Barrio Fiesta , Makati Avenue, Makati (tel 02/899 4020). There are various branches of this popular and colorful Filipino restaurant dotted around the metropolis, all serving indigenous food such as adobo and lechon with hefty portions of rice.

Endangered Species , 1834 MH del Pilar, Malate (tel 02/524 0167). Fashionable bistro near the Natividad Pension serving big portions of continental cuisine at reasonable prices.

Garlic Rose , J Nakpil cor. M Orosa Streets, Malate. Old jazz tunes and the wonderful aroma of fifty dishes, all containing garlic.

Ihaw-Ihaw Kalde Kaldero . You can't go far without seeing the neon lights of this well-known restaurant chain. There's one on Roxas Boulevard and another in Makati Avenue, to name but two. The food is Filipino and the chefs and serving staff give energetic renditions of popular songs. Prices are very reasonable: you'll pay around P250 per person for a good three-course meal.

Kamayan , 532 Padre Faura St, Ermita and 47 Pasay Rd, Makati (tel 02/525 1166 or 815 1463). One of the best places for reasonably cheap native Filipino food. The word kamayan means "with your hands", which is how you eat, without knife and fork. The staff are dressed in great Filipino costumes and the food ranges from the unorthodox to the delicious. Dudes in shades work the tables singing Spanish ballads and Beatles songs.

Kashmir , Padre Faura Street, Ermita (tel 02/524 6851). Long-standing restaurant serving everything from Malaysian and Indonesian to Indian. Some veggie dishes. It's slightly expensive for Manila - P400 a head.