Where to satisfy carbonara cravings in Araneta City
In Araneta City, the celebration doesn’t stop when the calendar flips past National Carbonara Day.
While April 6 marked the official day of honoring Italy’s beloved pasta dish, food lovers can keep the spirit alive in this bustling commercial district, where creamy bowls of carbonara—and even pizza versions—are still being served hot.
From purist recipes that echo Rome’s trattorias to indulgent renditions topped with layers of cheese or cream, Araneta City is quietly becoming a go-to spot for all things carbonara.
a mano
Ground Floor, Restaurant Collection, Gateway Mall 2
One of the city’s most notable stops for Italian cuisine is a mano, a restaurant known for crafting handmade pasta and honoring traditional techniques. Their Spaghetti Carbonara is a simple yet rich dish made with a velvety mix of egg, guanciale, Pecorino Romano, and Sarawak black pepper.
For a modern twist, their Carbonara Pizza transforms the classic pasta into a crispy, creamy pie topped with smoked pork jowl, Pecorino, and a golden egg yolk in the center.
Grace Park
Restaurant Collection, Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
Spaghettini Uni Carbonara, is a dish worth swooning over. The classic carbonara is given a Grace Park twist by adding fresh, buttery uni (sea urchin) for that perfect hint of ocean goodness. And here’s the best part-this batch of uni is straight from Ormoc, Leyte, making it fresher and more flavorful than ever.
UCC Park Café
Ground Floor, Restaurant Collection, Gateway Mall 2
Meanwhile, UCC Park Café presents a creamy bacon pasta topped with a perfectly poached egg, combining Filipino café culture with a European classic.
Parmigiano
Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2
Another stronghold of Italian flavor is Parmigiano. Its Carbonara (P520 solo; P890 sharing) serves a textbook version of the dish—spaghetti tossed in a glossy sauce made of guanciale, egg yolk, and Pecorino Romano. The focus is on quality ingredients and a no-frills approach that pays homage to the dish’s Roman roots.
Nono’s
Ground Floor, Coliseum Plaza, Gateway Mall 2
Their Carbonara Pizza brings together four kinds of cheese—gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, and goat cheese—for a rich, gooey bite that blurs the lines between pasta and pizza.
Mary Grace Cafe & Bakery
Level 1, Gateway Mall 1; Upper Ground A, Gateway Mall 2
Mary Grace enhances the dish with fresh mushrooms and bacon strips sautéed in cream, creating a Classic Carbonara that is both delicate and flavorful, providing a lighter option that still satisfies.
Pizza Hut
Upper Ground A, Gateway Mall 2
Pizza Hut’s Baked Carbonara is comfort food done right—spaghetti tossed in a classic creamy white sauce, loaded with savory ham and earthy mushrooms, then baked to golden, bubbling perfection. It’s a hearty, satisfying twist on a pasta favorite that hits all the right notes.
Mama Lou’s
Second Floor, Gateway Mall 1
Over at Mama Lou’s, the Carbonara is as classic as it gets, sticking to a familiar trio of cream, bacon, and eggs. It’s a favorite among those who grew up on creamy pasta and crave that home-style flavor.
Giovanni’s Bar Ristorante
Manhattan Parkway
If you’re looking for carbonara in a more casual, café setting, Giovanni’s Bar Ristorante serves a straightforward plate of spaghetti with eggs, bacon, and parmesan—no frills, just comfort on a plate.
Carbonara’s versatility is showcased in Araneta City. Whether it’s classic egg-and-cheese version or creamy, cheesy variations, there’s an option for those nearby the MRT station or Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While National Carbonara Day may come only once a year, the celebration continues in every forkful — creamy, cheesy, and undeniably satisfying.
