
Milky Way Cafe
A beloved institution since 1962, Milky Way Cafe offers nostalgic Filipino comfort food and award-winning desserts.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Milky Way Cafe

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved institution since 1962, Milky Way Cafe offers nostalgic Filipino comfort food and award-winning desserts.
"Experience traditional Filipino flavors and creamy homemade ice cream that tastes like home."
Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak
To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.
Try the Specialties
Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Filipino
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+63 2 8843 4124
Address
Milkyway, 900 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati City, 1200 Metro Manila, Philippines
Website
cafe.milkywayrestaurant.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Kare-Kare
Savor Chef Gamboa's famous Kare-Kare, a rich oxtail and peanut stew that's a testament to traditional Pampanga flavors.

Iconic Halo-Halo
Experience the classic, nostalgic Halo-Halo made with premium ingredients and creamy homemade ube ice cream since 1962.

Authentic Filipino Comfort Food
Indulge in time-tested favorites like Baby Crispy Pata and Bistek Tagalog, offering a true taste of home-cooked Filipino cuisine.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak
To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.
Try the Specialties
Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.
Parking & Staff Assistance
If parking is tricky, ask inside for assistance as external staff might not be helpful.
Ube Ice Cream Perfection
The homemade ube ice cream is a must-try, especially as a topping for their halo-halo.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak
To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.
Try the Specialties
Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.
Parking & Staff Assistance
If parking is tricky, ask inside for assistance as external staff might not be helpful.
Ube Ice Cream Perfection
The homemade ube ice cream is a must-try, especially as a topping for their halo-halo.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Milky Way Cafe is celebrated for its authentic Filipino comfort food and exceptionally creamy homemade ice cream, particularly their famous halo-halo and ube ice cream. While many praise the delicious, home-style flavors and attentive service, some diners note that certain dishes can be pricey for the portion size, and the ambiance, while nostalgic, could benefit from a modern update.
"we went there for sunday lunch - we waited an hour to seated in the hallway w/c was real humid. suggest you call to reserve a slot or come in for an early or late lunch. we waited still coz we’re curious as to why this was so recommended to eat at. had an issue w/ the parking guard also for he did not seem to want to assist us when we asked where the valet was. he just starred blankly at us. and when we asked again at a tone that he can hear that someone was speaking to him. he said there was none and even commented that the auto we have was too long. hmmm. already reported to management and we still ate here coz the food was indeed delicious. the inihaw na baboy tho was just tooooo gamey but the rest were stellar."
Always The Funny Girl
"I’m on a quest for superb dinuguan (Filipino pork blood stew) from food providers that are consistently reliable to buy from. Actually I already found the perfect delicious one — Juliet’s Lechon. However they don’t always have it in the menu and usually it’s just included as a freebie when you order their whole lechon. Anyway back to Milky Way. It ain’t them. Apart from being overpriced (teeny portion for the price), the dinuguan is full of lean, stringy, dryish pork, essentially ruining the dinuguan experience as a comfort food. The timpla is excellent though with the right balance of suka and spices. Maybe they could offer an option of all lamang-loob sans the pork. Or use fattier pork or bagnet or lechong kawali maybe. The puto is also excellent though a bit on the too sweet side for my taste."
Bill Yu
"We ordered the dinuguan and it was so good! The halo-halo was great too! We also enjoyed the service.
The ambiance could use an upgrade with a little more on the modern side."
Carlos Rene Barretto
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The award-winning Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and their iconic Halo-Halo are highly recommended.
It's recommended to call ahead or visit during off-peak hours, especially for Sunday lunch, to avoid long wait times.
While known for Filipino meat dishes, some vegetable-based options might be available. It's best to inquire directly.
Their Halo-Halo, a classic since 1962, features finely shaved ice, premium ingredients, and their signature creamy homemade ube ice cream.
Parking can be challenging; it's advisable to ask staff inside for assistance or valet options.
Yes, Milky Way Cafe offers party platters for take-away, perfect for gatherings.
Mentioned in
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The 10 Best Restaurants In Makati, Manila
The Milkyway Café along Arnaiz Avenue is one of the best places in Metro Manila to experience traditional Filipino comfort food. Established in the 1950s, it is best known for its northern Philippine cuisine from Pampanga and their delicious home-made ice cream. Milkyway is currently headed by Chef Gamboa, the man behind their award-winning kare-kare (oxtail and peanut stew).
The best halo-halo in Metro Manila: 7 shops to try
Milky Way Café is known for its wide selection of time-tested favourites, from the chicken asparagus sandwich to the crispy hito with bagoong and mustasa—but it’s their famed halo halo that remains synonymous with the brand. Served in a nostalgic tall diner glass, Milky Way Café’s halo halo is comprised of all the classic fix-ins you know and love: ube, saba, red and green gulaman, kaong, sweetened beans, macpuno, leche flan and shaved ice, finished with a generous pour of evaporated milk, their homemade ube ice cream and crispy pinipig. Tatler Tip: Can’t be bothered to make the trip out?
Makati Best Traditional Filipino Restaurant: Filipino Cuisine Guide
MilkyWay Café is a beloved institution in Makati, cherished for its dedication to serving comforting and authentic Filipino dishes since the 1960s. Over the decades, MilkyWay has become synonymous with Filipino culinary tradition, consistently delivering delicious, home-style meals that evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth. For both locals and tourists, dining at MilkyWay Café offers a unique opportunity to experience the flavors of Filipino comfort food in a setting that feels like stepping back in time.
Where to Try The Best Halo-Halo in Manila
Milky Way Café started as a small ice cream shop in 1962 but has since grown to be one of the staples in the area. This restaurant is also known for serving traditional Spanish and Filipino food. Their version of Halo-Halo follows their recipe from 1962 with finely shaved ice and generous servings of Leche flan, ube, gulaman, pinipig, saging na saba, jackfruit, chickpea, and a big scoop of their own ice cream.
5 Family Style Restaurants For Barkadas Who Like To Share Food
Milky Way Café has been around for a long time (so much so that my parents always have nostalgic flashbacks every time we dine there). Their public dining area is huge enough to accommodate several groups of six to eight people, but they also have function rooms if you want to keep things quiet. Enjoy a wide menu featuring Filipino faves, which is highlighted by their uber yummy Baby Crispy Pata.
Hello, It's Halo-Halo! by @lemi in Philippines | Lemi
Makati City, Philippines • Recommendation • 15 February 2021. Milky Way Café touts that their halo-halo is “The best since 1962,” and there’s some merit to that claim if the ice cream is hugely important to you. Milky Way’s homemade ube ice cream tops the charts in terms of smoothness and creaminess that you’ll probably want to bring home a tub after you’ve savored the dessert.
20 Best Filipino Restaurants in Metro Manila Philippines
The MilkyWay Café offers an authentic Filipino dining experience that captivates both the palate and the imagination. This storied establishment is renowned for its traditional fare that whispers tales of culinary heritage with every spoonful. Patrons can anticipate a menu brimming with classic dishes, each prepared with the freshest local ingredients and a touch of nostalgia.
Best Halo-Halo spots in Metro Manila
Many foodies swear by the halo-halo of MilkyWay Cafe, a nostalgic eatery along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati that’s been around since 1962. Even if you didn’t grow up with it, you’ll enjoy their classic dessert made with premium ingredients and housemade Ube Ice cream. Their version has a good ratio of fresh ingredients to ice and is filling without feeling too heavy or sweet.
10 Best Party Food Trays in Manila [2025]
A household name in Manila, Milky Way Cafe is the go-to spot to celebrate all of your current (and future) milestones. This holiday season, try out their chicken galantina , pansit sotanghon with lumpia cake , or tray of assorted sandwiches . And don’t forget to top it off with one of their halo-halo kits that can make six servings – perfect for a large Christmas meal.
The Best Desserts in Metro Manila
We’re not really surprised that Filipino restaurant and Makati institution Milky Way has the old-fashioned, homemade, just-like-your-grandma’s leche flan down pat. Their version has the familiar caramel-like sweetness without being overpowering, a light, eggy texture, and melt-in-your-mouth consistency. It comes straight out of a llanera, too.
Where To Get the Best Get Pinoy Meryenda in the Metro
Milkyway Cafe is most popular for their Halo-Halo, but not to miss are their Fresh Lumpiang Ubod, Dinuguan at Puto, Tokwa’t Baboy, Siomai, and Pancit Molo. View menu in Booky2/F 900 A Arnaiz Ave cor Paseo de Roxas, San Lorenzo, Makati. If you’re not already enjoying the convenience of Booky, it’s free to download on iPhones and Android.
The 7 Best Places For Halo-Halo In Manila
Milky Way Cafe has been making the city’s best treat since the 1960s, so you just know you’re in safe hands. They put a serious amount of pride and passion into their food here, especially with their legendary halo-halo dessert. Each of the 20 (!) ingredients layered inside the tall parfait glass is housemade for amazing flavours.
10 iconic Filipino restaurants everyone needs to try
Although it sounds like a coffee and dessert stop, don’t be fooled. MilkyWay, which was first a dairy bar, has been serving quality Filipino dishes since the 1960s. A traditional charm marks itself into their classics like the baby crispy pata and sinigang na baka, something our parents would describe as nostalgic.
13 Best Halo-Halo Restaurants in the Philippines: 2025 Ultimate List
One of the most famous restaurants serving halo-halo in Manila, Milkyway Café has been around since 1962. Their classic halo-halo is perfectly balanced—not too sweet, not too overloaded with ingredients, just the right mix of ice and toppings. They even offer a halo-halo kit for those who want to enjoy it at home.
20 Best Filipino Restaurants in Metro Manila Philippines: Must-Try Local Dishes
Speaking of quaint restaurants in Makati, there’s another one worthy to be on this list. Quietly watching the bustling streets of Makati through the years is the MilkyWay Café situated along Arnaiz Avenue. It has been around since the ‘60s and still has a hold on patrons old and new.
Where to Score the Best Halo-Halo Delights in the Country?
Situated in the bustling city of Makati in Metro Manila, Milky Way Cafe has been serving classic Filipino dishes and desserts since 1962. Their halo-halo features a mix of ube ice cream, leche flan, sweetened beans, nata de coco (coconut jelly), and macapuno. But wait, there’s more!
8 Flavorful Halo-Halo in Manila to Help You Beat the Summer Heat
Milkyway’s halo-halo stayed faithful to the 1960’s version of the dessert. Images: Left, Milkyway Café Facebook Page; Right, @ jeanuy_22. For residents of Makati or even those who lived since the ‘60s, MilkyWay Café is known as one of the staples in the neighborhood.
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Chef J. Gamboa created an International menu, but focuses on Filipino food. Their award-winning Kare-Kare, the crispy Hito with Bagoong and Mustasa and of course Halo show up on the menu. Granite counters, Narra walls, black and ivory flooring.
Best Halo-Halo In Manila - Where To Visit To Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings
You have a stake in the claim of being the best halo-halo in Manila when you’re the locals’ favourite. People have been coming back to Milky Way because of the fresh ingredients and consistency of preparation to make smooth halo-halo.
Your Foodie Guide To Manila
Another go-to source for halo-halo is Milky Way Cafe in Makati City. More than 50 years of service has made this no-fills venue a crowd favorite, especially with housemade ice cream as its topping.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit