A‘Toda Madre - Manila’s first tequila bar and the only mezcaleria in the country. Come here for authentic Mexican street food inspired by the flavors of Gaudalajara and Mission Street SF. We love the homey dishes too, like this hearty Pozole Rojo—a hearty Mexican stew made with hominy, chilis, pork, radish and lettuce. They have the largest selection of Mexican tequila, mezcal, bacanora, raicilla, and sotol. Open daily for dine in from 4 PM to 2 AM, and delivery from 12 nn to 12 MN | G/F Sunette Tower, Durban Street corner Makati Avenue, Makati | 0919 095 7017 | FB: @atodamadretequila |IG: @atodamadrephRESERVE A TABLE
Almacen Cantina - This artsy bar puts you In a party mood fast. Great music, good vibes, with a wide selection of booze and reimagined Mexican food. Like Hot Cheetos Corn Elotes, Chicharrón & Guac (in photo), or Beef Pares Burritos. Craving rice? Order the Chicken Skewers on Mexican Rice that goes so well with cold Mexican beer. 5910B Matilde Street, Poblacion, Makati | IG: @cantina.almacen.RESERVE A TABLE
Ay Papito - The popular El Nido taqueria is now in the city. Inspired by owner Leon Araneta’s 26 years in Mexico, this is where to find tacos that Mexican expats love, in delicious variants like Pollo (roast chicken), Bistec (sirloin beef), Panella (with Mexican cottage cheese) or Agua de Horchata (with cinnamon). Order the Chicharron de Queso, a slab of cheese fried till crunchy, then served with salsa. Available for pick up in Manila. Get the details from IG: @aypapito_ph. RESERVE A TABLE
Cochi Loco - It started as a food stall serving Mole Poblano, chicharron with guacamole and tortillas, and other authentic Mexican signature dishes. Now with a store in SM Aura Premier, Chef Cochi cooks dishes inspired by his hometown, Guanajato, and his food hits differently. We love the Birria party trays. SM Aura Premier and the Salcedo Saturday Market | IG: @cochilocomanila. RESERVE A TABLE
Drive By Taco Shop - This no-frills Alabang taqueria’s reliance on fresh ingredients and masterful technique has made it a byword for the kind of crazy-good tacos you really want to sink your teeth into. From super-tender and rich chicharones tacos to Red Horse beer battered ox brain tacos. And now they have a branch in Baguio. IG: @drivebytacoshop.RESERVE A TABLE
El Chupacabra - This hole-in-the-wall was selling amazing street tacos before Poblacion was on everyone’s radar. It’s still our favorite. There are dozens of taco varieties to choose from, all of them good! Not to mention the burritos, chicken wings, sisig and more. 5782 Felipe Street, Poblacion, Makati | IG: @elchupacabra.ph.RESERVE A TABLE
El Poco Cantina - This humble little taqueria is famous for serving authentic birria tacos, bomb burritos, LA street tacos and quesadilla slaps. Check out the Asian Pulled Pork Burritos too! 945 Estrada Street, Malate, Manila | IG: @elpococantina. RESERVE A TABLE
Hermanos Taco Shop - Chef-owner Rene Rodriguez makes some of the best tamales in town: corn husks filled with meat, seasoned corn masa, and slathered with melted cheese and pico de gallo. Try the Mexican Menudo, a fiery red stew glistening with fat, with chunks of tripe. Branches in Westgate Center, Alabang and Bonifacio Stopover, BGC | IG: @hermanostacoshop.ph.RESERVE A TABLE
La Chinesca - Chef Bruce Rickett’s imaginative, elevated renditions of Mexican street food, from flavorful tacos to handmade tortillas. Available for a month-long pop up from June 22 to July 21 at Balmori. Watch for its reopening at The Grid, too! IG: @lachinescaRESERVE A TABLE
La Guada - TikTok led us to this tiny taqueria serving the best birria tacos in the south. Crowd favorites include the fish tacos made with dory and vegan cheese, beef burritos, cheese jalapeño elotes, with extra orders of gaucamole and pico de gallo. They have burgers and ribs, too. 319 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque | IG: @laguada_birria.RESERVE A TABLE
Lágrima - It opened as a 24-seater in Legazpi Village back in 2017, and since then has expanded both its menu and into new branches. Come for the tacos: shrimp, carnitas, pollo asado, with all the fixings and sauces and lime. Love these quesadillas in mushroom and kimchi flavors. Branches in San Juan, Salcedo Village, Robinsons Magnolia | IG: @lagrimanila.RESERVE A TABLE
Leon Authentic Mexican Cantina - A small cantina with vibrant murals and homestyle dishes that are big on flavors like Shredded Carne Quesadillas, carne burritos, and Carnitas Fajitas. Worth the drive. Clean Fuel Ynares, Sumulong Memorial Circle, Antipolo | IG: @leonauthenticmexican.RESERVE A TABLE
Los Tacos - Chef Patrick Keith Curitana some of the most delicious tacos and tortillas we’ve ever tasted. Elegant flavor bombs. Try the quesabirria, baja shrimp tacos, birria tacos, move on to sample as much of the menu as you possibly can. They’re all that good. IG: @lostacosmnl.RESERVE A TABLE
Onlypans - A pandemic baby, this taqueria serves amazing birria tacos. The Quesa Birria Tacos is made with USDA beef stewed in a mix of 16 spices and chilies brought in especially from Mexico. Also try the other variants like the camaron and chicharronnes tacos. IG: @onlypanstaqueria. RESERVE A TABLE
Taqueria Franco - French-inspired tacos as reimagined by Chef Miko Calo. Think Foie Gras Tacos, Duck Confit Tacos, Eggs & Caviar Tostada, and more. LPL Center, 130 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati | IG: @taqueria.franco.RESERVE A TABLE