Notable Food Markets in the Metro

The food market trend has developed over the last eight years in the Philippines. Almost every year, you can find a food market being put up in one of the prominent locations in the metro. Question is, what’s so endearing with the food market trend? What makes people patronize this fad?

Just seeing those tents symmetrically aligned beside each other compels a person to survey the venue. We have been to a number of food markets – some have bigger locations, more food stalls, and more cuisine types – but all offer the convenience of a one-stop food shop.

Food markets are popular for their wide and diverse food selection. Almost everything is already there – from appetizers to rice dishes to desserts. Even fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, and organic meat) are available in some.

Aside from convenience, one great aspect about food markets is it’s everywhere, and very accessible in the morning and evening.

We compiled a list of major food markets in Metro Manila you might want to visit during your downtime.

 

1. Banchetto

 

Since its establishment in February 2007, Banchetto has continually served starving individuals around Ortigas, Pasig, and Mandaluyong areas. It dubs itself as “the first and the original overnight food fiesta in the Philippines”. Call center workers are their usual market.

Selections: 

Local and international food choices - grilled food, street food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, ice cream, etc.), and drinks

Recommended food:

Food Guru's Angus Beef Skewers

Seating locations: 

Around and beside food booths

Location, Operating Days, Operating Hours:

Locations	Operating Days	Operating Hours
Robinson's Forum	Wed, Thurs, Fri	8:30AM-6AM
Shopwise Sucat	Sat	5PM-2AM

Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/Banquetto

 

Photos grabbed from littlegirltravels.com

 

2. Cucina Andare

Photo grabbed from laaguinaldo.blogspot.com

 

Cucina Andare means “Kitchen On-the-Go” which popularized the food truck set-up. Traditional food booths can be found inside the surrounding food trucks.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, street food, burgers, ramen, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, ice cream, etc.), and drinks (i.e. premium beers, juices, etc)

Recommended Food:

Famiglia e Amici's Pesto and Grilled Chicken

Seating locations:

In front of food trucks, and in between food booths. (Note: You may bring your own blanket for a picnic set-up on the grass area of the parking lot)

Location:

Glorietta 3 Park, Makati City

Operating Days:

Fri, Sat, Sun

Operating Hours:

4PM-3AM

Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/CucinaAndare

Note: Cucina Andare is temporarily closed until further notice since May 2014.

 

Photo grabbed from Our Awesome Planet’s website

 

3. Legaspi Sunday Market

Photo grabbed from backpackingphilippines.com

 

For Makati dwellers who fail to catch Salcedo Market on Saturdays, they can visit Legaspi Sunday Market which offers just about the same as Salcedo Market. Aside from food, vendors also sell home and fashion items.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, street food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.), drinks (i.e. premium beers, juices, etc), and organic food and products

Recommended food:

Edgy Veggy's Japanese Tofu Steak

Seating locations:

On the right and left side of the center food booths

Location:

Corner of Legazpi St., and Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Operating Day:

Sun

Operating Hours:

7:30AM-2PM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/legazpisundaymarket

 

Photo grabbed from marsambo.blogspot.com

 

4. Mercato Centrale

 

Photo grabbed from foodalphabet.blogspot.com

 

One of the popular daytime open community markets in Manila. You can buy fresh produce (i.e. organic fruits, vegetables, meat, etc) and personal care products.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.), drinks, and organic food

Recommended food:

Manila Q's Bagwang (Bacon Bagnet)

Seating location:

Inside the tent

Location:

Corner of 34^th and 8^th Ave. (beside BGC Football Stadium), Taguig City

Operating Days:

Sat & Sun

Operating Hours:

7AM-2PM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale

 

Photo grabbed from triportreats.com

 

5. Mezza Norte

 

This midnight market primarily caters to Quezon City’s hungry insomniacs. It targets call center workers on graveyard shift.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, street food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, ice cream, etc.), and drinks (i.e. mocktails, juices, etc)

Recommended Food:

Etcetera Mongolian Bowl's Mongolian Buffet Bowl

Seating locations:

In between food booths

Location:

TriNoMa Mindanao Parking Lot, Quezon City

Operating Days:

Fri, Sat, Sun

Operating Hours:

4PM-3AM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MezzaNorte

Note: Mezza Norte closed since June 20, 2014. It will reopen in the latter part of the year.

 

Photos grabbed from Mezza Norte’s Facebook page

 

6. Midnight Mercato

 

Located in the same place as Mercato Centrale, Midnight Mercato serves as after-work and after-party food place for yuppies and partygoers.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, street food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, ice cream, etc.), and drinks (i.e. mocktails, juices, etc)

Recommended Food:

Flamed's Baby Back Ribs

Seating locations:

Inside and outside the big tent

Location:

Corner of 34^th and 8^th Ave. (beside BGC Football Stadium), Taguig City

Operating Days:

Fri & Sat

Operating Hours:

10PM-3AM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/midnightmercato

 

Photos grabbed from Midnight Mercato's Facebook page

 

7. Salcedo Saturday Market

 

Salcedo Market caters to the nearby residents and expat community in Makati. It has been running for eight years, and is known for offering variety of cuisines, plant-based products, and handcrafted items.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, gourmet food, street food, burgers, cakes, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.), drinks (i.e. premium beers, juices, etc), and organic food and products

Recommended food:

Pritson Wrap

Seating locations:

On the right and left side of the center food booths (Note: You may bring your own blanket for a picnic set-up on the grass area of the park)

Location:

Jamie Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Operating Day:

Sat

Operating Hours:

7AM-2PM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SalcedoMarket (rarely updated)

 

 

 8. Sidcor Market

Photo grabbed from directionsonweb.blogspot.com

 

Sidcor Sunday Market not only offers food and raw products, vendors also sell clothes, furniture, plants. You can even see animal needs and pets for sale.

Selections:

Local and international food choices - grilled food, street food, burgers, desserts (e.g. cookies, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, etc.), drinks, and organic food and products

Recommended food:

Fariña's Vigan Empanada

Seating locations:

At center part of food booth area

Location:

Centris Parking Lot behind McDonalds, Quezon City

Operating Day:

Sun

Operating Hours:

6AM-2PM

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Sidcor-Sunday-Market

 

 

Photo grabbed from www.gmanetwork.com

 

Have you been to any of these markets? If not, where do you plan on going to or next? Share with us what you think!