What’s the “best” adobo? For Filipinos, this is a deeply personal choice. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) may be seeking to standardize the national dish, but there are countless adobo variants around. Practically every family has their own version of the iconic fare, and for many people, mom’s adobo, dad’s, or lola’s is unbeatable.
But if you’re looking for comfort food and your family isn’t around to whip up their specialty adobo, there are plenty of establishments that offer their own take on the signature Filipino dish. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 restaurants that serve the best adobo in and near Metro Manila, whether you’re dining out or ordering in from home.
Café Adriatico
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
Grace Park
Get an elevated adobo experience at Grace Park. Margarita Fores’ cozy farm-to-table Italian restaurant in Rockwell offers a more refined take on your favorite dish with its fan-favorite Lamb Adobo Rice (P780). This decadent version is super flavorful, savory, and slightly sweet, and served with a sprinkling of garlic and organic brown rice.
Address: G/F One Rockwell, Rockwell, Makati
Opening Hours: Daily, 11 AM to 9 PM
Website: Facebook
Manam
Garlic lovers, this one is for you! Manam is famous for serving what is arguably the best sisig around, but another must-try on the menu is the Overloaded Garlicky Chicken and Pork Adobo (P220). As the name suggests, it’s a savory-sweet dish with the meat wrapped in a generous coating of toasted garlic.
Branches: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Fairview Terraces, Greenbelt, Greenhills, Megamall, Molito, Mall of Asia, Net Park, Podium, Rockwell, SM Aura, SM City Bacoor, SM Fairview, Trinoma, Robinsons Place Manila, SM North EDSA, SM City Baguio
Website: https://momentgroup.ph/brands/show/manam, Facebook, Instagram
Pamana
If you’re one of the people who prefer the shredded version of adobo, then make sure you sample Pamana’s best-selling Adobo Flakes (P190). The Filipino restaurant’s crispy flakes are deep-fried to perfection with adobo sauce served on the side.
Branches: Makati, Tagaytay, Baguio
Website: https://pamanarestaurant.com.ph, Facebook, Instagram
Romulo Café
Another restaurant famous for taking Filipino cuisine to a new level is Romulo Café. The bistro serves several adobo meals, including the Laing with Adobo Flakes (P268). Also a standout is Romulo’s newest adobo offering: the decadent US Beef Ribs Adobo.
Branches: Quezon City, Jupiter (Makati), Alabang (Muntinlupa)
Website: https://www.romulocafe.com/home, Facebook
Ilustrado
The Spanish-Filipino restaurant Ilustrado has long been a staple in the Manila dining scene for impeccable food and service. With its best-selling Adobong Bagnet with Taba ng Talangka (P495), Ilustrado combines a mouthwatering symphony of flavors in one sinful plate.
Branches: Intramuros (Manila), SM Makati, Alabang Town Center (Muntinlupa)
Opening Hours: Daily, 9 AM to 7 PM (Intramuros)
Website: Facebook, Instagram
Little Flour
A popular all-day brunch café known for creative comfort food, Wildflour’s Little Flour features a distinctly Filipino dish on the menu: Solo Adobo Fried Rice (P250). The tender braised pork belly pairs perfectly with a fried egg and pickled chilies for a tasty breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a hearty snack! The Adobo Fried Rice is also available at Wildflour Café + Bakery, as well as for online delivery.
Branches: World Plaza BGC (Taguig), Salcedo Village (Makati), Megamall (Mandaluyong)
Website: https://wildflour.com.ph/little-flour, Facebook, Instagram
Via Mare
This classic take on adobo may be a familiar one, but it’s one that is exceptionally prepared. A flavorful slow-cooked dish in soy sauce and vinegar, Via Mare’s Chicken and Pork Adobo (P395) allows diners to opt for chicken, pork, or both.
Branches: Greenbelt (Makati), Landmark Makati, Landmark Alabang (Muntinlupa), Landmark Trinoma (Quezon City), EDSA Shangri-La (Mandaluyong), St. Luke’s BGC (Taguig), Evia (Las Piñas), Capitol Commons (Pasig), Timog (Quezon City), Rockwell (Makati)
Website: https://viamare.com.ph, Facebook, Instagram
Adobo Connection
With a name like Adobo Connection, it’s not surprising that this dining establishment serves a mean adobo. The traditional adobo and adobo flakes dishes on the restaurant’s menu are great, but the superstar of the bunch is the Liempo sa Gata (P109/P159), which uses coconut milk (gata) and garlic to make a creamy version of the Filipino classic.
Branches: Check online
Website: https://delivery.adobogroup.ph, Facebook, Instagram
Tipulo
Head to Antipolo to discover Tipulo, a restaurant that’s known for modern Filipino cooking. The Adobo sa Tanglad (P380) is a tasty fan favorite that uses tanglad (lemongrass) to add a unique and refreshing flavor to this signature dish.
Address: First Pacific Leadership Academy, Km 27 Sumulong Highway, Antipolo
Opening Hours: Daily, 7 AM to 10 PM
Website: Facebook, Instagram
Craving adobo by now? These restaurants serve some of the best adobo in Metro Manila. And to complete the foodie experience, order some refreshments, too! A glass of Moonleaf milk tea just may be the perfect drink to wash down the adobo. Find more dining, shopping, and travel opportunities on KKday.
*Featured photo via Café Adriatico, Grace Park, Ilustrado, and Via Mare Facebook pages