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Manila food tour
MANILA FOOD TOUR - As the steam rises on dim sum piled high on bamboo stacks, Manila's historic Binondo district comes alive with woks, pans and stoves, to fire up the food scene in the world's oldest Chinatown.
Join us on our lunchtime culinary tour to morning tea houses, 100-year-old restaurants, and family carinderias, to uncover the real Manila menus.
There's 15+ tastings along the way, from roasted asado meats, to fresh lumpia rolls brimming with heart of palm. Creamy Filipino stews like afritada and Bicol Express, and stir-fried thick pancit noodles. Sizzling sisig, and a big scoop of halo-halo, among many more surprises on this culinary expedition through the ages.
In this eclectic neighborhood of the capital, we'll navigate the street food vendors of Carvajal and dragon-topped Ongpin. We'll visit Binondo Church and a rooftop temple to witness the curious blend of faith and tradition, as we collide the culinary marriage of Filipino-Chinese cuisine.
You'll end the tour armed with the knowledge to continue ordering street food across the country, alongside our food-obsessed host and new-found friends. Bring loose trousers, come hungry!
Why this tour is awesome
A far cry from the modern glassy skyscrapers of Makati, our lunchtime moveable feast ventures into the 500 year-old Binondo district of Manila, where generations-old restaurants have stood the test of time, and recipes are closely guarded family secrets.
Spaghetti electric cables dangle like noodles on the colorful streets. It's here you'll see the real Manila, at this pulsing neighborhood that brings out hungry locals to their cherished food spots. To uncover the true Manila cuisine, you'll need to escape Makati in a short taxi hop to the culinary underbelly of the Philippines' capital.
Your guide
Jace doesn't just guide food tours—he practically is the Manila food scene. A born-and-bred Manileño, he carries the warmth and hospitality of the Philippines in everything he does. This big-hearted local is your key to unlocking the city's culinary secrets, from generational recipes passed down in tiny shops to the freshest fusion innovations. Trust Jace to deliver not just a tour, but an epic, honest-to-goodness Filipino feast woven into the history of the city
Your guide
This isn't Mark's first rodeo—it's his homecoming! Born Filipino but raised in the USA, Mark traded highways for humid streets to dive deep into the city's unmatched food culture. He's the perfect guide to bridge the gap: he understands the curiosity of a tourist and delivers the unfiltered, mouthwatering authenticity of a true Manileño.
Your guide
Meet Hannah, your local Manila insider. Born and raised in the heart of the Binondo, she's obsessed with tracking down the most authentic, soul-satisfying flavors. Forget the tourist traps—Hannah navigates the bustling streets and hidden carinderias (local eateries) like it's her own kitchen. Hannah is knowledgeable, energetic and ready for a food adventure that is completely delicious!
Work your chopsticks over steaming dim sum and asado meats
You're invited to a traditional carinderia below a Filippino family home
Break open delicious lumpia rolls at Carvajal Street
Jeepneys hum under Manila's pulse
Serving fresh pancit noodles drenched in sauce
The hustle and bustle of the world's oldest Chinatown
Marinated chicken from a closely guarded recipe since 1929
The curious blend of Christian and Chinese cultures at Binondo church
Creamy Filipino stews to make the mouth water
Visit one of the oldest restaurants in the Philippines
Check out a hidden rooftop temple
Sizzling sisig and sausage
Say halo-halo to a fun Filipino dessert
Includes
- Price US $45 per person
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start time 10.00AM
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Guide Led by one of our superb Manila food hosts
- Transport Walking tour with 6-7 stops
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Unsuitable as meat and seafood is used in 4-5 tastings (out of 15 total).
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in 5-6 tastings (out of 15 total)
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 3-4 tastings (out of 15 total)
- Pork Possible, though pork is used in 4-5 dishes (out of 15 total). Unsuitable for halal diets.
- Halal Unsuitable, as there are no vendors on the tour route that hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Possible, though gluten is used in 3-4 tastings (out of 15 total), and soy sauce in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose intolerance Suitable for lactose intolerances, only 1-2 tastings have lactose (out of 15 total)
- Tree nut / peanut allergy Possible for mild allergies, though peanuts are used in 1-2 tastings (out of 15 total). There are no other known tree nuts
- Seafood / Shellfish allergy Possible for mild allergies, though seafood is used in 2-3 tastings (out of 15 total)
- Severe allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Manila lunchtime food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, please contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, please contact us before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. It’s a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Manila food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Manila food tour starts inside 1919 Grand Cafe, a historic cafe in the heart of Binondo, your local guide will be waiting upstairs on the 1st floor. It's easily reachable by taxi from Makati and other parts of the city. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps