If there’s one cuisine that is closest to the hearts of Filipinos, it would be Spanish cooking. At Greenbelt, la cocina española are aplenty, but one spot stands out -- Tapella by Gaudi. This modern Spanish restaurant specializes in authentic tapas and paella, but their desserts are also must-tries. The modern interiors of the restaurant dabbed with red and earth tones make it a bright yet cozy place to enjoy a hearty meal. Don’t forget to try their Gambas al Ajillo, Pulpo a la Gallego, Paella Negra and of course, after your meal, try the Tocino del Cielo for dessert.

Right off the bat, Bubba Gump will definitely catch your attention. With a bench and a pair of misplaced sneakers welcoming guests, you know you’re in for a treat at this shrimp shack. Inspired by the movie Forrest Gump, the restaurant envisions how Forrest and Bubba’s restaurant would have looked like if they were real-life people. Bubba Gump prides itself on serving the freshest and meatiest shrimps in town. Aside from a full range of shrimp specialties, they also serve other American favorites like ribs, burgers, fries, onion rings, smoothies and yummy desserts like Key Lime Pie, Alabama Mud Pie and Sparklin Apple Cobbler.

Restaurante Pia Y Damaso pays homage to the great Filipino hero, Jose Rizal. The Filipino-Spanish restaurant offers a range of traditional Filipino dishes with quirky names inspired by Rizal’s novels El Filibusterismo and Noli Mi Tangere. Must-tries are Kapitan Tiago’s Kare Kare with Bagoong Alamang, Shortribs Rioja, Chicken with Salted Egg sauce and Cilantro, Crispy Prawn Gambas Makaraig and Chorizo Pork Belly and Chickpeas. For dessert, Pia Y Damaso is best known for Sisa’s Dementia -- chocolate cake made with creamy white chocolate almond pastille, dark chocolate mousse, and ganache. The restaurant also offers a full range of wines and cocktails. It also serves its own fresh juice concoctions, including Tubig ni Maria -- a pitcher of fresh cucumber juice, ginger and citrus water.

For the best Peking duck in town, Peking Garden in Greenbelt 5 is your best bet. Serving only the finest Northern Chinese Cuisine, Peking Garden is an iconic part of Chinese cuisine in the Philippines. It aims to offer authentic Chinese food with its seasoned chefs flying in from Hong Kong to train local staff. Dishes one must-try include Peking Garden’s Bird’s Nest and Shark’s Fin variants, Barbecued Peking Duck, Braised Pig Knuckles with Vegetables, Deep Fried Shredded Beef with Chili and its full range of dimsum.

Coming from a long list of established sister restaurants, Lorenzo’s Way brings Filipino cooking to a whole new light. It offers a range of Tapas, while other favorite Filipino dishes are given new twists. Must tries are their Bangus Belly with Kangkong Balachian, Black Pata, Costillas de Ternera Guisada, US Black Angus Rib Eye Steak al Ajillo and Seafood Couscous. For dessert, try their Porcupine Tart and Baklava.

Transport yourself to the East with Gilak by Hossein. The restaurant is a unique gem in the heart of Greenbelt as it serves authentic Persian, Arabic, and Indian dishes. Head Chef Hossein Sohrabi has over 30 years of experience in Middle Eastern cooking which makes Gilak by Hossein a must try for a new culinary experience. When you visit, make sure to order Mix Kebab II with grilled beef kebab, shish kebab and chicken kebab skewered with tomatoes and onions and marinated in the best spices for the perfect sweet, savory and spicy taste. The traditional Persian dish, Salad Shirazi, is also a perfect side to any meal, while their variations of Hummus and Pakora are also must tries.

Derived from the Italian word “luxury”, Lusso offers sumptuousness at its finest. While it offers casual dining, its dishes are elegance on a plate. Its specialty, the Foie Gras Burger, is probably one of the best burgers you’ll have -- a meaty US beef patty with Prosecco onions and bathed in Cambozola cheese. Its Demi Pound Burger is also a winner!

Any foodie will know garlic makes any dish better. What better way to celebrate the culinary wonder that is garlic than having a whole restaurant dedicated to it. Krazy Garlik’s menu is everything garlic. For the best culinary experience, order 40 Kloves Chicken -- chicken thigh and leg quarters marinated in 40 cloves of garlic and served on a bed of special garlic cream sauce. 30 Kloves Sirloin and Garliky Crispy Pata are also a must tries, as well as the Garlik Snowflakes pizza.

A modern take on authentic Thai cuisine, People’s Palace offers every iconic Thai dish possible with its own flair. The restaurant can accommodate more than 130 people with its seated tables, al fresco lounge and glass bar. It’s menu also boasts of traditional Thai dishes like Phad thai Rice, Som Tam, Mussaman Curry of Lamb and Thai Thako. They also offer set menus for groups.

Love Filipino cuisine? Sentro's wide selection of delectable Filipino food tastes like home, with a dash of something new for you to enjoy a hearty meal with your loved ones. Having been around for 15 years in Greenbelt, it serves as a testament to the quality of food and service they provide. Make sure to order their house special Sinigang na Corned Beef when you eat here. Build up your appetite and splurge on these must-try restaurants Makati. Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka! ]]>