There’s nothing like a good food trip to end the hustle and bustle of the week. And there’s no other place more famous than Mercato and Banchetto in catering to the munching machine in you. The two food bazaars are equally famous for their wide array of food choices, perfect for a foodie.
If you plan on going to Banchetto, it’s best to bring a buddy who’s been there to show you to the best food stalls in the bazaar. Banchetto is home to Tapatouille, Hassan’s Kebab and Steaks, Uno Burger, Monster Burger, Monster Rice and many, many more. You might be overwhelmed with the crowd and the endless selection of isaw, pasta, burgers, cakes, delicacies from rural areas and what not. You’ll have to maneuver yourself through a sea of people but it’s all worth it for the food there is relatively cheap. At around 80-150 pesos you can indulge in a filling treat.
Midnight Mercato on the other hand, is the more upscale version of Banchetto primarily because of two reasons: 1) It is situated in Bonifacio Global City and 2) Food in Mercato is a bit more expensive compared to Banchetto. If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot a celebrity while dining (which is actually not uncommon in the area). The ambience in Mercato is more chill compared to the frenzied hype of Banchetto. However, Mercato offers less food stall choices compared to Banchetto given its smaller size. Mercato makes up for this through its more unique food selection. Aside from the usual sausage, isaw and burger stalls, Mercato is home to the infamous Krispy Kreme Burger, Mochiko, Gelato, Ha Yuan Fresh Lumpia, Manang’s Chicken and Chuck’s Gubberie Fish and Chips.
Each place offers a unique dining experience but you’re sure in for a treat wherever you decide to eat. Catch Midnight Mercato in 8th Avenue Corner 34th Street at BC from 10pm to 3am (Friday and Saturday). There’s a lot of confusion as to when and where Banchetto operates. They come and go to different places from Libis, Forum, SM Cubao, Meralco Ave and Megatent. You can check their schedule in their Facebook page here, and view their schedule for the month of February here.
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