Valentine’s Day is just around the corner; love is, once again, in the air. It’s very tangible and visible as you go down the busy streets of Metro Manila with all the happy couples walking around the city all lovey-dovey, storefronts festively adorned with hearts and anything that’s red, and street vendors selling roses and the like.
If you’re in a relationship, you’re probably thinking of a place to take your lover to this coming Valentine’s Day. However, dating in the city can be a little expensive; going out can easily burn a hole in your pocket nowadays. So, if you’re on a budget but still want to impress your date and have tons of fun this Valentine’s Day, check out this list of 10 great date places that will cost you less than ₱500.
SALT Makati
Price Tag: ₱400-₱500
We’re starting the list with, of course, restaurants. Going out to dinner is still the best and classiest way to celebrate Valentine’s. And what better food to eat on a Valentine’s date than steak? Who doesn’t like steak, right?
SALT is a fairly new restaurant in Makati; it’s a whole-in-the-wall joint for those looking for good but affordable steaks. Their buffalo wings and frozen Brazo are must tries.
SALT Makati
Address: 5887 Fermina corner Enriquez St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati
Phone: (+63 2) 956-7844
Store Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 5:00pm-1:00am
Sunday: 11:00am–3:00pm & 6:00pm–10:00pm
Friuli Trattoria
Price Tag: ₱400-₱500
If you’re craving for Italian food, you should definitely check this hidden treasure along Maginhawa St. in Teacher’s Village out. The place, while not the most spacious, is quaint and cozy. Perfect for an intimate dinner for lovebirds this Valentine’s.
Friuli Trattoria gives a taste of Italy at a very affordable price. Their Margherita and Tre Formaggi pizzas are just to die for.
Friuli Trattoria
Address: 79 Maginhawa St., Teachers Village, Quezon City
Phone: (+63 2) 434-1416
Store Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 11:00am-10:00pm
Somethin Fishy’s Midnight to Morning Buffet
Price Tag: ₱398
If you’re getting out of work pretty late on Valentine’s or maybe if you just want to celebrate the special day late in the night without the busy Valentine’s crowd, Somethin Fishy’s midnight to morning buffet is perfect for you.
You and your date can binge on as much American, Chinese, and Filipino food you want from 12mn to 10am.
Somethin Fishy
Address: Unit B2 & B3, Eastwood Citywalk 1, E. Rodriguez Ave. (C-5), Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City
Phone: (+63 2) 421-2121
Store Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 12:00am-10:00am & 11:00am-2:00pm
Love Desserts
Price Tag: ₱398
Another buffet restaurant, however Love Desserts, serves only–guess what–desserts. If you forget to get your girl or guy chocolates on Valentine’s, you might want to consider this place.
It’s a small joint that serves all sorts of sweets–from cakes, to tarts, to brownies, you name it. Highly recommended if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth on Valentine’s Day.
Love Desserts
Address: 915 Banawe St. corner Del Monte Ave., Quezon City
Phone: (+63 2) 239-0745
Store Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11:00am-11:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm-11:00pm
Ludo Boardgame Cafe
Price Tag: Games: Free, Food: ₱400-₱500
Now, enough of the restaurants. If you’re looking for activities other than dining to do on Valentine’s, look no further.
Ludo (Latin for ‘I play’) is a cool cafe that offers more than 300 boardgames for everyone. Playing boardgames is a great icebreaker, especially if you and your date are still at the getting-to-know-you stage. It’s definitely a fun and cute way to spend time together.
Ludo Boardgame Cafe
Address: 38 Jupiter St., corner Planet St., Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati
Phone: (+63 2) 810-7125
Store Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 4:00 pm-12:00 am
Friday: 4:00 pm-2:00 am
Saturday: 12:00 pm-2:00 am
Sunday: 12:00 pm-12:00 am
Music 21 Plaza Family KTV and Restaurant
Price Tag: ₱168 Per Hour
If boardgames aren’t your thing, how about karaoke? Karaoke is great entertainment for all kinds of occasions anyway–dates included. It’s also a great way to impress your date with your singing skills–if you have singing skills.
Music 21 is a great place with accommodating staff, delicious food, good sound system, and wide song selection.
Music 21 Plaza Family KTV and Restaurant
Address: 106 Jupiter St., Bel-Air 2, Makati
Phone: (+63 2) 890-5230
Store Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: 3:00pm-5:00am
Wednesday-Sunday: 24 hours
Cinema ’76 Film Society
Price Tag: ₱300
Yay! Movies! Who doesn’t love movies? It goes without saying that a movie date should be on this list since it’s fun and falls right under the budget. However, instead of a typical Hollywood movie date in a mall, why not try an intimate indie film screening at the Cinema ’76 Film Society?
This micro-cinema is very cozy with it’s plush seats and throw pillows. It’s also more affordable than the movies at the mall.
Cinema ’76 Film Society
Address: 160 Luna Mencias St., Brgy. Addition Hills, San Juan
Phone: (+63 2) 398-1939
Store Hours:
Everyday: 12:00pm-12:00am
Alliance Française de Manille’s Cine Club
Price Tag: Free
Another mall movie date alternative, Alliance Française de Manille’s Cine Club screens classic and contemporary French films at the Auditorium de l’Alliance Française de Manille every Wednesdays at 8:30pm. What’s great about this place is you don’t have to pay anything. It’s all for free.
They also screen some Filipino indie films from time to time. Now, since it’s free admission, there are no reservations and it’s first-come, first-serve. So, make sure you get there on time or even earlier.
Auditorium de l’Alliance Française de Manille
Address: 209 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel Air Village, Makati
Phone: (+63 2) 895-7585
Store Hours:
Wednesdays at 8:30pm
Ayala Museum
Price Tag: ₱450
If you feel like going a bit further down the arts and culture road, why not go to a museum? You can walk leisurely with your lover while admiring the masterpieces of some of the most prominent artists of our country.
Check out the Ayala Museum at Makati, one of the best places to lose oneself in amazing contemporary art. The museum has a vast collection in display that you and your date can uplift your spirits with.
Ayala Museum
Address: Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa St., Ayala Center, Makati
Phone: (+63 2) 759-8288
Store Hours:
Tuesday-Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Ocean Sky Chan Monastery
Price Tag: Free
Speaking of uplifting the spirits, why not try a meditation class? Ocean Sky Chan Monastery is a great place for overworked couples who are stressed by the big city lifestyle. Taking a few hours of silence and stillness, and refocusing the mind can also be a good Valentine’s date activity.
The meditation classes are free of charge. The place also offers free Mandarin classes, which is really cool.
Ocean Sky Chan Monastery
Address: 716 Jose Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan
Phone: (+63 2) 723-6132
Store Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-9:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
