Hanging out with friends doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. If you and your barkada are always on the hunt for sulit eats, Metro Manila is a goldmine of budget-friendly restaurants, hidden food gems, and affordable food parks. The best part? You don’t need to sacrifice taste or fun just to stick to your budget.
Whether it’s after-school hangouts, late-night food runs, or weekend catch-ups, here’s your ultimate guide to budget barkada eats in Metro Manila that will keep everyone satisfied without breaking the bank.
What’s Inside
- Maginhawa Street Food Trip — A Barkada Favorite
- Binondo Chinatown Food Crawl – Cheap Eats with Heritage
- Carinderias & Turo-Turo Classics
- Food Parks for Variety That Doesn’t Break the Bank
- Student-Friendly Cafés & Hangouts
- Mall Food Courts — Reliable & Affordable
- Late-Night Pares & Lugaw Fixes
- Samgyupsal and Grill-All-You-Can Spots
- Budget Barkada Food Trip Hacks
- Final Bite: Wrap-Up & Reminders
1. Maginhawa Street Food Trip — A Barkada Favorite
Maginhawa in Quezon City is a must-visit when it comes to budget-friendly barkada eats in the metro. Think food crawls, endless choices, and crowd-pleasing flavors at every turn.
● Why barkadas love it:
Bite-sized variety, easy to split the bill, and a vibe perfect for walk-and-talk sessions.
2. Binondo Chinatown Food Crawl – Cheap Eats with Heritage
Binondo is more than history—it’s a flavor capital. Explore cheap eats at Binondo Chinatown, where every stall and hole-in-the-wall tells a story.
Related: Explore Binondo: 15 Must-Try Places to Eat in Binondo
Why it’s perfect for barkadas:
Mix of sweets, savory goodies, and Filipino-Chinese fusion—AND affordable!
Must-try Binondo food crawl spots:
● Wai Ying Fastfood
A staple in Binondo food trips, Wai Ying is crowd-famous for its dim sum, roast duck, and rice toppings that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. The servings are generous enough to share, making it a solid pick for barkada dim sum cravings.
● Sincerity Café
Known as the home of the iconic fried chicken, Sincerity Café is a Binondo must-try. Their crispy yet juicy chicken pairs perfectly with Yang Chow fried rice, making it a comfort meal that feels sulit whether you’re dining solo or with the whole crew.
● Lan Zhou La Mien
Famous for their hand-pulled noodles served in hearty broth, Lan Zhou La Mien is where you go for affordable but filling noodle bowls. The big servings make it easy to split with friends, especially if you’re hopping between stops in Binondo.
● Dong Bei Dumplings
Simple, no-frills, but legendary. Dong Bei serves freshly made dumplings that are both cheap and flavorful. Whether steamed or fried, these dumplings are perfect for barkadas who want something satisfying without overspending.
● Masuki
A true old-school favorite, Masuki is loved for its mami and siopao combo. It’s the kind of meal that feels like childhood nostalgia—warm, comforting, and easy on the wallet. Perfect for winding down after a day of food crawling.
3. Carinderias & Turo-Turo Classics
Sometimes the best eats are the simplest. Carinderias and turo-turo stalls offer hearty Filipino comfort food that’ll fill up the barkada—without emptying your wallets.
● Why it works:
Large portions, friendly prices, and that unmistakable “lutong bahay” feeling.
● Where to go:
- Rodic’s Diner (Quezon City) – A famous tapsilog spot that’s been a barkada go-to for years, and often included in lists of where to get the best tapsilog in Metro Manila. Their sweet-garlic beef tapa paired with sinangag and itlog is both affordable and timeless—a true comfort meal for students and alumni alike.
- Mang Larry’s Isawan (UP Diliman) – iconic barbecue and isaw at student-friendly prices.
- Carinderias around P. Noval & España (UST area) – cheap, satisfying plates for under ₱100.
- Side-street turo-turos around the University belt (España, Mendiola, Recto areas) – known for affordable home-style ulam.
4. Food Parks for Variety That Doesn’t Break the Bank
Food parks are the MVP of casual barkada bonding—everyone gets their favorites, all in one buzzing spot.
● Why it’s great:
Freedom to pick, chill vibes, and often group promos.
5. Student-Friendly Cafés & Hangouts
Chill, comfy, and with meals that won’t wipe off your face—student-friendly cafés are where barkadas go to linger.
Why they work:
Cozy aesthetics, meals and coffee in ₱150–₱250 range, and Insta-worthy for your feed.
Spots to try:
● Tipon Kitchen & Coffee (Manila)
@kklifestyleph Very affordable but hidden cafe just across UST! Perfect to study or work and enjoy the coffee👌🏻 that spicy adobo rice is a winner! #cafe #tiponbistro #cafefinds #manilacoffeeshops #manilaeats #chocnutlatte #spicyadobo #siomai #foodieph #kklifestyleph ♬ original sound – @kklifestyleph | katz✨ – Kwokie&Katz | @kklifestyleph
Video Source: @kklifestyleph on TikTok
Tipon Kitchen & Coffee is a hidden gem across UST, Tipon Kitchen & Coffee serves budget-friendly meals and coffee, most under ₱200. Cozy and quiet, it’s a great spot to study, work, or just chill with the barkada without overspending.
● Springboard Cafe (España, Manila)
Springboard Cafe is a 24/7 retrofuturistic vaporwave-themed café with free Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, and budget-friendly coffee, rice meals, and snacks. Perfect for students who need a cozy spot to study, work, or hang out any time of the day.
● Bricks & Brew (Sta. Mesa, Manila)
A cozy neighborhood café in Sta. Mesa that serves budget-friendly coffee and all-day breakfast meals. With most items priced under ₱200, it’s a favorite student hangout for both study sessions and chill barkada catch-ups.
● Tea & Dough Cafe (Laonglaan Road, Quezon City)
Tea & Dough Cafe is a spot that offers affordable milk teas, pastries, and rice meals (mostly under ₱200). With cozy interiors and Wi-Fi, it’s perfect for barkadas who want to study, chill, or grab a quick bite between classes.
6. Mall Food Courts — Reliable & Affordable
When you’re out shopping or catching a flick, mall food courts are super convenient, air-conditioned, and always packed with choices.
Why choose them:
Easy splitting of bills, lots of food, comfy seats.
Top picks:
- SM Food Courts – wide selection of satisfying cheap eats.
- Glorietta Food Choices – with group options like Pepper Lunch Express or World Chicken.
- Robinsons Galleria – wide mix of local and international stalls with budget-friendly options.
7. Late-Night Pares & Lugaw Fixes
Rocking the night out? Barkada meals aren’t over until you’ve had pares or lugaw—comfort that’s cheap and open late.
Why it’s perfect for barkadas:
Meals are delicious and budget-friendly, perfect for late-night barkada chats—with open hours you’ll never need to question.
Great choices:
● Pares Retiro (Quezon City)
Pares Retiro isn’t just popular—it’s often hailed as the best pares in town. Their signature beef pares with garlic rice is rich, flavorful, and perfectly comforting, especially when paired with their famous bone marrow soup.
● Lugawan sa Tejeros (Makati)
Lugawan sa Tejeros is a comfort food staple for many. Their warm and filling arroz caldo, paired with tokwa’t baboy, is the kind of meal that feels like home.
● Goto Tendon (QC, BGC, Mandaluyong)
Goto Tendon takes the humble goto up a notch with their signature tendon goto bowls. The place may be slightly pricier than your typical lugawan, but the rich broth and melt-in-your-mouth tendon make it worth the spend. A great pick for groups who want comfort food in a modern setup.
● Pares Point (Makati)
Pares Point is a barkada favorite for nightcaps, especially among students. Affordable meals, long open hours, and a chill, no-frills setup make it an easy choice when you and your friends just want to hang out without spending too much.
8. Samgyupsal and Grill-All-You-Can Spots
No barkada food trip list is complete without samgyupsal. Korean BBQ has become a staple for budget-friendly group hangouts in Metro Manila. Best of all, these places leave your tummies full and your taste buds satisfied without having to spend so much.
Why it works for barkadas:
Endless servings, interactive cooking, and perfect for hours of kwentuhan while grilling.
Top picks for sulit samgyup:
● Samgyupsalamat
Samgyupsalamat is one of the most popular samgyup chains in Metro Manila, with branches almost everywhere. It’s loved for its affordable promos, wide selection of pork and beef cuts, and generous side dishes that keep barkadas coming back.
● Romantic Baboy
Romantic Baboy is a go-to for barkadas who love flavorful twists on samgyup. Their ₱549 set covers unlimited pork with their signature marinades and side dishes. If you’re craving more, the ₱649 and ₱849 premium sets include beef, hotpot, and even wagyu cubes—perfect if your group agrees to spend a bit more for variety and value.
● Mr. Korea Unlimited BBQ
Mr. Korea Unlimited BBQ is perfect for barkadas who want more than just samgyup. For ₱699+, you get unlimited shabu-shabu, Korean fried favorites, and K-BBQ grilling, plus a one-time serving of premium meats like Wagyu cube, Ribeye Angus Beef, and Pork Kurobuta. It’s a sulit option if your group craves variety without breaking the bank.
● Seoulgyupsal
If your barkada craves more than the usual grill, Seoulgyupsal delivers that. Their ₱699+ premium and prime menus come with unlimited meat, plus extras like Japanese rolls, side dishes, and more.
● Gangnam Grill
An underrated spot that deserves more love, Gangnam Grill offers unlimited pork and beef sets starting at around ₱499.
● Many Unlimited Topokki
For groups that love Korean street food flavors, Many Unlimited Toppoki hits the spot. Aside from the namesake unli topokki (spicy rice cakes), you’ll find options like fish cakes, fried snacks, and even K-BBQ add-ons.
Budget Barkada Food Trip Hacks
1. Plan & Peek Ahead
Check out menus online or ask for photos to set expectations. It helps avoid surprises and keeps everyone in the budget vibe.
2. Share, Don’t Over-Order
Big servings? Split them. Sharing lets you try more and spend less.
3. Hunt for Promos & Bundles
Food parks and samgyupsal places often run barkada bundles or happy-hour specials—score those.
4. Set a Spending Cap
Agree as a group on a budget that works for everyone. This keeps things fair, clear, and stress-free. Of course, if your barkada feels like splurging a little—whether it’s for a samgyupsal night or a food park crawl—you can also agree on spending a bit more if the budget permits. The key is making sure everyone’s on the same page before the trip.
Final Bite: Wrap-Up & Reminders
Metro Manila is ripe with budget-friendly barkada eats, and yes, you can go on epic food trips without overspending. From street stalls and food parks to cozy cafés and midnight pares—there’s plenty to discover, and all of it is within reach.
So what’s next? Round up the barkada, set that budget, and start exploring!
