Café Adriatico: A Taste of The Oldie But Goodie

Every journey has an end. And after a series of Filipino food tastings for the Department of Tourism's Kulinarya Kalayaan Food Festival which almost seemed endless, we finally found ourselves on to our last stop -- the legendary Café Adriatico in Remedios Circle, Malate.
Cafe Adriatico Ground Floor Lamp at Cafe Adriatico'

Café Adriatico is a 32-year old restaurant standing tall in the heart of Manila long before its sisters -- Bistro Remedios, Café Havana, Abé, Abé's Farm, Fely J's Kitchen, Larry's Café and Bar, and Lorenzo's Way, had been born. As the flagship of the LJC Restaurant Group, this iconic dining place and hangout spot has been a time-tested favorite of artists, writers, business leaders, politcal movers, as well as tasteful lovers.

Cafe Adriatico Bar Counter

Although I prefer well-lit cafés for food photography's sake, I can't help but be enchanted with Café Adriatico's old world ambiance. Its ground floor exudes a warm and cozy feel with classic wood furnishings, old paintings and antique conversation pieces. Its second floor on the other hand, transports diners to an ambient watering hole with colorful bar counter panels.

Pancit Palabok P245

With such a comforting ambiance, I found myself enjoying every forkful of the flavor-packed Pancit Palabok (P245) -- a rice noodle dish drenched with shrimp sauce and generously topped with pieces of shrimp, squid, pork crackling and half a hard-boiled egg.

Sampler of Lola Ising's Adobo Rice and Knockout Knuckles

We also had a sampler platter of two all-time café favorites -- Lola Ising's Adobo Rice (P435) which is a savory ensemble of fried adobo pork belly on a bed of equally flavorful adobo rice, and Knockout Knuckle (P595) which is crispy pork leg deep-fried in garlic and chilies.

Chocolaté Eh! Fondue P295 Chocolaté Eh!

Although I was almost full, I can't say no to Chocolaté Eh! Fondue (P295) -- an ultra thick and rich blend of Philippine-grown tsokolate whipped with wooden batirol, and served with suman and mango slices. Seriously, Café Adriatico's tsokolate is one of the best ones I've had!

THE VERDICT

This trip to Café Adriatico has made me fall in love with the charm of the Old World even more. Although I don't frequent the area, I see myself just staying in the comfort of the café with a hot cup of tsokolate at hand while enjoying classic Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine again and again. With quality food offerings, friendly service and a lovely ambiance to boot, Café Adriatico is truly an iconic restaurant which proves to be one oldie but goodie.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Café Adriatico, Malate
1790 M. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle
Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 738-8220
Official Website
Facebook Page

34 comments:

  1. I remember eating their before, i ordered fish with almonds. Super yummy ;)

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  2. It would look as if time has stopped in that place! I love cups of Tsokolate! Yum!

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  3. yes it's a nice place. when I was still in manila I tasted my first coffee (outside) in cafe adriatico. i even tried coffee with brandy, gosh i forgot the name. anyways, that coffee made me drunk so i had to meet someone a little tipsy. lol.. memorable place ...:D

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  4. The last dish is so yummyyy sa pic palang. The price is medyo mahal pero I'm sure it's worth it

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  5. I'm familar with Adriatico St. but haven't been here. I am so intrigued. I feel like it's really good place to spend some romantic dinner with beau. Hehehe! Sold na ako sa tsokolate! =)

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  6. Cafe Adriatico's food is really delicious. :) Love it!

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  7. nice place ,good food means Cafe Adriatco. mouthwatering palabok.

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  8. srsly, i love the ambiance of this resto. ang sarap siguro kumain jan. <3

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  9. there's also one in Gateway, behind Italianni's :)

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  10. I think it's hight time for me to revisit this place. My 1st and last dining experience is all a vague memory to me now. The Chocolate Eh! Fondue sounds divine. =)

    http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/

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  11. great job on describing the place. it definitely sounds interesting and cozy. muntik na ko magdrool sa last pic. Delicious!

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  12. I've dined here once before... I liked the adobo and I normally don't like adobo. :)

    I want to try that Chocolate Eh Fondue!

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  13. maliit pa ako naririnig ko na yang cafe adriatico na yan, existing pa rin pala. magaling ang management nila kase most of their contemporaries nagsara na. thanks for sharing, at least may chance pa pala akong ma-experience yan hehehe.

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  14. Not sure if I have been to this cafe before but Cafe Havana definitely I have been and Abe in Trinoma, I like their food for real. And their chocolate I must definitely try...

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  15. Classy Interior and it's kinda oldies or I must say vintage-y. the palabok looks like spaghetti haha Expensive yet worth it! :)

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  16. I've heard a lot of good things about this resto. A bit out of the way for me but it sure looks interesting :)

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  17. That pancit palabok looks so delicious! Arrgh!

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  18. Filipino food + Old World ambiance = sumptuous experience for the senses. :D

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  19. the food looks tempting + if only i am a stone's throw away, i'd brave the monday morning rain to sample those delectable dishes....

    i have heard much about cafe adriatico but sadly i have never been there, glad i came across your post. ;)

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  20. I loved CAfe aDriatico even way back. It's really cozy and the food is always good.

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  21. Naku sis, it's not my "job" naman.. haha.. Hobby lang.. :) There are affordable restaurants in Malate. Di lang naman puro pricey.. Give it a try some time! ;)

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  22. imma need that pandit palabok!! craving now! xx

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  23. I miss palabok!! Super nice photos. Sana marunong ako magluto nyan...

    Rizza (beingwell)

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  24. Nainggit tuloy ako sa dami ng pagkain. ^_^

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  25. I know what you mean about good lighting and food photography but sometimes, ambient lighting is what creates the perfect dining experience so nevermind I guess. Your photos are still beautiful, anyway! hahaha :D I like the adobo rice platter. Never been to Cafe Adriatico but at least now, I have an idea about what to order. :)

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  26. I love the ambiance though the photos were limited and I've been hearing this place for the longest time :)

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  27. I can't forget the prawn with garlic that I had at Cafe Adriatico. I make it at home a lot. Simple but very tasty. Great photos. I love the old world quality of the place.

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  28. I tried them out at their MOA branch and the food's really great! Although I'd love to visit them at Malate since their place there has more personality. =)

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  29. I've been there once together with my mates before and want to get back during our vacation in PI. It's just a plan.
    Hope to see you back: www.iconnectworld.com

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  30. We alays order Gising-gising and Kare- kare, one of their best sellers! :D

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