Café Adriatico

Café Adriatico is a Malate institution. The restaurateur and former journalist Larry Cruz opened it in December 1979 in a former antique shop on Remedios Circle, at the corner of Adriatico Street, and filled it with his own art and antiques. It quickly became a gathering place for artists, journalists and fashion designers, and in the 1980s it was so popular that customers sometimes ate on the bonnets of their cars around the circle when its ten tables were full. It marked its 45th anniversary in 2024.

The café is often credited with helping to revive the area around Remedios Circle, which went on to become the centre of Manila's nightlife for much of the 1980s and 1990s. Even as the scene has moved elsewhere, Café Adriatico has kept its old-world character, and walking in feels like stepping back a few decades. The interior, with its art and antiques, is reason enough to visit.

The menu centres on easy deli-style fare such as sandwiches and cold cuts, alongside Cruz family favourites including embutido. The drink most people come for is the Chocolate Eh, a thick, rich hot chocolate that has been a favourite for generations. It makes a good pause after an afternoon in Malate or a nightcap before heading back to your hotel.

The café is part of the LJC Restaurant Group, which Cruz founded, and the Malate original is now known as Café Adriatico Premiere. Opening hours are not widely published, so call ahead or check its social channels before making a special trip. Evenings bring the most atmosphere, while afternoons are quieter for conversation.

The café has two branches, but the Malate original is the one to visit, because the room, the antiques and the setting on Remedios Circle are what give it its character. Allow time to look around the walls before you order, and if you are curious about the area's history, ask the staff about the café's early years.

Remedios Circle is named after Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, the patroness of Malate Church, which stands nearby. The surrounding streets still have bars and restaurants, so the café combines well with an evening in Malate. It suits travellers interested in Manila's cultural history, couples, small groups and anyone looking for a comforting dessert drink in a room with real character. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car late at night, and keep valuables out of sight on the street.