5 Restaurants in Metro Manila That'll Make You Travel Through Taste

Where: Ayala Malls The 30th

Price range: PhP165 to PhP365

For those with a preference for cold sweets, head to Emack and Bolio’s in Ayala Malls The 30th. Stepping inside Emack and Bolio’s is like going back to the 70s with all the psychedelic and tie-dye decorations. Every corner of the ice cream parlor is clad in bright colors. Emack and Bolio’s ice creams are known for being unique and quirky when it comes to the look and flavors. Some of the flavors you can choose from are “Deep Purple” chips, Stoney’s Dream, Maple Walnut, Grasshopper Pie, and Space cake.

Where: 4558 Molina Street, Poblacion, Makati City

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, and 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Price range: PhP160 to PhP5,400

In a busy area like Poblacion, it is rare to find a breather in an entire block of neon resto bars. La Collina stands out like a sore thumb around the area with a simple yet charming facade. The Italian-Spanish restaurant was created by the same people behind Blackbird, but what makes La Collina different from its predecessor is its atmosphere. La Collina presents itself as an elegant yet cozy restaurant that can serve as a little oasis in the city. Some of the dishes to try are the braised lamb shoulder (PhP595) if you want something heavy. For a light meal, the Fabada Asturiana (Spanish white bean stew) is a tasty choice.

Where: Unit 6 G/F Park Terraces, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City

Price range: PhP55 to PhP445

NIC’S in Ayala Center is a local version of a chic New York City cafe with its sophisticated black and white interiors reminiscent of Manhattan. Despite its NYC-inspired decors, the menu serves Filipino and European dishes such as clam chowder (PhP175), crispy adobo flakes (PhP345), and roast angus salpicao (PhP425). Finish your meal with desserts like the red velvet cake shake (PhP125) and dark molten lava (PhP135.)

Where: Solaire Hotel and Resort

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Price range: PhP310 to PhP3,950

Yakumi is not your average Japanese fast food: the restaurant takes pride in offering exotic Japanese dishes such as fugu (puffer fish). These kinds of dishes are hard to execute safely and can only be handled by licensed fugu chefs such as those in Yakumi. If you don’t want to sample the extreme dishes, you can always stick to the favorites such as sushi rolls, tempuras (deep fried shrimp,) sashimi (thin sliced raw fish,) and teppanyaki (grilled meat, fish, and vegetables). Yakumi’s Sunday Brunch buffet (PhP2,688) lets you eat fresh and handmade Japanese dishes like ramen, gyoza (crescent shaped dumpling,) and other favorites made by Japanese cooks.

Where: Ground Floor, Joya Lofts and Towers, Joya Drive, Rockwell, Poblacion, Makati

Price range: PhP50 to PhP1,198

For a taste of Barcelona in Makati, Rambla steps up as one of the popular Spanish tapa restaurants in Manila. Besides the tapa, some of the dishes to try are the salmon tartar (PhP695) and grilled Spanish octopus (PhP995). The menu has a good selection of dishes that even vegetarians can choose from. They can try the flambé of wild flour, which is a bread dish topped with vegetables. The bar also offers wine, champagne, or cocktails that can go along with your dishes. If you’re done eating, you can explore the restaurant’s charming and restaurant corners that are full of Barcelona inspired interiors.

August 2020 Update: Rambla is open for pick-up and delivery only.

To discover more restaurants in Metro Manila, visit Yoorekka.