How Food Costs in Manila Really Work

Why prices vary so much for foreigners

Food in Manila isn’t expensive by default—but it can become expensive quickly if you eat in the wrong places. Two people can eat completely different meals in the same neighborhood and spend wildly different amounts. The biggest factor isn’t cuisine, it’s location.

Restaurants inside major malls, lifestyle centers, and expat-heavy districts tend to charge more, especially for Western-style food. Meanwhile, just a few streets away, local eateries serve filling meals for a fraction of the price.

Joshua’s note: When I first lived in Makati full-time, I was eating out almost daily because it was cheaper than cooking some nights. One day I’d spend ₱150 near Salcedo Village, then ₱900 at a mall restaurant later that week. Manila teaches you fast that food costs depend less on what you eat and more on where you eat.

Street Food & Local Meals: The Cheapest Way to Eat

What locals eat daily

Street food and local carinderias (small eateries) offer the most affordable meals in Manila. A full plate of rice, meat, and vegetables can cost less than a cup of coffee in many Western countries.

Popular dishes like chicken adobo, pork barbecue, tapsilog, or pancit are filling and widely available. These places are busiest during lunch and dinner, which is usually a good sign of freshness.

For foreigners, the main adjustment is presentation, not quality. Once you find a clean, busy spot, eating local becomes one of the best ways to keep costs down.

Typical local food prices

• Street meals: ₱80–₱150
• Fast local chains: ₱120–₱200
• Breakfast meals: ₱100–₱180

Restaurant Prices: From Casual to Upscale

What foreigners usually pay when dining out

Mid-range restaurants in Manila are affordable compared to Western cities but pricier than local eateries. Casual dining spots typically cost ₱300–₱600 per person, while upscale restaurants can easily exceed ₱1,000 per meal.

Foreigners often gravitate toward familiar cuisines early on—Italian, Japanese, Korean, or American—which usually come with higher price tags. Over time, many learn to mix local and international dining to balance enjoyment and budget.

Mall restaurants are convenient but often add a premium for ambiance and air-conditioning. Dining just outside major malls can lower your bill significantly.

• Casual dining: ₱300–₱600 per person
• Mid-range restaurants: ₱600–₱1,000
• Upscale dining: ₱1,000+

Grocery Shopping & Imported Food Costs

Where budgets often get blown

Local groceries are affordable, especially for produce, rice, chicken, pork, and seafood. However, imported items can quickly inflate your food spending.

Cheese, wine, cereal, and specialty snacks often cost two to three times more than in Western countries. Upscale supermarkets in Makati and BGC carry everything—but at a price.

Joshua’s insight: Foreigners are often surprised by grocery prices for imported food. Local staples are cheap, but Western comforts add up fast. Mixing local ingredients with occasional imports keeps grocery bills reasonable.

Manila rewards foreigners who eat like locals most of the time and indulge occasionally.

Realistic Monthly Food Budgets for Foreigners

What most people actually spend

Your monthly food budget in Manila depends on how often you eat out, shop for imports, and dine at Western restaurants. There’s no single number—but there are realistic ranges.

Once foreigners learn where locals eat and which supermarkets to use, food expenses usually drop significantly after the first month.

Exploring outside expat-heavy areas makes a big difference.

Typical monthly food budgets

1. Local-focused eating: ₱12,000–₱18,000
2. Balanced local & international: ₱20,000–₱30,000
3. Western-heavy lifestyle: ₱35,000+