San Gines lands in Manila
Finding authentic Spanish food in Manila can be a struggle, with many spots leaning too hard into fusion, but San Ginés at The Podium is a refreshing shift. As their first flagship in Asia, it brings an unpretentious link to Madrid’s café culture.
They're best known for their churros—perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside. It is partnered with their chocolate—made from its 132-year-old recipe—dark, velvety, and rich without being overly sugary. An order costs P390 for a set of 6.
There’s also a solid lineup of traditional tapas meant for sharing, alongside paellas made with premium ingredients.
Get the classic Gambas Al Ajillo (P650), Patatas Bravas (P400), and Croquetas de Jamon Iberico (P600).
For the paella, try the Paella Negra con Salmón (P1,600), a jet-black Bomba rice cooked in squid ink, flavored with seared salmón and cold garlic confit atoli.
To round it out, the café serves specialty coffees. Try the San Gines Chocolate Latte (P290) or the Sea Salt Spanish Latte (P280). They have matcha too, priced at P210 for the regular and P220 for Sea Salt Matcha Latte.
For dessert, their Warm Molten Cookie (P560) is a must-try—soft and chewy, perfectly paired with vanilla ice cream. Or if you want something more indulgent, try the Tarta de Chocolate Caliente (P550), which has three layers of chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream.
There's so many more to discover at San Gines. It's a must-visit if you want a tapas-filled dinner or just something to fill the belly. San Ginés delivers a genuine taste of Spain that we have been missing.