Samba Review: Peruvian Food by the Pool at Shangri-La The Fort

The short version: Samba, the Peruvian and Latin restaurant by the pool at Shangri-La The Fort, feels like a little resort overlooking BGC, with Latin music, warm and attentive staff, and very good food. The grilled barramundi, the beef empanada and the free house chips were all an 8.5. Portions are small, and the bill climbs once you add more dishes, but it’s a great spot for lunch. Ours came to about ₱1,388 ($22) a person. I’d go back.

I had lunch at Samba with two others on a Friday in October 2026, while I was staying at Shangri-La The Fort. We paid for everything ourselves.

Pros

• A resort feel by the pool, overlooking the BGC skyline
• Warm, attentive service: they brought a second round of chips for free
• Very good barramundi and beef empanada
• Free house potato and sweet potato chips
• Latin music and a peaceful, happy vibe
• Quiet at lunch

Cons

• Small portions
• Pricier once you add mains
• The indoor room can be a bit cold

Getting there

Samba is on the 8th floor of Shangri-La The Fort, next to the pool. Come up the roundabout into the grand lobby, take the main elevators to 8, and you’re there.

The setting: 9 out of 10

It almost feels like you’re in Latin America. The servers dress with a Latin flair, and Latin music plays in the background, Enrique Iglesias included. The whole place feels peaceful and happy, which I really like.

You look out over the pool and the BGC skyline, with plenty of greenery, a small bar and a clean, bright space. It was quiet, too: we came around noon, and there was only one other table outside and one inside. The indoor room can be a bit cold, so I’d sit outside. It’s also easy to pair with a swim before or after.

At the bar, you’ll see Tatler Best Philippines 2025 certificates, which list Samba as a recommended restaurant.

The food: 8 out of 10

Everything was tasty. The one catch is the portion size.

House chips: 8.5 out of 10. Thin, crispy potato and sweet potato chips that don’t taste unhealthy, with a mild dip that goes really well with them. They’re free.

De la Selva su Pescado: 8.5 out of 10. A grilled whitefish (barramundi, per the menu) that pairs really well with its sauce, with mashed potatoes on the side. The portion is modest, though they do tell you that. ₱1,250 ($20).

Empanada de lomo: 8.5 out of 10. A beef empanada that comes out warm. Cut it through the middle, and the beef inside is hot and very tender, in slightly bigger pieces than most empanadas, which I liked. ₱195 ($3).

Salmon y Coco: 7 out of 10. A salmon crudo in a coconut leche de tigre. I liked the rich coconut sauce, but the salmon could use more seasoning and a sharper taste. ₱725 ($11).

Coconut juice: 7.5 out of 10. Very fresh, and they cut the coconut open for you. It’s less sweet than some, which may make it a little healthier, but keep that in mind if you like it sweet. ₱350 ($5).

The full menu is Peruvian, with ceviches, tiraditos, anticuchos and grilled mains, plus a long list of pisco and tiki cocktails. I don’t drink, so I can’t speak to those.

Service: 9 out of 10

Warm, friendly and attentive, starting with a “Hola” as you walk in. Our server usually stood far back, quietly watching in case we needed anything. The first round of chips is free, and when we asked for more, she said it would be ₱200. We declined, but she could probably tell how much we liked them, and she brought another round anyway, on the house. A really nice touch.

What it cost

Lunch for three came to ₱4,065, about ₱1,355 ($21) a person, including VAT and the 10% service charge. We added a ₱100 tip on top, which was well deserved, for about ₱1,388 ($22) a person. That covered two Salmon y Coco, the barramundi, the empanada, two coconut juices, a large Evian and a Coke Zero. That’s a light lunch, with only one main for three of us. Order a main each and it would be much more: most mains are ₱1,150 to ₱1,950, and the ribeye and lobster go up to ₱4,550 and ₱5,950.

Value: 8 out of 10

We ordered light. With a main for everyone, you’d be well above ₱1,388 a person, since most mains run ₱1,150 to ₱1,950 and a few go much higher. Still, you’re in a five-star hotel by the pool, in a great location, with a resort feel, incredible service, a view over BGC and very good food.

For comparison, it’s about the same per person as our lunch at Din Tai Fung, and less than China Blue or Mirèio, though we ordered more at those.

Who it’s for

• Families: a relaxed lunch by the pool.
• Solo diners: a nice, peaceful lunch.
• Dates: especially at night. I went at lunch, but I’m sure it’d be very nice.
• Hotel guests: I strongly recommend it if you’re staying at The Fort.

Tips if you go

• Sit outside; the indoor room can be a bit cold.
• Pair it with a swim before or after.
• Don’t skip the free chips.
• The 10% service charge is already in the bill.

Verdict: 8.5 out of 10

Samba is the kind of place that makes a hotel lunch feel like a short vacation. Latin music, the pool a few steps away, and staff who bring you a second round of chips on the house, even though it normally costs extra. Get the barramundi and the empanada, and don’t skip the chips; I’d pass on the Salmon y Coco. Just order a little more than you think, since portions run small and the bill adds up. Would I go back? Yes. This restaurant is in my Where to Eat in Manila guide, with all fourteen ranked and matched to occasions.

FAQ

Where is Samba?

On the 8th floor of Shangri-La The Fort, BGC, next to the pool. Take the main elevators from the lobby to 8.

How much does Samba cost?

Our light lunch for three came to ₱4,065 with VAT and service charge, about ₱1,355 ($21) a person. Most mains are ₱1,150 to ₱1,950.

What kind of food does Samba serve?

Peruvian and Latin: ceviches, tiraditos, anticuchos, grilled fish and meats, plus pisco and tiki cocktails.

Do you need to be a hotel guest to eat at Samba?

No. Anyone can go. I was staying at the hotel, but it’s open to everyone.

What should I order at Samba?

The grilled barramundi (De la Selva su Pescado, 8.5), the empanada de lomo (8.5), and the free house chips (8.5).