UP Town Center is full of excellent restaurants and, understandably, would not be the top of mind choice to go to for student-friendly budget gustatory delights. But if you look closely, there are those that serve meals affordable enough even for those in the middle of petsa-de-peligro, while also being able to satisfy our taste buds and fill our stomachs. Here’s a guide on where to go for lunch and dinner for those times you don’t want to make a beeline for the fast food joints.
8. Sushi Nori
Budget meal: PHP 100 – 250
Sushi Nori is a testament to the fact that it’s possible to get quality sushi without having to break the bank. They also offer rice meals for under PHP 200!
7. Rodic’s Diner
Budget meal: PHP 99
It still comes as a surprise that UP Diliman’s very own Rodic’s diner has made its way to UPTC, but it’s comforting to see a familiar face. Here you can get a delicious tapsilog meal for just under PHP 100 and leave feeling satisfied.
6. Friuli Trattoria
Budget meal: PHP 125 – 250
Friuli Trattoria is one of the best pizza joints you’ll ever get to eat in. Not only is their food delicious and filling, but they’re also pretty sulit for their price! You can already get a whole pizza that’s good for two for as low as PHP 190 and — even better — a pasta dish also good for two for as low as PHP 125!
Pro-tip: you can ask for two flavors of pizza in one; you just have to pay for the price of the flavor that costs more.
5. Silantro
Budget meal: PHP 110 – 250
There’s a reason why people are willing to queue for a long time just to eat in Silantro; its dishes are surprisingly hefty for its inexpensive price! You can already fill yourself with its best-selling Beef Nachos (a.k.a. the best nachos you’ll ever eat in your lifetime) for just PHP 160! The serving sizes of the mains are too big just for one person too, so you can always half the price with someone else — giving you even more bang for your buck!
4. BeefX
Budget meal: PHP 115 – 200
BeefX has changed its name from Big B Burgers but we can still expect the same flavor and quirkiness that comes with its sinfully indulgent burgers. Its rice meals which cost as low as PHP 129 are also not to be missed!
3. Shawarma Bros
Budget meal: PHP 169 – 230
You can never go wrong with shawarma rice. This bazaar and school fair staple is enough to last us through the day without having to cost so much.
2. Gringo
Budget meal: PHP 150 – 250
If you’ve never tried eating in Gringo, you’re missing out on a lot in your life. Gringo serves the best-tasting chicken meals for a sensible price that will have you saying “absolutamente delicioso!”
1. Recovery Food
Budget meal: PHP 125 – 200
Recovery Food has been there for us since the beginning of UPTC and it still is our savior for budget meals that are good for the stomach and the soul. Its regular rice meals are all priced below PHP 200 while their full-sized recovery bowls go below PHP 300. (Their Arroz Caldo is even cheaper!) And you can expect that whichever meal you order is guaranteed to be delicious and nourishing.
Which of these restaurants is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us below!
This article originally appeared in Booky.
