Apart from the famous restaurants and hip food spots, another gem in the city are the food markets. They offer cheaper alternatives, wider selection of food, and interesting activities that will probably make you discover a new hobby. There’s an authentic feel to them that makes shopping and dining experience incomparable to just going to a mall.
Here’s a suggestion: why not make it a habit to visit a food market every weekend? You might find yourself doing it consistently. Check out some of them around Manila:
Mercato Centrale
BGC: Bonifacio Global City 25th Street Corner 7th Avenue, Taguig City (Thursday to Friday, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.)
Makati: Dolphin Park at Glorietta 4 Courtyard Drive, Makati City (Wednesday to Friday, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.)
Eastwood City: Eastwood City Orchard Drive, in front of 1880 Building (Thursday to Friday, 6 p.m. – 3 a.m.)
Mercato Centrale is arguably the largest food market in the metro, and it has three branches located in key cities: Bonifacio Global City, Makati City and Eastwood, Quezon City. This food market caters to the night owls and day workers looking for the best foodie option for a Friday night out. They have over 150 vendors, with food ranging from deserts and street food to heavy individual and group meals.
Legazpi Sunday Market
Gamboa St., Legazpi Village, Makati City – temporary location starting April 7 (Sundays, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
For Makatizens, Legazpi Sunday Market is a weekend habit whether you want a family day, or a “tita time.” It offers a fresh selection of products from bags, clothes, home decorations, and even textiles, but most people really come here for the delectable food. For now, it was temporarily moved to a smaller parking lot between Corinthian Plaza and Washington Sycip Park, but the number of visitors per week is still the same.
Salcedo Saturday Market
Jaime C. Velasquez Park, Salcedo village, Makati (Sundays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
This Saturday market is a favorite among Makati foodies with its wide array of food selection: from wet to dry foods, from Japanese to Mediterranean. While it’s a bit smaller compared to that in Legazpi, there’s a lot of interesting eats here, and you can even take home some with their pasalubong packs. Check out the different flavored snacks of Truly Home-Made Chips, or Gliterring Goodies’ version of macaroons!
Sabroso Street Food Market
Forum Robinsons, Pioneer corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City (Wednesday to Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
For those working in Ortigas area, Sabroso Street Food Market is a total gastronomic delight. Located at the Robinsons Forum, this food market is full of street eats. They’re open until 4 a.m. to cater your midnight cravings! Drinks and healthy refreshments also await.
AANI Weekend Market
FTI Complex, Taguig City (Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays 5 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
While this weekend market serves food for its visitors and regular-goers, what makes people coming back is their offerings of raw and authentic products. It’s where you can find farm fresh products and high quality produce that come from different regions around the Philippines! They even have a wet market that sells seafood coming all the way from Mindanao. They also sell a wide selection of plants, perfect for gardening enthusiasts.
Greenfield Market
Central Park, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City (Saturdays, 4 p.m. – 12 m.n.)
Every Saturday, the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City hosts a weekend market for those who love art, shopping, music, and of course, food! Its vast green space is a breath of fresh air for those looking for a chill weekend. Compared to other markets, it doesn’t feel completely jampacked. Food selections are wide here, there’s a lot of Pinoy delicacies to choose from! You can also score great deals for arts and crafts, and if you’re lucky, you may chance upon your favorite band playing for the night.
Pioneer Street Market
Pioneer Corner Reliance St., Mandaluyong City (Monday to Thursday, Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.)
Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong is a lot like QC’s Maginhawa St. with its abundance of food establishments, so it’s no surprise that it has its own weekend market. From delicious to Instagrammable eats, it’s an indoor foodie paradise that is actually open 7 days a week! It’s the best place to bring your kids, since they also hold art workshops from time to time.
Good Food Sundays
Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City (Every first and third Sunday of the month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
While this market opens only every first and third Sunday of the month, it’s still a favorite among food enthusiasts because it offers a fresh and authentic Pinoy experience. The market aims to promote more local products, and you’ll find a lot of organic foods here–perfect for the health-conscious! They also promote sustainability, and you can attend their regular workshops from time to time.
Do you know of other food markets we can check out around the city? Share them with us in the comments section below!
