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“Where do we eat?” or in colloquial terms “San tayo kakain?” are tough questions we often face as we look for the perfect place to have lunch or dinner. In this first installment of our Where to Eat series, we’ll be taking a look at some of our favorite food stops in our busy business district, Makati.

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The sprawling city lines of Makati are filled with office spaces and establishments familiar to any working Filipino. Whether you pass thru it on your daily commute or you actually work in this corporate stomping ground, you might have noticed something (apart from the horde of people that fill the streets during rush hour): there are a LOT of restaurants. So much so that choosing the perfect place to eat at can be quite the challenge. Here are our picks:

COFFEE: Figaro at Glorietta, Greenbelt, Amorsolo, Paseo, DBP

We all have our morning routines, but coffee is singular when it comes to getting a boost of energy early in the morning. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual drinker, you can’t deny that doing your morning tasks isn’t the same without your fix of caffeine. If you need a punch of caffeine with a variety of flavors, try out Figaro.

Figaro has an extensive selection of hot and cold drinks, specialty beverages, an all-day breakfast menu, and more. You can get your caffeine fix with favorites such as the Café Latte, Espresso, Matcha Green Tea Latte, and the Choco Chip Java Frappe, or kick it old school with a regular brewed coffee and a copy of the day’s news.

We ordered: Café Au Lait at P124

ENTRÉE: Burgoo at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

A work-filled day calls for some comfort food. Thinking of burgers, pizza, ribs, pasta, and a slice of some creamy but light cheesecake?

Burgoo, a popular American bar and restaurant, is home to mouthwatering American dishes that Filipinos have come to love. Their Uncle Sam’s Burger, a sinful stack of Angus Patty, ham, bacon, soft scrambled egg and cheddar cheese sandwiched between a sesame seed bun, should be enough to keep your cravings at bay. Feel free to get the Kentucky Platter, a combination of grilled chicken, shrimp kebabs and Oklahoma baby back ribs. Cap the meal with a Fudge Brownie Cheesecake and move along with your spirits significantly lifted.

We ordered: Kentucky Platter (good for sharing) at P795

ENTRÉE: Alba at Polaris Street, Makati

If you like a little bit more rice on your plate, then look no further than the famous Alba Restaurante Español, a pioneer in Spanish cuisine in the country. Enjoy their wide array of tapas – appetizers packed with flavor in bite-sized servings.

Their authentic paella is the pièce de résistance. Thoughtfully cooked in a variety of ways, each incarnation bursts with character and flavor. The classic Valenciana, made with Valencian rice, chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetables, is something you shouldn’t miss. Get the Paella de Cordero (Lamb Paella) for something a bit more indulgent, or the Paella Verde (Green vegetable paella) for our vegetarian friends. Finish off with a serving of Maja Blanca or some Flan.

We ordered: Paella Valenciana (good for 2-3) at P580

DESSERT: Boulangerie22 at Chino Roces, One Legaspi

Looking to end the day on a sweet note? Head to Boulangerie22. Their Strawberry Surprise Piece Cake is perfect for those who want a light dessert filled with all the goodness of strawberries layered inside fluffy Vanilla Chiffon. You can never go wrong with a classic Pan Au Chocolat paired with a cup of Cappuccino.

If you’re tired and just want to head straight home, you can take out a pack of their Green Tea Butter Croissants and enjoy them with some iced coffee (while couch-binging Netflix). With a wide array of pastries, cakes, and breads, every kind of sweet tooth will leave with a smile.

We ordered: Strawberry Surprise Cake at P99 a piece