Restaurant Story

First opened in 2024, Sala Martínez is one of Chef Luis Martínez’ Spanish concepts in the country, joining the Nikkei Group’s growing roster of destination dining spots.

At its heart, the restaurant channels the spirit of the Spanish Mediterranean coast — where meals are unhurried, flavors are sun-soaked, and every dish carries a heart and story. Here, rustic tradition meets a more refined lens, translating beloved Spanish classics into something familiar and quietly elevated.

Blending traditional Spanish cooking techniques with the freshest seasonal ingredients, Sala Martínez offers a deeply personal taste of Spanish coastal cuisine — one that is more than just a concept, but a memory that Chef Luis chose to share.

Vibe and Venue

Nestled along Shangri-La Plaza’s Streetscape dining strip, Sala Martínez quietly draws you in with its terracotta walls and sun-warmed palette — subtle, but distinct against the mall’s more polished surroundings.

Step inside, and the mood deepens. Earthy tones, Spanish tiles, and warmly glowing coastal chic light fixtures come together in a space that’s both grounded and transportive. Terracotta-lined booths, wooden tables, and black chairs anchor the room, giving it the feel of a lived-in home rather than a staged scene — like a Valencian hacienda along the coast, basking in the golden glow of the sun.

Here, you can imagine enjoying sobremesa — the Spanish tradition of lingering after a meal to enjoy conversation — as if you were in the heart of Valencia yourself.

The Menu

At Sala Martínez, the menu blends Valencian soul food with subtle Filipino sensibilities — where every plate feels familiar, but never predictable.

Here, Chef Luis Martínez Mas traces a personal route along the Spanish Mediterranean, each one carrying a sense of place, and invites diners into a gastronomic journey with elevated flair.

The Cost

At first glance, dining at Sala Martínez leans towards the indulgent side. But once the dishes arrive — the quality of ingredients, the depth of preparation, and the sheer scale of certain plates — the pricing begins to feel more considered rather than excessive.

Starters range from P320 to 2,200, while soups and salads sit between P320 and P1,895. Mains can climb up to P11,995, while rice dishes are priced from P1,800 to P2,400. Paellas fall between P995 and P2,950, and pasta options start at P695.

For something sweet after a savory meal, desserts range from P320 to P595. Drinks are quite varied, from P150 to P295, while specialty cocktails begin at P395, and other alcoholic options can reach up to P695.

Sala Martínez offers a selection of spirits, beers, and wines, available by the glass, shot, or bottle — making it easy to tailor the experience to your mood.

The restaurant also offers a special Happy Hour selection, running daily from 2 PM to 6 PM, then picks up right after dinner service from 8:30 PM until closing. Guests can choose any three drinks for P650 — and what makes it better is that it can be shared!

What We Tried

Sala Martínez gave The Beat Manila the chance to savor some of their bestsellers and top picks, which allowed us to sample authentic Spanish favorites for every course — with their special Happy Hour offer, too.

We began our meal with the Croquetas de Espinacas y Gorgonzola (Gorgonzola & Spinach Croquetas) — comforting from the very first bite. Crisp on the outside, the croquetas gave way to a creamy spinach filling, balanced by the gentle sweetness of caramelized onions that lingered.

Next came the Pulpo (Roasted Octopus), a dish that felt right at home alongside those you’d find in Northern Spain. Tender with just the right bite, it was layered over emulsified mashed potatoes and garlic confit, and finished with crunchy shoestring potatoes that added a satisfying texture to every forkful.

We had four starters in total, closing the course with the Tiradito de Snapper (Cured Snapper) and the Pimientos de Padrón y Cherry (Fried Spanish Padrón peppers). The snapper arrived bright and clean, its freshness speaking for itself — an underrated standout for seafood lovers.

Meanwhile, the Padrón peppers delivered a quirky surprise: beneath their slightly charred exterior, a molten cheese filling that spills out with each bite, serving a rich, creamy, and slightly deceptive finish.

For the mains, we had the Cachopo — an Asturian dish often likened to a Spanish take on katsu, served with a side of creamy mashed potatoes. In Spain, it’s typically plated as a meal for one and paired with sidra (cider), though its size alone makes it suitable for sharing.

At Sala Martínez, the Cachopo is a testament to its commitment to indulgence. Veal fillets are layered with jamón iberíco and Manchego cheese, then breaded and fried until golden. What arrives on the table is unapologetically rich — crisp on the outside and deeply savory within. To describe it as hearty is quite the understatement; if anything, it is more than that.

Another main dish we had was the Magret de Pato (Grilled Duck Breast). Every bite was comforting and tender, with the red berry coulis anchoring the succulent and rich meat of the duck. Of course, the Spanish experience wouldn’t be complete without a variant of paella on the table. We had the Arroz Meloso de Mariscos (Stew Seafood and Crab Rice), which went heavy on the seafood, while still offering the comforting feel of soup. It warmed us up from the moment we had a bite, and paired perfectly with the other mains we had on the table.

To finish our meal, we had the Tarta de Queso Manchego (Manchego Cheesecake) and Tarta Tatin (Roasted Apple Tatin).

The cheesecake leaned fully into its richness — dense and velvety, with a distinct sharpness and nuttiness of Manchego unfolding heavily across the palate, each bite lingering just a little longer than expected. In contrast, the apple tatin was a gentler finish: warm, softly caramelized, and just light enough to cut through the heaviness of the courses before it.

Accompanying our meal were the Agua de Valencia, a typical cocktail from Valencia made from orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin; Agave Sour, a drink made of tequila, cardamom infused gin, maraschino liquer and topped with cardamom seeds; and Clear as Day, a bourbon mix with sugar syrup, fresh milk, lemon juice, and ginger ale finished with gold flakes.

With a few sips, each cocktail revealed a character of its own, tailored to different moods and palates.

The Agua de Valencia was bright and easygoing, almost reminiscent of freshly squeezed orange juice with a spirited edge — sunny, while still quietly potent. The Agave Sour, on the other hand, leaned bold and spirit-forward, its strength cutting through with an assertive finish that could catch the drinker off-guard. Meanwhile, Clear as Day lived up to its name: crisp, refined, and strikingly clean, with an aftertaste that lingers and draws you back in for another sip.

What We Liked

The meal was satisfying from beginning to end, and we absolutely enjoyed each of the dishes we sampled. If we were to choose our personal favorites, the standouts would be the Pulpo, Tiradito de Snapper, Croquetas de Espinaca y Gorgonzola, and the Magret de Pato.

Each of these truly stood out during our meal, and we definitely recommend them should you visit Sala Martínez!

What We Didn’t Like

While we didn’t have many qualms during our meal at Sala Martínez, one detail stood out: the overwhelming saltiness of the Cachopo. Though it stays true to its Spanish roots, the combination of the jamón ibérico and Manchego — both inherently salty on their own — can tip the dish slightly over the edge and can add to the umay factor as the meal goes on. To fully enjoy the Cachopo, we would recommend pairing it with starters that have more citrus or acidic flavor profiles to counterbalance the saltiness and refresh the palate.

What You Should Order

With its extensive menu offering a little bit of something from the heart of the Spanish coast, all of Sala Martínez’ dishes and bestsellers would be a great addition to your next meal!  But if we were to choose a few from what we had, it would be the Pulpo, Tiradito de Snapper, and the Arroz Meloso de Mariscos.

We also recommend enjoying your meal with a cocktail or two, or trying out their special Happy Hour offerings, too.

Follow Sala Martínez on Facebook and Instagram. Reservations are available by messaging or calling 0956 485 4618.

Location: Unit 11, Level 1, Main Wing, Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City

Opening Hours: Mondays to Thursdays, from 11 AM to 10 PM; Fridays to Saturdays, from 11 AM to 11 PM; and Sundays, from 10 AM to 10 PM

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Delish Eats reviews here. 

This food review is based on a complimentary media tasting provided byNikkei Group in exchange for a truthful review. The opinions expressed within represent the views of the author.