Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
When you find yourself in Metro Manila for a day or two, heading out to explore can feel daunting. The chaos, the heat, the noise—it’s enough to make even seasoned travelers pause. But that’s exactly where the real adventure begins.
This isn’t just any curated food crawl. It’s not a staged night market built for Instagram feeds. No. This is a Manila street food tour as it truly is—alive, gritty, sizzling, and unapologetic. Loud. Sweaty. Deliciously chaotic. If you’re lucky, a tricycle will be your ride and the smoky aroma of grilled pork your guide.
For travelers looking for authentic things to do in Manila, this experience is the perfect mix of culture and cuisine. Guided by a local, you’ll dive into a crash course in Philippine street food—from skewered barbecue and deep-fried snacks to hearty stews, soups, and sweet Filipino desserts.
Bring an open mind and an empty stomach, and get ready for one of the most flavorful food experiences in Manila.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for vegans and vegetarians
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
1 Local Beer, 1 Fruit Juice or combination
1 Bottled Water
Up to 10+ different local street food, from pork, chicken and fish flavored dishes. Mostly Grilled, Deep Fried or Roasted.
Gratuities
Private transportation
What To Expect
Join us on a flavorful journey through a local neighborhood with an authentic Manila street food tour, where we’ll sample dishes from local restaurants and food vendors beloved by true locals. This is the perfect experience for travelers looking for the best food tours in Manila and a genuine taste of everyday Filipino life. After a quick orientation at our meeting point, we’ll hop on a traditional tricycle ride—a uniquely local way to travel—to reach the starting point of our food adventure. Along the way, we’ll try a wide selection of Filipino street food classics: steamed dumplings, skewered grilled meats, deep-fried savory snacks, sweet and chewy pastries and much more. To wash it all down, enjoy refreshing local juices and an ice-cold beer. Fair warning—this is a more adventurous kind of street food tour in Manila, perfect for curious foodies! We’ll end the experience with a refreshing sweet treat before heading back to our starting point, full, satisfied, and with a deeper appreciation of Manila’s vibrant food culture.
Sample Menu
starter
Assorted Grilled Meats (Pork/Chicken)
starter
Assorted Savory Deep Fried Dishes
main
Local Food Favorites
dessert
Cool and Creamy Local Dessert
Options
Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food
Reviews
382 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do Food Tour!
Christian L,
Aug 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wow! What an amazing food tour. This one is a must do! I’ve done many food tours in my travels and I’ve never eaten so much! The food was amazing and Nel was fantastic. Super knowledgeable and just all around a kind and welcome person.
Great food tour with friends
Kathryn W,
Aug 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00What a great way to be introduced to Philippine food. We definitely tried food and went to local places that I’m sure we wouldn’t have if we weren’t on the food tour. Our tour guide Jian was fantastic and very knowledgeable too! Definitely recommend it!!
Excellent Street Food Tour
Joseph P,
Aug 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00I had a great experience on this food tour. Nel was a fantastic tour guide and she was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I also enjoyed taking a trip in a motorbike and a Jeepney. I wouldn't even know how to request these transportation vehicles, so that was a fun experience. Overall, I would highly recommend this tour!
Take this tour if you want to try many types of Filipino snacks and desserts!
Michael G,
Jul 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our food tour guide, Chloe, did a fantastic job! It was the total rainy season but she still managed to stop at multiple locations. Very interesting snacks and desserts along the way. We also enjoyed the short motorcycle and jeepney trips. Lots of fun and thanks Chloe!
Unforgettable and a Must-Do in Manila
Andrew S,
Jul 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00I would go so far as to say this local food tour is an absolute must on your trip in Manila to experience the culture, foods and people. I saw a lot of reviews saying Nel was the best, but this is an understatement. She’s remarkably intelligent, witty, energetic, inviting and knowledgeable about the foods that you will try on your tour. We were accompanied by our instructor in training Pat and he was a wonderful source of Philippine knowledge, culture and history having worked for the Intramuros governing board. I recommend arriving early - not just because it takes forever to get back and forth locally but also because I had the pleasure to meet Nel and Pat and sit down at Starbucks to chat with them. Before we even started the tour I knew we were so fortunate to be in the company of these two, but I can not express how inviting they were and now much you will experience Milan as a local eating extravagant foods (food Trivia was my favorite) and getting the local lowdown. Nel had us smiling the entire time and her charm is infectious as she jokingly says offers you a tamer food as a peace offering for something you may have been less comfortable with just before or that the plantain is a palette cleanser before the next food. Your guides will post live action photos post the tour. Thank you Nel and Pat, you have made my experience in Manila and I will never forgot this wonderful experience you created for our group. Let me know when you’re in the Bay Area so I can show you the same hospitality.
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Operated by Explore Manila Tours