Where to eat at Circuit Makati, before the Samsung Performing Arts Theater

Closest to the theatre doors

Cafe Mary Grace began as a kiosk selling homemade ensaymada and is now one of Manila's best-loved cafes. The Circuit cafe is on the Lower Ground Floor, about 30 metres from the theatre, the closest sit-down table in this guide. Have coffee with an ensaymada or a cheese roll while you wait for the doors, or a plate of pasta if dinner has to be light. Lower Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Circuit. ₱₱. Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday 10am to 10pm. Tip: walk in, or call +63 917 134 2607.

MESA is the Filipino group with more than 70 restaurants, and its Circuit branch is on the Upper Ground Floor, about 100 metres from the theatre. Order the crispchon, a whole roast pig carved and wrapped at the table with greens and sauces. With 124 seats and a function room for 12, it is the easiest place at Circuit for a family or a big group before a show. L-1032 Upper Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Circuit. ₱₱. Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday 10am to 10pm. Tip: call 0966 367 5218 to book, and ask about the function room.

A proper sit-down dinner before the show

Italianni's is on Level 4, about 100 metres from the theatre. Pastas, pizzas and mains come in sizes for sharing, and every meal starts with Tuscan bread and focaccia with olive oil and aged balsamic. Diners this year say service can be slow, so tell your server your curtain time when you sit down. L4012, Level 4, Ayala Malls Circuit. ₱₱. Monday to Friday 11am to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. Tip: book on OpenTable or call 0999 955 9749.

Texas Roadhouse is next door on Level 4: hand-cut steaks, ribs and big sides, with warm bread rolls and cinnamon butter on the table. It is the place at Circuit for a steak before a show. It closes at 9pm from Monday to Thursday, so plan it for before an evening curtain, not after. Level 4, Ayala Malls Circuit. ₱₱₱. Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday 10am to 10pm. Tip: book on OpenTable or call 0917 125 4538.

Lan Hot Pot is the one buffet at Circuit, on the Upper Ground Level about 90 metres from the theatre. Pick a broth, then help yourself to meat, seafood, vegetables, dumplings and ready-made sauces. It is a long meal, so it suits a matinee day or a group with time to spare more than a rushed dinner before curtain. Upper Ground Level, Ayala Malls Circuit. ₱₱. Priced per head; diners reported ₱999 in August 2026, so confirm when you book. Tip: book on Eatigo (two-hour limit) or call +63 961 656 6666.

Quick and cheap, on Circuit Lane

Circuit Lane is the open-air strip beside the mall, about 250 to 300 metres from the theatre.

Ramen Kuroda makes tonkotsu ramen with its own noodles. The Kuro, Aka and Shiro bowls are ₱240 on its menu, and there are sets with gyoza or karaage. It is quick, and easy if you are eating alone before a show. LC 109-110, Lower Ground Level, Circuit Lane. ₱. Tip: walk in; the menu says selections differ between branches.

Shi Lin serves Taiwanese comfort food. Come for the xiao long bao, with braised beef noodle soup and Shi Lin fried chicken close behind. Plates come out fast, so it is one of the safest choices when you have under an hour before the doors open. LC139, Lower Ground Level, Theater Drive, Circuit Lane. ₱₱. Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday 10am to 10pm. Tip: walk in, or call 0992 013 9518.

A drink after the curtain

Most of the mall closes at 9pm or 10pm, which is often before an evening show lets out.

Tap Station is an open-air craft beer bar on Circuit Lane with about 40 beers on tap, local and imported, and prices chalked above the taps. Try local pours like Manila Hipster, Berry Red and Hard Day, with bar snacks to share. It is about 320 metres from the theatre and stays open until 1am, and 2am on Friday and Saturday. LC134, Circuit Lane. ₱₱. Monday 3pm to 1am; Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm to 1am; Thursday 3pm to 1am; Friday and Saturday 11am to 2am; Sunday 11am to 1am. Good to know: happy hour is daily from 4pm to 7pm.

For a longer night out, our guides to bars in Makati, date night in Poblacion and late-night food in Manila cover the rest of the city. Going to a show in Rockwell instead? See where to eat near the Proscenium Theater.

Before you go

• Getting there. The theatre and the restaurants are all inside Ayala Malls Circuit or on Circuit Lane beside it, so you can park once and walk everywhere.
• Booking. Book MESA, Italianni's and Texas Roadhouse on show nights, especially for a group. Ramen Kuroda and Shi Lin are walk-in places.
• Timing. Most restaurants here close at 9pm on weeknights and 10pm on weekends. If your show ends late, eat before, or head to Tap Station after.
• Prices. Ramen Kuroda is the cheapest meal here; Texas Roadhouse is the priciest. Lan Hot Pot is priced per head, so ask the rate when you book.

Questions people ask

What restaurants are near the Samsung Performing Arts Theater?

Cafe Mary Grace is about 30 metres away, MESA, Lan Hot Pot, Italianni's and Texas Roadhouse are all about 100 metres away inside Ayala Malls Circuit, and Ramen Kuroda, Shi Lin and Tap Station are on Circuit Lane, about 250 to 320 metres away.

Is there a Japanese restaurant at Circuit Makati?

Yes. Ramen Kuroda on Circuit Lane makes tonkotsu ramen with its own noodles, from ₱240 a bowl on its menu.

Is there a cafe at Circuit Makati?

Cafe Mary Grace is on the Lower Ground Floor of Ayala Malls Circuit, the closest sit-down table to the theatre, with coffee, ensaymada, cakes and light meals.

Where can I eat with a big group before a show at Circuit?

MESA has 124 seats and a function room for 12, and Lan Hot Pot's buffet suits a group with time. Call ahead on show nights.

Where can I get a drink after a show at Circuit Makati?

Tap Station on Circuit Lane is open until 1am, and 2am on Friday and Saturday, with about 40 beers on tap.