Pablo Bistro — Restaurant in Makati

Re-visit tonight for putsnesca

The dish is well cooked. But STILL, AGAIN, same as the steak last weekend, it is too heavily SALTED

It is good to have seasoning, but this level of salt kills the subtle flavours of the olive oil, black olives and garlic even.

Chef - if you are a smoker, recognise this reduces you taste sensors, and you compensate by over-salting

Fundamentally a nice dish but killed by the salt. I'll be drinking water all night now 😏

• Positive Response below from restaurant which generally gives me confidence that the minor salt issues and staff knowledge will be resolved. Price point is at customer's discretion of course. Service star upgraded to 5 now. Thank you for the fast and positive reply !

PLEASANT ENOUGH BUT OVER-SALTED AND STEAK NOT JUSTIFYING THE PRICE POINT

Lovely ambience and friendly staff

We chose chicken and a rib-eye

The meats were cooked correctly as asked

Nothing wrong with the meals though the rib eye had more chewy texture at that price point than I would expect, though it was tasty

Server didn't know anything about mustard and didn't understand when I asked for it and enquired on the type - bit of training there

Chicken was nicely cooked though would have benefitted from a bit more seasoning

Paella was very well cooked with plenty of the burned base 'socarrat', well done

The biggest gripe was that everything and particularly my steak was over-salted. I was drinking water half the night after

Usually this is the sign of a chef who smokes heavily with suppressed taste sensation. Anyway it was excessive

Secondly, this steak, although pleasant and tasty (aside from salt) just wasn't justifying the price charged. It's at the wrong price point so I couldn't pay that premium price for the average...

Pablo’s is a place that definitely warrants a shout-out. Yes, the prices might be on the punchier side for the region, but let’s be real—it’s the equivalent to London Mayfair of this neck of the woods. That kind of comes with the territory, doesn’t it?

Now, onto the food. The tapas are brilliant, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the ham croquettes and the tuna tartare with creamed chimichurri—an absolute winning combo. The octopus? Stellar, though it’s been a few months since I last indulged. And the steaks? They’re amazing. Sure, they might lean on the pricey side, but the quality speaks for itself, and you won’t leave disappointed.

As for the drinks, they’ve got a cracking selection of spirits and a barman who’s bursting with enthusiasm (and a knack for an upsell). Whether it’s a spot-on cocktail or a perfectly chilled beer, it’s all served with that signature Filipino smile and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

Now, a heads-up: this place fills up fast. Either book ahead or turn up early if you want a spot, because it’s the kind of venue that gets lively in all the right ways—a buzzing atmosphere with chilled-out vibes and house music that perfectly complements the fun yet polished bistro setting.

Room for improvement? I’d love to see padron peppers on the menu—no tapas experience feels quite complete without them. Maybe it’s down to the Filipinos’ famously mixed feelings about vegetables, but I think they’d be a welcome addition.

Would I come back? Without a doubt—more than once, I imagine. Pablo’s is small, chic, and absolutely...

Visited in March. Philippines - Manila. Makati

Pablo Bistro has become our favorite spot for breakfast or lunch. Since our hotel was nearby, whenever we wondered where to grab a quick and tasty meal, we always opted for Pablo, and we were never disappointed—the food always was good.

Food: We sampled a wide array of dishes. While some were less successful, overall, the standard remained high. Our favorites included the grilled octopus appetizer with puree—exceedingly tender octopus infused with a smoky aroma and aromatic spices, truly capturing our hearts.

The club sandwich was a staple for us, ordered on nearly every visit. It boasted generous toppings, thinly toasted bread, ripe tomatoes, and perfectly grilled chicken.

The grilled sea bass was exceptional—tender, juicy, and decadent, with the fish practically melting in your mouth. I highly recommend giving it a try. We also enjoyed the spinach pie, featuring a delicate filling and a crispy dough crust.

On the flip side, the tuna pie fell short—it was overly dry, leaving us wishing for additional sauce or moisture.

Service: The service has consistently been pleasant, and we appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of the establishment.

Conclusion: I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant. The quality of the food remains unwavering; you can count on a delicious meal every time you visit. I particularly urge you to try...