Filipino dining is at its best in the famed walled city in Manila. See Tatler Dining Philippines’ picks of the Intramuros restaurants that take diners back in time to experience the country’s rich culture and culinary heritage.
Dating from 1590, Intramuros was the centre of commerce and education, the seat of power and religion, and the haven of Filipino and Spanish elites during the colonial period. Built to serve as the country’s capital, Intramuros was fortified with walls, bastions, bulwarks, and other medieval defense structures. The city stood the tests of time, survived earthquakes and wars, and preserved the cultures of the country’s colonisers.
Besides its cobble-stoned roads, colonial-styled houses and baroque churches, Intramuros’ rich history is evident in the restaurants inside it that remained true to Filipino heritage cuisine. Philippine Tatler Dining tours around Intramuros to name the restaurants that not only give the taste of Filipino heritage but also show the country’s renowned artistry and colourful tradition.
Plaza San Luis
A lot of alleys and corners in Intramuros show a glimpse of the country’s past but it is only the Plaza San Luis complex and the establishments within it that intensely lure one back in time. The streets of Real and General Luna and the magnificent Baroque-styled San Agustin Church add nostalgia to the Plaza San Luis Complex that is home to the Casa Manila museum (a re-creation of a 19th-century Filipino mansion), White Knight Hotel, and the popular Barbara’s heritage restaurant.