El Cocinero by Chef Arnaldo

Kamini Pall

5.0

We celebrated my girlfriend’s birthday at their Tagaytay branch last month and I can say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Food was fantastic, especially their paella el cocinero and champiñones con chorizo y gambas. The ambiance was perfect and the staffs were attentive and accommodating.El Cocinero opened its newest branch in Molito Alabang. Glad we can have a quick fix of their food without having to travel to Tagaytay.Highly recommending this place. Two thumbs up.

Aileen Carla De Guzman

5.0

The best paella I've ever tasted in the Phils. Worth the travel....not to mention a very relaxing ambiance! This is the place you should consider when in Tagaytay!I will not be surprised if El Cocinero will expand branches all over the Phils!Cheers!

Masarap Ba

4.0

Interiors as well as the Santorini feel of the place is worth the drive. Quality of food and service is great. One of my fave restos in the city! Plus you get to have the place to yourself during weekdays. There's also a library nearby. Great place for destressing!

Brina

4.0

Great dining experience. A little out of the way if you’re commuting. But this hole-in-the-wall place has a laid-back ambience. And the paella negra is to-die-for.

Nitin Kumar Bhaskar

5.0

Cozy ambience. Awesome food. We're not able to try their Paella but we really loved the El Cocinero pizza as well as their Mejillones Gratinado. We'd also like to commend their staff especially Bryan, our server that day, for being corteous and accommodating. Staff are very polite even upon entering and leaving the place. Overall, 10/10 dining experience!😊

İzzet Taşkın

5.0

My husband found this awesome Spanish resto in Tagaytay in FB. Right away we went there for a brunch. First we love the place situated in a subdivision turned business area with shops and restos. The location is full of trees, greeneries as if youre in a different place. It has a Santori feel ambiance. For the staffs in the resto, they are veryfriendly and accomodating. We even met Chef Arnaldo himself whose very hospitable and gave us free churros freshly made by the good Chef himself and it was soo good. Their food is exquisite and original. It was all good and we love all that we ordered. My favorite is their salmon lasagna. We are definitely will go back to try their famous Paella. El Cocinero's Paellas apparently is the best in the Phil. We are already looking forward to try it.

Andreas Hartono

4.0

Me and my wife had dinner here for our 5th anniversary and it was a very delightful experience. Ambience is very peaceful and artful. We ordered Callos and Gambas followed by El Cocinero Paella and Salpicao. Food was great, I especially liked the Salpicao and the Callos. The waitress attending to us was very polite and very helpful with our needs. We had the chance to meet Chef Arnaldo towards the end and he was very kind to ask how our dinner was and even pointed us to an easier route back home. Highly recommended if youre looking for a good Spanish resto in Tagaytay.

Ezzie Sukandar

4.0

2nd time here. Nice relaxed ambiance with the chic LA Bella Boutique Hotel across the lot. First time shared the very good El Cocinero Paella, ate a lot but still had plenty leftover. This time started with the grilled veggies and shrimp salad---loved it! Portion was large enough to share. Followed with a beef skewer-- tasty with fried potato/aioli accompaniment. My friend did not care much for her grilled fish with cheese--gave a feedback when the waiter asked how we liked the meal... Lo n behold, they gave us complimentary desserts to make up for it.Will definitely come back to make our way through the menu and their large variety of paellas (and fideaua--not many Spanish places give you this option).

Norman Pranoto

2.0

Sir Arnaldo, today, 5/20 2018 we have ordered your your el cocinero paella and we are not satisfied with what we have received. I must admit on our last meeting the previous year you personally looked after us and even served us churos on the house. Your cooking was awesome and we were speechless. Today, I was not impressed. Although I must admit your paella was filled with chorizo and seafood which must have added up to bring up the cost. I personally if i wanted to taste seafood etc. I could have tasted it fresh from dampa. My point is your rice is lacking the kick of the spanish cusine I long for. I have compared yours to Senior De Alba an Antigo in Spanish food and theres need some improvement. I understand if you have your own views of how you prefer to offer your food. I do hope you accept my feedback not as an insult but as a way so you can gain more customers. Mind you, I have been a frequent of Tagaytay for the last 5 years. Name the place, I have probably been there. I know the best places to go to, and the worst to avoid. I will be happy to try your paella again if you personally inform me that some improvements were made. However,  I dont want to force your belief to your own disagreements. If you believe that what you are doing is correct then I respect that and will move on. I wish you the best Sir

Ravi Mohan

5.0

I had a great lunch with my friends. The venue is such an eye-candy especially if you’re an art enthusiast. The food is great! I super love the El Cocinero Pizza!!!! The staff is very accommodating! We don’t have any complaint about the whole dining experience because it was superb! We will be back for sure!