Fashion Designer Carl Jan Cruz’s Local Guide to Manila, Philippines

The busy streets of Manila are filled with enough bars and restaurants to last a lifetime.
Like a LocalTiana Attride

Filipino fashion designer Carl Jan Cruz shares his guide to the best shopping, art, and food in Manila, Philippines.

Philippines-based designer Carl Jan Cruz’s dreams are fueled entirely by family. His love for his roots manifests itself everywhere in his work, beginning with his origin story, living in his clothes, and extending out into the world he sees around him. Inspired by his mother’s own fondness for fashion and innovation, he trained in Europe and later returned to Manila where his talents thrived and eventually caught the attention of the fashion world—all the way from New York, Paris, London, and Milan.

“I love how Manila is beautifully fragmented and a place where that allows ideas to incubate,” shares the designer. But family—from the local heritage that inspires his designs to the kin-like fashion community of which he’s now a part—is what has kept him in his hometown all this time. “Given or chosen, living in Manila really fosters a familial bond in the relationships you create around you.”

Below, find Jan Cruz’s local guide to the Filipino capital, from the studios where designers connect to the restaurants serving home-cooked meals just like mama used to make.

a man in a button up shirt leaning over a ledge and looks into the camera
Designer Carl Jan Cruz got his start in Europe, but his brand truly came to life in the Philippines.
a woman with short black hair wearing a long blue dress
His Filipino heritage majorly influences his designs and aesthetics. Photo by Renzo Navarro.
a man sitting against a pale background
“I grew up around my mom's fondness for putting herself together, dressing up, and looking for new things to try."
an off-white patchwork shirt
"Fashion in Manila is very practical and necessity driven. I really appreciate these factors, as it always informs our brand's creative practices." Photo by Renzo Navarro.
a man in a baseball cap preparing an espresso
Panaderya Toyo is a warm, no-fuss spot for an early morning cup of joe. Photo by Miguel Nacianceno.
a tray of knotted breads
Panaderya Toyo's fresh baked breads and pastries are also worth sampling. Photo by Miguel Nacianceno.

Carl Jan Cruz’s Perfect Day in Manila

8:00 a.m. — A No-Fuss Start to the Day

I like getting coffee from Panaderya Toyo or Wild Flour. They are great spots for an Americano—I like my coffee straightforward and no fuss. Both spots are very laid back and even though it can get hectic, it doesn’t feel like it. Next, I’ll head off to Manam and maybe get the Ube champorado (chocolate rice) or the salted egg bibingka (Filipino rice cakes)—contemporary Filipino dining and a nice, bright interior. 

10:00 a.m. — Taking It Easy Like Sunday Morning

Go for a swim and do some tanning and have a lazy afternoon at the National Museum of History.

12:00 p.m. — There’s Something For Everyone at Lunchtime

CornerTree Café, a vegetarian restaurant, has an amazing arroz a la Cubana. Alternatively, The Grid in the Power Plant Mall offers a great variety from Bucky’s baked ziti to La Chinesca’s tacos.

a small, colorful bus sits next to a larger tour bus on a busy street
Jeepneys—mid-size, colorful buses—are one of the most common ways to get around the city.
a large white museum beneath a blue sky at sunrise
The National Museum of the Philippines oversees a number of museums throughout Manila documenting Filipino history, culture, and art.
a city street lined with trees and red and gray buildings during the day
Chowking and Jollibee are two of the most popular chain restaurants in Manila.

1:00 p.m. — Afternoons Are For Art and Design

Ukay-ukay (thrift shopping) at Makati Cinema Square and after that maybe go to Tropa Store, a community of local designers we are part of, to hang out and shop. There are too many talented designers in Manila, but I am especially excited for the places that host these amazing talents in Makati: On Chino Roces, you can find galleries within Karrivin the Alley, La Fuerza Building, and Silverlens at the end of the road. 

2:00 p.m. — Stop For a Quick Bite

An easy merienda (snack): A peach mango pie from Jolibee or halo-halo (a Filipino shaved ice sundae) from Chowking.

4:00 p.m. — Walk, Bike, and Jeepney Your Way Around Town

Take a walking tour of the Intramuros neighborhood! Visit the First United Building in Escolta, and take jeepneys and tricycles to get around!

cushy bar stools sitting in front of a small, upscale bar with a large round mirror above it
Upscale restaurant Metronome is located in Manila's Makati neighborhood.
peering into a dining room with tables, plushy booths, and bamboo furnishings
Metronome's carefully-curated menu brings French dishes to Manila's food scene.
a large cathedral with a tall tower on a sunny day
Outside the Manila Cathedral in the Intramuros neighborhood.

6:00 p.m. — Second Dinner Is Required 

I’d definitely take friends to Toyo for a great Filipino dining experience and Metronome for a fantastic French dégustation (the art of carefully tasting various dishes). I’d do the tasting menus for both, but if you aren’t too hungry, I’d say get small orders from each place: Kalabasa soup and 3-piece cut pork bbq from Toyo and 147-degree cooked egg and the beef cheeks dish from Metronome. 

9:00 p.m. — Going out

We’ll most likely end up around the Makati Poblacion neighborhood: Start the night at The Annex House for gin buko and then move to rooftop bars—either the Apartment or Kartel. It’s all very laid back, casual, and not so scene-y—I feel I can catch up with friends and we can let our hair down after a long day. For late-night bites, I’m off to eat Yalla-Yalla’s falafel rice or Ministop’s two-piece fried chicken with rice (i.e. all rice meals)! 

a view of the ocean with a hazy city in the distance
A view of the Makati skyline as seen from Manila Bay.

The Manila Essentials 

Where to Stay in Manila 

Henry Hotel, La Casita Mercedes Inn, and Shangrila Fort. I would highly recommend the Salcedo and Legaspi Village neighborhoods in Makati for Airbnbs.

What to Know Before You Go

Manila is a beautifully fragmented city that is tropical and humid year-round. Prepare yourself to quickly shift from one activity to another—you could be riding a Jeepney one moment and then head straight to a sit-down dinner after. 

Don’t Leave Manila Without Trying

Kuchai pie from a Ho-Land Hopia store in Binondo.