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If there’s one question you cannot expect Poblacion-goers to answer simply, it’s this: “Where to eat in Poblacion?”
With a barrage of options, you can’t just ask that and expect clear-cut recommendations. As a fan of Poblacion restaurants myself, I can attest that it isn’t a simple this-or-that scenario. What time will you be there? Which vibe are you going for — tipsy tita or hip and hungover? Or maybe you just want to stuff yourself with good food and enjoy the artsy “in-crowd” ambience that Poblacion, Makati oozes with.
Also read: Nightlife in Manila: 10 Speakeasies You Have to Check Out
And this, I believe, is where the greatest appeal of Poblacion lies: Since there are a ton of options, it makes for an exciting day-to-night affair in the metro! We made a directory that can take you from breakfast to a booze binge in the area. So once and for all, you can settle that mind-boggling query — where to eat in Poblacion ba?
Check out Early Bird Breakfast Club’s official website and you’ll see the tagline “Beautiful Breakfast. Morning, Noon & Night”. That’s exactly what you can expect. The place serves all-day breakfast 24/7 from Friday to Sunday at its BGC branch in Taguig. But its Poblacion branch inside Century City Mall follows mall hours.
Address: Unit L124 G/F Century City Mall (Al Fresco Area), Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 7am to 10pm, Sunday to Saturday
Contact: Website
All-day Filipino breakfast without breaking the bank? Yes, please! We’re talking about silog dishes priced at ₱150 and below. Hot pandesal with kesong puti, or maybe even a filling serving of champorado with tuyo. There are Western favourites, too (did anyone say pancakes?), if you’re in the mood for something a little more continental. We’re telling you, Kanto Freestyle Breakfast is one of the few food joints in the Metro where you’ll be good with just ₱200.
Address: 5079 P. Burgos, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: Facebook page
Filling Station Bar Cafe becomes whatever you need it to be any time of the day since it’s open 24 hours. If you’re in the area with a hangover in the wee hours of the morning, let it be your breakfast sanctuary. Filling Station may come alive with bright neon lights at night, but during the day, it’s quite the cosy diner. Comfort food, anyone?
Address: 5012 P. Burgos, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: Facebook page
Tilde Bakery + Kitchen is an ode to handcrafted goodness. Everything is made from scratch and one particular offering has received high praise to this very day — their freshly baked sourdough bread. Added to the homemade fries and meat that’s ground right then and there, and you’ve got yourself the freshest meal on the block. Finish your hearty lunch with their bestselling cakes and a steaming cup of third-wave Arabica.
Address: 5417 Matilde, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday
I can’t lie. Among all the Poblacion restaurants I’ve tried, there are some I consider my favourites. One of them is my go-to for authentic Indian food in Metro Manila, Royal Indian Curry House (RICH, for short). And rich, it sure is. From ingredients to flavour and presentation, everything here is just top-notch. I must admit, though, that dining here is pricier than most of the options on this list, but hot damn — it’s worth every peso. The place is great for dinner, too, although I recommend going for lunch just as soon as it opens.
Address: 5345 General Luna, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 12pm to 4am, Monday to Saturday; 12pm to 12am on Sundays
Contact: Facebook page
I’m a coffee lover, so when I’m someplace new, I make sure to try unique coffee shops. My usual priority is any café that isn’t found in a mall. If there are neighbourhood hangouts nearby that serve a mean cuppa joe, chances are you’ll find me there. So for Poblacion, I head to Commune for a reliable caffeine fix paired with light bites. What’s more, they serve Philippine brews — yay!
Address: 36 Polaris, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 8am to 12am, Monday to Thursday; 8am to 1am Friday to Saturday; 9am to 10pm on Sundays
Contact: Website
Also read: 15 Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Metro Manila
Hole in the Wall is a “curated food hall” inside Century City Mall, which makes it quite the convenient grub hub. It’s what happens when your upscale food court gets a cool facelift. The popular spot is a wonderland for lovers of all kinds of yummy nosh. Plus, the homey interiors make it so Instragrammable! If you’d rather stay in the mall, Hole in the Wall is the perfect all-day dining experience.
Address: 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 10am to 11pm, Sunday to Saturday
Contact: Facebook Page
Titas and titos of Manila, if you’re still undecided where to eat (and drink!) in Poblacion, look no further. ABKD has got you covered — from filling artful fare to coffee shop staples à la Mary Grace (but trendier) and even tasty alcoholic beverages courtesy of an adjoined speakeasy called Ñ. ABDK X Ñ is a cosy haven that you can always run to, whether you want a midday snack or crave for post-drinks nibbles.
Address: 5663 Alfonso, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 3pm to 1am, Monday to Thursday; 3pm to 4am, Friday to Saturday
Another crowd favourite among Poblacion restaurants! If you want to enjoy one satay-sfying meal at Thai joint Crying Tiger, I suggest arriving early. This place gets packed even on weeknights, so you can just imagine the scene come Friday and Saturday evening. Crying Tiger is where I developed my love for Pad See Ew. One serving is good for two to three people, but there was one time my friends and I ordered one platter each. Yep, it’s that good.
Did I mention it’s cheap, too? If your group’s still deciding where to eat in Poblacion on a budget, Crying Tiger’s an excellent option. There’s no air-conditioning, though. But the food is worth the sweat, hands down. Besides, they have ice-cold beer to keep you cool.
Address: 4986 P. Guanzon, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 5pm to 12am, Sunday to Thursday; 5pm to 2am, Friday to Sunday
Contact: Facebook page
The only thing I don’t like about Alamat is how cramped it gets. But that is a true testament to its sheer popularity! You can already imagine what kind of food they serve here from the name alone. It’s all the good Filipino cooking we find absolutely irresistible; some just as we love them, others with a modern twist. After dinner, feel free to partner sinful pulutan with cocktails infused with familiar flavours (such as sampaloc and taho). Or simply order a bottle of trusty craft beer.
Address: 2/F, 5666 Don Pedro, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 6pm to 2am, Sunday to Saturday; 6pm to 12am on Sundays
Contact: Facebook page
Also read: Restaurants in Siargao: 15 Places to Eat and Drink in General Luna
Lauded as the home of street tacos, El Chupacabra serves all of the essential Tex-Mex eats and chows. From authentic arroz a la cubana to nachos and soft tacos drenched in aromatics, you’ll definitely have a fiesta in your mouth. Not to mention, it’s one of the most popular and budget-friendly palaces in the neighbourhood to grab and few drinks. So, whenever you’re around the area and wondering where to eat in Poblacion, satisfy your cravings with authentic Mexican food. You can never go wrong with tacos paired with a few beers!
Address: 5782 Felipe St. Poblacion, 1210 Makati City
Hours: 11am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday
Contact: Facebook page
One of my favourite food discoveries this year is Poblacion’s Khao Khai “Thai Chicken House.” Arguably, it’s among the best and most affordable places to enjoy traditional Thai dishes in Makati. I kid you not when I say that a bite of their speciality fried chicken instantly gives you a taste of Bangkok’s flavours. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a foodie spot to keep coming back to every time you’re in Poblacion, this is your best bet. I know for sure that it’s one of my go-to’s as well!
Address: 5782 Felipe St. Poblacion, 1210 Makati City
Hours: 11am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
Contact: Facebook page and Instagram page
Craving Japanese food on your night out with friends? Tetsuo offers a succulent menu featuring some of your favourite Japanese delights: chicken karaage, cold soba noodles, and furikake fries. Apart from being a resto-and-bar serving up mouth-watering eats, it is also home to Poblacion’s vibrant crowds and community of creatives. When night rolls in, its upstairs enclave (aka Boogie) transforms into a chill space for drinking and dancing.
Address: 8483 Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati City
Hours: 11am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
Contact: Facebook page and Instagram page
Boogie Manila is a small, dimly-lit hideout for night owls, located just above Tetsuo. Here, local DJs play a wide spectrum of genres, including techno, funk, hip-hop, and house music. Its vibrant crowd is treated to a chill and laid-back atmosphere — great for dancing, drinking, and everything in between. Feeling a bit famished? Choose among Tetsuo’s Japanese eats (the perfect bar chows, IMO) and take your pick among Boogie’s cocktail and booze menu!
Address: 8483 Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati City
Hours: 8pm to 2.30am, Wednesday to Thursday; 9pm to 3.30am, Friday to Saturday
Contact: Facebook page and Instagram page
If art, curated cocktails, and tasteful playlists are your preferred source of buzz, then find two bright red doors along P. Quanzon. Enter this wonderland and as they say, down the rabbit hole you go. Run Rabbit Run houses a small space for socials, so it’s better to book a table in advance. You’ll easily notice that it’s inspired by Alice in Wonderland, hence the tea party aesthetic — which can be observed even in the presentation of their curious concoctions. Interesting fact: Before its glorious repurposing, Run Rabbit Run was a family residence built in the ‘70s. Imagine that.
Address: 4991 P. Guanzon, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 6pm to 1am, Monday to Wednesday; 6pm to 3am, Thursday to Saturday
Contact: Website
Confession: I’ve had many good memories in this place, so I might be a little biased. Entering Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen feels like walking into a babaylan’s hideaway deep in the tropical woods. If you don’t believe me, then pay it a visit. I don’t want to spoil anything because Agimat bartenders have a few tricks up their sleeve, so I’ll just say this: Order the Ritual ng Agimat. They offer seasonal dishes and appetisers from time to time as well, but a staple I’d confidently recommend is the Balut and Chicharon. That dish taught me to expect the unexpected!
Address: 5972 Alfonso cor, Fermina, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 6pm to 2am, Sunday to Saturday
Contact: Facebook page
If there’s a budget accommodation option that has made waves in Poblacion, it’s Z Hostel. It’s a lively home away from home for many nomads and a watering hole, too. Even those who’ve never stayed in Z Hostel would know that its rooftop bar is a popular pick for nights out. There’s lots of beer and chow to go around, plus the payment system is one that remains unique to this day.
Upon entering, guests are asked to wear bands with reloadable RFID tags that are scanned for payment with every order. These bands have become a mark of coolness somehow, and they’re a hassle-free way of settling your bill. The only time you’ll have to take your wallet out again is if you want more drinks and you’ve rendered your RFID tag empty. That means it’s time for a reload.
Address: 5660 Don Pedro, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: Website
Where to eat in Poblacion is just as difficult a question as where to stay in the area. But Lub D Makati makes the choice an easy one. The hotel sits comfortably (and stylishly, I must say) between business and luxury on a budget. It’s trendy and vibrant, plus there are accommodation options for solo travellers, couples, and even barkadas! I cannot stress how nice the rooms are for the price points they offer. Plus, there’s a cafè and coworking space for guests in the lobby.
Essential Goodness, for the pilgrims. — its in-house restaurant — is a crowd-pleaser. The menu covers breakfast to supper so dining in won’t be a problem at all. But if there’s one thing that Essential Goodness does excellently, it’s definitely a hearty brunch. Try their take on the English breakfast (order the Essential Breakfast) or tortang talong (go for the Eggplant Omelette).
Address: Lub d, 13/F, 7820 Makati Ave, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 6am to 10pm, Sunday to Saturday
Contact: Website
In the mood for something more high end but have no idea where to eat in Poblacion? I’M Hotel fits the bill, from accommodations to amenities and even dining options. The hotel’s rooftop bar is called Antidote. The menu is failsafe, of course, seeing as it lives up to the I’M Hotel standard. But what really steals the show is its illuminated jellyfish aquarium. Now that, you don’t see every day. Not all Poblacion restaurants will give you the same view of Metro Manila skyline either, so this high perch is a good option for sightseeing.
Address: Roofdeck, I’M Hotel, 7862 Ave, Brgy. Poblacion, 1210 Makati, Metro Manila
Hours: 5pm to 2am, Sunday to Thursday; 6pm to 3am, Friday to Saturday
Contact: Website
Phew! Pretty sure you’ll have Poblacion restaurants figured out by now. Let us know if you have other recommendations for friends still wondering where to eat in Poblacion. Cheers!
Facebook image credit: Khao Khai “Thai Chicken House” ; Tetsuo | Official Facebook Page
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