Romance on a budget.
We’ve all got that one person we can hang out with forever and never get tired of, but sometimes, our wallets won’t allow that. What’s the secret to a cheapskate’s date? (No, not Netflix and chill). Cheap and simple plans! Skip the candle lights and Instagram-able settings, because it doesn’t have to be pricey to be romantic.
Also read: 14 Romantic Spots to dine with your date under the stars!
After all, you know you’ve found the one when you’d do just about anything with them, slumming it out in the simplest places and still making it perfect. Check out these fun and affordable date spots in Metro Manila that we’ve rounded up for you to make dates exciting and inexpensive.
For When You Want Activities
Versus Barcade – Uptown Parade
This could be us, but we’re playing. Versus Barcade is the first bar arcade in the Philippines where you can eat, drink and play. Liquor up with their wide selection of alcohol and get competitive with bae! Don’t forget to check out all their classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Street Fighter, NBA Jam, Pinball, and more.
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G/F Uptown Parade, 9th Ave cor 38th St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 8839-0302; (0915) 021-8558
Sip and Gogh – multiple branches
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just want to try picking up a paint brush, it’s time to uncork your creativity! Sip and Gogh is a premier paint and sip studio where customers can relax, unwind and spend time together while creating amazing art.
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0919 002 8690
For When You Want Instagrammable Restos
TAS Roofdeck – Aguirre Ave.
You don’t need to go camping to see the stars. Hit a hip and happenin’ bar where you can stargaze with your lover at TAS. It offers Filipino and international fusion dishes including grilled skewers, street pizzas, and wraps. Try the crispy adobo flakes or s’mores. P.S. They’re closed on Mondays.
Also featured here: 14 Romantic Spots to dine with your date under the stars!
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3/F 31 Aguirre Street, BF Homes, Parañaque
(0917) 719 4840
Cafe Fleur – Poblacion
Cafe Fleur is a charming coffee spot in Makati perfect for brunches and afternoon hangouts. You’ll love the nature-inspired theme and wooden furniture, plus the warm light that’ll brighten your mood, and their food is equally outstanding thanks to Chef Sau Del Rosario’s brilliance!
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5893 Enriquez Street, Poblacion
(0917) 556 0917
Flossom Kitchen + Cafe – multiple branches
Flossom Kitchen and Cafe offers all-day breakfast, and Filipino breakfast dishes, as well as salads, pastries, and coffee. This cafe is also very Instagrammable so don’t forget to take loads of photos!
Alegria Cantina – Molito
A new space breathing color and life into Molito, Alabang, Alegria Cantina is the newest concept of Grupo Alegria, Inc. Much like its name, which is derived from the Portuguese word for “joy” or “happiness”, a dining experience at Alegria Cantina exudes just that. With its open kitchen layout, eye-catching murals, funky tunes, and equally vibrant and fun modern Latin American dishes and cocktails, you’re sure to feel right at home away from home.
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(0977) 106 1152
Your Local – VA Rufino
Since its conception in 2014, Your Local has been known to bring its own signature flair to Asian dishes with the main focus on comfort food. Just recently, they announced their latest addition of weekend brunch fares which puts the spotlight on your classic Filipino favorites with a modern twist!
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106 Esteban St. corner VA Rufino Street G/F, Universal LMS Building, Makati City
(0977) 487 9236
For When You Want a Simple But Filling Meal
Shao Kao Grillery – Maginhawa
For a resto that’s tucked in a small street near UP Diliman, Shao Kao Grillery sure has hundreds of hungry customers flocking to their doors! Their menu invites carnivores and vegetarians alike, with their unique blend of sauce elevating the flavor of meats, fish, and veggies!
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7 Masinsinan cor. Maginhawa Sts., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City
0917319-7426 | (02) 7219-6924
Mamma Mia – Uptown Mall
Mamma Mia is an Italian one-stop shop brought to you by the creators of Toni and Sergio Gastro Italiano that deems any hour appropriate for a warm meal. Serving traditional and modern Italian dishes that go with both your morning coffee and late night drinks, they’re bringing the Italian way to Manila.
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UG/F Uptown Mall, 36th Street cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 541-8933
Fino Deli – Marikina
Time to get cheesy with your lover. The first wine bar and deli in Marikina, Fino Deli serves up tapas, pasta, pizza, and many hot plates. Add to that a fine selection of wines to pair up with your meals. Try their Cinco Queso – with five kinds of cheese with creamy white sauce. Need a little starter? Try their Mozzarella tower!
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151 Dao St, Marikina Heights, Marikina
(02) 8997-5024; (0906) 388-4248
Wadough’s – Maginhawa
If you’re in for sweets with your sweetheart, take a trip to a whimsical cake and dessert cafe like Wadough’s. Check out their out-of-the-box and Instagram-worthy pastries as well as all-day breakfast meals, coffees, light snacks, and customized cakes for special events.
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154 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Diliman, Quezon City
(0917) 708 7896
Ilustrado – Intramuros
Take a step back in time and enjoy the old-time glamour of Intramuros. With good food and a nice view, the rest is history! To savor the flavors of your surroundings, end the date at Ilustrado, a fine-dining Filipino-Spanish restaurant that has been operating since 1989 inside the historic walled city.
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744 Calle Real Del Palacio, Intramuros, Manila
(02) 8527-3674; (02) 8527-3675; (02) 8527-2345
B.A.D. (Breakfast All Day) – Fort Bonifacio
If you’re a breakfast lover who’s found your breakfast-loving counterpart, get the most important meal of the day any time! B.A.D. (Breakfast All Day) is a late-night breakfast bar that offers toast, sweet and savory waffles, and more.
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The Palace, 9th Ave cor 36th St, Uptown Bonifacio, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Din Tai Fung – multiple branches
Din Tai Fung is a world-renowned Chinese restaurant that serves spectacular soup dumplings and noodles! If you and your partner are craving the real deal in Chinese cuisine, look no further!
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For When You Want a Light Snack with Afternoon Coffee
ODD Cafe – Salcedo Village
Odd Cafe, just going by their name is not your ordinary cafe. A step into their doors and you’re immediately greeted by a fun and playful interior. Apart from their hip aesthetic, they’re a go-to space for creatives and cafe aficionados alike. They’re 100% vegan and pet-friendly too!
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7/F Finman Centre Building 131 Tordesillas, cor Bautista, Salcedo Village
YDG Coffee – multiple branches
All we need is a cup of coffee and a little bit of conversation. Your Daily Grind Coffee (YDG Coffee) started in October 2015, doing pop-ups in bazaars and company events. Aside from their signature coffees and drinks, they serve all-day breakfast, sandwiches, pasta, and dessert.
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Mandala Park, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong
(02) 7501-1099
Panco Cafe – Legazpi Village
Panco Cafe is a Melbourne-style cafe offering Filipino Fusion dishes as well as 4th wave coffee from Australia. Panco stands for Pandesal and Coffee, two of Pinoys’ favorite things and two elements that the cafe hopes to reinvent as a combination.
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110 Don Carlos Palanca, Legazpi Village, Makati
For When You Want to Indulge
Seoul Train KBBQ – Tomas Morato
Seoul Train Korean Barbecue is a locomotive train-themed restaurant that offers Korean grilled meats, galbi tang, and other traditional dishes. Take a photo inside the train and their graffiti walls and win a prize from their arcade crane machines.
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#28 Sergeant Esguerra Ave, near Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City
(0917) 772-2203
Jiang Nan Hotpot – multiple branches
Established in 2017, Jiang Nan Hotpot has been the go-to spot for good hotpot and Chinese grilled barbeque in Banawe. They have a variety of meats, veggies, sauces, soups, balls, noodles, tofu products, and mushrooms to choose from.
Know more romantic date spots in Metro Manila? Share it with us in the comments below or tag us on Instagram, @bookyapp on all your food finds!
Cover image from @iamshinonymous.
