On September 5, 1975, a group of friends raised the curtains to the first Via Mare Restaurant, namely: Glenda Rosales and Pancho Barretto, Peping and Carol Roño, Efren and Judith Bautista, Larry and Flor Tolosa, and Albert and Fely Arceo. Located in Legaspi Makati, the foundation of our company was a Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant, hence “Via Mare”, which is latin for “Way of The Sea”.

A clamor for the refined service of Via Mare prompted the management to establish its Catering Division. Since then, no other Filipino restaurant has been the top-of-mind when it comes to hosting dinners for dignitaries, heads of state, international celebrities, and international events. From beauty queens during the 1995 Miss Universe pageant in Manila, the papal visit of then Pope John Paul II, the 1996 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the gala of the Philippine-run of West End’s Miss Saigon, the 2007 ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the weddings of illustrious families, and other milestones in Philippine history, Via Mare was always the top choice. By 1985, Via Mare eventually garnered the prestigious title of being the Exclusive Catering Concessionaires in the renowned Philippine International Convention Center.

With Mrs. Barretto herself leading the Catering kitchen, Via Mare has been hailed by different international food societies, among them are the Chaine des Rotisseurs Baillage de Manille, the Food and Wine Society, the American National Restaurant Association, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation.

Via Mare has changed over the years. While it maintained to be the top catering choice among the prominent and elite, it grew to accommodate the demands of its wide clientele. Café Via Mare was introduced to the market, dubbed to be a pioneer in introducing the first authentic Filipino café.

Moving forward into the next generation, Via Mare brings its rich culinary tradition into the Frozen Food Industry with Via Mare Redifeast– a testament that quality frozen food can be done.