‘All I want for Christmas is food’: Must-try Holiday servings in Araneta City
The Philippines is home to the world’s longest Christmas celebration, an enchanting stretch that begins as early as September and lingers well into January. Once the “ber” months arrive, the welcoming glow of parols light up the community, the melody of carols wafts through the streets, and every corner of the city slowly transforms into a festive escape. A season wrapped in love, connection, and the spirit of giving.
Yet, with a celebration this long, even the most beloved traditions can leave one wondering: what’s next? What new flavors can grace the table while still honoring the classics? In Filipino homes, food is the heart of every gathering, a story told through aroma, texture, and taste. It is in the savory richness of lechon (roast pig), the comforting sweetness of bibingka (rice cake), and the playful reinvention of traditional favorites that memories are made, conversations spark, and every bite feels like a celebration.
For those already curating their Noche Buena, the traditional Filipino Christmas Eve feast on December 24, Araneta City offers a flavorful prelude to the holidays. Here’s where the taste of Christmas is already being served; warm, festive, and unmistakably Filipino.
Tindelli Filipino Deli & Cafe
Upper Ground Floor B, Palenque
Tindeli serves up the best Noche Buena must-haves, making it a one-stop spot for Filipino comfort done right. Tindeli’s bibingka is soft, slightly charred, and perfectly buttery with coconut and salted egg, the kind of bite that immediately puts one in the holiday mood.
Pair it with Tindeli’s Chicken Galantina that never disappoints, while the sizzling chorizo and hardinera bring that hearty, home-style flavor everyone loves. For sharing and guaranteed compliments, the barbecue platter and cheesy baked bangus are must-tries. Get the Pancit Inulas, a Bicol-style stir-fried noodle dish that adds a kick of something new to the table this holiday.
End on a sweet note with one of Tindeli’s cakes because every Filipino celebration deserves a slice (or two) of something indulgent.
Mary Grace Cafe
Upper Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
Mary Grace Cafe’s pastas are holiday-ready favorites. The Pasta Amatriciana with Italian meatballs brings comforting warmth with its rich tomato and herb sauce, perfect for cozy Christmas dinners. The seafood pasta evokes festive feasts by the sea, while Spanish sardines with olives offer a flavorful, slightly tangy twist that pairs well with celebratory drinks.
Family platters make sharing effortless and festive. The vegetable focaccia sandwich platter adds a colorful, wholesome touch, the Filipino beef and tomato sandwiches are rich and comforting, chicken inasal sandwiches bring smoky, familiar flavors, and the Vigan longganisa with kesong puti sandwiches deliver a distinctly Filipino Christmas experience, full of nostalgia and warmth.
Desserts at Mary Grace Cafe perfectly capture the season’s indulgence. The banana bread and lemon bars add sweet, bright notes to the spread; the brownie bars offer a decadent treat for chocoholics; and the Ensaymada Bread Pudding transforms a classic Filipino pastry into a festive centerpiece, soft, buttery, and irresistible, an understated but perfect holiday comfort.
Asador de Manila
Level 4, World Kitchens
Asador de Manila in World Kitchens spices up the holidays with Spanish-inspired dishes that take celebrations up a notch.
Their Cochinillo Entero, a whole roasted piglet with crisp skin, is basically a show-stopping centerpiece. The Pollo Ibérico brings rich, comforting flavors with a gourmet twist. The Paloma al Estilo Asador, char-grilled baby pigeon, is a bold choice for those who love to impress. For tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat, the Cordero Lechal is an absolute must. And the Ganso al Horno, slow-roasted goose with plum sauce, can turn any festive table into a feast people will be talking about long after Christmas.
Chef Jessie
Level 4, World Kitchens
Make Noche Buena stand out with Chef Jessie’s Filipino cuisine excellence.
Start light but impressive with the award-winning sisig or fresh lumpiang ubod, perfect for getting the conversation (and appetites) started. Their salads are anything but extra ordinary: the pan-fried goose liver salad adds a special touch, while the sizzling kesong puti and Sierra Madre pako salad with salted egg offer familiar flavors with a subtle twist that’ll surprise guests in the best way.
When it comes to mains, Chef Jessie has something for everyone. The grilled lamb chops are perfectly tender, the US Black Angus beef burger is rich and satisfying, and the grilled lemongrass chicken balances flavor and comfort beautifully. Traditional Filipino favorites like paksiw na lechon and lechon kawali are also on the menu, giving you all the familiar holiday flavors with a thoughtful, elevated touch that makes your Noche Buena feel special without going over the top.
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore these festive culinary spots. Even if the plan is a full Noche Buena spread or simply just a few standout dishes for celebrations, these restaurants offer flavors that are both comforting and memorable. From traditional Filipino classics to inventive twists on holiday favorites, each bite promises joy, connection, and a little bit of holiday magic ready to be shared with friends and family. Make this Christmas not just about the date on the calendar, but about the stories, laughter, and delicious moments that come with it.
