Brotzeit Philippines: A Slice of Germany in the City
Written by: Seia Ibanez
I’m always the type of person who gets excited to try something new, especially when new restaurants keep popping up on my social media feed. The moment I saw several Brotzeit Philippines posts in my feed, I knew I had to try it out.
With branches in Shangri-La The Fort and The Podium, Brotzeit is one of those spots that promises a taste of authentic German dining—the kind of place you’d walk past, catch a whiff of freshly baked bread, and find yourself stepping inside without much thought. My partner and I tried the Podium branch one Saturday afternoon, curious to see if it lived up to its reputation.
This bright logo greeted us as we approached the entrance.
What We Ordered
We ordered an appetizer, two sandwiches and two beers: Our appetizer was the Gebackene Garnelen (Php 290), which are breaded prawns with tartare sauce.
For the sandwiches, I went for the Schwarzwaldschinken Mit Gruyere (Php 690), a hearty Black Forest Ham sandwich paired with Gruyere cheese and pommes (their version of fries). My partner ordered the Reuben (Php 650), with beef pastrami, Emmenthaler, sauerkraut, and pommes.
And, of course, what’s a German meal without beer? The waiter recommended the Hefe-Weissbier (Php 300 for 0.3L) to pair with my Gruyere sandwich, while my partner opted for the Original Hell (Php 440 for 0.5L).
Schwarzwaldschinken Mit Gruyere. We weren’t able to take the rest of the photos because we were too hungry!
The Food Was Good, But Lacked A Lasting Impression
The Gebackene Garnelen was served with a slice of lemon. The tangy tartare sauce complemented the prawn’s sweetness perfectly, especially with a hint of fresh lemon juice.
Now, onto the sandwiches.The bread arrived soft yet crisp, and buttery on the outside. It was fresh enough to tell it was baked that day. The Gruyere sandwich carried a strong pepper note, balanced nicely by the creamy saltiness of the cheese. It wasn’t messy to eat, which I liked.
Reuben sandwich
When my partner tried the Reuben, he said it leaned toward the acidic side. The pastrami had a sharp tang that didn’t quite hit the spot for him. He said it tasted like a typical deli you usually buy at supermarkets. However, he wasn’t sure if pastrami was meant to taste that way, or it wasn’t just his cup of tea.
For what we ordered, our bill came to approximately ₱2,600, inclusive of a service charge. Reasonable, but not exactly casual lunch territory.
If I were to rate the experience, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5. The sandwiches and appetizer were good, but not particularly memorable. They tasted like something you could find in a well-made deli.
The beer, however, was the real star. Crisp, flavorful, and distinctively German, it’s the kind that makes you linger a little longer, just to savor the last sip.
Customer Service: The Staff Knows Their Stuff
Service was one of Brotzeit’s strong points. The staff were knowledgeable about each item; they knew which drinks and dishes were best paired together.
One of its staff members even took a moment to explain their Brotzeit Rewards system, which offers a 5% cash rebate, birthday gifts, and many more benefits to registered members.
Worth A Second Visit? Maybe.
Would I come back? Maybe, but to try their other bestsellers. The sandwiches alone didn’t leave a lasting impression, but I’m curious about their sausages, schnitzels, and the pork knuckle.
Brotzeit offers a small European escape in the middle of Ortigas, and it’s an experience worth trying at least once, especially if you’re new to the city and want something out of the ordinary.
