Here are the Best NEW Restaurants we tried coming out of the pandemic in Manila:
1. DEO GRACIAS
Deo Gracias, which means “Thanks (be) to God,” is the Modern Spanish Restaurant by Chef Heny Sison in collaboration with Spanish Chef Alex Del Hoyo Gomez. It’s probably the best Spanish Restaurant in the Quezon City area that can rival the ones in Makati & BGC.
Read: Deo Gracias: Best Spanish Restaurant in QC
Overall, the Spanish food by Chef Alex was quite good with their own modern interpretation and nicely paired with the best breads and pastries by Chef Heny.
All the tapas we tried were quite good but our favorites were Pulpo a la Gallega “Deo Gracias” and Gambas al Ajillo Y Gulas. Don’t miss enjoying the Cochinillo which was quite an experience. And end with the best cheesecake—Aged Manchego Cheesecake. Budget about ₱1,500/head. Best to go with a group of 4 or more to enjoy the Lechon.
Deo Gracias
#12,11th Jamboree Street, Quezon City
Telephone: +632 7005-6741
Mobile: +63 917-7088727
Facebook: Deo Gracias
Instagram: @deogracias.ph
2. CAFE FLEUR
Cafe Fleur is Chef Sau’s tribute to his mom, giving new life to her recipes and childhood stories. Chef Sau is regarded as one of the best chefs in Manila, a promise to his mom fulfilled. We followed his delicious culinary career from Villa Cafe and the original Cafe Fleur in Pampanga (now 25 Seeds), and his other restaurant projects like Le Bistro Vert and Casa Roces.
Le Petite Café Fleur is the best new restaurant—like a flower that bloomed in Brgy. Poblacion during the pandemic—now celebrating their first year anniversary as they defiantly battle through three Covid waves and lockdowns.
Read: Cafe Fleur: Best New Poblacion Restaurant by Chef Sau!
Overall, it is a touching living tribute like a flower bouquet offering to Chef Sau’s mom legacy. The food is homey and cooked just right without overpowering flavors, with all the sauces on point and presentations in clean plating. There’s a lot of elegance in its simplicity that fits well with the neighborhood cafe concept.
Make sure to order the signature dishes: Sisig Cups, Boneless Fried Chicken, and Burnt Cheesecake. Love the seafood dishes: shrimp, mussels, octopus, and salmon. Enjoy them with the sauces that fancy your mood. This is the kind of meal you can lazily enjoy with your wine. Budget about ₱1,000/head + drinks.
Le Petite Café Fleur
5893 Enriquez Street, Poblacion, Makati
Operating Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm
Email: cafefleur@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 917 1928-343
Facebook: Café Fleur
Instagram: @cafefleur.ph
Website: http://cafefleur.ph
3. LE PETITE CHEF MANILA
Le Petit Chef Manila is a 6-course French Dinner visual mapping collaboration between the smallest animated chef in the world and Grand Hyatt Manila’s Executive Chef Mark Hagan and his culinary team. The 6-cm Le Petit Chef theatrically tells the story of how he prepares each dish (mishaps included) with a 3D projected animation on your plate and table which is then interpreted by the French Chefs of Grand Hyatt for a gastronomic treat.
Read: LE PETIT CHEF in Manila: Is it Worth it?
Yes, it was definitely worth it because of the inspiring funny animated sequence by Le Petit Chef, awesome interpretation of the food by the Grand Hyatt chefs, and the overall dining experience like no other coming out of the pandemic. It’s like watching a theatrical animated performance with a Michelin star-like quality to your 6-course meal.
I imagine it would be fun to bring the kids here and let them experience their own kid-friendly 6-course meal. The chefs recommend kids aged 5 and above so that they can really enjoy both the animation and the food.
Le Petit Chef Manila
Veranda Room, 60/F The Peak, Grand Hyatt Manila
Email: manila.grand@hyatt.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GrandHyattManilaPh
Instagram: @grandhyattmanilaph
Two Seatings: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday to Saturday
4. TXOKO ASADOR
Txoko (Chock-O) is a modern Spanish restaurant in Manila specializing in Basque and Castilian cooking as inspired by Basque gastronomic societies where members come together to cook and experiment together like a family. It was recognized as Best New Restaurant for 2022 by Tatler Dining Philippines.
Read: TXOKO ASADOR: Best Lechazo (Roasted Lamb) Experience in Manila!
Our friends raved about each dish and the entire experience. That is what’s nice about Txoko—it’s a high end restaurant with really good food and you go home satisfied with food memories that you can’t wait to share.
Pre-order the Lechazo that’s best to eat at the resto with a group of friends to enjoy.
I recommend the Pan con Tomate Y Jamon and Boquerones to start as cold tapas. I would go with the callos paired with the bread and the pulpo as hot appetizers. Order two different paellas to enjoy with the Lechazo. For dessert, order the Espuma de Yogur Y Fresas and Coulant de Chocolate Y Foie. Budget about ₱2,500/head plus wine.
Txoko Asador
102 Esteban street, Legazpi Village, Makati, Philippines
Mobile: +63 956 047 3224
Email: info@txokoasador.com
Facebook: Txoko
Instagram: @txokoasador
Visit http://www.txokoasador.com/
5. HALIYA
Haliya is City of Dreams Manila’s ode to Modern Filipino Cuisine with Chef de Cuisine Edmundo San Jose at the helm. It is named after the most beautiful goddess of the moonlight in Bicolano Mythology.
It’s a Filipino restaurant that we can all be proud of—reimagining our cuisine with subtle innovations, using the freshest mix of local and imported ingredients without losing the original home-made Filipino flavors.
Read: HALIYA: Goddess of Modern Filipino Cuisine
Overall, this is one of the best modern Filipino restaurants in Manila! It is amazing that this was conceptualized, created and launched during this pandemic.
Start with the Binalot Na Cochi and Lumpia Dinagat. We recommend the Haliya Adobo and the Pares de Haliya with the Sinangag Garlic Rice. End with Chichingka and the Muron. The serving sizes are big and meant to be enjoyed with the family. Budget about ₱1,500/head.
Haliya Modern Filipino Cuisine
Ground floor, Nüwa Manila, City of Dreams Manila
Operating hours: Open daily for dinner from 5 pm to 11 pm
Telephone: +632 8800-8080
FB: https://www.facebook.com/cityofdreamsmanila
Email: guestservices@cod-manila.com
Website: ww.cityofdreamsmanila.com
6. CASA BUENAS
Casa Buenas, literally translated as ‘good house’, features the best of Filipino Spanish food with a Bahay na Bato-inspired architecture and a welcoming casual Filipino fine dining service.
You’ll love the generous spaces as you enter. It’s intimidating but at the same time inviting—the kind of place you can celebrate your milestones safely with loved ones.
Read: Casa Buenas: The Best Filipino Spanish Resto @ResortsWorldManila
Overall, the ambiance was spacious and impressive for a hotel restaurant taking inspiration from a heritage Spanish home. You feel lucky dining in and enjoying Chef Godfrey’s Filipino-Spanish inspired food.
We loved the soups, the paella, grilled meats and their signature dessert. It would be good to dine in here with a group to enjoy eating their cochinillo de buenas at the gazebo. Budget about ₱2,200/head + drinks.
Casa Buenas
Ground Floor, Newport Grand Wing, Portwood St., Newport City
Telephone: +63 (2) 7908-8988
Mobile: +63917 878 8312
Email: casa.buenas@rwmanila.com
Operating Hours: Daily, 11 AM to 9 PM
7. KIWAMI FOOD HALL
Kiwami is currently the Best Food Hall concept in Manila and the number 1 restaurant in Bonifacio High Street in the post-pandemic era.
This “extreme” concept by The Standard Group features the best of authentic Japanese food recognized as one of the best Ramen, Katsu, Tempura Tendon, and Yakitori concepts in Japan.
Read: Kiwami Japanese Food Hall: The Best of Japan!
The Japanese food hall concept is a brilliant winning concept and worth the risk to go to during these pandemic times. Budget about ₱800/head for your Japanese craving fix.
Make sure to enjoy the Hokkaido Oysters, Sukiyaki Spinach Enoki and the yakitori platter from Hachibei to start and pair it with the Premium Tempura Meshi Set to enjoy the tempura and the rice. As your main, enjoy the best ramen, Tokusei Tantanmen from Ippudo, and the best tonkatsu that you can get in Manila, Rosu Kurobuta Katsu from Yabu. End with the Hokkaido soft serve ice cream with boba and don’t miss the Nutella Cheesecake.
Kiwami Japanese Food Hall
Four Masters, One Space: Ramen, Tendon, Yakitori, and Tonkatsu
Lower ground, C3 Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig
(Beside St. Louie, Beyond the Box and near Mango Tree in Boni High Street)
A concept by @standardgroup.ph
Instagram: @kiwamifoodhall
Facebook: Kiwami Japanese Food Hall
8. KOBE JONES
Kobe Jones, the new Sushi X Steak, “East meets West” concept by Manila’s renowned Chef Tom Hines, is the next evolution of his previous famed restaurant, Wasabi X Smith Steakhouse.
It’s definitely not fusion, and this is the food Manila is craving for after the lockdowns. Chef Tom wants to provide employment to chefs and waiters who worked in hotels and were affected by the pandemic.
Read: Kobe Jones (Sushi X Steak) by Chef Tom Hines
Chef Tom Hines knows how to fix your dine-in cravings for foie gras, good quality sushi and sashimi (from his Wasabi concept), and just the best steaks with the highest marking (from his Smith Steakhouse concept).
Loved the fine food and wine pairing to celebrate your post pandemic dining experience. The theatrical dessert drama ended the meal with a sweet satisfying feeling. Ang galing!
Go for the tasting menu with wine pairing with your fully-vaxxed friends. Budget about ₱2,500/head to ₱5,000/head with wine pairing.
KOBE JONES by Chef Tom Hines
Le Grand Condominium, 130 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati 1227
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kobejonesph
Instagram: @kobejonesph
Mobile: +63 9150985735
9. MANDUCA TABERNA
Manduca, which is Spanish slang for grub or food, is a Madrileño-style taberna in BGC by two Spanish friends, Chef Amado Garcia Fernandez and Ricardo Lopez. It rose from the ashes of closed restaurants—Ilongo Food Company and Kuppa Roastery in the once vibrant restaurant corner of 31st St. and 4th Ave.
We tried it when Rache’s favorite sister, Clauds, visited from Singapore, and here’s what we think about this new taberna in Manila.
Read: MANDUCA: Madrid Taberna in Manila (Review)
Overall, we love Manduca because of its good comfort Spanish food and ambience, a good place to enjoy your drinks. It’s not pretentious and feels like a place where Spanish regulars hangout to drink and eat. You can come as you are, in your after office attire or condo dweller outfit, and even bring your kids with no eyes judging you.
My impression of Madrid food is it’s just like any other city food, like in Manila where there are mediocre interpretations of good food from the countryside. But I was quite impressed with Chef Amado’s food—from the grilled octopus to the squid ink arroz, to the cachopo, down to the pineapple carpaccio a la mode. Can’t wait to discover more dishes and wine selection with more friends. 🙂
Budget ₱700/head if you are just going for drinks and tapas or ₱2,000/head if you are going for the steak or cachopo with wine.
Manduca Taberna
First Modern Madrid Taberna
Ground Floor Commerce Center Bldg., 31st St. cor 4th Ave.
Bonifacio Global City
Operating Hours: 8:00AM -12:00MN
Email: manducamnl@gmail.com
Facebook: MANDUCA
Instagram: @manduca_mnl
10. ONE WORLD DELI
One World Deli is a pandemic-born specialty food market curated by PYC Foods Corporation, featuring a selection of premium ingredients and beverages made by international purveyors and local food artisans. Each product has a delicious story to tell, each originating either from the US, Europe, Australia or the Philippines.
Read: One World Deli: Eating Around the World in One Deli (A Review)
Overall, we were impressed with the raw bar setup, especially with the ceviche and wasabi cream sauce. There are better and bigger oysters out there, but you can experience the novelty of trying the live US oysters in the deli. The Jack Creeks and Braveheart steaks were the highlight of our meal, and we can’t wait to pair these with a Cab Sauv from Napa next time. Best to go with your foodie friends to enjoy more food to taste at good value.
What we like about One World Deli:
👍 You can literally taste the world within the walls of the the deli and enjoy it in a safe and clean environment.
👍 Each product they offer has a story, and Chef George will be more than happy to tell the story. I suggest that you take your time with each product and eat it like one course and discover the story behind each one. We were there for 3 hours thinking that we will just be there max of 2 hours!
👍 I love that they showcase proudly locally-made products like a stamp of approval from One World Curators.
One World Deli
Bringing the world’s best flavors in your kitchen.
Urban Building, 11 Jupiter St. Bel-Air Makati (Across Sweet Ecstasy)
Operating Hours: 9.00am to 9.00pm Daily
Mobile: +63 917-804-0821
Facebook: One World Deli
Instagram: @oneworlddeli
Website: https://oneworlddeli.com/
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet