Wedding Guide to Manila

Guide to Manila

Manila 101,
from us to you. Manila 101,
from us to you.

Since many of you will be traveling to Manila for the first time (or for the first time in a long while), we wanted to make your trip a little easier and a lot more fun. We’ve gathered a few tips, tricks, and favorite places to help you navigate the city and have a wonderful time while you’re here. Consider it our little guidebook to the city we call home. 🇵🇭

The essentials Getting around Wander Eat

The essentials

A smooth landing

How do I communicate with locals?

You can get by just fine with English! English is widely spoken throughout the Philippines, especially in Manila, so don’t be shy about asking for directions, ordering food, or chatting with locals. Thanks, US colonialism lol.

That said, knowing a few Filipino words will definitely earn you some smiles and make your trip a little more fun. Here are a few you’ll probably hear often:

Salamat (sah-lah-mat)
Thank you
Mahal (mah-hal)
Expensive—or “love/dear,” depending on the context
Magkano? (mah-gah-no)
How much?
Saan? (sah-ahn)
Where?
Sarap (sah-rap)
Delicious / yummy
Po (poh)
A respectful particle added to a sentence, especially when speaking to elders or someone you don’t know well
Tara! (tah-rah)
Let’s go!
Tagay! (tah-guy)
Cheers!
Ate (ah-teh)
“Older sister”; a polite way to address a slightly older woman
Kuya (koo-yah)
“Older brother”; a polite way to address a slightly older man
CR
“Comfort Room,” aka the bathroom or restroom
Kain tayo! (kah-in tah-yo)
Let’s eat!
Ingat! (ing-at)
Take care / stay safe
Oo / Opo (oh-oh / oh-poh)
Yes; use opo to make it more respectful
Hindi (hin-dee)
No

Filipino conversations often mix English and Filipino, a style commonly called Taglish. Don’t be surprised if someone starts a sentence in English and finishes it in Filipino—you’ll probably understand more than you think!

How do I get Philippine pesos?

Most restaurants, malls, hotels, and other major establishments accept major credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express is less commonly accepted, so don’t rely on it as your only card.

For smaller shops, local vendors, taxis, and other cash-only situations, keep some Philippine pesos (₱) on hand. Withdraw from an ATM or exchange cash at a reputable money changer in a major mall or busy commercial area rather than at the airport. Get just enough for your first Grab ride and immediate expenses, then withdraw or exchange more once you’re settled.

Tip: At an ATM, always choose to be charged in PHP rather than your home currency.

What’s the weather like in January?

January is one of Metro Manila’s cooler and drier months—though “cool” by Manila standards still doesn’t call for a winter coat. Expect warm days, comfortable evenings, and much less rain than during the summer months.

25–30°C77–86°F · daytime
21–25°C70–77°F · evenings

Pack lightweight, breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton, and rayon.

Tip: Bring a light layer for heavily air-conditioned restaurants, malls, and hotels. Indoors can feel like a completely different climate.

Where can I buy a barong?

Since our dress code calls for Barong Tagalog, some guests may need to add one to their wardrobe before the big day. Don’t wait until the day before the wedding: barongs come in different fabrics, cuts, and fits, so give yourself time to find one you love. You can wear a barong with regular black dress pants.

Kultura Filipino

Our easiest recommendation for first-time buyers. Find Kultura in major SM malls, including SM Makati, SM Aura, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia.

The SM Department Store

Check the men’s formalwear section for more affordable ready-to-wear options, including Filipino formalwear brands such as Onesimus.

Buy before you fly

If you’d rather arrive fully prepared, Barong Warehouse offers Filipino formalwear online and ships internationally.

Getting around Manila

Prioritize convenience and comfort

Manila may feel a little overwhelming at first, but getting around becomes much easier once you know your options. For first-time visitors, we recommend prioritizing convenience and comfort over saving a few pesos.

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Our go-to

Grab: your best friend

Grab works similarly to Uber. It’s especially useful for airport transfers, getting around at night, traveling with luggage, going somewhere unfamiliar, and avoiding the hassle of negotiating fares.

Good to know: You do not need a Philippine phone number. Set up the app before your trip with your foreign phone number or email, as long as you can receive the verification code.

Tip: Download and set up Grab before you leave home so you’re ready to go as soon as you land!

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Fastest through traffic

Angkas

Angkas is a motorcycle ride-hailing service and one of the quickest ways around Manila, especially when traffic is being… very Manila. A registered rider picks you up, and helmets are provided.

It’s great for shorter trips or busy roads where cars get stuck. Travel light and secure anything that might decide to fly away. Not comfortable on a motorcycle? No problem—Grab is our go-to alternative!

🚕

A useful backup

Taxis

Metered taxis are widely available and can be a good backup if Grab cars are unavailable or prices are unusually high. Make sure the driver turns on the meter before you start; occasionally someone may offer a fixed fare instead.

Carry some cash, as not every taxi accepts credit cards.

🚆

Fast and affordable

Trains

Manila has three main urban rail lines: MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2. Google Maps can help you choose a line and station, and trains can save a lot of time during rush hour.

The catch? They can get very crowded at peak times, stations take some getting used to, and elevators and escalators can be limited. For a first visit, use the train when you’re feeling adventurous or when it makes significantly more sense for your route. Otherwise, Grab is easier.

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Choose your neighborhood

Walking

Walking isn’t always practical. Heat, traffic, and occasionally uneven sidewalks can make a short distance feel much longer than it looks on a map.

That said, BGC is one of the metro’s most pedestrian-friendly areas, with wide sidewalks, clear signage, restaurants, and shops. Parts of Makati are also great for walking, especially around Greenbelt, Glorietta, and the surrounding business district.

And one final piece of Manila wisdom:

If Google Maps says your destination is 20 minutes away, give yourself extra time because it will realistically take an hour.

Wander, eat, repeat

Pick one or two areas and take your time

Shawn & I love exploring Metro Manila, and there’s much more to see than the usual tourist spots. Traffic is very real, so plan around geography. Manila is huge and sprawling—eat something delicious and enjoy the city at your own pace.

Booking experiences

Tours, private cars & airport transfers

The most reliable way we’ve tried booking experiences is through Klook. It’s also useful for airport transfers for you, your family, or friends.

Browse Klook Watch our Klook inspiration

A quiet escape from the city

Antipolo

Head to the hills for a slower-paced day surrounded by art, greenery, and beautiful views. Shawn & I celebrated our first anniversary at Pinto Art Museum, one of our favorite places in Antipolo. Its open-air galleries, gardens, and beautiful architecture make for a leisurely afternoon away from Metro Manila’s hustle and bustle.

Antipolo inspiration

Step into Philippine history

Intramuros

Meaning “within the walls,” Intramuros is Manila’s historic walled city and one of the best places to learn about the Philippines’ Spanish colonial history. Walk its old stone streets, visit historic churches and museums, and explore centuries-old fortifications. A guided walking or biking tour will add context to everything you see.

Intramuros inspiration

Art, food & a little nightlife

Makati

One of our favorite areas for good food, cocktails, cafés, shopping, and nightlife. It’s a great place to see Manila’s modern side and is especially lively in the evenings. Start around Greenbelt or Poblacion and see where the night takes you—Poblacion is known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife.

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Experience modern Manila

BGC

Bonifacio Global City is one of the most modern and walkable parts of Metro Manila. Think wide sidewalks, public art, trendy restaurants, cafés, shopping, and plenty of places for a drink. It’s an easy day out without too much navigation—start around Bonifacio High Street and wander from there.

Food, history & a little chaos

Binondo

Welcome to Manila’s Chinatown and the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594. Binondo is a lively mix of Filipino and Chinese culture, packed with restaurants, bakeries, tea shops, markets, jewelry stores, and historic churches.

Come for the food and stay for the wandering. Try dumplings, noodles, hopia, tikoy, milk tea, and other Filipino-Chinese treats. A food crawl is one of the best ways to experience the neighborhood. Go with an appetite and comfortable shoes; it can be crowded, bustling, and a little chaotic, but that’s part of the fun. 😆

Tip: Binondo is best explored on foot, so give yourself a few hours rather than squeezing it into a quick stop.

Philippine mall culture

We take our malls very seriously

A mall is more than a place to shop: it’s a meeting place, dining destination, entertainment hub, refuge from the heat, and sometimes an entire day’s itinerary. “Let’s go to the mall” can mean coffee, dinner, a movie, groceries, and somehow five hours. If you’re staying in Makati, BGC, or Ortigas, some of Manila’s best are nearby.

Makati

🌿

Rockwell

Polished but relaxed, with great restaurants, cafés, shops, and places to wander. A nice escape from Manila’s busier parts.

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Greenbelt

A beautiful open-air complex in central Makati surrounded by greenery, restaurants, cafés, and shops. It’s especially nice in the evening; Greenbelt 3 and 5 are great for dinner and drinks.

BGC

🌴

Bonifacio High Street

More shopping and dining district than enclosed mall. It’s pedestrian-friendly, lined with restaurants and shops, and especially pleasant in the evening.

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SM Aura

Convenient, modern, and connected to High Street. Great for shopping, restaurants, groceries, and escaping the heat. Kultura is here too, making it an easy place to find a barong.

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Mitsukoshi BGC

For Japanese food, snacks, or a little taste of Tokyo in Manila. This newer Japanese-inspired shopping and dining destination is fun to explore.

☕

One Bonifacio High Street

A convenient stop if you’re already around High Street, with restaurants, cafés, and shops all within easy walking distance.

Ortigas

🛍️

Greenhills Shopping Center

Manila shopping at its liveliest: a sprawling complex of clothes, accessories, electronics, home goods, Filipino souvenirs, and specialty items. It’s less polished than Rockwell or Greenbelt—that’s the point. Wander, compare prices, and bargain for pasalubong and things you didn’t know you needed.

✨

Shangri-La Plaza

A longtime favorite for shopping and dining—basically Lizzy’s second home. Connected to the EDSA Shangri-La area and accessible by MRT, it’s an easy stop if you’re exploring by train.

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The Podium

Sleek, modern, and one of our go-tos for food, with a great restaurant and café selection when you want a more polished dining experience.

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SM Megamall

The full Filipino mall experience. It’s enormous, with seemingly endless shops, restaurants, and entertainment. You may enter for socks and leave three hours later after lunch, dinner, and five shopping bags. This is normal.

What are your food recommendations?

Shawn & Lizzy’s top 10 favorites

We love food, and these are some of the places we keep coming back to. We’ve loosely ranked them from more affordable to more of a splurge, but you can’t go too wrong.

  1. 01

    JT’s Manukan 🇵🇭

    Budget-friendly Filipino comfort food specializing in Bacolod-style chicken inasal. Come hungry and order the chicken, garlic rice, and a few sides to share. It’s casual, unfussy, and very Filipino.

  2. 02

    Coco Ichibanya 🇯🇵

    Our go-to for Japanese curry. Customize your curry with your choice of protein, toppings, rice, and spice level. Perfect for an easy, casual meal.

  3. 03

    Yabu 🇯🇵

    If you like tonkatsu, go here. Crispy, juicy Japanese-style pork or chicken cutlets come with cabbage, rice, miso soup, and their signature sesame dipping sauce.

  4. 04

    Masan 🇰🇷

    A Korean favorite for hearty, comforting food. Great for sharing when you’re in the mood for Korean barbecue, hot soups, and all the banchan.

  5. 05

    Manam 🇵🇭

    One of our favorite places to introduce people to Filipino food. Manam gives classic dishes a modern twist. Order several plates and share everything—we love the sisig and watermelon sinigang.

  6. 06

    CIBO 🇮🇹

    Modern Italian food with Filipino-favorite status. CIBO has been around for decades and serves pastas, pizzas, salads, and desserts. An easy choice when you’re craving Italian in Manila.

  7. 07

    Nihonbashitei 🇯🇵

    A longtime Makati favorite for sushi, sashimi, tempura, teppanyaki, and generous lunch sets. It’s casual, authentic-feeling, and particularly good value for the quality.

  8. 08

    Half Saints 🍽️

    A cozy neighborhood restaurant serving creative, contemporary food. Order a bunch of things for the table and keep discovering new favorites. Don’t skip dessert!

  9. 09

    Gloria Maris 🥢

    A Manila institution for Chinese food, especially seafood and dim sum. Great for a big group meal with several shared dishes. Come hungry and embrace the Filipino-Chinese tradition of sharing everything.

  10. 10

    Hapag ✨

    For the big splurge. Hapag serves contemporary Filipino cuisine as a tasting-menu experience, showcasing local ingredients and flavors in an elevated format. If one dinner should feel like an occasion, make it this one.

Bonus · our must-try Manila eats 📍

Our personal Manila food map

We created a Google Maps collection with favorite restaurants, cafés, dessert spots, and local eats that didn’t quite make the Top 10. Save it, browse it, and eat your way through it.

Open the map

More to save

Seven more posts to bookmark before you arrive. Follow your appetite from there.

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