La Carinderia Manila in Makati: A Taste of Siargao’s Italian Flavors in Legazpi Street
What began as a holiday in Siargao in 2016 quietly grew into a heartfelt dining concept built on family, memory, and shared meals. It was on the island where partners Priscilla Po and Stefano Tomasiello, driven by a longing to cook and share their family recipes, decided to open their own version of the local karinderya.
IMAGE from La Carinderia Manila
Unlike the typical roadside eatery, their vision brought together two cultures they loved, Filipino and Italian, served in dishes that felt familiar, comforting, and deeply personal. Nearly a decade later, that same spirit found its way to the city. In 2025, La Carinderia Manila opened its doors, carrying with it the same passion for food, family, and friends gathering around the table to enjoy simple yet delicious meals that feel like home.
IMAGE from La Carinderia Manila
Set in the heart of Legazpi Village, Makati City, La Carinderia Manila is intentionally casual and unpretentious, designed as a place where good food comes first. The restaurant is known for its handmade fresh pasta and its own interpretations of Italian classics, thoughtfully prepared using locally sourced ingredients.
This philosophy is immediately evident in its signature dishes. One of the standouts is the Negros Burrata Salad (Php 740), which highlights the beauty of local ingredients through organic Aiko cherry tomatoes, sweet basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic glaze, all brought together with creamy burrata and served with sourdough bread.
Negros Burrata Salad (Php 740) / IMAGE from La Carinderia Manila
For mains, the Carbonara (Php 760) stays true to the authentic Italian method, made with egg yolk, Grana Padana DOP, Pecorino Romano DOP, and guanciale, rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying without relying on cream.
Carbonara (Php 760) / IMAGE from La Carinderia Manila
To end the meal, the Siargao Tiramisu (Php 280) offers La Carinderia’s own take on the world-famous Italian dessert, light yet indulgent, and infused with the same warmth that defines the restaurant’s story.
Siargao Tiramisu (Php 280) / IMAGE from La Carinderia Manila
Behind the kitchen is Stefano Tomasiello, whose approach to cooking is shaped not by formal culinary training or Michelin-starred kitchens, but by family recipes and ideas shared among friends. Stefano also leads the training of the all-Filipino kitchen team, passing on techniques and values that emphasize care, simplicity, and consistency.
La Carinderia Manila can accommodate up to 20 guests, making it ideal for small, intimate gatherings where the focus remains on good food and meaningful conversation. From its Siargao beginnings to its Makati home, the restaurant continues to celebrate the joy of sharing meals—one plate, one story, and one table at a time.
Also Read: La Carinderia in Siargao: The Island’s Go-to Restaurant for Filipino-Italian Comfort Food
