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Sometimes, we find gastronomic success in the most unfamiliar places.

If you’ve never been to Malate because everything seems too unfamiliar and shady, then we’re giving you 16 awesome restaurants in Malate (you probably didn’t know existed or have already long forgotten) that should take away all your qualms. Because yes, there is gastronomic success to be found in these inconspicuous places too!

Update: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Manila this month!


Allow Booky to be your easy guide in choosing your next dining destination, you won’t even need an internet. If you are curious to know the love story behind Booky, read about it here.

Cafe Adriatico – Remedios Circle

Cafe Adriatico is a 36-year old Filipino-Spanish bistro located in the heart of Manila. It is a pioneer and the iconic flagship restaurant of the LJC group of restaurants. Despite being old, one cannot discount the old charm it continually brings to its loyal patrons, including stars and politicians.

Recommended dishes: Baby Squid Pasta, Beef Spareribs Ninja, Lola Ising’s Adobo Rice, and Salpicao Rice

Spaghetti Bolognese from Cafe Adriatico
Photo from Facebook | Cafe Adriatico
French Onion Soup from Cafe Adriatico
Photo from Facebook | Cafe Adriatico

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1790 M. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila
(02) 7738-8220

Bistro Remedios – Adriatico St.

Bistro Remedios, formerly known as ‘Ang Bistro sa Remedios’, opened in 1984 in a mid-1920’s ilustrado home. It is a sister restaurant of LJC group’s pioneer bistro, Cafe Adriatico. Bistro Remedios serves authentic Kapampangan cuisine and specialties like sisig, crispy tadyang, camaru (mole crickets), lechon kawali and sinigang sa bayabas.

Recommended dishes: Home Style Binacol Soup, Gising Gising, Knockout Knuckles, Liempo, and Lechon Kawali sa Gata

Picnic Adobo from Bistro Remedios
Photo from Facebook | Bistro Remedios
Bulalo from Bistro Remedios
Photo from Facebook | Bistro Remedios

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1911 M Adriatico St., Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila
(02) 8523-9153 | (0915) 204-7608

Purple Yam – J. Nakpil St.

Purple Yam is a Brooklyn-based Filipino restaurant, it is one of the many pioneers and advocates in globalizing Filipino cuisine and ingredients and is a big supporter of small local producers. Purple Yam Malate, set in a 1950s ancestral home, was born out of chef Amy Besa’s love for the Philippines and her goal of leaving a legacy by passing on her knowledge to passionate culinary students. 

Homemade Bao from Purple Yam Malate
Photo from Facebook | Purple Yam Malate
White Pompano with Coffee Gata Sarsa from Purple Yam Malate
Photo from @eatmate

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603 Julio Nakpil Street corner Bacobo, Malate, Manila
(02) 8523-3497 | (0917) 870-5760

Makchang Korean Restaurant  – Ma. Orosa St.

Mak Chang is a small Korean restaurant specializing in grilled meats. Unlike Korean Garden, Mak Chang’s menu is much smaller, just 8 meat selections on their menu, and each customer is required to order at least 2 dishes of any kind. Specialties include the Galbisal and Beef Galbi and Samkgupsal that all come with unlimited side dishes.

Fun fact: Makchang is open until 4am.


Korean Food from Makchang Korean Restaurant
Photo from @mishiyan
KBBQ from Makchang Restaurant
Photo from @itsmegiovelasco

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1782 Adriatico St. cor Pedro Gil, Malate, Manila
(02) 8354-6294 | (0905) 316-9443

Mr. Poon – Luis Maria Guerrero St.

Mr. Poon is one of Manila’s most classic Chinese restaurants, which became popular for being the ‘house of steamed fish since 1974’. They open as early as 6:30am to cater to early breakfast goers.

Recommended dishes: Steamed Fish, Braised Beef Noodles, and Pata Tim

Braised Beef Noodles from Mr.Poon Restaurant
Photo from Facebook | Mr. Poon Restaurant
Shrimp from Mr. Poon Restaurant
Photo from Facebook | Mr. Poon Restaurant

No reservations accepted
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1630 Luis Maria Guerrero Street, Malate, Manila
(02) 8525-5555

Holy Grill – Taft Ave.

Hailing themselves as a place “where the hungry are fed”, Holy Grill offers a variety of pork, chicken, beef, and seafood barbeque. At student-friendly prices, both your stomach and wallet will win on this one!

Recommended dishes: Solo Ribeye Steak, Cumin Ribs, Sam’s Sisig Nachos, and Chicken Cornflake

Rib-Eye Steak from Holy Grill Taft
Photo from Booky
Dishes from Holy Grill Taft
Photo from Booky
Get up to ₱500 off your bill!


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2 Torre Lorenzo, Taft Ave., Malate, Manila
(02) 8253-5748

8065 Bagnet – Leon Guinto

8065 Bagnet remains a constant in Manila’s Taft area for their mouth-watering, no-frills bagnet as well as their innovative bagnet dishes that veer away from the traditional but are equally lip-smacking.

Some notable dishes they offer: Original Bgnet, Bagnet Sisig, Spicy Gata Bagnet, and Kare-Kare Bagnet

Original Bagnet from 8065 Bagnet
Photo from Facebook | Bagnet 8065 Co.
Pancit Bagnet from Bagnet 8065 Co.
Photo from Facebook | Bagnet 8065 Co.

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Leon Guinto St. cor Estrada St., Malate, Manila
(02) 8516-7890

The Aristocrat Restaurant – Roxas Blvd.

When doors opened for this 75+-year-old restaurant, it was merely a small business venture for husband and wife Alex and Engracia Reyes. With their spread aptly described as “Food fit for Royalty”, Aristocrat has always been and will always be a family favorite serving familiar Filipino dishes for them to enjoy.

Recommended dishes: Aristocrat Classics (Chicken Barbeque, Pork Barbeque, and Pork Spareribs Barbeque) and the Torta delos Reyes

Insider tip: This branch is open 24/7


Childhood Classic Favorite Dishes Lumpia Longganissa and Gulay from Aristocrat Restaurant
Photo from @jamesradd
Chicken Barbeque from Aristocrat Restaurant
Photo from @burpwithbees

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432 San Andres St. cor Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila
(02) 8894-0000 | (02) 8524-7671

Doon Thai and Asian Fusion Cuisine – Dolores St.

A hidden gem in Malate, Doon Thai and Asian Fusion cuisine serves up authentic Thai cuisine at student-friendly prices perfect for those on a tight budget.

Notable dishes they offer: Pad See Ew, Chicken Pandan, Tom Yum Goong, Thai Spring Rolls, Sticky Rice with Mango

Pad Thai and Thai Milk tea from Doon Thai and Asian Fusion Cuisine
Photo from @doonthaicuisine
Thai Dishes from from DOON Thai and Asian Fusion Cuisine
Photo from @doonthaicuisine

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936 Dolores St. Cor Domingo St., Malate, Manila

Vatel Restaurant Manila – Arellano Ave.

Specializing in French-Mediterranean cuisine, Vatel Restaurant will take you around the world with every bite of their sophisticated, flavorsome dishes.

Notable dishes they offer: Pork Tenderloin wrapped in Bacon and Marsala Sauce, Braised “Diavolo” Pork Baby Back Ribs, Curry Thai Mussel, Cerveza Negra and Chocolate Ice Cream

Fun Fact: It's a rooftop restaurant that allows the students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management. 


Food from Vatel Restaurant Manila
Photo from Facebook | Vatel Restaurant Manila
Strawberry Crepe from Vatel Restaurant Manila
Photo from Facebook | Vatel Restaurant Manila

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Angelo King Int’l Center Arellano Ave., Malate, Manila
(02) 8230-5100 loc. 2602

Nihonbashi Tei – Adriatico St.

Nihonbashi Tei is a humble izakaya offering an extensive list of authentic Japanese specialties at fairly affordable prices. And much like Little Tokyo restaurants, it’s authenticity is guaranteed because this place is a favorite among Japanese locals.

Insider tip: If you're on a budget, they have sets you can avail of from 11 AM to 5 PM. 


Spicy Toro Maki from Nihonbashitei Japanese Restaurant
Photo from @melquizon
Special Nigiri Sushi Mori from Nihonbashi Tei
Photo from @mmbarroquillo

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1766 M Adriatico St., Malate, Manila
(02) 8708-2807

The Minokaua – Adriatico St.

The perfect spot for both food and music lovers, Minokaua serves up a variety of Spanish and Filipino classics you can munch on while enjoying the local artists’ performances.

Recommended dishes: The One and Only Chicken Skin, Lunar Eclipse, and the Minokaua Sisig

The One and Only Chicken Skin from Minokaua
Photo from Booky
Filipino dishes from The Minokaua
Photo from Booky
Get up to ₱500 off your bill! 


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1951 Adriatico St., Malate, Manila
(0927) 277-3513

Chomp Chomp – Bellagio Residence

Chomp Chomp offers Asian fusion street food. If you’re craving for a hot bowl of Singaporean Laksa, shrimp fried rice, and other Singaporean delights at a very affordable price, Chomp Chomp is the place to beat.

Notable dishes they offer: Singapore Laksa, Tempura Soba, Char Kuey Teow, Squid Sambal, Chicken Chops

Teriyaki Rice Bowls from Chomp Chomp Asian Street Food
Photo from Facebook | Chomp Chomp Asian Street Food
Singaporean Laksa from Chomp Chomp Asian Street Food
Photo from Facebook | Chomp Chomp Asian Street Food

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2/F Bellagio Residence, Leon Guinto cor Estrada St., Malate, Manila
(02) 8775-7028 | (02) 8775-7029

24 Chicken – CTC Bldg.

If you’re in the mood for wings, then you’ll definitely enjoy what 24 Chicken has to offer: 8 different flavors of Korean Fried Chicken.

Notable flavors they offer: Jack Daniels, Yangnyeom and Lemon Glazed

Fried Chicken from 24 Chicken
Photo from Facebook | 24 Chicken Delivery Manila
Spicy Chicken from 24 Chicken Delivery Manila
Photo from Facebook | 24 Chicken Delivery Manila

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CTC Bldg. Taft Ave cor Pedro Gil St., Malate, Manila
(0977) 425-3754 | (0977) 425-3755

Topside Diner – Leon Guinto St.

Serving up unlimited buffalo wings to pasta and even bangus, Topside Diner is a sure winner to those who are looking for freshly prepared, budget-friendly meals.

Notable dishes offer: Garlic Parma, Buffalo Wings, and Pork Chop

Flavored Fries from Topside Diner
Photo from Facebook | Topside Diner
Wings and Rice from Topside Diner
Photo from Facebook | Topside Diner

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2589 Leon Guinto St., Vito Cruz, Taft Ave, Malate, Manila
(0917) 566-0705

Fantastic Chef – multiple branches

Fantastic Chef is fantastic for those who are hungry and can’t get enough of the KBBQ craze. A restaurant that specializes in unlimited Korean BBQ, at Fantastic Chef, you can get full and get drunk on good food, good drinks, and of course, good experiences.

Notable meats they offer: Jowls Meat, Thin Pork Belly, Seasoned Chicken BBQ

Jowl's Meat from Fantastic Chef
Photo from @fantasticchefph
KBBQ Set up from Fantastic Chef
Photo from @fantasticchefph

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Don’t forget to add these restaurants up to your ‘Favorites’ list on the Booky app, use the Navigate feature to avoid getting lost if you’re not familiar with Manila.If you’re not already enjoying the offline convenience of Booky, it’s free to download on iPhone and Android.

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