Manila Restaurants: 2012 Edition

I like to eat. Who doesn't? Manila has a lot to offer when it comes to restaurants. Pretty much anything you want, you can find. However, traffic is a nightmare, so we tend to stay close to home in Makati. So keep in mind that most of my reviews are from around there, a few we ventured a little further. Also, I don't really eat meat. The Shark does (duh), so his picks are here, too. Happy eating!

Best Vegetarian
1. Corner Tree Cafe
Intimate setting (sometimes tables are too close), awesome walnut tofu burger, good service, always crowded
2. Pipino
Reasonably priced, good service, nice selection, weird decor, limited parking

3. Sugar Leaf, Roxas corner Buendia, Makati
Convenient parking, delicious juices, small organic grocery store

Best Mexican
1. Orale, The Fort
Great decor, outdoor seating, fresh ingredients, good beer selection

2. Chihuahua, Greenbelt
Nice selection of sauces, always out of guacamole, adequate indoor seating, great margaritas (or so I've heard), now open in Greenbelt but prefer the Makati Ave branch
3. FaBurrito, Makati Columns
Fast delivery, consistent taste, not open Sundays, budget friendly, good veggie chips
4. Achoite, Rockwell, Power Plant Mall
Outdoor seating, good selection of beer, fresh ingredients

Best Italian
1. Caruso, Bel-Air Village, Makati
Great ambience, awesome service, excellent food, nice selection of wine
2. La Grotta, Legaspi Village
Cute atmosphere, decent food


Best Filipino
1. Mesa Filipino
Great for big parties, quick service, tasty salads

2. XO 46 Bistro
Small wine pours, slow service, friendly chef, delicious tofu sisig

Best Mediterranean
1. Hossein's, Greenbelt 3
Outdoor seating, quick service, large selection, awesome hummus and falafel
2. Cafe Mediterranean, Greenbelt 1
Delivers, consistent,

Best Pizza
1. Papa John's
Tastes like America
2. Yellow Cab
Fast delivery, a little greasy, overall good


Best View
1. Skydeck, Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros

Best Indian
1. Legend of India
dim lighting, average service, delicious naan
2. New Bombay
Delivers, decent ambiance, inconsistent quality

Best Thai
1. People's Palace
Hard to get a reservation, nice outdoor seating, best Thai in town

Best Moroccan
1. Food stall at Salcedo Market.

Best American/Comfort Food
1. Apartment 1B
Always packed (make a reservation), comfortable seating, attentive servers, overpriced, great salads
2. Draft, The Fort
Awesome fish and chips, excellent beer selection

Best European
2. Sala Bistro
Outdoor seating, good service, 

Best Spanish
1. Terry's
Great wine selection, hearty pours, yummy
2. Alba, Bel-Air Village
Great live music

Best Japanese
1. Sereyna, Little Tokyo, Makati
Always busy, cool seating, delicious food
2. Omakase, Ayala Triangle
Great location in the park, limited beer selection, tasty food
3. Kokoro, Roxas Blvd., Manila
Quick meal, yummy ramen and rolls

Best Dessert
1. Chocolate Fire
Beautiful display case (that they don't allow you to take pictures of!), creative combinations (dark chocolate covered honey comb)
2. Cafe Breton
Amazing crepes, cute outdoor seating, blogged about the deliciousness here

Best Brunch
1. Sofitel
Totally decadent, very pricy
2. Marriott
Dessert room, lots of options