A local's guide to the best of Manila: top jewelry stores, exclusive cocktails and more

 Panorama of Manila at sunset

When planning a trip to the Philippines , it’s hard to resist the allure of Boracay’s white-sand beaches or Palawan’s crystal-clear waters . Who cares about cities anyway? Everyone, according to Alexandra Dorda, founder of the Filipino rum brand Kasama . “I think Manila  is a very underrated place. It’s such a vibrant city of contrasts,” she said, describing how the creative capital can also reveal its hidden, cozy, and sanctuary side.

Dorda founded Kasama in 2021 after noticing a gap in the rum market for spirit-savvy millennials that offered an affordable, quality product. Drawing on her Filipino heritage and family connections (her father co-founded the company that brought Belvedere and Chopin vodkas to the U.S. in the ’90s), she filled the gap with a line of small-batch rums inspired by her beloved Philippines (one of the world’s largest rum-producing countries) and full of tropical flavors like sweet pineapple and vanilla.

1. Make a reservation at Toyo Eatery

Tasting menu at Toyo Eatery

"Kasama is a Manila-based design studio called Serious Studio, and they invited me to dinner at Toyo Eatery . The restaurant is very popular locally and was even named one of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2021. It's a beautiful industrial space with stunning long acacia wood tables. Chef Jordy Navarro does creative things with classic Filipino cuisine. For example, he came up with a dish inspired by the nursery rhyme "Bahay Kubo," which lists different vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and garlic, and this dish has all of those ingredients. Plus, I often joke that my favorite vegetable is pork, so I love their pork skewers and pork loin bread, and they even garnish their cocktails with bacon."

2. Watch a show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

"My family and I love going to the theater and stuff (we call it "cultural activities"), so we look for places like that both at home and when we travel. The CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) in Manila offers live performances like musicals, ballet, and concerts. And it's right on Manila Bay, next to the Sofitel . So after the show, you can enjoy a walk along the bay and enjoy the view."

3. Unique clothing and jewelry at Lanai Manila

"This stylish spot features talented Filipino designers like Filip+Inna and Matthew & Melka . Many of my favorite pieces from Lanai Manila include a beach coverup from Filip+Inna that's beautifully hand-embroidered with a pattern inspired by a traditional Tagalog dress. I also have two pairs of Matthew & Melka earrings: one in the shape of an orchid and one in a pearl shell. Lanai is the perfect place to experience the unique Filipino aesthetic, which is all about maximalism and unexpected combinations of colors, textures, and prints. Plus, it's conveniently located right next to Toyo Eatery!"

4. Relax at The Henry Hotel (and then continue shopping)

Exterior of The Henry Hotel in Manila

" The Henry Hotel  is a cute boutique hotel in Manila that feels like a little green sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. They have a great restaurant and at the back of the complex is a store called Artelano 11 that features furniture, art, and home accessories from local and international artisans. I always go there with my mom to find something interesting for our home. I just love the space, located inside a row of 1950s wooden houses."

5. Grab a coffee (or cocktail) at The Curator

"My friends at Serious Studio introduced me to this place too. By day, The Curator  is one of Manila's best coffee shops. By night, it's a Prohibition-era nightclub-style bar that was named one of Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2021. Both the coffee and cocktails are fantastic, combining ingenuity with simplicity. The place itself is very cozy and quite elegant."

6. Dine in the historic airport building at Blackbird Restaurant, located in the Nielson Tower

Dining room at Blackbird

" Blackbird Restaurant is located in the Nielson Tower in Makati, in the Ayala Triangle Park, near where my mom lives. When I first came here, I thought, 'Oh, what a cute restaurant.' It's in an old building with well-preserved Art Deco decor and a beautiful terrace. Then someone told me that the tower was part of the old Paul Nielson, one of the first airports in Luzon, and the runway was where Ayala Avenue is! That blew my mind. The whole restaurant has an aviation theme, and the food is fantastic, of course."

7. Try creative craft cocktails at Agimat At Ugat Foraging Bar and Kitchen

" Agimat At Ugat is a multi-level venue. On the ground floor is Ugat, which hosts private events and also houses a distillery; upstairs is the Agimat bar, where they make cocktails, and behind the bar you will see a huge tree. All the activities are provided by the craft distilleries Destileria Barako in Boracay. They are famous for their cream liqueur Ube, which won the World Liqueur Awards for best cream liqueur. It has a very rich taste, and its bright purple color looks very impressive in the cocktails served at Agimat."

8. Spend a quiet day at Greenbelt Mall and Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum in Manila

"Manila's malls are great places to shop, dine, relax in the fresh air of the air-conditioned air, meet with family and friends, and even go to church. My favorite is Greenbelt , which has an upscale mix of international brands and excellent local designers. At lunchtime, I like to stop by the nearby People's Palace , one of the best Thai restaurants in town. Also in the same complex is the Ayala Museum , which has a permanent exhibit called Ancestral Gold: Pre-Colonial Treasures in the Philippines, showcasing some of our rich history before the Spanish colonization."

9. Go bargain hunting (and don't miss out on bargains) at Greenhills Shopping Centre

" Greenhills Mall is famous for selling almost everything under the sun, but I go there for the jewelry. I love opening case after case to find amazing semi-precious pieces that are often very inexpensive. For me, it's not so much shopping as it is the thrill of the hunt. Just be prepared to haggle. And if you have time, you can order something from the jewelers or show them a piece of jewelry and they will almost exactly replicate it. I've brought in pictures of diamond jewelry that I've seen in magazines but could never afford, and they've replicated it, replacing the diamonds with white sapphire."

10. Toast to a special occasion in the Champagne Room

"I have a special sentimental connection with the Champagne Room because of my mother. She was born in the 1950s, and when she was in her early 20s, this was the hot spot. And now she loves to come here and kind of relive her youth. This restaurant is located in The Manila Hotel , and it's literally all champagne colors: the chairs, the floor, the chandeliers. The room is decorated with crystals and has a luxurious art deco feel. It kind of transports you to another time and place, to old Manila. It's also close to the old walled city of Intramuros , so combining the two places makes for a great trip back in time."

11. Take a day trip to get some country air and have lunch with Antonio

Mint Chocolate Dessert at Antonio's

"If you have time for a day trip and a road permit—traffic is at the heart of many decisions in Manila—be sure to check out Antonio's Restaurant in Tagaytay . The restaurant is a pillar of the local food scene; the food is delicious and the ambiance is homey but glamorous. And Tagaytay itself is so beautiful that it's a nice escape from the city."