part of the meal were the signature Dole Whip. I was momentarily transported back to the Dole pineapple plantation! If you're more adventurous the lilikoi are absolutely amazing!! The perfect sweet little treat.

    I always have a hard time rating places that serve local-Hawaiian food because I was privileged…read moreenough to live on O'ahu, Maui, and the Big Island and I know EXPECTING true to taste in the Midwest is asking a lot .... BUT entering, there was like, no aloha spirit, the vibes were so off, the music selected wasn't even, at least modern Island reggae, and the lights were really dim. That is outside of the HUGE wait times of DoorDash orders coming through and stalling the people waiting in line to order. The staff were working HARD to get through the line, but they were just overworked. We got an order of garlic shrimp that came with rice, mac salad, and a pineapple slice for some reason. We also ordered the Poke Bomb Flight which is fried tofu skins filled with rice and topped with poke. The Poke Bomb Flight, or inari, was pretty good! I liked the flavor of the poke and it was a great one bite situation. The garlic shrimp however was small - like not even plate lunch servings. It was 5 pieces of shrimp, two small scoops of rice, and mayo heavy mac salad. They must be doing something right though with all those DoorDash orders, but we won't be coming back to try more.

    Photos
    Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill
    Musubi
    Musubi
    Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill

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    Manileno - filipino - Updated July 2026

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