The Top 10 Best Quesabirria Tacos in Manila, Ranked

(SPOT.ph) When did Filipinos start loving tacos so much? While we can personally pinpoint the boom around 2017-2018, what we share with the good people south of the border goes back way further—we’re talking Manila and Acapulco in their Galleon Trade era. Add in the fact that Los Angeles (where all Mexican food goes to die a slow, trendy death) is home to over half a million Filipinos, and there was no way we were ever going to hear the end of quesabirria.

Invented in Tijuana around 2009 and often mistaken for Tex Mex, this gooey, rich not-sandwich seems to have the magical ability to get to the heart of indulgence. Half of the appeal is in knowing how it’s made: slow-cooked beef (or other gamey meats; one of the original ingredients in some establishments was apparently goat) and Oaxaca cheese stuffed into a tortilla, then dipped back into the liquid the beef stewed in, and grilled until you can hear the sound of people’s arteries begging for mercy. Then it’s served with that same liquid for dipping, which menus refer to as the consommé.

Unlike cheeseburgers that have about five separate components—some of which, when executed well, can even compensate for the others—a good quesabirria really only has three, and each can make it or break it. Decent tortillas are, somehow, less of a problem than great burger buns; getting the right Oaxaca substitute can be a challenge; the beef, as with so many dishes, is the backbone that’s somehow front and center. But it’s about more than just good meat, you see. The blend and treatment of whatever seasoning goes into that slow cook beforehand can absolutely spell the difference between quesabirria (insert star emojis here) and nilaga in a taco shell that looks like it just wants to go the hell home—which we’re sure has its place in the world, but it’s not on this list.

What is on this list was selected over the course of three weeks, from a list of 24 initial candidates dotted around the metro, nominated by members of Team Spot and trusted friends in the local food sphere. There were a few outside of that roster that we would have tried had they been open at normal hours, but… oh well. There’s always the next list. So here goes the product of weeks of weighing and tasting: our list of the top 10 quesabirria tacos in Metro Manila, ranked.

All SPOT.ph Top 10 lists are researched, paid for, tested, and selected by the writers and editors. They are discreetly conducted without prior notice made to the establishments or their owners.

It comes down to that simple, straightforward, yet rich consommé. While pricing is a little sad (P240) when you only get one of this portion, the balanced flavors and great texture (and char on the tortilla, let’s be real) put El Gato in their rightful place on this list. It’s in the fact that they didn’t have to go this far for a drink-centric place—we know some who just don’t seem to try—but they went there and we love them.

El Gato is at 2F Makati Central Square (above KFC/Fat Cat), Amorsolo Street, Makati City.

It takes a certain kind of taco to handle delivery well, but of course you can expect it, once again, from a little Marikina shop that could. Bruja’s take on the undying trend isn’t too salty, or too gooey, or onion overkill—it just doesn’t do too much. If you’re in the area at around 4pm, run, don’t walk—this place runs out of beef fast. And they would, at that great price point (P290 for two).

Taco Bruja is at 169 E dela Paz Street, Marikina.

This deviation from the original La Guada in Parañaque (big shout out, and consider yourselves a part of this list) maintains a certain rustic quality despite its swankier location in Rockwell. Overall, it’s like the baseline for good quesabirria, allowing you to play around with flavors and preferences without burdening you with choice—Mas gives you a couple of hot sauces and a respectable consommé. Add in the lightly crispy, mildly charred taco and tender, flavorful beef, and you’ve got a couple of birria tacos that live just this side of crave-able at P390.

La Guada Mas is at Joya Lofts & Towers, Plaza Drive, Makati City.

At P300 for two tacos, you’d think we’d stop our praises there, but Drive-By isn’t at number 7 for nothing. Once again, we have a solid rendition of the quesabirria overall; savory, lightly spicy, with just enough richness and crunch to make you forget this place is literally roadside (although that definitely still adds to the feel of things). Also, not to activate the Inner ‘Not Too Sweet’ Tita, but this isn’t too cheesy, which can be an easy mistake to make in the pursuit of indulgence.

Drive-By Taco Shop is at 256 Aguirre Avenue, Parañaque.

How we feel about El Chupacabra—a Poblacion institution at this point–can be summed up in four words: It still holds up. There’s not much else to be said; on a Friday night (or Thursday, if you’re a little nasty), after a long work week, this is what you want to be biting into. A little crunch, a lot of give, and enough spices to reawaken the senses—at P313 for two, it’s the furthest thing from a bad way to kick off the weekend.

El Chupacabra is at 5782 Felipe Street, Makati City.

If number 8 was the baseline for good quesabirria, this one is the reference point for great quesabirria—we genuinely wish we could rank it lower for the price point (P240 for one), but considering the portions and the location, this one gets a pass. The consommé may have been the most impressive part, with spices clearly toasted and clinging to the light oil residue on the side of the serving bowl—and this is all considering that the tortilla and meat were all executed excellently as well. What can we say? We included La Chinesca BGC in our list of 50 Great Restaurants of 2025 for a reason.

La Chinesca BGC is at GF East Gallery Place, 28th Street, Taguig.

There’s not much we can say about this one except that Taqueria Franco earned their Michelin recognition, clearly. It’s just an overall excellent place to get unusual but approachable tacos, including but certainly not limited to this contender with a slightly less common ingredient. What the lamb provides—on top of everything you can expect from good quesabirria—is a punchier, gamier, but definitely not overwhelming bite. At P575 for two tacos, it’s a bit of a stretch, but for the flavor? It’s the perfect occasional treat—say, every other payday.

Taqueria Franco is at Salcedo Village, San Agustin Street, Makati City.

Between this and number 5, it’s difficult to go back to mediocre Mexican(ish) food. Lágrima’s consommé is layered with both intense flavor and deceptive heat—it almost gets spicier the more you dip, which we didn’t know was possible. But that means that the meat holds up well on its own, and leans its weight just enough on a decent substitute cheese that matches the mildness of Oaxaca. The touch of pickled onion takes this version of birria (P660 for three) over the top.

Lágrima is at 192 Wilson, San Juan City and GF Paseo Parkview Suites, Salcedo Village, San Agustin Street, Makati City.

This may be a point of contention, but we’re standing by this one. Onlypans is one of the OGs in the Manila birria game, and while they suffer from the typical problems that plague a small business, they’ve lasted this long for a few very obvious reasons—not the least of which being their Quesa Birria Tacos (P400 for two). The portions? Hefty. The tortilla? Strong but not untoothsome. The consommé? Satisfyingly rich. The flavor? Could cure someone’s depression. And it probably has.

Onlypans Taqueria is at 5663 Don Pedro Street, Makati, Makati City.

While this doesn’t have quite the same punch as many of our other contenders, we consider this the platonic ideal of the quesabirria taco; they hit the nail on the head on every element. El Poco is another establishment that’s earned its Michelin distinction, although whether the place gets packed through most hours of the weekday because of it or vice versa is hard to say. In terms of a daily lunch option in the Manila area, you’d be hard-pressed to do better—it’s P270 for two tacos. But beyond its value for money, it’s a perfectly balanced dish from a relatively easygoing, unassuming place.

El Poco Cantina is at 945 Estrada Street, Malate, Manila.