When did Filipinos start to become fond of Halal food? Filipinos’ love for Halal food grew in the 1990s, thanks to the shawarma craze that nobody saw coming. In the mid-2000s, Halal restaurants like Ababu, Behrouz, Mister Kebab, and New Bombay started gaining ground. Now, you can find Halal restaurants all over the place, including Persian, Turkish, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Indian restaurants. You can find them in Metro Manila’s central business districts as well as hotels, shopping malls, and food parks.
Another reason for their fondness is the strong Muslim presence in the country. While the country is predominantly Catholic, the first monotheistic religion to land on its shores was Islam. Islam in the Philippines dates back to the 13th century. Some of the most prominent national heroes who defended the country from Spanish conquest were Muslims, including Lapu-Lapu, Rajahs Matanda and Sulayman, and Lakan Dula. Today, 6% of Filipinos identify as Muslims, making Islam the second-largest religion in the country.
If you are visiting the Metro Manila, make sure to book in one of these hotels which have Halal food and Halal restaurants nearby.
Halal Restaurants in Metro Manila
Dusit Thani Manila/The Pantry
Ayala Centre, Makati, 1223 Manila, Philippines
The Dusit Thani is a crowd favorite, and one of the country’s first luxury hotels to receive a Halal certification. Its main restaurant, The Pantry, has a special kitchen dedicated to Halal food preparation. The hotel is also nestled in the heart of the Makati Central Business District, where many well-loved Halal restaurants are just a few minutes drive away. Here are just some of them:
- New Bombay (with branches in Glorietta 3 Food Choices and Glorietta 2)
- The Cafe Mediterranean (Greenbelt 1)
- Gilak by Hossein (Greenbelt 3)
- Swagat Indian Cuisine (Arnaiz Avenue)
Dusit Thani Manila’s brightly-colored rooms adorned with Thai decors have prayer direction markers and water-friendly washrooms. It is also near some of Manila’s busiest and most colorful shopping establishments.
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Berjaya Makati Hotel/El Prado
7835 Makati Avenue Corner Eduque Street, Makati, 1200 Manila, Philippines
Berjaya Makati Hotel is under the Berjaya Hotels & Resorts chain which is owned by a publicly-listed Malaysian conglomerate.
You can dine in Berjaya’s Halal-certified restaurant, El Prado. You can also take a Grab or taxi to the Makati CBD to enjoy the city’s local Halal fare. Here are more Halal restaurants you can find around Makati which are a few minutes walk from Berjaya.
- Hummus Elijah (along Makati Avenue and right across the street from the hotel)
- Royal Indian Curry House and Pasha Turkish (General Luna Street, right behind the hotel)
- Al Batra (Makati Avenue corner Constellation Street)
- Hossein’s Persian Kebab (Makati Avenue corner Juno Street)
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Manila Marriott Hotel
2 Resorts Drive, Pasay City, Pasay, 1309 Manila, Philippines
The Manila Marriott is a Halal refuge for Muslims in Pasay City in Metro Manila. The hotel is located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There are Halal restaurants in and near the hotel.
Clean lines and neutral colors define Marriott’s rooms, which also have prayer direction markers and water-friendly washrooms. Cable television features Arab channels and no adult entertainment channels. The Masjid Mosque is a ten-minute drive away from the hotel. Many guests also laud Marriott for its friendly and professional staff.
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(Cover photo by Cook Magazine Philippines)
