The Urban Insider's Guide to Maginhawa, Quezon City

(SPOT.ph) When one thinks of Maginhawa in Quezon City, what immediately comes to mind are food parks and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that you can't find anywhere else in the Metro. But this foodie haven has so much more to offer, whether you're on the lookout for affordable knickknacks and vintage finds or just shopping around for a place where you can work out. This street, after all, stretches for almost three kilometers and straddles several villages: UP Village, Teachers Village East, Teachers Village West, and Sikatuna Village. It's become the catchall name that applies to nearby streets, too—named after other positive Filipino traits—that boast a hodgepodge of places to eat, stopovers for shopping, and a variety of things to do.

Also read:
The Urban Insider's Guide to Salcedo Village
Local Favorites: 10 Things to Do in Maginhawa, Quezon City
Cheap Eats in Maginhawa: Tasty Finds for P150 and Below
Local Favorites: Where to Shop in Maginhawa, Quezon City

Check out the budget eats you can get in Maginhawa:

The neighborhood is home to all sorts of restaurants, which serve everything from Indian cuisine to vegetarian Filipino. It's also known as one of the more budget-friendly places to eat thanks to its close proximity to a number of schools. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 budget-friendly dishes in and around Maginhawa that you can get for P150 or less.

Fat Cousins’ Fried Chicken (P149)

It’s hard to believe that Fat Cousin’s Fried Chicken meal is this affordable, given how much you get with one order. Each plate comes with a whole leg quarter, unlimited rice, and various sides, so you’re sure you’ll end up stuffed.

Fat Cousins’ is at 114 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City.

Cheesy Keema Shawarma from Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub (P98)

Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub has a pretty extensive menu, ranging from ox brain to all kinds of kebabs. But if you’re on a strict budget, you can’t go wrong with their Cheesy Keema Shawarma, which has sautéed minced beef topped with crunchy veggies and oozing hot cheese, all wrapped in soft, toasted pita bread. One is filling enough, but if you’re extra hungry, you can order two in a bundle for only P175.

Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub is at 22 Malingap Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City.

Shao Kao Grillery’s Grilled Liempo (P95)

This al-fresco Chinese street-style barbecue restaurant lists this dish as one of their bestsellers, and for good reason. For under a hundred bucks, you get to enjoy juicy liempo coated in a special savory sauce. Just add P15 for plain rice for a filling meal. Pro tip: Don't forget to try their chili garlic!

Shao Kao Grillery is at 7 Masinsinan Street corner Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Oinkster’s Bacon Lettuce Tomato Waffle Sandwich (P145)

If you love bacon, then you’ll love Oinkster. Not only do they offer two kinds of bacon—the classic, crispy one and a version coated with breadcrumbs—they also offer unlimited bacon for P299! But if you’re not looking to splurge, opt for their Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich. It’s your classic BLT sandwich in between two fluffy waffles instead of bread and comes with fries.

Oinkster is at Maginhawa Suites, 99 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City.

Saigon Pho’s Cha Gio (P150)

For something fresh and healthy yet affordable, look no further than hole-in-the-wall Saigon Pho. If you're on a budget, you can try their Chai Gio, deep-fried Vietnamese egg rolls stuffed with ground pork and vegetables like jicama, wood ear mushrooms, onions, and rice noodles. You can also wrap each roll up in some lettuce and herbs that comes with every order.

Saigon Pho is at 2/F 108 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Yummy Tokyo’s Miso Ramen (P149)

At Yummy Tokyo, you can get ramen without having to spend a lot. Their Miso Ramen comes with a creamy and nutty broth, silky noodles, generous servings of char siu pork, and half of a perfectly soft-boiled egg. They even have DIY ramen kits available—each kit comes with their handcrafted ramen noodles, signature broth paste, and chashu so you can recreate their offerings at home.

Yummy Tokyo is at 103 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Grill Queen’s Pork BBQ Meal #1 (P85)

With a name like Grill Queen, you can expect a lot of ihaw-ihaw specialities. If you're looking for something filling that won't break the bank, you can choose among their GQ Meals. The most affordable of the bunch is their Pork BBQ Meal #1 (P85): two sticks of thin slices of lean, tender pork. It comes with rice, atchara, and a choice of iced tea or soup.

Grill Queen is at 90 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Steak Fix’s Hawaiian Chicken Steak (P149)

A whole customizable meal for less than P150? You can find it at Steak Fix. Their flavorful Hawaiian Chicken Steak is at P149 and comes with your own choice of sides: Pesto Linguini, Alfredo Linguini, Pizza Margherita, Mushroom Cheese Scramble, Mash n’ Corn, or Mucha Rice.

Steak Fix is at Maginhawa Suites, 99 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City.

Mo:Mo’s Half and Half Platter (P150/combo, P130/ala carte)

You’d probably never think to find Nepalese cuisine in Manila, much less Maginhawa. But this street is home to Mo:Mo, which specializes in the Nepalese dumplings they’re named after. These tasty morsels are a lot larger than your regular Chinese dumplings and are stuffed with all sorts of spices, vegetables, and meat. Mo:Mo's fillings include with chicken, beef, or pork. Get the Half and Half Platter so you can try two variants in one order. 

Mo:Mo is at 46A Magiting Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Rodic's Diner's Tapsilog (P110)

Rodic's Diner is popular for their tasty and affordable tapsilog. This UP community favorite serves shredded tapa, which may or may not remind you corned beef. Its sweet-salty taste goes well with their garlic rice, a sunny-side up egg, and vinegar on the side. Bonus: Their branch in Maginhawa is air-conditioned.

Rodic's Diner is at 129 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Here’s where you can shop in Maginhawa:

Shopping may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're in this area, but there’s a lot more to it than just food. We combed through the neighborhood to help you get started on what might be your first shopping trip in Maginhawa.

Pulseras by Kim

Pulseras by Kim effortlessly grew its following because of its selection of pretty, minimalist jewelry. The local brand found its home along Maginhawa just last month, and their physical store has since been attracting a steady stream of shoppers. They do close shop from time to time when they have pop-up shops in other parts of the Metro, so keep an eye on their Instagram for updates. Their physical store is where you can shop Pulseras by Kim's chic jewelry pieces that are all handcrafted from locally sourced materials. They make great gift ideas for the special people in your life!

Pulseras by Kim is at 72 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Pulseras by Kim’s website.

Artwhale

This cozy little shop along Malingap Street is a must-visit for any artist. While they do have an online shop, nothing beats the feeling of actually seeing all the art supplies and paper face to face. They carry items like paintbrushes, acrylic paint, watercolor paint, sculpting and carving tools, cutting tools, specialty paper, and more. Shop from brands like PanPastel, Sakura, Golden Artist Colors, Escoda, Zig, Staedtler, and Strathmore, among others.

Artwhale is at Unit B1, 22 Malingap Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Artwhale’s Facebook page. 

5D Healing Crystals

This Makati original has found its way to Quezon City and opened its doors in September 2019. It has a massive display of tumbled stones, jewelry, geodes, crystal balls, and singing bowls. 5D Healing Crystals sources their gemstones and crystals from all over the world. Their Maginhawa store also has the biggest quartz singing bowl we’ve ever seen!

 5D Healing Crystals is at 2/F 80 Maginhawa Residences, Teachers Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to 5D Healing Crystals’ Facebook page.

Cosmic Concept

This tiny clothing store is packed with colorful shirts and hoodies featuring pop culture-inspired designs perfect for fan girls. You can go with the designs that are already on display, or you can choose a plain shirt or hoodie in the color you want and have them print your preferred design; you just have to wait 10 to 15 minutes. The unisex shirts come in small to large and are available for P250, while the hoodies go for P500.

Cosmic Concept is at 78 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Cosmic Concept's Facebook page.

eStilo 

If you’re looking for a shop that offers plus-size threads, you might want to check out eStilo’s physical store. It’s where you can score stylish pieces like rompers, dresses, and bottoms that’ll flatter your curvy figure. eStilo also carries chic swimwear, perfect if you’ve got an upcoming beach trip. Looking for smaller sizes? The store also caters to other body types, so if you’re looking for smaller sizes, check out their online shop to see all their offerings. 

eStilo is at 189 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to eStilo’s Facebook page.

Jess and Pat’s

Here’s more proof that a lot of shops in the UP Village area deserve a closer look. Jess and Pat’s is actually a café and performance space, but it has an area reserved for showcasing the works and wares of various local writers such as Rei Nikolai and artists, including Stranger Tin and Minimalitics. It’s a great place to pick up some new gifts and to discover more Filipino talents.

Jess and Pat’s is at 2/F 63 Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Jess and Pat’s Facebook page. 

Red Monster Shop

You can’t miss the array of posters and signs right outside Red Monster Shop, but it’s the vast interior that will surprise you. The display cabinets are stacked with Nendoroid and Banpresto figures and plushies, and one half of the shop is devoted to J-Pop and anime while the other half is dedicated to K-Pop. If you can’t immediately process all the good stuff right in front of you, you might want to sit down and have a meal first; they offer coffee and dishes like katsudon, spicy ramyeon, and kimchi fried rice.

Red Monster Shop is at Unit C3 3/F Luisa Building 2, 107 Maginhawa Street, Dililman, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Red Monster Shop’s Facebook page.

Season Pass

If you’re on the hunt for some premium vintage clothing and streetwear, Season Pass is the place to visit. They have cool vintage tees, footwear, accessories, and fun novelty finds. Some of the brands they carry include Supreme, Carhartt, BAPE, and Stussy, among others. Their community sales are what you want to look out for, too—there are a lot more brands on those days, and they come up with different collections as well. You can check out their Instagram for announcements.

Season Pass is at 51 Magiting Street, Diliman, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Season Pass’ Facebook page.

Ilya 

Since it started as an online purveyor of adult goods and toys in 2016, Ilya has been working to educate people about sex and intimacy. The physical store has been open since June 2017 and according to the owner, they wanted the store to be inviting and enjoyable even to those who are just getting into it—and you can see that from their bright interiors and #aesthetic products. Oh, and even if you’re not in the market for a sex toy, you might want to stop by for a snack; they have a small ice cream stand in one corner of the store!

Ilya is at 2/F 189 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City. For more information, log on to Ilya’s Facebook page.

The Mala Tree 

Maginhawa is looking like it's gaining a reputation as Quezon City's crystal hub: The Mala Tree, the first crystal shop in the area, has a soothing vibe because of the sounds, the scent, and the lighting, but it's the sight of the tumbled stones, money trees, singing bowls, pendants, and all the bracelets will definitely set your heart racing.  The store has been open since 2011 and some of the products they sell apart from crystals and gemstones include Japa Mala beads, crystal bracelets, feng shui bracelets, yoga-inspired jewelry, and more.

The Mala Tree is at 189 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. For more information, log on to The Mala Tree’s Facebook page.

Here are 10 of the locals' favorite things to do in Maginhawa:

If you're looking to seek respite from the stress of the daily grind, then look no further than Maginhawa and its nearby streets. It has everything you need for a quick pick-me-up: a micro-cinema, a workout studio, and even a place where you can turn pain into something beautiful (yes, we're talking about tattoos).  Whether you’re on the lookout for a fun afternoon or just a place to wind down, this charming locale has you covered.

Support local cinema at Cinema Centenario

Cinema Centenario has been a haven for film lovers since officially opening in December 2017. The microcinema is dedicated to screening independent and mainstream Filipino films, but they feature independent foreign films in their lineup as well. The place offers more than just film screenings, so make the most out of your visit by looking out for their special events such as Q&A forums with directors or artists, master classes with filmmakers, and “Tambay Thursday,” which gathers movie buffs together to discuss films.

Cinema Centenario is at 95 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and from Saturday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Score affordable books at Bookfellas

If you’ve ever had to resist the temptation to blow your entire paycheck at a bookstore, you might want to drop by Bookfellas the next time you’re around Maginhawa. The store is the best place to find your next favorite read without breaking the bank, offering the satisfaction of being surrounded by books without the guilt of spending all your savings in one go. They have a diverse selection of genres ranging from fiction to philosophy and more, while prices can go as low as P10. Opened in July, it’s the second bookstore owned by Dan Gaffud—the same guy behind Bookay-Ukay.

Bookfellas is at 19 Malingap Street, Teachers Village West, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and every Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind ice cream flavor

Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream has several branches across the Metro, but their store in Maginhawa is where it all started for this handcrafted ice-cream brand. What makes Papa Diddi’s special is their assortment of quirky, Filipino-inspired flavors such as White Summer Lei inspired by Sampaguita flowers, Backyard Farm Tarragon made from the aromatic herb, and Roasted Forbidden Rice made from black rice. Their products are sustainable and homemade, with ingredients locally sourced from farmers from Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna.

Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream is at 68 Maginhawa, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Train to be a ninja

If you're looking to burn some calories after a food crawl in this foodie haven, you can drop by Muscle Up Parkour Gym and Urban Training Ground. This alternative fitness facility specializes in...well, parkour, but you can also take circuit training, boxing, and Muay Thai classes. It has agility ladders, high walls for mounting and dismounting, and ropes where you can test your core. 

Muscle Up Parkour Gym and Urban Training Ground is at 143 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Get inked at 55 Tinta

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can check “getting a tattoo” off your bucket list at 55 Tinta. Among the people who own and operate the store are Jay Contreras, Led Zeppelin Tuyay, Puto Astete, and Paolo Bernaldo, who are all recognizable names in the Pinoy music scene. Bernardo plays bass for Moonstar 88, while Contreras, Tuyay, and Astete belong to the rock band Kamikazee. Aside from their impressive roster of skilled and qualified tattoo artists, 55 Tinta’s comfortable and clean spaces will put you at ease.

55 Tinta is at 2/F Luisa 2 Building, 107 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City. It is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Have your fill in a quaint restaurant

Van Gogh is Bipolar is a special restaurant that offers more than just a simple dining experience. It makes a conscious effort to spread awareness about mental illnesses and encourages guests to leave their worries at the door. The menu, designed by Chef Jetro Rafael, is arranged according to the emotions that guests want to feel.

Van Gogh is Bipolar is at 154 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. It is open from Wednesday to Monday, from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Reservation is required.

Immerse yourself in art

Project 20 Gallery, which is an artist-run art gallery and creative space, features thought-provoking and engaging art exhibits, concerts, talks, and workshops. It also houses an organic restaurant and organic food shop that features local produce grown by gallery founder Daisy Langenegger. Her small farm also serves as an out-of-town residence for artists workshops.

Project 20 Gallery is at 20 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Work up a sweat in a boxing ring

If you’re looking to get fit while you’re in the area, drop by Elorde Fight Factory Manila. The place offers a rewarding and enjoyable workout that is more than just running on the treadmill for an hour. They offer programs and classes for boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and MMA.

Elorde Fight Factory Manila is at LA Residencia Building, 114 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and every Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Get some work done

The Other Room is a coworking space which offers affordable monthly, daily, and hourly rates that give you access to a quiet space conducive to working, high-speed Internet, unlimited coffee and juice, and access to power outlets. They even have a large collection of vinyl records and board games available for guests to use, and a simple menu with snacks, drinks, and meals. It’s the perfect place for everyone from students to freelancers to get work done or to wind down after a long day.

The Other Room is at 17 Malingap Street, Teachers Village West, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Learn how to make your own bag

Aside from selling customized leather bags, Soul Flower also offers classes on leather crafting (P3,000), metal etching (P3,500), and making all sorts of bags (from P4,500 to P9,000). You can even sign up for basic metalsmithing and create your own jewelry. Materials are included in the workshop fees—all you have to do is drop by, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the session.

Soul Flower Co. is at Unit 2C, 22 Malingap Street, Teachers Village West, Quezon City. It is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and from Saturday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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