MilkyWay Cafe
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Milky Way Cafe

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A beloved institution since 1962, Milky Way Cafe offers nostalgic Filipino comfort food and award-winning desserts.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
MilkyWay Cafe

Milky Way Cafe

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved institution since 1962, Milky Way Cafe offers nostalgic Filipino comfort food and award-winning desserts.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience traditional Filipino flavors and creamy homemade ice cream that tastes like home."

TIP

Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak

To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.

Try the Specialties

Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Filipino

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+63 2 8843 4124

Address

Milkyway, 900 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati City, 1200 Metro Manila, Philippines

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Kare-Kare

Award-Winning Kare-Kare

Savor Chef Gamboa's famous Kare-Kare, a rich oxtail and peanut stew that's a testament to traditional Pampanga flavors.

Iconic Halo-Halo

Iconic Halo-Halo

Experience the classic, nostalgic Halo-Halo made with premium ingredients and creamy homemade ube ice cream since 1962.

The best halo-halo in Metro Manila: 7 shops to tryWhere to Try The Best Halo-Halo in ManilaBest Halo-Halo spots in Metro Manila+2
Authentic Filipino Comfort Food

Authentic Filipino Comfort Food

Indulge in time-tested favorites like Baby Crispy Pata and Bistek Tagalog, offering a true taste of home-cooked Filipino cuisine.

The 10 Best Restaurants In Makati, ManilaMakati Best Traditional Filipino Restaurant: Filipino Cuisine Guide5 Family Style Restaurants For Barkadas Who Like To Share Food+2
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Milkyway Cafe Located in Rockwell Power Plant Mall Makati City #tiktokfood
@_joypowers
295 likes • 76.7K views

Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak

To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.

Try the Specialties

Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.

マニラにあるレトロ喫茶☕️ 美味しいハロハロを求めてマニラにある雰囲気抜群のカフェに行ってきました! グリーンベルトモールから徒歩5分ぐらいの好立地! お店自慢のハロハロは絶品でした😋 📍ミルキーウェイ マニラ #pilipines #pilipine #manila #milkyway #halohalo
@oyoyolife
63 likes • 5.1K views
Milky Way Café 📍 Level P1, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City 🕚 Mon-Sun : 11AM-9PM 🍧 Milky Way Halo-Halo (P295) #fyp #manila #foodtrip #foodvlog #halohalo #foodreview #foryoupage #creatorsearchinsights
@iamthegarysia
26 likes • 1.9K views

Parking & Staff Assistance

If parking is tricky, ask inside for assistance as external staff might not be helpful.

Ube Ice Cream Perfection

The homemade ube ice cream is a must-try, especially as a topping for their halo-halo.

Trying a famous Filipino dessert in Manila 🍨 #philippines #philippinestravel #manila #filipinofood #halohalo #dessert #milkywaycafe
@projectplottwist
19 likes • 817 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead or Visit Off-Peak

To avoid long waits, call for reservations or dine early/late, especially on Sundays.

Try the Specialties

Don't miss Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and Dinuguan for an authentic experience.

Parking & Staff Assistance

If parking is tricky, ask inside for assistance as external staff might not be helpful.

Ube Ice Cream Perfection

The homemade ube ice cream is a must-try, especially as a topping for their halo-halo.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Milky Way Cafe is celebrated for its authentic Filipino comfort food and exceptionally creamy homemade ice cream, particularly their famous halo-halo and ube ice cream. While many praise the delicious, home-style flavors and attentive service, some diners note that certain dishes can be pricey for the portion size, and the ambiance, while nostalgic, could benefit from a modern update.

"we went there for sunday lunch - we waited an hour to seated in the hallway w/c was real humid. suggest you call to reserve a slot or come in for an early or late lunch. we waited still coz we’re curious as to why this was so recommended to eat at. had an issue w/ the parking guard also for he did not seem to want to assist us when we asked where the valet was. he just starred blankly at us. and when we asked again at a tone that he can hear that someone was speaking to him. he said there was none and even commented that the auto we have was too long. hmmm. already reported to management and we still ate here coz the food was indeed delicious. the inihaw na baboy tho was just tooooo gamey but the rest were stellar."

Always The Funny Girl

"I’m on a quest for superb dinuguan (Filipino pork blood stew) from food providers that are consistently reliable to buy from. Actually I already found the perfect delicious one — Juliet’s Lechon. However they don’t always have it in the menu and usually it’s just included as a freebie when you order their whole lechon. Anyway back to Milky Way. It ain’t them. Apart from being overpriced (teeny portion for the price), the dinuguan is full of lean, stringy, dryish pork, essentially ruining the dinuguan experience as a comfort food. The timpla is excellent though with the right balance of suka and spices. Maybe they could offer an option of all lamang-loob sans the pork. Or use fattier pork or bagnet or lechong kawali maybe. The puto is also excellent though a bit on the too sweet side for my taste."

Bill Yu

"We ordered the dinuguan and it was so good! The halo-halo was great too! We also enjoyed the service.

The ambiance could use an upgrade with a little more on the modern side."

Carlos Rene Barretto

What People Like

Authentic Filipino comfort food
Creamy homemade ube ice cream
Nostalgic halo-halo

What People Dislike

Portion sizes for the price
Ambiance could be updated

Frequently Asked Questions

The award-winning Kare-Kare, Baby Crispy Pata, Bistek Tagalog, and their iconic Halo-Halo are highly recommended.

The 10 Best Restaurants In Makati, ManilaWhere to Try The Best Halo-Halo in Manila

It's recommended to call ahead or visit during off-peak hours, especially for Sunday lunch, to avoid long wait times.

Google Review

While known for Filipino meat dishes, some vegetable-based options might be available. It's best to inquire directly.

Google Review

Their Halo-Halo, a classic since 1962, features finely shaved ice, premium ingredients, and their signature creamy homemade ube ice cream.

The best halo-halo in Metro Manila: 7 shops to tryWhere to Try The Best Halo-Halo in ManilaHello, It's Halo-Halo! by @lemi in Philippines | Lemi+1

Parking can be challenging; it's advisable to ask staff inside for assistance or valet options.

Google Review

Yes, Milky Way Cafe offers party platters for take-away, perfect for gatherings.

10 Best Party Food Trays in Manila [2025]

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The Milkyway Café along Arnaiz Avenue is one of the best places in Metro Manila to experience traditional Filipino comfort food. Established in the 1950s, it is best known for its northern Philippine cuisine from Pampanga and their delicious home-made ice cream. Milkyway is currently headed by Chef Gamboa, the man behind their award-winning kare-kare (oxtail and peanut stew).

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Milky Way Café is known for its wide selection of time-tested favourites, from the chicken asparagus sandwich to the crispy hito with bagoong and mustasa—but it’s their famed halo halo that remains synonymous with the brand. Served in a nostalgic tall diner glass, Milky Way Café’s halo halo is comprised of all the classic fix-ins you know and love: ube, saba, red and green gulaman, kaong, sweetened beans, macpuno, leche flan and shaved ice, finished with a generous pour of evaporated milk, their homemade ube ice cream and crispy pinipig. Tatler Tip: Can’t be bothered to make the trip out?

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MilkyWay Café is a beloved institution in Makati, cherished for its dedication to serving comforting and authentic Filipino dishes since the 1960s. Over the decades, MilkyWay has become synonymous with Filipino culinary tradition, consistently delivering delicious, home-style meals that evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and warmth. For both locals and tourists, dining at MilkyWay Café offers a unique opportunity to experience the flavors of Filipino comfort food in a setting that feels like stepping back in time.

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Milky Way Café started as a small ice cream shop in 1962 but has since grown to be one of the staples in the area. This restaurant is also known for serving traditional Spanish and Filipino food. Their version of Halo-Halo follows their recipe from 1962 with finely shaved ice and generous servings of Leche flan, ube, gulaman, pinipig, saging na saba, jackfruit, chickpea, and a big scoop of their own ice cream.

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Milky Way Café has been around for a long time (so much so that my parents always have nostalgic flashbacks every time we dine there). Their public dining area is huge enough to accommodate several groups of six to eight people, but they also have function rooms if you want to keep things quiet. Enjoy a wide menu featuring Filipino faves, which is highlighted by their uber yummy Baby Crispy Pata.

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Makati City, Philippines • Recommendation • 15 February 2021. Milky Way Café touts that their halo-halo is “The best since 1962,” and there’s some merit to that claim if the ice cream is hugely important to you. Milky Way’s homemade ube ice cream tops the charts in terms of smoothness and creaminess that you’ll probably want to bring home a tub after you’ve savored the dessert.

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The MilkyWay Café offers an authentic Filipino dining experience that captivates both the palate and the imagination. This storied establishment is renowned for its traditional fare that whispers tales of culinary heritage with every spoonful. Patrons can anticipate a menu brimming with classic dishes, each prepared with the freshest local ingredients and a touch of nostalgia.

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Many foodies swear by the halo-halo of MilkyWay Cafe, a nostalgic eatery along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati that’s been around since 1962. Even if you didn’t grow up with it, you’ll enjoy their classic dessert made with premium ingredients and housemade Ube Ice cream. Their version has a good ratio of fresh ingredients to ice and is filling without feeling too heavy or sweet.

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A household name in Manila, Milky Way Cafe is the go-to spot to celebrate all of your current (and future) milestones. This holiday season, try out their chicken galantina , pansit sotanghon with lumpia cake , or tray of assorted sandwiches . And don’t forget to top it off with one of their halo-halo kits that can make six servings – perfect for a large Christmas meal.

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We’re not really surprised that Filipino restaurant and Makati institution Milky Way has the old-fashioned, homemade, just-like-your-grandma’s leche flan down pat. Their version has the familiar caramel-like sweetness without being overpowering, a light, eggy texture, and melt-in-your-mouth consistency. It comes straight out of a llanera, too.

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Milky Way Cafe has been making the city’s best treat since the 1960s, so you just know you’re in safe hands. They put a serious amount of pride and passion into their food here, especially with their legendary halo-halo dessert. Each of the 20 (!) ingredients layered inside the tall parfait glass is housemade for amazing flavours.

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Although it sounds like a coffee and dessert stop, don’t be fooled. MilkyWay, which was first a dairy bar, has been serving quality Filipino dishes since the 1960s. A traditional charm marks itself into their classics like the baby crispy pata and sinigang na baka, something our parents would describe as nostalgic.

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One of the most famous restaurants serving halo-halo in Manila, Milkyway Café has been around since 1962. Their classic halo-halo is perfectly balanced—not too sweet, not too overloaded with ingredients, just the right mix of ice and toppings. They even offer a halo-halo kit for those who want to enjoy it at home.

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Situated in the bustling city of Makati in Metro Manila, Milky Way Cafe has been serving classic Filipino dishes and desserts since 1962. Their halo-halo features a mix of ube ice cream, leche flan, sweetened beans, nata de coco (coconut jelly), and macapuno. But wait, there’s more!

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Milkyway’s halo-halo stayed faithful to the 1960’s version of the dessert. Images: Left, Milkyway Café Facebook Page; Right, @ jeanuy_22. For residents of Makati or even those who lived since the ‘60s, MilkyWay Café is known as one of the staples in the neighborhood.

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