BLACK EXCELLENCE.
Earlier this year, we predicted a trend that was going to be huge this year: Goth Food. It’s been a long time coming – a much-needed respite from all the rainbow, pastel, unicorn, and mermaid-inspired creations that took over our IG feeds.
Read: 13 Instagram-Worthy Rainbow Dishes to Try Around Manila
Whether it’s squid ink, black garlic or charcoal-infused, these dishes are worth the calories. The trend has been gaining favor here and abroad for its reported detoxifying attributes. You know what they say, once you go black, you’ll never go back.
Paella Negra – Las Flores
Looking for authentic yet modern cuisine paired with the best ambiance to suit every occasion? Las Flores serves traditional Spanish dishes and tapas.
Also read: 12 Dishes That Will Make You Ask “Paella or Risotto?”
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G/F The Podium, 18 ADB Ave, Ortigas, Mandaluyong
(0915) 654-5231
Dark Skim Frozen Yogurt – BLK 513
BLK 513 is the country’s first dessert store offering healthy activated charcoal-enhanced froyo served with various sauces, toppings and crunches.
No reservations accepted
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Golden Squid Ink Hakaw – Templo
What looks like a little temple in the middle of a lifestyle hub is actually Templo, a modern Sichuan Fusion restaurant with an impressively long menu. On it you’ll find familiar flavors like Salt and Pepper Squid, Hot and Sour soup, and Orange Chicken, but there are also unique gems like Halibut with Taoso, Golden Squid Ink Hakaw, and Pork Intestine in Chili Oil
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55 Dapitan Street corner D. Tuazon, Brgy Lourdes, Quezon City
(02) 244-7640
Risotto Uni Negra – Earth Kitchen
Earth Kitchen, a joint project of the Got Heart Foundation and Hizon’s catering, a restaurant dedicated to promote the products of local farms and indigenous people. Earth Kitchen offers farm-to-table cuisine. Some of their most talked about dishes are the Bulgogi Wrap, Fresh Spring Rolls, and Squid Ink Vongole Pasta.
Reservations are accepted
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Fisherman Squid Ink Pasta – Olivia & Co.
Olivia & Co seeks to become the go to place for a gourmet experience, serving artisanal coffees and teas to complement great food inspired by various cuisines of the world. Read our full feature here.
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Beef Barbacoa Taco – Titto’s Latin BBQ & Brew
Tittos is the newest taco place located along foodie strip of Kapitolyo. It serves a menu of unique Filipino dishes with a Latin American twist. The typical taco gets tweaked in a big way with the use of squid ink to make it jet black!
Insider tip: Their black calamares also made it to our calamares list! Check it out HERE
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16 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig
(02) 535-9212
Black Pizza – Village Tavern
Village Tavern is a franchise by the Bistro Group and is the first international store outside of the U.S. It offers classic American cuisine and is committed to the finest freshest ingredients, creating their now signature 100% whole wheat flatbreads. Other popular items include their seafood selection, burgers and gourmet sandwiches, steaks and more.
Reservations are accepted
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2/F Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Ave, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 975-4140
Chorizo Sandwich – Your Local
Listed as one of the world’s best restaurants, Your Local is a neighbourhood bistro serving modern Southeast Asian dishes. It is most known for its progressive dishes including their bestselling Torched Salmon Donburi but their other dishes are not to be ignored. Try their Chorizo Sandwich served with squid ink buns.
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Universal LMS Bldg., 106 Esteban Street, Legaspi Village, Makati
(02) 823-6206
Baddest Hotdog – TopDawgs
TopDawgs is one of the food stalls at The Station food park in Maginhawa. It claims to serve the “world’s baddest hotdogs” using black hotdog buns loaded with gourmet toppings at affordable prices.
No reservations accepted
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The Station Food Park, 178 Maginhawa, Sikatuna Village, Diliman, Quezon City
Black Truffle XLB – Paradise Dynasty
Paradise Dynasty offers an innovative take on northern and southern Chinese cuisine. Aside from its signature hand-pulled noodles, it is most known to the world for its eight flavored and colorful xiao long baos–Original, Black Truffle, Foie Gras, Garlic, Ginseng, Szechuan, Crab Roe, and Cheese. READ MORE
Reservations are accepted
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Level 2, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard cor. Coral Way, Pasay
(02) 828-8333
Buah Keluak – Hey Handsome
Hey Handsome is a hip Peranakan restaurant famously headed by Chef Nicco Santos of Legaspi Village cult favorite, Your Local. They’re known for their Bebek Penyet (duck), Nam Tok (BBQ beef short-ribs), and Beetroot Curry Paneer. Buah Keluak features the poisonous but flavorful Malaysian keluak fruit with lamb shank, nasi kerabu (Malaysian rice), squid ink, and belachan (shrimp paste) crackers.
Insider Tip: Dinner service is split into two seatings: 6pm and 8:30pm
No reservations accepted
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G/F Net Park Building, 5th Ave, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0917) 102-0355
Black King Ramen – Ramen Nagi
Ramen Nagi, from Tokyo, is one of the most popular ramen joints in the country today. It allows guests to customize their own bowls from the noodles, down to the soup and the toppings.
No reservations accepted
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Black and Gold Custard Bun – China Blue
China Blue offers a fine dining experience with elevated Chinese cuisine by celebrity chef Jereme Leung. The dishes are as beautiful as they are delicious. Early favorites include the House Specialty Steamed Truffle Mushroom Bun, Black and Gold Egg Custard Bun
Insider tip: Suckling pig must be ordered in advanced.
Reservations are recommended
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3/F S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard cor Coral Way, Pasay
(02) 683-3915
Black Nachos – 80 Queens
80 Queens, from the same team behind BLK 513, comes a new healthy concept featuring healthy local snack varieties that goes well with BLK 513’s froyo. Find unique items like beet root fries, charcoal-enhanced white corn chips with sauces like curry, matcha, Sriracha cheese, gravy, and more.
No reservations accepted
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2/F Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
(02) 987-7633
Bamboo Charcoal Soft Serve – Lawson
Lawson is a Japanese convenience store chain that offers affordable grocery items, hot meals, Breadtalk items, GoNuts Donuts, and even soft serve ice cream. Popular flavors include the bamboo charcoal, green tea and cherry blossom.
Also read: 12 Places to Get Swirly Soft Serve Ice Cream in Manila
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Salted Egg Lava Chicken Sandwich – Birdhouse
Birdhouse is a homegrown chicken joint that serves deep fried chicken dishes cooked in different ways. Their menu consists of set meals named Barnyards (A to E). Try their tenders or salted egg lava chicken sandwich with sides like elote, dirty rice and sauces like truffle ketchup and milk gravy.
Also read: 17 New Chicken Dishes You'll Love
No reservations accepted
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4/F Uptown Mall, The Food Hall, 36th Street cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0917) 554-3825
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If you find any interesting black dishes at your favorite restaurant, share it with us in the comments section! Keep showing us your best food finds by tagging us on Instagram (@bookyapp) and join the community by using our hashtag #bookymanila.