Filipino cuisine finds its flavor as Siklab+ sparks a food revival in Metro Manila

From a 2013 setback to a 2026 expansion blitz, The Bistro Group’s Siklab+ returns with a refined menu and seven branches across the metro.

Siklab is back, and this time it’s firing on all cylinders.

First introduced in 2013, the Filipino restaurant concept eventually closed as The Bistro Group stepped back to refine the recipe. That pause allowed the brand to reset its vision, rethink the menu, and sharpen its direction.

Siklab+ is the result, a revival designed with clearer flavors, stronger execution, and a more intentional expansion plan.

A new spark from old flames

After decades of bringing foreign cuisine to the Philippines, The Bistro Group tried its hand at Filipino flavors with Siklab in 2013—but met with minimal success.

In 2024, the group saw a prime opportunity to bring back their native concept.
“With our 30 years of expertise in the market, we felt we were ready to grow a local brand like Siklab. At the end of the day, Filipino food is still the choice in the Philippines,” said chief operating officer Guia Abuel.

The revived Siklab+ opened its first branch in Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong City on August 5, 2024. It took over a year before the next branch opened, but eyes were already set on rapid expansion.

Siklab+ unveiled its fourth branch along Kamagong Street in Makati City on January 15, located at The Bistro Group’s new headquarters. 

Flavors of home with style and flair

It’s no surprise that Siklab+ branches are expanding quickly. The concept serves an array of familiar flavors with modern twists, perfect for any hearty gathering.

The food stays grounded in comfort, but the approach feels more confident. The menu highlights sinigang with bayabas as the dominant souring agent, alongside gising-gising, tortang talong, and soft, fluffy bibingka—all meant for sharing.

Interiors lean warm and contemporary, signaling Filipino food that feels current without straying too far from what people know. The Kamagong branch alone accommodates more than 220 diners, reinforcing its role as a place for families, office groups, and celebrations.

A Filipino restaurant renaissance?

Seeing the success of competing upscale Filipino restaurant chains, Abuel said this inspired the push to bring Siklab+ back to the market.

“Based on our guest feedback and sales, this proves the market is ready for Filipino concepts. We were inspired by many of our competitors who are very successful in serving local cuisine,” she told radar Business.

By the end of Q1 2026, Siklab+ will have seven Metro Manila locations, including Mandaluyong, BGC, Las Piñas, and its newly opened Makati branch at the corner of Kamagong and Sampaloc Streets.

More branches mean more jobs, greater demand for local suppliers, and Filipino cuisine appearing more often as everyday dining—not just for weekends or special occasions. Filipino cuisine may finally be getting the spotlight it deserves.

 

 

Siklab+ returns stronger than ever, combining familiar Filipino dishes with contemporary flair. 

 

 

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