Best Restaurants in MOA: Where to Eat in SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia is massive. After hours of walking through shops, lining up for sales, or catching a sunset by the bay, you will eventually ask the same question: where should we eat?

MOA has no shortage of options. From classic Filipino favourites to Asian comfort food and Western grills, the choices can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here is a guide to the best restaurants in MOA, whether you are dining with family, meeting friends, or ending a long shopping day.

Also read: The Biggest SM Mall Is Also SM’s First and Oldest in the Philippines

Best restaurants in MOA for classic Filipino fare

1. Rico’s Lechon

Image credit: Rico’s Lechon Official Facebook Page

While Rico’s Lechon is a household name in Cebu, their popularity in Metro Manila only began when they found a place in MOA. Just like in the Queen City of the South, their lechon has led to their inevitable breakthrough in Manila. So why buy frozen packs of this heavenly pork goodness when you can enjoy them freshly roasted right by the seaside? (The frozen packs are still pretty tasty, though.) 

What is there to say about this legendary lechon franchise that hasn’t already been said? It is certainly different from the roasted pigs cooked in places like La Loma. That difference is credited to the sophisticated use of herbs and spices stuffed inside the roasted pig. When properly cooked, the pig’s fragrance elevates the already sinful flavour with every bite.

Pair it with their suka lami (their special vinegar with a hint of calamansi), and you might just find a new favourite lechon spot.

2. Heritage Bistro

Often considered a legend among the Filipino food circles, Heritage Bistro highlights traditional Filipino food through elegance and finesse. Their menu consists of progressions of Filipino cuisine, fused with colonial Spanish and Chinese influence. For people who love history: yes, it is as exciting as it sounds.

For a fee, can give interested diners a gastronomic course about their culinary foundations, all inspired by Philippine history. Think of it as a history lesson, but with a lot of eating involved. From native ingredients like wild boar and coconuts to foreign spices introduced to us by trading partners like China and Indonesia, uses elements that display their firm understanding of where Filipino cuisine stands today. On top of all this, everything is delicious and filling, of course.

If you don’t have the time to go through the course, order their kare-kareng crispy Tadyang or sinigang na lapu-lapu sa santol. Both perfectly summarise the gastronomic creativity that holds.

Also read: 10 Overlooking Restaurants in Tagaytay for Your Next Road Trip

3. Locavore

Locavore is one of the best restaurants in MOA that does simple modern Filipino cuisine with an intuitive twist. With a few additions and subtractions, they’ve made traditional Filipino recipes a weekend must-have. Their techniques are a bit experimental but still surprisingly basic.

To see what we mean, try out one of their popular dishes — the liempo bun, a slice of sweet barbequed pork stuffed inside a fluffy bun. Initially, Locavore created the dish to ride the Chinese bao trend; but considering its popularity to date, you can say the dish has become timeless in its own right.

Another recipe that they’ve made popular is the sizzling sinigang, which absolutely deserves its fame. Pair a viscous sinigang broth with tender pieces of beef, and then have them sizzle — yes, that definitely makes an instant mood-booster for any day of the week.

Also read: 5 Classic Restaurants in Intramuros for Timeless Filipino Cuisine

4. YAYOI

Traditional set meals in Japan are known as teishoku. These meals consist of soups, sides, pickles, and rice and often aim to strike a nutritional balance. Teishoku is mainly served inside Zen temples and has spread throughout the nation ever since.

While isn’t a Zen temple, they do their best to strike a balance in every meal they serve. Their service is efficient, too. While they’ve integrated their menu in tablets, their staff remain quick and informative when asked about specific dishes. Food options include meat, fish, and vegetables for the main dish. They also serve sushi here, in case you want a little extra for your set meals.

5. Highlands Steakhouse

Image credit: Highlands Steakhouse Official Facebook Page

The moment you see this restaurant, you know you’ll want to eat there. Listen to your instincts then, because Highlands Steakhouse will satisfy your hunger and more. And they do it unapologetically.

We can only expect perfect steaks when it comes to restaurants that identify as steakhouses. Fortunately, Highlands Steakhouse delivers this in spades. Your preferred temperatures will always be their priority, and they’ll make sure that you dine in perfection.

If you’re up for some surf and turf, pair their steaks with fish, shrimp, or mussels. Highland Steaks isn’t a one-trick pony, and their seafood repertoire proves it.

Also read: BGC Restaurants: 12 Chill Dining Spots in Bonifacio Global City

The best restaurants in MOA can change in a blink of an eye because competition is concentrated. If you don’t go here regularly, we’re sure that a new restaurant will pop up somewhere. But until then, conclude your weekend shopping by spoiling yourself by dining in MOA.

Featured image credit: Heritage Bistro | Official Facebook Page