Cover Cool down with some delicious halo halo at these 7 shops around Metro Manila (Photo courtesy of Milky Way Café)
Cool down with some delicious halo halo at these 7 shops around Metro Manila (Photo courtesy of Milky Way Café)
1 / 1
From nostalgic favourites to unconventional twists, the halo halo from these seven shops are sure to hit the spot
As the summer sun blazes overhead, few things are more satisfying than diving into a tall, ice-cold glass of halo halo. This beloved Filipino dessert—layered ingredients sweet, savoury, chewy, crunchy and everything in between—is as vibrant and varied as the memories it stirs. No two halo halo are quite the same: some win hearts with nostalgic charm, others with bold, inventive twists. Below, we list our picks for the seven best shops in Metro Manila serving delicious halo halo to beat the heat.
In case you missed it: Where to buy ice cream: 20 of the best local ice creameries in Metro Manila
Milky Way Café
Milky Way Café is known for its wide selection of time-tested favourites, from the chicken asparagus sandwich to the crispy hito with bagoong and mustasa—but it’s their famed halo halo that remains synonymous with the brand. Served in a nostalgic tall diner glass, Milky Way Café’s halo halo is comprised of all the classic fix-ins you know and love: ube, saba, red and green gulaman, kaong, sweetened beans, macpuno, leche flan and shaved ice, finished with a generous pour of evaporated milk, their homemade ube ice cream and crispy pinipig.
Tatler Tip: Can’t be bothered to make the trip out? Order Milky Way’s halo halo set, which conveniently comes packaged in an insulated bag.
Read more: Milky Way: From humble dairy parlour to formidable restaurant empire
Razon’s of Guagua
The minimalist’s halo halo—simple yet timeless, one that even the pickiest of eaters can’t resist. This stripped-back halo halo from Razon’s of Guagua keeps it straightforward with the sweet crowd-pleasers you meticulously dig for at the bottom of your glass: banana, macapuno and leche flan, with shaved ice and milk.
See also: Meet the man behind the Dubai chocolate craze: Filipino chef Nouel Catis
The Lobby at The Peninsula Manila
The Lobby at The Peninsula Manila exudes old-world grandeur that few can compete with—an elegant backdrop for an extravagant brunch, afternoon tea or a generous serving of halo halo. Designed to be shared, their halo halo harana is a delicious medley of macapuno, langka, nata de coco, sweet beans, kaong, garbanzo and ube halaya, smothered with shaved ice, leche flan, ube ice cream and toasted pinipig.
Bebang
Made with frozen shaved milk instead of the regular shaved ice, Bebang’s halo halo shot to fame midway through 2022, known for its snow-like texture—much like you would expect from the Korean bingsu. Since opening in July 2021, the brand has rapidly expanded from its sari-sari store set up in Quezon City, to over 20 branches across Metro Manila and beyond, with most shops selling as many as 800 to 1,000 cups of servings per day. While they have plenty of flavours available, from the mango-float-inspired mango graham to more playful desserts like cookie crumble, strawberry pistachio and Matcharap, it’s the presidential halo halo that people really line up for (sometimes, for up to an hour). Loaded with pandan jelly, ube halaya, sago, corn, nata de coco, leche flan, cinnamon banana, langka, macapuno and pinipig, it’s easy to see why it’s become the Internet’s favourite.
Kabigting’s Halo Halo
Originally from Pampanga, Kabigting’s Halo Halo now has two locations in Quezon City and one in Marikina, bringing “the pride of Arayat” to halo halo fans in the metro. Their unique take on the Filipino classic features only three ingredients: halayang beans, sweet creamed corn and homemade patillas made from carabao’s milk.
See also: These are the most iconic Filipino dishes from Negros, Ilocos, Pampanga, and more
Manam
The Moment Group’s flagship Filipino restaurant Manam has become top of mind for a quick yet satisfying fix of all your Pinoy staples, from breakfast to dinner and of course, sweet endings. Made with shaved ice, gulaman, saba, red beans, ube, kaong, nata de coco, macapuno, langka, leche flan, ube ice cream and pinipig, their namnam halo halo remains faithful to the classic and is a reliable pick for whenever the cravings strike.
Poppy’s
Opened just last September at The Zone Sports Center (two doors down from Bombvinos Bodega), Poppy’s also uses shaved milk ice as its base, achieving a more delicate, fine texture and creamy milk flavour. The Poppy’s classic is filled with the standard ingredients you’d expect, plus some springy puto and crunchy banana chips for added texture, while the ube keso revives the trendy pairing with an additional topping of cheese. Not quite what you’re after? Consider the mais saba con yelo, which fuses two street food favourites in one, or the limited-edition mango graham, a special for the summer.
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
