Late Night Eats El Chupacabra
Cover Photo: Facebook / El Chupacabra

Whether you’re on the hunt for tacos, sushi, rice bowls, or even pad see ew, these 16 restaurants will surely satiate your late-night cravings

We’ve all been there. You spend a night out hopping from bar to bar, or perhaps you‘ve just come out of the cinema after a late-night screening, and then it hits you: you are absolutely starving. The meagre bar chow won’t do, and neither will your usual drive-thru regulars; you need a feast, and you need it now.

Before heading out for your next night around town, plan ahead and keep reading to discover our picks for restaurants open til late throughout Metro Manila, including pizza shops, taquerias, retro diners, and more.

In case you missed it: What does it take to be the world’s #23 bar? Step inside Melbourne’s cocktail pub Caretaker’s Cottage

1. Mama Nams

Location: Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City

Open til 12mn daily, Manam’s Mama Nams specialises in unfussy Filipino classics. Treat yourself to some chicken inasal or iniihaw na liempo complete with your choice of rice (white, garlic, or java) and atsara, or dig into a big bowl of batchoy for a soothing end to the evening. Looking for something lighter? They also offer a range of chichirya and pulutan to nibble on.

Related: Manam at the Triangle: ushering a new era of Filipino dining

2. Crying Tiger Street Kitchen

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Delectable pad see ew, juicy chicken satay, and spicy beef rendang are just some of the Asian picks you’ll find at Crying Tiger Street Kitchen, open until 1am every Friday to Sunday. Specialising in Thai and Malaysian fare, the laidback Poblacion outpost also serves wine, tequila, and beer so that you can squeeze in one last nightcap before bed.

See also: Beyond pad thai: 8 Thai noodle dishes you should know

3. Nolita Joe’s

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Tuck into authentic NY pizzas, available by the slice at Nolita Joe’s. Open until 3am Sundays to Thursdays and 5am on Fridays and Saturdays, this Poblacion haunt never fails to hit the spot. While you’re at it, try some of their wings and pasta dishes, and wash it all down with a refreshing glass of Joe’s Brew beer.

Read more: Introducing Bb Sunshine, a natural wine by Bombvinos

4. Sampiro

Location: Salcedo Village, Makati City

With an eclectic yet thoughtfully curated menu, Sampiro offers something for every craving. Graze across their signature appetizers board, bite into their famed fried Hainanese chicken crispers (Polilya regulars will know!), or treat yourself to a heartier meal like pasta or steak frites—last call is 11:30pm, with bar chow available til midnight.

In case you missed it: Meet the eclectic cast behind Roots: The new Siargao restaurant with an interdisciplinary approach

5. Royal Indian Curry House

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Any fan of Indian cuisine is likely familiar with Royal Indian Curry House, lovingly known as RICH. But did you know that the Poblacion branch is open until 3am? Tuck into some smokey roasts from the tandoor, a healing bowl of curry, or a flavourful plate of biryani, and call it a night.

Related: New Indian restaurant Tango Tandoor opens in BGC

6. Recovery Food

Locations: Crossroads BGC, Taguig City; Stopover BGC, Taguig City; Molito Alabang, Muntinlupa City; UP Town Center Diliman, Quezon City; SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, Recovery Food is a well-loved haunt among the metro’s night owls, who’d flock to the nearest outlet for a hefty serving of their Filipino rice bowls. The Tapa de Morning, Amadobo, and Doc Sisig are verifiable staples that provide comfort in the hours you may need it most, be it on the way home or the morning after.

See also: Food trends on the horizon: From going hyper-local, ‘swicy’ food, to passionfruit

7. Isaribi

Location: Creekside Building, Makati City

No need to wait till the following morning to have your favourite Japanese dishes. While Isaribi specialises in yakiniku, this laidback Japanese haunt also offers sushi, tempura, ramen, and many other staples until 12am on Sundays to Thursdays, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Read more: Omotenashi by Kazunori brings fine dining catering to your home

8. El Chupacabra

Tatler Asia
Late Night Eats El Chupacabra
Above Photo: Facebook / El Chupacabra

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Home to Mexican street tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and even an impressive collection of plant-based items for vegan foodies, El Chupacabra remains open until 12mn every Thursday to Saturday. Imbibe in some beers and cocktails (a margarita is a no-brainer) and keep the party going as you indulge in a much-needed feed.

Read more: Beyond the margarita: 5 delicious tequila cocktails you should know

9. Locavore

Location: Forbestown BGC, Taguig City; Estancia Mall, Pasig City

Sizzling sinigang until 1am? Why not! Have your traditional favourites as well as some funky twists on the classics at contemporary Filipino restaurant Locavore. Although Locavore has outlets throughout the metro, only two are open past midnight: Forbestown (until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays) and Estancia (until 1am from Wednesdays to Saturdays).

See also: What exactly is Filipino fine dining?

10. Pink’s and Pizza Sisters

Location: BGC, Taguig City

Pink’s is set to keep you well-fed with burgers, hotdogs, nachos, and other deliciously greasy delights until 2am, Tuesday through Thursday, and as late as 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. With the opening of Wildflour’s new concept Pizza Sisters, guests can also feast on a range of artisanal pizzas in the same space. Still hankering for a drink? The Hotel Bar also offers a wide range of cocktails you can order at the restaurant.

Read more: Umami Mania: 4 savoury cocktail recipes by top bartenders in the Philippines

11. Nihonbashi Tei

Tatler Asia
Late Night Eats Laura Limsenkhe / Unsplash
Above Photo: Laura Limsenkhe / Unsplash

Location: Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City

Nihonbashi Tei continues to be a go-to spot for Japanese cuisine, boasting an extensive menu including sushi, udon, donburi, and many more. Luckily, the restaurant is open from 11am to 2am daily, so you can easily get your fix even after the neighbouring establishments have shut for the day.

In case you missed it: Brazilian-Japanese restaurant Uma Nota Manila opens its doors in BGC

12. Alamat

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Few dishes hit the spot like a bowl of steaming hot rice after a big night out. Open until 2am Tuesdays to Sundays, Alamat offers a range of hearty dishes to satiate even the biggest appetites, including their recovery rice packed with chicken, squid balls, vegetables, and a crispy egg. Looking for something more familiar? Pair some of their garlic fried rice with the Alamat sisig, made with with pork jowl, ear, and belly, plus crispy chicken skin— they also have a king oyster mushroom variation for those after a vegetarian meal.

Related: Plant-based food by a non-vegetarian chef: how Mimi Vergara-Tupas is supercharging Davao’s vegan scene

13. Dr Wine

Location: Poblacion, Makati City; Forbestown BGC, Taguig City

Dr Wine serves a host of refined French bistro items, from cheese and charcuterie to escargots, steak tartare to poulet grand-mère. Sip on some fine wine and indulge in these classic dishes as Dr. Wine Poblacion stays open until 1am from Sundays to Wednesdays and 2am Thursdays to Saturdays, while Dr. Wine BGC is open until 2am daily.

See also: Moderne: A two-night-only collab by Modan and Metronome

14. Japonesa

Location: Poblacion, Makati City

Open until 2am Friday and Saturday, Japanese-Perivuan restaurant Japonesa has been a popular Poblacion locale since opening in April 2022. Whether you go for lighter dishes like the sushi and tiraditos or heftier options like their signature lengua katsu, the youthful destination has something for everyone—including innovative cocktails you won’t find elsewhere. 

See also: Proudly Promdi puts forgotten Filipino beverages on centre stage

15. Big Belly Manila

Location: Forbestown BGC, Taguig City

For nights when the standard drive-thru burger just won’t do, head to Big Belly Manila. Choose between the thick charcoal-grilled Wagyu patty, the smashed Wagyu crust, or even fried chicken, beer-battered fish, or chorizo, and enjoy it with a colourful variety of toppings for a deliciously greasy, indulgent meal. Don’t forget to order some sides, and have some cocktails while you’re at it, too—the restaurant is open until 12mn from Sundays to Thursdays, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

See also: This cookbook by Lokal Lab is a love letter to Siargao’s culinary landscape

16. Bueno Tapas & Wine Restaurant

Location: The Grove by Rockwell, Pasig City; One Maridien Tower, Taguig City

In the mood for garlicky gambas, cheesy croquettes, or succulent salpicao? Bueno Tapas & Wine Restaurant at is open until 1am Thursdays to Saturdays, at both The Grove Pasig and One Maridien Tower BGC.

NOW READ

Spilling the beans: The bitter truth about your daily cup of coffee

A ‘Star Wars’-inspired menu at Helm by Josh Boutwood

Aurora Year One: Milestones and things to come from Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar

Topics