Ilustrado Restaurant

“Ilustrado is one of those Intramuros institutions that truly lives up to its reputation. Set in a beautifully restored historic building, the interiors are elegant yet relaxed, filled with light, artworks, and a calm, refined atmosphere that never feels stiff or intimidating. We focused on both appetizers and main dishes. The absolute highlight was Lengua con Setas – ox tongue cooked to perfect tenderness and served in a rich mushroom sauce. Deep, comforting, and beautifully balanced, it is a dish worth returning for on its own. Among the starters, Beef Salpicao was solid and well-executed, with flavorful, properly seared beef, while Chorizo Rioja was pleasant and aromatic, though more of a safe choice than a standout. Service was attentive and professional without being overbearing, matching the overall tone of the place perfectly. Ilustrado is an excellent choice for a relaxed yet elegant lunch or dinner in Intramuros, especially if you want to experience classic Filipino and Spanish-influenced cuisine in a refined setting”

“A timeless 3rd wedding anniversary with lunch at Ilustrado was a great decision. The historical ambiance in Intramuros provided a relaxed yet elegant setting that made our milestone feel special. We were really pleased with the service; the staff were attentive and professional throughout our meal. As for the food, the Beef Salpicao was a definite highlight—very tender and flavorful. We also enjoyed the Palabok, Carbonara, and Pollo, finishing everything off with a well-made Irish Coffee. Overall, it was a memorable anniversary lunch with great vibes and solid food.”

“I was immediately seated when I arrived. Staff is attentive. Nice ambience, although they had limited seating due to upstairs being taken for an event. They serve Spanish Filipino food but they also had pasta. The pumpkin gnocchi pasta was alright not great. The croquettes were a hit as other reviews suggested and they serve 3 cheese and 3 beef balls. Coco pandan shake tasted fresh as well.”

“Came here as a traveler and tried Spanish food for the first time. We ordered the Paella a’l Bagnet, Croquetas, and Halo-halo, following online recommendations — and honestly, no disappointment at all. The paella was really good, but the portion was huge for the two of us. We ended up taking half of it away to home 😂 The croquetas were also a nice starter, perfect as an appetizer. For dessert, I loved the Halo-halo, especially the combination of taro ice cream and sweet potato slices — such a nice touch. The restaurant has a classic, elegant ambience, and the staff were attentive. It looked fully reserved at the time, but we were lucky enough to get a table without prior reservation. Definitely a great dining experience in Intramuros.”

“If you are looking for an elevated Filipino home-cooked meal, this is the best place to go. I loved their puto and dinuguan, best recipe, very homey yung taste. Their ube drinks are great as well. We've also tried their sampaguita ice cream which is not in the menu. It tasted a bit sweet for me, could be better if the sampaguita flavor is not too overwheming. All in all, I will go back here for the dinuguan and the mains as well.”