Flaming Wings
Archer’s Nook Dorm, 5624 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila
524-7429
Open from 11am to 10pm Monday to Saturday; 12nn-9pm Sunday
Price Range: P150-300

It’s not the cheapest of dining places, but Flaming Wings always gets the job done. And by job I mean leaving you probably bloated for the rest of the day. The Chicken Tenders are God-sent, and their Wicked Oreos is a must-have. I suggest you go there right now if you’re currently in Taft.

Tori Box
2/F One Archer’s Place, Taft Ave, Ermita, Manila
Price Range: P85-300

Oily and dry fried chicken sounds like something that will prohibit you from having six-pack abs for the rest of your life. But who needs stomach muscles when you can have Tori Box? Some might think if you want unhealthy chicken you might as well go to McDonald’s or Jollibee, right? Well if you do that instead of trying Tori Box’s chicken–which comes in a variety of flavors–you’d be making a huge mistake.

Exile On Main St.
2428 Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila
0916 220 5097 | Facebook
Open from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday
Prince Range: P100-300

The challenge of eating at Exile on Main St. is actually finding the place beforehand. But once you do (Spoiler: it’s located near the entrance of Burgundy Transpacific Place), it’s like stumbling on a pot of (delicious) gold. With their wide variety of value meals and mouth-watering desserts to top it off, Exile is a must-try for every student of Taft. Scratch that, it’s simply a must-try for everyone.

Bagnet 8065
Leon Guinto St cor Estrada St., Malate, Manila
(02) 516-7890
Open from 11am to 12am Monday to Saturday; 5pm to 12am Sunday
Price Range: P100-300

Located at Leon Guinto St. Brgy. 727, Malate, Manila is a place called Bagnet 8065 that will win you over after 30 minutes of a good lunch-time barkada session with your pals. Just don’t try the soup. Though some meals look expensive, it’s totally worth the quality of food you’re going to get, and the quantity will be adequate enough to leave you guys satisfied.

Zark’s Burgers
Archer’s Nook, 2464 Taft Ave, Malate, Manila
0923 737 2517 | Facebook
Open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday; 10am to 9pm Saturday to Sunday
Price Range: P100-250

Ever just wanted to hold a humongous burger with both your hands, grip it so hard until all the grease comes off, and then eat that delicious one-pound burger with a bunch of delicious fries? You’re hungry now, aren’t you? Well, you might as well go to Zark’s, which produces the best burgers in Taft, and provides a great place to watch some of the best sports games around. Also, if you survive the Tombstone Challenge, all the congratulations in the world to you!

Noel’s BBQ
2198 Fidel Reyes St., Malate, Manila
0915 740 8875 | Facebook
Open from 9am to 10pm Monday to Saturday
Price Range: P45-120

With everything being so expensive nowadays, it’s hard to imagine how spending just 50 pesos on a meal will be enough to satisfy your cravings for the rest of the day–especially after listening to endless lectures or taking an exam. But Noel’s always hits the spot–and leaves you with enough cash to splurge on other things. Their BBQs are tremendous, and the sauce is irreplaceable. The eating area is nothing pretty, but when your barbecue is as tasty as it could get, that doesn’t matter.

Rap’s Steaks and Cakes
879 Dagonoy St., Malate, Manila
(02) 525 5589
Open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday
Price range: P150-300

Who would have thought you could get incredible steaks for just about Php 140? Well, Rap’s Steaks and Cakes, located right across the street from DLSU’s Velasco Gate, offers just that, along with all the jugs of gravy you can muster! And once you’re done with your well-done or medium-rare meals, Rap’s cheesecakes or cupcakes for dessert will make you want to skip class and just take a nice nap.

Ate Rica’s Bacsilogan
Agno St., Malate, Manila
Open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday
Prince Range: P30-200

I’ll keep this short and simple: If you’re a student from Taft and you’ve never ever tried Ate Rica’s famous Bacsilog with “Chiz-Knorr” sauce, or any of the stall’s other meals, you are no student from Taft.