(NOT) Coming soon to a mall near you.
The growth in popularity of what we call holes-in-the-wall today are driven by the limited food selections and repetitive restaurant choices in malls all over the metro. Major cities have cultivated and reintroduced specific streets and locations as a foodie’s haven and destination–Quezon City has Maginhawa, Paranaque has Aguirre, Pasig has Kapitolyo, and Makati, aside from Jupiter, has Bgy. Poblacion.
READ MORE: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Makati this month!
Beginning 2014, Poblacion has had a number of awesome specialty joints sprout and blossom out of it. Crowd favorites like Beni’s Falafel, Filling Station, Ziggurat, Handlebar and El Chupacabra have all grown from hidden gem to crazy crowded, specifically during weekends. Last 2015 brought in even bigger waves with more new restaurants filling the little streets around the area. Here are 15 places to visit on your next Poblacion food crawl.
Find them easily on the Booky app by searching “POBLACION”. P.S., It works offline, too!
Tambai – Felipe St.
A local snackhouse serving gourmet but affordable yakitori and Filipino street foods on sticks. They also serve cheap beers and some Japanese sakes. Trust us when we say to not leave without trying their Rib Fingers.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
5779 Felipe St., Poblacion, Makati
+63 2 215-5695
Señor Pollo Philippines – Ebro St.
Señor Pollo Philippines is the home of the ‘Famous Latin Chicken’ and second brainchild of the team behind El Chupacabra. It’s a late night hangout place to get good food and cheap beer. This is Senor Pollo’s second branch.
No reservations allowed
View their full menu
View their Instagram account
5767 Ebro St., P. Burgos, Makati
+63 977 142-9273
Crepe Amelie – A. Venue Mall
Crepe Amelie is a bright and cozy dessert cafe specializing in savory and sweet crepes. They also serve a selection of pasta and refreshments.
No reservations accepted
View their Instagram account
G/F A. Venue Mall, Makati Ave., Poblacion, Makati
+63 2 750-9946
Cili Padi Restaurant – Zobel St.
Cili Padi is a halal Malaysian restaurant that started in Thailand and now has a number of branches in nearby Asian countries. It is a restaurant and commissary that features Southeast Asian cuisine like Grilled Sambal and Rendang Beef Burger. They also cater to private parties, corporate functions, and other events.
Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
2777 F. Zobel St., Poblacion, Makati
+63 927 721-0076
Pañeros Café – Ma. Aurora St.
Pañeros Cafe serves all-day breakfast, pasta, sandwiches and some pastries. They have daily Pañeros Specials such as Arrozcaldo only served on Mondays, Champorado on Tuesdays and other comfort food on other days. They open as early as 6am to serve early breakfast and office goers.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
2719 Ma. Aurora St. Poblacion, Makati
+63 915 278-3552
The Kismet Cafe & Wellness Market – P. Burgos St.
Kismet Cafe is a hip and colorful cafe and wellness center opened by the team behind Yoga Wholistics iNQ, a yoga studio which is in the same building as the cafe. Kismet Cafe serves California-style health-conscious snacks & drinks, natural foods & remedies. ‘Kismet’ means fate or destiny and the Kismet team is inviting us all to have a date with fate at their cafe.
No reservations accepted
View their Instagram account
G/F MBA Bldg, 5022 P. Burgos St. cor. Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati
+63 2 896-7720
Ming Kee Live Seafood – Makati Ave.
Ming Kee Live Seafood is a popular seafood restaurant found in Macpherson Road in Singapore and is most famous for its fresh seafood dishes, specifically its Crab Beehon dish. Ming Kee specializes in Southern Chinese dishes by Chef Ivan Tan and Rick Lim.
Reservations are accepted
7852 Makati Ave., Poblacion, Makati
+63 2 893-4533
The Red Light – Felipe St.
The Red Light is a kitchen and bar incubator for chefs and creative masters of the culinary industry. This kitchen playground homes multiple pop up concepts and also stages cooking videos and after-hours culinary throwdown videos of chefs, amateurs, and bartenders. It is located at the red light district of Makati, hence the name.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
W Young Bldg, Felipe St., Poblacion, Makati
+63 917 585-4043
Esquinita – Estrella St.
A new hole-in-the-wall sisig and tacos shop located in the Rockwell area catering to people who are always on the go. Esquinita serves express Fil-Mex food like Crispy Sisig Burrito and Beef Steak Taco for takeaway.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
78 A Estrella St. Bel-Air Village, Makati
+63 925 868-9281
Crying Tiger – Guanzon St.
Crying Tiger Street Kitchen specializes in Asian street food, specifically in Thai cuisine, and tasty beverages. It is the latest venture from the folks behind El Chupacabra and Senor Pollo. This team seem to want to dominate the Poblacion scene and is pretty much kicking ass at it.
No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
4986 Guanzon St., Poblacion, Makati
Tacos Chingones – Algier St.
Tacos Chingones is the first ever taco cart in the country, serving great authentic street tacos. It is a concept from the people behind A’Toda Madre, a popular Mexican tequila bar that opened last February 2014 in Durban St., also in Bgy. Poblacion. Tacos Chingones is found right in front of Som’s Noodle House and is open everyday from 5pm-2am.
No reservations accepted
5923 Algier St., Poblacion, Makati
+63 998 998-2267
Z Hostel Roofdeck – Don Pedro St.
Z Hostel is the first and biggest luxury hostel in the Philippines. On top of it is the newest and hippest rooftop bar that is first to use RFID bracelet technology for easy cashless transactions. They open at 5pm everyday. P.S. Their game room is available for private party reservations.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
5660 Don Pedro St., Poblacion, Makati
+63 927 965-2692
Share to and tag friends who would love to try these restaurants with you. We have more Makati lists for you here: Legaspi Village, Bel-Air, Urban Ave.
If you’re not already enjoying the offline convenience of Booky, it’s free to download on iPhone and Android. For restaurant owners, make sure your details on the Booky app is complete and up to date–Read this.