Self-renewal occurs on vacation, and not everyone enjoys “self-catering” holidays. That being said, here are just five (5) of the many restaurants in Manila that serve delicious fare that the whole family will enjoy without worrying about diversifying their tummies, since these serve healthy exquisite cuisines!
Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant - Intramuros, Manila
Photo by Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Gather the clan and meet me here at Barbara’s. Let's rediscover Filipino cuisine and fall in love all over again with Barbara’s buffet– a wonderful parade of all Pinoy dishes one could ever want. Try the most flavorful steak in Intramuros, marinated to perfection and bursting with juiciness. Aside from the great cuisine, this resto is also child friendly, thanks to the presence of a museum and a children's play area where they can occupy themselves while we adults enjoy some downtime. Staff will take very good care of you while performers can take you to Spain with their music. Good food, good ambiance, and fond memories all in one. You wouldn’t mind coming back here to Barbara's.
Olive Garden - Pasay City, Manila
Photo by Olive Garden
When Victorville goes to Manila!! Get the car warmed up, because we're going to the SM Mall of Asia for the best holiday meal ever! Enjoy the premium dining here at Olive Garden’s first ever branch in the Philippines. Breadsticks + Alfredo, sitting in a tree~ The Italian-American chain is well-known for its dishes like Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna, Chicken Parmigiana, Shrimp Scampi and the restaurant's famous salad bar and complimentary warm, soft garlic breadsticks that seem to go on forever, that’s why a lot of people have a soft spot for Olive Garden. Looks like you don’t need to wait for a US Layover to meet #YourOGFamily! Manila has it all *winks
Spiral Buffet - Sofitel Hotel, Manila
Photo by Sofitel
Live in the French way! Spiral’s cuisine has been featured in numerous publications since it is truly unforgettable. Visualize your life as a magical tour through the world’s most illustrious nations. At Spiral, you can watch how skilled chefs prepare some of the world's most popular delicacies. Gourmets can indulge their wanderlust at Asia's first-class and most interactive dining establishment, where sumptuous dishes are served à la minute from 21 different ateliers– L'Epicerie, L'Ecailler, Salad and Appetizer, Peking Duck Oven, Rotisserie, Churrasco, Wood Fired Oven, Hot Japanese, Sushi & Sashimi, Asian Noodles, Steam Baskets, Korean, Filipino, La Patisserie, French Stove, North Indian, Chinese Wok, Thai, La Boulangerie, Chocolaterie, and Creamery. Oh, to one day enjoy gourmet food in Spiral. This holiday season, why not treat yourself to the best buffet on the planet?
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse - Pasay City, Manila
Photo by Wolfgang's Steakhouse
Drooling over some steak this holiday? We got you covered! Located at Pasay City, Manila is where you will find the steak cooked to perfection. Crusty dry-aged beef with a tender interior. Grill it rare or medium rare for the best flavor. An appetizer platter of shrimp, crab, and lobster is the icing on the cake! Oh, and the New York cheesecake is to die for, by the way. Wolfgang’s is branded as the undisputed king of Southeast Asian steakhouses, for it serves stunningly excellent, dry-aged USDA prime steak. A special mention must be made of the warm service from the wait staff, and to the people preparing the bests food. This has been a highly recommended steakhouse for families and for that romantic evening out. Holiday memories made over a delicious brunch or dinner at Wolfgang’s are likely to last a lifetime.
The Aristocrat Restaurant - Malate, Manila
Photo by The Aristocrat
Craving for the best Chicken BBQ, Bibingka at 3AM this holiday? We’ve got your back! Every Manila native has heard about Aristocrat’s! All the cool kids were there. Established in the 1930s, Aristocrat has grown to become one of Manila's finest dining establishments. This is because the quality has remained excellent and the menu has expanded throughout the years, making it worthwhile for customers to return. Here you can get a taste of both Spanish and Filipino flavors in one dish. Well-known and perennially popular, the original grilled marinated chicken with sweet original sauce is always a must-order. In contrast to modern alternatives, nothing beats the timeless classic. Try some of their other chicken dishes like boneless chicken, honey chicken, lumpiang shanghai, and leche flan in addition to their famous chicken barbeque. When paired with their java rice and java sauce, it's irresistible. There will most likely be a lengthy wait in line of customers wanting to eat here, ESPECIALLY on holidays. Dine at the Aristocrat’s and see what the fuss is all about! As they say, it never gets boring with them.
