When everyone thinks of Ortigas Center, it’s its being a bustling business district that automatically springs to mind. But tucked away along its streets and nestled within its towering buildings are some of the most delicious restaurants that you could ever try and which are always worth braving the traffic for.
There are a lot of food places to discover within this district, so we asked our WhenInManila.com readers to tell us what their ultimate favorite restaurants in Ortigas are. Here’s what they answered!
1. Ginza
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GF, Augustin 1, Emerald Ave, San Antonio, Pasig City
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Ginza Japanese Restaurant, hidden somewhere along Emerald Avenue, offers a well-curated menu of Japanese comfort food and traditional dishes to celebrate the flavors of Japan close to home. Must-try dishes are its donburi rice bowls, 5 Kinds Aburi sushi platter, and its Ginza Sumiyaki Udon!
2. Panco Café
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5F, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
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Panco Café is a Melbourne-style restaurant that offers hearty dishes with a Pinoy twist as well as delicious Australian coffee. Its Podium branch gives off a cozy vibe that’s conducive to both remote working and catching up with friends. The menu at Panco Café features a wide selection of Australian-Filipino fusion dishes, from all-day brunches to noodles and veggies. Depending on what you’re particularly craving that day, you can choose between having your viand “Melbourne Style,” which is presented to you in a soft and buttered-up pandesal sandwich, dangerously addicting root crop chips, and pickled atsara, or “Manila Style,” which pairs it up with rice, house side, and a pickled salad.
3. ThaiDara
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8006 Pioneer St, corner United St, Pasig City
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Bringing the best of the Bangkok food scene, ThaiDara in Pioneer Street offers Thai dishes prepared with high-quality authentic ingredients, some of which are made with a Filipino twist. Must-haves are the Tom Yum Goong, Bangkok Spring Rolls, Papaya Salad, Padthai, and its curry dishes!
4. YÅ«gen Japanese Restaurant
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GF, The Crescent Building, 29 San Miguel Ave, Pasig City
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Nestled within a condominium along San Miguel Avenue, YÅ«gen Japanese Restaurant takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese aesthetic, serving authentic Japanese food in an elegant and peaceful ambiance that makes you feel like you’re truly dining in the Land of the Rising Sun. YÅ«gen has an expansive menu featuring different high-quality sushi, seafood, grilled dishes, ramen and soba, and rice bowls that are all packed with amazing flavors you won’t ever forget.
5. 22 Prime
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22F, Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
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22 Prime is the multi-awarded restaurant on the 22nd floor of the Discovery Suites Ortigas hotel. 22 Prime is known for its mouth-watering steaks, gourmet burgers, and sumptuous ala carte dishes that are all best paired with a glass of wine.
READ our recent feature on 22 Prime here!
6. Salvatore Cuomo
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The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
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Looking for a place to hang out during the weekends? Here’s a place to drink, dance and just chill the night away! Salvatore Cuomo & Bar in Podium Mall is a restaurant that offers incredible Neapolitan cuisine that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner with friends or family. Try their famous Quattro Formaggi Pizza, Lamb Chops, and different premium steaks.
7. Hai Chix & Steaks and Cooper’s Coffee Haus
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GF, Estancia Mall, Camino Verde Rd, Pasig City
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When it comes to steak, Hai Chix & Steaks is a crowd favorite for being a more affordable option among the many fine dining steakhouses around Metro Manila. Hai Chix & Steaks’ menu is simple and straightforward with a good mix of budget-friendly comfort food and more indulgent choices, and you are better off treating yourself to a delicious sizzling plate of good Porterhouse steak!
Oh, and don’t ignore the tiny coffee shop located at the front door too. Cooper’s Coffee Haus serves not-your-typical coffee made with distinctly high-quality ingredients. We recommend getting the Honey Oat Latte, Brown Butter Latte, or the Matcha Latte!
8. Duck & Buvette
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2F, Main Wing Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA, Corner Shaw Blvd, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
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Duck & Buvette (previously Café Provençal) has been around for quite a long time at Shangri-La Plaza Mall and is a favorite among frequent mallgoers for its French-inspired dishes and its uber-satisfying meats and poultry, including lamb, steak, pork belly, and, its pièce de résistance, the Duck Confit. Don’t miss out on its coffees, desserts, and other delicious small plates too!
9. Summer Palace at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
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Mezzanine Floor, Tower Wing, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
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Summer Palace in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel remains to be one of the most well-known and sought-after Chinese restaurants in Metro Manila for its authentic Cantonese cuisine and elegant atmosphere. It truly is among the top-of-mind choices for celebrating big occasions with the family. Make sure to reserve a table or a private room in advance!
10. Moonshine P.U.B.
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The Sapphire Bloc Sapphire Corner Onyx Corner Ortigas, Garnet Rd, San Antonio, Pasig City
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Moonshine P.U.B. at Sapphire Bloc is a cozy bar open from lunchtime to the early hours of the morning, servicing customers from all walks of life from day to night! This pub provides a welcome respite for Filipinos craving their all-time favorites and comfort food with a glass of beer, wine, or alcohol. It’s definitely a great place to unwind with friends after office hours!
11. Ganso Shabuway
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5F, East Wing Building Shangri-La Mall, EDSA Corner Shaw Blvd, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
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Ganso Shabuway is one of the best hotpot restaurants in the Metro, specializing in Japanese-style shabu-shabu. You can choose from different set menus which include a plate of sliced Angus beef and assorted vegetables, and choose your own broth. We highly recommend getting the Vegetable and Mushroom Set with Premium Angus Beef and the Spicy Miso Broth (you can request a mild spicy broth if you can’t handle too much heat).
12. Putien
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5F, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
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Ever wanted to dine at a restaurant with a Michelin Star? Head on over to Putien at The Podium Mall, a Singapore franchise serving Fujian cuisine with the freshest ingredients! There are so many authentic Fujian dishes to enjoy, such as the Bian Rou Soup, Singaporean Crabs, Deep-Fried Pork Trotters, Shredded Pork with Sesame Bun, Crispy Oyster, and more.
13. James & Daughters
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Estancia Mall East Wing, Camino Verde Rd, Pasig City
@wheninmanila Yummy asian cuisine at James & Daughters! 😋 #fyp #wheninmanila #foryou #wimyummy #foodietok #foodietokph #foodieph #masarapba #filipinofood ♬ Food Hunter – ZydSounds
James & Daughters is a family-owned business serving the average Filipino’s favorite comfort food. They like to tell their customers to “leave their diets out the door” because the only correct way to eat their meals is to indulge, more preferably with friends and family! Must-try dishes here are the Cirpsy Roasted Pork Belly, Seared Togarashi Tuna, Thai BBQ Chicken, and Crabs!
14. Southbank Café + Lounge
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Estancia Mall East Wing, Camino Verde Rd, Pasig City
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Southbank Café + Lounge is a Melbourne-inspired independent café and cocktail bar located in Estancia Mall. No matter what time of the day it is, Southbank Café provides the necessary comfort for any individual seeking either a warm cup of coffee or a refreshing after-work drink. Their coffees are made with Allpress Espresso beans using the Victoria Adruino espresso machine, which is the machine used for the World Barista Championships, and they also feature a wide array of delicious food, from all-day breakfasts to hearty mains to bar chow.
15. Yakiniku Like
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3F, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall
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A favorite grilling spot in Japan, Yakiniku Like offers a fun grill-it-yourself experience with its premium meats and smokeless tabletop grills. It’s a great place for those craving Japanese barbecue but want to dine alone!
Did we miss anything? Share with us your favorite restaurants in bars in Ortigas that you want to be included in Part 2 of this list!
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