I have always told people that the Philippines is a very special place. Not only is it made up of more than 7,000 too many beautiful beaches to count, but the city of Manila (where I live) is full of amazing restaurants, shops, and, my favorite, nightlife spots. As I began to write a list of recommendations, I realized it would end up running for thousands of pages. So, I decided to narrow down a simple list of 8 hidden gems to visit if you ever find yourself in Manila, Philippines (with the exceptions of a few outside  the capital city!). These “hidden areas” are not commonly known spots you can find online, so they are all coming from my personal favorite places to go to when I come home for Christmas or summer.

1. Market Market Pearls

Whenever friends from abroad come to visit me in the Philippines, Market Market Pearls is always on my list of places to take them. Market Market is a very affordable local shopping mall, however, what a lot of people don’t know is that there’s a section that sells fresh water and south sea pearls for a VERY cheap price. Because freshwater pearls are so easy to find in the Philippines, people can find them for prices as cheap as $2, and they are completely real! This is a great place to buy gifts for friends or families. You can buy 3 pairs of earrings for under $10!

2. Lampara

As a forever foodie, I struggled to narrow down this list to only a couple of restaurants. However, I chose to include Lampara because it is a hole-in-the-wall in the area of Poblacion. The mix of the bright and lively ambiance with the amazing well-cooked food is often overlooked. The food is modern Filipino and does an excellent job of showing the Filipino cuisine in a refreshing way!

3. Big Bad Wolf

In addition to the amazing food and shopping in the Philippines, Manila offers many vibrant areas to hit up at night. Big Bad Wolf is where me and my friends love to go, and we’re guaranteed a chill but lively and entertaining night out. It is small enough that it prevents crowding, but big enough that a large group of friends can come and still have space to talk, socialize, and dance. There is a DJ that plays almost every night, and the service is incredible. 

4. Pio Pio Store

I personally love shopping in the Philippines because it has so many unique stores that sell fashionable clothes with a Filipino twist. If you are looking for funky Filipino clothes, PioPio is the perfect place. They source their fabrics from local hand weavers, and offer clothes with one-of-a-kind patterns that you can’t find anywhere else. PioPio is constantly updating their clothes with new styles and patterns, and I always make a point to go there when I have a chance.

5. Yes Please

In contrast to Big Bad Wolf, if you want to go to a place at night that is filled with crowds of people that are dancing the night away, Yes Please is the answer. Yes Please is not only a bright, vibrant, and funky atmosphere, but it’s also very aesthetically pleasing. The walls are filled with graffiti and neon lights and contain many places to pose for an Instagram pic! The DJ always pleases the crowd with a diverse range of genres from blues to disco. 

6. Mary Grace

I have a weakness for baked goods, and Mary Grace is a cafe I grew up going to with my mom. My go-to order was always a warm “ensaymada” (which is a pastry made of sweet dough covered with butter, sugar, and topped with shredded cheese) with a cup of hot chocolate. However, Mary Grace also offers an endless list of classic Filipino breakfasts (from bangus and tocino to tapa and longganisa) and desserts. It is a cafe with comfort food that is good for the heart and soul. 

The last two places on the list are not in Manila, but are in other areas of the Philippines. 

7. Boracay

Boracay is a small island in the Philippines but is filled with many eventful activities, such as island hopping, cliff jumping, parasailing, snorkeling, pub crawls… the options are endless. Many of the hotels are affordable, and the beaches are beautiful on a summer day. 

8. Siargao

In addition to Boracay, Siargao is another island that is becoming more recognized by the second. It is known for its amazing surf spots that are similar to Oahu, Hawaii. But beyond that, it contains hidden gems to explore. It has mesmerizing cave pools, forests, lagoons, and other spots to explore. Definitely check it out if you have a chance.