The Ultimate Metro Manila Carinderia Guide

Last year, I published The Ultimate Metro Manila Burger Guide (check it out here) and The Ultimate Metro Manila Panciteria Guide. And I promised that I will be releasing what I think is one of the most exciting food guides I will ever be making—The Ultimate Metro Manila Carinderia Guide.

If I have friends who are visiting the Philippines and I can only make them try one Filipino food experience, no doubt that I will bring them to a carinderia. So what is a carinderia?

A carinderia is an eatery serving home-style (“lutong bahay” in the local language) Filipino food. The dishes are displayed in a counter, and customers point to their desired ulam (viand) when ordering. This way is called “turo-turo”, which is literally “point point”.

Typically, a carinderia has no air-conditioning. Diners usually eat al fresco style, and I think that’s part of the experience and charm. But some eateries have become so successful that they already have air-conditioned dining areas.

Now I can’t possibly eat at and review all carinderias in the Metro. So I will filter the list down to places that are either popular or historical (meaning, it’s been around for decades), or both. But I will be making exceptions to eateries that may not be as popular or historical as the others, but serve great food that are worth noting.

I will also be updating this list as I get to try more carinderias.

Aling Sosing’s Carinderia (Makati City)

Aling Sosing’s Carinderia is an eatery in Makati City that was made famous by one of the world’s top food vloggers, Mark Wiens.

Their bestsellers include Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork belly) and Nilagang Baka (beef soup).

Address: 5819 Zobel Roxas Sts. cor. Dian St., Palanan, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-4PM | Contact No.: 0917-1420388 | Facebook | Instagram

Ang Kalderetang Itik ng Bagong Ilog (Pasig City)

Located in Bagong Ilog (Pasig City), this carinderia is named after its namesake dish, Kalderetang Itik (duck cooked in tomato stew).

While their signature dish is kalderetang itik, they make other superb dishes such as Dinakdakan, an Ilocano dish made up of different pig parts that are boiled, grilled, chopped, and dressed.

Left: *Kalderetang Itik*; Upper Right: *Dinakdakan*; Lower Right: *Sinigang na Baboy*

Their inihaw na liempo (you really can’t go wrong with grilled pork belly!) and Sinigang na Baboy (pork in sour broth) are also amazing!

Related Article: Review Coming Soon!

Address: Sgt. L. Pascua St. cor. R. Valdez St., Bagong Log, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8AM-9PM | Facebook

Apung Quintin Restaurant (Manila)

Apung Quintin Restaurant is a carinderia in the city of Manila that serves Kapampangan food, the cuisine of Pampanga province. (“Apung” is a Kampampangan word for grandfather or a honorific term of a respected elderly).

My favorites here are the inihaw na liempo, Inihaw na Pusit (grilled squid), Kare-Kare Pata (pata/pig leg in peanut stew), and Papaitan (innards in bitter soup).

The Food Options at Apung Quintin Restaurant

In retrospect, I’m not sure if I saw or had a truly Kapampangan dish in Apung Quintin Restaurant. Still, I think they make good food, Kapampangan dish or not.

Address: 1353 Maceda St., Sampaloc, City of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8AM-12AM

Caruz Eatery (Pasig City)

This is another popular carinderia in Pasig City, surrounded by love motels LOL. But don’t let the area intimidate you because they make delicious food!

Their bestseller is the Kalderetang Spareribs. It has tender pork covered in a savory and spicy sauce with a nice tomato flavor.

Related Article: Review Coming Soon!

Address: 220 Escarpment Rd., Orange, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30AM-2PM | Contact No.: 0917-4313912 | Facebook

Chunooks Kitchen (Caloocan City)

Chunooks Kitchen is a carinderia located in Grace Park, Caloocan City. They serve 21 dishes a day.

Due to its success, Chunooks now have a massive dining area.

The Massive Dining Area of Chunook’s Kitchen

My favorites here are the kare-kare (because they serve it the traditional way including beef, oxtail, and trip), Pancit Miki (stir-fried thick egg noodles), and Sinigang na Pink Salmon (Ulo) sa Miso (pink salmon head in sour soup).

Related Article: Review Coming Soon!

Address: 258 4th St., Grace Park East, Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 6AM-6PM | Contact No.: 0917-3207644 | Facebook

Crisgard (Pasig City)

Crisgard is a carinderia in Pasig City serving Kapampangan food. It’s located inside a house so it really gives a homey vibe.

My favorites here are the Beef Caldereta, Lechon Kawali (deep-fried pork belly), and Papaya Salad.

Address: 5A Bartville Rd., Bartville Subdivision, Dela Paz, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8AM-8PM; Sunday, 8AM-2PM | Contact Nos.: 0917-5123045, 0917-1663711, (02) 8682-1970 | Facebook

Morning Sun Eatery (Quezon City)

Morning Sun Eatery is the first MICHELIN-awarded carinderia, recognized in the food guide’s inaugural ceremony in 2025. Because its owners are from La Union, a province in the Ilocos region (northwestern part of the country), this carinderia serves authentic Ilocano food.

Everything I’ve tried at Morning Sun Eatery is good. No wonder it got the attention of the MICHELIN Guide!

Left to Right: *Inihaw na Liempo*, *Sinanglao* (Ilocano innards soup with bitter taste), and *Kilawing Kambing* (goat “ceviche”)

Address: 170 J.P. Rizal St., Project 4, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 8AM-10PM | Contact No.: 0928-9139571 | Facebook

Pando’s Eatery and Fernando’s Kambingan (Quezon City)

Located in Santa Mesa Heights, Pando’s Eatery and Fernando’s Kambingan is a carinderia that specializes on goat dishes. These goat dishes include Kaldereta (cooked in tomato stew), Kilawin (it’s like Filipino-style ceviche), or Papaitan (innards soup made bitter with bile).

My favorites heres are the kaldereta and their Kinilaw na Tanigue (Filipino-style mackerel ceviche).

Clockwise starting upper left: *Kalderetang Kambing*, *Kilawing Kambing*, *Lechon Kawali*, and *Kinilaw na Tanigue*

Address: 27 Matutum St., Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 8AM-8PM | Contact No.: (02) 8251-4705 | Facebook

Pochok Bangusan (Quezon City)

Pochok Bangusan is another carinderia made popular by Mark Wiens. Named after its owner’s nickname, it is known for their Inihaw na Bangus or grilled milkfish (bangusan literally means “milkfish place”).

The grilled milkfish is butterflied, grilled, and generously topped with chopped green tomatoes, white onions, celery, and ginger. The milkfish is smoky and the salsa-like topping is crisp and refreshing. This is easily one of the best bangus dishes I have ever eaten!

They also serve other Filipino dishes, which are delicious!

Address: Don A. Roces Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 6AM-7PM; Saturday, 6AM-2PM | Contact No.: 0927-3347071 | Facebook

Tony’s Restaurant (Caloocan City)

Established in 1960, Tony’s Restaurant is a Chinese carinderia located in Grace Park, Caloocan City (there’s a big Chinese-Filipino community in Grace Park). It’s not common to find a Chinese carinderia in the Metro and even in the entire country.

Tony’s Restaurant is one of the best carinderias I have ever tried in my life. While some dishes have room for improvements, the dishes are overall delicious. Also, many of their dishes are uncommon for a carinderia, making your visit to Caloocan City worth your time and drive.

Clockwise starting from upper left: *Gokong* (herbal soup with chicken and pork leg), *Kinilaw na Talaba* (oyster ceviche), *Nilagang Tadyang* (beef ribs soup), and *Sitsaro Guisado* (sautéed snow peas)

Address: 8th Ave., Grace Park East, Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating House: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-8PM | Contact No.: 0905-2307784 | Facebook

Ulo-Ulo Karinderya (Formerly DPD Carenderia) (Quezon City)

This carinderia specializes on its namesake dish, Ulo-Ulo or fish head sinigang (“ulo” means head).

Their ulo-ulo has a meaty fish head and a sour broth that helps in lowering the head’s fishiness.

Ulo-Ulo Karinderya also serves other dishes. Unfortunately, it ran out during our visit (we arrived after lunch). It’s a good sign of how good the food is and a reason for us to visit again!

Address: 1 Alley 23, Project 6, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 10AM-3PM; Saturday, 9AM-3PM | Contact No.: 0935-4953282 | Facebook

What carinderia should I try next? Comment below!