Spanish restaurants in Manila
From cuisines such as lechon to afritada, Spanish culinary influences permeate our dishes today. So it’s no wonder that it’s easy to find traditional Spanish restaurants in Metro Manila, giving us the familiar Castilian way of cooking.
Here are 10 restaurants, from Ilustrado to Casa Roces, for whenever you and your squad are craving your dose of paella or pintxos.
1. Ilustrado – located in Intramuros
Image adapted from: Ilustrado
Nestled at the heart of Intramuros, Ilustrado has long been a popular choice when it comes to Spanish cuisine in the metro since 1989. It’s a quintessential Spanish restaurant due to its location, old-world Hispanic architecture, and celebrated Spanish cuisine, having also served heads of state and dignitaries – including the King and Queen of Spain.
Image credit: @needlesandlove
Patrons have always warmed to their Paella Ilustrado (P850, ~USD16.51), a paella combining meat and seafood with a subtle hint of toast. They cook something for the Filipino stomach too – Adobong Bagnet with Prawns and Crab Fat (P495, ~USD9.62) is a favorite, a tender pork belly simmered and enriched with crab fat.
Image credit: Ilustrado
In case you won’t be able to dine in person yet, they do deliveries. You may message them via their mobile number at 0939 9206822.
Address: 744 General Luna Street, Intramuros 1002, Manila
Opening hours: Wed–Mon 9AM-7PM | Tues 9AM-9PM
Telephone: 527 2345
Ilustrado’s Facebook
2. Tomatito Manila – ‘80s-inspired tapas bar
Image credit: Tomatito Manila
Aside from its mouthwatering cuisine, Tomatito Manila offers a unique, aesthetic experience. The restaurant’s strong accents of green and red bring a seductive flair, while its neon lights add a retro cool. The result of the fusion is an 80s-inspired tapas bar that feels young, sexy, and fun.
Image credit: @tomatitomanila
Patrons can’t get enough of Tomatito’s Salmon TNT (P695, ~USD13.50). While the pieces of salmon are served in bites, the flavor they bring, together with honey and truffle, is a mouthwatering, gastronomic feast to the senses.
They accommodate orders for delivery via Bistro Delivers, Grabfood, foodpanda and Pick-a-roo.
Address: 30th St cor. 11th Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1634, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Sun, Tue–Thu 11AM-10PM | Fri–Sat 11AM-11PM | Mon 11AM-8PM
Telephone: 805 7840
3. Las Flores – contemporary Spanish flavors with Catalan and Mediterranean influences
Image credit: Las Flores
Everything about Las Flores speaks modern – from its combination of Spanish, Catalan, and Mediterranean flavors, complemented by a good selection of wines – down to its minimalist interiors.
Pulpo al la Gallega
Image credit: Las Flores
You can find servings of Pulpo al la Gallega (P435 ½, ~USD8.46; P795, ~USD15.47 regular), for example, a boiled octopus that’s a unique mishmash of paprika, salt, and a potato base.
To request for deliveries, you can order via the Bistro Delivers app.
For a list of branches, click here.
Las Flores’ Facebook
4. Alba – one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in PH
Image credit: Alba Restaurante Espanol
Together with his son Chef Miguel, Señor Anastacio de Alba from Avila, Spain founded Alba in the Philippines in 1952. Fast forward to today, amidst the growing number of new Spanish restaurants in the metro, Alba has retained its authority in the local restaurant scene.
Image credit: @albarestaurante_ph
While Alba’s Paella Valenciana (P580, ~USD11.28) is a classic bestseller, you might want to try another one of their specialties, the Cochinillo Asado (P750, ~USD14.59), no other than the Lechon you’ve always devoured in big local fiestas.
If you cannot make it to one of their branches yet, rest assured that all of their restaurants are thankfully open for delivery.
For a list of branches, click here.
Website
5. La Picara Manila – Spanish cuisine with an Asian twist
Image credit: @lapicaraph
Looking sunny and tropical, La Picara is the cheeky Spanish restaurant in town that’s a playful twist to the traditional. It’s Spanish at its core, but with a touch of inspiration from its design down to its menu. If you’re down for a unique rendition of your usual tapas or paellas, La Picara’s menu is 95% Spanish with notes of Asian.
Image credit: @lapicaraph
One of their bestsellers, the Chili Crab Paella (P990, ~USD19.26) has a soft shell crab tempura, a nod to the Japanese style of deep-frying, while the broth and toppings add a Singaporean taste to the traditional Spanish bomba rice. Among these elements, the flavors of the chili crab are a subtle presence, and not too overwhelming for the sensitive palate.
Image credit: @lapicaraph
As well as being open for dine-in, they also accept orders for delivery – do contact them via their social media accounts or mobile number.
Address: 2/F One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 28th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1630, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 11AM-1AM, Daily
Mobile: 0927 172 4480
Facebook | Instagram
6. Bar Pintxos Salcedo – unique recipe of pintxos
Image credit: @barpintxos
Whenever you’re craving for the small yet flavorful pieces of pintxos, head straight to Bar Pintxos, a result of the shared passion for Spanish cuisine and travels around Spain of two friends, Tinchu Gonzalez and Miguel Vecin.
Image credit: @barpintxos
The restaurant is known for its huge selection of 20 pintxos, from salmon-flavored pintxos (price upon request) filled with goat cheese, truffle honey, and caviar to seared foie gras (price upon request).
You can either visit their website or message them when you want to opt for delivery instead of dining in at their branches.
For a list of branches, click here.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Rambla – open kitchen and cocktail bar
Image credit: @ramblaph
For a fine-dining experience that still feels light and casual, make a reservation at Rambla, named after a famous boulevard in Barcelona, which is an open kitchen and cocktail bar in Makati serving Catalan cuisine. It’s a mix of chic and laid-back, adorned with minimalist and wooden elements while accentuated by plush chairs.
Image credit: @ramblaph
Besides its interiors, the restaurant’s menu offers hard-to-find dishes such as varieties of pulpo. The Grilled Spanish Octopus (P995, ~USD19.30), for instance, has a confit potato and paprika sauce.
Rambla is open for delivery via GrabFood, foodpanda, Pick-a-roo, and Bistro Delivers.
For a list of branches, click here.
Facebook | Instagram
Spanish restaurants in Manila
Spanish cuisines indeed acquaints us back to our local culinary heritage, whether through a spoonful of paella or cochinillo.
And fortunately, the metro has various Spanish restaurants from the traditional down to the playful, ready to welcome us with their convivial vibe and good food.
Also read:
- Romantic restaurants in Manila
- Southeast Asian restaurants in Manila
- Al fresco dining spots in Manila
- Italian restaurants in Manila
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from top left): Tomatito Manila, Rambla, Ilustrado, and @lapicaraph