Bonifacio Global City in Taguig is a cultural melting pot and a place where business inevitably overlaps with pleasure. With its interesting mix of locals, expats, and tourists, the township has built a reputation as one of the primary spots for culinary exploration in Metro Manila.
While there are so many great restaurants in the area that you have to try, we’ve narrowed it down to five that have been all over your social feeds within the past year. Drop by at least two or three of them—or maybe complete the entire checklist on your next visit to the Philippines!
1. Uma Nota
Location: Shangri-La The Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue
Contact details: email [email protected], Uma Nota Manila website
Price per head: Approximately PHP1,200
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One of the buzziest restaurant openings in BGC this year is that of this Japanese-Brazilian fusion restaurant at Shangri-La The Fort. If Japanese and Brazilian may seem like an unusual fusion to you, you should know that it actually works, especially since Nipo Brasileiro cuisine is rooted in the fact that Brazil has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, due to a huge migration that happened in the early 1900s.
The restaurant’s sprawling space is a homage to both cultures: The living room is the main area and the bar is quite self-explanatory; the Meiji room was inspired by the era from 1868 to 1912 when Japan had opened its doors to other countries (this was also when many Japanese nationals migrated to Brazil), while the Tropicalia area was inspired by the popular artistic movement in Brazil of the same name.
Similar to its rooms, the food itself includes representation from both countries, as well as a fusion of each cuisine. For starters, try the Coxinhas de Frango, which are Brazilian croquettes filled with chicken and okra complemented with in-house chili sauce.
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Craving for seafood? The subtle flavor of fresh Hokkaido scallops are made to shine as they’re bathed in Nikkei tiger milk and served with Brazilian farofa. You also have an entire array of sushi, nigiri, and sashimi, as well a selection of meats—from Angus to Wagyu—to choose from and enjoy.
If you’re planning to go, it’s always best to reserve a table. A deposit is required for groups of ten or more people.
2. Tango Tandoor
Location: 30th St. corner 11th Avenue
Contact details: +63995-2703932, [email protected]
Price per head: Approximately PHP700
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If you have a sudden hankering for tandoori and tikka or you just want to try a Pinoy celebrity-owned restaurant while visiting the motherland, then make a beeline for Tango Tandoor, one of the newest restaurants of chef/entrepreneur/actor Marvin Agustin. Inspired by his favorite Indian resto in London, Marvin worked with Chefs Kundan Singh Rawat and Kapil Devidas Jogdand from London to create an Indian menu with a slight hint of Brit that would be enjoyable to the the Filipino palate.
Go break that naan and dip it into the delicious coconut, onion, and tomato gravy of their rich prawn curry.
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Another dish that you shouldn’t miss is the tandoori chicken, cooked in their in-house tandoori oven for that traditional taste. Don’t forget to cool down with lassi!
Tango Tandoor is a nice place to have dinner after a day spent walking around BGC’s many shops, as they’re open until 9p.m. from Monday to Thursday and until 10p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Bring your appetite with you!
3. Wong Place
Location: G/F Verve Residences Tower 2, 7th Avenue
Contact details: +63917-5123304, [email protected], Wong Place Menu
Price per head: Approximately PHP600 for food, PHP550 for cocktails
Chinese restaurants of your youth are one of two things: either small, smokey spaces with rectangular tables and chairs where you just order a bowl of soup and cuapao and dine and dash; or large venues with Lazy Susans that serve a full lauriat. Wong Place is neither: With interiors that would remind you of a Wong Kar Wai film, it’s a place that serves casual Chinese fare by day and transforms into a great bar to hang out in at night.
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They’ve got your favorites such as noodle soups, classic dimsum, calamansi chicken (a twist on the usual lemon/orange chicken), and spare ribs.
At night, the restaurant gets into the club vibe with beats from guest DJs, as well as great drinks and mixes. Wong Place is open Sunday to Thursday at 11a.m. to 11p.m. and Friday to Saturday at 11a.m. to 1a.m.
4. Hai Chix & Steaks
Location: Upper Ground Floor, C3 Building, Bonifacio High Street
Contact details: haichixandsteaks.com, +63967-2208372 for reservations
Price per head: Approximately PHP1,000 with regular mains, PHP6,000 for steaks
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One of several restaurants that have branches around the metro but only recently opened in BGC is Hai Chix & Steaks, which has an interesting menu inspired by the concept of “East meets West.” If you and your companions can’t decide between Hainanese chicken and steak, then this is the exact niche place for you.
Of course, it’s important to try both of the things that the resto specializes in. Their Hainanese chicken with chicken rice boasts of tender meat with a subtle taste that’s complemented by their in-house chili and ginger sauce. It’s a great choice if you don’t want to eat something too heavy.
If you want to go all out, however, order their dry-aged porterhouse steak. At 1,200 grams (around two-and-a-half pounds), its price tag of P6,250 is justifiable. It’s served with shoestring onion rings and French beans. They also have two steak orders that already come with a bottle of their house wine. Other dishes of note to order include butter garlic shrimp, truffle cream pasta, and grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, which is part of their menu’s all-day breakfast section.
5. Grifoni’s
Location: 5th Avenue corner 26th Street
Contact details: +63966-0694046
Price per head: Approximately PHP800
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If you’ve been to Siargao, you’re probably familiar with Kermit, the brainchild of marine biologist Gianni Grifoni and the home of well-loved Neapolitan-style pizzas. If you haven’t and you’re currently in Metro Manila, then you’re in luck, as you can still enjoy this seaside favorite at Grifoni’s of Kermit in BGC.
Jump right into their Lasagna della Nonna, which is a traditional grandmother’s lasagna with a twist, as its sauce is cooked with vodka. This is exactly how lasagna should be: just-right pasta, a healthy helping of sauce, and none of those hard-crusted dishes that you’ve probably tried at some point.
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In the mood for steak? They’ve got you. Grifoni’s serves meats from Bolzico Beef to satisfy your cravings.
Of course, you’ll also need to try their ever-famous pizzas. Don’t forget to have a traditional tiramisu for dessert, too!
Which of these are you excited to try this week? Here’s another round of new restaurants to check out in BGC next week!