The Aristocrat Restaurant

My partner and I had dinner at this restaurant during our stay in Manila. Given the rich history of the place — well explained in the menu — and the legacy of its founder, Lola Asiang, I arrived with high expectations, which unfortunately were only partially met. The sizzling sisig was rather forgettable and did not match the depth of flavour I experienced elsewhere during our trip. The lechon kawali was decent, though not particularly memorable. The mechado, on the other hand, was very good and stood out as the highlight of the meal. We also ordered sizzling gambas and lumpia, both enjoyable but not memorable. Overall, the food was good, but it lacked that distinctive “wow factor” — a dish that truly surprises or elevates the experience. For a restaurant with such a strong heritage, I expected something more distinctive. On a positive note, the service was efficient, and the staff were warm, attentive, and professional throughout. In summary, a pleasant dinner, but not one that would bring me back.

Best barbecue chicken rice in Manila. The place is maintaining its standards from a long time. The food quality is very good and food is delicious. Barbecue chicken rice is a must try. I ordered crab soup and it was delicious. The staff is nice and welcoming. It’s definitely a must visit place for barbecue chicken rice and some snacks.

Visiting The Aristocrat in Malate felt like stepping back into my childhood but in the best, most refreshing way. This iconic Filipino restaurant has been around since 1936 (almost 88 years!) and it’s amazing how it continues to draw crowds. We were on the waitlist for just a few minutes, which honestly didn’t bother me because it’s a testament to how well-loved this place still is. I dined here with friends for dinner and I was pleasantly surprised to see the full renovation. The interiors look fresh and modern, yet they still retain that homey Filipino warmth that Aristocrat is known for. It’s brighter, well-lit and feels even more welcoming. The food? Ugh! Still the same classic flavors I grew up with. Their Chicken BBQ remains my all-time favorite, and the Whole Fried Chicken and Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino-style spring rolls!) were as delicious as ever. Consistent, flavorful and comforting just exactly what you expect from authentic Filipino institution. Prices are reasonable especially for the quality and serving portions. Definitely value for money. Whether you’re a tourist exploring Manila or a true Mañileño wanting a taste of home, you must visit this main branch in Malate. So many things has changed in this area but thankfully, Aristocrat’s magic doesn’t.

Yesterday, after Angela and I had our dentist appointment, we decided to have our late lunch at Aristocrat. The place was beautifully renovated - but it seems like it now has less tables. The pork spareribs barbecue was a letdown—it was basically pan-grilled. It tasted like the meat had been simmered in peanut sauce and then quickly torched just to fake the grill marks. Very disappointing. The Tokwa’t Baboy wasn’t any better. No onions, and the sauce was a watered-down mix of soy sauce and vinegar—about 80% water, 20% flavor. That said, their Chicken Honey and Paksiw Na Tiyan Ng Bangus are still to die for. The taste and portions haven’t changed in decades. In fact, the Chicken Honey still tastes exactly like how Max’s Fried Chicken did back in the 70s—a rare and comforting kind of consistency. The same goes for their Crab Fuyong. It hasn’t changed at all and still tastes exactly the way I remember it. The service crew was very attentive, but don’t come in starving. During peak hours—we arrived around 1 p.m.—the wait can stretch to nearly an hour. On the plus side, their billing process has clearly improved: the bill now arrives about 15 minutes after you ask, instead of the extra 30-minute wait it used to take.

The best boneless chicken barbecue, that we keep coming back. We visit this main shop even though it is too far and there’s long line. Good thing they provided waiting area.

Went here as walk in for a group of 3 and the waiting line was fast and smooth. We were immediately assisted to a table. The staff here are also well trained. Service is excellent and the food's also yummeelicious. The bulalo can be improved if served boiling hot, but overall ecperience is nice.

One of the best Filipino restaurants in the PH! Must try for all if you're looking for authentic dishes. Hospital was great, ambiance was bright and sunny. Will definitely go back!

Poor service. We asked for soy sauce for nth times to different staff, yet no soy sauce was brought to us. When we followed up, a female staff said “wait lang po” in a rudely manner. We understand that thenplace was full but to be rude to your customer? Not acceptable. We patiently waited for the soy sauce but when staff said that, we decided not to ask anymore. We will not come back here. Sad that we loved their food but was overshadowed by their poor service.

This Aristocrat location isn't just a restaurant, it's a Filipino staple and must-visit if you're visiting the Philippines. Their signature Filipino dishes are legendary - every bite bursts with flavor, a testament to generations of perfected recipes. But the magic goes beyond the food. Step inside and you're enveloped in a warm, nostalgic ambiance. It's comfy and clean, a place where memories are made. Several function rooms make it the perfect venue for any gathering, big or small. And you can see Manila Bay across the street... The entire staff, from the waiters with genuine smiles to the friendly parking lot security guards, embodies Filipino hospitality at its finest. Their warmth makes everyone feel welcome, like they're part of the family. It's no wonder we love it here - it's a true taste of Filipino tradition, served with a heaping helping of genuine care. Definitely order family-style to share! We went with the Kare-Kare, Bulalo, Sotanghon Guisado, Sinigang na Baboy, Crispy Pata, Lumpiang Ubod Sariwa and Lumpia served with Steamed White Rice (of course!). Make sure that you leave room for their delicious Halo-Halo and their world famous bakeshop next door. Talk about amazing Filipino desserts! This location was my favorite one and it's an experience that stays with you long after the last bite. I absolutely LOVE The Aristocrat!

Still the ORIGINAL and the BEST! Always a staple when I'm visiting Manila. It never fails to satisfy my craving for good old barbecue. They offer 3 pcs bone-in chicken BBQ, pork BBQ, boneless chicken among other Filipino dishes. They have changed packaging from boxes to plastic partitioned containers but flavour remains the same. This location has been there for decades and the fame and popularity never fades. Will always come back for more.

Had their staple dish. 3 pc bbq chicken. In a nutshell, the chicken was cooked to perfection, juicy tender and snappy. The flavor went through and through and every bite kept getting better. Paired with their Java rice, it's the perfect combo. The Java rice has a slight sweetness to it but more so savory that dominates towards the end. Mango banana smoothie was my first time tasting that combination and I gotta say, what a refresher that was. Not overwhelmingly sweet. Tastes both fruits and it seems to be the only two things. No additives or concentrates. I had two lol.

The chicken is tender, juicy, and smothered in a tangy, sweet, and spicy BBQ sauce that will leave you craving more. I opted for the barbeque chicken, and it was absolute perfection. The portion size is generous, to say the least - I ended up taking some home for lunch the next day (and devouring it all).

Yelp for the aristocrat Imagine this: it's a warm day in the middle of March, it's you first time in the Philippines and you can't wait to try your first bite of some delicious Filipino food! There's so many places to choose from in Manila and you wander into The Aristocrat. At first you get the feeling that this is where they serve family style dishes by the way all the tables are grouped together. Which is true! You also get the feeling that this is like a super corporate chain restaurant that doesn't really give you a welcoming vibe that makes you feel like you're in the Philippines. Also true. You take a seat, you look at the menu and see they have all the traditional Filipino eats! Excited, you get greeted by your server who was welcoming but very transactional You order the famous Lechón Kawai, rice and some puto for a little sweetness to break up the flavors. They let you know it will take 25-30 minutes to serve :( okay... (Luckily it didn't take that long cuz you're starving!) After getting your food, you pour the gravy over the lechón and you take a bite, instantly you melt to the floor from the delicious flavor & texture from this crispy skinned pork belly. It was delicious, the puto was just the right amount of sweet and the rice, just like grandma makes. All these things were true BUT I soon realized there was lechón around the city that was far better and will take you to another dimension. All in all I'd say the service was ok, not super welcoming and felt as transactional as a McDonald's The food was good, but definitely have had better for the same price The ambiance, let's just say it was missing some soul. Everything was clean but wasn't super comfortable. This place was definitely designed to make money and not much else. That said, does it scratch the itch for Filipino food? Yes But it does leave a lot to be desired. Luckily, you're in Manila and there is plenty more to be had.

For a restaurant in Manila, on Roxas Boulevard with a view of Manila Bay, I think this place is still on its way to match with some of the 4 and 5 star restaurants in the in the city. The service was was decent, but didn't satisfy my expectations of Filipino hospitality. It appeared that the two times we visited the waiters and waitresses were struggling to find seats and tables. We asked how long it would take to be seated, but they just kept saying "hold on, not long". Not long was about 30 - 40 minutes to be seated. If they told us the length of wait, we could have found another restaurant or rescheduled. The food was ok. But nothing I would take pictures of or would want to return to. However, the place was clean, air conditioned, and conveniently located close to the office buildings, so we came back twice.

Delicious meals are tasty and appetizing.. chicken is great very flavorful and smells so good.. the tenderness i really love it.. Very enjoyable meal, friendly & helpful staff.

Great food. The service is great. The environment is peaceful. Everything seems to be fine when we dine in here.

Very good food and bakeshop. But the service is not good. Our food arrived after 45 minutes , after how many times of follow up, coz all our close by tables are already served while we are still waiting for our order to arrive.

This is my to go place when ever i go home... all of my favorite dish are here. Currently they are duing renovation, staff are friendly. I would always consider going back.

Always booming. I live down the street. The food is fairly basic and well done, consistent. Cakes. Service is great. They have a long history dating back to before WWII at their Roca Blvd Service Road location. Nice park next door and old church back on the far corner. Malate/Remedios Church Rainbow crosswalk could use more durable paint. There are a series of other raretors circling the park. Enjoy.

Been a GO-TO to all Filipinos from all walks of Life. Nostalgic to Baby Boomers. Food is great as well as service.

Service was great. Ribs were cut down the middle in half with the rib tips. Tough chew to ribs but the sauce was good to cover the meat quality. The chicken was also dry for leg and thigh so disappointing after the long drive. Ambiance was nice with window seat.

It's been about 20 years since I've been at the aristocrat- and my what a huge change! They must be going through some renovations or just completed because the restaurant was very bright and had air conditioning! We had a party of 10 and ordered: Crispy Pata x 2 Bulalo x 2 Pancit x 2 Fried fish (I forgot) Chop suey x 2 I was a big fan of the bulalo and chop suey. They did a great job. My family loved the crispy oats and almost ordered a 3rd one.

It was disgusting. Didn't finish anything and even spit out some of it. I'm a foreigner and my coworker Filipina. She didn't like it either.

I swore off Aristocrat for decades because it seemed it was the only place to stop at for grub after getting off a flight. Not that their food is bad, I just had it way too often that I simply got tired of it. I would rather wait an hour to get out of the general area of Manila and eat at one of those stops on NLEX. But our family of about 20 found ourselves in this area to attend an event at the nearby church. We all arrived way too early, so we decided to kinda separate in groups to do a little exploring. Lunch wasn't going to be for another couple of hours at least and my party of 5 had a little bit of hunger pangs. And that's how we ended up here: just for a snack. SIZZLING GAMBAS: It didn't look that appetizing, but Big Bro and I were surprised how delicious it was! We were completely fooled by its lackluster appearance. This is a must have! LUMPIA: GodNiece's choice. Nothing special, I've had better for sure. DAING BREAKFAST: Pops decided he was hungry enough for a breakfast plate. I didn't get the chance to try it, but it came with a drink. But it's more like a shot (see attached picture.) He finished his entire serving, so I guess he liked it. FOOD: 3.5 SERVICE: 2.5. Needs work. There were at least three of them in our area (including our server) and not one was easy to flag for extras. VALUE: 3. Fair for what they're charging. PARKING: Street, semi-private. Not really sure what the arrangements are here... OVERALL: 3. It was an okay experience. Still not coming back anytime soon for reasons cited earlier... but I hope that doesn't hinder anyone. Don't knock it 'til you try it!

BEST BBQ IN THE PHILIPPINES! All I could think about before and on the flight over from LA was how much I wanted to eat Aristocrat! I arrived at MNL at around 9-10PM and we headed straight over here. The place had lots of parking and the restaurant was crowded but had a few tables left open. The only complaint I had at that time was the service, it was a bit slow since they were busy. The price was the best part of all of this, total was less than $10 per person with tip! I ordered the Boneless Bbq (Php 190)($3.56) with Java Rice, Sotanghoon Soup (Php 70)($1.13) and Leche Flan (Php 160)($3) for dessert. The Bbq was cooked perfectly, it was moist and tender and it came with a packet of sweet bbq sauce. The soup was yummy and hot, but a bit oily. The Flan was a perfect dessert to end the night, it was light and the sweetness was just right.

I had lunch there with descendants of the original owner and while eating, I also got a history lesson on the restaurant (did y'all know it started out as a food truck). I had no idea what to try, so the food was ordered for me. Everything I tried was delicious!!! Unfortunately I don't remember the name of each dish, but I'll post pictures. The wait staff was also extremely attentive. When I visit the Philippines again, I will definitely dine here!

Since 1928 this place is a old Filipino establishment. The review is really about their famous chicken on a stick. Though the meat is non discernible from other bbq meats. It was tender with a delish glaze and charred to perfection. Eggs sunny up was over cooked and meh. Adobo that came with was also food compliment. Service is minimal. Cash only too.

Excellent food. This restaurant has been in existence for as long as I remembered it. The quality is the same and excellent staff with good service.

This was a complete joke. I couldn't believe it. After the hype and everything I've heard about this restaurant, I finally got a chance to visit and boy was it a mess. First off, there's no one to help you with your seating. Employees just walk by and don't even acknowledge your presence. I had to go up to someone and ask for a table. We got our orders down but we waited a whole hour!!! This was getting out of hand. Our drinks even took 20 mins! LIKE WTH?? I asked multiple servers but there was no clear answer. There were only like 15 people dining in total at 7-8am!! THIS MADE ME MAD! I couldn't take it so I talked to their manager and complained. Our food literally came about 5 mins after which was good but our food was just ridiculous on all levels. WHY did it take over an hour for two pieces of meat, sunny-side eggs and a slice of tomato?? NOT ACCEPTABLE. I don't recommend anyone coming here. It's gross, messy service, and just an overall bad experience. If you do come, prepare to wait an hour or more.

Ambience & Service: Restaurant is spacious but very full at dinner time. Long business hours is a big plus here. Servers are friendly but at our last visit, they took awhile to serve one missing order of Gulaman at Sago. Food: We usually order Pork Barbecue, Chicken Barbecue, Chicken Honey, Clubhouse Sandwich, and Crab Foo Yeong. Whether it's dine-in or deliver, the food quality's always good. Barbecues - have epic java sauce (also sold separately). Make sure to check your barbecue; sometimes it's undercooked inside. Chicken Honey - has excellently thin and crunchy skin Clubhouse Sandwich - can serve 1-4 people (each triangle cut being tall). Gulaman at Sago - sweet & just right Pinakbet - BEST veggies ever!

this was one of the longest and best food taste restaurants in the philippines service is very great and hospitable.

Service was very slow, no personality. Barbecue pork was good but cold. Wife's soup was in a 1 inch deep bowl. Would not come back.

As our driver made his way north on Roxas Boulevard, my mom remarked that when she was young she would get chicken barbecue at The Aristocrat, where they are 'home of the best chicken barbecue in town'. And so, we decided to drop in for dinner after our 21-hour flight from the States. There's nothing like a combination of jet-lag, excitement, and hunger when you arrive at a restaurant, especially since it's your first meal and the restaurant has been around since 1936. We feasted on their 3-piece Chicken Barbecue which comes with the Java rice and Java sauce (yum!). Of course, we had to nibble on Lumpiang Shanghai which were really scrumptious. The place was hopping and I was surprised that they're open 24-hours. So glad we went. I'll surely come back!

Still the classic aristocrat restaurant I know. Mouth watering BBQ with java rice amongst other staples. Brings back childhood memories of the good old days. Every bite brings me back. Service is ok,water only upon request.

This is a classic restaurant where everyone used to go before everyone went to the Fort, Eastwood, all those happening "it" places that teenagers and folks in general go to follow the crowd. It's not an easy feat to survive 80 years in the restaurant business, but this restaurant has made it. They're notably known for their chicken barbeque served with java rice and java sauce (what's in the sauce? well, secret! LOL) They do small combo plates to make it a cheap meal. But i like the fact that you can eat here and feel semi-fancy with the nice white tablecloths and of course, nothing beats the air conditioning! In the tropics, this is an absolute must. We grew accustomed to dining at Aristocrat while growing up since dad used his expense account when he would take out clients. With wonderful Filipino food served at affordable prices, you can always dine like an Aristocrat here.

Not sure if this is a Filipino chain but I see it everywhere. I went in looking for a healthy seafood stew but they were out. Too hungry to leave I ordered the fried fish. Tasteless, small portioned, and overpriced! Not good at all. I come from Toronto, city of great food or die. Would never go back to try anything else. Need to try real Filipino food.

The Good: Old Filipino Family Classic! Still the best Pinoy Chicken Barbecue for me! The Bad: Service is kind of slow since they prep and cook only when you order The Pro Tip: Try the Cliffhouse Sandwich! The Aristocrat is an old family favorite! My family has been going here since we were kids! And since the place is 24 hours, this is typically our first stop everytime we pick-up visiting relatives from the airport! The place never disappoints, this is where Filipino Chicken Barbecue started! Yes, the Reyes Barbecue stalls you'll find in malls are derived from this original recipe! The chicken meat is always tender and juicy, being seasoned and flavored just right! The Java Rice and Atsara (pickled vegetables) are perfect compliments to the sweetness of the Barbacue! Another item on the menu that you need to try is the Cliffhouse Sandwich! Imagine a 2 tiered chicken club sandwich dipped in batter, deep-fried and topped with a cheese sauce! Yup, it's as rich and sinful as it sounds! Other favourites include: Lechon Kawali, Sinigang and the Sago Gulaman Will we be coming back? Yes, more often than you'd think!

The Aristocrat was and still is a family favorite. It's been around for 75 years! My grandparents brought my mom here when she was a kid then she brought me and my siblings to this same restaurant when we were growing up. Birthdays and special occasions were held here, many happy memories. So, when I feel like eating at aristocrat, I make sure that I go to this branch, the original branch. :) My regular order is the Pork Spareribs. It's one of Aristocrats Classics and it's served with their signature Java rice, Java sauce (thick peanut sauce that goes well with EVERYTHING!), and Atchara (pickled green papaya). My brother always orders their Chicken Barbecue (3 pieces on a stick for Php210, 4.56USD). We also share a Cliffhouse! Please check the photo I posted to see how gorgeous this sandwich is. It's a fried triple-decker sandwich with chicken ala king, ham, egg, and cheese coated in breadcrumbs. Then, they bring on all that gooey cheese! Yummeh! :D This place still brings back a lot of fond memories. There are many branches throughout the city and not all of them measure up. The original branch, this branch, does not fail. :)

Very nice and affordable meals! At their peak times you made need to wait 20 minutes but their being open 24 hours really affords you the ability to avoid waiting. The food and staff are excellent.

This place is classic! This is the first resto where I enjoyed barbecue food and Java rice. One of my favorite is their Chicken Barbecue. It has 3 cuts of chicken from the breast part. It's juicy and grilled perfectly. Add up their special Java sauce, perfect! Extra rice please!!!

Definitely better back in the day. This place still had good food, but wasn't the best. The fried calamari and fried shrimp weren't crunchy (they were already soggy when we received it), and the restaurant has expanded their restaurant, but they're still over crowding the place with tables that are so close you can eat off your neighbor's plate. And the parking is lacking spaces, definitely try to avoid rush time. The fried chicken was good and the Java rice was tasty. Biko was sweet and after drinking it I had them open it up so I can eat the fresh coconut inside. The halo halo was so my favorite.

I loved the Kare- Kare and Pork Spare ribs here! I cannot forget the taste and I keep finding it everywhere! :) The service was really great!

I was not impressed at all. The portions are small, the flavor was average at best, the service was very slow and the staff just seemed confused. The place is not terrible, it is just average. The one thing that bothered me the most is that our drinks did not come until we were done with the meal. We had asked several of the staff about this during the meal but it seemed they were not very concerned. A good restaurant will put service and quality at the same high level, when one is lacking it promotes average reviews.

my mom remarked that when she was young she would get chicken barbecue at The Aristocrat, where they are 'home of the best chicken barbecue in town'.

I'm not typically a fan of Filipino food but I do have my favorite items here and there. My wife is a Filipina and I went to this restaurant recently with her family. The food was excellent in my opinion. It's a little crowded and loud and even though the wait staff is very friendly, Service could be better. I will say again I was very happy with the food I ordered. Some of the best Filipino food that I've had. Tried to order a beer by asking three different waiters over the course of an hour and never received it. Staff should be a little more organized even if it's busy.

Good Filipino food with a huge variety on their menu including chicken entrees, seafood entrees, BBQ, dessert, drinks...the whole spiel. They had unique drinks which my table was open to trying, as well as good desserts (I ordered the Halo-Halo but they forgot about me and I regret not saying anything because EVERYONE orders one and it looks amazing). I was disappointed by two things: 1) there weren't many meals that offered no pork (I can't eat pork), even the chicken entrees would have pork bits. 2) the service was absolutely SLOW. So as long as you don't have a dietary recommendation and are in no rush- this is a good place to eat good authentic Filipino food.

2nd time we dined at this place. We had Kare Kare, which tasted lukewarm, small shredded oxtail, and burned peanut butter. Complained about the burnt taste, was told that this is how they prepare the dish, they toast the peanuts. Anyway it was a badly prepared Kare Kare, compared to Gerry's Grill, or my wife's Kare Kare.

When I want to eat at Aristocrat, I make sure I eat at the original branch in Malate. It just brings back good memories of happy food and great family bonding. I love their food. Really, who hasn't had their wonderful chicken barbecue? It's so juicy and flavorful. I love that java sauce, I often bathe the entire chicken and even the rice in it. Just can't get enough of the sweet-tangy flavor which is perfect with their java rice and atchara. This is the one dish that can get me to eat two things I normally say no to: dark meat and atchara. It's like you're going to miss out on so much if you don't eat everything on your plate. Another must-try chicken dish is their Chicken Honey. This is the deep-fried version of chicken (or course it is also tender and juicy), which also comes with java sauce. So if you're hankering for chicken but don't want the grilled kind, this is a good option. Again, this is a classic that can't be beat. I usually order half a chicken for myself. Their kare-kare and pansit canton are also exceptional. I will never get tired of food from Aristocrat. It holds a special place in my heart.

Quality food with good flavor. We had the bbq chicken skewers with rice and the vermicelli noodle dish.

the food is really bad and the costumer service is bad I said for a regular burrito but they gave a burrito nothing but vegetables in it

Terrible service. Crowded and noisy place. I was seated directly next to a speaker and I literally could not hear a word my date was saying. To make matters worse the food took close to an hour to deliver. Waiter acted like they could care less and were slow to deliver everything, even the bill! I would NEVER go to this place again.

The best chicken barbeque. Been eating here since I was in Grade 4. Also, I always love the fresh mango shake here. Other than their awesome chicken bbq. Their kare-kare is fantastic.

The Good: Good filipino food, even if you are a foreigner it doe not get much better The Bad: Servic eis very very slow and a bit unattentive or how should i say..not proactive. you have to tell them everything. if you need more water, if there is a spoon missing etc. Its a good place for families and visitors from abroad. the kids also like it. The friendly staff is a big postive thing

A great traditional Philippine food restaurant. Short said: recommend to everybody in this area!!! Super!!!!

Ahhh the restaurant that brings back so much good memories! This I believe should be the first stop for all balikbayans! All the food that you missed being away from home under one roof! Food taste good always. So consistent after all these years...no wonder they are very successful! To the next 80 years with Aristocrat!

HORRIBLE place, no Aircon (correction they have it but didn't turn it on) and smelled like body odor from everyone sweating . Didn't bring half our food until after a very long time and forgot one part. Food was good, so I suggest take out as everything about this place is TERRIBLE. Bottom line if you like sweating and body odor and ppl ignoring you then this s ur place!

Good tasting Filipino food , bakery items large variety