Where to eat and drink in San Juan: 14 restaurants and bars to try

Early in 2024, self-taught chefs Amanda Hao and Neil Dy, together with friend and front-of-house manager Jonah Chantong, quietly opened the doors to their first restaurant. But Seva didn’t stay quiet for long. Hidden within an unassuming building in Little Baguio, San Juan, the 50-seater restaurant enjoys a loyal and growing patronage, with many touting it as their favourite in the neighbourhood. Offering an elevated casual dining experience, Seva has become a go-to spot for hearty dinners and late-night drinks (their cocktails are not to be missed) that traverse the world’s flavours.

Tatler Trivia: Seva is the spiritual successor to Hao and Dy’s private dining concept, 29 Sang, and many of their signatures remain on the menu at Seva, including the spicy vodka rigatoni with burrata and the crowd-favourite cheesy crab dip.

In case you missed it: New restaurant in San Juan: Seva, elevated casual dining for friends, by friends

Once a hole-in-the-wall with a capacity of just 20 guests, Ricksha Tandoor now calls San Juan its home with a much larger space in Greenhills. Here, owner Cyril Addison pays homage to his roots in Bangalore. He brings his mother’s homestyle Indian recipes to life through contemporary presentations while preserving their soulful flavour. Addison and his wife, Pierre, further enrich the Ricksha experience with an impressive wine selection from their sommelier service, Love, Pierre.

Tatler Tip: Keep an eye out for their themed wine dinners.

Like many great restaurants, Xiù Fine Cantonese Dining started as a passion project among friends, built upon their shared love for delicious food. In this case, they highlighted the luxurious eats encountered on their frequent travels to Hong Kong. Celebrating nine years this 2025, the humble project has flourished into one of San Juan’s top destinations for Chinese cuisine (which is no small feat in a city known for its plethora of Chinese restaurants). While they remain committed to authenticity, the team works closely with Lawrence Koo and chef David Cheung of Hong Kong’s West Villa to constantly refine their menu. Today, they continue impressing their guests with both traditional and contemporary dishes. 

Tatler Tip: Dedicated to offering guests a stress-free dining experience, Xiù even offers valet services.

If there’s one sandwich that’s caught the attention of foodies across town, it’s 717 Deli’s halibut sandwich. Owned and operated by Lance Elmer Ngo, this small sandwich shop is touted by many as the best in the metro, amassing over 15 thousand followers on Instagram in just two years. “I couldn’t believe it either,” disclosed the 24-year-old in an interview with Tatler, sharing his disbelief at their rapid growth. The halibut sandwich lives up to the hype, with a thick, beer-battered fillet that is moist yet crispy, sandwiched between pillowy brioche buns (made in-house) with cheddar and a tasty tartar sauce. 

Tatler Tip: While other sandwiches like the roast beef, Philly cheesesteak, and pastrami have become hero items in their own right, their cochinillo is not to be overlooked.

Read more: 717 Deli, San Juan– home to some of the city’s best sandwiches

Helmed by chef Kevin David, Bun Run is another small outfit in San Juan City causing quite the stir. Quality ingredients and attention to detail form the foundation of their signature smash burgers, while playful global inflexions keep their regulars excited to return. Featuring an Australian Angus beef patty smashed to maillard perfection, their special Bun Run sauce, cheddar cheese, caramelised onions, lacto-fermented pickles, and housemade brioche buns, the classic cheeseburger (or double cheeseburger, if you like) is designed with purists in mind. Not your speed? Try the Golden Feather fried chicken burger with a fermented hot honey glaze, served with housemade kimchi, miso aioli, and cheddar cheese, or ask about their secret menu.

Beyond its beautiful, thoughtful design, The Corner House along P Guevarra has garnered attention for its impressive selection of F&B outlets, including those at The Market: a sleek food hall offering a colourful variety of cuisines. These selections are great for groups who can’t seem to agree or indecisive eaters (like myself) who insist on having a bit of everything. The Market features concepts like Thai specialist Krua, Kaokee Singaporean Kitchen, and Papeo by chef David Amoros of El Born which offers Mediterranean dishes—and El Born’s famous cheesecake, too. Cool down this summer and visit Shari Shari Kakigori House or Cold Folks ice cream bar for some frozen treats, too.

See also: 11 cooling and incredibly delicious shaved-ice desserts across Asia you need to try

A neighbourhood favourite for ramen since 2015, Oyasumi Ramen offers both chicken and pork-based ramen, enticing guests with an exciting range of bowls to choose from. Love a paitan? Try the simple Iekei paitan or the richer miso butter paitan. In the mood for pork? Their pork-based ramen selection spans straightforward bowls like black pepper and tonkotsu tantanmen, as well as adventurous picks like the umami black garlic, fragrant truffle, basil with cheese, and the intriguing La Paz inspired by Filipino batchoy.

Tomo Japanese Dining has long been the go-to spot for Japanese cuisine in San Juan, encouraging the owners to expand to a second location in Quezon City in 2023. While their menu includes tempura, robatayaki, ramen, and teppanyaki, it’s the sashimi, sushi, and soba that have earned them many regulars.

See also: These are the 6 best curry restaurants in Tokyo, according to Tabelog

Founded in 1996, Mann Hann has evolved from its humble beginnings in San Juan City, boasting over 20 branches across Metro Manila. With the casual Chinese restaurant chain alive and well, the family introduced a fresh new concept in 2019: Moon Rabbit restaurant and café. Here, the owners leverage their expertise in Chinese flavours while imparting contemporary twists, allowing their treasured family recipes to resonate with a new generation of diners. Specialities include the crispy wonton lumpia, snow mountain buns, orange spare ribs, white chicken, crispy pork knuckles, and duck claypot rice, but you’ll also find a handful of Filipino dishes alongside their café offerings.

Located right along Wilson in San Juan, Tung Lo Wan’s remains a well-loved haunt for unfussy, old-school Chinese cuisine. Don’t expect modern presentations or refreshed interiors, but do come hungry and eager to feast on crowd-favourites like their oyster cake, century egg with seaweed, lechon Macau, crab sotanghon, steamed eel with tausi, roast specialities, and many more.

See also: 5 foods you didn’t know were Singaporean

Ask any San Juan native about their favourite Chinese restaurants, and The Century Seafood Restaurant will surely be among them. Originally located in Malate, Manila, this iconic institution is synonymous with birthdays, weddings, baptisms, and other family celebrations. Naturally, meals here are served lauriat-style, offering all the staples that make for a delicious Chinese banquet: suckling pig, Peking duck, live seafood cooked to your liking, birthday noodles and cha misua, their house special fried rice, almost 20 soups to choos from, and countless more, not to mention the classic deserts. 

BARS

Awarded Tatler’s Best New Bar 2025, Raion at The Corner House offers “cocktails for the curious made by the curious.” Run by bar manager and co-founder Kate Osmillo, as well as “resident cocktail wizard,” head bartender Shinichi Itoh, this approachable yet adventurous space offers experimental cocktails that pay homage to the classics. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Raion promises a warm and inviting drinking experience that will deepen your appreciation for beverages.

Tatler Tip: Raion also serves coffee from 10am to 9pm, as well as Japanese-European plates for those in need of a bite or two.

In case you missed it: Tatler Best-in-Class: Awarding the best bars in the Philippines 2025

When in need of a slow-paced evening of vinyl and a nightcap, head to 78-53-86. Named after owner Jay Amante’s phone number in the ‘70s, this intimate space is tucked away on the 3rd floor of BLK 113 Building (where you’ll also find 717 Deli), offering a restful respite with an impressive record collection and shelves full of whiskey.

Tatler Trivia: Amante is also the brains behind Grey Market Records, and a partner at 78-45-33 (better known as “Numbers bar”)—a jazz bar in Salcedo Village inspired by Japanese kissatens.

Described as a “bar and community space”, Sa’min acts as a co-working space by day and a bar by night, offering a comfortable, intimate, and welcoming atmosphere (plus DJs some weekends). Their signature drinks follow a similar philosophy, building on familiar flavours. Take, for example, the Scrambol with whisky, chocolate bitters, and strawberry syrup, or the Tinola ni Leticia with egg whites, chicken broth, citrus, white rum, lemon, and ginger.

Tatler Tip: On May 1, Sa’min kicks off their takeover series with an impressive start, hosting Toru Ariyoshi, bar manager and head bartender of the lauded Bee’s Knees in Kyoto.

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