Cirkulo

The story

Cirkulo Makati City – Spanish Restaurant with Michelin Recognition

For over three decades, Cirkulo has anchored Makati City’s dining scene, introducing Manila to a spirited, shareable approach to Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine. Since opening its red round doors in August 1995, the restaurant has built a devoted following around the cooking of Chef J. Gamboa, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who earned the Bonlac Great Chefs of Asia award for the Philippines in 1996. In 2026, Cirkulo was recognized as a Michelin Recommended restaurant, a fitting nod to its consistency and craft.

The menu balances Spanish classics with the chef’s ongoing inspirations from his travels. Two dishes define the kitchen’s ambition: the Slow Roasted U.S. Beef Belly with horseradish cream sauce, and the Paella Montaña, a vegetarian paella layered with Portobello mushrooms, whole roasted garlic, truffle oil, and asparagus. Beyond these signatures, the menu is a deep catalog of tapas, paellas, and grilled meats, including a charcoal-grilled U.S. Angus T-Bone steak cooked in a custom Josper oven. A tasting menu and party platters are also available, and the kitchen accommodates advance orders for the show-stopping Spanish-style Cochinillo Asado.

The dining room, designed by Vickie and Luigi Antonio, feels cosmopolitan and warm. Collages by National Artist Arturo Luz, abstracts by Lao Lianben, and photographs by Ava Lugtu hang on walls that incorporate 60-year-old supa wood floors recovered from old bowling lanes. The restaurant is managed by Malu G. Lindo, a third-generation restaurateur, and is available for private events of 60 to 80 guests, with a private function room for smaller groups.

Cirkulo also offers takeaway and delivery of its hot dishes, making the full Spanish experience accessible beyond its dining room. Complimentary basement parking and a menu available in Japanese add to its thoughtful hospitality.