Located just at the outskirts of Makati's Central Business district, San Antonio Village is a treasure trove of the metro's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Up for a (generally) budget-friendly food trip? Here's a map and guide to the must-try foodie destinations at this neighborhood.
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Budget-Friendly Eats
Suzukin
Kamagong St. Branch
9753 Kamagong St. cor. Sampaloc St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Established way back in the eighties, Suzukin is one of the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood (so old, you'll find it hard to find a San Antonio Village resident who hasn't been to this iconic Japanese restaurant)
The small, low-ceilinged space hasn't changed through the years. Even their menu barely moved. Their Ebi Tempura (P180) remains the best-seller along with the Beef Garlic (P162) and their Tepanyaki Meals, All these three are must-tries for Suzukin first-timers. But if you want the ultimate bang-for-the-buck meal, get the Suzukin Lunch or Dinner Plate (P123) with Chicken Furai, Ebi Tempura, Pork Kashi Yaki, Tuna Steak, Crispy Dilis, rice and miso soup.
BonBahnmi
8390 Mayapis Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.
BonBanhmi was established in September 2013 by Vietnamese couple Thao Ngo and Anh Le. It's literally a hole in the wall along Mayapis St.– just a covered kiosk featuring a bahn mi assembly line and a couple of Monoblock chairs for waiting (yes. expect to fall in queue at peak times).
Here, people line up for the Bahnmi (medium: P79; large: P99), a typical Vietnamese streetside fare that is crispy on the outside yet soft and all fresh in the inside. All of BonBanhmi's sandwiches are prepared in house (they even make their own mayonnaise!) using the freshest of the ingredients.
You are advised to go Traditional and get the one complete with lean pork ham, pig's head paste, shredded meat, and boiled meat. Other options are: all-Chicken, all-Beef, all-Pork, and Vegetarian. Sandwiches here are best paired with Artichoke Tea (P59) or their special Vietnamese coffee (P59).
Tonkatsuya
Palm Tower B, St. Paul Rd., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Long before the Katsu craze hit Manila, Tonkatsuya– a Japanese restaurant, hidden at the basement of a building in San Antonio Village, has been serving fried pork cutlets as their specialty. In charge of the small and unassuming place is Japanese Tonkatsu Chef Hosoya. Here, he makes authentic Tonkatsu for around P200– just a fraction of what it would cost you in the malls. A cheesy version, the Cheese Herikatsu Set, is also available for P245.
Hong Kong Roast
7467-C Bagtikan St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
A casual-style Cantonese restaurant, this Bagtikan hidey-hole might save you a trip to Binondo or maybe, even Hong Kong. Like any other Cantonese restaurant, HKR has the usual suspects. Headlining the favorites in the Short Order category is the Roast Pork Asado– the dish that started it all. Tender in every piece, it's quite a treat to consume the asado on its own. Dipping it in its accompanying sauce though is proven to further enhance its flavor.
Other favorites include the Baked Chicken (Half a chicken for P310; Whole at P550)– an unadulterated Chinese recipe that has this distinct smoky flavor, and the Fried Fish Fillet in Cream Corn Sauce (P150) which is so good and comforting, you'll crave it many times.
8065 Bagnet
8065 Estrella St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
In 8065 Bagnet, the deep fried, crunchy pork of Ilocos is star. This dim, easygoing, and free-spirited two-floor space could definitely pass as an art enthusiast’s residence. The place attracts a good mix of clientele ranging from office workers, call center peeps, to couples, families, and groups of friends who frequent the place, both for the food and the laid-back vibe it offers.
The house specialty is of course, Bagnet, which comes in different varieties–Original, Kare-Kare, Sisig, Spicy Ginataan, Curry and Binagoongan. These all come with rice and free soup.
Galli Village Café
Ground Level, YMCA Hotel, 7 Sacred Heart St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Galli Village Café is a small and rustic haven with a menu that has ninety percent of its dishes priced below P200. It’s quite a find, if you’re looking to take a break from Makati’s busy crowd and expensive restaurants.
Serving mostly Spanish-Filipino dishes, they're very proud of their Paella Valenciana, a house specialty that may be ordered in advance, so it will be freshly cooked and hot upon the guest’s arrival. It’s also available for take out, making it perfect for pot lucks and parties. House specialties priced less than two hundred are the Shrimp Gambas with rice (P195) and the Beef Salpicao with rice (P195).
Mao Jia Hunan Cuisine
7467 Bagtikan St, San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Mao Jia Hunan specializes in authentic Chinese dishes, particularly the spicy fares that are originally of Hunan province. Hunan's best sellers are fish heads steamed in family-blended herbs and essences, and served in two levels: mild spicy and ultra-spicy.
Sweet Treats
Purple Oven
Ground Level YMCA Bldg.
7 Sacred Heart St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
It's no secret that Purple Oven bakery supplies the cakes of the biggest coffee chain in the country. When in here, be sure to sample their Classic Apple Pie, Oreo Cheesecake, and Quiches.
Sophie’s Mom
8760 Residences Santol St. corner Aranga St., San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Tonette Rosal, a mother of three girls (Stephanie, Samantha, and yes, Sophie) and self-professed confectionery fan, is the queen of Sophie's Mom Cafe– a dollhouse-y space along Santol St. that specializes in cupcakes, cookies and mochi ice cream.
Her Red Velvet Cupcake (P50) is one of the best in the metro. The moist red velvet cake has chocolate chunks in it and then topped off by some sweet-sour cream cheese frosting. Varieties of cupcake flavors include Dulce De Leche, Tres Leches with Fresh Mangoes and Cookie Dough, among others.
Pink Wasabi
Unit P, Suite B, The Collective 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
With its humble beginnings in October 2010, My Pink Wasabi has gained a reputation as one of the most promising brands in the dessert category. Then only available in bazaars and via delivery, Pink Wasabi now reaches a milestone with the launch of it first retail store in The Collective, located in Makati.
While kashi makis aren't actual sushis but merely cakes shaped as such, people still regale the variegated spread of flavors My Pink Wasabi offers. There's the peppermint tea infused Midnight Mint that's dear to those who favor Andes chocolates. Oolong Berry, another tea based roll, has white chocolate in place of nori and tiny strawberry jelly balls that are convincing as roe. Among all the rolls, this has the most balanced flavor– even non-berry lovers swear by it. On the other hand, green tea drinkers adore White Matcha that– just like the popular tea– is sweet but not overly so.
Bebe Rouge
7602 Sacred Heart St. corner Metropolitan Ave., San Antonio Village, Makati City
Bebe Rouge is owned, managed, and operated by a vibrant Japanese couple–Atsushi and Jun, both French-trained pastry chefs.
It has an impressive selection of pastries like macaroons, galettes, desserts, and tea concoctions. Their strawberry shortcake is a bestseller.
Rocci Chocolate Kitchen
Unit 5A, The Zone Malugay St. corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
Situated in the outskirts of Makati’s Central Business District, this quaint café offers a good and quiet place to hang out.
Sample the Triple Chocolate Mousse (P158), which is dark Belgian chocolate and milk chocolate mousse on a rich dark chocolate cake. The three layers have different tastes and textures that all go well together in one bite.
The Dark Chocolate Cake (P118) is also a must-try. This flourless cake is made with Belgian chocolate, which is Rocci’s chocolate of choice since it is one of the best in the world.
Chill for Post-work Drinks
Wingman
Suite B, The Collective , 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
This little corner of one of Makati’s most interesting mix of establishments is rarely empty at night. Past 7PM, tables are filled with multitasking people– busy deboning their chickens, while taking part in a happy banter. A typical Friday evening usually houses a mix crowd: yuppies who just clocked out, a mini reunion of sorts, and friends catching up.
There are a lot of buffalo wing joints nowadays, but not one comes close to the quantity and quality of options one can get from Wingman. Here, you have nine different flavors to choose from; Lemon Pepper and Classic Buffalo are our favorites! Draft beer and beer below zero are also available.
Saguijo
7612 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
Saguijo needs no introductions. Music afficionados flock to this place where independent groups perform alongside more established brands. The food is regular bar fare. Their Spareribs and Gambas sure hit the notes.
Titania Wine Cellars
Ground Level, Unit 8, Southway Condominium, 7435 Yakal St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
Titania Wine Bar and Café is a fine dining restaurant inside the Titania Grand Cellar along Yakal Street. The Grand Cellar is Asia's first temperature-controlled area for fine wines imported from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, California and Australia.
Menu here is relaxed. Get a bottle of wine, inform the chef of your budget for food, and he'll fix up something to complement your drink.
Did we miss your favorite San Antonio Village restaurant? Let us know in the comments section your go-to destinations when at this side of Makati.
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Interested to sample these restaurants for free? The Avida Food Hunt allows its participants to sample the specialty cuisines and epicurean fares in the neighboring Avida development. The tour is curated by Pinoy Eats World founder, Chef JJ Yulo. To participate, visit Avida Land’s Facebook page (avidalandph) or Avida Showroom Glorietta (2/F, Glorietta 4) for more details on the next food hunt.
