Weekend Food Markets in Metro Manila, Philippines
The Filipinos love to eat. Proof of this is the proliferation of weekend food markets that raised street food to a higher level. These weekend food markets erase the stigma of street foods being dirty and unhygienic.
Here is a list of some of the most interesting weekend food markets and food stalls in and around Metro Manila that offer a wide selection of to-go foods that range from local delicacies, Chinese dim sums, grilled food, Japanese sushis and more.
Banchetto
Banchetto is a midnight food feast that starts at nine in the evening until noontime the next day that is if the food offerings are not sold out before then. It’s a great place to hang out for students, families, yuppies, tourists and call center agents ( the area is full of call center businesses ). Banchetto is a place to be after a hard day’s night of work or fun. You can sample some of the best Philippine street foods as well as delicious cakes and desserts, yummy pastas, grilled meats, Japanese sushis, shawarmas and more.
Photo by phil_trophy
Banchetto started as Megatent along Meralco Avenue starting Friday night to early Saturday morning. Then it expanded to Libis and Forum. Libis Banchetto is located at the open parking area of Shopwise every Tuesday night from 6:00pm to 4:00 am the next day. While Forum is located at the back of Robinson’s Place Pioneer in Mandaluyong City every Wednesday and Thursday night from 8:30 pm until 6:00 am the next day.
Mercato Centrale/Midnight Mercato
Mercato Centrale is a place to go for a weekend food binge. It is open every Saturday and Sunday from 6 in the morning to 12 noon. The weekend midnight experience from 11:00 pm to 3:00am called Midnight Mercato is a totally different happening. But both Mercato Centrale and Midnight Mercato offer a dizzying array of street foods, gourmet cuisine, delicious fruity shakes and desserts and more. A taste of a local soy bean custard called “Taho” with a choice of different toppings from lychees, almonds, red beans, watermelon balls and more will make you want to go back for more. Mercato is located at the Bonifacio Global City .
Banchetto and Mercato are only two of the many weekend food markets that have become a food haven for local and tourists. If food is your weakness, you will not be disappointed when you drop by any of these food markets.
