Christmas Feasts Within Metro Manila

Our columnist, Jane Saya, is spending Christmas this year in her hometown of Manila and has compiled a list of places where you can find some excellent Christmas feasts should you be there as well. Manila is full of lights, fun, parties, and loads of delicious food.

Many Filipino families would prepare a home-cooked spread to celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Turkey, ham, roasted vegetables, and an assortment of desserts, to name just a few festive dishes. However, this time around, if you don’t want to spend your day or night cooking, or maybe you’re looking for a different kind of cuisine for the occasion, then here are some options on where you can get your fix of festive favorites. From buffets to set dinners, there are plenty of options within the metro.

Solaire Resort at Entertainment City

Finestra is doing an Italian Holiday spread for the 24th and 25th. At Php6,800 per person, you can expect to indulge in dishes such as tomato stew with grouper, pearl onions, and turnip tops; Jerusalem artichoke risotto with king prawn, egg yolk, and bottarga; gingerbread-coated veal tenderloin with a red wine reduction; and more.

Red Lantern has a Christmas Day Dim Sum Buffet for Php2288+ per person. They have an extensive spread that includes barbecued pork glazed in honey sauce, Chinese seaweed soup with pork balls and tofu, deep-fried cheese and prawn spring rolls, classic Cantonese fried chicken with orange sauce, Sichuan-style groupa fillet with black bean and capsicum, and a long list of assorted dumplings and baos. 

Waterside has a set menu for Php5,500+ per person. It starts with Amberjack crudo with salmon roe, coconut foam, and lemon scent. It is followed by a pan-seared scallop, prawn bisque and tamarind, pork belly with chestnut puree, kale and truffle jus, slow-cooked beef cheek and creamy polenta with caramelized brussels sprouts. It ends with a queso de bola cheesecake, ube, dulce de leche, and walnuts. This is available for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch. 

The Dusit Thani Manila 

The Pantry, which does buffets regularly, has dinner buffets on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for Php3,500+ per person. Additionally, they also have a Christmas Day Lunch Buffet for 3,200+ per person. 

Benjarong, known for authentic and elevated Thai food, has recently been added to the Michelin Selected list and is offering a festive à la carte menu for lunch on the 24th and lunch and dinner on the 25th. For Christmas Eve, they offer a set 5-course dinner for Php3,750++ per person and a children’s set menu for Php1,500++ per child. 

Another Michelin-starred restaurant is Umu, which serves high-quality Japanese food. For Christmas, they have a similar setup to the one mentioned above. An à la carte menu for lunch on the 24th and lunch and dinner on the 25th. For Christmas Eve, they also have a 5-course set menu for Php3,750++ per person. 

New World Makati Hotel 

The Jasmine is offering All-You-Can-Eat Dimsum for Christmas Eve dinner, as well as lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, for Php 2,888 nett per person. For lunch on the 24th, it will be Php 2,288 per person. They also offer a non-alcoholic and an alcoholic beverage package for Php488 and Php788, respectively, as well as set menus for larger groups.

At Cafe 1228, there’s a dinner buffet for Php3,800 nett per person on Christmas Eve, and a lunch and dinner buffet on Christmas Day for the same price. They also offer private dining for larger groups on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Shangri-La Makati

At the Lobby Lounge, there will be a curated lunch à la carte menu on both the 24th and 25th, while for dinner on both days, there will be a 2-course set menu, canapes, and a dessert buffet. Price starts at Php3,988++ per person. 

The Sage Bar has a month-long Festive Cocktail offer at Php488++ per person.

Grand Hyatt Manila 

The Grand Kitchen is offering a Christmas Eve Feast for Php4,688 net per person, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. If you want the true Noche Buena experience, they also have a spread that runs from 11:00 p.m to 1:30 a.m for Php3,688 net per person. 

The Lounge, located by the lobby, has a Christmas Eve offer at Php4,900 per person, with not only food but also live music. 

For a larger group looking for a private lunch or dinner service, make sure to check the No. 8 China House for their set menu. 

You can also celebrate Christmas Eve poolside and expect a special spread that includes fresh oysters and beef short rib, and more. 

Seda BGC

Misto on December 24 has a dinner buffet that includes unlimited soft beverages for Php4,500 net per person. On December 25, they have a lunch buffet for Php3,000 and a dinner buffet for Php2,500 per person. 

Straight Up Rooftop Bar has a special à la carte menu for both the 24th and 25th if you would prefer plated options instead of buffet style. 

Marriott Hotel Manila

The Marriott Cafe offers a Christmas Eve Dinner for Php3,888 per person, available from 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. However, if you want the Noche Buena experience, you can opt for their festive setup, which runs from 11:30 p.m to 1:00 p.m for Php2,688 per person. There’s also a Christmas Day Lunch and a Christmas Day Dinner, both priced at Php3,888 per person.