Got Soul MNL — an urban dining and Hi-Fi listening space in Forbes Town, BGC, founded by DJ/producer @djjojoflores alongside a powerhouse collective including @chefchelegonzalez . Born from Montreal’s Café GotSoul and now spinning in Manila, this music-forward concept blends elevated analog sound with modern Spanish tapas infused with Filipino flavors, complemented by a curated wine list, Japanese Hi-Fi–inspired cocktails, and an immersive quadraphonic and vintage Altec sound system.
Here’s our take on the food and the Hi-Fi dining experience at GotSoul MNL:
ABOUT GOT SOUL MNL
Jojo Flores, Filipino-Canadian DJ and producer, founded GotSoul Records in 2000 to champion underground deep and soulful house. Drawing inspiration from global music hubs, he later launched Café GotSoul in Montreal in 2021, and has now brought the brand to the Philippines with a beachfront Boracay branch opening in April 2025, offering a full menu and signature sunset DJ sets.
GOT SOUL MANILA
Ground Floor, Unit FWH-125 Forbeswood Height, Forbestown, Taguig
Where sound, flavor, and community meet 🎶🍷
A space for music lovers, food lovers, and the urban soul–curious
Open Daily 5:00 PM Until Late
For reservations & private events:
📞 +63 966 770-2000
✉️ gotsoulmnl@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @GotSoulMNL
📲 Facebook: GotSoul MNL
Jojo expands the brand into its Philippine chapter through a visionary partnership with Jason Soong, Chele Gonzalez, Benjo Marquez, Manolet and Dee Dario, and JP Enriquez—bringing to life the flagship concept, GotSoul MNL.
United by a shared pursuit of soulful hospitality and elevated sound, this collective draws from decades of experience in music, culinary artistry, operations, and design to create a cultural hub in Metro Manila where rhythm, flavor, and community converge with intention, depth, and refined purpose.
At the heart of GotSoul MNL is its listening space with the DJ booth as a focal point framed with a backdrop of records with two sound systems: a contemporary quadraphonic system and a vintage Altec Lansing A5’s with original Altec Lansing 1003B multi cell horns powdered by a Gold Note PA-10 amplifier along with Modern TPI speakers and amplifiers and JBL bullet tweeters.
The venue delivers an immersive Hi-Fi listening experience, with guest selectors thoughtfully curating soulful sets that shape the mood and place music at the heart of the space. Defined by clean lines, refined textures, and bold accents—most notably the vibrant red Kay chairs from Exploratory Projects—the design mirrors the room’s dynamic soundscape, blending visual rhythm with elevated acoustics.
Chele, alongside Carlos Villaflor, brings a spirited back-to-back collaboration to the kitchen at GotSoul MNL—where friendship, creativity, and craft converge. As co-founder and curator, Chele fuses his Spanish heritage with over fifteen years of life in the Philippines, creating soulful tapas and modern plates layered with Filipino flavors—an experience where vinyl meets cuisine, and every dish is bold, expressive, and meant to be shared.
SPANISH BY CHELE
The window lounge seats are great for a relaxed hi-fi vibe, while the table for six suits groups sharing tapas. The glass windows reflect some sound for now, but acoustic blinds are planned. There’s also a semi-private chef’s table upstairs near the kitchen, though it’s beside the restroom.
TAPAS FRIAS (Cold Tapas)
Jamon Explosion
Manchego Mousse & Puffed Bread
Php 290
It’s a large puri — an Indian deep-fried puffed bread — best eaten in one bite, letting the manchego mousse burst in your mouth with the jamón.
Chorizo Pintxos
Mousse, Manchego, Honey & Walnut
Php 250
Same manchego mousse, served pintxos-style on bread with a long chorizo.
TAPAS CALIENTES (Hot Tapas)
Octopus Croquetas
Bechamel, Black Ink, Garlic Mayo
Php 300
Chele’s croquette combo is always spot-on — perfectly soft yet with a satisfying bite with a bit of aioli.
Shrimp Bikini
Crispy Sandwich Bites & Cilantro Mayo
Php 380
One-bite sandwiches, toasted on both sides, filled with creamy shrimp topped with cilantro mayo.
ALL DAY DINING
Aligue and Seafood Creamy Pasta
Cannelloni Cheese Gratin, Gochujang Bechamel, Basil
Php 450
Delicious when hot — cheesy cannelloni on creamy béchamel— though this one was served slightly cold.
BIG PLATES
Iberico Steak Bicol Express
Pinakbet Puree & Pickled Green Chili
Php 850
The pork Ibérico is flavorful, with Bicol Express spices paired with Pinakbet puree and pickled green chili — a good value protein, best enjoyed with the paella.
PAELLA
Chicken Inasal Paella
Php 390 (solo) / Php 990 (sharing)
The inasal paella is tasty with charred chicken and inasal-flavored rice, though it lacks the socarrat crust.
STEAKS
Wagyu Bistek
Garlic Rice & Charred Onion
Php 2,400
An elevated wagyu bistek, best enjoyed with garlic rice and charred onions.
At 9 PM, the DJ booth comes alive with dimmed lights and a mirror ball. During dinner, we grooved to instrumental house soul, though I prefer visiting when Chele spins or on vinyl nights for classic tunes.
DESSERTS
Torrija
Caramelized Brioche & Vanilla Ice Cream
Php 300
Our favorite Spanish dessert, like a lighter, elevated French toast à la mode.
Tarta de Chocolate
Creamy Chocolate Tarte & Chantilly
Php 390
Love savoring bites of chocolate with the crust and a touch of Chantilly cream.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Finally, a hi-fi listening bar with great Spanish food. Chele keeps dishes simple yet delicious, with Filipino-inspired flavors that make them crave-worthy and reasonably priced. Some hot dishes, like the pasta, were served cold, and the paella lacked socarrat. Cocktails lean sweet, though there’s a focus on kombucha and highballs. Best to visit based on the DJ — deep house soul without lyrics, classic vinyl on the hi-fi system, or Chele spinning. You can geek out on the hi-fi equipment, though acoustics could improve as chatter bounces around. Budget around ₱1,500 per head.
Congratulations to DJ Jojo Flores, Chef Chele Gonzales, and the GotSoul MNL team for an amazing hi-fi dinner experience concept in BGC!
GOT SOUL MANILA
Ground Floor, Unit FWH-125 Forbeswood Height, Forbestown, Taguig
Where sound, flavor, and community meet 🎶🍷
A space for music lovers, food lovers, and the urban soul–curious
Open Daily 5:00 PM Until Late
For reservations & private events:
📞 +63 966 770-2000
✉️ gotsoulmnl@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @GotSoulMNL
📲 Facebook: GotSoul MNL
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Chef Chele and Got Soul MNL team for inviting us to try it during the whisper mode (soft opening).
P.S. The cocktails are a bit too sweet for our taste. We love the creativity in their concoctions, but hope they offer a more balanced or refined option.
Acid Jazz
Mezcal • Dayap • Wasabi & Nori
Sour and smooth, with an umami touch.
Php 450
Pineapple Tepache Php 150
Fruity and tropical, a bright island refreshment
Mango Shrub Soda Php 200
Sweet and refreshing
Gotsoul Highball
Dewars 12 • Calamansi • Soda
Fresh and citrusy, a Filipino groove that lifts the soul
Php 400