4 Weekend Markets In Metro Manila You Shouldn’t Miss
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BY NIKKA SARTHOU-LAINEZ
Workweek ending? Why not skip the malls, go outdoors and support local farmers and vendors instead?
Head to one (or more) of the following weekend markets that have sprouted in Metro Manila!
Salcedo Community MarketJaime Velasquez Park at Salcedo Village, Makati. Every Saturday, 7 AM to 2 PM
Photo from Picasso Makati
Makati’s Central Business District may seem like a ghost town during weekends, but head towards the Salcedo Community Market and you’ll find it bustling with activity every Saturday. It’s abuzz with local folks and foodies who have been flocking there for 10 years now.
It boasts over a hundred vendors and is one of the largest weekend markets in the country. You’ll find anything and everything under the sun—from fresh produce to ready-to-eat meals, specialty food, and more.
Aside from shopping and eating, it’s also a place to see and be seen. Don’t be surprised if you spot some well-known personalities inside the trendy marketplace. After getting all your goods, indulge in some culinary delights like real crêpes or galettes by Gigi La Crêpe or some sweet baklava (Turkish pastries) by Anatolia Cuisine.
Legazpi Sunday MarketLegaspi Carpark (Legaspi corner Herrera Streets), Legazpi Village, Makati. Every Sunday, 7 AM to 2 PM
Photo from marsambo.blogspot.com
Looking for a small community vibe? Then visit the Legazpi Sunday Market that features select vendors selling artisanal goods. Have a leisurely stroll inside the open-air marketplace where you’ll come across food finds such as Budbud gourmet suman, muffins by Cubcakes, and Adam’s Seriously Good Ice Cream, among others.
After stuffing your face with such tasty treats, quench your thirst with some freshly brewed ginger ale by Stanford x Shaw Brewing Co. Also check out the stalls that showcase colorful Moroccan textile, weaved mats, and upcycled bags. The nice thing about this market is that each vendor displays different wares from each other, which means a unique shopping experience for all the market goers.
Midnight Mercato8th Avenue corner 34th Street, Bonifacio Global City. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 PM to 3 AM
Photo from En Route
Mercato Centrale has redefined the Filipino food trip culture with its roster of weekend markets all over the Philippines—from Metro Manila to Tagaytay to Cagayan de Oro. Nothing beats the original though so make sure to drop by Midnight Mercato at The Fort if you want to cap off your week with a nice nighttime indulgence.
The concept of this market is similar to Singapore’s hawker centers where diners get to choose from various eateries. Go from one food stall to the next and let your senses feast on a bevy of food and drink choices that will make you forget the stresses of your workweek.
Sample some crunchy belly from Carlo’s Kitchen, Chef Bab’s sizzling sisig, Lu Chi’s dimsum and dumplings, and a whole lot more. For the more discerning epicure, shop around for palate pleasers at the recently opened BHS Gourmet Food Fair that runs every Sunday from 6am to 2pm.
AANI Weekend MarketFTI Complex, Taguig. Saturday and Sunday, 5 AM to 6 PM
Photo from Pork in the Road
Though less glamorous than the other markets, the AANI Weekend Market is a haven for bargain hunters and worth a visit for its farm fresh product offerings that range from meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and fruits.
The market has a wet area where you’ll find your raw proteins, a produce section where you’ll get to choose from organic vegetables to fresh fruits, a dry goods section that offers export overruns and second-hand goods, a garden corner that displays herbs, seedlings and flower pots, and an eating zone where you can grab a bite before or after shopping. Order a hot bowl of arroz caldo, freshly made bibingka and cool buko juice to give you more energy to go around this busy market.
