In October 1989, husband and wife team Boni and Rose Pimentel launched Ilustrado, the first fine dining restaurant in the Walled City of Intramuros. The couple, described as “original foodies,” were inspired by their passion for fine dining and aimed to create a restaurant where discerning diners could enjoy both Filipino-Spanish and modern global cuisine of high quality.

Intramuros was historically the center of governance, religion, and academia during the Spanish era. Over the years, Ilustrado has built a reputation for excellent food and warm service in Manila. Today, Ilustrado is described as a comforting haven for regular patrons, a foodie destination, a romantic venue, a nostalgic place for weddings, and a sought-after Filipino caterer for important events.