Where to Eat in Makati on a Budget
May 24, 2019 • Kyzia Maramara
No matter who you are in this world, no matter what your status in life is, we are all equal at one point. And that is when we scramble for flights during seat sales or when we’re all looking for affordable yet delicious meals during lunch breaks. In a central business district such as Makati, it’s a feat to find a place where you can have lunch on a certain budget, especially during petsa de peligro! But fear not, we’re here to recommend Makati restaurants where you can eat, be merry, and save money in the long run.
Kanto Freestyle Breakfast
Branches: Poblacion, Tomas Morato, DLSU Malate, Kapitolyo, Greenhills, Pasig, Mandaluyong
Satisfy your breakfast cravings any time of the day with just one order from Kanto Freestyle. The meals they serve cost less than Php 200, but you definitely get more than what that’s worth. Affordable gourmet comfort food indeed! Try their Honey Garlic Chicken (Php 102) or the classic Pancake with Bacon and Eggs (Php 132).
Sisig sa Rada
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Rada Street, Legaspi Village
Anyone who works in Makati knows the famous jolly jeep known as Sisig sa Rada. Walk along Rada Street during lunch time and you’ll see a long line of people waiting for their turn to order the famed sisig. If this alone doesn’t convince you that it’s good, then maybe trying an order for as low as Php 60 would! If you’re too busy with work to line up, Sisig sa Rada is also available on GrabFood!
RCBC Plaza
Via RCBC
3/F, RCBC Plaza, Salcedo Makati
If you aren’t an employee of RCBC, there are two reasons why you should still drop by the iconic Plaza in Ayala Avenue: one is to visit the Yuchengco Museum located at the ground floor, and the other is to get your fill of a budget-friendly meal. RCBC Plaza’s third floor could tide you over every petsa de peligro!
We recommend these restaurants with their lowest meal priced: World Chicken (Php 150), Slice n’ Dice (Php 130), Hungry Hippo (Php 130), Subway (Php 109), and Inasal Joe (Php 100).
Makati Central Square
Via Inquirer
Chino Roces Ave., Salcedo Village
Makati Central Square might look like it has seen better days but the restaurants inside answer our need for budget meals perfectly. There’s Aida’s Chicken which has Zomato Gold so you can order a meal and you get another meal for free (hacks!) and Auntie Emm’s Japanese Food Express where you can get gyoza + rice for Php 100. There also well-known fast food chains in the area including McDonalds, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and KFC.
Higher Ground Food Station
BA Lepanto Building, Salcedo Village
Ahhh food courts: heaven-sent to people who are struggling days before sahod. Higher Ground Food Station is inconspicuously located near Ayala Triangle. Drop by before or a little after lunch because the place is packed on a regular basis. The stalls we recommend are the Taft famous Ate Rica’s Bacsilog (Php 75), Belly Feast (Php 100), and RJ’s Bowl-Gogi (Php 100). You can also get your drinks at Icelavie and Happy Cup.
Mang Tootz Food House
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124 Valero St., Salcedo Village
Thomasians have always loved Mang Tootz for the cheap but definitely delicious eats. We’re lucky we don’t have to travel to P. Noval, Mang Tootz’s first branch, just to taste their famous Banana-rhuma. Their branch in Makati closes early most days due to everything being sold out a little after lunch time so if I were you, I’d run there before lunch to secure my meal. Meals start at Php 99.
101 Hawker Food House
Branches: Urban Avenue, Amorsolo St. Legaspi Village and G/F The Beacon Tower 2, Arnaiz, Legaspi Village
Get a culinary taste of Singapore without actually having to fly there. 101 Hawker Food House serves Hainanese Chicken (Php 130), Nasi Goreng (Php 145), and an assortment of noodles that start at Php 100. You get the best value for your money and an authentic experience too. Foodpanda delivers 101 Hawker, just in case you don’t have time to swing by.
El Chupacabra
Felipe St. Poblacion, Makati City
What sane person turns down affordable tacos? Satisfy your Mexican cravings with El Chupacabra, their Mexican street tacos come in freshly made soft corn tortilla. Get their best seller, Carne Asada for Php 120, or their grilled chicken Pollo Asado for Php 115. If you can shell out a little more, try their house special San Francisco-style Pork Sisig for Php 145. They have vegetarian offers too which start at Php 115.
Got any other restos or kiosks to recommend? Share it with us below!
