16 Best Chicken Inasal in Metro Manila to Satisfy Your Craving
If you are wondering exactly where to get the best chicken inasal in Metro Manila, you need to head straight to legendary spots like Aida’s Chicken House in Makati, JT’s Manukan Grille in Quezon City, and Sarsa Kitchen in BGC. These top-tier restaurants serve the most authentic, smoky, and perfectly charred Bacolod-style grilled chicken in the capital right now. We all crave that juicy meat dipped in spicy vinegar and paired with endless garlic rice dripping in orange chicken oil. Let me show you the ultimate local favorites so you can satisfy that craving today.
Metro Manila has a massive food scene. You can easily find a grilled chicken joint on almost every corner. But true foodies know that authentic inasal requires a very specific touch. The marinade needs native coconut vinegar, calamansi, and annatto. The grill needs hot coals to give it that signature charred flavor.
As your resident Manila food insider, I did the heavy lifting and ate my way through the city to bring you this list. Here are the top 16 places to grab the absolute best chicken inasal in the metro.
Craving Real Bacolod Flavor? 16 Best Chicken Inasal Spots in Manila
The Legendary Originals
These spots built their reputations by bringing the authentic taste of Bacolod right to the heart of the capital.
1. Aida’s Chicken House
Address: Lower Ground Floor, Makati Central Square, 2130 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City
Aida’s is essentially royalty in the local food scene. Originating from the famous Manokan Country in Bacolod, their Makati branch brings the exact same flavor profile to the city. Food critics constantly praise this place, and it even recently earned a spot on the 2026 Michelin Guide Philippines Selected list. You must order their classic chicken paa (leg and thigh) and drench your rice in their signature chicken oil.
Local Tip: Parking at Makati Central Square gets chaotic on weekends. Take a ride-hailing app if you plan to go during lunch rush.
2. Chicken House Express (C.H.E.)
Photo via Chicken House Express (@_megiconstantino and @chickenhouse.ph)
Address: 114 Zodiac Street, Bel-Air, Makati City
Many hardcore Bacolod locals living in Manila actually prefer C.H.E. over any other spot in the city. The chicken here is incredibly juicy and never dries out on the grill. They keep their menu simple and strictly focused on the classics. Check out the Chicken House Express official Facebook page for their daily operating hours before you go.
Local Tip: Order their garlic rice. It has a very distinct, punchy flavor that perfectly cuts through the rich chicken oil.
3. JT’s Manukan Grille
Address: 4 Granada Street, Quezon City
Owned by acclaimed Filipino actor Joel Torre, JT’s Manukan Grille has been serving phenomenal inasal since 2003. This Granada branch has a fantastic, laid-back al fresco vibe. The chicken is always tender and packs a smoky punch. They also serve an amazing bowl of batchoy that you should definitely order as a starter.
Local Tip: Try their pork sisig alongside your inasal. It is crispy, spicy, and pairs perfectly with a cold beer.
The Elevated and Modern Experiences
If you want to impress a date or take out-of-town guests for a nicer dinner, these restaurants offer amazing inasal in a more premium setting.
4. Sarsa Kitchen + Bar
Address: 109 Rada Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City
Chef JP Anglo completely changed the game when he opened Sarsa. He took traditional Ilonggo and Negrense dishes and gave them a modern, vibrant spin. Tatler Dining frequently highlights Sarsa for its consistent quality. Their chicken inasal is incredibly flavorful and comes plated beautifully.
Local Tip: You absolutely have to order their sizzling kansi. It is a sour beef soup turned into a rich gravy dish that will blow your mind.
5. Manam Comfort Filipino
Address: Ground Floor, Net Park Building, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Everyone loves Manam for their crispy sisig and watermelon sinigang. But their take on chicken inasal is a major hidden gem on the menu. Manam serves their inasal with a generous side of house-made sinamak (spiced vinegar). The meat is tender, and the char is always perfectly executed.
Local Tip: Manam gets insanely crowded by 11:30 AM. Arrive by 11:00 AM to snag a table without waiting in a long line outside.
6. Romulo Cafe
Address: 32 Scout Tuason Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City
Romulo Cafe offers a gorgeous, museum-like interior alongside fantastic heirloom Filipino recipes. Their chicken inasal feels a bit more refined but keeps all the traditional flavors intact. This is the perfect spot to bring foreign travelers who want to try Filipino barbecue in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment.
Local Tip: Book a reservation online. They host a lot of private events and walk-ins often get turned away on weekends.
7. Provenciano
Address: 110 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City
Maginhawa is famous for its food trip culture. Provenciano stands out as the ultimate spot for regional Filipino cuisine in the area. Their chicken inasal is marinated in authentic Bacolod ingredients and grilled over real wood charcoal. The restaurant interior looks like an old Spanish colonial house, making your dining experience feel extra special.
Local Tip: Order their puto bumbong for dessert. They serve it year-round, and it is the perfect sweet ending to a savory meal.
The Neighborhood Hidden Gems
These are the casual, unpretentious spots where you roll up your sleeves and eat with your hands.
8. Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Address: 68 Scout Gandia Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City
This open-air eatery gives you the true provincial dining vibe right in Quezon City. Bacolod Chicken Parilla marinates its chicken for 24 hours. The meat absorbs all the ginger, lemongrass, and calamansi notes deeply. It is a quiet neighborhood spot that is perfect for a lazy Sunday lunch.
Local Tip: Ask the servers for extra toasted chicken skin. They usually accommodate the request if they are not too busy.
9. Pat-Pat’s Kansi
Address: 8809 Sampaloc Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City
While they are famous for their kansi (Ilonggo beef soup), their chicken inasal is genuinely top-tier. The meat is plump, and the basting sauce creates a beautiful caramelized crust on the skin. Eating their hot, sour kansi with a side of sweet and smoky inasal is a flavor combination you will never forget.
Local Tip: Parking is limited to the street right in front of the house. Try to visit during off-peak hours, like 3:00 PM.
10. Namit Malakas Chicken Inasal
Address: 132 Malakas St, Quezon City
Namit is a small, unassuming joint that locals fiercely protect. They focus on delivering huge portions at very reasonable prices. The chicken here has an incredibly intense annatto color and a very garlicky profile. It hits the spot when you need comfort food fast.
11. Jay-J’s Inasal
Address: 61 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City
This place is a staple for the late-night crowd. You can learn more about their food philosophy on the Jay-J’s Inasal website. They are proud of their “4 M’s” approach: Masarap, Mura, Malinis, and Masaya. The inasal here is deeply savory and slightly sweeter than the traditional Bacolod recipe.
Local Tip: Their pork barbecue skewers are just as good as the chicken. Mix and match your order to get the best of both worlds.
The Mall Staples and Accessible Legends
Sometimes you just need a quick fix after a long day of shopping. These spots offer convenience without sacrificing flavor.
12. Bacolod Chicken Inasal
Address: Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City
Started by the Tanalgo sisters in the 90s, this chain helped popularize the dish in Metro Manila. The Glorietta branch is always packed with office workers. Their marinade is heavily dependent on native lime, giving the chicken a very bright and tangy finish.
Local Tip: Upgrade your meal with a side of talong (eggplant) salad to cut through the richness of the chicken fat.
13. Bacolod Chk-N-Bbq House
Address: Ground Level, Festival Supermall, Alabang, Muntinlupa
This casual dining chain offers a fantastic fast-casual experience. As stated on the Bacolod Chk-N-Bbq House official site, they pride themselves on preserving an old 1970s recipe. The chicken is always cooked thoroughly but remains tender.
Local Tip: They serve an authentic La Paz Batchoy here. It is a great alternative if you want a hot soup with your meal.
14. Inasal Chicken Bacolod (ICB)
Address: 4th Floor, SM Megamall Building B, Mandaluyong City
ICB provides a very consistent product. You always know exactly what you are going to get. Their chicken is visibly coated in annatto oil before hitting the grill. The meat falls right off the bone.
Local Tip: Ask for extra chicken oil right when you order so you do not have to wait for a server later.
15. Chicken Deli
Address: Ground Floor, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City
Originally from Bacolod, Chicken Deli brought their fast-food style inasal to the big city malls. It is highly accessible and perfect for a quick lunch break. They offer great combo meals that include rice, soup, and a drink for a very budget-friendly price.
Local Tip: Get their halo-halo for dessert. It is surprisingly good for a fast-food joint and perfect for beating the Manila heat.
16. Mang Inasal
Address: 350 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City (and various locations)
We cannot talk about this dish without mentioning the absolute giant in the room. Mang Inasal completely changed Filipino fast food by offering unlimited rice with their meals. The Philippine Daily Inquirer has covered their massive cultural impact extensively. It is not the artisanal choice, but it is deeply satisfying, widely available, and iconic.
Local Tip: Go for the Pecho (breast and wing) cut. It is massive and gives you the most meat for your unlimited rice challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular Filipino chicken barbecue uses a sweet soy sauce marinade. Chicken inasal completely skips the soy sauce. Instead, cooks marinate the meat in coconut vinegar, calamansi, garlic, and ginger. They baste it with annatto-infused oil while grilling, which gives it that distinct yellow-orange color and earthy flavor.
Chicken oil is the liquid gold of the inasal experience. Chefs render chicken fat in a pan and infuse it with garlic and annatto seeds (achuete). You pour this warm oil directly over your steamed garlic rice before taking your first bite.
You have to use your hands! Ditch the spoon and fork. Wash your hands thoroughly, mix your chicken oil into your rice, and dip the meat into a saucer filled with sinamak (spiced vinegar), soy sauce, and squeezed calamansi. Eating with your bare hands honestly makes the food taste better.
Now that you have the ultimate insider list, it is time to plan your next food trip. Did we miss your favorite neighborhood grill? Drop a comment below and tell us where you get your ultimate chicken inasal fix in Metro Manila!
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