Find the best in your neighborhood.
Despite the many new restaurants available today, once in a while we end up craving for our local and trusty Pinoy street food, that includes the charred barbecued meat, the sweet, sour or spicy condiments and even the aromatic smoke.
Update: Check out the Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in Metro Manila this month!
In this list we rounded up the most popular joints in Manila that serve almost everything grilled like traditional pork barbecue and exotic delicacies such as chicken intestines (isaw), pig’s blood (betamax), chicken feet (adidas), and many more!
Disclaimer: If you're an adventurous eater, this post is perfect for you! But if you're worrying about your sensitive stomach (boo), then proceed with caution. Don't worry, we included some pork barbecue places and some popular restaurants for you to enjoy as well!
Mang Larry’s Isawan – UP Diliman
This food kiosk inside the UP Diliman campus is considered as a go-to merienda fix by the students of the state university. The daily long lines are a manifestation of the organic success of this neighborhood street food institution.
No reservations accepted
UP Diliman Campus, Ma. Guerrero St. cor. Magsaysay Ave., Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 433-7469
Lola Ote – Quezon City
Lola Ote is best known for their whopping 18-inch pork barbecue skewers but they also serve huge chicken isaw! If you’re craving for your isaw fix minus the dingy surroundings, this QC joint is the perfect place for you.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
#24 Sgt. Esguerra Street, South Triangle, Quezon City
Mang Raul’s BBQ – Las Piñas
Mang Raul is the Mang Larry’s of the South. Indulge in hot-off-the-grill pork BBQ, isaw baboy, isaw manok, tenga, hotdog and more. They even serve rice. P.S. Mang Raul’s doesn’t deliver but they accept bulk orders 2 days in advanced. Check out our list of awesome Alabang restaurants here.
No reservations accepted
CRM Ave, near Holy Family Parish, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas
(0920) 612-2150
Skinita Street Foodz – Kapitolyo
This up and coming bar in Kapitolyo is owned by a few budding celebrities who just want to offer their customers a good time with grilled-to-order street food and cheap beer.
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
D Strip Building, 20 United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig
Sarsa Kitchen + Bar – BGC
Chef JP Anglo’s brainchild, Sarsa, is best known for the Sizzling Kansi, but they also offer the usual chicken isaw as part of their appetizer menu. Dunk your isaw in their special sinamak vinegar and you’re good to go!
Reservations are accepted
View their Instagram account
Forum South Global, Federacion Drive cor 7th Ave, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 866-0912
Tambai Yakitori Snackhouse – Poblacion
We have seen the rise of hole-in-the-wall restaurants along this then quiet neighborhood in Makati. Tambai offers the best of local street food and skewered delicacies with a twist all under one roof. Check out other restaurants in Poblacion, here.
No reservations accepted
View their Instagram account
5779 Felipe St, Poblacion, Makati
(02) 215-5695
Eat Fresh Famous Hong Kong Street Food – Banawe
This bustling and popular HK street food joint in Banawe is a favorite among locals living in the area. They also offer rice meals and milk teas for that complete Asian experience.
No reservations accepted
100-A Maria Clara St., Banawe, Quezon City
(02) 516-8022
Isaw Haus – Rizal
This hidden joint in Taytay, Rizal may just be your next stopover before heading up to Antipolo. It’s conveniently located beside a car wash if you need another reason to go the extra mile here.
No reservations accepted
Ortigas Avenue Ext. cor. Narra St., St. Anthony Subd., Taytay, Rizal
Isaw Republic – Sampaloc
Students studying in the area, most especially those who are from UST, can attest to the legitimacy of this ihaw joint. Try ordering their funky mango graham cheesecake or Yakult slushie for that perfect contrast of flavors in your mouth.
No reservations accepted
Delos Reyes St., near UST, Sampaloc, Manila
Charaptor BBQ – Kamagong
Charaptor has taken local street food to a whole new level by offering an eat-all-you-can charcoal-grilled dining experience to customers at a very affordable price. It is great for momentous celebrations like reunions, graduations or promotions. Also read: 10 Best Value Buffets in Metro Manila here.
Reservations are accepted
9752 Kamagong St cor Aranga St,San Antonio, Makati
(02) 542-3425
Mang Frederick’s – Marikina
Maybe one of your friends brought an insanely delicious bilao of this local Marikina favorite to one of your parties? We’ll never know what’s in their secret marinade but we don’t mind! Check out our curated list of Marikina restaurants recommended by locals here.
Advanced orders are recommended
129 E. Dela Paz St., San Roque, Marikina
(02) 646-3685
Danny-licious Barbecue – Project 4
This 1970’s bbq joint reportedly sells about 30 kilos of pork barbecue PER DAY. Lucky for those who are living in the QC area, they don’t have to endure the heavy traffic just to get their bbq fix.
No reservations accepted
176-C Kalantiaw St., Project 4 Quezon City
(0946) 370-9990
Grill Queen – Maginhawa
Maginhawa is no doubt one of the best foodie destinations in the North, and this street food joint is a welcome addition to our food bucket list.
No reservations accepted
46 Maginhawa Street,Teacher’s Village, Quezon City
Aling Nene’s – Malate
If a restaurant has been serving barbecues to Filipinos since the 1950’s, then you’re definitely doing something right! Aling Nene’s is best known for its eat-all-you-can promo and their famous pork barbecue, which people take out by the bags. If you live in Manila, you should know these other restaurants around Malate.
No reservations accepted
Vito Cruz St. cor South Super Highway,Malate, Manila
(02) 523-5245
Urban Street – Marikina
This restaurant along the most popular food street in Marikina offers various street food choices from around the globe like Pinoy isaw, Japanese yakitori, Thai satay chicken, Mexican nachos and other worldly eats.
No reservations accepted
View their Instagram account
G/F 10 Lilac Bldg, 10 Lilac Street, Concepcion II, Marikina
(02) 966-7179
We can’t blame you if you’ve turned into a Filipino street food convert. After all, these local joints are all highly recommended by local foodies in Metro Manila! If you still haven’t, download the free Booky app now for all the latest food news in Metro Manila. You can access over 15,000 restaurant listings and menus on your iOS or Android devices, even without internet!
We’re so excited for summer and we’re just getting started!
