2014 Mid-Year Report: The 10 Best and Most-Reviewed Restaurants In Manila

**Monseratto** · August 11th, 2014 05:24 PM

BY EJ DELA VEGA ON JULY 24, 2014

The halftime buzzer has sounded and we’re on the sidelines to give you the restaurant scene’s highlights after the first 6 months of the year. We put together an initial list of the 10 best restaurants in Manila based on their ratings and how many times YOU reviewed them on the looloo app!

With a number of foreign franchises making it to the top 10, it seems like places on the list have figured out how to play off Filipinos’ growing affinity towards more unusual cuisines. You’ll see familiar names here, and also 2014’s most-anticipated newly-opened joints!

Did your favorite make the cut?

10. Hanamaruken Ramen (Trinoma Mall)
Number of Reviews: 95
Average Rating: 4.17

Being the first of 2 ramen restaurants on the list, it’s clear that the noodle trend hasn’t lost much momentum since its boom last year. Hanamaruken isn’t quite as established as places like Ukokkei or Ikkoryu Fukkuoka Ramen, but the newcomer has become a favorite choice for reviewers with the uber-tender slow-braised pork ribs in their Signature Happiness Ramen.

With only one branch so far (up north in Trinoma), we’re hoping to see more of Hanamaruken… somewhere down south maybe?

Hanamaruken Ramen
2/F Trinoma, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 720 9283

9. Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina (Kapitolyo)
Number of Reviews: 95
Average Rating: 4.34

Silantro made a splash in 2013 for being looloo app reviewers’ choice for being the best Fil-Mex restaurant out there. Their almost too-cheap-to-be-true tacos, quesadillas, and burritos must have some kind of magic seasoning in them because they’re still one of the most popular places on the app! Their affordable eats and cheap beer really lend to the place’s simple and laid-back vibe — something much sought-after in the busy Ortigas business district.

Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina
75 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 917 508 4748

8. Project Pie (Bluebay Walk, Pasay)
Number of Reviews: 96
Average Rating: 4.15

Is it any surprise that Project Pie is back on the list? The rate at which this DIY pizza franchise expanded in such a short time (they now have 7!) is impressive. What’s even more remarkable is that they’ve been able to maintain the hype and consistent high ratings.

Is this DIY pie movement just a trend or will we see it going the distance?

Project Pie
G/F Bluebay Walk, EDSA cor. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 463 7122

7. Mad Mark’s (Kapitolyo)
Number of Reviews: 100
Average Rating: 4.27

Mad Mark’s started out as a hole-in-the-wall sandwich and ice cream shop in Kapitolyo, but the opening of their latest branch in Glorietta 5 (which almost made it to the list with 84 reviews!) solidifies them as a favorite in the Manila foodie scene. They’ve expanded their menu, too — reviewers love their affordable steak options and of course, the new ice cream flavors like Salted Caramel and BanOreo!

Mad Mark’s
23 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines

6. Kettle (Shangri-La Mall)
Number of Reviews: 106
Average Rating: 4.06

Kettle is proof that to appeal to Filipinos’ tastes, it’s not just about hitting the sweet spot in terms of price. The place’s dishes aren’t necessarily as affordable as those of the others on this list, but Chef Chiloy Santos’ comfort food flavors are proving to be worth the price of admission. If you haven’t tried it yet, their Buttermilk Fried Chicken will show you why this small restaurant in Shangri-La is a strong contender for 2014’s best.

Kettle
5/F Shangri-La Plaza, East Wing
EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 654 7077

5. Tim Ho Wan (SM Megamall)
Number of Reviews: 110
Average Rating: 4.2

One of the biggest and most-hyped restaurant openings of the year belonged to Tim Ho Wan and its legendary baked pork buns. With its mother branch being recognized as the world’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurant, it’s no wonder that hordes of hungry Pinoys flocked to SM Megamall for a chance to try their dimsum. The verdict? People ended up getting in line for almost 2 hours, even weeks after they opened. They must be doing SOMETHING right!

Tim Ho Wan
UG/F SM Megamall, Mega D
EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

4. Todd English Food Hall (SM Aura)
Number of Reviews: 119
Average Rating: 4.06

People may attribute this restaurant’s success to the celebrity chef’s name behind it, but with the number of reviews it’s gotten this past 6 months, it’s clear that there’s far more to it. With an array of menu offerings that span several countries and continents, this food hall (think sosy food court) will take you on a culinary journey that’ll take you across multiple cultures and flavors.

For a lot of reviewers though, the trip starts with their famous flatbreads and ends with a generous helping of their OMG Chocolate Cake!

Todd English Food Hall
5/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway cor. 26th St., BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila
+63 2 621 4002

3. 8 Cuts Burger Blends (SM Megamall)
Number of Reviews: 136
Average Rating: 4.11

8 Cuts picked up on the success of Burger Bar in Greenbelt and took off with it, opening branches all over the metro and capitalizing on the mega crowds at SM Megamall’s new Fashion Hall.

Their made-to-order patties are turning casual burger fans into connoisseurs with their different meat blends and are showing us that burgers are no longer just fastfood pick-me-ups. Move over, McDonald’s, premium burger joints are taking the spotlight, and it looks like 8 Cuts is one of those places stealing the show in 2014.

8 Cuts Burger Blends
3/F SM Megamall, Mega D
EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 631 4388

2. Magnum Manila Cafe (SM Aura)
Number of Reviews: 171
Average Rating: 4.13

Elevating the convenience store ice cream favorite to new heights with this Manila pop-up cafe, Magnum has become so much more than fancy Pinipig ice cream bars. Their DIY ice cream station and its price point at ₱100 has people getting in line for a taste and talking about it non-stop.

Part of the appeal the place has is that (if sources are to be believed) it won’t be around for much longer. So if you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, you’d best make your way over to SM Aura sooner rather than later.

Magnum Manila Cafe
5/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway cor. 26th St., BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila

1. Ramen Nagi (SM Aura)
Number of Reviews in 2014: 307
Average Rating: 4.42

It’s no surprise that the King of Reviews for the first half of 2014 is a ramen joint, after the trend erupted last year. It’s also no surprise that of all the ramen restaurants out there, Nagi, a rebranded Butao Ramen from Hong Kong, takes top honors. The menu is simple and not too diverse, but with dishes like the Black King and Red King, and not even mentioning the number of branches they continue to open, is it even possible that they be dethroned anytime soon?

Ramen Nagi
5/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway cor. 26th St., BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila
+63 2 828 6793

It’s been a tight race so far, and we’re taking bets! Which of these Manila places will still be on the list by year’s end? Which newcomers will give them a run for their money?

Mid-2014: The 10 Best and Most-Reviewed Restaurants in Manila