2024 Intramuros Food Guide: 20 Must-Try Eats & Drinks (w/ Prices) • Old Manila Food Trip Budget Vlog

The Top 20 Famous Viral Eats in Intramuros!

Introduction to the Food Vlog

• The video introduces the top 20 viral eats and drinks in Intramuros, emphasizing extensive research and food vlogs.

• Hosts Angelica and Aileen share their experiences with various restaurants, covering meals from breakfast to dinner, including desserts and drinks.

• They aim to provide budget-friendly travel and food guides across the Philippines, encouraging viewers to subscribe for more content.

• Viewers are urged to stay until the end for a ranking of their favorite dishes.

La Cathedral Cafe Experience

• La Cathedral Cafe is highlighted as an Instagram-worthy spot with mixed reviews; it features a rooftop view of Manila Cathedral.

• The first dish reviewed is Crispy Bicol Express (350 pesos), which offers a unique twist on the classic dish with deep-fried pork cuts.

• The hosts rate it 7 out of 10 due to its sweetness but recommend trying it for those who enjoy spicy flavors.

• Seafood Aglio e Olio (320 pesos) is praised for its al dente pasta and fresh seafood, receiving an 8 out of 10 for being classic yet unremarkable compared to other options.

• Their Spanish Latte is described as creamy and sweet, suitable for casual gatherings.

Wall's Spicy Chicken Review

• Wall's Spicy Chicken is noted as a viral eat recommended by many vloggers; they try both spicy and creamy chicken dishes.

• The creamy chicken is rich and smooth, while the spicy chicken impresses with its balanced flavors—sweetness combined with just enough spice.

• Each rice meal costs only 109 pesos, making it an excellent choice for students or budget-conscious diners.

• The hosts give Wall's Spicy Chicken a perfect score of 10 out of 10 due to taste, portion size, and price.

Dining at Barbara's Restaurant

• Barbara's restaurant offers a heritage dining experience in Intramuros with colonial charm that transports guests back in time.

Dining Experience in Intramuros

Traditional Filipino Cuisine at Barbara's

• The dining experience includes traditional Filipino folk dances during dinner, enhancing the cultural atmosphere. The food quality is a key focus.

• The first dish, Paella de Mariscos (Seafood Paella), priced at 495 pesos, features fresh shrimp, mussels, and squid with subtly addictive flavors. Rated 8 out of 10.

• Seafood Amelie is highlighted as the standout dish at 745 pesos; it consists of seafood baked in flaky pastry with creamy lemon sauce and spaghetti al pesto. Rated 10 out of 10.

• The combination of rich creamy sauce and fresh seafood makes this dish exceptional, perfect for seafood lovers seeking a unique culinary experience.

Unique Cafe Experience at Papa Kape

• Located within Fort Santiago, Papa Kape offers a historical charm with rustic interiors in a 400-year-old water cistern.

• Their bestselling drink, Tahoat (240 pesos), combines taho flavor with oat milk and coffee; it's reminiscent of classic Filipino street food but slightly pricey. Rated 7 out of 10.

• Another popular drink is the Mango Sampaloc (200 pesos), praised for its sweet-tangy balance; rated highly at 9 out of 10.

• The cafe provides both indoor air-conditioned seating and alfresco options under trees, along with a resident cat named Tiago adding to its charm.

Rooftop Dining at Sky Deck Restaurant

• Sky Deck Restaurant atop Bay Leaf Hotel offers stunning views of Manila's skyline; best visited during golden hour for picturesque sunsets.

• Kare-kare (650 pesos), a traditional stew made from oxtail and tripe in peanut sauce, is recommended based on online reviews; serves up to four people.

• The kare-kare is flavorful with tender meat and crunchy vegetables; complemented by bagoong (shrimp paste), enhancing the overall taste experience. Rated 9 out of 10.

Dessert Highlights

• Cioccolata Churros (150 pesos), crispy on the outside yet soft inside, paired with dark chocolate dip provides a delightful end to the meal. Rated also at 9 out of 10.

Conclusion

Exploring Intramuros: A 24-Hour Adventure

Overview of Activities in Intramuros

• Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities within 24 hours, including riding a kalesa through cobblestone streets, biking around old forts and ruins, exploring national museums, and trying Filipino-Spanish cuisine for under 1,500 pesos.

• The video encourages viewers to check out their YouTube channel for more tips on an affordable trip to Intramuros.

Dining at Belfry Cafe

• Located near the Manila Cathedral, Belfry Cafe offers a unique dining experience underneath the church bells. The term "belfry" refers to the bell tower housing these bells.

• Popular menu items include the iced caramelly macchiato (180 pesos) and blueberry cheesecake (190 pesos). The macchiato is praised for its balance of sweet and bold flavors.

• While the blueberry cheesecake was disappointing (rated 6/10), the cafe's atmosphere with alfresco dining options enhances the overall experience.

Fine Dining at Ilustrado Restaurant

• Ilustrado is highlighted as the highest-rated restaurant in Intramuros with over 3,000 reviews and a stellar rating of 4.7 stars.

• Their specialty dish is Paella Ilustrado (990 pesos), which features fresh seafood and chicken cooked with annatto for vibrant color and flavor.

• The paella received an enthusiastic review (11/10), noted for its aroma and taste that lingered long after eating.

Unique Dessert Experience

• Ilustrado also serves Sampaguita ice cream (280 pesos), infused with petals from the national flower of the Philippines. Despite initial skepticism about floral flavors, it was well-received (9/10).

Cold Treats at Casa Manila

• Cold Treats is described as a cozy shake spot within Casa Manila grounds featuring charming architecture ideal for photos.

• Their bestseller is the mango graham shake (120 pesos), combining Philippine mangoes with graham crackers. Initially lacking graham crumbs, staff quickly rectified this issue by adding them.

Conclusion on Local Cuisine

Food Adventure in Inamo Exploring Filipino Cuisine

Tasting Filipino Favorites

• The first dish sampled was Pork Lampo for 195 pesos, noted for its rich smoky flavor and juicy meat. However, the meat was found to be a bit tough, leading to a rating of 7 out of 10.

• Next was the Fried Bangos priced at 120 pesos. It delivered a satisfying taste reminiscent of classic Filipino dishes but posed challenges due to bones. This dish also received a rating of 7 out of 10.

• The final dish reviewed was the En Saladang Manga, costing 50 pesos. This fresh side dish provided a sour touch that complemented the main courses, earning an 8 out of 10.

Restaurant Atmosphere and Value

• The restaurant's prices were highlighted as surprisingly low compared to other dining options in Inamo, making it great value for money.

• Despite lacking air conditioning, the spacious open-air setup with natural lighting is ideal for family dining and larger groups.

Dessert Experience

• After meals, visitors are encouraged to cool down at Batala Bar, known for its unique combination of locally crafted beers and ice cream.

• Ice cream options include student scoops at 80 pesos and regular scoops at 150 pesos. Two flavors tried were vanilla and avocado; both were described as refreshing on hot days.

• The avocado ice cream stood out with its creamy texture and subtle sweetness while the vanilla offered an authentic deep flavor that left a craving for more.

Final Rankings of Food Experiences

• A personal ranking system was introduced after sampling various dishes across ten restaurants in Inamo. Viewers are invited to share their favorite spots or dishes in comments.

Top Ten Rankings

1. Paa Illustr from Illustr

2. Spicy Chicken from The Walls

3. Seafood Emily from Barbaras

4. Mango Salo Drink from Papa

5. Paa Dem Mariscos from Barbaras

6. Mango Gram Shake from Cold Treats

7. Chocolata Churros from Sky Deck

8. Kare from Sky Deck

9. Caramelli Macchiato from Bell Fry Cafe

10. Ago Oo Pasta from La Cathedral Cafe

Additional Recommendations

• Viewers are encouraged to check out another food guide featuring top-rated restaurants around Manila Chinatown with nearly half a million views already.

• Suggestions include budget travel tips shared through videos aimed at helping travelers save money while exploring the Philippines effectively.