Cafe Adriatico

A former antique store has become one of the most iconic cafés in Manila. Once a humble eatery for taxi drivers to enjoy a meal between trips, in 1979, owner Larry Cruz turned it into a café that welcomed all. While people watching on one of the busiest streets in the capital, sample local favorites like pancit palabok, rice noodles in a bright orange seafood sauce; suman sa lihiya, slightly sweet glutinous rice cakes cooked in banana leaves and lye; and the much-beloved ensaymada, a pillowy brioche-like pastry smothered in butter, sugar and cheese served with tsokolate eh, or thick hot chocolate.

If taking it nice and easy in the early morning at a homely heritage location is your thing, Café Adriatico is a good pick. Their iconic Malate location offers simple, filling and delicious Filipino breakfasts such as Daing na Bangus (PHP299), Spiced Sardines (PHP260), and Vigan Longganisa (PHP285) which all come with a cuppa joe. But if you’re really looking to load up in the AM, try the Farmer’s Breakfast (PHP310), which comes with Pampanga-style fried pork, garlic fried rice, fried egg, salad, and banana fritters.

Café Adriatico has been around for more than four decades, so it’s not surprising that this old-world Manila restaurant has perfected the art of the adobo. There are a couple of adobo options on its menu, but Lola Ising’s Adobo Rice is a must-try classic with rich, ultra-tender meat, aromatic garlic cloves, and tasty fried garlic rice. Branches: Malate (Manila), Gateway Mall (Quezon City), SM Mall of Asia (Pasay)Website:https://ljcrestaurants.ph/restaurants/cafe-adriatico, Facebook

Cafe Adriatico, the signature restaurant of the LJC Restaurant Group, offers a wide selection of Filipino, Spanish, and continental cuisine. Chicken ala Kiev, Spareribs Adobo, Salpicao Rice, Callos, Lengua Estufada, Classic Café Adriatico Burger, Pancit Canton, Pancit Palabok, and authentic Spanish hot chocolate “Chocolate Eh” are just a few of the Café’s specialties. The restaurant also offers a variety of lighter options like salads, sandwiches, omelettes, and fondues.

To be honest, I prefer comfort food and street food over fine dining so I gravitate more towards restaurants like Cafe Adriatico. One of the most iconic Filipino restaurants in Manila, this Malate institution has been serving delicious food for decades, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Cafe Adriatico serves a full menu of Filipino dishes and almost everything we’ve ordered through the years has been delicious.

A corner cafe with plenty of personality, Cafe Adriatico has been operating for over four decades. Considered a pioneer in the bistro dining experience, this nostalgic cafe was once a rendezvous spot for the hip and trendy. Its premier location—along Adriatico street of course—houses dark hardwood floors that greet guests ready to indulge in the restaurant's famous adobo rice and a cup of chocolate eh.

Café Adriatico stands as a beacon of Filipino culinary refinement. This storied establishment invites diners to bask in a warm, nostalgic ambience while savoring dishes that brilliantly capture the essence of Filipino cuisine. Since opening its doors in 1979, the café has garnered a steadfast following, lured by its signature offerings such as the sumptuous Chicken ala Kiev and the classic Adobo Rice.

Located in the heart of the Philippines, Café Adriatico is a legendary restaurant that has become synonymous with the country’s café culture. With its charming ambiance and warm hospitality, it has been a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. The menu at Café Adriatico showcases a range of delectable dishes that highlight the rich flavors of Filipino cuisine.

Amidst various new restaurants popping up here and there in the metro, you’d think the historic restaurants can only be found in Intramuros or Vigan. But in the busy districts of Malate stands Cafe Adriatico, a restaurant founded in 1979 that serves Filipino and international food. Beef SalpicaoImage credit: @cafeadriatico

We can’t list down the best Filipino restaurants in Manila without including Café Adriatico, a beloved landmark for over 40 years at the Remedios Circle in Manila. Now with multiple branches in different cities, Café Adriatico remains the icon that arguably started the café culture in the metro. Photo by Cafe Adriatico

Café Adriatico, established in 1979 by the late Larry J. Cruz, is a renowned dining establishment located at 1790 Adriatico Street, Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, Philippines.This café is celebrated for its blend of international and Filipino cuisine, served within an ambiance that reflects old-world charm.

The flagship of the LJC Restaurant Group, Café Adriatico serves a full menu of Filipino, Spanish and continental fare. Among the Café’s specialties are: Chicken ala Kiev, Spareribs Adobo, Salpicao Rice, Classic Café Adriatico Burger, and Pancit Palabok. Try their homemade meatloaf Embutido.

There are many authentic restaurants in Manila, including Café Adriatico. Known for its wonderful ambiance, admirable service and good food, this place will also bring you a stunning view of Fort Santiago. You will find Philippine influences all over in the décor of the restaurant.

It turns out the uneven texture is because they use actual, curved ladyfinger cookies soaked in coffee instead of sponge cake, which is more commonly used in the Philippines. Instant brownie points-or should we say tiramisu points?. The downside to Cafe Adriatico is the ambiance.

Drink your dessert at Café Adriatico opens in new window in Malate, where you can indulge in tsokolate – yummy Filipino-style hot chocolate. It’s rich, thick and bitter with hints of sweetness.

TasteAtlas also gave its recommendation where to have the best Palabok, naming the famous Little Quiapo in Quezon City, Cafe Adriatico, Solibao Restaurant, The Aristocrat and Cafe Laguna.