If the history of Philippine restaurants were to be written down, Café Adriatico will be mentioned quite often. It was considered to have been the restaurant that started the bistro culture in the country.
And though it was conceived as just a cozy place where friends meet to dine and talk about the day's news, the café became the IN-Place to be, where Manila's bright minds and stars hobnobbed with each other as kibitzers looked on.
Cafe Adriatico was the very first restaurant created by LJC Group founder, Larry J. Cruz.Â
In 1979, Larry J. Cruz, a journalist and information man, made a career change and opened his first restaurant, a small café in a modest corner of the Remedios Circle in Malate. Inspired by Parisian cafés, he wanted a place where he and his friends could meet, enjoy good coffee, tasty food and drink while chatting about the day’s news. He named the restaurant, Café Adriatico, after the street it was on. And since it opened its doors, Café Adriatico became the most talked about restaurant in town.
Cafe Adriatico became known for its menu of international and Filipino dishes, and its old-world charm. For over 40 years, Cafe Adriatico is considered a landmark at the Remedios Circle. It goes without saying that Cafe Adriatico has defined the modern Malate landscape in such a way that people have come to associate the cafe with Malate and vice versa.
The brand continues to gain a loyal following among diners in its branches in Gateway Mall and SM Mall of Asia.  Image Credit: Cafe Adriatico Facebook Page
a. 1790 M. Adriatico St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila
w. https://ljcrestaurants.ph/restaurants/cafe-adriatico/
s. www.facebook.com/CafeAdriatico
t. +63 2 738 8220Â