Gotta halove halo-halo
With the intense heat that’s taken over Manila recently, we’re all looking for something to help cool us down and freshen us up. There are lots of cold desserts out there, but nothing beats Halo-Halo as the classic summer cooler.
Probably the most recognized Filipino dessert, Halo-Halo is a favorite among many. There are a lot of places out there that serve this icy treat, and we’ve sat down to list the best of them in this article. Check them out and beat the summer heat!
Max’s Restaurant – Greenhills Shopping Center
Max’s Restaurant has been around since our grandparents’ time. In one way or another, we all grew up with Max’s and that’s why their simple and reliable Filipino offering keeps us coming back for more.
Insider tip: With Booky, you can get Buy 1 Get 1 Halo-halo, Chicken Sisig Rice Bowl with Sago't Gulaman, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet Bowl, and more!
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Carpark 1, Connecticut St, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 726-2222
Hukad – multiple branches
Hukad hails all the way from Cebu, and serves grilled dishes like the Lechon de Cebu and crispy pata. But more than just their pork offerings, Hukad has a huge menu full of Filipino favorites that will make your stomach glad to be Filipino.
Insider Tip: Get 2 orders of Halo-Halomazing for only ₱155 with Booky!
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2/F Entertainment Hall, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay
(02) 810-1745
Icebergs – multiple branches
With 18 branches and counting, Icebergs is a certified dessert haven for obvious reasons. Aside from their famous banana splits, Icebergs is also known for their sizzling sisig and crunchy tacos. We dare you to finish a whole order of their Super Halo-Halo in one sitting!
Reservations are accepted
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G/F SM Mall of Asia, South Wing, Pasay
(02) 556-0762
Mt. Arayat Special Halo-Halo – SM Mall of Asia
Taste “Pampanga’s Pride” in a cup with Mt. Arayat’s halo-halo. Don’t be fooled by the simple, clear cups as the Kapampangans surely know how to make their halo-halo with a twist! Each shaved ice dessert comes with bits and pieces of homemade milky pastillas on top, to add that extra texture and flavor to the mixture.
No reservations accepted
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G/F North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
Ilustrado – Intramuros
Ilustrado is a fine dining Filipino-Spanish restaurant that has been operating since 1989 inside the historic walled city, Intramuros. Ilustrado features a Hispanic architectural design with old world interiors and known to serve world-class Filipino, Spanish, as well as Global cuisines.
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744 Calle Real Del Palacio, Intramuros, Manila
(02) 527-3674
Aristocrat Restaurant – multiple branches
This Filipino classic has been around since the early 1900’s and it has organically evolved from its original food truck stand in Luneta to the Filipino restaurant giant that it is today. The iconic and historic Aristocrat restaurant is a household name for many Filipinos who want to enjoy their local favorites at affordable prices.
Insider Tip: The original Roxas Blvd. branch is open 24 hours!
Reservations are accepted
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432 San Andres St. cor Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila
(02) 894-0000
Razon’s of Guagua – multiple branches
Pampanga is famous for being the culinary capital of the Philippines and this Kapampangan restaurant prides itself in being one of the best places to get halo-halo. Razon’s halo-halo looks simple but what makes it special is the fine shaved ice that they use, very similar to Korean bingsu’s “snow” ice.
No reservations accepted
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One Kennedy Place, Club Filipino Ave, Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 726-8727
Milky Way of Malate – Tuscany Estates
Milky Way is known for its cool treats and traditional Spanish/Filipino food. Come through for an explosion of flavors in every order of their MW Special Halo-Halo.
Reservations are accepted
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G/F Tuscany Estates, Upper McKinley Rd, McKinley Hill, Taguig
(02) 823-5088
Crisostomo – multiple branches
Crisostomo shines the spotlight on the country’s cuisine. The restaurant, named after the protagonist in Jose Rizal’s acclaimed novel, Noli Me Tangere, is the brainchild of celebrity chef, Florabel Co-Yatco. Their dishes will take you back to the turn of the century.
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Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Ave cor 30th St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 621-3195
Vampire Penguin – SM North Edsa
Vampire Penguin is a dessert shop from California that specializes in shaved snow desserts. A must try is their Smoreos, Twix, and Snow Thiger.
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2/F SM City North EDSA, Annex, EDSA cor North Ave, Quezon City
Sentro 1771 – Capitol Commons
This well-known Filipino restaurant is popular for its unique corned beef sinigang. But did you know that they also serve halo-halo? Sentro takes pride in its fresh, homemade ingredients which include the leche flan and the ube toppings for this “quintessential Filipino dessert.”
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Capitol Commons, Meralco Ave. cor Shaw Blvd., Kapitolyo, Oranbo, Pasig
(02) 941-8277
Chowking – multiple branches
Chowking offers a combination of Chinese and Western cuisine, fast food-style. Their signature halo-halo has satisfied many Filipinos for generations and even approved by the Queen of all Media herself, Kris Aquino.
No reservations accepted
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2/F SM City North EDSA Main Bldg, City Cente, Quezon City
(02) 928-5805
Kuya J – multiple branches
Kuya J, formerly “Ang Kan-anan ni Kuya J”, is a casual dining restaurant from Cebu that offers well-loved home-cooked Filipino dishes. They have hot-off-the-grill items like pork barbecue, chicken barbecue, stuffed squid with barbecue sauce and more!
No reservations accepted
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Yelo Yelo – U.P. Town Center
Yelo-Yelo is a recently opened dessert concept store that offers classic Filipino desserts and snacks and puts a vibrant and fun spin on it. They have treats like buko pandan topped with macapuno ice cream, choco pop, banana langka turon drizzled with Davao chocolate, and more!
No reservations accepted
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The Courtyard, UP Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City
Kabigting’s Halo-Halo – multiple branches
Kabingting’s is a popular halo-halo joint that uses carabao pastillas as one of their unique toppings on this traditional dessert. Costing only P95 per serving, Kabigting’s only uses three ingredients: mashed beans, corn, and carabao’s milk pastillas.
No reservations accepted
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T&K Bldg, Quezon City
(02) 622-5381
The Lobby – The Peninsula Manila
Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo once said on his article that the Pen was the first to serve the halo-halo in special oversized bowls to its high-class patrons. Their Halo-Halo Parfait can be a good companion as you quietly enjoy the timeless ambiance of the hotel’s lobby.
Reservations are accepted
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The Peninsula Manila, Ayala Ave, Urdaneta, Makati
+63 2 887-2888
It’s officially summer and we here at Booky are making ways to keep cool and stay fresh. Check out more of our summer-inspired articles to help you beat, or make the most, of the summer heat.
Download Booky on iOS and Android and start adding restaurants to your Favorites and Must Try lists. You can also share your food-ventures with us by tagging @bookyapp on Instagram. Keep it fresh everyone!
