Fodor's Expert Review Café Ysabel
Editor's Note: This location is reported to be under new ownership and therefore this review may contain inaccuracies.
Chef Gene Gonzalez opened this Manila institution in the eastern suburb of San Juan in the 1980s, and it's as popular today as ever. The restaurant is in a grandly restored house that dates back to 1927 and is filled with period furniture and ceiling fans. A glass-enclosed conservatory looks out onto a tree-filled garden, and the whole complex has a convivial family atmosphere. The vast menu covers all bases with its more than 100 dishes, including Filipino classics, Italian staples, and a wide range of European-influenced creations. Open from early morning to late in the evening, it's a reasonably priced spot for dining any time of day.
