GUIDE: Where to Order Food Trays for the Holidays

(SPOT.ph) Holiday panic creeping in? Same here. The group chats are buzzing with reunion plans—everyone negotiating locations, headcount, themes, games, and who’s bringing what dish. If you’re celebrating at home or in a private space, great news: the Metro is overflowing with food trays ready that can be conveniently delivered to your doorstep. In this guide, we sized up budgets and options—and yes, we threw in a few Michelin-recognized picks because ‘tis the season to ride the hype.

Also read: GUIDE: How Much to Dine at Michelin Bib Gourmand Spots in the Philippines?

Make a quick search of "food trays" and Foodtray2go will always pop up—and, sure, it may be because of search engine optimization, but their food speaks for itself, too. This food business based in San Juan has all kinds of food trays, of different cuisines and different meats. But if there's one thing you cannot go wrong with? It's the Baked Cheesy Garlic Prawns (price starts at P1,150/good for five), that even if this was the last dish added to the holiday spread, it would still be likely the first one to go.

Need other options? Don't worry, Foodtray2go has got you covered with their bestsellers—at which, "best" isn't an overexaggeration. For beef, go for the Beef Salpicao (price starts at P700/good for five); for pork, go with the Lechon Kawali Kare Kare with Bagoong (price starts at P850/good for five); and for pasta, don't miss the Baked Mac (price starts at P550/good for five).

How to order: You can place an order via Foodtray2go's website.

If you want something with a more homecooked ulam vibe but without tiring yourself in the kitchen, go and order Hot Dish's Beef Caldereta (P840/good for 4 pax, P1,630/good for 10-12 pax) and for something kid-approved, there's the Chicken Poppers (P330/good for 4-6 pax, P650/good for 8-10 pax, and P970/good for 12-14 pax), which is available in Original, Spicy, or BBQ flavors. Plus point: they have locations in the North (Quezon City) and in the South (Parañaque City)!

How to order: You can contact Hot Dish through these numbers: Globe - 0915-091-7171, Smart - 0919-000-7171, and landline - (02) 8282-7171.

Another restaurant group offering food trays perfect for the holidays is The Moment Group—the mother brand behind restaurants like Manam, Ooma, 8Cuts, Mo' Cookies, and Din Tai Fung. Through Moment Catering, the brand's catering arm, you can order good-for-sharing party trays from these brands.

The one with a little bit of everything is their Moment Faves Party Tray (P3,499/good for 3-4 pax, P5,999/good for 7-8 pax), which includes Ooma's Maki Duo (Ebi and Kani Aburi Maki and Truffle Steak Aburi Maki), Manam's House Crispy Sisig and Caramelized Patis Wings, and 8Cuts' bucket of Onion Rings and House Cheeseburger Sliders—plus rice, Pancit Palabok, and Pepita Pao, and Buko Pie.

Other food tray options include the Filipino Party Tray (P2,999/good for 3-4 pax, P5,499/good for 7-8 pax) and International Party Tray (P3,999/good for 3-4 pax, P6,499/good for 7-8 pax). Moment also has full catering services if you're hosting a big event!

How to order: You can order by emailing Moment Group at events@momentgroup.ph, or through mobile at 0919-084-5479 (Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Want Michelin-recognized dishes to share with your friends and family—without having to step out of the house? Michelin Bib Gourmand Awardee Pilya's Kitchen has holiday platters this year. There's the Pork and Shrimp Dumpling Platter (P1,050): dumplings stuffed with pork, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and fermented chili, served with tangy black vinegar, sesame soy sauce, and chili oil. Then there's the "Mala" Fried Chicken Wing Platter (P1,400): lightly battered wings seasoned with cumin, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel seed, and spices that you'll have to figure out yourselves as you take bites.

How to order: You can place an order via The Grid's website.

If you want to serve something out-of-the-box, a conversation starter of some sort, Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Palm Grill has a platter version of their famous Piyanggang (P1,499/good for 10 pax). This chicken dish, with its origins in Mindanao, features tender chicken cooked in burnt coconut paste, coconut milk, and a medley of spices like turmeric, ginger, and lemongrass. And what pairs with this smoky and spicy dish? Don't overthink and order Palm Grill's Turmeric Rice (P899).

How to order: You can place an order by messaging Palm Grill at 0967-097-9381.

Got you The Bistro Group biases? If there's more than one, don't hassle yourself with ordering from the restaurants separately because you can order in one go with The Bistro Group's Feast For All Platters.

There are platters that are good for sharing, and if you’re keeping things small or just don’t feel like sharing—no judgment—there are Solo Plates, too. Prices start at just P245 for TGIFridays, P298 for Modern Shang, P345 for Texas Roadhouse, and P325 for Italianni’s.

The menu reads like a greatest hits album from TGIFriday’s, Italianni’s, Texas Roadhouse, Las Flores, Siklab, and more. Craving steaks, ribs, burgers, pastas, or pizzas? How about dim sum, paella, tempura, skewers, seafood, all-day breakfast, Korean BBQ, or buffalo wings? Delivery’s free, the choices are plenty, and the holidays just got a whole lot less stressful—and tastier.

How to order: You can place an order via the Bistro Delivers website.