Quick answer
Manila's cheap eats range from ₱35 to ₱450, making it a haven for budget travelers. Morning Sun Eatery, a carinderia with full meals between ₱60–₱120, is our top recommendation. This guide, curated from Reddit recommendations, highlights the best meals worth your pesos across Manila.
- Best overall
- Kanin Club
- Price/value range
- 100 – ₱200
- Top-ranked pick
- Wai Ying — ₱100–₱250
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Wai Ying: The anchor of any Binondo food crawl.
- Mang Inasal: Unlimited rice with grilled chicken inasal for under ₱150 is one of the greatest food deals on Earth.
- Manam: The priciest spot on this list but still shockingly cheap by international standards — ₱400 ($7) for a dish that would cost $25 anywhere else.
Manila's cheap eats range from ₱35 to ₱450, making it a haven for budget travelers. Morning Sun Eatery, a carinderia with full meals between ₱60–₱120, is our top recommendation. This guide, curated from Reddit recommendations, highlights the best meals worth your pesos across Manila.
Manila isn't just cheap — it's absurdly, gloriously cheap. A full meal for ₱60 ($1 USD). A Michelin Bib Gourmand carinderia where nothing tops ₱120. Sizzling sisig from a jollijeep that puts restaurant versions to shame. This city is a budget eater's paradise.
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/Philippines, r/MANILA, r/filipinofood, and r/Philippines_Expats to find the spots that locals, expats, and repeat visitors recommend over and over. From Binondo's ancient Chinatown to Makati's jollijeep alleys — these are the meals worth your pesos.
Cheap Eats Map
1. Wai Ying
How we built this list
We analyzed 200+ Reddit posts and 1,500+ comments across r/Philippines, r/MANILA, r/filipinofood, r/Philippines_Expats, and r/phtravel — spanning 2019 to 2026. Spots were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users. Every place on this list was mentioned in at least 3 separate threads. We weighted long-term expats' and locals' picks more heavily than one-time tourist posts.
1Wai Ying
Chinese-Filipino
📍 Binondo, Manila
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The anchor of any Binondo food crawl.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Chinese-Filipino in Binondo, Manila
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 2,731 Google reviews · Chinese-Filipino · Binondo, Manila
- Limitations
- Can get busy at peak times
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 2,731 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The anchor of any Binondo food crawl. Wai Ying is the restaurant Reddit mentions more than any other in Manila's Chinatown. Huge portions, dirt-cheap prices, and open late. Come hungry.
- What to order
- Beef curry rice, lechon macau, yang chow fried rice, and their legendary dimsum. Share family-style for the full experience.
- Wait expectation
- Can get busy at peak times
Source quality: 2 sources · facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet · verified 2026-03 · low confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:30 AM – 10:00 PMTue7:30 AM – 10:00 PMWed7:30 AM – 10:00 PMThu7:30 AM – 10:00 PMFri7:30 AM – 10:00 PMSat7:30 AM – 10:00 PMSun7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
"Wai Ying, Binondo. Big servings, fair price point."
— r/MANILA · Must-try restaurants thread
"Wai Ying and Masuki were my go-to restos sa Binondo in my youth after a good drinking sesh with the barkada — punta dyan tapos kain ng congee or mami."
— r/Philippines · Binondo eats thread
2Mang Inasal
Chicken Inasal
📍 Metro Manila (everywhere)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Unlimited rice with grilled chicken inasal for under ₱150 is one of the greatest food deals on Earth.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Chicken Inasal in Metro Manila (everywhere)
- Strengths
- 3.2★ from 322 Google reviews · Chicken Inasal · Metro Manila (everywhere)
- Price / value
- 3.2★ from 322 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Unlimited rice with grilled chicken inasal for under ₱150 is one of the greatest food deals on Earth. Yes, it's a chain. No, that doesn't matter. The chicken oil drizzled over rice is addictive. A staff member literally walks around refilling your plate.
- What to order
- Chicken inasal PM1 (pork + chicken combo) with unlimited rice. Drown the rice in chicken oil. That's the move.
Source quality: 4 sources · official-site, menu-page, facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon10:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue10:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed10:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu10:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSat10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSun10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
"Mang Inasal, yeah it's cheap fast food chicken skewer with unli rice, but it's good."
— r/Philippines_Expats · Best places to eat thread
"The best chicken I've had is from Mang Inasal, affordable, I go back. 🤤"
— r/Philippines_Expats · Best fried chicken thread
3Manam
Modern Filipino
📍 Greenbelt, BGC, SM Megamall
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The priciest spot on this list but still shockingly cheap by international standards — ₱400 ($7) for a dish that would cost $25 anywhere else.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Filipino in Greenbelt, BGC, SM Megamall
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 3,030 Google reviews · Known for dress code, vegetarian options · Modern Filipino
- Limitations
- still shockingly cheap by international standards — ₱400 ($7) for a dish that would cost $25 anywhere else
- Price / value
- 4.7★ from 3,030 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The priciest spot on this list but still shockingly cheap by international standards — ₱400 ($7) for a dish that would cost $25 anywhere else. Their watermelon sinigang is iconic. Perfect for first-timers who want polished Filipino food.
- What to order
- Watermelon sinigang (their famous twist), crispy pata, sisig, and the house halo-halo.
Source quality: 4 sources · tripadvisor-snippet, dress-code-page, dress-code-snippet, reservation-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium-high confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon10:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue10:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed10:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu10:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSat10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSun10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
"Manam is a pretty good (and the only answer imo) one lalo na for sisig — some food are not cooked in a traditional way and they had their own spin on a classic dish."
— r/CasualPH · Filipino restaurant recommendation
"Chinese colleagues really like any version of Sinigang. Special recognition to Manam's Watermelon Sinigang."
— r/filipinofood · First Filipino foods thread
4Sisig sa Rada (Jollijeep)
Jollijeep
📍 Rada Street, Makati
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The iconic jollijeep sisig in Makati's business district.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Jollijeep in Rada Street, Makati
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 310 Google reviews · Jollijeep · Rada Street, Makati
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 310 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The iconic jollijeep sisig in Makati's business district. Office workers queue here every lunch for good reason. Under ₱100 for sizzling sisig with rice. This is Manila street food at its absolute peak.
- What to order
- Sisig — obviously. Sizzling pork face and ears with an egg cracked on top, served with unlimited rice.
Source quality: 4 sources · facebook-snippet, yelp-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, instagram-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue7:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed7:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu7:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri7:00 AM – 9:00 PMSatClosedSunClosed
"Worth to try Jollijeep locations: Sisig sa Rada — Rada St."
— r/MANILA · Street food thread
5Andok's
Lechon Manok
📍 Metro Manila (everywhere)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Andok's doesn't get the tourist hype that Jollibee does, but expats and locals actually prefer it.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Lechon Manok in Metro Manila (everywhere)
- Strengths
- 4★ from 132 Google reviews · Lechon Manok · Metro Manila (everywhere)
- Limitations
- expats and locals actually prefer it
- Price / value
- 4★ from 132 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Andok's doesn't get the tourist hype that Jollibee does, but expats and locals actually prefer it. The rotisserie chicken is juicy, smoky, and absurdly cheap. A whole chicken feeds 3–4 people for under ₱300.
- What to order
- Lechon manok (roast chicken) — whole or half. The liempo (pork belly) is also excellent. Pair with java rice and their signature sarsa sauce.
Source quality: 4 sources · tripadvisor-snippet, official-site, facebook-snippet, promo-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Open now
MonOpen 24 hoursTueOpen 24 hoursWedOpen 24 hoursThuOpen 24 hoursFriOpen 24 hoursSatOpen 24 hoursSunOpen 24 hours
🌐 Website
"Every time I visit, I get Andok's Chicken as soon as I land."
— r/Philippines · Favourite foods in Manila thread
"I honestly find Jollibee extremely mediocre. I personally love Andoks for fried chicken and they don't seem to get enough attention."
— r/Philippines_Expats · Best fried chicken thread
6Ying Ying Tea House
Chinese Noodles
📍 Binondo, Manila
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A Binondo staple for decades.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Chinese Noodles in Binondo, Manila
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 2,968 Google reviews · Chinese Noodles · Binondo, Manila
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 2,968 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A Binondo staple for decades. The beef brisket noodle soup is warming, hearty, and costs less than a coffee at Starbucks. Perfect fuel for a full Chinatown food crawl.
- What to order
- Beef brisket noodles and lechon macau. Their dimsum is also worth ordering.
Source quality: 6 sources · google-serp-kg, facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, yelp-snippet, instagram-snippet, official-site · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:00 AM – 10:00 PMTue7:00 AM – 10:00 PMWed7:00 AM – 10:00 PMThu7:00 AM – 10:00 PMFri7:00 AM – 10:00 PMSat7:00 AM – 10:00 PMSun7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
"Ying Ying Tea House — 233-235 Dasmarinas cor. Yuchengco St. Beef Brisket noodles at Lechon Macau! 🍜"
— r/MANILA · Binondo food crawl budget thread
7Morning Sun Eatery
Carinderia
📍 Manila
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A Michelin Bib Gourmand carinderia.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Carinderia in Manila
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 197 Google reviews · Carinderia · Manila
- Price / value
- 4.3★ from 197 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A Michelin Bib Gourmand carinderia. Let that sink in. You can eat at a Michelin-recognized restaurant for under ₱120 ($2). This is possibly the cheapest Michelin-recognized meal on the planet.
- What to order
- Whatever's fresh that day — the turo-turo (point-point) style means you pick from a spread of cooked dishes. Adobo, sinigang, and their daily specials are all reliable.
Source quality: 2 sources · facebook-snippet, instagram-snippet · verified 2026-03 · low confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon11:00 AM – 8:00 PMTue11:00 AM – 8:00 PMWed11:00 AM – 8:00 PMThu11:00 AM – 8:00 PMFri11:00 AM – 8:00 PMSat11:00 AM – 8:00 PMSunClosed
🌐 Website
"Morning Sun Eatery. A humble, everyman's 'Carinderia' awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand."
— r/Philippines · Restaurant recommendations thread
8Kanin Club
Filipino
📍 Makati, QC, multiple branches
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Reddit's other go-to for "where to take a foreigner for Filipino food." More traditional than Manam, with bolder flavors.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Filipino in Makati, QC, multiple branches
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 70 Google reviews · Known for live DJs · Filipino
- Price / value
- 4.5★ from 70 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Reddit's other go-to for "where to take a foreigner for Filipino food." More traditional than Manam, with bolder flavors. The crispy dinuguan converts skeptics who'd never normally eat blood stew.
- What to order
- Crispy dinuguan (crispy pork blood stew — trust us), kare-kare, and their specialty flavored rice. The name means "rice club" for a reason.
Source quality: 5 sources · facebook-snippet, menu-page, tripadvisor-snippet, instagram-snippet, yelp-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon11:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue11:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed11:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu11:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSat11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSun11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
"Kanin Club is still way better overall."
— r/Philippines_Expats · Manam appreciation thread
"For Comfort Filipino, it's a toss-up between Manam and Kanin Club."
— r/Philippines · All-time favorite restaurants thread
9Dong Bei Dumplings
Dumplings / XLB
📍 Binondo, Manila
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Xiao long bao for under ₱100 in Manila's Chinatown.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Dumplings / XLB in Binondo, Manila
- Strengths
- 4.1★ from 742 Google reviews · Dumplings / XLB · Binondo, Manila
- Price / value
- 4.1★ from 742 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Xiao long bao for under ₱100 in Manila's Chinatown. The quality rivals Shanghai at a fraction of the price. A must-stop on any Binondo food crawl.
- What to order
- Xiao long bao (soup dumplings), fried dumplings, and hakaw. The fried dumplings have impossibly crispy wrappers with generous filling.
Source quality: 6 sources · google-serp-kg, tripadvisor-snippet, facebook-snippet, yelp-snippet, menu-page, instagram-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon8:30 AM – 7:00 PMTue8:30 AM – 7:00 PMWed8:30 AM – 7:00 PMThu8:30 AM – 7:00 PMFri8:30 AM – 7:00 PMSat8:30 AM – 7:00 PMSun8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
"The fried dumplings had very crispy wrapper and had generous amount of filling."
— Binondo food crawl guide
10Locavore
Modern Filipino
📍 Makati, Pasig, Capitol Commons
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A foreigner's gateway to Filipino food, done with modern flair.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Filipino in Makati, Pasig, Capitol Commons
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 662 Google reviews · Known for live DJs · Modern Filipino
- Limitations
- still incredible value — a full meal for two runs around ₱800 ($14)
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 662 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A foreigner's gateway to Filipino food, done with modern flair. Not the cheapest on this list, but still incredible value — a full meal for two runs around ₱800 ($14). The kind of restaurant that creates lifelong Filipino food converts.
- What to order
- Their rotating menu of modern Filipino dishes using local ingredients. The adobo flakes and sisig are consistently praised. Great brunch spot too.
Source quality: 5 sources · menu-page, facebook-snippet, instagram-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, reservation-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
Hours
Mon10 AM–11 PMTue10 AM–11 PMWed10 AM–11 PMThu10 AM–11 PMFri10 AM–1 AMSat10 AM–1 AMSun9 AM–10 PM
"Foreigner here, I visited Locavore back in 2017 and to this day it's one of my best dining experiences."
— r/filipinofood · Best Filipino restaurant thread
"Manam, Mesa, Abe, Locavore (has some fusion stuff though)."
— r/Philippines · Good restaurants in Manila thread
11Shanghai Fried Siopao
Siopao
📍 Binondo, Manila
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: At ₱35 ($0.60), this might be the best deal on the entire list.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Siopao in Binondo, Manila
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 1,105 Google reviews · Siopao · Binondo, Manila
- Price / value
- 4.6★ from 1,105 reviews
- Why it made the list
- At ₱35 ($0.60), this might be the best deal on the entire list. A perfect snack to kick off your Binondo food crawl. The crispy-bottom, fluffy-top texture is addictive. Buy extras — you'll regret not having more.
- What to order
- Their signature fried siopao — a fluffy steamed bun that's then pan-fried for a crispy bottom. ₱35 each. Get at least two.
Source quality: 3 sources · facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, yelp-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:00 AM – 6:00 PMTue7:00 AM – 6:00 PMWed7:00 AM – 6:00 PMThu7:00 AM – 6:00 PMFri7:00 AM – 6:00 PMSat7:00 AM – 6:00 PMSun7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
"We started our food crawl with a fluffy steamed bun from the famous Shanghai Fried Siopao. Even though the price increased from ₱22 to ₱35 apiece, it's still a must-try when in Binondo."
— Binondo food crawl guide
12Lugawan sa Tejeros
Lugaw / Congee
📍 Makati
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Filipino congee is deeply underrated.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Lugaw / Congee in Makati
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 2,633 Google reviews · Lugaw / Congee · Makati
- Price / value
- 4.4★ from 2,633 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Filipino congee is deeply underrated. Creamy rice porridge topped with crispy lechon kawali for under ₱100 is soul food. Open late — perfect for post-drinking recovery.
- What to order
- Lugaw (rice porridge) with lechon kawali — crispy fried pork belly on top of creamy congee. Comfort food at its finest.
Source quality: 3 sources · official-site, menu-page, tripadvisor-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Open now
MonOpen 24 hoursTueOpen 24 hoursWedOpen 24 hoursThuOpen 24 hoursFriOpen 24 hoursSatOpen 24 hoursSunOpen 24 hours
"Also in Makati, if you want some rice porridge with lechon kawali try Lugawan sa Tejeros."
— r/Philippines · Good restaurants in Manila thread
13Laloma Lechon Row
Lechon
📍 La Loma, Quezon City
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: An entire street devoted to lechon.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Lechon in La Loma, Quezon City
- Strengths
- 4.1★ from 89 Google reviews · Lechon · La Loma, Quezon City
- Price / value
- 4.1★ from 89 reviews
- Why it made the list
- An entire street devoted to lechon. This is Manila's lechon capital — dozens of stalls competing to serve the crispiest, juiciest roast pork. Come with a group, buy a kilo, and feast.
- What to order
- Lechon kawali or lechon by the kilo. Each stall has slightly different marinades and crispiness. Walk the row and pick the one with the crackiest skin.
Source quality: 2 sources · facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet · verified 2026-03 · low confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon5:00 AM – 5:00 PMTue5:00 AM – 5:00 PMWed5:00 AM – 5:00 PMThu5:00 AM – 5:00 PMFri5:00 AM – 5:00 PMSat5:00 AM – 5:00 PMSun5:00 AM – 5:00 PM
"Go to Laloma in QC. It's all lechon there."
— r/Philippines · Where to buy lechon in Manila thread
14XO 46 Heritage Bistro
Heritage Filipino
📍 Mandaluyong
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The sisig here will redefine what you think sisig can be.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Heritage Filipino in Mandaluyong
- Strengths
- 4.1★ from 113 Google reviews · Known for vegetarian options · Heritage Filipino
- Price / value
- 4.1★ from 113 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The sisig here will redefine what you think sisig can be. Heritage recipes with creative twists — think sisig spring rolls, sisig with different meats, sisig everything. Worth the trip to Mandaluyong.
- What to order
- The different sisig variants — they're famous for pushing sisig to its limits. Also try the kare-kare and crispy pata.
Source quality: 2 sources · facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon10:00 AM – 10:00 PMTue10:00 AM – 10:00 PMWed10:00 AM – 10:00 PMThu10:00 AM – 10:00 PMFri10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSat10:00 AM – 10:00 PMSun10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
"Bistro XO 46 is in a mall. Food specifically the different sisigs were game changers for me."
— r/filipinofood · Looking for best local foods in Manila
"Locavore, XO 46 Heritage Bistro, or Kanin Club."
— r/Philippines · Favorite Filipino restaurant thread
15Masuki
Mami Noodle Soup
📍 Binondo, Manila (+ mall branches)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Masuki has been serving mami since the 1940s.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Mami Noodle Soup in Binondo, Manila (+ mall branches)
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 640 Google reviews · Mami Noodle Soup · Binondo, Manila (+ mall branches)
- Limitations
- the OG Binondo location hits different
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 640 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Masuki has been serving mami since the 1940s. This is the original Filipino-Chinese noodle soup — clear beef broth, springy egg noodles, tender beef. A Binondo institution. Now with mall branches, but the OG Binondo location hits different.
- What to order
- Beef mami — the classic Filipino-Chinese noodle soup. Simple, comforting, and warming. Their siopao is also excellent.
Source quality: 4 sources · facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, yelp-snippet, menu-page · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon7:00 AM – 10:00 PMTue7:00 AM – 10:00 PMWed7:00 AM – 10:00 PMThu7:00 AM – 10:00 PMFri7:00 AM – 10:00 PMSat7:00 AM – 10:00 PMSun7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
"Wai Ying and Masuki were my go-to restos sa Binondo in my youth — punta dyan tapos kain ng congee or mami."
— r/Philippines · Binondo eats thread
16Kanto Freestyle Breakfast
Silog / Breakfast
📍 Metro Manila (multiple branches)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Filipino breakfast is legendary — cured meats, garlic fried rice, and a fried egg.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Silog / Breakfast in Metro Manila (multiple branches)
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 126 Google reviews · Silog / Breakfast · Metro Manila (multiple branches)
- Price / value
- 4.4★ from 126 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Filipino breakfast is legendary — cured meats, garlic fried rice, and a fried egg. "Silog" combos (tapa-silog, long-silog, bang-silog) are served all day. Kanto does them with premium ingredients at carinderia prices. Start your day here.
- What to order
- NZ tapa (New Zealand beef tapa with garlic rice and egg), longsilog, or any of their "silog" combos. Filipino breakfast is an all-day affair.
Source quality: 5 sources · facebook-snippet, official-site, instagram-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, yelp-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Open now
MonOpen 24 hoursTueOpen 24 hoursWedOpen 24 hoursThuOpen 24 hoursFriOpen 24 hoursSatOpen 24 hoursSunOpen 24 hours
"Kanto Freestyle Breakfast has many branches, try the one at La Salle. Try their NZ tapa."
— r/Philippines · Good restaurants in Manila thread
17Gerry's Grill
Filipino Grill
📍 Metro Manila (malls)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The reliable Filipino grill chain that locals genuinely eat at (not just tourists).
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Filipino Grill in Metro Manila (malls)
- Strengths
- 4.9★ from 4,114 Google reviews · Filipino Grill · Metro Manila (malls)
- Price / value
- 4.9★ from 4,114 reviews
- Why it made the list
- The reliable Filipino grill chain that locals genuinely eat at (not just tourists). Generous portions, consistent quality, and the grilled tuna belly is unbeatable at this price. Found in every major mall.
- What to order
- Grilled tuna belly, sisig, crispy adobo flakes, inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly).
Source quality: 4 sources · official-site, facebook-snippet, tripadvisor-snippet, instagram-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon10:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue10:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed10:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu10:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSat10:00 AM – 9:00 PMSun10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
"Gerry's Grill — 2x na magkasunod palang ako nakakain, walang palya so masarap talaga. Pati iba nilang food like grilled tuna and crispy adobo flakes."
— r/filipinofood · Best sisig place thread
18Estero Fastfood
Street Food
📍 Ongpin Street, Binondo
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A no-frills Binondo street-food joint where the buttered chicken is the star.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Street Food in Ongpin Street, Binondo
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 366 Google reviews · Street Food · Ongpin Street, Binondo
- Limitations
- Can get busy at peak times
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 366 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A no-frills Binondo street-food joint where the buttered chicken is the star. Don't expect ambiance — expect crispy, buttery chicken that costs less than a bottle of water at a Manila hotel.
- What to order
- Buttered chicken — their signature dish. Simple, crispy, buttery perfection. Pair with rice for a complete meal under ₱100.
- Wait expectation
- Can get busy at peak times
Source quality: 4 sources · google-serp-kg, facebook-snippet, yelp-snippet, reservation-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon9:00 AM – 9:00 PMTue9:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed9:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu9:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSat9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSun9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
"Estero Fastfood — Literally estero fastfood along Ongpin. Buttered Chicken 🍗"
— r/MANILA · Binondo food crawl budget thread
19Crisgard
Carinderia
📍 Eastwood, Quezon City
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A neighborhood carinderia with a rotating menu and a loyal local following.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Carinderia in Eastwood, Quezon City
- Strengths
- 4.1★ from 268 Google reviews · Carinderia · Eastwood, Quezon City
- Limitations
- at their trusted carinderia where the tita knows your order
- Price / value
- 4.1★ from 268 reviews
- Why it made the list
- A neighborhood carinderia with a rotating menu and a loyal local following. This is how Filipinos actually eat — not at tourist restaurants, but at their trusted carinderia where the tita knows your order. Follow them on Facebook for daily specials.
- What to order
- Their daily specials — the menu rotates, so check their Facebook page. Whatever's on offer, it's homestyle Filipino cooking done right.
Source quality: 3 sources · tripadvisor-snippet, facebook-snippet, yelp-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Closed now
Mon8:00 AM – 8:00 PMTue8:00 AM – 8:00 PMWed8:00 AM – 8:00 PMThu8:00 AM – 8:00 PMFri8:00 AM – 8:00 PMSat8:00 AM – 8:00 PMSun8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
"If you're near Eastwood area you should visit Crisgard. Staple carinderia na yan. Paiba-iba sila ng menu. Check mo na lang FB nila."
— r/MANILA · Food recommendations thread
20Jollibee
Filipino Fast Food
📍 Metro Manila (literally everywhere)
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Yes, it's fast food.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Filipino Fast Food in Metro Manila (literally everywhere)
- Strengths
- 4.2★ from 1,091 Google reviews · Filipino Fast Food · Metro Manila (literally everywhere)
- Limitations
- you simply cannot visit the Philippines without trying Jollibee at least once
- Price / value
- 4.2★ from 1,091 reviews
- Why it made the list
- Yes, it's fast food. Yes, it's a tourist cliché. But you simply cannot visit the Philippines without trying Jollibee at least once. The Chickenjoy is genuinely excellent fried chicken, and the sweet spaghetti is... an experience. Reddit is split on this one — but the lines of Filipinos at every branch speak for themselves.
- What to order
- Chickenjoy (2-piece with rice and gravy), Jolly Spaghetti (sweet Filipino-style), and a peach mango pie. The holy trinity.
Source quality: 3 sources · official-site, tripadvisor-snippet, facebook-snippet · verified 2026-03 · medium confidence
🕐 Open now
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"Fastfood like Jollibee and Mcdo are relatively cheaper but more expensive compared to Manila."
— r/phtravel · Budget food thread
Frequently Asked Questions
How cheap is street food in Manila?
Street food in Manila is incredibly cheap. Jollijeep meals (rice + viand) cost ₱60–₱100 ($1–$2 USD). Carinderia meals run ₱50–₱120. Even sit-down restaurants like Mang Inasal offer unlimited rice chicken meals for under ₱150. You can eat three full meals for under ₱500 ($9 USD) if you stick to local spots.
Is it safe to eat at carinderias and jollijeeps in Manila?
Generally yes, especially at busy spots with high turnover — the food stays fresh. Look for carinderias that are packed with locals during lunch. Avoid food that's been sitting out for hours. Most Redditors who live in Manila eat at carinderias regularly with no issues. Start with well-known spots like Morning Sun Eatery (Michelin Bib Gourmand) if you're nervous.
What is a jollijeep?
A jollijeep is a mobile food stall — essentially a small cart or kiosk that serves cheap Filipino meals. The name is a portmanteau of 'Jollibee' and 'jeepney.' They're especially common in business districts like Makati, where office workers line up for affordable lunch. A typical jollijeep meal costs ₱60–₱100 and includes rice with a viand like sisig, adobo, or fried chicken.
What Filipino dishes should I try first?
Reddit's top recommendations for first-timers: sisig (sizzling pork face), sinigang (sour tamarind soup), chicken or pork adobo, lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly), and halo-halo (shaved ice dessert). For the adventurous: kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew), chicharon bulaklak (deep-fried pork mesentery), and dinuguan (pork blood stew).
Is Binondo worth visiting for food?
Absolutely. Binondo is the world's oldest Chinatown and a must-do food crawl in Manila. Budget ₱500–₱800 per person to try multiple spots. Highlights include Wai Ying (Chinese-Filipino), Ying Ying Tea House (beef brisket noodles), Dong Bei Dumplings, Shanghai Fried Siopao, and Eng Bee Tin hopia. Go on an empty stomach — you'll need the room.
Do Manila restaurants accept credit cards?
Mall-based restaurants and chains generally accept cards, but most cheap eats spots — carinderias, jollijeeps, Binondo eateries, and street food — are cash only. Some accept GCash (a Philippine e-wallet). Bring plenty of small bills (₱50, ₱100, ₱200). ATMs are widely available in malls and convenience stores.
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