Robinsons Place Manila's Foodie Guide

MANILA, Philippines - Manila is home to the country’s rich history and culture. It was also the city wherein the oldest restaurants were first established.

Celebrating the greatness of Manila’s dining culture, Robinsons Place Manila features its eclectic selection of dining places – from gourmet-themed bistros to inexpensive specialty restaurants. Be it for a Sunday and holiday family gathering or after-work dinner, al-fresco or indoor dining, Robinsons Place Manila is your ultimate foodie destination in the city.

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Cafe Brenton

Rarely do you find a crêperie here in Manila, and if you ever find one, hardly will you find a gourmand-standard selection of crepes. At Café Breton, you can fulfill your hankering for an authentic Parisian-style crepe. Flavors range from the sweet Cherries Jubilee, which has cherry preserve, caramel ice cream, cinnamon rum flambé, and caramel syrup fillings to the savory Galette Don Quixote, which is stuffed with chorizo, onion, tomato, cream, and mozzarella.

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Mary Grace

Café Mary Grace may be more popular for delighting customers with its signature ensaymadas but there is also plenty of hearty comfort food,  wich along with its friendly ambience makes Café Mary Grace a great choice for lunch, dinner, or over a lazy afternoon.

For a light and healthy choice, Café Mary Grace offers a good selection of salads including the Mary Grace Ceasar salad—breaded chicken fillet on top of crisp romaine lettuce dotted with croutons and bacon bits, tossed in a tasty Ceasar dressing. Another must-try here is the Spicy Lemon Scampi—pan-seared shrimps and linguini noodles with a spicy kick from the lemon, chilli, and lots of garlic sauteed in extra virgin olive oil. The Grilled Vegetables on Foccacia is also a favorite on the menu. It consists of grilled foccacia bread filled with grilled zucchini, eggplant and oyster mushrooms marinated in a delicate balance of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

For dessert, the best-selling ensaymada can be paired with yummy Mary Grace hot chocolate.

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Around The World

T.G.I. Friday’s

Widely known for serving classic American fare, T.G.I. Friday’s is home to succulent American steaks and baby back ribs, mouthwatering burgers and sandwiches, delicious appetizers and other treats served in generous portions.

Be it for lunch or dinner, T.G.I. Friday’s pasta specialties will satisfy your voracious appetite. The Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta is a must-try. with al dente fettuccine pasta ribbon smothered in creamy spicy Alfredo sauce, topped with juicy chicken and shrimp, sauteed with red bell peppers in their special Cajun batter finished with parmesan cheese.

Their Jack Daniel’s Salmon is also a filling choice which is North Atlantic Salmon fillet char-grilled with their special Jack Daniel’s glaze. It is served with a choice of corn on the cob or seasonal vegetables and choice of cheddar cheese mashed potatoes or rice.

This place is also perfect for yuppies who want a casual, relaxed atmosphere for happy hour or after-work hangout. Friday’s has a great selection of bar drinks including its signature mojito.

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Cyma Greek Taverna

Among the few restaurants offering Mediterranean specialties here in the country, Cyma is the ideal place to satisfy your craving for lamb chops, moussaka, gyros, and other Greek specialties. Featuring Mediterranean interiors, Cyma boasts of contemporary Greek dishes as well as traditional values and flavors of the Greek cuisine.

For starters, you can try their delicious assortment of Mezedes or appetizers such as the Greek Nachos—warm pita bread served with hummus, then move on to their best-selling Paidakia—char-grilled lamb ribs, served with your choice of side maroulisalata, spanakorizo, rice-stuffed peppers or Greek roasted potatoes.

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Healthy ShabuShabu

Healthy ShabuShabu is a “cook your own” way of dining where customers can eat meals that complement their diets and tastes. The restaurant uses the freshest and finest ingredients to ensure high nutritional value for diners.

Healthy ShabuShabu is the best place to enjoy a unique and modern shabushabu dining experience with friends and family.

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Soi

The aromatic flavors and exotic spices of Thai cuisine define a great Thai dining experience here at Soi, a casual full-service restaurant. Soi prides itself of serving over 70 quality Thai cuisine specialties from noodles, rice dishes, salad, soups, curry dishes and grills, to local Thai desserts.

One of their most-desired specialties is the Pad Thai Shrimp —stir-fried noodles with eggs, fish sauce tamarind juice, red chili pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, and tofu, garnished with crushed peanuts, chives and lime. The Tom Yum Talei is another appetizing signature Thai dish which is a seafood soup – a combination of shrimp, squid, fish fillet with chili paste, galangal, kaffir, lemongrass, coconut milk, and lime.

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Bistro Ravioli

Home-cooked Italian cooking and freshly sourced ingredients make Bistro Ravioli a standout from other Italian restaurants in the city. Watch out for the flying pizza dough as chefs in this restaurant knead your pizza dough before baking it in a wood-fire pizza oven.  The pizza here is made more truly Italian as it is topped only with traditional Italian flavors. An example will be the Fennel Sausage Pizza—topped with fennel sausage, panna and scallion. And as the restaurant’s name says it, the restaurant serves savory homemade ravioli such as the Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pesto Sauce—stuffed with spinach and feta cheese enveloped in pasta pillows. This light yet filling pasta meal is sauteed in their traditional pomodoro sauce topped with pesto.

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Gumbo

A genuine southern American dining experience is what Gumbo promises its diners amid a vibrant mood brought by Dixieland jazz music, giving you a feel of a New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration.

But the main attraction here is the extensive menu consisting of Cajun and Creole cooking—from freshly caught seafood, tender and juicy steaks and ribs, to a variety of pasta and pizza dishes and a whole lot more.

For your carnivorous cravings, a must-try is Gumbo’s Bourbon-style Baby Back Ribs—seasoned pork ribs, char-broiled to perfection, and basted with Bourbon-style barbecue sauce. For seafood lovers, the Seafood Jambalaya is the perfect choice. It is New Orleans’ answer to paella with fresh mussels, Pacific clams, shrimps, and calamari with andouille sausage cooked with Cajun spiced long grain.

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Secret Recipe

The Malaysian specialty lifestyle café chain has brought a wide array of delicious Southeast Asian flavors here in the country. Serving 20 cakes, 10 pastries, 50 hot meal entrees, and 30 hot and cold beverage choices, Secret Recipe is an ideal dining place for those craving for authentic Malaysian and Asian culinary specialties such as different types of curry, fried noodles, laksa, grilled and roasted chicken meals, and vegetarian-friendly dishes. Secret Recipe also offers your favorite Western fare.

Try their newest offerings which include the Thai Seafood Spaghetti—a spicy spaghetti dish with loads of fresh prawns, mushrooms, cauliflower and aromatic herbs. Another delectable offering here is their Chicken Parmigiana—two pieces of boneless chicken drizzled with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served with salad and cherry tomatoes.

Secret Recipe’s desserts are also worth a try. For a completely satisfying meal, have a slice of their Oreo Cheesecake or Mango Delight.

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Italianni’s

The enticing aroma oozing from this restaurant suggests a greatly delectable Italian feast. Italianni’s offers real Italian taste ranging from pizzas to its signature pastas.

Consistent bestsellers here include Sicilian Chicken salad—chicken breast, crispy romaine, mangoes, red grapes and pine nuts, tossed in a creamy lemon-Dijon dressing; and Grilled Pepper Fish Fillet – grilled white fish fillet seasoned with freshly cracked black pepper and served with linguine or mashed potatoes and a rich tomato cream sauce.

Freshly cooked and savory pastas are also available here including Seafood Cioppino—mussels, shrimps, clams, calamari and linguine in red wine sauce, enhanced with basil pesto. Also try their newest specialty flatbreads such as the Shrimp and Chive with Marirose dressing.

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Filipino Favorites

Max’s

One of the oldest-existing Filipino-themed restaurants in the country, Max’s has always brought a lot of great memorable dining experiences to its ever-loyal patrons. The restaurant never really gets empty especially during lunchtime and dinner. Filipinos’ all-time favorite Max’s Fried Chicken is always served in golden-fried perfection with a unique blend of Max’s secret recipes that will leave diners with a “Sarap to the bones” experience.
Another specialty is the Max’s Kare-Kare—a rich beef and vegetable dish of oxtail, ox tripe and beef chunks simmered in thick peanut sauce and served with Max’s bagoongalamang.

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Aristocrat Restaurant

For decades, Aristocrat Restaurant continues to serve delectable Filipino comfort food and specialty meals. Whether it is for a Sunday family gathering or a Friday payday lunch treat with friends, Aristocrat makes for an enjoyable dining experience.

The timeless favorite here is the luscious Chicken Barbecue, which is especially marinated chicken grilled on a skewer, served with its signature Java rice, Java sauce, and atchara. For a bigger family or group, they can also try the Pancit Canton—homemade egg noodles with stir-fried meat, shrimps and vegetables. Its house-blend iced tea is always a great match to these delicious meals.

Aristocrat also offers a good assortment of desserts, including its specialty Halo Halo, and more choices from its baked products.

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Cabalen

Cabalen never runs out of diners who crave for good ‘ol authentic Filipino meals. One of the all-time favorite family restaurants in the country, it never fails to please its patrons with satisfying Capampangan specialties served in all-you-can-eat style buffet. A Pampanga original dish and an ultimate Filipino favorite, Kare-Kare is one of Cabalen’s popular dishes which has  a thick savory peanut sauce with ox tail, tripe, cheek and a variety of vegetables including eggplant, string beans, and white banana heart. It is served with Cabalen’s original bagoong.

Cabalen’sBeringhe, or Capampangan Paella, is also a must-try. It is made of glutinous rice mixed with fresh coconut milk, sausages and chicken topped with boiled egg.

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Isla Café

The newest restaurant in Robinsons Place, Isla Café Manila has already made many Filipinos fall in love with delicious local comfort food. Its ambience is unpretentious, and its service, truly Pinoy, with staff in their Filipiniana uniforms greeting and speaking to you in Tagalog and addressing you not as a “ma’am” or “sir,” but as “binibini” or “ginoo.”

Of course, its menu is all-Filipino, from your favorite rice meals like the best-selling Bicol Express to merienda like PancitLuglog.  For a sweet treat, try their refreshing, sippable Halo-Halo.

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Marina

Marina offers a great catch of delectable seafood meals that are fresh and of best quality. Eat your way through their Red-Hot Baked Oysters—a spicy rendition of their baked oyster. Or feast on the mouthwatering Blue Marlin – buttery-flavored succulent white meat charcoal-grilled to perfection. Diners can also enjoy a bottle of beer paired with lip-smacking classic Pinoy appetizers and sizzling specialties.

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Classic Cuisine

It’s not every day that you get to taste a redefined Filipino classic dish, and what better place to have it than in C2 Classic Cuisine. This restaurant is a casual dining venue offering creative yet classic Filipino favorites. It can be a perfect family dining place, or just a great venue for special gatherings with friends and colleagues.

Among their signature meals here is the Seared Tilapia in Coconut Emulsion – tender tilapia fillets served with pineapple salsa and creamy coconut sauce. Another specialty here is the Crispy Kare-Kare – crispy pork hocks served with sautéed vegetables and rich peanut sauce.

C2 also has a good choice of local refreshments and desserts such as the Bibingka Soufflé and Guinumis.

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More International Flavor

Jamba Juice

Refreshing, healthy and delicious juices and smoothies are what you can get at Jamba Juice. Their wide array of fruity- and creamy-flavored drinks make for great thirst quenchers. Try their Razzmatazz—mixed berry juice, strawberries, bananas, and orange sherbet. Also available are all-fruit smoothies, creamy smoothies (with irresistible chocolate and peanut butter flavors), fruit and yogurt parfait, and more.

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Miso Ten

Hearty choices of ramen, tendon and other classic Japanese specialties are what you can find in this new Japanese joint in Robinsons Place Manila. Miso Ten. With a hip but unpretentious ambience, Miso Ten is a great place to enjoy a big, steamy bowl of ramen that is perfectly paired with their golden tempura, fully crispy on the outside and sweet and juicy within and is made of the freshest and plumpest black tiger prawn, deep-fried to perfection.

Miso Ten also serves its Excellent Tendon—rice meal topped with a scrumptious mix of ebi, eggplant, string beans, and pumpkin. Gyoza is also another favorite here which is made of ground pork and vegetable filling inside a thin dough wrapper.

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Even More Choices

Yakimix

If you or your friends are up for a food trip, or if your family is up for a big holiday lunch, then Yakimix is a good place for a feast, with different varieties of international fare including Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, American, and Italian favorites. Your tabletop smokeless grill allows you to cook your favorite tender and succulent meats just the way you like them.

There are so many delicious items to fill your plate including an assortment of sushi, Chinese dumplings, tempura, salads, pizza, seafood dishes, noodles, and a whole lot more. Their dessert station also offers your favorite sweet treats such as ice cream, halo halo, tarts, cakes, panna cotta, and many more.

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Sakae Sushi

Sakae Sushi provides a vibrant and colorful atmosphere, a perfect place to bring your family and friends. It features a wide selection of sushi on a conveyor belt, which you can enjoy buffet-style, or ala carte. Aside from that, Sakae also offers traditional Japanese food such as different flavors of ramen, udon and soba dishes, donburi specialties, tempura, teriyaki, shioyaki and other yakimono favorites, Japanese hotpot dishes or Nabemono, and many more.

The Spider Roll Sushi is a chef-recommended special, as well as the Kajiki Butter Yaki.

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Mr. Choi Kitchen

Mr. Choi’s Kitchen is a great place to fulfill your craving for authentic Chinese dishes. Its extensive menu consists of your favorite dim sum and dumpling specialties, soup noodles, fried and crispy noodles, fried rice and rice toppings, rice meals, roasted dishes, and baked dishes, among many others.

One of their recommended dishes here is the Baked Seafood in White Sauce with Rice – a generous serving of baked cheesy rice topped with your favorite seafood. Mr. Choi’s Dimsum Combination is also good for sharing if you’re dining as a group or with family. It is a combination of hakaw, siomai, spring rolls, and fried dumplings.

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Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu and Restaurant

Buffet restaurants are now becoming a favorite place of families who pay one price for all dishes they can eat. Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu and Restaurant is a perfect example of where they can indulge in a plethora of different Asian specialties—from dim sum selections, bulgogi, a boatload of sushi varieties, as well as succulent imported beef choices and an appetizing seafood selection fresh off the grill. Guests can be their own chefs here as they can cook their favorite meats and seafood on the smokeless tabletop hotpot. Their sinfully scrumptious desserts are a great way to cap off a satisfying meal.