Makati Street Food Experience end with a Rooftop Bar

Street food, rooftops, and no English menu. That mix is exactly why this Makati night food crawl feels fun and real, with V guiding you through what to order when the menus are not in English. I also like that the pace is short and clear, about 3 hours, so you get a full taste of local food without burning your whole evening.

What I really love is the variety, from classic street items to the weirder stuff you might only see in Makati at night. Expect dishes like sisig fried rice, balut, chicken and pig intestine, chicken blood, kwek-kwek, and dynamite, plus a local beer as you eat. You’ll also get included photography, which matters because you’re hopping between stalls, diners, and a rooftop.

One possible drawback: this is not the kind of meal where you can casually skim and pick only one thing. If you do not want offal or strong flavors, you’ll need to plan your comfort level, even though vegetarian options are available.

Key things to know before you go

• Real ordering help in Makati: no English menu, and your guide shows you the Filipino way to ask for food and drinks
• Hott Asia Bazaar food stops: sisig, balut, kwek-kwek, dynamite, and other popular street staples
• Dessert break at a 1950s-style diner: the Filling Station stop is built for photos and sweet treats
• Rooftop finale at Antidote: end with a 360 rooftop bar view in the I’M Hotel area
• Small group size: up to 10 people, so you get attention and the night stays organized

Makati Street Food and Antidote Rooftop: What the Night Actually Feels Like

This is a smart “eat-first” introduction to Makati. You start with street food where locals really go, then you shift to a retro diner for dessert, and you end high above the city at the Antidote rooftop bar inside the I’M Hotel. If you like your night to have both energy on the street and an easy wind-down at a viewpoint, this format works.

The guided part is the secret sauce. The tour explicitly handles the no English menu problem, and that makes a big difference when you are deciding what to eat. With V leading you, you can focus on tasting instead of standing there guessing what different items are.

Another reason this tour works well is pacing. It is about 3 hours total, and each stop runs around an hour. That means you can eat a lot without feeling stuck forever at one location.

Stop 1: Hott Asia Bazaar, Street Food Favorites and the Weird-Cool Menu

The night begins at Hott Asia Bazaar, a street food stop where the menu is all local and the energy is part of the show. You’ll try a stack of classic Makati night foods, including sisig, balut, and options that fall into the “adventurous but traditional” category like chicken intestine, pig intestine, and chicken blood. You’ll also see crowd favorites like kwek-kwek and dynamite get served alongside the more famous items.

Food here is not polite and quiet. It is hands-on and fast. That’s good news if you want to experience how people snack and graze while they chat. The tour also includes live entertainment such as a live band and comedy stunts, so the stop feels like more than just a place to eat.

I like that this is not one random tasting. The variety gives you a real sense of what Filipinos order when they go out at night. If sisig fried rice is on your plate, you’ll also get a chance to compare the “comfort street food” style with the more unusual textures and flavors from offal-based dishes.

A practical consideration for Stop 1

If you have a sensitive stomach or strong aversions to offal, be honest with yourself before the tour. Vegetarian options exist, but the core of this stop is built around traditional street items. On the plus side, you get ordering help, so you can adjust your choices rather than facing the menu alone.

Stop 2: Filling Station Bar and Cafe, a 1950s Diner Moment for Photos and Desserts

After the street stalls, you shift gears at Filling Station Bar and Cafe. The name hints at a gas station, but the vibe is more like a 1950s diner style stop in Makati. This is where the evening becomes more photogenic and less chaotic.

You’ll take photos during this part, and the tour is also built around desserts. Even if you are full from the first stop, this is a good target because dessert gives your taste buds a break. It also gives you a different kind of local experience, not just more of the same savory street foods.

I appreciate this stop because it prevents the night from feeling like a constant food sprint. You’ll still keep eating, but the style changes: from street-grab-and-go to a seated diner atmosphere that’s easier to enjoy.

Stop 3: I’M Hotel Rooftop Finale at Antidote (360 Views Included in the Mood)

The final stop is Antidote at the rooftop level of the I’M Hotel in Makati. The tour frames this as a rooftop experience unlike other spots in Manila, and it’s a fitting ending because you’ve already done the eating work down on the street.

Antidote is described as a 360 rooftop bar, so you should expect wide open views and a better chance to slow down. This part is about atmosphere after you finish the food crawl. If you like taking photos with a city backdrop, the rooftop setting makes that easy.

One nice thing about having the rooftop finish is that it turns your night into a story. Street food, then retro diner desserts, then views from above. Even if you are not a rooftop person, the “last stop” structure helps you keep your energy consistent all evening.

What You Eat on This Tour, Plus How Vegetarian Options Fit In

The included dinner is built around a set of Filipino dishes and street food favorites. You can expect sisig fried rice (beef or chicken) plus Filipino street food items such as chicken blood, intestine, heart, liver, balut, and more. The tour also lists vegetarian options such as eggs, green chili, muscles, prawns, and sisig tofu.

That matters because it means you are not locked into just one style of eating. You can build a plate that matches your comfort level while still participating in the core experience. And since there is guidance with ordering, you can ask for what you want without freezing at the start.

A tip that helps: go in deciding your personal “yes list” for flavors and textures. I recommend treating balut as a special choice rather than a casual bite. If you’re curious, start there. If you’re not, you can focus on sisig fried rice, kwek-kwek style snacks, and vegetarian items instead.

No English Menu? Here’s Why the Guide Part Matters

The tour specifically points out that there is no English menu. That sounds like a small detail until you’re standing there hungry, surrounded by choices, and trying to figure out what to order fast enough to keep the group moving.

With V teaching you the real Filipino way of ordering food and drinks, you avoid the awkward guessing game. You also avoid wasting money on the wrong item when you’re not sure what you are getting. The tour is set up so you can focus on tasting, not decoding.

If you tend to hesitate when menus are confusing, this kind of guidance is a big value. You get a process you can follow quickly: order, confirm, eat, and move on.

The Rooftop Bar Finish Plus Included Photography, Why It’s Better Than Doing It Alone

A lot of food tours are only about the eating. This one adds photography included in the experience. That means you get help capturing the night at the places that actually look good for pictures: the street food stop, the diner-style stop, and the rooftop.

It also helps that the tour includes both a local beer during the meal and multiple food stops, not just one tasting. When you try to do this on your own, the cost can creep up fast. You might pay for street food, then pay for a second place for dessert, then pay again for rooftop drinks and photos.

Here, the night is packaged so the “mealtime math” stays clear. You pay once, then you get a structured food flow plus the rooftop finale.

Price and Value: Is $65 Worth It in Makati?

At $65.00 per person, this is positioned as a mid-range night experience. Is it expensive? Not really, when you look at what’s included.

You get:

• multiple street food tastings at Hott Asia Bazaar
• a dessert stop at Filling Station Bar and Cafe
• a rooftop bar finish at Antidote in the I’M Hotel area
• included photography
• dinner items including sisig fried rice and a set of Filipino street foods
• vegetarian options
• local beer as you eat

Because it’s around 3 hours, it also works well as a planned evening even if you do not want to spend your entire night hopping between places. You are buying convenience plus local guidance plus an intentional route.

If you love street food but hate the uncertainty of ordering, this can be better value than piecing together three different activities on your own. If you prefer to pick only one or two foods and sip casually, you might feel the tour pushes you to eat more than you would on your own. That’s the tradeoff.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Want to Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• want a simple way to eat Makati street food without studying menus
• are curious about Filipino street staples like sisig, balut, and kwek-kwek
• like finishing nights with a view, not just another restaurant meal
• prefer small groups, since the maximum is 10 people

It might be less ideal if you:

• refuse offal completely
• want a very quiet, slow meal with no entertainment and no food sprint
• dislike the idea of tasting lots of different things in a short window

The good news is vegetarian options are listed, and ordering help is part of the plan. So you can still make the night work, as long as you communicate your comfort level in the moment.

Quick Planning Tips for a Smooth Night in Makati

A couple of practical things make this kind of food crawl easier.

First, arrive hungry. The stops include a lot of tastings, and the dinner structure expects you to eat through the night. If you eat a big meal right before, you may struggle to enjoy the rooftop finale because you will already be full.

Second, wear shoes you can stand in. Street food areas usually mean standing, shifting, and moving between vendors.

Third, be ready for a social night rhythm. There is live band and comedy stunts at the street food stop, so you are not just quietly sampling items. Lean into it.

Finally, use the guide. If there is something you do not want, say so during ordering rather than waiting until you receive the food. The whole point is that you have help figuring out what to pick.

Should You Book the Makati Street Food Experience With a Rooftop Bar?

I’d book it if you’re new to Makati and you want a night that feels both local and organized. The combination is smart: street food first for authenticity, diner desserts next for comfort, and Antidote rooftop views at the end for a relaxed finish. The included photography is a bonus that makes the memory stick.

I’d think twice if you are strictly offal-averse, or if you want a low-pressure meal with just a couple of bites. This tour is built around trying multiple foods in a short time. If that sounds like your kind of plan, it’s a strong pick.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at City Garden GRAND Hotel Makati and ends at the I’M Hotel rooftop bar, Antidote.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 3 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $65.00 per person.

What is included in the dinner?

Dinner includes sisig fried rice (beef or chicken) and Filipino street food such as chicken blood, intestine, heart, liver, and balut, with vegetarian options like sisig tofu, eggs, green chili, muscles, and prawns.

Is photography included?

Yes, photography is included in this experience.

Are drinks included?

Drinks to other bar or restaurant are not included. A local beer is mentioned as part of the eating portion.

What happens at the Hott Asia Bazaar stop?

You’ll try popular street foods such as sisig, balut, chicken intestine, pig intestine, chicken blood, kwek-kwek, and dynamite, with local beers and live entertainment.

What happens at Filling Station Bar and Cafe?

You’ll take photos and eat desserts at a 1950s-type diner style stop in Makati.

What is the rooftop bar at the end?

The tour ends at Antidote, a rooftop bar on top of the I’M Hotel, described as a 360 rooftop bar experience.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.