Celebrity-Owned Restaurants with Delicious Feats Beyond the Fame
By 8List
To hell with venturing out of your comfort zone. Sometimes it’s best to stick to what you know—like with entering the restaurant business, for example. Not everyone with the capital (and stature) can pull off a food concept with good foot traffic beyond its first few months.
Advice from a pinaasa–at-nabigo: don’t enter a celebrity restaurant with the expectation to fall in love with its food as much as you adore its owner.
But, don’t worry. There are exceptions, of course—the very few with a winning concept and a delicious execution. For that, check out these 8!
8. Ka Tunying’s Café
88 Visayas Avenue, Tandang Sora, Quezon City
(02) 366 1342 | Facebook
Open every day from 7am to 10:30pm
Budget for two – P1000
If you don’t wake up early enough to catch Ka Tunying at UKG, get the next best thing—fresh bread and pastries that’ll start your day right. Just some examples are turmeric pandesal and ensaymada as huge as a basketball. Also look forward to a wide selection of hearty meals—from breakfast options and food you can enjoy any time of the day. Most of which feature an exciting Pinoy twist.
7. Pedro N’ Coi
Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook | Budget for two – P1000
This fun Pinoy restaurant is the labor of love of Miss Universe runner-up Shamcey Supsup and her businessman husband Lloyd Lee. Here, you’ll be welcomed with a la fast food kiosks, quirky décor and even a souvenir shop. You can dine inside a jeepney, too!
Their food items are named after celebrities and personalities in a witty manner—like Inasal Raymundo and Binagoongan Revilla. Add Pedro N’ Coi to your list of places for your balikbayan loved ones.
6. Garage 88
Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook | Website | Budget for two – P900
Garage 88 is a laidback place specializing in the irresistible combination of burgers and beers. How would you like to try a 12-inch burger with pretty much every condiment possible? They also host tons of events from comedy shows to concerts. This awesome hangout spot is Yeng Constantino’s baby.
5. Runner’s Kitchen
GF Creekside Square, Tomas Morato Avenue, Kamuning, Quezon City
(02) 415 6870, 0977 359 7568 | Facebook
Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm, Sunday from 9am to 9pm
Budget for two – P1200
Here, you can taste the healthy, organic meals that are probably the secrets to Bianca King’s ageless beauty and hot bod. It’s not going to be tiny salads or unrecognizable meat. Think more along the lines of waffles, Pinoy breakfast and desserts like peach mango pie—all of which you can enjoy without an ounce of guilt.
4. Rue Bourbon
Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook | Website | Budget for two – P1000
Rue Bourbon is just one of Jodi Sta. Maria’s successful restaurants. This resto-bar is the perfect place to have a good time with great grub and live music. Don’t leave without trying their luscious, fork-tender ribs that come with your choice of sides.
You have to try their delicious pulutan choices as well—sisig nachos, potato hay smoked bacon benedict and bacon-wrapped beer-battered oysters.
3. Wang Fu Chinese Café
Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook | Budget for two – P700
Chinese fare will always have a special place in our Pinoy hearts (slash bellies). When the unavoidable craving for which suffices, Richard Yap’s restaurants will definitely deliver. And unlike most Chinese restaurants where most orders are for sharing, at Wangfu, you can enjoy personal set meals.
Just some examples are the Salted Egg Fried Chicken Set and Pork Chop with Chinese-Style Mayo Set.
2. Brasas
Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook | Budget for two – P1000
Latin American fare is undoubtedly getting bigger in Manila. But, do you know what started that domino effect? Carlos Agassi’s Brasas serving no-frills, flavor-packed Latin American street food. Those with big appetites will find solace here, especially in their huge platters that come in four exciting variants. Just some must tries are the Puerco Asado Platter (pork belly) and the Costilla Llaneras (baby back ribs).
1. Johnny Chow
2F Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay City
(02) 659 8353 | Website
Open every day from 11am to 1am
Budget for two – P1800
Slow claps for you, Marvin Agustin. The longstanding celebrity has numerous successful restaurants under his belt—SumoSam, Marciano’s, John and Yoko, etc. Johnny Chow is one of his most celebrated concepts, specializing in Asian fusion cuisine. Their extensive menu will take you on a delicious tour of Asia through food. Look forward to scrumptious Thai, Korean and Chinese dishes.
What’s your favorite celebrity-owned restaurant? Share those must-visits below!
