Where to Eat in Manila: Must-Try Filipino Restaurants for Balikbayans & Foodies

ABBEY: Manila never runs out of dining options, whether you are looking for comfort food, classic Filipino dishes, or a relaxed place to unwind. During our stay, we managed to try several restaurants across different parts of the city. Here are the places we ate at and what we ordered.

Nono’s Comfort Kitchen and Bakery

We arrived in Manila in the afternoon and walked from our hotel to Ayala Malls Manila Bay. While strolling around, we stumbled upon Nono’s Comfort Kitchen and Bakery, which felt perfect for merienda time.

I ordered the Arroz Caldo with Bone Marrow and Tokwa’t Baboy. The rice porridge was flavourful and comforting, topped with garlic bits, crispy wonton strips, egg, and gelatinous bone marrow. A squeeze of calamansi brought everything together. Paired with tokwa’t baboy, it truly lived up to the restaurant’s “comfort” promise. Even though it was still early, we tried Engkanto beer since it was buy-one-get-one, and it was a good deal.

Casa Reyes Bistro

After our hand and foot spa, the sun had already set, so we headed to Casa Reyes Bistro for dinner. We chose to dine al fresco, which added to the relaxed evening vibe.

I ordered pork barbecue served with unlimited java rice in a tiny caserola and a side of atchara. The barbecue was tender and sweet, while the atchara added a nice sour and tangy contrast. We also shared a serving of crispy pata. The skin was impressively crispy, and the meat inside was juicy. Dipping it in the toyo-suka helped balance the richness. For dessert, we had the Bibingka Cheesecake. It had that familiar char flavour from the coal, though the taste was just average for me.

Lechoneria

We had lunch at Lechoneria before watching a movie with ScreenX at SM Mall of Asia. Given the restaurant’s name, I probably should have ordered lechon, but I went with the beef caldereta instead.

Aside from lechon belly, Lechoneria also serves other Filipino favourites. My order came with rice, soup, and ensaladang talong. The beef was tender, and the thick, mildly spicy sauce went perfectly with rice. I mixed the eggplant, onion, and tomatoes with a small portion of bagoong on the side, just to be safe. It added balance and completed the meal nicely.

Where to Eat in Manila: Filipino Food Spots Balikbayans Will Love

Where to Eat in Manila: Filipino Food Spots Balikbayans Will Love

Where to Eat in Manila: Filipino Food Spots Balikbayans Will Love

WILL: Are you excited to come back to the Philippines and indulge in authentic Filipino cuisine? 🇵🇭

As a balikbayan, one common problem is time—we only have a few days to explore different provinces and taste their local food.

Good news: Manila brings the flavors of the Philippines to you.

Restaurants in Mall of Asia, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and nearby lifestyle hubs now offer Filipino specialties from different regions, plus Western comfort food. If you’re wondering where to eat in Manila, here are some restaurants worth your time and money.

1. Nono’s – Comfort Food with a Homey Feel
**Mall of Asia / Ayala Malls Manila Bay

I ordered Nono’s Homestyle Chicken and Waffles (Php 555), and it did not disappoint.
- Waffle texture: crispy on the outside, chewy inside
- Chicken: tender and juicy, not dry at all
What I loved most was the homey ambiance and their exceptional service—the staff was attentive without being intrusive. This is one of those places you’ll definitely want to come back to.

2. Casa Reyes Bistro – Classic Filipino Dishes Done Right
**Ayala Malls Manila Bay

We were seated outside, and surprisingly, it wasn’t too hot or humid. Service took a bit longer, but that’s expected—Casa Reyes is not fast food, and everything is made to order.
I ordered their Crispy Pata (Php 1,195) à la carte.
- Plenty of meat (good for 3 people)
- Crispy skin, flavorful inside
- Great value for the price
Unlike other versions, Casa Reyes’ Crispy Pata is generous and satisfying. Definitely worth indulging in when craving classic Filipino food.

3. Lechoneria – A Surprise Favorite for Kare-Kare
**SM Mall of Asia

When you hear Lechoneria, you expect lechon—and yes, that’s their specialty. But what truly caught my attention was their Kare-Kare Baka Set (Php 555).
And wow. Thick, rich peanut sauce, Deeply flavorful and Comforting and nostalgic.
Grabe, nakakamiss ang ganitong klaseng kare-kare. The thickness was just right, and the flavor really hit home.
Keep it up, Lechoneria—your kare-kare is outstanding.

If you’re a balikbayan, tourist, or local foodie with limited time, these restaurants make it easy to enjoy Filipino cuisine without traveling far.

Whether you’re at Mall of Asia, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, or Newport Manila, you’ll find dishes that bring comfort, nostalgia, and great flavors—all in one city.

***

Nono's Comfort Kitchen & Bakery

(W) https://nonos.ph/

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino

(W) https://www.casareyesbistrofilipino.com/

Lechoneria Lechon Belly and Filipino Favorites

(F) https://www.facebook.com/Lechoneria.PH/

We Stayed at Two Hotels Near NAIA — Here’s Why Grand Westside Was the Better Choice for Balikbayans

ABBEY: When we returned to Manila, we split our stay between Grand Westside Hotel and Holiday Inn Express.

We first checked in at Grand Westside Hotel, known as the largest hotel in the Philippines by room count, with a total of 1,530 rooms. One big plus is its location, as Ayala Malls Manila Bay is just a short walk away. We booked two rooms and were assigned connecting rooms, which was very convenient. However, it took about six hours before the connecting doors were opened, possibly due to the holiday rush.

The rooms themselves were spacious enough for us to unpack our luggage comfortably. The bed and linens felt clean, and we had a restful night’s sleep before flying to Palawan.

After our Palawan escapade, we stayed at Holiday Inn Express. Aside from the Christmas season, the hotel was also busy hosting delegates for the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Despite this, check-in was quick and only took a few minutes.

Once we reached our floor, we noticed an unpleasant smell, something like urine or a hospice-like scent, which was stronger because the hallway felt warm. We dropped our bags and headed out for dinner. Later that night, we realized our room was directly facing the highway. We ended up sleeping to the constant sound of revving vehicles. By morning, we requested a quieter room at the reception before heading to the breakfast buffet.

The new room still faced the highway, but the noise level was more manageable. For breakfast, I enjoyed the tapa and salabat, which was a nice start to the day. One thing worth noting is the hotel’s convenient location, as it is close to NAIA Terminal 3, making it a practical choice for travelers with early flights.

Grand Westside vs Holiday Inn Express Newport World:
Our Honest Balikbayan Hotel Review Near NAIA

WILL: We are always on the lookout for a good hotel whenever we fly back to Manila. As balikbayans, location and price are always our top priorities—especially when our itinerary revolves around the airport.

For this trip, we narrowed our options down to:
     1. Holiday Inn Express Newport World Resorts, which is literally across NAIA Terminal 3

     2. Grand Westside Hotel Manila in Entertainment City, only 8 minutes from NAIA Terminal 1

We compared both hotels based on:
•Distance to NAIA
•Price per night
•Room quality after long flights
•Family-friendly features
•Suitability for business travelers

These are the things that actually matter to balikbayans coming home.
So here’s my review.
And yes—expect this to be a more blunt review than Abbey’s 😂

Price Per Night (As of Our Stay)
1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila:
₱4,900.00 per night

2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World:
₱4,902.95 per night (with breakfast)
Pricing is almost identical—so value really comes down to room quality and overall comfort.

Room Quality & Comfort (After Long Flights)

1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila — 4/5
The room layout is impressive. It’s well-lit, modern, and spacious enough to open three large suitcases comfortably—a huge plus after an international flight.
 •Bed: Fluffy and comfortable
 •Lighting: Bright and relaxing
 •Space: Excellent for long stays
The only awkward part?
The shower curtain instead of a glass partition. It felt unusual at first, but honestly, it wasn’t a deal-breaker.

We were given a connecting room, and here’s the surprising part—even with the connecting door slightly ajar, we couldn’t hear the TV from the next room at all.
That’s what you call excellent soundproofing. Big win.

2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World — 2/5
Let me be honest—this property is clearly aging.
Our first room was on the 3rd floor, and the moment you walk down the hallway, a strong stench hits you. It smelled like carpet that had been soaked and never properly dried.
At first, we thought: Maybe the room itself will be better?
Wrong.
 •Room cleanliness: Yes, it was clean
 •Noise: Unacceptable
It sounded like the windows were open—revving cars, road noise, nonstop.
 •Bathroom:
There was a strong drainage smell coming from the bathroom that eventually filled the room.
The rubber lining on the glass partition was falling off.

We were staying for three nights, and honestly, that wasn’t acceptable at this price point.
The next day, Abbey was already ready to move hotels if they didn’t relocate us. Thankfully, they moved us to another room. Cleaner, No drainage smell, Better overall condition

However, the road noise was still there.
This hotel seriously needs better soundproofing and renovation.

Family-Friendly Features (Great for Reunions)

1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila
• Interconnected rooms
• Kiddie pool and lap pool
• Sauna
• PWD-accessible rooms
These features make it ideal for balikbayan family reunions, especially when traveling with kids or elderly parents.

2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World
• Free breakfast buffet
• Convenient if you have meetings around Newport
• Works best if you’re mostly outside the hotel
It’s functional, but not suggested for family stays.

Final Verdict
If you’re looking for space, comfort, better soundproofing, family-friendly amenities, and overall value near NAIA, Grand Westside Hotel Manila is the better choice for most balikbayans.

Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World works for quick business trips, but for actually coming home and resting properly?

Grand Westside Hotel wins—no contest.

***

Grand Westside Hotel Manila

(W) https://www.grandwestsidemanila.com/en

(A) Westside City, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines 1701

Holiday Inn Express Newport World Resorts

(W) https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/pasay/mnlrm/hoteldetail

(A) 1 Jasmine Drive Pasay, 1309 Philippines

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