15 Underrated Restaurants in Manila That’ll Take Your Tastebuds on a Trip Around the World!

Tired of your go-to delivery and take out options? Switch it up and let your palettes go on an adventure! With so many dining and delivery options available in Metro Manila (and more so now in quarantine), identifying restaurants and dishes worth trying is understandably overwhelming. While we love our go-to Flaming Wings and Lydia’s Lechon, we’ve done the legwork to bring you 15 underrated and must-try restaurants in Manila that’ll take you farther than you have in the past 7 months. From Singaporean dishes to Lebanon cuisine - here are our top picks:

If you’ve been longing for classic tender, juicy and fall-off-the-bone BBQ, look no further than Smokeyard. This barbecue joint, located in the heart of Poblacion, serves the best smoked meats in the city. We recommend trying their Baby Back Ribs and Pulled Pork for a mouthwatering treat.

There’s no other place that serves home-grilled sausages like Three Guys And A Grill, a small deli in Poblacion. Their bestseller, Posh Dog, is a German Pork Bratwurst with truffle honey mustard, grilled onions, and cheese that’s just as tasty as it sounds! 

Oomori Japanese Cuisine is not your typical Japanese restaurant! Their menu consists of Japanese favorites with a modern spin, offering a fusion that’ll take your tastebuds for a ride! Check out their unique Sushi Bake options like Salmon Wrapped Aburi with Truffle Oil and Flaming Nigiri for a flavorful party in your mouth. Trust us when we say this is one meal you’ll keep coming back to!

You might overlook Kale Cafe + Restaurant for just another neighborhood cafe, but their comfort food options hit the spot with a lasting warmth. Kale Cafe’s freshly baked breads will become your new go-to, while a bite of their new Katsu Sando will take you all the way to Japan. 

Bugis Singapore Street Food may be popular amongst North residents, but we think it needs some love from Manila locals all over! This unassuming restaurant brings to the table Singaporean dishes that can rival those of the actual Bugis Street in Singapore. We highly recommend their Singapore Laksa, Nasi Goreng Rice and of course a Kaya Toast breakfast meal (perfect for any time of the day!)

If you’re looking for affordable and authentic Vietnamese food, So Mot Vietnamese Cuisine is the fix to all your cravings. Don’t miss out on their Bun Cha Thit (Noodle Salad with Fried Chopped Meat), Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup), and Banh Xeo (Sizzling Rice Pancakes).

If all you want is a home-cooked meal, Deli Avenue cooks up delicious Ilocano food with homegrown ingredients sourced from the Ilocos region, as well as international gourmet dishes. Try their Bagnet cooked in different variations including Bagnet Kare-Kare, Binagoongang Bagnet, and Pinakbet with Bagnet!

Craving for some comfort? You can’t go wrong with Italian food. Salta! serves delicious rotisserie dishes, handmade pasta, and affordable Sangria, and the best part is they give generous servings that are perfect for sharing!

Eat up a feast at Titto’s Latin BBQ & Brew. This restaurant serves an exciting variety of Latin American cuisine infused with Filipino elements. Their Nacho el Gigante and 18-hour Gaucho steak is a must-try!

Trust us, no one makes Mediterranean cuisine taste as delicious and comforting as Hummus Elijah. Order their signature Hummus Elijah, Couscous with Vegetable, and Sabich Sandwich for a healthy and appetizing treat!

Thomson Road serves the best flavors from Filipino provinces - from Pampanga to Bacolod. While their restaurant in Molito recently closed down due to the pandemic, they still offer ready-to-heat meals that are easy to prepare at home. Order their Pampangueno Pork Sisig, Ilonggo Chicken Inasal, and Inihaw na Liempo to shake up your next meal.

Lampara takes an inventive spin on Filipino food that goes beyond the tried-and-true recipes of Filipino favorites. Dishes that stand out, in particular, include their chicken and pork plates as well as their Yema at Tsokolate.

Tucked along a corner street in San Antonio, Makati is Satinka Naturals—a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city.  While it first debuted as a modern-day apothecary selling natural skincare and wellness solutions, it has since expanded and added a dine-in cafe that serves vegan-friendly dishes made with ingredients fresh from the Cordillera region.

Yalla Yalla serves delicious, freshly prepared, Lebanese-style street food that will instantly have you dialing for seconds. For the best experience, try their Beef Kebab and Chicken Shawarma! You won’t be able to get enough of it. 

Siam Yum is a restaurant that serves authentic Thai food and drinks. If you love honest-to-goodness Thai food, you’ll enjoy chowing down on their affordable and flavor-packed meals. We recommend their Pad Thai, Thai Wings, and Thai Milk Tea - all perfect to devour on your own or with the fam!