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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider Siklab turns up the heat in Makati

Siklab turns up the heat in Makati

The Filipino favorite opens a freestanding home on Kamagong Street, with bigger space and familiar flavors

Published Jan 21, 2026 09:10 am
OPEN ARMS Siklab staff welcoming guests during the opening night, setting the tone for a relaxed and convivial dining experience.
OPEN ARMS Siklab staff welcoming guests during the opening night, setting the tone for a relaxed and convivial dining experience.
By any measure, Siklab’s new branch at Kamagong Street feels like a coming-of-age moment. On Jan. 14, the Filipino restaurant opened its first freestanding branch in Makati City, trading mall corridors for a detached, generously scaled space that allows the food and the company around the table to take center stage.
The new location, along the Kamagong-Sampaloc stretch in San Antonio Village, is noticeably larger than its earlier outlets. With room for about 220 diners, it leans into an easygoing, communal rhythm. Groups settle in without feeling compressed, servers move with ease, and the experience unfolds at a comfortable pace that suits long lunches and unhurried dinners.
For diners who have made Siklab a habit at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, long regarded as a reliable go-to, the Kamagong branch offers a shift in mood without abandoning what made the brand appealing in the first place. This iteration feels more grounded, more permanent, and poised to become a regular stop for Filipino food in Makati.
That balance between approachability and growth is central to Siklab’s direction, according to The Bistro Group, which operates the brand.
“In a short time, Siklab has resonated deeply with guests who are looking for bold yet familiar Filipino food. The brand has become a key driver of Bistro’s growth, reflecting both the strength of the concept and the growing appetite for proudly local flavors. With the consistent support from our guests, we are excited to build on Siklab’s momentum and make it more accessible,” said Guia Abuel, chief operating officer of The Bistro Group.
“Our biggest branch is more than just a restaurant. It is where Filipino food brings people together, sharing precious experiences, in a spacious and welcoming ambiance.”
BOLD FACADE The freestanding Siklab Kamagong branch along Kamagong Street, Makati City
BOLD FACADE The freestanding Siklab Kamagong branch along Kamagong Street, Makati City
The menu stays rooted in the dishes that built Siklab’s following. Kuhol ni Tanggol arrives rich and indulgent, best tackled slowly. Pinatisang Fried Chicken delivers the familiar comfort of crisp skin and savory depth, while Gising Gising Na! brings heat and coconut-laced intensity that cuts through the heavier plates. The Paboritong Pork Sisig, still one of the table’s most contested dishes, balances crunch, fat and acidity in a way that keeps spoons circling back.
Sinigang takes on a more playful role here, offered as a Trio Sinigang na Baboy that lets diners sample variations in one sitting, a format well-suited to sharing. Merienda classics such as pancit, palitaw and bibingka round out the spread, grounding the meal in flavors that feel both everyday and celebratory. Nothing strains for novelty. The appeal lies in familiarity, executed with confidence.
The setting reinforces that idea. Rustic details nod to local roots, but the design is clean and contemporary, avoiding nostalgia for its own sake. It is a space meant for gathering, whether for family meals, workday lunches or extended catch-ups that stretch past dessert.
SLOW SIMMER Kuhol ni Tanggol, cooked in a rich, deeply savory sauce, served as a leisurely, hands-on start to the meal.
SLOW SIMMER Kuhol ni Tanggol, cooked in a rich, deeply savory sauce, served as a leisurely, hands-on start to the meal.
CRISP COMFORT Pinatisang Fried Chicken, golden and crunchy, delivering familiar Filipino flavors with a satisfying bite.
CRISP COMFORT Pinatisang Fried Chicken, golden and crunchy, delivering familiar Filipino flavors with a satisfying bite.
Behind the scenes, the opening reflects a broader push by The Bistro Group to grow its Filipino portfolio. Siklab’s leadership has noted that the brand has struck a chord with diners seeking food that is recognizably local yet presented with polish. The Kamagong branch is positioned as a place where those shared meals and memories can unfold.
Siklab now counts four branches, including locations at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Ayala Malls Evo City and S’Maison, with more on the horizon. For Makati diners, however, the focus is closer to home. The Kamagong opening feels less like an expansion checkbox and more like a statement: Filipino food, given space and time, can hold its own as a destination.
Siklab Kamagong is at 9755 Kamagong corner Sampaloc Streets, San Antonio Village, Makati City.
KKK Klasikong Kare Kare
KKK Klasikong Kare Kare
Kamias Pineapple Slush
Kamias Pineapple Slush
LEADERS GATHER VIP Night group shot at the opening of Siklab Kamagong with executives and guests. From left: Guia Abuel, chief operating officer of The Bistro Group; Patricia Lim, board director, Inoza Business Holdings Inc.; Edwin Go Chen, chairman of the board, The Bistro Group; Debbie Chung, board director, Inoza Business Holdings Inc.; Angeline Quinto; Jean Paul Manuud, president, The Bistro Group; and Tim Johanessen, lead operating director for the board, The Bistro Group.
LEADERS GATHER VIP Night group shot at the opening of Siklab Kamagong with executives and guests. From left: Guia Abuel, chief operating officer of The Bistro Group; Patricia Lim, board director, Inoza Business Holdings Inc.; Edwin Go Chen, chairman of the board, The Bistro Group; Debbie Chung, board director, Inoza Business Holdings Inc.; Angeline Quinto; Jean Paul Manuud, president, The Bistro Group; and Tim Johanessen, lead operating director for the board, The Bistro Group.
Welcome to Siklab Kamagong
Welcome to Siklab Kamagong
Binibining Dalandan
Binibining Dalandan
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