GUIDE: The Best Italian Restaurants in Manila to Visit this 2025
This May, Philippine Primer lays out a delicious feast of Italian food to try out in Metro Manila—a scene that has developed into one of the local dining panorama’s dearest. Italian cuisine has long been smuggled into the hearts (and stomachs!) of Filipinos with comforting flavors, rich culture, and emphasis on simple, but quality ingredients. Be it the quick bite of thin-crust pizza or the long meal over handmade pasta with a glass of wine, Italian dining has become a staple, from casual eat outs to big occasions.
Roman-style Carbonara / IMAGE from Mama Lou’s
We’re exploring the best Italian restaurants that go another notch in promoting the flavors of Italian dining—the new, the old, and anything in between. Established restaurants such as Va Bene Pasta Deli, Caruso Ristorante, and Galileo Enoteca Deli have molded this ever-flavorsome scene, letting the best ingredients of each Italian regional cooking shine in their culinary artwork.
Mangiamo tops the list, a recent addition to the Italian dining in the metro. Meaning ‘let’s eat!’ in Italian, Mangiamo marries rustic charm with contemporary cuisine to the delight of first-timers and hard-line Italian food lovers.
Salmone Ricotta Pizza / IMAGE from Mangiamo
Another pillar of the Italian food scene is L’Opera Ristorante Italiano, a tried-and-tested establishment known for elegant dishes, fine wines, and timeless decor. For decades it has been serving the metro’s Italian cravings and continues to win hearts with its attention to detail and dedication to authentic cuisine. Its longevity speaks volumes—Filipinos truly care about Italian dining done right.
IMAGE from L’Opera Ristorante Italiano
Up next is Da Gianni, a homey and soulful restaurant of actor Matteo Guidicelli. Inspired by his grandfather, this restaurant warms up the whole concept of family-style cooking with generous portions, bravura flavors, and interiors reminiscent of a well-loved trattoria (Italian eatery). This is a place where pasta is served with stories, and each dish pays homage to tradition.
IMAGE from Da Gianni
So be it; whether you’d prefer to dive into fresh pasta, synergetic wood-fire pizza, or perfectioned tiramisu, Metro Manila’s Italian food culture has everything you’d want. From new entries like Mangiamo to time-honored ones like L’Opera or Da Gianni, there is no time like the present to indulge yourself into everything Italian. Buon Appetito y’all-your next craving for Italian food awaits!
Pizza Selections / IMAGE from Galileo Enoteca Deli
The Best Italian Restaurants in the Metro
