Food Scene
Filipino food from the province of Pampanga. Great place to go if you want to try exotic Filipino food in a heritage house while being seranaded by guitars. I recommend the crickets. :o)
Ang Bistro Sa Remedios
1911 M. Adriatico StreetFilipino food from the province of Pampanga. Great place to go if you want to try exotic Filipino food in a heritage house while being seranaded by guitars. I recommend the crickets. :o)
Old Manila cuisine in an Old Filipino house inside the walled city. They have fine dining (Ilustrado) and also more casual dining (Kwatro Kantos). I recommend the Sampaguita Ice Cream.
Ilustrado - General Luna
corner General Luna StOld Manila cuisine in an Old Filipino house inside the walled city. They have fine dining (Ilustrado) and also more casual dining (Kwatro Kantos). I recommend the Sampaguita Ice Cream.
Charming little restaurant in front of San Agustin Church. It's run by the Catholic Church of the Philippines so there is a definitely Papal vibe. Don't be surprised if a nun cooks up your orders. I recommend the pastries. They're all good.
Ristorante delle Mitre
Real StreetCharming little restaurant in front of San Agustin Church. It's run by the Catholic Church of the Philippines so there is a definitely Papal vibe. Don't be surprised if a nun cooks up your orders. I recommend the pastries. They're all good.
This iconic restaurant has been around FOREVER. Also known for great breakfasts, Cafe Ad is also a late night favorite that offers a mix of Filipino, Spanish and Continental cuisine. The hardwood floors and antique details give it a charm that's becoming quite rare in bustling and booming Manila. I recommend the Bibingka and the Pancit Luglog. If you want something non-Filipino, I recommend the gambas, and the Yemeni oxtail.
24 locals recommend
Cafe Adriatico Premier
1790 M. Adriatico StreetThis iconic restaurant has been around FOREVER. Also known for great breakfasts, Cafe Ad is also a late night favorite that offers a mix of Filipino, Spanish and Continental cuisine. The hardwood floors and antique details give it a charm that's becoming quite rare in bustling and booming Manila. I recommend the Bibingka and the Pancit Luglog. If you want something non-Filipino, I recommend the gambas, and the Yemeni oxtail.
Purple Yam had their beginnings as a little Filipino bistro that could in the SOHO district of Manhattan. The owners have returned to their Filipino roots and have opened up a fine dining Filipino establishment in their family's ancestral home in the heart of Malate. Definitely an experience. I recommend everything. The menu varies seasonally.
Purple Yam Malate
Jorge Bocobo StreetPurple Yam had their beginnings as a little Filipino bistro that could in the SOHO district of Manhattan. The owners have returned to their Filipino roots and have opened up a fine dining Filipino establishment in their family's ancestral home in the heart of Malate. Definitely an experience. I recommend everything. The menu varies seasonally.
Drinks & Nightlife
Artsy little dive that's hard to find. Follow the map well. But if you find it, their live music programming of folk, reggae, rock, alternative, and performance art is sure to keep you entertained. Friendly crowd too. I recommend the mojitos.
thebar@1951
1951 Adriatico StreetArtsy little dive that's hard to find. Follow the map well. But if you find it, their live music programming of folk, reggae, rock, alternative, and performance art is sure to keep you entertained. Friendly crowd too. I recommend the mojitos.
Located at the top floor of the Bayleaf Hotel, their views just cannot be beat. Enjoy a 360 degree view of Old Manila and the sunset over Manila Bay as you munch on tapas and sip cocktails. I recommend an ice cold San Miguel Beer of course!
9 locals recommend
Sky Deck View Bar, The Bayleaf Intramuros
Muralla StreetLocated at the top floor of the Bayleaf Hotel, their views just cannot be beat. Enjoy a 360 degree view of Old Manila and the sunset over Manila Bay as you munch on tapas and sip cocktails. I recommend an ice cold San Miguel Beer of course!
Craft beers and big snacks. What more can you ask for? Located near the corner of Adriatico and Padre Faura, this literal hole in the wall delivers when it comes to ambiance and quality. I recommend the Taco Salad with any of their home brews.
Tap Station1313 Adriatico
1313 M. Adriatico StreetCraft beers and big snacks. What more can you ask for? Located near the corner of Adriatico and Padre Faura, this literal hole in the wall delivers when it comes to ambiance and quality. I recommend the Taco Salad with any of their home brews.
This place has Anthony Bourdain's seal of approval. Great food, great drinks (the bartender shakes an splendid martini), and an affable crowd. The regulars are a mix of artists, journalists, and other intellectual types. This place is a Manila institution.
16 locals recommend
Oarhouse Pub of Manila
1004 Jorge Bocobo StreetThis place has Anthony Bourdain's seal of approval. Great food, great drinks (the bartender shakes an splendid martini), and an affable crowd. The regulars are a mix of artists, journalists, and other intellectual types. This place is a Manila institution.
Parks & Nature
The main green space for all of downtown Manila. Take a stroll at sunset, Jog around in the morning, watch their dancing fountain at night. It's the best place to be to see local color and people watch. I recommend going on weekends, there's usually a free concert at the covered auditorium.
372 locals recommend
Rizal Park
The main green space for all of downtown Manila. Take a stroll at sunset, Jog around in the morning, watch their dancing fountain at night. It's the best place to be to see local color and people watch. I recommend going on weekends, there's usually a free concert at the covered auditorium.
Sightseeing
The only UNESCO world heritage site in the city of Manila. This church and monastery is open to the public as a museum. Learn about the history of the Philippines as you wander through priceless relics. I recommend going on Sundays when the plaza fronting the church is alive with weddings, baptisms, and locals coming to hear Sunday mass.
20 locals recommend
San Agustin Church
General Luna StreetThe only UNESCO world heritage site in the city of Manila. This church and monastery is open to the public as a museum. Learn about the history of the Philippines as you wander through priceless relics. I recommend going on Sundays when the plaza fronting the church is alive with weddings, baptisms, and locals coming to hear Sunday mass.
Getting Around
This connects you to all other trains stops like the MRT and MRT and LRT 2. I recommend using the train in mid day when it's not crowded.
11 locals recommend
United Nations station
Taft AvenueThis connects you to all other trains stops like the MRT and MRT and LRT 2. I recommend using the train in mid day when it's not crowded.
Shopping
This hipster bazaar is located in the shell of a department store on the ground floor of the stunning Art Deco First United Building on Escolta. They've got crafts, clothes, art, a coffee shop and a bar. I recommend going in the later afternoon when all the shops are open.
98B
413 Escolta StThis hipster bazaar is located in the shell of a department store on the ground floor of the stunning Art Deco First United Building on Escolta. They've got crafts, clothes, art, a coffee shop and a bar. I recommend going in the later afternoon when all the shops are open.
One of the few - actually, perhaps the LAST - freestanding mom and pop bookstore in downtown Manila. Solidaridad has been around for more than 30 years. They specialize in rare books, artsy publications, back issues of New Yorker, and Filipiniana. Open everyday except Sundays.
Solidaridad
531 Padre Faura StOne of the few - actually, perhaps the LAST - freestanding mom and pop bookstore in downtown Manila. Solidaridad has been around for more than 30 years. They specialize in rare books, artsy publications, back issues of New Yorker, and Filipiniana. Open everyday except Sundays.
Essentials
Mercury Drug Store
694 T.M Kalaw St.Drug Store. All you need for medicines and sundries.